Patents by Inventor Robert Millner

Robert Millner 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: 20140000535
    Abstract: A metallurgical plant has a plant positioned upstream of a steel-generating plant and has a gas-generating plant which generates an export gas. Carbon dioxide and/or water contained in the export gas is removed from the export gas in a separation device. A resulting product gas is heated, before being supplied to the upstream plant, in a firing unit through the combustion of a heating gas. Excess thermal energy produced during the combustion of the heating gas which is not used for heating the product gas is thermally utilized. The utilization may take place within the firing unit through steam generation and/or downstream of the firing unit to preheat the heating gas and/or an oxidation gas used for the combustion of the heating gas and/or through the pre-heating and/or drying of raw materials to be supplied to the upstream plant and/or to the gas-generating plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Gerald Rosenfellner
  • Patent number: 8597400
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for separating at least one gaseous component from a waste gas of an installation for producing liquid pig iron, liquid primary steel products or sponge iron, in a first step, a stream of the waste gas passes through at least one adsorption separator at a first pressure, whereby the gaseous component is largely separated from the waste gas and, in a second step, the gaseous component is largely removed from the adsorption separator at a second pressure, which is lower than the first pressure. The method and apparatus are maintenance-free, cause low investment and energy costs and has a lower space requirement by a method in which the second pressure or the desorption pressure is generated by at least one jet pump, which is fed a stream of a propellant gas at a third pressure, which is higher than the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Norbert Rein, Gerald Rosenfellner
  • Publication number: 20130284019
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating process water which is loaded with gaseous compounds and/or possibly with solids and comes from a wet-cleaning installation for cleaning process gas, e.g., from a melt-reduction subassembly or from a direct-reduction subassembly. Process water is introduced in a tank in a first process stage and degassed on the basis of reduced solubility of the dissolved compounds. The tank has, on its upper side, a gas-collecting chamber, in which the separated-off gases are collected and from which these are discharged. Likewise, the treated process water is discharged from the tank via a drainage means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Alois Gstoettenmayr, Hado Heckmann, Kurt Lukschander, Robert Millner, Ulrike Schmidt, Helmut Siegl, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20130154166
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for automatically evaluating a delivery system in respect of the energy efficiency and emissions efficiency thereof. The method may include: determining a service level for the delivery system according to an energy intensity and an evaluation relevance of the particular delivery system, detecting energy data and emissions data of the delivery system corresponding to the determined service level of the delivery system, and calculating at least one indicator based on the detected energy data and emissions data and/or based on data for the energy management and environmental management of the delivery system for evaluating the delivery system with respect to the energy efficiency and emissions efficiency thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Robert Millner, Jan-Friedemann Plaul, Johannes Leopold Schenk, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20130112075
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning a gas flow made of top gas and/or off gas and/or export gas from a direct reduction plant or a melt reduction plant, which is loaded with dust and/or fine particulate solids. The gas flow is subjected to a dry cleaning using at least one dry filter, wherein dusts and/or fine particulate raw materials are separated from the gas flow. The cleaned gas flow is fed into a CO2 separating device, wherein CO2 is separated, forming a product gas that is substantially free of water and CO2 and is used for backflushing the dry filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Millner
  • Patent number: 8419825
    Abstract: A process for energy- and emission-optimized iron production and an installation for carrying out the process. A first partial amount of a generator gas produced in a melter gasifier is used as a first reducing gas in a first reduction zone. A second partial amount is fed to at least one further reduction zone as a second reducing gas. In addition, after CO2 scrubbing, a partial amount of top gas removed from the first reduction zone is admixed with the generator gas after the latter leaves the melter gasifier, for cooling the generator gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Bürgler, Stephan Lackner, Robert Millner, Reinhard Redl, Bernhard Rummer, Herbert Schmid, Johann Wurm, Andreas Zobernig
  • Patent number: 8375718
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating energy using sensible heat of an offgas during manufacture of molten iron and a method for generating energy using the same are provided. The method for generating energy includes i) providing an offgas discharged from an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron including a reduction reactor that provides reduced iron that is reduced from iron ore and a melter-gasifier that melts the reduced iron to manufacture molten iron; ii) converting cooling water into high pressure steam by contacting the cooling water with the offgas; and iii) generating energy from at least one steam turbine by supplying the high pressure steam to the steam turbine and rotating the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignees: Posco, Siemens Vai Metals Technologies GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Myoung-Kyun Shin, Sang-Hyun Kim, Min-Chul Park, Sang-Hoon Joo, Robert Millner
  • Publication number: 20130019716
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for reducing charge materials containing iron ore or for producing pig iron or liquid primary steel products in a smelting unit are provided, the charge materials being at least partially reduced in at least one reduction unit by means of a reducing gas and optionally at least some of the at least partially reduced charge materials being melted in a smelting unit while supplying coal or coke and gas containing oxygen, while simultaneously forming the reducing gas, and the reducing gas or a reducing gas generated externally being supplied to the reduction unit. In the event of an interruption in the production of pig iron or primary steel products, the at least one reduction unit is emptied and the at least partially reduced charge materials are introduced into at least one vessel and kept under a non-oxidizing shielding gas atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Eder, Robert Millner, Jan-Friedemann Plaul, Norbert Rein, Karl Zehetbauer
  • Publication number: 20120328465
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing pressed articles which contain direct-reduced, fine particulate iron (direct reduced iron, DRI) from a fluidized bed reduction system for direct reduction of fine particulate iron ore, wherein direct-reduced, fine particulate iron produced in the fluidized bed reduction system during direct reduction is compacted into pressed articles. Dry, fine particulate material containing at least fine particulate iron ore and optionally fine particulate iron and carbon is admixed to the direct-reduced fine particulate iron and the mixture thus obtained is subsequently compacted into pressed articles. An apparatus for carrying out such method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Eder, Robert Millner, Jan-Friedemann Plaul, Norbert Rein
  • Publication number: 20120326363
    Abstract: A method for providing reduction gas for iron ore reduction by cooling and dry dedusting generator gas produced in a melter gasifier for pig iron production, as well as a device for carrying out such method, are provided. The generator gas may be cooled both by water injection and by heat exchange after it has been discharged from the melter gasifier and before a dry dedusting thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Josef Stockinger, Johann Wurm
  • Patent number: 8317898
    Abstract: In a method for the production of molten metal, oxygen, a reducing agent and iron reduced in a reduction reactor are introduced into a melt gasifier, the reducing agent is gasified with oxygen and the reduced iron is melted by the heat which occurs, the cupola gas being used as at least a fraction of the reduction gas. Reacted top gas is drawn off from the reduction reactor. For increased efficiency at least part of the heat energy of the top gas and/or of the fraction of the reduction gas which is provided for use as cooling gas and as excess gas to be utilized for the indirect heating of at least one further gas used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Hauzenberger, Robert Millner, Norbert Rein, Johannes Schenk, Martin Schmidt, Bogdan Vuletic, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20120279356
    Abstract: A process and a device for charging a primary product for pig iron into a smelting unit are provided. According to the process and device, some of the primary product that has been formed by reducing oxidic iron carriers is stored in the hot state in a reservoir tank before being supplied into the storage device or charging device that is directly connected to the smelting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Eder, Robert Millner, Jan-Freidemann Plaul, Norbert Rein, Andreas Scherney, Karl Zehetbauer
  • Patent number: 8287620
    Abstract: A method for the melting of pig iron in a blast furnace (1) operated with oxygen or in a melt-reduction plant, with a reduction region. Purified crude gas is discharged from the reduction region and is recirculated into the reduction region with the addition of hydrocarbons. The purified crude gas is mixed with hydrocarbons and is also blended with a reduction gas which has a temperature of above 1000° C. and which is generated by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons by means of oxygen gas having an oxygen content of above 90% by volume, in order to form a recirculation gas with a temperature of above 800° C. The recirculation gas is recirculated into the reduction region according to an auto-reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20120237421
    Abstract: A method for the removal of CO2 from exhaust gases, e.g., exhaust gases from plants for pig-iron production or exhaust gases from synthesis-gas plants, includes removing CO2 using chemical and/or physical absorption, wherein the heat for regenerating the absorbent is obtained at least partially from an air separation plant. As a result, the CO2 can be separated from the exhaust gases to a greater extent than in the pressure-swing adsorption of other gases, but a lower-order energy carrier can additionally be used for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Jan-Friedemann Plaul, Johannes Leopold Schenk, Kurt Wieder
  • Publication number: 20120174710
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of—a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with—gaseous hydrocarbons, the fuel gas for burners which provide the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is obtained at least partially from a partial quantity of the top gas produced during the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material, wherein this partial quantity of the top gas, before it is used as a component of the fuel gas, is firstly subjected to dedusting and then to a CO conversion reaction, and the conversion gas obtained during the CO conversion reaction is subjected to CO2 removal after cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS VAI METALS TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Guenter Peer
  • Publication number: 20120160062
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides (3) to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with gaseous hydrocarbons, the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is provided at least partially by the combustion of a fuel gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Guenter Peer
  • Publication number: 20120036961
    Abstract: A method and a plant for the production of pig iron or liquid steel semi-finished products are shown, metal oxide-containing batch materials and, if appropriate, aggregates being at least partially reduced in a reduction zone by a reduction gas, subsequently being introduced into a smelting zone and being smelted along with the supply of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas and along with the formation of the reduction gas. The reduction gas formed in the smelting zone is supplied to the reduction zone, reacted there and drawn off as export gas, CO2 is separated from the export gas, and a product gas is formed which is utilized for the introduction of pulverulent carbon carriers into the smelting zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Millner
  • Publication number: 20120036997
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for separating at least one gaseous component from a waste gas of an installation for producing liquid pig iron, liquid primary steel products or sponge iron, in a first step, a stream of the waste gas passes through at least one adsorption separator at a first pressure, whereby the gaseous component is largely separated from the waste gas and, in a second step, the gaseous component is largely removed from the adsorption separator at a second pressure, which is lower than the first pressure. The method and apparatus are maintenance-free, cause low investment and energy costs and has a lower space requirement by a method in which the second pressure or the desorption pressure is generated by at least one jet pump, which is fed a stream of a propellant gas at a third pressure, which is higher than the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Norbert Rein, Gerald Rosenfellner
  • Publication number: 20120020868
    Abstract: A process and an installation for reducing particulate material containing iron oxide are shown, wherein the material containing iron oxide is at least partially reduced with reducing gas in a reducing zone and the waste gas produced during the reduction is drawn off and subsequently subjected to CO2 cleaning in a CO2 separating device (1), in which a tail gas containing CO2 is separated. The tail gas is subjected to combustion and subsequent dewatering in a dewatering device (5), the substitute gas thereby formed being used as a substitute for inert gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Jan-Friedemann Plaul, Kurt Wieder
  • Publication number: 20110284800
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating a gas containing hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO), as a raw material for chemical utilization in, for example, synthesis processes based on export gas from a metallurgical process, are shown. Part of the export gas is subjected to CO conversion with the addition of water vapor, crude synthesis gas with a defined quantity ratio of H2 to CO being formed. Even the water vapor required for CO conversion can be at least partially generated in at least one steam generator in the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Millner