Patents by Inventor Olaf Kuhl

Olaf Kuhl 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: 10906806
    Abstract: The apparatus described herein comprises a first reaction chamber having an inlet for a hydrocarbon medium, particularly a gas having the composition CnHm, and an outlet. Means for decomposing the hydrocarbons into carbon particles and hydrogen by introducing heat are provided between the inlet and the outlet in the first reaction chamber. The apparatus also comprises a second reaction chamber having an elongated configuration and having a first inlet at one end and an outlet at the opposite end, wherein the first inlet of the second reaction chamber is connected with the outlet of the first reaction chamber, and wherein the second reaction chamber comprises a widening flow cross-section (measured perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the second reaction chamber) between the inlet and the outlet. In addition, at least one second inlet into the second reaction chamber is provided, wherein the second inlet can be connected to a source for CO2 and/or H2O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: CAPHENIA GMBH
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Patent number: 10526670
    Abstract: The present blast furnace and method for operating a blast furnace are able to reduce CO2 production and the amount of applied additives and heating material. The method for metal production of metal ores comprising the following steps: reducing a metal ore, particularly a metal oxide, and thereby producing furnace gas containing CO2 in a blast furnace shaft; discharging the furnace gas from the blast furnace shaft; directing at least a portion of the furnace gas into a CO2 converter and reducing the CO2 in the furnace gas into CO; directing at least a portion of the CO from the CO2 converter into the blast furnace shaft. The method produces CO as a gaseous reduction agent which may be easily introduced into the blast furnace shaft. Further, a blast furnace for metal production by reducing a metal ore designed for operating according to the method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: CCP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20190381475
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a plasma reactor for decomposition of hydrocarbons which allows stable operation over a prolonged time period. This problem is solved by a plasma reactor for decomposing a hydrocarbon fluid, which comprises a reactor chamber surrounded by a reactor wall and further comprises at least one hydrocarbon inlet and an outlet. A plasma torch having at least two electrodes, which comprise a base part at a first end, is fixed to the reactor wall. At a second end, the electrodes comprise a burner part which projects into the reactor chamber, and a plasma zone is defined between the burner parts of adjacent electrodes. In a region between the plasma zone and the outlet, the hydrocarbon inlet opens into the reactor chamber, and the hydrocarbon inlet is oriented toward the plasma zone such that hydrocarbon fluid flowing therefrom is directed towards the plasma zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Olaf Kühl
  • Patent number: 10287643
    Abstract: A process for processing metal ore includes: reducing a metal ore, particularly a metallic oxide, in a blast furnace shaft; producing furnace gas containing CO2, in the blast furnace shaft; discharging the furnace gas from the blast furnace shaft; directing at least a portion of the furnace gas directly or indirectly into a CO2-converter; and converting the CO2 contained in the furnace gas into an aerosol consisting of a carrier gas and C-particles in the CO2-converter in the presence of a stoichiometric surplus of C; directing at least a first portion of the aerosol from the CO2-converter into the blast furnace shaft; and introducing H2O into the blast furnace shaft. By virtue of the reaction C+H2O?CO2+2H, nascent hydrogen is produced in the blast furnace which causes rapid reduction of the metal ore. The speed of reduction of the metal ore is thus increased, and it is possible to increase either the throughput capacity of the blast furnace or to reduce the size of the blast furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CCP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Patent number: 10166521
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for converting carbon dioxide CO2 into carbon monoxide CO using hydrocarbons are described. In further embodiments, processes and apparatuses for generating synthesis gas and processes and apparatuses for converting synthesis gas into synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons using CO2 and hydrocarbons are described. The processes and apparatuses are adapted to convert CO2 emitted by industrial processes, and thus the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: CCP Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20180327260
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing synthesis gas at high capacity is described, wherein particularly fast conversion and operation for a long time without interruption is obtained. The apparatus comprises a reactor (1) having a reactor chamber (2) which comprises at least one first inlet (5) connected to a source of hydrocarbon fluid and at least one outlet (15); further a plasma burner (7) having a burner part (11) which is adapted to produce a plasma; and at least one second inlet (6) connected to a source of CO2 or H2O. The reactor chamber (2) defines a flow path from the first inlet (5) to the outlet (15), wherein the burner part is located, with respect to the flow path, between the first inlet (5) for hydrocarbon fluid and the second inlet (6) for CO2 or H2O; and wherein the second inlet (6) is located with respect to the flow path such that the second inlet (6) is at a location where between 90% and 95% of the hydrocarbon fluid is thermally decomposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20180230008
