Patents by Inventor Frank V. Summers

Frank V. Summers 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).

  • Method and apparatus for producing molten iron using coal
    Patent number: 4685964
    Abstract: A highly efficient method and apparatus for production of molten iron using coal by coal gasification in a molten iron gasifier-melter. The gasifier-melter is coupled to a direct reduction shaft furnace and utilizes both the gaseous and solid output of the shaft furnace. The process is especially efficient when using non-metallurgical coals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Midrex International B.V. Rotterdam
    Inventors: Frank V. Summers, John C. Scarlett, David C. Meissner, Glenn E. Hoffman
  • Method of generating a reducing gas
    Patent number: 4591380
    Abstract: A method for forming a reducing gas in a molten metal bath gasifier and simultaneously directly reducing iron oxide in a shaft furnace with the gas thus produced, wherein the bath coolant is preferably provided by cleaned recycle gas from the direct reduction shaft furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Midrex International B.V. Rotterdam, Zurich Branch
    Inventors: Frank V. Summers, David C. Meissner, Ronald Brown
  • Apparatus for generating a reducing gas
    Patent number: 4553742
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a reducing gas in a molten iron bath gasifier while simultaneously producing direct reduced iron oxide in an associated shaft furnace with the gas from the gasifier. The apparatus includes means for controlling the temperature of the reducing gas to the shaft furnace, means for cleaning, upgrading, and introducing spent top gas from the direct reduction furnace to the molten bath gasifier as a gaseous coolant to cool the reaction with the bath and reduce refractory wear within the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Midrex International BV Rotterdam, Zurich Branch
    Inventors: Frank V. Summers, David C. Meissner, Ronald Brown
  • Method of producing direct reduced iron with fluid bed coal gasification
    Patent number: 4260412
    Abstract: A method of producing direct reduced iron with fluid bed coal gasification in which a portion of cooled, recycled gas is used as coolant in the gasification chamber and a second portion of the cleaned recycled gas is heated and mixed with the hot, dust-free gasification gas to form reducing gas for the direct reduction process. Limestone is preferably mixed with the pulverized coal feed to the gasification chamber to desulfurize the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Frank V. Summers, David C. Meissner, John C. Scarlett