Patents by Inventor Rodney John Allam

Rodney John Allam 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: 8776532
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power production system that is adapted to achieve high efficiency power production with complete carbon capture when using a solid or liquid hydrocarbon or carbonaceous fuel. More particularly, the solid or liquid fuel first is partially oxidized in a partial oxidation reactor. The resulting partially oxidized stream that comprises a fuel gas is quenched, filtered, cooled, and then directed to a combustor of a power production system as the combustion fuel. The partially oxidized stream is combined with a compressed recycle CO2 stream and oxygen. The combustion stream is expanded across a turbine to produce power and passed through a recuperator heat exchanger. The expanded and cooled exhaust stream is scrubbed to provide the recycle CO2 stream, which is compressed and passed through the recuperator heat exchanger and the POX heat exchanger in a manner useful to provide increased efficiency to the combined systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Palmer Labs, LLC, 8 Rivers Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt, Miles R. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20140053529
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: 8 Rivers Capital, LLC, Palmer Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Glenn William Brown, JR., Miles R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8596075
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Palmer Labs, LLC, 8 Rivers Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Miles Palmer, Glenn William Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8580206
    Abstract: SO2 and/or NOx are removed from gaseous CO2 at elevated pressure(s) in the presence of molecular oxygen and water and, when SO2 is to be removed, NOx, to convert SO2 to sulfuric acid and/or NOx to nitric acid. The sulfuric acid and/or nitric acid is/are then removed from the gaseous carbon dioxide to produce SO2-free, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas. The invention has particular application in the removal of SO2 and/or NOx from carbon dioxide flue gas produced in an oxyfuel combustion process, for example, in a pulverized coal fired power station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Vincent White, Edwin John Miller
  • Publication number: 20120237881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cryogenic air separation process that provides high pressure oxygen for an oxy-fired combustion of a fuel (e.g., a carbonaceous fuel). The air separation process can be directly integrated into a closed cycle power production process utilizing a working fluid, such as CO2. Beneficially, the air separation process can eliminate the need for inter-cooling between air compression stages and rather provide for recycling the adiabatic heat of compression into a process step in a further methods wherein an additional heat supply is beneficial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt
  • Patent number: 8257476
    Abstract: A first contaminant selected from oxygen and carbon monoxide is removed from impure liquid carbon dioxide using a mass transfer separation column system which is reboiled by indirect heat exchange against crude carbon dioxide fluid, the impure liquid carbon dioxide having a greater concentration of carbon dioxide than the crude carbon dioxide fluid. The invention has particular application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen PSA process. Advantages include reducing the level of the first contaminant to not more than 1000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Publication number: 20120073261
    Abstract: A combustor apparatus is provided, comprising a mixing arrangement for mixing a carbonaceous fuel with enriched oxygen and a working fluid to form a fuel mixture. A combustion chamber is at least partially defined by a porous perimetric transpiration member, at least partially surrounded by a pressure containment member. The combustion chamber has longitudinally spaced apart inlet and outlet portions. The fuel mixture is received by the inlet portion for combustion within the combustion chamber at a combustion temperature to form a combustion product. The combustion chamber directs the combustion product longitudinally toward the outlet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Miles R. Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Glenn William Brown, JR., Jeremy Eron Fetvedt
  • Publication number: 20120067054
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, assemblies, and systems for power production that can allow for increased efficiency and lower cost components arising from the control, reduction, or elimination of turbine blade mechanical erosion by particulates or chemical erosion by gases in a combustion product flow. The methods, assemblies, and systems can include the use of turbine blades that operate with a blade velocity that is significantly reduced in relation to conventional turbines used in typical power production systems. The methods and systems also can make use of a recycled circulating fluid for transpiration protection of the turbine and/or other components. Further, recycled circulating fluid may be employed to provide cleaning materials to the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Miles Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt
  • Publication number: 20120067056
    Abstract: A method of power production using a high pressure/low pressure ratio Brayton Power cycle with predominantly N2 mixed with CO2 and H2O combustion products as the working fluid is provided. The high pressure can be in the range 80 bar to 500 bar. The pressure ratio can be in the range 1.5 to 10. The natural gas fuel can be burned in a first high pressure combustor with a near stoichiometric quantity of pressurised preheated air and the net combustion gas can be mixed with a heated high pressure recycle N2+CO2+H2O stream which moderates the mixed gas temperature to the value required for the maximum inlet temperature to a first power turbine producing shaft power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: 8 RIVERS CAPITAL, LLC, PALMER LABS, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt
  • Publication number: 20120067568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing a reliable, high purity source of CO2 that is used in the recovery of formation deposits, such as fossil fuels. At least a portion of the fossil fuels recovered may be directly combusted or extracted using the same process used to provide the pure source of CO2 without the need to first remove CO2, sulfur, other fossil fuels, or other impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Miles Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt, David Arthur Freed, Glenn William Brown, JR.
