Patents by Inventor Herbert E. Andrus Jr.

Herbert E. Andrus Jr. 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: 7083658
    Abstract: A gasifier 10 includes a first chemical process loop 12 having an exothermic oxidizer reactor 14 and an endothermic reducer reactor 16. CaS is oxidized in air in the oxidizer reactor 14 to form hot CaSO4 which is discharged to the reducer reactor 16. Hot CaSO4 and carbonaceous fuel received in the reducer reactor 16 undergo an endothermic reaction utilizing the heat content of the CaSO4, the carbonaceous fuel stripping the oxygen from the CaSO4 to form CaS and a CO rich syngas. The CaS is discharged to the oxidizer reactor 14 and the syngas is discharged to a second chemical process loop 52. The second chemical process loop 52 has a water-gas shift reactor 54 and a calciner 42. The CO of the syngas reacts with gaseous H2O in the shift reactor 54 to produce H2 and CO2. The CO2 is captured by CaO to form hot CaCO3 in an exothermic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Herbert E. Andrus Jr., Michael S. McCartney
  • Patent number: 6594553
    Abstract: The present invention provides, according to one aspect thereof, a computer controlled process for reducing SO2 from a flue gas. The process includes the basic steps of providing an aqueous treatment solution containing an inorganic salt and a control unit for controlling the introduction of the aqueous treatment solution containing an inorganic salt and controlling the control unit in response to a computer program to effect introduction of the aqueous treatment solution into contact with alkaline earth material. Thereafter, the process includes heating the alkaline earth material in the presence of the flue gas containing SO2 to remove the SO2. The alkaline earth material may be limestone or dolomite. The inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of thermally decomposable sodium compounds including sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate, and sodium acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Kurt W. Johnson, Ferdinand A. Ruszala, Peter T. Stromberg, Herbert E. Andrus, Jr., James F. Durant
  • Patent number: 5622534
    Abstract: A high performance, multi-stage, pressurized, airblown, entrained flow coal gasifier system and a method of operating such a gasifier system for generating therewithin fuel gas from coal. The subject gasifier system includes an outer, pressure containing vessel surrounding an inner, water-cooled vessel wherein the gasification reaction, through which the fuel gas is generated from coal, takes place. The inner, water-cooled vessel embodies a first stage within which the high temperatures required for the gasification reactions to take place as well as for slagging are generated from the combustion of char, a second stage within which the char is gasified to generate the subject fuel gas, and a third stage within which coal is devolatilized to produce the char for the first stage and the second stage and with a concomitant quenching being effected of the fuel gas as the latter flows through the third stage of the inner water-cooled vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert E. Andrus, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5620487
    Abstract: A high performance, multi-stage, pressurized, airblown, entrained flow coal gasifier system and a method of operating such a gasifier system for generating therewithin fuel gas from coal. The subject gasifier system includes an outer, pressure containing vessel surrounding an inner, water-cooled vessel wherein the gasification reaction, through which the fuel gas is generated from coal, takes place. The inner, water-cooled vessel embodies a first stage within which the high temperatures required for the gasification reactions to take place as well as for slagging are generated from the combustion of char, a second stage within which the char is gasified to generate the subject fuel gas, and a third stage within which coal is devolatilized to produce the char for the first stage and the second stage and with a concomitant quenching being effected of the fuel gas as the latter flows through the third stage of the inner water-cooled vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert E. Andrus, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5372618
    Abstract: A temperature measuring device for a gasifier of a gasifier system wherein the gasifier has a through opening formed thereon. The temperature measuring device includes a slag shield mounted on the gasifier so that a portion of the slag shield extends into the interior of the gasifier through the opening with which the gasifier is provided for this purpose, and a temperature measuring instrument mounted in supported relation within the slag shield so that a line-of-sight exists from the temperature measuring instrument into the interior of the gasifier whereat the temperature is desired to be measured. The slag shield is designed to protect the temperature measuring instrument from the slag flow within the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert E. Andrus, Jr.