Patents by Inventor Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen

Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen 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).

  • Publication number: 20230398522
    Abstract: Process for the catalytic hydrogenation of organic carbonyl compounds containing at least one functional group belonging to the group of aldehydes, ketones, esters and carboxylic acids, whereby said at least one functional group is converted to an alcohol by contacting said carbonyl compound with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure as well as a catalyst therefore and a process for producing said catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: TOPSOE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Niels Christian SCHJØDT, Susanne Lægsgaard JØRGENSEN, Uffe Vie MENTZEL, Matthias Josef BEIER, Henrik Junge MORTENSEN
  • Publication number: 20230383420
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for cracking ammonia, producing hydrogen and generating electrical power including electrolysis of water in feed ammonia, evaporation, pre-heating and cracking of ammonia, using ammonia synthesis catalysts at low temperatures. A method for cracking ammonia including a) electrolysis of water in feed ammonia, wherein feed ammonia includes make-up ammonia; b) evaporation; c) cracking; wherein cracking of ammonia takes place between 300-700° C., using ammonia synthesis catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TOPSOE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Pat A. HAN, John BØGILD HANSEN
  • Patent number: 11760718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a product gas comprising acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from a feed stream comprising ammonia and methanol over a solid catalyst comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on the support, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in the form of a chemical compound, wherein the first metal is Fe, Ru or Co and the second metal is Sn, Zn, or Ge. The pressure is ambient pressure or higher and the temperature lies in a range from about 400° C. to about 700° C. Thus, the process for producing acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol may be catalyzed by a single catalyst and may be carried out in a single reactor. The invention also relates to a catalyst, a method for activating a catalyst and use of a catalyst for catalysing production of acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Rasmus Munksgård Nielsen, Brian Kjærgaard Olsen
  • Publication number: 20230047360
    Abstract: In a process for steam reforming of oxygenates, especially at low steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratios, a feed gas containing oxygenates, such as ethanol, is converted into syngas over a ternary carbide catalyst. Then the reformed gas is either transformed into desired chemicals or mixed into the feed stream to the reformer in a plant, such as an ammonia or methanol plant. The preferred ternary carbide is nickel zinc carbide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Brian Kjærgaard OLSEN, Lived J. LEMUS-YEGRES
  • Patent number: 11577210
    Abstract: A reactor system for carrying out an endothermic catalytic chemical reaction in a given temperature range upon bringing a reactant into contact with a catalyst material. The reactor system includes a reactor unit arranged to accommodate catalyst material including one or more ferromagnetic macroscopic supports susceptible for induction heating where the one or more ferromagnetic macroscopic supports are ferromagnetic at temperatures up to an upper limit of the given temperature range. The one or more ferromagnetic macroscopic supports are coated with an oxide, and the oxide is impregnated with catalytically active particles. The reactor system moreover includes an induction coil arranged to be powered by a power source supplying alternating current and being positioned so as to generate an alternating magnetic field within the reactor unit upon energization by the power source, whereby the catalyst material is heated to a temperature within the temperature range by the alternating magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Peter Mølgaard Mortensen, Martin Østberg, Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11505461
    Abstract: In a process for steam reforming of oxygenates, especially at low steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratios, a feed gas containing oxygenates, such as ethanol, is converted into syngas over a ternary carbide catalyst. Then the reformed gas is either transformed into desired chemicals or mixed into the feed stream to the reformer in a plant, such as an ammonia or methanol plant. The preferred ternary carbide is nickel zinc carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Brian Kjærgaard Olsen, Lived J. Lemus-Yegres
  • Patent number: 11331638
    Abstract: A reactor system for aromatization of higher hydrocarbons within a given temperature range T upon bringing a reactant stream including higher hydrocarbons into contact with a catalytic mixture. The reactor system includes a reactor unit arranged to accommodate a catalytic mixture. The catalytic mixture includes a catalyst material and a ferromagnetic material. The catalyst material is arranged to catalyze the aromatization of higher hydrocarbons. The ferromagnetic material is ferromagnetic at least at temperatures up to an upper limit of the given temperature range T, where the temperature range T is the range from between about 400° C. and about 700° C. or a subrange thereof. The reactor system also includes an induction coil arranged to be powered by a power source supplying alternating current, whereby the ferromagnetic material is heated to a temperature within the temperature range T by means of an alternating magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Peter Mølgaard Mortensen, Kim Aasberg-Petersen
  • Patent number: 11319284
    Abstract: In a process for the synthesis of a nitrile by endothermic catalyzed reaction of ammonia with a hydrocarbon using heating obtained by passing an alternating current through a metallic coil, the endothermic reaction between ammonia and the hydrocarbon takes place in a reactor with direct inductive heating in the reaction zone. The heating is extremely fast, which makes the reaction practically instantaneous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Burcin Temel McKenna, John Bøgild Hansen, Rasmus Munksgård Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11117809
    Abstract: In a novel method for start-up heating of a converting re-actor in an ammonia synthesis plant, the conventional use of a gas fired heater is replaced by inductive heating. The inductive heating is obtained using an alternating high frequency current, which is passed through an inductive coil located inside the reactor, especially mounted inside a pressure shell. The method makes it possible to run reactions at high temperatures and high pressures in a very efficient way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11059719
    Abstract: In a process for producing hydrogen or syngas by methanol cracking, whereby methanol is catalytically decomposed into hydrogen and carbon monoxide in an endothermal reaction, said reaction takes place in a reactor with direct inductive heating in the reaction zone. The heating is obtained by passing an alternating current through a metallic coil located inside the reactor or by using induction heated catalyzed hardware in the shape of a ferromagnetic structure, which is coated with an oxide impregnated with the catalytically active phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Peter Mølgaard Mortensen, Martin Østberg, Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11059010