    Abstract: The apparatus described herein comprises a first reaction chamber having an inlet for a hydrocarbon medium, particularly a gas having the composition CnHm, and an outlet. Means for decomposing the hydrocarbons into carbon particles and hydrogen by introducing heat are provided between the inlet and the outlet in the first reaction chamber. The apparatus also comprises a second reaction chamber having an elongated configuration and having a first inlet at one end and an outlet at the opposite end, wherein the first inlet of the second reaction chamber is connected with the outlet of the first reaction chamber, and wherein the second reaction chamber comprises a widening flow cross-section (measured perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the second reaction chamber) between the inlet and the outlet. In addition, at least one second inlet into the second reaction chamber is provided, wherein the second inlet can be connected to a source for CO2 and/or H2O.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Olaf KUHL
  • Patent number: 9988266
    Abstract: A method for producing ¾-rich synthesis gas comprises the following steps: decomposing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid into an H2/C-aerosol in a first hydrocarbon converter by supplying energy which is at least partly provided in the form of heat; introducing at least a first stream of the H2/C-aerosol into a first sub-process which comprises the following steps: directing at least a part of the H2/C-aerosol from the first hydrocarbon converter into a first C-converter; introducing CO2 into the first C-converter and mixing the CO2 with the H2/C-aerosol introduced into the first C-converter; converting the mixture of H2/C-aerosol and CO2 into a synthesis gas at a temperature of 800 to 1700° C.; mixing additional H2 with the synthesis gas for the production of H2-rich synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: CCP Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20170057818
    Abstract: A method for producing ¾-rich synthesis gas comprises the following steps: decomposing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid into an H2/C-aerosol in a first hydrocarbon converter by supplying energy which is at least partly provided in the form of heat; introducing at least a first stream of the H2/C-aerosol into a first sub-process which comprises the following steps: directing at least a part of the H2/C-aerosol from the first hydrocarbon converter into a first C-converter; introducing CO2 into the first C-converter and mixing the CO2 with the H2/C-aerosol introduced into the first C-converter; converting the mixture of H2/C-aerosol and CO2 into a synthesis gas at a temperature of 800 to 1700° C.; mixing additional H2 with the synthesis gas for the production of H2-rich synthesis gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20170051210
    Abstract: A method producing synthetic hydrocarbons includes producing synthesis gas. An initial step, carbon or a mixture of carbon and hydrogen is brought into contact with water at a temperature of 800-1700° C. The synthesis gas is converted into synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons by means of a Fischer Tropsch process wherein it is brought into contact with a suitable catalyst, and wherein water in which a portion of the synthetic hydrocarbons is dissolved results as a by-product. At least a portion of the water that is produced as a by-product is supplied to the initial step. The hydrocarbons that are dissolved in the water decompose into particle-like carbon and hydrogen at the high temperature. The carbon is converted into CO in the presence of water and at a high temperature and forms a portion of the synthesis gas that is produced. In this way, a costly process for cleaning half of the water that is produced as a by-product is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20170002433
    Abstract: A process for processing metal ore includes: reducing a metal ore, particularly a metallic oxide, in a blast furnace shaft; producing furnace gas containing CO2, in the blast furnace shaft; discharging the furnace gas from the blast furnace shaft; directing at least a portion of the furnace gas directly or indirectly into a CO2-converter; and converting the CO2 contained in the furnace gas into an aerosol consisting of a carrier gas and C-particles in the CO2-converter in the presence of a stoichiometric surplus of C; directing at least a first portion of the aerosol from the CO2-converter into the blast furnace shaft; and introducing H2O into the blast furnace shaft. By virtue of the reaction C+H2O?CO2+2H, nascent hydrogen is produced in the blast furnace which causes rapid reduction of the metal ore. The speed of reduction of the metal ore is thus increased, and it is possible to increase either the throughput capacity of the blast furnace or to reduce the size of the blast furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20160340195
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for converting carbon dioxide CO2 into carbon monoxide CO using hydrocarbons are described. In further embodiments, processes and apparatuses for generating synthesis gas and processes and apparatuses for converting synthesis gas into synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons using CO2 and hydrocarbons are described. The processes and apparatuses are adapted to convert CO2 emitted by industrial processes, and thus the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20160296905
