Patents by Inventor Harold A. Wright
Harold A. Wright 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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Publication number: 20140286834Abstract: A system for separating liquids from solids comprising an immobilization unit comprising an immobilization vessel containing a bed of magnetizable material and a magnet configured to produce a magnetic field within the immobilization vessel, wherein the immobilization vessel further comprises an immobilization vessel outlet and an immobilization vessel inlet for a fluid comprising liquid and metal-containing particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Sergio MOHEDAS, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20140261112Abstract: A mixing apparatus for producing a feedstock for a reformer, the mixing apparatus including at least one mixing vessel comprising a cylindrical vessel with a conical bottom; a steam inlet configured for introducing steam into the conical bottom; a carbonaceous material inlet configured for introducing a carbonaceous feed into the cylindrical vessel; and an outlet for a reformer feedstock comprising at least 0.3 pounds of steam per pound of carbonaceous material, with the at least one mixing vessel configured for operation at a pressure of greater than about 10 psig.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: RENTECH, INC.Inventors: Randy BLEVINS, Joshua B. Pearson, Harold A. Wright
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Patent number: 8814963Abstract: A system for production of high-quality syngas comprising a first dual fluidized bed loop having a fluid bed conditioner operable to produce high quality syngas comprising a first percentage of components other than carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a gas feed, wherein the conditioner comprises an outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream comprising a catalytic heat transfer material and having a first temperature, and an inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream comprising catalytic heat transfer material and having a second temperature greater than the first temperature; a fluid bed combustor operable to combust fuel and oxidant, wherein the fluid bed combustor comprises an inlet connected with the outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner, and an outlet connected with the inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner; and a catalytic heat transfer material.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: George Apanel, Harold A. Wright
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Patent number: 8801815Abstract: A method of producing a high quality synthesis gas comprising less than a desired percentage of non-synthesis gas components and a desired mole ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide by providing a low quality synthesis gas comprising greater than the desired percentage; introducing the low quality synthesis gas into a conditioner; introducing a flue gas into a combustor; extracting a first catalytic heat transfer stream from the conditioner, and introducing at least a portion of the first catalytic heat transfer stream into the combustor; extracting a second catalytic heat transfer stream from the combustor, and introducing at least a portion of the second catalytic heat transfer stream into the conditioner; extracting a spent flue gas from the combustor; and extracting from the conditioner the high quality synthesis gas comprising the desired percentage and the desired mole ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: RENTECH, Inc.Inventors: George Apanel, Harold A. Wright
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Patent number: 8778178Abstract: A system for separating liquids from solids comprising an immobilization unit comprising an immobilization vessel containing a bed of magnetizable material and a magnet configured to produce a magnetic field within the immobilization vessel, wherein the immobilization vessel further comprises an immobilization vessel outlet and an immobilization vessel inlet for a fluid comprising liquid and metal-containing particles.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: Sergio Mohedas, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20140161676Abstract: An apparatus including at least one seal pot having at least one penetration through a surface other than the top of the seal pot, each of the at least one penetrations being configured for introduction, into the at least one seal pot, of solids from a separator upstream of the at least one seal pot; a substantially non-circular cross section; or both at least one penetration through a surface other than the top of the seal pot and a substantially non-circular cross section.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: RENTECH, INC.Inventors: Weibin JIANG, Bruce E. Mccomish, Bryan C. Borum, Benjamin H. Carryer, Mark D. Ibsen, Mark K. Robertson, Eric R. Elrod, Sim Weeks, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20140131623Abstract: A method for deep desulfurization of synthesis gas comprising introducing carbonaceous material and optionally steam into a gasifier comprising a heat transfer media, extracting a first heat transfer stream comprising heat transfer media and optionally unconverted carbonaceous material from the gasifier, and introducing at least a portion of the first heat transfer stream into a combustor, introducing oxidant and optionally a fuel into the combustor, extracting a second heat transfer stream comprising heat transfer media from the combustor, and introducing at least a portion of the second heat transfer stream into the gasifier, introducing a compound capable of reacting with sulfur to produce sulfate, sulfide or both, extracting a purge stream comprising ash, sulfate, halide, or a combination thereof from the second heat transfer stream, extracting a flue gas from the combustor, and extracting a gasifier product synthesis gas stream comprising less than 1000 ppm sulfur from the gasifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: RENTECH, INC.Inventors: George APANEL, Harold A. Wright
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Patent number: 8715380Abstract: A method for deep desulfurization of synthesis gas comprising introducing carbonaceous material and optionally steam into a gasifier comprising a heat transfer media, extracting a first heat transfer stream comprising heat transfer media and optionally unconverted carbonaceous material from the gasifier, and introducing at least a portion of the first heat transfer stream into a combustor, introducing oxidant and optionally a fuel into the combustor, extracting a second heat transfer stream comprising heat transfer media from the combustor, and introducing at least a portion of the second heat transfer stream into the gasifier, introducing a compound capable of reacting with sulfur to produce sulfate, sulfide or both, extracting a purge stream comprising ash, sulfate, halide, or a combination thereof from the second heat transfer stream, extracting a flue gas from the combustor, and extracting a gasifier product synthesis gas stream comprising less than 1000 ppm sulfur from the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: George Apanel, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20140037509Abstract: A method of gasification by introducing a feed material to be subjected to gasification into a dual fluidized bed gasifier comprising a pyrolyzer fluidly connected with a combustor such that a circulation stream comprising a heat transfer material can be continuously circulated between the pyrolyzer, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is reduced, and the combustor, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is increased, wherein the pyrolyzer is operable to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and wherein the combustor is operable to increase the temperature of the circulation stream via combustion of char introduced thereto with the circulation stream and at least one supplemental fuel. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: RENTECH, INC.Inventors: Weibin Jiang, Bruce E. Mccomish, Bryan C. Borum, Benjamin H. Carryer, Mark D. Ibsen, Mark K. Robertson, Eric R. Elrod, Sim Weeks, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20130330240Abstract: A system for production of high-quality syngas comprising a first dual fluidized bed loop having a fluid bed conditioner operable to produce high quality syngas comprising a first percentage of components other than carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a gas feed, wherein the conditioner comprises an outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream comprising a catalytic heat transfer material and having a first temperature, and an inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream comprising catalytic heat transfer material and having a second temperature greater than the first temperature; a fluid bed combustor operable to combust fuel and oxidant, wherein the fluid bed combustor comprises an inlet connected with the outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner, and an outlet connected with the inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner; and a catalytic heat transfer material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: RENTECH, INC.Inventors: George APANEL, Harold A. WRIGHT
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Publication number: 20130320265Abstract: A method of producing a high quality synthesis gas comprising less than a desired percentage of non-synthesis gas components and a desired mole ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide by providing a low quality synthesis gas comprising greater than the desired percentage; introducing the low quality synthesis gas into a conditioner; introducing a flue gas into a combustor; extracting a first catalytic heat transfer stream from the conditioner, and introducing at least a portion of the first catalytic heat transfer stream into the combustor; extracting a second catalytic heat transfer stream from the combustor, and introducing at least a portion of the second catalytic heat transfer stream into the conditioner; extracting a spent flue gas from the combustor; and extracting from the conditioner the high quality synthesis gas comprising the desired percentage and the desired mole ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: RENTECH, INC.Inventors: George APANEL, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20130320267Abstract: A method for deep desulfurization of synthesis gas comprising introducing carbonaceous material and optionally steam into a gasifier comprising a heat transfer media, extracting a first heat transfer stream comprising heat transfer media and optionally unconverted carbonaceous material from the gasifier, and introducing at least a portion of the first heat transfer stream into a combustor, introducing oxidant and optionally a fuel into the combustor, extracting a second heat transfer stream comprising heat transfer media from the combustor, and introducing at least a portion of the second heat transfer stream into the gasifier, introducing a compound capable of reacting with sulfur to produce sulfate, sulfide or both, extracting a purge stream comprising ash, sulfate, halide, or a combination thereof from the second heat transfer stream, extracting a flue gas from the combustor, and extracting a gasifier product synthesis gas stream comprising less than 1000 ppm sulfur from the gasifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: RENTECH, INC.Inventors: George APANEL, Harold A. WRIGHT
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Patent number: 8591610Abstract: A system, for production of high-quality syngas, comprising a first dual fluidized bed loop having a fluid bed conditioner operable to produce high quality syngas comprising a first percentage of components other than CO and H2 from a gas feed, wherein the conditioner comprises an outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream comprising a catalytic heat transfer material and having a first temperature, and an inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream comprising catalytic heat transfer material and having a second temperature greater than the first temperature; a fluid bed combustor operable to combust fuel and oxidant, wherein the fluid bed combustor comprises an inlet connected with the outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner, and an outlet connected with the inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner; and a catalytic heat transfer material.