    Abstract: A tube heat exchange reactor for carrying out an endothermic catalytic reaction. The tube heat exchange reactor includes: an outer tube with a first and a second end, where the first end is an inlet end and where the second end is a closed end, an inner tube coaxially arranged within the outer tube and spaced apart from the outer tube, where at least a part of the inner tube holds a bed of catalyst material susceptible for induction heating and where the inner tube has an inlet end and an outlet end, an induction coil placed within the annular space confined between the outer and the inner tube, and a power source arranged to supply alternating current to the induction coil in order to generate an alternating magnetic field within at least a part of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/SE
    Inventors: Peter Mølgaard Mortensen, Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Kim Aasberg-Petersen, Martin Østberg
  • Publication number: 20210139394
    Abstract: In a process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of lower alkanes to the corresponding alkenes, a regenerable catalyst comprising iron carbide supported on a carrier is used. A small amount (below 100 ppm) of a sulfur compound, such as H2S, is added during the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Lived J. LEMUS-YEGRES, Rasmus Munksgård NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 10987646
    Abstract: A reactor system for dehydrogenation of alkanes in a given temperature range upon bringing a reactant stream including alkanes into contact with a catalytic mixture. The reactor system includes a reactor unit arranged to accommodate the catalytic mixture, where the catalytic mixture includes catalyst particles and a ferromagnetic material. The catalyst particles are arranged to catalyze the dehydrogenation of alkanes. The ferromagnetic material is ferromagnetic at least at temperatures up to an upper limit of the given temperature range. The reactor system moreover includes an induction coil arranged to be powered by a power source supplying alternating current and being positioned so as to generate an alternating magnetic field within the reactor unit upon energization by the power source, whereby the catalytic mixture is heated to a temperature within the temperature range by means of the alternating magnetic field. Also, a catalytic mixture and a method of dehydrogenating alkanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Rasmus Munksgård Nielsen, John Bøgild Hansen, Burcin Temel McKenna
  • Publication number: 20200330944
    Abstract: A tube heat exchange reactor for carrying out an endothermic catalytic reaction. The tube heat exchange reactor includes: an outer tube with a first and a second end, where the first end is an inlet end and where the second end is a closed end, an inner tube coaxially arranged within the outer tube and spaced apart from the outer tube, where at least a part of the inner tube holds a bed of catalyst material susceptible for induction heating and where the inner tube has an inlet end and an outlet end, an induction coil placed within the annular space confined between the outer and the inner tube, and a power source arranged to supply alternating current to the induction coil in order to generate an alternating magnetic field within at least a part of the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Peter Mølgaard MORTENSEN, Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Kim AASBERG-PETERSEN, Martin ØSTBERG
  • Publication number: 20200299143
    Abstract: In a novel method for start-up heating of a converting re-actor in an ammonia synthesis plant, the conventional use of a gas fired heater is replaced by inductive heating. The inductive heating is obtained using an alternating high frequency current, which is passed through an inductive coil located inside the reactor, especially mounted inside a pressure shell. The method makes it possible to run reactions at high temperatures and high pressures in a very efficient way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Haldor Topsøe A/S
    Inventor: Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN
  • Publication number: 20200290003
    Abstract: A reactor system for aromatization of higher hydrocarbons within a given temperature range T upon bringing a reactant stream including higher hydrocarbons into contact with a catalytic mixture. The reactor system includes a reactor unit arranged to accommodate a catalytic mixture. The catalytic mixture includes a catalyst material and a ferromagnetic material. The catalyst material is arranged to catalyze the aromatization of higher hydrocarbons. The ferromagnetic material is ferromagnetic at least at temperatures up to an upper limit of the given temperature range T, where the temperature range T is the range from between about 400° C. and about 700° C. or a subrange thereof. The reactor system also includes an induction coil arranged to be powered by a power source supplying alternating current, whereby the ferromagnetic material is heated to a temperature within the temperature range T by means of an alternating magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Peter Mølgaard MORTENSEN, Kim AASBERG-PETERSEN
  • Publication number: 20200239305
    Abstract: In a process for steam reforming of oxygenates, especially at low steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratios, a feed gas containing oxygenates, such as ethanol, is converted into syngas over a ternary carbide catalyst. Then the reformed gas is either transformed into desired chemicals or mixed into the feed stream to the reformer in a plant, such as an ammonia or methanol plant. The preferred ternary carbide is nickel zinc carbide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Brian Kjærgaard OLSEN, Lived J. LEMUS-YEGRES
  • Patent number: 10722871
    Abstract: A catalyst for the dehydrogenation of alkanes to alkenes comprises a catalytically active material supported on a carrier, wherein the catalytically active material is a metallic sulfide (MeS) comprising Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo or W or any combination of two or more metals selected from Pb, Sn, Zn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo and W. The catalyst is regenerated in several steps. The dehydrogenation is carried out at a temperature between 450 and 650° C. and a pressure from 0.9 bar below ambient pressure to 5 bar above ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Rasmus Munksgård Nielsen, Lived J. Lemus-Yegres
  • Publication number: 20200230579
    Abstract: A platinum-gallium based catalyst for alkane dehydrogenation is provided with an oxidation promotor in the form of cerium that is added to the catalyst composition to improve the regeneration thereof. The cerium is preferably added to the catalyst composition in an amount from 0.001 to 0.5 wt %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Rasmus Munksgård NIELSEN, Roy VAN DEN BERG, Lived J. LEMUS-YEGRES, Joachim Harteg JACOBSEN, Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 10710057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst material comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on said support. The first and second metals are in the form of a chemical compound. The first metal is Fe, Co or Ni, and the second metal is selected from the group consisting of Sn, Zn and In. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3), wherein the methane and ammonia are contacted with a catalyst according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Burcin Temel McKenna, Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen