Patents by Inventor Max W. Thompson

Max W. Thompson 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: 9074149
    Abstract: The current invention discloses a novel process and system to improve the quality of the slag product from a gasification process, thereby producing low-carbon marketable aggregate product. The inventive processes and systems employ a hindered-bed settler in conjunction with optional disengager and de-watering devices. A slag slurry stream from a gasification process is de-watered and the solids content is increased from less than 5% to greater than 30% via the de-waterer before being conveyed to a hindered-bed settler, wherein the carbon content is reduced from as much as 70% to less than 5%. Particles with a high carbon content are conveyed to a gravity settler, whereby they are concentrated and then recycled to the gasification reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Albert C. Tsang, Max W. Thompson, Rick Q. Honaker
  • Patent number: 8888876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for gasifying feedstock such as carbonaceous materials. The invention includes partial combustion of dry solids and pyrolysis of carbonaceous material slurry in two separate reactor sections and produce mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more catalytic or sorbent bed for removing tar from the synthesis gas. The inventive system and process allow a gasification to be carried out under higher slurry feeding rate and lower temperature with the provision to manage the tar being produced, therefore to increase the conversion efficiency of the overall gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Albert C. Tsang, Chancelor L. Williams, Max W. Thompson, David L. Breton
  • Publication number: 20130240790
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for gasifying feedstock such as carbonaceous materials. The invention includes partial combustion of dry solids and pyrolysis of carbonaceous material slurry in two separate reactor sections and produce mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more catalytic or sorbent bed for removing tar from the synthesis gas. The inventive system and process allow a gasification to be carried out under higher slurry feeding rate and lower temperature with the provision to manage the tar being produced, therefore to increase the conversion efficiency of the overall gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventors: Albert C. TSANG, Chancelor L. WILLIAMS, Max W. THOMPSON, David L. BRETON
  • Patent number: 8460410
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for gasifying feedstock such as carbonaceous materials. The invention includes partial combustion of dry solids and pyrolysis of carbonaceous material slurry in two separate reactor sections and produce mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more catalytic or sorbent bed for removing tar from the synthesis gas. The inventive system and process allow a gasification to be carried out under higher slurry feeding rate and lower temperature with the provision to manage the tar being produced, therefore to increase the conversion efficiency of the overall gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Albert C. Tsang, Chancelor L. Williams, Max W. Thompson, David L. Breton
  • Patent number: 8088188
    Abstract: A system and process for gasifying carbonaceous feedstock with staged slurry addition in order to prevent the formation of tar that causes deposition problems. Dry solid carbonaceous material is partially combusted, then pyrolyzed along with a first slurry stream comprising carbonaceous material in two separate reactor sections, thereby producing mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The second slurry stream comprising particulate carbonaceous material is fed to a drying unit downstream of a heat recovery zone along with the mixture product exiting the heat recovery zone The resulting final temperature of the second stage mixture products and dried particulate carbonaceous material is between 450° F. and 550° F., a temperature range that is typically not conducive to the emission of heavy molecular-weight tar species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: David L. Breton, Albert C. Tsang, Max W. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110182778
    Abstract: A system and process for gasifying carbonaceous feedstock with staged slurry addition in order to prevent the formation of tar that causes deposition problems. Dry solid carbonaceous material is partially combusted, then pyrolysed along with a first slurry stream comprising carbonaceous material in two separate reactor sections, thereby producing mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The second slurry stream comprising particulate carbonaceous material is fed to a drying unit downstream of a heat recovery zone along with the mixture product exiting the heat recovery zone The resulting final temperature of the second stage mixture products and dried particulate carbonaceous material is between 450° F. and 550° F., a temperature range that is typically not conducive to the emission of heavy molecular-weight tar species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: David L. BRETON, Albert C. TSANG, Max W. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 7959829
    Abstract: A system and process for gasifying carbonaceous feedstock with staged slurry addition in order to prevent the formation of tar that causes deposition problems. Dry solid carbonaceous material is partially combusted, then pyrolyzed along with a first slurry stream comprising carbonaceous material in two separate reactor sections, thereby producing mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The second slurry stream comprising particulate carbonaceous material is fed to a drying unit downstream of a heat recovery zone along with the mixture product exiting the heat recovery zone. The resulting final temperature of the second stage mixture products and dried particulate carbonaceous material is between 450° F. and 550° F., a temperature range that is typically not conducive to the emission of heavy molecular-weight tar species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: David L. Breton, Albert C. Tsang, Max W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7931739
    Abstract: An agglomerate removal device for removing agglomerated particles from a solids-containing stream. The agglomerate removal device can include an agglomerate capture device and an agglomerate withdrawal device. In one embodiment, the agglomerate removal device can be utilized in a process for desulfurizing gasoline or diesel streams in order to remove at least a portion of the agglomerated sorbent particles exiting the fluidized bed regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. LaCour, Max W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7854835
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon desulfurization system that circulates fluidizable solid particles through a fluidized bed reactor, a fluidized bed regenerator, and a fluidized bed reducer to thereby provide for substantially continuous desulfurization of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and substantially continuous regeneration of the solid particles. A novel transport system is employed for transporting the solid particles between the reactor, the regenerator, and the reducer. The transport system uses close-coupled vessels and gravity flow between various vessels to minimize equipment cost and particle attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Victor G. Hoover, Max W. Thompson, Darrin D. Barnes, Joe D. Cox, Philip L. Collins, Christopher J. Lafrancois, Ricky E. Snelling, Jean B. Thesee, Robert Zapata
