Patents by Inventor Lowell D. Fraley
Lowell D. Fraley 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: 8143320Abstract: A process and a system are disclosed for producing methanol from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is a stream containing H2, CO, and CO2 that is created using a nitrogen containing oxidant stream, such as air. The synthesis gas is then reacted through a conventional reactor system to create methanol. Unreacted synthesis gas is recycled back through the reactor system. The disclosed methanol production process can be mounted and operated on a seagoing vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Starchem Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Lowell D. Fraley
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Publication number: 20110196049Abstract: A process and a system are disclosed for producing methanol from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is a stream containing H2, CO, and CO2 that is created using a nitrogen containing oxidant stream, such as air. The synthesis gas is then reacted through a conventional reactor system to create methanol. Unreacted synthesis gas is recycled back through the reactor system. The disclosed methanol production process can be mounted and operated on a seagoing vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Inventor: Lowell D. Fraley
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Patent number: 7799834Abstract: A process and a system are disclosed for producing methanol from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is a stream containing H2, CO, and CO2 that is created using a nitrogen containing oxidant stream, such as air. The synthesis gas is then reacted through a conventional reactor system to create methanol. Unreacted synthesis gas is recycled back through the reactor system. The disclosed methanol production process can be mounted and operated on a seagoing vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Starchem Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Lowell D. Fraley
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Publication number: 20070282020Abstract: A process and a system are disclosed for producing methanol from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is a stream containing H2, CO, and CO2 that is created using a nitrogen containing oxidant stream, such as air. The synthesis gas is then reacted through a conventional reactor system to create methanol. Unreacted synthesis gas is recycled back through the reactor system. The disclosed methanol production process can be mounted and operated on a seagoing vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: Starchem Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Lowell D. Fraley
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Patent number: 5245110Abstract: This invention comprises a method and apparatus for obtaining from air an oxygen enriched gas mixture containing at least 40 mole % nitrogen. The apparatus comprises a gas turbine, an oxygen separation unit which is in fluid communication with the turbine air compressor and means for maintaining a proper mass balance tolerance between the turbine compressor/unit and the turbine energy production unit.This invention comprises a method and apparatus for recovering large quantities of an oxygen enriched gas from the volume of a compressed air stream produced by a gas turbine by compensation of the mass loss to the energy production unit section thereof by providing means for maintaining the turbine in proper mass and thermal balance as the turbine is utilized to provide the duty/power requirements of a process which utilizes the oxygen enriched gas stream as a reactant.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1991Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: Starchem, Inc.Inventors: Christiaan P. Van Dijk, Lowell D. Fraley
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Patent number: 5177114Abstract: This invention comprises a method for converting natural gas to a normally liquid carbon containing compound, such as methanol and/or dimethyl ether and/or to gasoline grade liquid hydrocarbons and/or olefins. The method of this invention eliminates the need for steam reforming and/or adiabatic reforming with essentially pure oxygen of the natural gas to a synthesis gas. In accordance with the process of this invention, a synthesis gas may be produced at an operating pressure suitable for conversion thereof to methanol and/or dimethyl ether without the need for synthesis gas recompression. Further, the vent or bleed gas from the overheads after conversion to the crude product methanol/DME and/or its conversion to gasoline grade liquid hydrocarbons, generally has a BTU capacity required to serve as a fuel gas for supplying the energy needed for operation of a gas turbine which powers the gas compression equipment requirements by which the process of this invention may be practiced.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1992Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Assignee: Starchem Inc.Inventors: Christiaan P. Van Dijk, Lowell D. Fraley
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Patent number: 4988491Abstract: The process of the present invention which produces the flexible integration for the production of ammonia and urea uses adiabatic reforming of the carbonaceous feedstock such as natural gas. With adiabatic reforming of natural gas, a surplus of carbon dioxide is produced. With adiabatic reforming, substantially pure oxygen and nitrogen may be used which does not involve inert gases such as argon in the system. More importantly, adibatic reforming allows operation at much higher pressure than standard primary reforming, namely, between 700 and 3000 psig. When these pressures are used, the process includes a recycle of the methane and hydrogen from the ammonia synthesis loop to the adiabatic reformer.The process of the present invention uniquely removes the carbon dioxide which is produced by the reforming of the carbonaceous feedstock and treatment by the watergas shift reaction in two independent stages.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1989Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Inventors: Christiaan Van Dijk, Lowell D. Fraley
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Patent number: 4965062Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing hydrogen sulfide from high pressure gas and recovering liquid sulfur, which includes reacting the H.sub.2 S with sulfite ions and an acetic acid-acid salt buffering system in an aqueous stream whereby liquid sulfur is formed, producing an effluent gas stream containing residual H.sub.2 S and an effluent aqueous stream containing the liquid sulfur, extracting the residual H.sub.2 S from the gaseous effluent stream, and using the extracted H.sub.2 S as well as H.sub.2 S recovered from the effluent aqueous stream as a source of sulfite ions for circulation to the reaction step, and as a source for additional liquid and solid sulfur. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed for recovering solid sulfur from a gaseous stream containing gaseous sulfur by contacting the gaseous stream with sulfur particles in a fluidized bed.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1988Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignee: Brudike CorporationInventors: Christiaan P. Van Dijk, Lowell D. Fraley
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Patent number: 4579070Abstract: A method for combustion of sulfur-containing fuel in a circulating fluid bed combustion system wherein the fuel is burned in a primary combustion zone under reducing conditions and sulfur captured as alkaline sulfide. The reducing gas formed is oxidized to combustion gas which is then separated from solids containing alkaline sulfide. The separated solids are then oxidized and recycled to the primary combustion zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1985Date of Patent: April 1, 1986Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg CompanyInventors: Yung-Yi Lin, Pasupati Sadhukhan, Lowell D. Fraley, Keh-Hsien Hsiao
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Patent number: 4412975Abstract: Combustion gas passes upwardly through the radiant section of a fired process heater having vertical tubes in such manner that the gas is in predominantly back-mixed flow condition in the lower portion of the radiant section and predominantly plug-flow condition in the upper portion of the radiant section.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1981Date of Patent: November 1, 1983Assignee: Pullman IncorporatedInventors: William D. Parizot, Paul D. O'Lenick, Lowell D. Fraley
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Patent number: 4324649Abstract: Combustion gas passes upwardly through the radiant section of a fired process heater having vertical tubes in such manner that the gas is in predominantly back-mixed flow condition in the lower portion of the radiant section and predominantly plug-flow condition in the upper portion of the radiant section.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1980Date of Patent: April 13, 1982Assignee: Pullman IncorporatedInventors: William D. Parizot, Paul D. O'Lenick, Lowell D. Fraley