Patents by Inventor Neil A. Alexander

Neil A. Alexander 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: 11905478
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, the process comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; sequentially removing ammoniacal, sulphurous and carbon dioxide impurities from the raw synthesis gas to form desulphurised gas and recovering carbon dioxide in substantially pure form; converting at least a portion of the desulphurised synthesis gas to a useful product. Despite having selected a more energy intensive sub-process i.e. physical absorption for removal of acid gas impurities, the overall power requirement of the facility is lower on account of lower steam requirements and thereby leading to a decrease in the carbon intensity score for the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Neil Alexander King, Soumitra R. Deshmukh, Zheyan Qiu
  • Publication number: 20240018436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining solid recovered fuel and synthesis gas from a waste-based feedstock, comprising the steps of: I. converting the feedstock into a solid recovered fuel by means of a number of parameters pertaining to waste sorting, selection, comminution and/or screening; II. gasifying under suitable reaction conditions at least a portion of the solid recovered fuel to produce synthesis gas and by-product(s); and III. optionally cleaning at least a portion of the synthesis gas to produce clean synthesis gas and wastewater, wherein one or more of the solid recovered fuel, synthesis gas, and by-product(s) of the gasification are analysed during operation of the process, and wherein data from said analysis is used to control one or more parameters of step I) in order to influence reaction conditions in step II, and optionally step III).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Philip Ivan GREAGER, Roger Allen HARRIS, Martin HOPKINS, Neil Alexander KING, Malcolm John WARD
  • Patent number: 11873458
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the raw synthesis gas from the gasification zone and supplying at least part of the recovered raw synthesis gas to a partial oxidation zone; equilibrating the H2:CO ratio of the raw synthesis gas in the partial oxidation zone to obtain equilibrated synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the equilibrated synthesis gas from the partial oxidation zone and treating the gas to remove impurities and generate a fine synthesis gas; and converting the optionally adjusted fine synthesis gas into the useful product in a further chemical reaction requiring a usage ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Neil Alexander King, Soumitra R. Deshmukh, Zheyan Qiu, Ashish Gupta
  • Publication number: 20230392090
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a useful product from synthesis gas having a desired hydrogen to carbon monoxide molar ratio comprising: gasifying a first carbonaceous feedstock comprising waste materials and/or biomass in a gasification zone to produce a first synthesis gas; optionally partially oxidising the first synthesis gas in a partial oxidation zone to generate oxidised synthesis gas; reforming a second carbonaceous feedstock to produce a second synthesis gas, the second synthesis gas having a different hydrogen to carbon ratio from that of the first raw synthesis gas; combining at least a portion of the first synthesis gas and at least a portion of the second synthesis gas in an amount to achieve the desired hydrogen to carbon molar ratio and to generate a combined synthesis gas and subjecting at least part of the combined synthesis gas to a conversion process effective to produce the useful product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: VELOCYS TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Rudolph Havenga, Neil Alexander King
  • Patent number: 11834614
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a useful product from synthesis gas having a desired hydrogen to carbon monoxide molar ratio comprises gasifying a first carbonaceous feedstock comprising waste materials and/or biomass in a gasification zone to produce a first synthesis gas; optionally partially oxidising the first synthesis gas in a partial oxidation zone to generate oxidised synthesis gas; reforming a second carbonaceous feedstock to produce a second synthesis gas, the second synthesis gas having a different hydrogen to carbon ratio from that of the first raw synthesis gas; combining at least a portion of the first synthesis gas and at least a portion of the second synthesis gas in an amount to achieve the desired hydrogen to carbon molar ratio and to generate a combined synthesis gas and subjecting at least part of the combined synthesis gas to a conversion process effective to produce the useful product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Rudolph Havenga, Neil Alexander King
  • Publication number: 20230383203
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the manufacture of one or more useful products comprising: gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock comprising waste materials and/or biomass in a gasification zone to generate a raw synthesis gas; optionally partially oxidising the raw synthesis gas in a partial oxidation zone to generate partially oxidised raw synthesis gas; supplying at least a portion of the, optionally partially oxidised, raw synthesis gas to a clean-up zone to remove contaminants and provide a clean synthesis gas; optionally shifting the hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of the clean synthesis gas in a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio shifting zone to generate shifted clean synthesis gas; supplying the, optionally shifted, clean synthesis gas to a first further reaction train to generate at least one first useful product and a tailgas; optionally upgrading the first useful product in a second further reaction train to generate a second useful product and a light gas fraction; and diverting selecti
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Neil Alexander King, Soumitra R. Deshmukh, Zheyan Qiu