    Abstract: In a plasma reactor for decomposing a hydrocarbon fluid, the deposition of C particles is to be reduced or completely prevented. In order to achieve this object, there is described a plasma reactor for decomposing a hydrocarbon fluid which comprises a reactor chamber enclosed by a reactor wall and having at least one hydrocarbon fluid inlet and at least one outlet, and in addition it comprises a plasma burner having at least two elongated electrodes which each have a base part that is fixed to the reactor wall and a burner part which projects into the reactor chamber and has a free end. The hydrocarbon fluid inlet opens out into the reactor chamber in such a manner that a hydrocarbon fluid flowing out therefrom flows in a space between the reactor wall and the electrodes along at least one electrode to the free end thereof. A high flow rate of the fluid is thereby achieved and the direction of flow of the incoming fluid is directed away from the hydrocarbon fluid inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Patent number: 9452935
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for converting carbon dioxide CO2 into carbon monoxide CO using hydrocarbons are described. In further embodiments, processes and apparatuses for generating synthesis gas and processes and apparatuses for converting synthesis gas into synthetic functionalized and/or non-functionalized hydrocarbons using CO2 and hydrocarbons are described. The processes and apparatuses are adapted to convert CO2 emitted by industrial processes, and thus the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CCP Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20160186078
    Abstract: A C-converter includes at least one aerosol converter inlet for an aerosol comprising a first gas and particles containing carbon; at least one converter gas inlet for a second gas; at least two converter chamber outlets and at least two converter chambers which are adapted to be filled with particles between a minimum and a maximum particle filling degree. The C-converter also includes at least one diverting device which is adapted to selectively connect a fraction of the converter chambers a) to at least one of the aerosol converter inlets for aerosol or b) to at least one of the converter gas inlets for the second gas or may disconnect the converter chambers therefrom; and at least one discharging device which is adapted to selectively connect a fraction of the converter chambers to at least one of the converter outlets or to disconnect the converter chambers therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Patent number: 9309125
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating synthesis gas using hydrocarbons and water are described. In further embodiments of the method and the apparatus, synthesis gases having any desired CO/hydrogen ratio and/or synthetic functionalized and/or non-functionalized hydrocarbons are generated. With this method, a hydrocarbon containing fluid may be transformed into a synthesis gas having variable hydrogen content without generating significant amounts of CO2. Further, hydrogen and different forms of carbon may be obtained as by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CCP Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20160089654
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating synthesis gas using hydrocarbons and water are described. In further embodiments of the method and the apparatus, synthesis gases having any desired CO/hydrogen ratio and/or synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons are generated. With this method, a hydrocarbon containing fluid may be transformed into a synthesis gas having variable hydrogen content without generating significant amounts of CO2. Further, hydrogen and different forms of carbon may be obtained as by-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20160083810
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blast furnace and a method for operating a blast furnace which are able to reduce the CO2 production and reduce the amount of applied additives and heating material when compared to presently known metallurgical plants. This problem is solved by a process for metal production of metal ores comprising the following steps: reducing a metal ore, particularly a metal oxide; producing furnace gas containing CO2 in a blast furnace shaft; discharging said furnace gas from the blast furnace shaft; directing at least a portion of the furnace gas directly or indirectly into a CO2 converter and reducing the CO2 contained in the furnace gas into CO in the CO2 converter, directing at least a portion of the CO from the CO2 converter into the blast furnace shaft. Besides solving the above mentioned problem, the method also produces CO as a gaseous reduction agent which may be easily introduced into the blast furnace shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20150291433
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for converting carbon dioxide CO2 into carbon monoxide CO using hydrocarbons are described. In further embodiments, processes and apparatuses for generating synthesis gas and processes and apparatuses for converting synthesis gas into synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons using CO2 and hydrocarbons are described. The processes and apparatuses are adapted to convert CO2 emitted by industrial processes, and thus the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20140364516
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating synthesis gas using hydrocarbons and water are described. In further embodiments of the method and the apparatus, synthesis gases having any desired CO/hydrogen ratio and/or synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons are generated. With this method, a hydrocarbon containing fluid may be transformed into a synthesis gas having variable hydrogen content without generating significant amounts of CO2. Further, hydrogen and different forms of carbon may be obtained as by-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Olaf Kuhl