Patents by Inventor Frederick C. Jahnke

Frederick C. Jahnke 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: 6635094
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the recovery of elemental carbon or soot produced during the partial oxidation reaction of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel and oxygen. An effluent stream of raw synthesis gas or syngas with entrained carbon soot is produced during the partial oxidation reaction. A filter cake (2) is fed to a receiving bin (10) and then to a lockhopper (14) where the wet filter cake is pressurized. Wet filter cake/oil feed mixture from lockhopper (14) is fed through line (38) to knockout vessel (44) wherein oil and water vapor exit (50) to a gasifier. An oil feed/particulate carbon mixture exits lockhopper (14) through lines (66) and (70) to oil feed storage drum (26), fed by oil feed (24), and exits water-free mixture of oil and solids (76) to a gasifier reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 6623537
    Abstract: The raw syngas generated in a partial oxidation gasifier also includes carbon soot which is removed and recovered from the syngas by scrubbing with water. The scrubbing water contains one or more high temperature surfactants which allow greater soot concentrations in the water-scrubbing quench zone of the gasifier. The carbon soot is separated from the scrubbing water with the aid of a scrubbing oil. The separation of the carbon soot from the scrubbing water is enhanced with the aid of one or more surfactants that render the soot particles hydrophobic and oleophilic. The recovered carbon soot is ultimately recycled to the gasifier to recover the energy value of the carbon during the partial oxidation reaction. The overall energy efficiency of the gasification process can be increased by removing all or a significant portion of the water from the soot mixture before recycling the soot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 6345517
    Abstract: A combined system comprising an integrated gasifier combined cycle power generation system, an air separation unit (5) which provides oxygen to partial oxidation gasification unit gasifier (33) and an inventory section (21) which stores liquid oxygen or liquid air until it is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 6149859
    Abstract: The present invention is an integrated process and apparatus for supplying at least a portion of the reducing gas feedstock to a reduction reactor, such as a reactor for the direct reduction of iron, wherein the reducing gas contacts a feed material at a mean operating gas pressure and effects reduction of the feed material to provide a reduced product. The integrated process includes gasifying a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in a partial oxidation reaction to produce a synthesis gas which comprises hydrogen, and carbon monoxide at a pressure substantially greater than the mean operating gas pressure in the reduction reactor. The synthesis gas is expanded to lower its pressure to substantially the mean operating gas pressure in the DRI reduction reactor to thereby form the reducing gas feedstock at the pressure conditions used for the DRI reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Jahnke, James S. Falsetti, Gary A. Foulds, Geoffrey R. Rigby
  • Patent number: 6134916
    Abstract: A combined system comprising an integrated gasifier combined cycle power generation system, an air separation unit which provides oxygen to a partial oxidation gasification unit gasifier and an inventory section which stores liquid oxygen or liquid air until it is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 6090356
    Abstract: This invention is an integrated process which removes acidic gases such as H.sub.2 S, COS and CO.sub.2 from raw synthesis gas. The H.sub.2 S and COS is concentrated and separately recovered. The separately recovered CO.sub.2 is used as a moderator with the purified syngas in a combustion turbine. The process comprises separating H.sub.2 S and COS from a raw synthesis gas by absorption with a liquid solvent, removing coabsorbed CO.sub.2 by stripping the solvent with nitrogen, separating the H.sub.2 S and COS from the solvent and recovering sulfur from the H.sub.2 S and COS. The energy value of the CO.sub.2 and its value as a diluent in reducing NO.sub.x is recovered by using the CO.sub.2 as a moderator during combustion of the purified synthesis gas in a gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Jahnke, William P. Volk
  • Patent number: 6061936
    Abstract: The invention improves the reliability and efficiency of the burning of a synthesis gas as a fuel for a combustion turbine to produce power by incorporating a synthesis gas expander immediately upstream of the combustion turbine. Increased efficiency occurs from the additional power output from the expander and by a reduction or elimination of nitrogen compression from an air separation unit for the control of oxides of nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 6033456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process and apparatus for supplying at least a portion of, or substantially all, or all of the reducing gas feedstock to a reduction reactor, such as a reactor for the direct reduction of iron, wherein the reducing gas contacts a feed material at a mean operating gas pressure and effects reduction of the feed material to provide a reduced product. The integrated process includes the production of a hydrogen-rich gas by the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, which can also be referred to as a synthesis gas or syngas. The synthesis gas is at a pressure substantially greater than the mean operating gas pressure in the reduction reactor. The synthesis gas is expanded to lower its pressure to substantially the mean operating gas pressure in the DRI reduction reactor to thereby form the reducing gas feedstock at the pressure conditions used for the DRI reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 5394686
