Patents by Inventor Georg Schopfer

Georg Schopfer 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: 8794031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for resolving a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing feed fraction (1, 1?), preferably natural gas, is described, wherein the feed fraction (1, 1?) is separated by rectification (T1, T2) into a nitrogen-enriched fraction (5) and a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction (10), and wherein the separation by rectification proceeds in a rectification column consisting of a preseparation column (T1) and a main separation column (T2). A liquid fraction (6) is taken off from the main separation column (T2) above the feed-in site(s) of the fraction (7, 7?, 7?) that is taken off from the preseparation column (T1) and fed to the main separation column (T2), and the liquid fraction (6) is applied to the preseparation column (T1) as reflux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Georg Schopfer, Jurgen Witte
  • Patent number: 8435403
    Abstract: A process is described for removing a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is partially condensed and fractionated by rectification into a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction. According to the invention during an interruption in the supply of the feed fraction, the separation column(s) (T1/T2) used for the fractionation by rectification and also the heat exchangers used for the partial condensation (E1) of the feed fraction and the cooling and warming of process streams occurring in the fractionation by rectification (E2) are kept by means of one or more differing cooling media (6-11) at temperature levels which correspond essentially to the temperature levels during standard operation of the separation column(s) (T1/T2) and the heat exchangers (E1, E2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Sapper, Georg Schopfer, Daniel Garthe, Arndt Erik Schael
  • Publication number: 20120047946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for resolving a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing feed fraction (1, 1?), preferably natural gas, is described, wherein the feed fraction (1, 1?) is separated by rectification (T1, T2) into a nitrogen-enriched fraction (5) and a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction (10), and wherein the separation by rectification proceeds in a rectification column consisting of a preseparation column (T1) and a main separation column (T2). A liquid fraction (6) is taken off from the main separation column (T2) above the feed-in site(s) of the fraction (7, 7?, 7?) that is taken off from the preseparation column (T1) and fed to the main separation column (T2), and the liquid fraction (6) is applied to the preseparation column (T1) as reflux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Heinz BAUER, Georg Schopfer, Jurgen Witte
  • Publication number: 20120041248
    Abstract: A process is described for removing a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is partially condensed and fractionated by rectification into a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction. According to the invention during an interruption in the supply of the feed fraction, the separation column(s) (T1/T2) used for the fractionation by rectification and also the heat exchangers used for the partial condensation (E1) of the feed fraction and the cooling and warming of process streams occurring in the fractionation by rectification (E2) are kept by means of one or more differing cooling media (6-11) at temperature levels which correspond essentially to the temperature levels during standard operation of the separation column(s) (T1/T2) and the heat exchangers (E1, E2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Sapper, Georg Schopfer, Daniel Garthe, Arndt Erik Schael
  • Publication number: 20120017640
    Abstract: A process for separating off a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is separated by rectification a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction, is described. According to the invention, during an interruption of the supply of the feed fraction, at least temporarily, the nitrogen-rich fraction (4?) and the methane-rich fraction (5?) are compressed and jointly supplied to the process as feed fraction, wherein the compression of the nitrogen-rich fraction (4?) and the methane-rich fraction (5?) can be performed separately and/or jointly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Rainer Sapper, Georg Schopfer, Daniel Garthe
  • Publication number: 20110209499
    Abstract: A process is described for separating off a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is separated by rectification into a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction and wherein the methane-rich fraction for the purpose of cold generation is vaporized and superheated at a pressure as high as possible against the feed fraction which is to be cooled. According to the invention the still liquid or partially vaporized methane-rich fraction (5?) is fed to a circulation vessel (D), only the liquid fraction of the methane-rich fraction (5?) occurring in the circulation vessel (D) is completely vaporized, preferably in natural circulation, and the top product (7) of the circulation vessel (D) is superheated (E1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Rainer Sapper, Martin Gwinner, Georg Schopfer