Patents by Inventor Michael McKellar
Michael McKellar 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: 11015877Abstract: Energy storage systems include a heat source and a thermal energy storage system to store thermal energy produced by the heat source. The thermal energy storage system includes a first tank containing a first salt having a first melting temperature and a second tank containing a second salt having a second melting temperature. At least one input conduit is configured for transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the first tank and second tank. A first output conduit is in thermal communication with the first tank. A second output conduit is in thermal communication with the second tank. Additional energy storage systems include a heat booster positioned and configured to add thermal energy to a heated heat transfer fluid prior to reaching a tank containing at least one thermal storage material. Methods include transferring thermal energy from a thermal energy source to a plurality of thermal energy storage tanks.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Michael McKellar, Richard D. Boardman, James E. O'Brien, Carl M. Stoots, Piyush Sabharwall, Shannon Bragg-Sitton
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Publication number: 20190360763Abstract: Energy storage systems include a heat source and a thermal energy storage system to store thermal energy produced by the heat source. The thermal energy storage system includes a first tank containing a first salt having a first melting temperature and a second tank containing a second salt having a second melting temperature. At least one input conduit is configured for transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the first tank and second tank. A first output conduit is in thermal communication with the first tank. A second output conduit is in thermal communication with the second tank. Additional energy storage systems include a heat booster positioned and configured to add thermal energy to a heated heat transfer fluid prior to reaching a tank containing at least one thermal storage material. Methods include transferring thermal energy from a thermal energy source to a plurality of thermal energy storage tanks.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Michael McKellar, Richard D. Boardman, James E. O'Brien, Carl M. Stoots, Piyush Sabharwall, Shannon Bragg-Sitton
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Publication number: 20070137246Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the transportation of hydrogen including the use of a carrier medium and the subsequent separation of the hydrogen from the carrier medium upon delivery of the mixed gas stream to a desired location. In one example, up to approximately 20% hydrogen (molar fraction) may be mixed with natural gas and transported through a natural gas pipeline. The hydrogen may be separated from the natural gas by liquefying the natural gas and separating the liquid and vapor components in a gas-liquid separator to form a natural gas stream and a hydrogen stream. One or both of the separated streams may be used in cooling of the mixed stream. Precompression and expansion pressure of the various streams may be used to influence the purity level of the hydrogen. Other constituents, or impurities, present in the mixed gas stream may also be removed as may be desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Michael McKellar, Dennis Bingham, Bruce Wilding, Kerry Klingler, Terry Turner
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Publication number: 20070107465Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for producing liquefied gas are provided. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of, for example, unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream may pass through an expansion device. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by a heat exchange process utilizing the expanded cooling stream, by a heat exchanger utilizing a separate, independent refrigerant, or by both. The cooled, compressed process stream is expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. A portion of the liquid gas may be used for additional cooling or substantially all of the liquid gas may be collected as product.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Terry Turner, Bruce Wilding, Dennis Bingham, Michael McKellar, Lisa Hoffman
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Publication number: 20070017250Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for producing liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas. In one embodiment, a liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream may sequentially pass through a compressor and an expander. The process stream may also pass through a compressor. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. A portion of the liquid gas may be used for additional cooling. Gas produced within the system may be recompressed for reintroduction into a receiving line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: January 25, 2007Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Terry Turner, Bruce Wilding, Michael McKellar
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Publication number: 20060218939Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through an expander creating work output. A compressor may be driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. A portion of the liquid gas is used for additional cooling. Gas produced within the system may be recompressed for reintroduction into a receiving line or recirculation within the system for further processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Terry Turner, Bruce Wilding, Michael McKellar
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Publication number: 20060213223Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through an expander creating work output. A compressor may be driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is divided into first and second portions with the first portion being expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. The second portion of the cooled, compressed process stream is also expanded and used to cool the compressed process stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Bruce Wilding, Michael McKellar, Terry Turner, Francis Carney
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Publication number: 20050144979Abstract: A method of liquefying a gas is disclosed and which includes the steps of pressurizing a liquid; mixing a reactant composition with the pressurized liquid to generate a high pressure gas; supplying the high pressure gas to an expansion engine which produces a gas having a reduced pressure and temperature, and which further generates a power and/or work output; coupling the expansion engine in fluid flowing relation relative to a refrigeration assembly, and wherein the gas having the reduced temperature is provided to the refrigeration assembly; and energizing and/or actuating the refrigeration assembly, at least in part, by supplying the power and/or work output generated by the expansion engine to the refrigeration assembly, the refrigeration assembly further reducing the temperature of the gas to liquefy same.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2004Publication date: July 7, 2005Inventors: William Zollinger, Dennis Bingham, Michael McKellar, Bruce Wilding, Kerry Klingler