    Abstract: Mechanical and electrical power are produced along with synthesis or fuel gas by the partial oxidation process with integrated combustion and steam turbines. By-product vaporized liquefied natural gas for feed to a pipeline for gas consumers is obtained by heat exchange with heat containing streams from the partial oxidation gasification and gas cleaning and purification zone; and optionally from heat containing streams from combustion and/or steam turbine zones which are integrated with the partial oxidation process. Heat from the combustion turbine exhaust gas is used as follows: (1) superheat steam for use in a steam turbine; (2) preheat water saturated clean sulfur-free synthesis or fuel gas with or without supplemental methane enrichment; (3) preheat oxygen gas for the partial oxidation zone; and (4) vaporize LNG. Pre, inter, and after stages of an air compressor are cooled by indirect heat exchange with LNG which is thereby warmed or vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Child, William L. Lafferty, Jr., Robert M. Suggitt, Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 5358696
    Abstract: This invention relates to the production of hydrogen-rich gas by the partial oxidation of a saturated gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a mixture of saturated gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuel and a liquid hydrocabonaceous fuel in a gas generator. In the process, a saturated gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuel from a subsequent fuel gas saturator is preheated by indirect heat exchange with a portion of shifted process gas stream from a catalytic water-gas direct shift conversion zone and reacted in said partial oxidation gas generator. The process gas stream from the noncatalytic partial oxidation gas generator is quench cooled and scrubbed with water and preheated by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the process gas stream from the shift conversion zone prior to catalytically reacting the CO and H.sub.2 O in the process gas stream in the shift conversion zone to increase its H.sub.2 content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 5345756
    Abstract: A highly efficient partial oxidation process with the production of power comprising the steps of producing fuel gas by the partial oxidation of hydrocarbonaceous fuel, cooling said fuel gas at high pressure by quenching in water to produce quenched fuel gas and by indirect heat exchange with BFW to maximize the production of IP and MP steam, cleaning said fuel gas, preheating scrubbing water comprising process condensate and make-up water by direct contact and direct heat exchange with clean fuel gas and using said preheated scrubbing water in the cleaning of said fuel gas, reducing the pressure of said cooled fuel gas stream prior to heating water for fuel gas saturation, cooling the process fuel gas stream in stages and condensing water for use as said scrubbing water, purifying the process fuel gas and saturating it with water, and burning said purified and saturated fuel gas in the combustor of a power-producing gas turbine along with saturated nitrogen to produce exhaust gas with a reduced NO.sub.x.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Jahnke, Paul S. Wallace, Pradeep S. Thacker
  • Patent number: 5295350
    Abstract: Mechanical and electrical power are produced along with synthesis or fuel gas by the partial oxidation process with integrated combustion and steam turbines. By-product vaporized liquefied natural gas for feed to a pipeline for gas consumers is obtained by heat exchange with heat containing streams from the partial oxidation gasification and gas cleaning and purification zone; and optionally from heat containing streams from combustion and/or steam turbine zones which are integrated with said partial oxidation process. Heat from the combustion turbine exhaust gas is used as follows: (1) superheat steam for use in a steam turbine; (2) preheat water saturated clean sulfur-free synthesis or fuel gas with or without supplemental methane enrichment; (3) preheat oxygen gas for said partial oxidation zone; and (4) vaporize LNG. Pre, inter, and after stages of an air compressor are cooled by indirect heat exchange with LNG which is thereby warmed or vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Child, William L. Lafferty, Jr., Robert M. Suggitt, Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 5232467
    Abstract: Cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) is used as a source of refrigeration and methane in the production of dry sulfur-free, methane-enriched synthesis gas or fuel gas. Raw syngas is indirectly and directly contacted with cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) and cooled thereby below the dew point. Water is thereby condensed out and separated from the process gas stream. Further, the liquid LNG vaporizes and increases the methane content of the dewatered synthesis gas. Cold liquid absorbent solvent contacts the dry CH.sub.4 -enriched synthesis gas in an absorption column and absorbs the acid gases e.g. H.sub.2 S and COS and optionally H.sub.2 S+COS+CO.sub.2. In a preferred embodiment, the rich solvent absorbent is regenerated in a stripping column and the released acid gases are sent to a Claus unit for the production of elemental sulfur. In a second embodiment, the regenerated lean liquid absorbent solvent may be mixed with the dry, purified synthesis gas leaving from the top of the absorption tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Child, William L. Lafferty, Jr., Robert M. Suggitt, Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 4889657
