Patents by Inventor Francois Lambert

Francois Lambert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11919269
    Abstract: A screw feeder includes a pipe, feed screw, rotatory shaft, dewatering holes, anti-rotation bars extending inside the pipe and protruding towards the feed screw, an inlet to receive solid-liquid mixture, and an outlet to discharge partially dewatered solid. The pipe includes at least one pipe section having a first peripheral zone in a vertically lower area with dewatering holes but no anti-rotation bars and a second peripheral zone in a vertically upper area with anti-rotation bars. A pipe profile includes two differently shaped profiles, a first and second pipe profile are selected from a square-shaped, partly circular, and a partly elliptically-shaped profile. The first pipe profile is selected to enable outer edges of the feed screw to remove material overlying the dewatering holes, and the second pipe profile is selected to prohibit contact between the outer edges of the feed screw and the anti-rotation bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventor: Francois Lambert
  • Publication number: 20230220620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for defibrating a lignocellulosic material in a steam explosion process, the method comprising: —supplying (1001) lignocellulosic material to a reactor (8), —treating (1002) the lignocellulosic material in the reactor (8) at a first pressure (P1), —discharging (1003) the lignocellulosic material from the reactor (8) to a vessel (13), wherein the vessel (13) is at a second pressure (P2) that is lower than the first pressure (P1) so that the lignocellulosic material is defibrated through steam explosion as it passes from the reactor (8), wherein lignocellulosic material is continuously supplied to and discharged from the reactor (8) in such a way that the first pressure (P1) is constant. The invention also relates to a defibration system for defibrating a lignocellulosic material in a steam explosion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Francois LAMBERT, Mattias ERIXON, Andreas AVERHEIM, Peter BJÖRKLUND
  • Publication number: 20230043719
    Abstract: Method for treating biomass, comprising compressing and dewatering (62) the biomass to a dry solid content of DS1% by weight; feeding (63) compressed biomass to a treatment vessel; adding (64) a treatment liquid to said treatment vessel; discharging (65) treated biomass; compressing and dewatering (66) discharged biomass to a dry solid content of DS2% by weight, and treating (68) the compressed and dewatered biomass in a hydrolysis reactor, wherein 1%<DS1?DS2<6%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Francois LAMBERT, Rolf BOMAN
  • Patent number: 11561034
    Abstract: This refrigerant vessel component (2, 4, 7) for a refrigeration circuit (100), comprises a shell (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) delimiting an internal volume (V), in which circulates a refrigerant fluid (R), whereas the refrigerant vessel component (2) comprises an inner shell (20) located radially inside the shell (10) and extending on at least a portion of the circumference of the shell (10), and whereas the inner shell (20) is at least partly formed of perforated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy Wallet-Laïly, Charbel Rahhal, Francois Lambert, Aurelien Jud
  • Patent number: 11492752
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomass (2). Biomass (2) is fed to a pressurized prehydrolysis reactor unit (8) by means of a feeding system (5, 7), wherein by means of the feeding system (5, 7) the biomass (2) is compressed. A filtrate is squeezed out of the biomass (2) by means of the feeding system (5, 7), in particular by a first plug screw (5) or a second plug screw (7) of the feeding system (5, 7). The biomass (2) is then thermally treated in the pressurized prehydrolysis reactor unit (8), discharged from the pressurized prehydrolysis reactor unit (8) afterwards, diluted with the filtrate before or after the discharge, and treated with an enzyme subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Andreas Averheim, Francois Lambert
  • Patent number: 11420180
    Abstract: A reactor arrangement for pre-hydrolysis of biomass material. The reactor arrangement comprises a reactor vessel arranged substantially horizontally, wherein the vessel comprises an inlet for receiving the biomass material arranged at an upper portion of the vessel. The inlet may be arranged at a first longitudinal end of the vessel. The vessel may furthermore comprise an outlet at a second longitudinal end of the vessel. The reactor arrangement further comprises a set of steam injection orifices arranged to inject or supply steam into the reactor vessel. The set of steam injection orifices comprises at least two orifices arranged below the inlet at a distance from each other. The at least two orifices may be arranged at a distance from each other in the lateral direction of the reactor vessel. Furthermore, a method for pre-hydrolysis treatment of biomass in a substantially horizontal reactor vessel is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Francois Lambert, Johan Carlsson, Rolf Boman, Patrik Pettersson
  • Patent number: 11371186
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomass (2). In a step (S10), biomass (2) and an impregnation liquid are fed into a first reactor unit (10) such that the biomass (2) is impregnated with the impregnation liquid while the biomass (2) is transferred through the first reactor unit (10) by a conveyor means (11). In another step (S20), the impregnated biomass (2a) is transferred from the first reactor unit (10) to a separation unit (25), wherein at least a part of the impregnation liquid is separated from the impregnated biomass (2a) within the separation unit. In a step (S30), the separated impregnation liquid is discharged from the separation unit (25), such that a first part (26a) of the impregnation liquid is recirculated back to the first reactor unit (10). The invention further relates to a system for treating biomass (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Valmet AB
