Patents by Inventor Mark Oliver Loftin

Mark Oliver Loftin 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: 10662386
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Aries Gasification, LLC
    Inventors: Renus Kelfkens, Brandon Davis, Matthew Newman, Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Publication number: 20200109342
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Aries Gasification, LLC
    Inventors: Renus Kelfkens, Brandon Davis, Matthew Newman, Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Publication number: 20200040268
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Aries Gasification, LLC
    Inventors: Renus Kelfkens, Brandon Davis, Matt Newman, Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Patent number: 10465133
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Aries Gasification, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Patent number: 9976095
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning producer gas includes a filter bed housing and a microwave chamber. The filter bed housing comprises an inlet for carbon-based material and a spent carbon outlet. The microwave chamber comprises a permeable top and wave guides around the perimeter through which microwaves can be introduced into the device using magnetrons. The method comprises using the device by filling the filter bed housing with carbon-based material, introducing microwaves into the microwave chamber using the magnetrons and wave guides, passing the gas through carbon-based material in the filter bed chamber, the microwave chamber, the gas permeable top and the gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Aries Gasification, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Mark Oliver Loftin, Tom Stanzione, Jeffrey Scott Brown
  • Publication number: 20160348015
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Deon John POTGIETER, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Patent number: 9375694
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: PHG ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Publication number: 20160145515
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning producer gas includes a filter bed housing and a microwave chamber. The filter bed housing comprises an inlet for carbon-based material and a spent carbon outlet. The microwave chamber comprises a permeable top and wave guides around the perimeter through which microwaves can be introduced into the device using magnetrons. The method comprises using the device by filling the filter bed housing with carbon-based material, introducing microwaves into the microwave chamber using the magnetrons and wave guides, passing the gas through carbon-based material in the filter bed chamber, the microwave chamber, the gas permeable top and the gas outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Deon John POTGIETER, Mark Oliver LOFTIN, Tom STANZIONE, Jeffrey Scott BROWN
  • Patent number: 9279090
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning producer gas includes a filter bed chamber, a microwave chamber, a first catalytic chamber and a second catalytic chamber. The filter bed chamber comprises an inlet for carbon-based material and a spent carbon outlet. The microwave chamber comprises a permeable top and wave guides around the perimeter through which microwaves can be introduced into the device using magnetrons. The first catalytic chamber is connected to the microwave chamber, and the second catalytic chamber is connected to the first catalytic chamber. The method comprises using the device by filling the filter bed chamber with carbon-based material, introducing microwaves into the microwave chamber using the magnetrons and wave guides, dissociating heavy carbons entrained within the gas by passing the gas through carbon-based material in the filter bed chamber, the microwave chamber, the first catalytic chamber and the second catalytic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PHG ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Mark Oliver Loftin, Tom Stanzione, Jeffrey Scott Brown
  • Publication number: 20150368573
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning producer gas includes a filter bed chamber, a microwave chamber, a first catalytic chamber and a second catalytic chamber. The filter bed chamber comprises an inlet for carbon-based material and a spent carbon outlet. The microwave chamber comprises a permeable top and wave guides around the perimeter through which microwaves can be introduced into the device using magnetrons. The first catalytic chamber is connected to the microwave chamber, and the second catalytic chamber is connected to the first catalytic chamber. The method comprises using the device by filling the filter bed chamber with carbon-based material, introducing microwaves into the microwave chamber using the magnetrons and wave guides, dissociating heavy carbons entrained within the gas by passing the gas through carbon-based material in the filter bed chamber, the microwave chamber, the first catalytic chamber and the second catalytic chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Deon John POTGIETER, Mark Oliver LOFTIN, Tom STANZIONE, Jeffrey Scott BROWN
  • Patent number: 9150806
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning producer gas includes a filter bed chamber, a microwave chamber, a first catalytic chamber and a second catalytic chamber. The filter bed chamber comprises an inlet for carbon-based material and a spent carbon outlet. The microwave chamber comprises a permeable top and wave guides around the perimeter through which microwaves can be introduced into the device using magnetrons. The first catalytic chamber is connected to the microwave chamber, and the second catalytic chamber is connected to the first catalytic chamber. The method comprises using the device by filling the filter bed chamber with carbon-based material, introducing microwaves into the microwave chamber using the magnetrons and wave guides, dissociating heavy carbons entrained within the gas by passing the gas through carbon-based material in the filter bed chamber, the microwave chamber, the first catalytic chamber and the second catalytic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: PHG Engery, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Mark Oliver Loftin, Tom Stanzione, Jeffrey Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 8829262
    Abstract: A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: PHG Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Publication number: 20140219874
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: PHG Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Publication number: 20140209446
    Abstract: A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: PHG Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Patent number: 8721748
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: PHG Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
  • Patent number: 8546636
    Abstract: A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: PHG Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin