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).
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Patent number: 11978931Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20240047725Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Clay R. Sutton, Paul J. Rubas
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Patent number: 11664519Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignees: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Clay R. Sutton, Paul J. Rubas
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Publication number: 20220255095Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Christopher Howard, Brandon J. O'Neill, Paul J. Rubas, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Lawrence J. Novacco, Frank J. Dobek, Keith David, Brian Bullecks
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Patent number: 11211621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignees: 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
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Publication number: 20210159534Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Clay R. Sutton, Paul J. Rubas
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Publication number: 20210159523Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Keith E. Davis, Lawrence J. Novacco, Lu Han, Brandon J. O'Neill, Frank Hershkowitz, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Yesim Igci
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Patent number: 10899970Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. Pavia, Federico Barrai, Frank Hershkowitz, Gregory E. Yeo
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Patent number: 10711203Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Federico Barrai, Elizabeth G. Mahoney, John S. Coleman, Dhaval A. Bhandari, Brian M. Weiss, Changmin Chun, Frank Hershkowitz
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Patent number: 10676799Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
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Publication number: 20200176793Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Frank Hershkowitz, Carl A. Willman, Timothy C. Geary
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Patent number: 10669488Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Federico Barrai, James R. Lattner, Frank Hershkowitz, Elizabeth G. Mahoney
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Patent number: 10622660Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Paul J. Berlowitz, Sandipan K. Das, Thomas A. Badgwell
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Patent number: 10589221Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Thomas A. Badgwell, Frank Hershkowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Paul J. Berlowitz
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Patent number: 10577243Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Matthew S. Ide, John F. Brody, Jianxin Wu, Joshua W. Allen, Frank Hershkowitz, Arsam Behkish, Anastasios I. Skoulidas
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Publication number: 20200048163Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Federico Barrai, James R. Lattner, Frank Hershkowitz, Elizabeth G. Mahoney
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Publication number: 20200024524Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Federico Barrai, Elizabeth G. Mahoney, John S. Coleman, Dhaval A. Bhandari, Brian M. Weiss, Changmin Chun, Frank Hershkowitz
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Patent number: 10495306Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Franklin F. Mittricker, Loren K. Starcher, Chad Rasmussen, Richard A. Huntington, Frank Hershkowitz
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Publication number: 20190276748Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Federico Barrai, James R. Lattner, Frank Hershkowitz, Elizabeth G. Mahoney
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Publication number: 20190169510Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Thomas W. Pavia, Federico Barrai, Frank Hershkowitz, Gregory E. Yeo