    Inventor: Francois Lambert
  • Patent number: 11319603
    Abstract: A method for processing lignocellulose materials comprising the steps of hydrothermal treatment of the material with saturated or superheated steam in a hydrothermal pressure vessel, wherein the steam is provided by means of a steam boiler. The treatment is performed at a pressure of 5-30 bars, and at a temperature of 160-240° C. for a duration of 1-20 minutes. The method further comprises discharging hydrothermally treated lignocellulose material and steam from the pressure vessel by means of rapid pressure reduction, separating the steam and vapours released from the lignocellulose material, and burning the vapours together with additional fuel and combustion air in the furnace of said steam boiler. Furthermore, a corresponding system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Peter Björklund, Mattias Erixon, Francois Lambert, Andreas Averheim
  • Patent number: 11162216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomass (1). In a step (S10) of the method, the biomass (1) and an amount of water (2) is fed into a first reactor unit (10) such that the biomass (1) is impregnated using the amount of water (2) while the biomass (1) is transferred through the first reactor unit (10) by a conveyor means (11). In another step (S20), the impregnated biomass (22) is transferred from the first reactor unit (10) to a separation unit (20) in which at least a part (21) of the amount of water (2) used for impregnation can be separated from the impregnated biomass (22). In another step (S30), the impregnated biomass (22) is transferred from the separation unit (20) into a second reactor unit (30) in which the impregnated biomass (22) is subjected to a predetermined pressure (S30). The invention further relates to the use of the method for treating non-wood material as well as to a device for treating biomass (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Valmet AB
    Inventor: Francois Lambert
  • Publication number: 20210254870
    Abstract: This refrigerant vessel component (2, 4, 7) for a refrigeration circuit (100), comprises a shell (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) delimiting an internal volume (V), in which circulates a refrigerant fluid (R), whereas the refrigerant vessel component (2) comprises an inner shell (20) located radially inside the shell (10) and extending on at least a portion of the circumference of the shell (10), and whereas the inner shell (20) is at least partly formed of perforated material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Jeremy Wallet-Laïly, Charbel Rahhal, Francois Lambert, Aurelien Jud
  • Publication number: 20210237024
    Abstract: A reactor vessel (1) for biomass material, wherein said reactor vessel (1) is a pressurized reactor vessel, said reactor vessel being elongated and comprising: a substantially tubular vessel part (3); two gables (5a, 5b) connected one to each end (19a, 19b) of the tubular vessel part (3), hereby enclosing a vessel internal compartment (7); and a material transporting screw (8) comprising a central shaft (9) provided within the vessel internal compartment (7) extending between the two gables (5a, 5b) along a central axis (A) of the reactor vessel (1), wherein said material transporting screw further comprises screw flight (11) provided around the shaft (9), wherein said material transporting screw is configured for transporting the biomass material through the reactor vessel, wherein both gables (5a, 5b) are inwardly dished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Stefan MELLANDER, Johan CARLSSON, Lars FREDRIKSSON, Francois LAMBERT
  • Publication number: 20210230801
    Abstract: A system for feeding lignocellulosic biomass material, comprising a pre-compressing stage for receiving biomass material and pre-compressing the material at a first pressure and a first compression ratio. A plug screw feeder receives the pre-compressed material and feeds the material against a second pressure and a second compression ratio, wherein the plug screw feeder includes a variable speed plug screw arranged in the plug screw feeder connected to a variable speed plug screw power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Francois LAMBERT, Robert WAHLBERG, Patrik PETTERSSON
  • Publication number: 20210206131
    Abstract: Disclosed is a screw feeder (10) comprising a pipe (3) enclosing a feed screw 4 arranged on a rotatory shaft (5) running parallel with the length direction of the pipe (3), said pipe (3) further comprising a number of dewatering holes (6). The screw feeder (10) also comprises a number of anti-rotation bars (7) provided on, and extending along, the inside of said pipe (3), said anti-rotation bars (7) protruding in a direction towards said feed screw (4), and an inlet (1) for receiving a solid-liquid mixture arranged at a first end of said pipe (3), and an outlet (2) arranged at a second end of said pipe (3) for discharging an at least partially dewatered solid from said pipe (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventor: Francois LAMBERT
  • Publication number: 20210140105
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomass (2). Biomass (2) is fed to a pressurized prehydrolysis reactor unit (8) by means of a feeding system (5, 7), wherein by means of the feeding system (5, 7) the biomass (2) is compressed. A filtrate is squeezed out of the biomass (2) by means of the feeding system (5, 7), in particular by a first plug screw (5) or a second plug screw (7) of the feeding system (5, 7). The biomass (2) is then thermally treated in the pressurized prehydrolysis reactor unit (8), discharged from the pressurized prehydrolysis reactor unit (8) afterwards, diluted with the filtrate before or after the discharge, and treated with an enzyme subsequently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Andreas AVERHEIM, Francois LAMBERT
  • Patent number: 10907870
    Abstract: A lubricant separator includes a shell, a vapor inlet located at a first end of the shell to admit a flow of refrigerant and lubricant into the lubricant separator and a muffler positioned in the shell. The muffler includes a first perforated pipe extending along a longitudinal axis of the shell from the vapor inlet, a second perforated pipe radially spaced from the first perforated pipe, an absorption material layer positioned radially outboard of the second perforated pipe, and a lubricant-permeable liner positioned radially between the second perforated pipe and the absorption material layer. The lubricant-permeable liner allows for acoustic wave transmission from the second perforated pipe to the absorption material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francois Lambert, Jin Liu, Damien Poux
  • Publication number: 20200332375
    Abstract: A method for processing lignocellulose materials comprising the steps of hydrothermal treatment of the material with saturated or superheated steam in a hydrothermal pressure vessel, wherein the steam is provided by means of a steam boiler. The treatment is performed at a pressure of 5-30 bars, and at a temperature of 160-240° C. for a duration of 1-20 minutes. The method further comprises discharging hydrothermally treated lignocellulose material and steam from the pressure vessel by means of rapid pressure reduction, separating the steam and vapours released from the lignocellulose material, and burning the vapours together with additional fuel and combustion air in the furnace of said steam boiler. Furthermore, a corresponding system is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Peter BJÖRKLUND, Mattias ERIXON, Francois LAMBERT, Andreas AVERHEIM
  • Publication number: 20200306719
    Abstract: A reactor arrangement for pre-hydrolysis of biomass material. The reactor arrangement comprises a reactor vessel arranged substantially horizontally, wherein the vessel comprises an inlet for receiving the biomass material arranged at an upper portion of the vessel. The inlet may be arranged at a first longitudinal end of the vessel. The vessel may furthermore comprise an outlet at a second longitudinal end of the vessel. The reactor arrangement further comprises a set of steam injection orifices arranged to inject or supply steam into the reactor vessel. The set of steam injection orifices comprises at least two orifices arranged below the inlet at a distance from each other. The at least two orifices may be arranged at a distance from each other in the lateral direction of the reactor vessel. Furthermore, a method for pre-hydrolysis treatment of biomass in a substantially horizontal reactor vessel is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Francois LAMBERT, Johan CARLSSON, Rolf BOMAN, Patrik Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20190345671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomass (1). In a step (S10) of the method, the biomass (1) and an amount of water (2) is fed into a first reactor unit (10) such that the biomass (1) is impregnated using the amount of water (2) while the biomass (1) is transferred through the first reactor unit (10) by a conveyor means (11). In another step (S20), the impregnated biomass (22) is transferred from the first reactor unit (10) to a separation unit (20) in which at least a part (21) of the amount of water (2) used for impregnation can be separated from the impregnated biomass (22). In another step (S30), the impregnated biomass (22) is transferred from the separation unit (20) into a second reactor unit (30) in which the impregnated biomass (22) is subjected to a predetermined pressure (S30). The invention further relates to the use of the method for treating non-wood material as well as to a device for treating biomass (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventor: Francois LAMBERT
  • Publication number: 20190277547
    Abstract: A lubricant separator includes a shell, a vapor inlet located at a first end of the shell to admit a flow of refrigerant and lubricant into the lubricant separator and a muffler positioned in the shell. The muffler includes a first perforated pipe extending along a longitudinal axis of the shell from the vapor inlet, a second perforated pipe radially spaced from the first perforated pipe, an absorption material layer positioned radially outboard of the second perforated pipe, and a lubricant-permeable liner positioned radially between the second perforated pipe and the absorption material layer. The lubricant-permeable liner allows for acoustic wave transmission from the second perforated pipe to the absorption material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Francois Lambert, Jin Liu, Damien Poux
  • Publication number: 20190271113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomass (2). In a step (S10), biomass (2) and an impregnation liquid are fed into a first reactor unit (10) such that the biomass (2) is impregnated with the impregnation liquid while the biomass (2) is transferred through the first reactor unit (10) by a conveyor means (11). In another step (S20), the impregnated biomass (2a) is transferred from the first reactor unit (10) to a separation unit (25), wherein at least a part of the impregnation liquid is separated from the impregnated biomass (2a) within the separation unit. In a step (S30), the separated impregnation liquid is discharged from the separation unit (25), such that a first part (26a) of the impregnation liquid is recirculated back to the first reactor unit (10). The invention further relates to a system for treating biomass (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventor: Francois LAMBERT