Patents by Inventor Sean P. Fitzgerald

Sean P. Fitzgerald 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: 6969506
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary L. Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20040265225
    Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, reactors, and methods of steam reforming over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described. For example, a coated catalyst was demonstrated to be highly stable under steam reforming conditions (high temperature and high pressure of steam). Methods of making steam reforming catalysts are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Junko M. Watson, Francis P. Daly, Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Steven T. Perry, Laura J. Silva, Rachid Taha, Enrique Aceves de Alba, Ya-Huei Chin, Robert Rozmiarek, XiaoHong Li
  • Publication number: 20040266615
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Mg-stabilized alumina catalyst support and a catalyst comprising Rh on a Mg-stabilized alumina support. The catalyst is characterized by surprisingly superior results in catalyzing methane steam reforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Junko M. Watson, Francis P. Daly, Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Steven T. Perry, Laura J. Silva, Rachid Taha, Enrique Aceves de Alba, Ya-Huei Chin, Robert Rozmiarek, XiaoHong Li
  • Patent number: 6824592
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating hydrogen. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of hydrogen separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, David P. VanderWiel, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Albert E. Weller, Jr., Chad M. Cucksey
  • Patent number: 6814781
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating fluid components. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of fluid components separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Bruce F. Monzyk, Yong Wang, David P. VanderWiel, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Albert E. Weller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040105812
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemical reactors and reaction chambers and methods for conducting catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. In preferred embodiments, these reaction chambers and methods include at least one porous catalyst material that has pore sizes large enough to permit molecular diffusion within the porous catalyst material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Jennifer L. Marco, Gary L. Roberts, David P. VanderWiel, Robert S. Wegeng
  • Publication number: 20040099712
    Abstract: Novel methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are described. Examples include: assembly from thin strips rather than sheets; and hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) to form devices with a hermetically sealed wall. Laminated microchannel articles having novel features are also described. The invention includes processes conducted using any of the articles described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Timothy M. Werner, Matthew B. Schmidt, Robert J. Luzenski, G. Bradley Chadwell, James A. Mathias, Abhishek Gupta, David J. Kuhlmann, Thomas D. Yuschak
  • Publication number: 20040033455
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRS) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Paul W. Neagle, Dongming Qiu, Matthew B. Schmidt, Steven T. Perry, David J. Hesse, Robert J. Luzenski, G. Bradley Chadwell, Ying Peng, James A. Mathias, Nathan P. Gano, Richard Q. Long, Wm. Allen Roger, Ravi Arora, Wayne W. Simmons, Barry L. Yang, David J. Kuhlmann, Yong Wang, Thomas D. Yuschak, Thomas Forte, John Arthur Monahan, Robert Jetter
  • Patent number: 6680044
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemical reactors and reaction chambers and methods for conducting catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. In preferred embodiments, these reaction chambers and methods include at least one porous catalyst material that has pore sizes large enough to permit molecular diffusion within the porous catalyst material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Jennifer L. Marco, Gary L. Roberts, David P. VanderWiel, Robert S. Wegeng
  • Publication number: 20030152488
    Abstract: New designs, methods and processes are described that in which laminated devices and configured in a style named the “ortho” style. To form a device in the ortho style, plates or sheets are machined to have apertures and then stacked together such that the apertures connect and fluid can flow through the device in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of sheet thickness. Various laminated devices and processes using them are also described. For example, devices in which non-rectangular microchannels conform around reaction chambers or other bodies that need to be heated or cooled, are described. Features that separate or trip boundary layer and enhance heat transfer are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Paul W. Neagle, Dongming Qiu, Matthew Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030131729
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating fluid components. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of fluid components separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Bruce F. Monzyk, Yong Wang, David P. VanderWiel, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Albert E. Weller
  • Publication number: 20030116016
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating hydrogen. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of hydrogen separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, David P. VanderWiel, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Albert E. Weller, Chad M. Cucksey
  • Publication number: 20030072699
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20030031613
    Abstract: The present invention is a chemical reactor and method for catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. The chemical reactor has reactor microchannels for flow of at least one reactant and at least one product, and a catalyst material wherein the at least one reactant contacts the catalyst material and reacts to form the at least one product. The improvement, according to the present invention is: the catalyst material is on a porous material having a porosity that resists bulk flow therethrough and permits molecular diffusion therein. The porous material further has a length, a width and a thickness, the porous material defining at least a portion of one wall of a bulk flow path through which the at least one reactant passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Jennifer L. Marco, Gary L. Roberts, David P. Vanderwiel, Robert S. Wegeng
  • Patent number: 6508862
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating fluid components. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of fluid components separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Bruce F. Monzyk, Yong Wang, David P. VanderWiel, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Albert E. Weller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6503298
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating hydrogen. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of hydrogen separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, David P. VanderWiel, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Albert E. Weller, Jr., Chad M. Cucksey
  • Patent number: 6488838
    Abstract: The present invention is a chemical reactor and method for catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. The chemical reactor has reactor microchannels for flow of at least one reactant and at least one product, and a catalyst material wherein the at least one reactant contacts the catalyst material and reacts to form the at least one product. The improvement, according to the present invention is: the catalyst material is on a porous material having a porosity that resists bulk flow therethrough and permits molecular diffusion therein. The porous material further has a length, a width and a thickness, the porous material defining at least a portion of one wall of a bulk flow path through which the at least one reactant passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Jennifer L. Marco, Gary L. Roberts, David P. Vanderwiel, Robert S. Wegeng