Patents by Inventor Robert R French

Robert R French 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: 20170022435
    Abstract: The invention provides methods to efficiently reduce the water concentration of raw solid fuels, including low rank coals such as brown coal, lignite, subbituminous coal, and other carbonaceous solids. Efficiently drying these materials at low temperatures significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows the production of low-rank coals for gasification and liquifaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20160348965
    Abstract: The invention provides methods to efficiently reduce the water concentration of raw solid fuels, including low rank coals such as brown coal, lignite, subbituminous coal, and other carbonaceous solids. Efficiently drying these materials at low temperatures significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows the production of low-rank coals for gasification and liquefaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 9499756
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which high moisture low rank coal or other carbonaceous material may be transformed into a high-energy, water resistant product. The raw feed is comminuted then mechanically compacted by a roller press with rolls of a specified profile to mobilize the inherent moisture and collapse most of the interstitial pore space. The mobilized moisture is then removed by low-temperature drying and the material is sized and shaped to form a product that is resistant to re-absorption of water or other liquids. The present invention will promote the use of low rank coal for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves, Patrick B. Auell
  • Publication number: 20160186080
    Abstract: The invention provides methods to efficiently reduce the water concentration of raw solid fuels, including low rank coals such as brown coal, lignite, subbituminous coal, and other carbonaceous solids. Efficiently drying these materials at low temperatures significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows the production of low-rank coals for gasification and liquifaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20160152906
    Abstract: The invention provides methods to efficiently reduce the water concentration of raw solid fuels, including low rank coals such as brown coal, lignite, subbituminous coal, and other carbonaceous solids. Efficiently drying these materials at low temperatures significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows the production of low-rank coals for gasification and liquifaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20150291902
    Abstract: The invention provides methods to efficiently reduce the water concentration of raw solid fuels, including low rank coals such as brown coal, lignite, subbituminous coal, and other carbonaceous solids. Efficiently drying these materials at low temperatures significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows the production of low-rank coals for gasification and liquifaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20140311022
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which high moisture low rank coal or other carbonaceous material may be transformed into a high-energy, water resistant product. The raw feed is comminuted then mechanically compacted by a roller press with rolls of a specified profile to mobilize the inherent moisture and collapse most of the interstitial pore space. The mobilized moisture is then removed by low-temperature drying and the material is sized and shaped to form a product that is resistant to re-absorption of water or other liquids. The present invention will promote the use of low rank coal for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves, Patrick B. Auell
  • Patent number: 8673030
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which high moisture low rank coal or other carbonaceous material may be transformed into a high-energy, water resistant product. The raw feed is comminuted then mechanically compacted by a roller press with rolls of a specified profile to mobilize the inherent moisture and collapse most of the interstitial pore space. The mobilized moisture is then removed by low-temperature drying and the material is sized and shaped to form a product that is resistant to re-absorption of water or other liquids. The present invention will promote the use of low rank coal for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves, Patrick B. Auell
  • Publication number: 20140020572
    Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 8453953
    Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20110167715
    Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: GTL ENERGY, LTD
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7913939
    Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: GTL Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20090158645
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which high moisture low rank coal or other carbonaceous material may be transformed into a high-energy, water resistant product. The raw feed is comminuted then mechanically compacted by a roller press with rolls of a specified profile to mobilize the inherent moisture and collapse most of the interstitial pore space. The mobilized moisture is then removed by low-temperature drying and the material is sized and shaped to form a product that is resistant to re-absorption of water or other liquids. The present invention will promote the use of low rank coal for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves, Patrick B. Auell
  • Publication number: 20080222947
    Abstract: The invention provides methods to efficiently reduce the water concentration of raw solid fuels, including low rank coals such as brown coal, lignite, subbituminous coal, and other carbonaceous solids. Efficiently drying these materials at low temperatures significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows the production of low-rank coals for gasification and liquifaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7128767
    Abstract: The ash content of raw coals, lignite, and other carbonaceous materials is reduced by leaching the high-ash material with an aqueous acidic waste product produced by a Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The acidic aqueous waste is mixed with coal and process conditions are described. The claim takes advantage of using otherwise uneconomic coal, lignite or other carbonaceous material by upgrading the material to a suitable feedstock for combustion in a power plant or gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: GTL Energy
    Inventors: Robert R French, Robert A. Reeves