Patents by Inventor Ludger Blum

Ludger Blum 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: 8893506
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating an IGCC power plant, wherein the coal gas from a gasifier, comprising CO and hydrogen, is supplied to at least one shift stage, wherein this is converted primarily into CO2 and hydrogen and the coal gas is subjected to at least one gas cleaning step. The coal gas is conducted over a membrane, which at least partially selectively separates the hydrogen from the coal gas. In order to achieve driving potential in the membrane, a flushing gas is used on the permeate side. The hydrogen depleted retentate is fed to a CO2 conditioning process, while the separated hydrogen is fed together with the flushing gas to a gas turbine as fuel gas. The flushing gas used for the membrane is a component of the waste gas produced in the gas turbine after the waste gas has left the waste heat recovery boiler, which is connected downstream of the gas turbine. In the power plant, the gas turbine also functions as a means for providing the flushing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Riensche, Reinhard Menzer, Ludger Blum
  • Patent number: 8506678
    Abstract: Provided is a power plant for generating electrical energy comprising a combustion chamber for producing steam, at least one downstream flue gas purification stage, a separation stage for CO2, a recycling circuit for the flue gas, and a high-temperature O2 membrane, which is connected upstream of the combustion chamber. The high-temperature O2 membrane has an inlet and an outlet on the feed side which are thermally coupled by way of a heat exchanger. On the permeate side, the high-temperature O2 membrane has only an outlet which is connected to the combustion chamber and/or the flue gas recycling circuit and a means for cooling and/or compression which is disposed in this outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Albert Meulenberg, Stefan Baumann, Ludger Blum, Ernst Riensche
  • Publication number: 20110162382
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating an IGCC power plant, wherein the coal gas from a gasifier, comprising CO and hydrogen, is supplied to at least one shift stage, wherein this is converted primarily into CO2 and hydrogen and the coal gas is subjected to at least one gas cleaning step. The coal gas is conducted over a membrane, which at least partially selectively separates the hydrogen from the coal gas. In order to achieve driving potential in the membrane, a flushing gas is used on the permeate side. The hydrogen depleted retentate is fed to a CO2 conditioning process, while the separated hydrogen is fed together with the flushing gas to a gas turbine as fuel gas. The flushing gas used for the membrane is a component of the waste gas produced in the gas turbine after the waste gas has left the waste heat recovery boiler, which is connected downstream of the gas turbine. In the power plant, the gas turbine also functions as a means for providing the flushing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Forschungszentrum Jülich GMBH
    Inventors: Ernst Riensche, Reinhard Menzer, Ludger Blum
  • Publication number: 20100263377
    Abstract: Provided is a power plant for generating electrical energy comprising a combustion chamber for producing steam, at least one downstream flue gas purification stage, a separation stage for CO2, a recycling circuit for the flue gas, and a high-temperature O2 membrane, which is connected upstream of the combustion chamber. The high-temperature O2 membrane has an inlet and an outlet on the feed side which are thermally coupled by way of a heat exchanger. On the permeate side, the high-temperature O2 membrane has only an outlet which is connected to the combustion chamber and/or the flue gas recycling circuit and a means for cooling and/or compression which is disposed in this outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Wilhelm Albert Meulenberg, Stefan Baumann, Ludger Blum, Ernst Riensche
  • Publication number: 20100172813
    Abstract: A method for separating carbon dioxide from a flue gas using a membrane (membrane module) is characterized in that the flue gas is at temperatures above the condensation point of the water vapor before entering the membrane separation stage. In this way, condensation of any potentially entrained water vapor out of the flue gas is avoided, so as to consistently prevent clogging of the membrane pores. The high temperatures can be achieved in different ways. The temperature of the flue gas can easily be increased to the necessary temperatures by way of an upstream heat exchanger or a burner. A compressor, which is connected upstream of the membrane module and also advantageously increases the CO2 partial pressure, brings about the necessary temperature increase at the same time. As a further alternative for the invention, the CO2 separation is performed even before desulfurizing the flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Jewgeni Nazarko, Ernst Riensche, Ludger Blum, Reinhard Menzer, Wilhelm Albert Meulenberg, Martin Bram
  • Publication number: 20060257709
    Abstract: Until now, additional components such as afterburners, reformers or heat exchangers are arranged as separate units and, as a rule, are connected to the high-temperature fuel cell stack by means of pipes. The disadvantage of this construction method is that it requires a large constructional volume and high investment costs to install said components. The invention relates to a high-temperature fuel cell system that is modularly built, wherein the additional components are advantageously and directly arranged in the high-temperature fuel cell stack. The geometry of the components is matched to the stack. Additional pipeworking is thereby no longer necessary, the style of construction method is very compact and the direct connection of the components to the stack additionally leads to more efficient use of heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Ludger Blum, Roland Peters
  • Patent number: 6165632
    Abstract: In a high-temperature fuel cell having two components that are joined together by a layer. The layer includes at least one ply of a glass solder and at least one ply of a glass ceramic. Because of this provision, the components are joined together mechanically and chemically in a stable and economic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludger Blum, Robert Fleck, Thomas Jansing
  • Patent number: 5952116
    Abstract: In a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and a method for operating the same, a plurality of fuel cells are stacked on one another for receiving an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells. Heat produced in the fuel cells during a combustion process is used for heating the operating medium before it is fed into the fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludger Blum, Horst Greiner, Wilhelm Kleinlein, Reinhard Roth