  • Publication number: 20100181537
    Abstract: The current invention discloses a novel process and system to improve the quality of the slag product from a gasification process, thereby producing low-carbon marketable aggregate product. The inventive processes and systems employ a hindered-bed settler in conjunction with optional disengager and de-watering devices. A slag slurry stream from a gasification process is de-watered and the solids content is increased from less than 5% to greater than 30% via the de-waterer before being conveyed to a hindered-bed settler, wherein the carbon content is reduced from as much as 70% to less than 5%. Particles with a high carbon content are conveyed to a gravity settler, whereby they are concentrated and then recycled to the gasification reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Albert C. TSANG, Max W. THOMPSON, Rick Quay HONAKER
  • Publication number: 20100148122
    Abstract: A system and process for gasifying carbonaceous feedstock with staged slurry addition in order to prevent the formation of tar that causes deposition problems. Dry solid carbonaceous material is partially combusted, then pyrolysed along with a first slurry stream comprising carbonaceous material in two separate reactor sections, thereby producing mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The second slurry stream comprising particulate carbonaceous material is fed to a drying unit downstream of a heat recovery zone along with the mixture product exiting the heat recovery zone. The resulting final temperature of the second stage mixture products and dried particulate carbonaceous material is between 450° F. and 550° F., a temperature range that is typically not conducive to the emission of heavy molecular-weight tar species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: David L. BRETON, Albert C. TSANG, Max W. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 7666298
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream wherein desulfurization is enhanced by improving the contacting of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and sulfur-sorbing solid particulates in a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Meier, Edward L. Sughrue, Jan W. Wells, Douglas W. Hausler, Max W. Thompson, Amos A. Avidan
  • Publication number: 20100037518
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for gasifying feedstock such as carbonaceous materials. The invention includes partial combustion of dry solids and pyrolysis of carbonaceous material slurry in two separate reactor sections and produce mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more catalytic or sorbent bed for removing tar from the synthesis gas. The inventive system and process allow a gasification to be carried out under higher slurry feeding rate and lower temperature with the provision to manage the tar being produced, therefore to increase the conversion efficiency of the overall gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Albert C. TSANG, Chancelor L. WILLIAMS, Max W. THOMPSON, David L. BRETON
  • Publication number: 20090283448
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon desulfurization system that circulates fluidizable solid particles through a fluidized bed reactor, a fluidized bed regenerator, and a fluidized bed reducer to thereby provide for substantially continuous desulfurization of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and substantially continuous regeneration of the solid particles. A novel transport system is employed for transporting the solid particles between the reactor, the regenerator, and the reducer. The transport system uses close-coupled vessels and gravity flow between various vessels to minimize equipment cost and particle attrition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Victor G. Hoover, Max W. Thompson, Darrin D. Barnes, Joe D. Cox, Philip L. Collins, Christopher J. Lafrancois, Ricky E. Snelling, Jean B. Thesee, Robert Zapata
  • Publication number: 20090250411
    Abstract: An agglomerate removal device for removing agglomerated particles from a solids-containing stream. The agglomerate removal device can comprise an agglomerate capture device and an agglomerate withdrawal device. In one embodiment, the agglomerate removal device can be utilized in a process for desulfurizing gasoline or diesel streams in order to remove at least a portion of the agglomerated sorbent particles exiting the fluidized bed regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark J. LaCour, Max W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7491317
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream wherein desulfurization is enhanced by improving the contacting of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and sulfur-sorbing solid particulates in a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Meier, Max W. Thompson, Victor G. Hoover, Guido R. Germana
  • Patent number: 7182918
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon desulfurization system that circulates fluidizable solid particles through a fluidized bed reactor, a fluidized bed regenerator, and a fluidized bed reducer to thereby provide for substantially continuous desulfurization of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and substantially continuous regeneration of the solid particles. A novel transport system is employed for transporting the solid particles between the reactor, the regenerator, and the reducer. The transport system uses close-coupled vessels and gravity flow between various vessels to minimize equipment cost and particle attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Conoco Phillips Company
    Inventors: Victor G. Hoover, Max W. Thompson, Darrin D. Barnes, Joe D. Cox, Philip L. Collins, Christopher J. Lafrancois, Ronald E. Miranda, Ricky E. Snelling, Jean B. Thesee, Robert Zapata
  • Patent number: 7172685
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon desulfurization system employing regenerable solid sorbent particulates in a fluidized bed desulfurization reactor. The sulfur-loaded sorbent particulates are continuously withdrawn from the reactor and transferred to a regenerator. A novel solids transport mechanism provides for the safe and effective transfer of the sulfur-loaded sorbent particulates from the high pressure hydrocarbon environment of the reactor to the low pressure oxygen environment of the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Max W. Thompson, Behzad Jazayeri, Robert Zapata, Manuel Hernandez
  • Patent number: 6890877
    Abstract: A system for enhancing fluid/solids contacting in a fluidization reactor by controlling the particle size distribution of the solid particulates in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Paul F. Meier, Edward L. Sughrue, Jan W. Wells, Douglas W. Hausler, Max W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6869522
    Abstract: In a desulfurization process for the removal of organosulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon fluid stream such as cracked-gasoline or diesel fuel wherein a bifunctional sorbent system is employed, surface treatment of the bifunctional sorbent during the use of same for desulfurization results in an extension of the useful life of the bifunctional sorbent prior to the regeneration and reactivation of same for further use in the desulfurization of the hydrocarbon fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Gyanesh P. Khare, Bryan W. Cass, Donald R. Engelbert, Edward L. Sughrue, Dennis R. Kidd, Max W. Thompson