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: George Apanel, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20130296448Abstract: A method of preparing a spray dried catalyst by combining spray dried catalyst particles with wax so the spray dried catalyst particles are coated with wax, yielding wax coated catalyst particles, and shaping the wax coated catalyst to provide shaped wax coated catalyst. A method of activating Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles containing oxides by contacting the catalyst particles with a reducing gas in an activation vessel to produce an activated catalyst, wherein contacting is performed in the absence of a liquid medium under activation conditions. A system for activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst containing an activation reactor configured to introduce an activation gas to a fixed or fluidized bed of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the absence of a liquid medium and at least one separation device configured to separate a gas stream comprising entrained catalyst fines having an average particle size below a desired cutoff size from the activation reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Harold A. Wright, Belma Demirel, Sergio Mohedas, Bahman Rejai, Ray J. Huang, Deena Ferdous, Jesse W. Taylor, Dawid J. Duvenhage, Sara L. Rolfe
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Patent number: 8530366Abstract: A method of preparing a spray dried catalyst by combining spray dried catalyst particles with wax so the spray dried catalyst particles are coated with wax, yielding wax coated catalyst particles, and shaping the wax coated catalyst to provide shaped wax coated catalyst. A method of activating Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles containing oxides by contacting the catalyst particles with a reducing gas in an activation vessel to produce an activated catalyst, wherein contacting is performed in the absence of a liquid medium under activation conditions. A system for activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst containing an activation reactor configured to introduce an activation gas to a fixed or fluidized bed of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the absence of a liquid medium and at least one separation device configured to separate a gas stream comprising entrained catalyst fines having an average particle size below a desired cutoff size from the activation reactor.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: Harold A. Wright, Belma Demirel, Sergio Mohedas, Bahman Rejai, Ray Huang, Deena Ferdous, Jesse W. Taylor, Dawid J. Duvenhage, Sara L. Rolfe
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Publication number: 20130161563Abstract: A method of gasification by introducing a feed material to be subjected to gasification into a dual fluidized bed gasifier comprising a pyrolyzer fluidly connected with a combustor such that a circulation stream comprising a heat transfer material can be continuously circulated between the pyrolyzer, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is reduced, and the combustor, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is increased, wherein the pyrolyzer is operable to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and wherein the combustor is operable to increase the temperature of the circulation stream via combustion of char introduced thereto with the circulation stream and at least one supplemental fuel. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: Weibin JIANG, Bruce E. MCCOMISH, Bryan C. BORUM, Benjamin H. CARRYER, Mark D. IBSEN, Mark K. ROBERTSON, Eric R. ELROD, Sim WEEKS, Harold A. WRIGHT
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Publication number: 20130165534Abstract: A method for generation of power and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products by producing synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, producing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products and Fischer-Tropsch tailgas from a first portion of the synthesis gas, and generating power from a second portion of the synthesis gas, from at least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch tailgas, or from both. The method may also comprise conditioning at least a portion of the synthesis gas and/or upgrading at least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. MCCOMISH, Benjamin H. CARRYER, Bryan C. BORUM, Weibin JIANG, Mark D. IBSEN, Mark K. ROBERTSON, Eric R. ELROD, Sim WEEKS, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20130109765Abstract: A method of producing synthesis gas by introducing a feed material to be gasified into a gasification apparatus comprising at least one fluidized component operable as a fluidized bed, wherein the gasification apparatus is configured to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising synthesis gas; and maintaining fluidization of the at least one fluidized component by introducing a fluidization gas thereto, wherein the fluidization gas comprises at least one component other than steam. A system for producing synthesis gas is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: Weibin JIANG, Bruce E. McComish, Bryan C. Borum, Benjamin H. Carryer, Mark D. Ibsen, Mark K. Robertson, Eric R. Elrod, Sim Weeks, Harold A. Wright
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Publication number: 20130105008Abstract: An apparatus including at least one seal pot having at least one penetration through a surface other than the top of the seal pot, each of the at least one penetrations being configured for introduction, into the at least one seal pot, of solids from a separator upstream of the at least one seal pot; a substantially non-circular cross section; or both at least one penetration through a surface other than the top of the seal pot and a substantially non-circular cross section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: Weibin JIANG, Bruce E. McComish, Bryan C. Borum, Benjamin H. Carryer, Mark D. Ibsen, Mark K. Robertson, Eric R. Elrod, Sim Weeks, Harold A. Wright
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Patent number: 8367741Abstract: A method of producing synthesis gas by mixing a carbonaceous feed comprising at least one carbonaceous material with superheated steam to produce a reformer feedstock and reforming the reformer feedstock to produce a first synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide by introducing the reformer feedstock into a plurality of coiled tubes within a reformer at a reformer temperature and a reformer pressure at which at least a portion of the reformer feedstock is converted to synthesis gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Rentech, Inc.Inventors: Randy Blevins, Joshua B. Pearson, Harold A. Wright