Patents by Inventor Nicholas P. Wynn
Nicholas P. Wynn 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: 10086326Abstract: A gas separation module and assembly for housing ceramic tubular membranes. The module includes a plurality of tubes containing the ceramic tubular membranes. The tubes are arranged parallel to one another and are supported by tube sheet plates at each end. Gas-tight seals surround each membrane, preventing a feed gas and a residue gas within the inner lumen of the membrane from mixing with a permeate gas in the tube interior. The module also contains a gas distribution pipe for withdrawing the permeate gas out of, or introducing a sweep gas into, the module. This configuration allows for ceramic tubular membranes to be modularized for use in an assembly that carries out many types of gas separations.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Paul Su, Moyeen Mohammed, Alicia Breen, Mamoon Rashid Khan, Nicholas P Wynn
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Patent number: 10017434Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Publication number: 20170282119Abstract: A gas separation module and assembly for housing ceramic tubular membranes. The module includes a plurality of tubes containing the ceramic tubular membranes. The tubes are arranged parallel to one another and are supported by tube sheet plates at each end. Gas-tight seals surround each membrane, preventing a feed gas and a residue gas within the inner lumen of the membrane from mixing with a permeate gas in the tube interior. The module also contains a gas distribution pipe for withdrawing the permeate gas out of, or introducing a sweep gas into, the module. This configuration allows for ceramic tubular membranes to be modularized for use in an assembly that carries out many types of gas separations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Paul Su, Moyeen Mohammed, Alicia Breen, Mamoon Rashid Khan, Nicholas P Wynn
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Publication number: 20170088419Abstract: A process for producing syngas with a high content of carbon monoxide, reflected in a high CO:CO2 ratio. The process involves integrating membrane-based gas separation and steam methane reforming.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Douglas Gottschlich, Alvin Ng
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Patent number: 9579605Abstract: A gas separation module and assembly for housing ceramic tubular membranes. The module includes a plurality of tubes containing the ceramic tubular membranes. The tubes are arranged parallel to one another and are supported by tube sheet plates at each end. Gas-tight seals surround each membrane, preventing a permeate gas within the inner lumen of the membrane from mixing with a feed or residue gas in the tube interior. The module also contains a gas distribution pipe for introducing feed gas into, and withdrawing residue out of, the module. This configuration allows for ceramic tubular membranes to be modularized for use in an assembly that carries out many types of gas separations.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Paul Su, Moyeen Mohammed, Alicia Breen, Mamoon Rashid Khan, Nicholas P Wynn
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Publication number: 20170008822Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Patent number: 9517981Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Patent number: 9073808Abstract: A process for recovering unreacted olefin in a polyolefin manufacturing process comprising the treatment of a purge bin vent gas. The process involves cooling and condensing the vent gas (purge stream), which contains at least an olefin, a paraffin, and nitrogen, to produce a liquid condensate and an uncondensed (residual) gas stream. Both streams are then passed through membrane separation steps. The membrane separation of the uncondensed gas stream results in a residue stream containing mostly nitrogen and/or paraffin and a permeate stream enriched in either C2+ hydrocarbons or olefin, depending on the type of separation. The permeate from this step is recirculated within the process prior to the condensation step. The membrane separation of the condensate results in a residue stream containing paraffin and a permeate stream enriched in olefin, which may be recycled to the polymerization reactor.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Paul Su, Nicholas P Wynn, Marc Jacobs, Xiaotong Wei, Sylvie Thomas-Droz, Xuezhen Wang
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Publication number: 20150174524Abstract: A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Haiqing Lin, Meijuan Zhou, Jennifer Ly, Adrian Serbanescu-Martin
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Publication number: 20150158795Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Patent number: 9017451Abstract: A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Haiqing Lin, Meijuan Zhou, Jennifer H. Ly, Livia Serbanescu-Martin
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Patent number: 8945276Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes sets of manifolds, between which are mounted arrays of membrane modules, the manifolds and membrane modules forming a stack within a pressure vessel or housing. The stacked, manifolded arrangement enables many membrane elements to be fed in parallel with the gas to be treated.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventor: Nicholas P. Wynn
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Publication number: 20140360365Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes sets of manifolds, between which are mounted arrays of membrane modules, the manifolds and membrane modules forming a stack within a pressure vessel or housing. The stacked, manifolded arrangement enables many membrane elements to be fed in parallel with the gas to be treated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INCInventor: Nicholas P. Wynn
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Publication number: 20140264176Abstract: A process for producing syngas with a high content of carbon monoxide, reflected in a high CO:CO2 ratio. The process involves integrating membrane-based gas separation and steam methane reforming.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Douglas Gottschlich, Alvin Ng
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Patent number: 8829059Abstract: Disclosed herein are methanol production processes that include a sweep-based membrane separation step using a membrane that is selective to carbon dioxide over hydrogen. Using the processes of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. In certain embodiments, a hydrogen-rich stream is generated; this hydrogen-rich stream can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the processes of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventor: Nicholas P. Wynn
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Patent number: 8771637Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of hydrogen by autothermal reforming of natural gas, with simultaneous recovery of carbon dioxide using carbon dioxide-selective membrane separation. Residual gas from the hydrogen and carbon dioxide recovery is recycled back to the autothermal reformer.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Douglas E Gottschlich, Haiqing Lin
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Patent number: 8623926Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methanol production process that includes at least two membrane separation steps. Using the process of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. As an additional advantage, the first membrane separation step generates a hydrogen-rich stream which can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the process of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P Wynn, Sylvie Thomas-Droz, Meijuan Zhou, Zhenjie He, Haiqing Lin
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Publication number: 20140005285Abstract: Disclosed herein are methanol production processes that include a sweep-based membrane separation step using a membrane that is selective to carbon dioxide over hydrogen. Using the processes of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. In certain embodiments, a hydrogen-rich stream is generated; this hydrogen-rich stream can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the processes of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventor: Nicholas P. Wynn
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Publication number: 20130263734Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing oxygen-enriched air that involves a membrane separation step that uses glassy polymer membranes that have a selectivity to oxygen over nitrogen of at least 2.4.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INCInventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Haiqing Lin, Meijuan Zhou, Jennifer H. Ly, Timothy C. Merkel
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Publication number: 20120141367Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of hydrogen by autothermal reforming of natural gas, with simultaneous recovery of carbon dioxide using carbon dioxide-selective membrane separation. Residual gas from the hydrogen and carbon dioxide recovery is recycled back to the autothermal reformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INCInventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Douglas E. Gottschlich, Haiqing Lin