  • Publication number: 20230382821
    Abstract: The present invention provides integrated process for the production of a useful liquid hydrocarbon product comprising the steps of: feeding a gasification zone with an oxygen-containing feed and a first carbonaceous feedstock comprising waste materials and/or biomass, gasifying the first carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to produce a first synthesis gas, partially oxidising the first synthesis gas in a partial oxidation zone to generate partially oxidised synthesis gas, combining at least a portion of the first synthesis gas and/or the partially oxidised synthesis gas and at least a portion of electrolysis hydrogen obtained from an electrolyser in an amount to achieve the desired hydrogen to carbon monoxide molar ratio of from about 1.5:1 to about 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: VELOCYS TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventors: Ivan Greager, Roger Harris, Rudolph Havenga, Neil Alexander King
  • Publication number: 20230343161
    Abstract: Apparatus for securely retaining documents, the apparatus (1) comprises a cover plate (4) and a receptacle (10), the receptacle (10) comprising a frame (3) and a pouch (2), the frame (3) comprising an opening (O) to access the pouch (2), the frame (3) further comprises at 5 least one channel (31a, 31b) for receiving an edge (4c, 4d) of the cover plate (4) in use to cover the opening (O) of the frame (3) and to prevent access to the interior of the pouch (2) of the receptacle (10) when the cover plate (4) is in a closed position, wherein the frame (3) and the cover plate (4) each comprise engageable lock portions to prevent the cover plate (4) from being removed from the receptacle (10) when in the closed position, and wherein 10 the frame (3) comprises a first formation (32a, 32b) located remotely from the at least one channel (31a, 31b) located between the at least one channel (31a, 31b) and the opening, the cover plate (4) comprises a second formation (42a, 42b) located remotely from the edge (4c, 4d) of th
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Neil Alexander SHUTE, Duncan JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20230227741
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, the process comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; sequentially removing ammoniacal, sulphurous and carbon dioxide impurities from the raw synthesis gas to form desulphurised gas and recovering carbon dioxide in substantially pure form; converting at least a portion of the desulphurised synthesis gas to a useful product. Despite having selected a more energy intensive sub-process i.e. physical absorption for removal of acid gas impurities, the overall power requirement of the facility is lower on account of lower steam requirements and thereby leading to a decrease in the carbon intensity score for the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Neil Alexander King, Soumitra R. Deshmukh, Zheyan Qiu
  • Publication number: 20230174878
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, the process comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the raw synthesis gas from the gasification zone and supplying at least part of the recovered raw synthesis gas to a partial oxidation zone; equilibrating the H2:CO ratio of the raw synthesis gas in the partial oxidation zone to obtain equilibrated synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the equilibrated synthesis gas from the partial oxidation zone and treating the gas to remove impurities and generate a fine synthesis gas; optionally adjusting the H2:CO ratio of at least part of the fine synthesis gas to obtain adjusted fine synthesis gas; and converting the optionally adjusted fine
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Ivan Philip GREAGER, Roger Allen HARRIS, Neil Alexander KING, Soumitra R. DESHMUKH, Zheyan QIU, Ashish GUPTA
  • Publication number: 20230167373
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the raw synthesis gas from the gasification zone and supplying at least part of the recovered raw synthesis gas to a partial oxidation zone; equilibrating the H2:CO ratio of the raw synthesis gas in the partial oxidation zone to obtain equilibrated synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the equilibrated synthesis gas from the partial oxidation zone and treating the gas to remove impurities and generate a fine synthesis gas; and converting the optionally adjusted fine synthesis gas into the useful product in a further chemical reaction requiring a usage ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Ivan Philip GREAGER, Roger Allen HARRIS, Neil Alexander KING, Soumitra R. DESHMUKH, Zheyan QIU, Ashish GUPTA
  • Publication number: 20230117862
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a synthetic fuel comprising gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock comprising waste materials and/or biomass to generate a raw synthesis gas; supplying the raw synthesis gas to a primary clean-up zone to wash particulates and ammonia or HCl out of the raw synthesis gas; contacting the synthesis gas in a secondary clean-up zone with a physical solvent for sulphurous materials; contacting the desulphurised raw synthesis gas in a tertiary clean-up zone with a physical solvent for CO2 effective to absorb CO2; removing at least part of the absorbed CO2 in a solvent regeneration stage to recover CO2 in a form sufficiently pure for sequestration or other use; and supplying the clean synthesis gas to a further reaction train to generate a synthetic fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Ivan Philip GREAGER, Roger Allen HARRIS, Neil Alexander KING, Soumitra R. DESHMUKH, Zheyan QIU
  • Patent number: 11618860