  • Patent number: 8091369
    Abstract: A superheater in a power plant that superheats steam to operation conditions exceeding an operating limit of an associated steam-producing boiler. The superheater combusts oxygen and fuel with cooled recycled combustion gas to produce a CO2-rich combustion product gas stream at a fixed temperature. The combustion gas is used as the heat transfer fluid in the superheater's heat exchanger. The CO2-rich flue gas stream allows for efficient capture of substantially pure CO2. The superheater may be retrofitted to an existing power plant as a separate component, external to the boiler. The plant may thus have its electrical power output increased, while its overall CO2 emissions per nit of generated power is decreased, even when inexpensive, readily-available fossil fuels are used as the primary fuel for filing the boiler and/or the superheater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Vincent White, Julia Elizabeth Milligan
  • Patent number: 8088196
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide and oxygen are separated from a feed gas, preferably derived from flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process, by diffusion across at least one membrane in a membrane separation system to produce separated carbon dioxide gas comprising oxygen, which is fed to the oxyfuel combustion process to improve the performance of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Publication number: 20110271713
    Abstract: Impure carbon dioxide (“CO2”) comprising a first contaminant selected from the group consisting of oxygen (“O2”) and carbon monoxide (“CO”) is purified by separating expanded impure carbon dioxide liquid in a mass transfer separation column system. The impure carbon dioxide may be derived from, for example, flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen (“H2”) PSA system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Publication number: 20110179799
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Miles Palmer, Glenn William Brown, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110083435
    Abstract: A combustor apparatus is provided, comprising a mixing arrangement for mixing a carbonaceous fuel with enriched oxygen and a working fluid to form a fuel mixture. A combustion chamber is at least partially defined by a porous perimetric transpiration member, at least partially surrounded by a pressure containment member. The combustion chamber has longitudinally spaced apart inlet and outlet portions. The fuel mixture is received by the inlet portion for combustion within the combustion chamber at a combustion temperature to form a combustion product. The combustion chamber further directs the combustion product longitudinally toward the outlet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Miles R. Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Glenn William Brown, JR.
  • Patent number: 7909898
    Abstract: Hydrogen (H2) gas and crude carbon dioxide (CO2) gas are separated from a gaseous mixture thereof. Combustible gas(es) in the crude CO2 gas are combusted to produce heat, at least a portion of which is recovered by indirect heat exchange with at least a portion of the separated H2 gas or a gas derived therefrom. The invention may be integrated with coal-fired power stations to reduce or eliminate emission of harmful components into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Publication number: 20110023539
    Abstract: A first contaminant selected from oxygen and carbon monoxide is removed from impure liquid carbon dioxide using a mass transfer separation column system which is reboiled by indirect heat exchange against crude carbon dioxide fluid, the impure liquid carbon dioxide having a greater concentration of carbon dioxide than the crude carbon dioxide fluid. The invention has particular application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen PSA process. Advantages include reducing the level of the first contaminant to not more than 1000 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 7850763
    Abstract: Impure carbon dioxide (“CO2”) comprising a first contaminant selected from the group consisting of oxygen (“O2”) and carbon monoxide (“CO”) is purified by separating expanded impure carbon dioxide liquid in a mass transfer separation column system. The impure carbon dioxide may be derived from, for example, flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen (“H2”) PSA system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Publication number: 20100300063
    Abstract: A combustor apparatus is provided, comprising a mixing arrangement for mixing a carbonaceous fuel with enriched oxygen and a working fluid to form a fuel mixture. A combustion chamber is at least partially defined by a transpiration member. The transpiration member is at least partially surrounded by a pressure containment member. The combustion chamber has opposed inlet and outlet portions. The inlet portion of the combustion chamber is configured to receive the fuel mixture for the fuel mixture to be combusted at a combustion temperature. The combustion chamber is further configured to direct the resulting combustion product toward the outlet portion. The transpiration member directs a transpiration substance therethrough toward the combustion chamber for buffering interaction between the combustion product and the transpiration member. Associated systems, apparatuses, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Miles R. Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Glenn William Brown, JR.
  • Patent number: 7819951
    Abstract: A first contaminant selected from oxygen and carbon monoxide is removed from impure liquid carbon dioxide using a mass transfer separation column system which is reboiled by indirect heat exchange against crude carbon dioxide fluid, the impure liquid carbon dioxide having a greater concentration of carbon dioxide than the crude carbon dioxide fluid. The invention has particular application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen PSA process. Advantages include reducing the level of the first contaminant to not more than 1000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam