Patents by Inventor Frank Hershkowitz

Frank Hershkowitz 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: 11978931
    Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cell configurations are provided that allow for introduction of an anode input gas flow on a side of the fuel cell that is adjacent to the entry side for the cathode input gas flow while allowing the anode and cathode to operate under co-current flow and/or counter-current flow conditions. It has been discovered that improved flow properties can be achieved within the anode or cathode during co-current flow or counter-current flow operation by diverting the input flow for the anode or cathode into an extended edge seal region (in an extended edge seal chamber) adjacent to the active area of the anode or cathode, and then using a baffle to provide sufficient pressure drop for even flow distribution of the anode input flow across the anode or cathode input flow across the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Christopher Howard, Brandon J. O'Neill, Paul J. Rubas, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Lawrence J. Novacco, Frank J. Dobek, Jr., Keith E. Davis, Brian Bullecks
  • Publication number: 20240047725
    Abstract: A module assembly is provided including a fuel cell stack assembly, a heat exchanger, and a housing enclosing the fuel cell stack assembly and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to receive process gas from an external source and output said process gas to the fuel cell stack assembly, and configured to receive process gas from the fuel cell stack assembly and output said process gas. A fuel cell power plant is provided including a module assembly with a first end, a racking structure configured to hold the module assembly, balance of plant equipment, and ducting configured to provide fluid communication between the balance of plant equipment and the first end of the module assembly. The module assembly and the racking structure are configured such that the module assembly may be removed from the racking structure in a direction away from the first end of the module assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Clay R. Sutton, Paul J. Rubas
  • Patent number: 11664519
    Abstract: A module assembly is provided including a fuel cell stack assembly, a heat exchanger, and a housing enclosing the fuel cell stack assembly and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to receive process gas from an external source and output said process gas to the fuel cell stack assembly, and configured to receive process gas from the fuel cell stack assembly and output said process gas. A fuel cell power plant is provided including a module assembly with a first end, a racking structure configured to hold the module assembly, balance of plant equipment, and ducting configured to provide fluid communication between the balance of plant equipment and the first end of the module assembly. The module assembly and the racking structure are configured such that the module assembly may be removed from the racking structure in a direction away from the first end of the module assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Clay R. Sutton, Paul J. Rubas
  • Publication number: 20220255095
    Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cell configurations are provided that allow for introduction of an anode input gas flow on a side of the fuel cell that is adjacent to the entry side for the cathode input gas flow while allowing the anode and cathode to operate under co-current flow and/or counter-current flow conditions. It has been discovered that improved flow properties can be achieved within the anode or cathode during co-current flow or counter-current flow operation by diverting the input flow for the anode or cathode into an extended edge seal region (in an extended edge seal chamber) adjacent to the active area of the anode or cathode, and then using a baffle to provide sufficient pressure drop for even flow distribution of the anode input flow across the anode or cathode input flow across the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Howard, Brandon J. O'Neill, Paul J. Rubas, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Lawrence J. Novacco, Frank J. Dobek, Keith David, Brian Bullecks
  • Patent number: 11211621
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells to allow for periodic regeneration of the fuel cells while performing elevated CO2 capture. In some aspects, periodic regeneration can be achieved by shifting the location within the fuel cells where the highest density of alternative ion transport is occurring. Such a shift can result in a new location having a highest density of alternative ion transport, while the previous location can primarily transport carbonate ions. Additionally or alternately, periodic regeneration can be performed by modifying the input flows to the fuel cell and/or relaxing the operating conditions of the fuel cell to reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Frank Hershkowitz, Carl A. Willman, Timothy C. Geary
  • Publication number: 20210159534
    Abstract: A module assembly is provided including a fuel cell stack assembly, a heat exchanger, and a housing enclosing the fuel cell stack assembly and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to receive process gas from an external source and output said process gas to the fuel cell stack assembly, and configured to receive process gas from the fuel cell stack assembly and output said process gas. A fuel cell power plant is provided including a module assembly with a first end, a racking structure configured to hold the module assembly, balance of plant equipment, and ducting configured to provide fluid communication between the balance of plant equipment and the first end of the module assembly. The module assembly and the racking structure are configured such that the module assembly may be removed from the racking structure in a direction away from the first end of the module assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Clay R. Sutton, Paul J. Rubas
  • Publication number: 20210159523
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided including an anode configured to receive, and allow to pass through, an anode process gas, a cathode configured to receive, and allow to pass through, a cathode process gas, and an electrolyte matrix layer separating the anode and the cathode. One of the anode or the cathode has an extended edge seal chamber, and the fuel cell is configured to receive the anode process gas and the cathode process gas in substantially perpendicular directions relative to each other, and the extended edge seal chamber is configured to allow the anode process gas and the cathode process gas to pass through the anode and the cathode in substantially parallel flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Lawrence J. Novacco, Lu Han, Brandon J. O'Neill, Frank Hershkowitz, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Yesim Igci
  • Patent number: 10899970