    Abstract: The hot effluent gas stream comprising H.sub.2 +CO and entrained molten slag and ash from the partial oxidation of an ash-containing heavy liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, an ash-containing solid carbonaceous fuel, or mixtures thereof is passed in succession through a radiant cooling zone, a metal gas transfer line with internal metal heat transfer surfaces, and a convection cooling zone. By maintaining the internal metal heat transfer surfaces of the gas transfer line where turbulent flow of gas stream occurs at a temperature in the range of about 150.degree. F. to below 700.degree. F. by noncontact heat exchange with a coolant, substantially no molten slag or ash sticks to the metal heat transfer surfaces on the inside of the gas transfer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 4647294
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the partial oxidation of a high metals or ash containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel to simultaneously produce saturated and unsaturated raw streams of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. Two continuous partial oxidation reactions in two separate reaction zones go on simultaneously. The fuel feed to the first partial oxidation zone is said fresh high metals or ash containing fuel. The raw product gas stream from the first partial oxidation zone is split into first and second split gas streams. The first split gas stream may be cooled in a radiant and/or convection type gas cooler without fouling heat exchange surfaces. The fuel feed to the second partial oxidation zone is a pumpable slurry which is prepared from the entrained matter that is separated from said gas streams during quench cooling and cleaning operations and which contains a comparatively high amount of metals and/or ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 4559061
    Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced by partial oxidation of hydrocarbon charge, a first portion being cooled by indirect heat exchange and scrubbed before being combined with the quenched second portion en route to particulate scrubbing, the combined gas scrubber overhead being characterized by a desired steam:dry gas ratio which is controlled by regulating the flow of the quenched second portion in accordance with the measured properties of the combined scrubber overhead gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Jahnke, William B. Crouch, George M. Gulko
  • Patent number: 4547145
    Abstract: In the combination of a high temperature combustion chamber which has a burner at the top, there is a radiant energy conduit that is associated with the burner so as to receive radiant energy from the interior of the combustion chamber. The burner introduces the constituents of a synthesis gas generation process. The radiant energy conduit is cooled by its association with the burner, and its purpose is for making temperature measurements inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 4547203
    Abstract: A process is provided for the partial oxidation of a high metals or ash containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel to simultaneously produce saturated and unsaturated raw streams of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. Two continuous partial oxidation reactions in two separate reaction zones go on simultaneously. The fuel feed to the first partial oxidation zone is said fresh high metals or ash containing fuel. The raw product gas stream from the first partial oxidation zone is split into first and second split gas streams. The first split gas stream may be cooled in a radiant and/or convection type gas cooler without fouling heat exchange surfaces. The fuel feed to the second partial oxidation zone is a pumpable slurry which is prepared from the entrained matter that is separated from said gas streams during quench cooling and cleaning operations and which contains a comparatively high amount of metals and/or ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 4533363
    Abstract: Synthesis gas prepared from ash-containing carbonaceous fuel is passed to a water-containing contact zone wherein the ash is collected in a lower settling portion of the contact zone prior to passage through a valved passageway and thence to a lock hopper during a valve-open period, flow of said ash being augmented by intermittent positive flow of water during the time said valve is open, through said valve from said settling zone to said lock hopper whereby more positive flow of ash is obtained (when compared to that obtained by use of continuous flow of water from the lock hopper) with substantially decreased heat loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick C. Jahnke, William B. Crouch
  • Patent number: 4502869
    Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced by partial oxidation of hydrocarbon charge, a first portion being cooled by indirect heat exchange and scrubbed before being combined with the quenched second portion en route to particulate scrubbing, the combined gas scrubber overhead being characterized by a desired steam:dry gas ratio which is controlled by regulating the flow of the quenched second portion in accordance with the measured properties of the combined scrubber overhead gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Jahnke, William B. Crouch, George M. Gulko