Patents by Inventor Pietro Di Zanno

Pietro Di Zanno 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: 7866389
    Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir includes separating air into a nitrogen-rich gas and an oxygen-rich gas, oxidizing a hydrocarbon fuel with at least part of the oxygen-rich gas to produce steam and a CO2-rich gas, injecting at least part of the steam through an injection well into the reservoir to heat the hydrocarbons, purging the injection well with at least part of the nitrogen-rich gas, and injecting at least part of the CO2-rich gas into the reservoir containing the heated hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Errico De Francesco, Pietro Di Zanno, Denis Cieutat, Guillaume De-Smedt
  • Publication number: 20080257543
    Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir includes separating air into a nitrogen-rich gas and an oxygen-rich gas, oxidizing a hydrocarbon fuel with at least part of the oxygen-rich gas to produce steam and a CO2-rich gas, injecting at least part of the steam through an injection well into the reservoir to heat the hydrocarbons, purging the injection well with at least part of the nitrogen-rich gas, and injecting at least part of the CO2-rich gas into the reservoir containing the heated hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Errico De Francesco, Pietro Di Zanno, Denis Cieutat, Guillaume De-Smedt
  • Patent number: 7284362
    Abstract: An integrated air separation and oxygen fired power generation system includes an air separation unit and a gas turbine including an air compressor to provide compressed air for the air separation unit. The system further includes a gas turbine expander and at least one additional turbine to drive the air compressor, as well as at least one combustion unit to provide drive gas for expander and additional turbine(s). A portion of oxygen produced by the air separation unit is delivered to the combustor(s) to facilitate production of drive gas for use by the expander and additional turbine(s). Turbine inlet temperatures are controlled by recycling water or steam to the combustor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme À Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Étude Et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Scott Macadam, Frederic Fillet, Pietro Di Zanno
  • Patent number: 7014458
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion chamber of a furnace or boiler are presented, the combustion normally using only air as an oxidant, part of the air entering the combustion chamber through one or more burners, and a remaining portion of air entering the combustion chamber at a plurality of locations downstream of the burners. The methods comprise injecting oxygen-enriched gas through a plurality of lances into the combustion chamber at a plurality of downstream locations, the oxygen-enriched gas injected at a velocity ranging from subsonic to supersonic, and the oxygen-enriched gas being present in an amount sufficient to provide an oxygen concentration of no more than 2% on a volume basis greater than when air is used alone as oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignees: American Air Liquide, Inc., L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Benjamin Bugeat, Eric Streicher, Pietro Di Zanno
  • Patent number: 6871502
    Abstract: A novel power generation system, more specifically an integrated power generation and air separation system and an integrated power generation and air separation process is provided. A key component of the system and process is an oxygen-fired combustor designed for gas turbine operating pressures. The combustor produces a high-temperature gas stream that enters one or more heat exchangers to generate/heat steam, and then enters one or more turbines to generate power. The steam from the heat exchanger drives one or more steam turbines to generate power, and the discharged steam is admitted to the combustor. To maximize cycle efficiency, steam extraction and reheat is incorporated in the process. Additional power is generated from a high-pressure nitrogen stream produced by an air separation unit (ASU). This process has the potential to attain high cycle efficiencies with zero emissions, while utilizing existing or near-term steam turbines, and moderate-pressure combustion systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: America Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Scott Macadam, Pietro Di Zanno
  • Publication number: 20040115576
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion chamber of a furnace or boiler are presented, the combustion normally using only air as an oxidant, part of the air entering the combustion chamber through one or more burners, and a remaining portion of air entering the combustion chamber at a plurality of locations downstream of the burners. The methods comprise injecting oxygen-enriched gas through a plurality of lances into the combustion chamber at a plurality of downstream locations, the oxygen-enriched gas injected at a velocity ranging from subsonic to supersonic, and the oxygen-enriched gas being present in an amount sufficient to provide an oxygen concentration of no more than 2% on a volume basis greater than when air is used alone as oxidant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Benjamin Bugeat, Eric Streicher, Pietro Di Zanno
  • Patent number: 6685464
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion chamber of a furnace or boiler are presented, the combustion normally using only air as an oxidant, part of the air entering the combustion chamber through one or more burners, and a remaining portion of air entering the combustion chamber at a plurality of locations downstream of the burners. The methods comprise injecting oxygen-enriched gas through a plurality of lances into the combustion chamber at a plurality of downstream locations, the oxygen-enriched gas injected at a velocity ranging from subsonic to supersonic, and the oxygen-enriched gas being present in an amount sufficient to provide an oxygen concentration of no more than 2% on a volume basis greater than when air is used alone as oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, American Air Liquide
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Benjamin Bugeat, Eric Streicher, Pietro Di Zanno
  • Publication number: 20040016237
    Abstract: An integrated air separation and oxygen fired power generation system includes an air separation unit and a gas turbine including an air compressor to provide compressed air for the air separation unit. The system further includes a gas turbine expander and at least one additional turbine to drive the air compressor, as well as at least one combustion unit to provide drive gas for expander and additional turbine(s). A portion of oxygen produced by the air separation unit is delivered to the combustor(s) to facilitate production of drive gas for use by the expander and additional turbine(s). Turbine inlet temperatures are controlled by recycling water or steam to the combustor(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Scott Macadam, Frederic Fillet, Pietro Di Zanno
  • Publication number: 20030233830
    Abstract: A novel power generation system, more specifically an integrated power generation and air separation system and an integrated power generation and air separation process is provided. A key component of the system and process is an oxygen-fired combustor designed for gas turbine operating pressures. The combustor produces a high-temperature gas stream that enters one or more heat exchangers to generate/heat steam, and then enters one or more turbines to generate power. The steam from the heat exchanger drives one or more steam turbines to generate power, and the discharged steam is admitted to the combustor. To maximize cycle efficiency, steam extraction and reheat is incorporated in the process. Additional power is generated from a high-pressure nitrogen stream produced by an air separation unit (ASU). This process has the potential to attain high cycle efficiencies with zero emissions, while utilizing existing or near-term steam turbines, and moderate-pressure combustion systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Scott Macadam, Pietro Di Zanno
  • Publication number: 20020142256
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion chamber of a furnace or boiler are presented, the combustion normally using only air as an oxidant, part of the air entering the combustion chamber through one or more burners, and a remaining portion of air entering the combustion chamber at a plurality of locations downstream of the burners. The methods comprise injecting oxygen-enriched gas through a plurality of lances into the combustion chamber at a plurality of downstream locations, the oxygen-enriched gas injected at a velocity ranging from subsonic to supersonic, and the oxygen-enriched gas being present in an amount sufficient to provide an oxygen concentration of no more than 2% on a volume basis greater than when air is used alone as oxidant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Benjamin Bugeat, Eric Streicher, Pietro Di Zanno