    Abstract: The invention relates to the compression of a pyrolysis product to facilitate light olefin separation. The pyrolysis product is produced in a pyrolysis reaction. A power generator produces a first shaft power and a second shaft power. The pyrolysis product is compressed using at least part of the first shaft power and at least part of the second shaft power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Pavia, Federico Barrai, Frank Hershkowitz, Gregory E. Yeo
  • Patent number: 10711203
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and to the use of hydrocarbon pyrolysis for, e.g., hydrocarbon gas upgrading. The pyrolysis is carried out in a reactor which includes at least one thermal mass having an open frontal area ?55%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Federico Barrai, Elizabeth G. Mahoney, John S. Coleman, Dhaval A. Bhandari, Brian M. Weiss, Changmin Chun, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 10676799
    Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Publication number: 20200176793
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells to allow for periodic regeneration of the fuel cells while performing elevated CO2 capture. In some aspects, periodic regeneration can be achieved by shifting the location within the fuel cells where the highest density of alternative ion transport is occurring. Such a shift can result in a new location having a highest density of alternative ion transport, while the previous location can primarily transport carbonate ions. Additionally or alternately, periodic regeneration can be performed by modifying the input flows to the fuel cell and/or relaxing the operating conditions of the fuel cell to reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Frank Hershkowitz, Carl A. Willman, Timothy C. Geary
  • Patent number: 10669488
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and to the use of hydrocarbon pyrolysis for, e.g., hydrocarbon upgrading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Federico Barrai, James R. Lattner, Frank Hershkowitz, Elizabeth G. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 10622660
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for arranging processing units in a common volume to allow for processing of a fluid flow as part of a mass and/or heat transfer process. Fuel cells are examples of processing units that include separate flow paths for processing two input fluid flows with mass and/or heat transfer between the separate flow paths. The arrangements described herein can allow a gas phase fluid flow to be delivered to a first process flow path of processing units in a common volume. The gas phase fluid flow can be delivered in a relatively uniform manner without the use of an intervening manifold to distribute gas from the common volume into the processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Paul J. Berlowitz, Sandipan K. Das, Thomas A. Badgwell
  • Patent number: 10589221
    Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integrating molten carbonate fuel cells with a fired heater for production of electrical power while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 present in the flue gas generated by the fired heater. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated for use with fired heater so that at least a portion of the flue gas from fired heater flows through cathodes of the fuel cells and at least a portion of the cathode exhaust is returned to a convection section of the fired heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Badgwell, Frank Hershkowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Paul J. Berlowitz
  • Patent number: 10577243
    Abstract: A reforming catalyst with improved surface area is provided by using high surface area alumina doped with a stabilizer metal as a catalyst support. The surface area of the catalyst can be higher than a typical reforming catalyst, and the surface area can also be maintained under high temperature operation. This can allow use of the catalyst for reforming in a higher temperature environment while maintaining a higher surface area, which can allow for improved dispersion and/or activity of an active metal such as rhodium on the catalyst support. The catalyst can be suitable for production of syngas from natural gas or other hydrocarbon-containing feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew S. Ide, John F. Brody, Jianxin Wu, Joshua W. Allen, Frank Hershkowitz, Arsam Behkish, Anastasios I. Skoulidas
  • Publication number: 20200048163
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and to the use of hydrocarbon pyrolysis for, e.g., hydrocarbon upgrading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Federico Barrai, James R. Lattner, Frank Hershkowitz, Elizabeth G. Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20200024524
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and to the use of hydrocarbon pyrolysis for, e.g., hydrocarbon gas upgrading. The pyrolysis is carried out in a reactor which includes at least one thermal mass having an open frontal area ?55%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Federico Barrai, Elizabeth G. Mahoney, John S. Coleman, Dhaval A. Bhandari, Brian M. Weiss, Changmin Chun, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 10495306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling a combustion reaction and the products thereof. One embodiment includes a combustion control system having an oxygen supply stream and a high concentration carbon dioxide stream, mixing the streams to form an oxygenation stream substantially comprising oxygen and CO2 and having an oxygen to CO2 ratio, then mixing the oxygenation stream with a combustion fuel stream and combusting in a combustor to generate a combustion products stream having a temperature detected by a temperature sensor, the data from which is used to control the flow a carbon dioxide diluent stream to produce a desired temperature of combustion. The system may also include a control system configured to regulate the flow of the oxygen supply stream based on the flow rate and composition of the combustion fuel stream. The system may also include a gas turbine with an expander and having a load and a load controller in a feedback arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Franklin F. Mittricker, Loren K. Starcher, Chad Rasmussen, Richard A. Huntington, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Publication number: 20190276748
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and to the use of hydrocarbon pyrolysis for, e.g., hydrocarbon upgrading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Federico Barrai, James R. Lattner, Frank Hershkowitz, Elizabeth G. Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20190169510
    Abstract: The invention relates to the compression of a pyrolysis product to facilitate light olefin separation. The pyrolysis product is produced in a pyrolysis reaction. A power generator produces a first shaft power and a second shaft power. The pyrolysis product is compressed using at least part of the first shaft power and at least part of the second shaft power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas W. Pavia, Federico Barrai, Frank Hershkowitz, Gregory E. Yeo