Patents by Inventor Kevin H. Nguyen
Kevin H. Nguyen 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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Patent number: 7964176Abstract: Relates to a process and apparatus that improves the hydrogen production efficiency for small scale hydrogen production. According to one aspect, the process provides heat exchangers that are thermally integrated with the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, combustion and water gas shift, are arranged closely to the endothermic reaction, steam reformation, and heat sinks, cool natural gas, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermally integrated process eliminates excess piping throughout, reducing initial capital cost.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Curtis L. Krause, Kevin H. Nguyen, Bhaskar Balasubramanian, Yunquan Liu, Jeroen Valensa, Michael J. Reinke, Mark G. Voss, Todd M. Bandhauer
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Patent number: 7857875Abstract: A method for start-up and shut down of a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst is disclosed. Also disclosed are a computer programmed to start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst or a program storage medium encoded with instruction that, when executed by a computer, start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: W. Spencer Wheat, Vesna R. Mirkovic, Kevin H. Nguyen, Curtis L. Krause, James F. Stevens, Daniel G. Casey
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Patent number: 7578669Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid combustor, such as an anode tailgas oxidizer (ATO), for fuel processing applications which combines both flame and catalytic type burners. The hybrid combustor of the present invention combines the advantages of both flame and catalytic type burners. The flame burner component of the hybrid combustor is used during start-up for the preheating of the catalytic burner component. As soon as the catalytic burner bed is preheated or lit off, the flame burner will be shut off. Optionally, the hybrid combustor may also include an integrated heat recovery unit located downstream of the catalytic burner for steam generation and for the preheating of the feed for a reformer, such as an autothermal reformer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause, Kevin H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20080141584Abstract: Methods of using a catalyst preburner upstream of a catalyst burner, such as an anode tailgas oxidizer (ATO), in fuel processing applications. The methods prepare a hydrogen containing gas mixture which can be effectively combusted in a single ATO. The catalyst preburner will convert raw fuels into a gas mixture including hydrogen. This hydrogen containing gas mixture then mixes with the required air flow and anode tailgas and off-gas from a pressure swing adsorption unit before being introduced into the catalyst burner. The methods address the start-ups needs of an ATO as well as the requirement that an ATO be able to burn both liquid and gas fuels in a single unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Lixin You, Daniel G. Casey, Kevin H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20080141675Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid combustor, such as an anode tailgas oxidizer (ATO), for fuel processing applications which combines both flame and catalytic type burners. The hybrid combustor of the present invention combines the advantages of both flame and catalytic type burners. The flame burner component of the hybrid combustor is used during start-up for the preheating of the catalytic burner component. As soon as the catalytic burner bed is preheated or lit off, the flame burner will be shut off. Optionally, the hybrid combustor may also include an integrated heat recovery unit located downstream of the catalytic burner for steam generation and for the preheating of the feed for a reformer, such as an autothermal reformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause, Kevin H. Nguyen
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Patent number: 7081144Abstract: A method for start-up and shut down of a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst is disclosed. Also disclosed are a computer programmed to start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst or a program storage medium encoded with instruction that, when executed by a computer, start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: W. Spencer Wheat, Vesna R. Mirkovic, Kevin H. Nguyen, Curtis L. Krause, James F. Stevens, Daniel G. Casey
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Patent number: 6966327Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a balanced fluid supply through multiple feeds are disclosed. The method comprises supplying the fluid through a plurality of feeds from a common fluid accumulator; determining the fluid pressure in a common fluid accumulator; and controlling the fluid pressure in the common fluid accumulator responsive to the fluid pressure sensed therein to maintain the fluid pressure within a predetermined range. The balanced fluid supply comprises a common fluid accumulator; a plurality of feeds from the common fluid accumulator; and a control system capable of controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied from the common fluid accumulator to the feeds responsive to a determined pressure of fluid in the common fluid accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Texaco Development CorporationInventors: Kevin H. Nguyen, W. Spencer Wheat, Vesna R. Mirkovic
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Publication number: 20040194827Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a balanced fluid supply through multiple feeds are disclosed. The method comprises supplying the fluid through a plurality of feeds from a common fluid accumulator; determining the fluid pressure in a common fluid accumulator; and controlling the fluid pressure in the common fluid accumulator responsive to the fluid pressure sensed therein to maintain the fluid pressure within a predetermined range. The balanced fluid supply comprises a common fluid accumulator; a plurality of feeds from the common fluid accumulator; and a control system capable of controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied from the common fluid accumulator to the feeds responsive to a determined pressure of fluid in the common fluid accumulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Kevin H. Nguyen, W. Spencer Wheat, Vesna R. Mirkovic
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Publication number: 20040197239Abstract: Herein we disclose an apparatus, comprising: an air feed; a fuel feed; a combustion zone, capable of mixing and combusting air and fuel therein; a temperature sensor positioned within the combustion zone, capable of measuring the temperature of at least one point within the combustion zone; and a control system, comprising: a processor to which the temperature sensor is capable of reporting the measured temperature; and an air flow adjustment apparatus controlled by the processor and capable of adjusting the flow rate of air to the combustion zone in response to the reported temperature. We also disclose a reformer, a power plant, and a fuel cell comprising or associated with the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Vesna R. Mirkovic, W. Spencer Wheat, Kevin H. Nguyen, Hongqiao Sun, Bhaskar Balasubramanian
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Publication number: 20040194383Abstract: A method for start-up and shut down of a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst is disclosed. Also disclosed are a computer programmed to start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst or a program storage medium encoded with instruction that, when executed by a computer, start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: W. Spencer Wheat, Vesna R. Mirkovic, Kevin H. Nguyen, Curtis L. Krause, James F. Stevens, Daniel G. Casey
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Patent number: 6796332Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a balanced fluid supply through multiple feeds are disclosed. The method comprises supplying the fluid through a plurality of feeds from a common fluid accumulator; determining the fluid pressure in a common fluid accumulator; and controlling the fluid pressure in the common fluid accumulator responsive to the fluid pressure sensed therein to maintain the fluid pressure within a predetermined range. The balanced fluid supply comprises a common fluid accumulator; a plurality of feeds from the common fluid accumulator; and a control system capable of controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied from the common fluid accumulator to the feeds responsive to a determined pressure of fluid in the common fluid accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Kevin H. Nguyen, W. Spencer Wheat, Vesna R. Mirkovic