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, the process comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; sequentially removing ammoniacal, sulphurous and carbon dioxide impurities from the raw synthesis gas to form desulphurised gas and recovering carbon dioxide in substantially pure form; converting at least a portion of the desulphurised synthesis gas to a useful product. Despite having selected a more energy intensive sub-process i.e. physical absorption for removal of acid gas impurities, the overall power requirement of the facility is lower on account of lower steam requirements and thereby leading to a decrease in the carbon intensity score for the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Neil Alexander King, Soumitra R. Deshmukh, Zheyan Qiu
  • Publication number: 20230096427
    Abstract: Routines and methods disclosed herein can increase a power efficiency of a prosthetic hand without drastically reducing the speed at which it operates. A prosthesis can implement an acceleration profile, which can reduce an energy consumption of a motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor as the motor transitions from an idle state to a non-idle state. A prosthesis can implement a deceleration profile, which can reduce the energy consumption of the motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor transitions from a non-idle state to an idle state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Byrne, Neil Alexander Shaw
  • Patent number: 11578281
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the raw synthesis gas from the gasification zone and supplying at least part of the recovered raw synthesis gas to a partial oxidation zone; equilibrating the H2:CO ratio of the raw synthesis gas in the partial oxidation zone to obtain equilibrated synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the equilibrated synthesis gas from the partial oxidation zone and treating the gas to remove impurities and generate a fine synthesis gas; and converting the optionally adjusted fine synthesis gas into the useful product in a further chemical reaction requiring a usage ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Neil Alexander King, Soumitra R. Deshmukh, Zheyan Qiu, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 11547581
    Abstract: Routines and methods disclosed herein can increase a power efficiency of a prosthetic hand without drastically reducing the speed at which it operates. A prosthesis can implement an acceleration profile, which can reduce an energy consumption of a motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor transitions from an idle state to a non-idle state. A prosthesis can implement a deceleration profile, which can reduce the energy consumption of the motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor transitions from a non-idle state to an idle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Touch Bionics Limited
    Inventors: Steven Byrne, Neil Alexander Shaw
  • Publication number: 20220177796
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining solid recovered fuel and synthesis gas from a waste-based feedstock, comprising the steps of: I. converting the feedstock into a solid recovered fuel by means of a number of parameters pertaining to waste sorting, selection, comminution and/or screening; II. gasifying under suitable reaction conditions at least a portion of the solid recovered fuel to produce synthesis gas and by-product(s); and III. optionally cleaning at least a portion of the synthesis gas to produce clean synthesis gas and wastewater, wherein one or more of the solid recovered fuel, synthesis gas, and by-product(s) of the gasification are analysed during operation of the process, and wherein data from said analysis is used to control one or more parameters of step I) in order to influence reaction conditions in step II, and optionally step III).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Velocys Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Ivan Philip GREAGER, Roger Allen HARRIS, Martin HOPKINS, Neil Alexander KING, Malcolm John WARD
  • Publication number: 20220119715
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a useful product from synthesis gas having a desired hydrogen to carbon monoxide molar ratio comprises gasifying a first carbonaceous feedstock comprising waste materials and/or biomass in a gasification zone to produce a first synthesis gas; optionally partially oxidising the first synthesis gas in a partial oxidation zone to generate oxidised synthesis gas; reforming a second carbonaceous feedstock to produce a second synthesis gas, the second synthesis gas having a different hydrogen to carbon ratio from that of the first raw synthesis gas; combining at least a portion of the first synthesis gas and at least a portion of the second synthesis gas in an amount to achieve the desired hydrogen to carbon molar ratio and to generate a combined synthesis gas and subjecting at least part of the combined synthesis gas to a conversion process effective to produce the useful product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ivan Philip GREAGER, Roger Allen HARRIS, Rudolph HAVENGA, Neil Alexander KING
  • Publication number: 20210355392
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of one or more useful products comprises: gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock comprising waste materials and/or biomass in a gasification zone to generate a raw synthesis gas; supplying at least a portion of the raw synthesis gas to a clean-up zone to remove contaminants and provide a clean synthesis gas; supplying the clean synthesis gas to a first further reaction train to generate at least one first useful product and a tailgas; and diverting selectively on demand a portion of at least one of the carbonaceous feedstock, the clean synthesis gas, the tailgas and the light gas fraction to heat or power generation within the process, in response to external factors to control the carbon intensity of the overall process and enable GHG emission savings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Ivan Philip Greager, Roger Allen Harris, Neil Alexander King, Soumitra R. Deshmukh, Zheyan Qiu
  • Patent number: D1026210
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Sascha Kristopher Zoellner, Katie Fyfe, Kevin Blake Powell, James Alexander Gordon, Carsten Ma On Wong Corazza, Graeme Lachlan Vincent, Matthew Joseph Lucas, Neil Gray Duthie, Jojo Santos Badenas, Sean Alexander Craig, Andrew Derek Clark