Patents by Inventor Steve Kresnyak

Steve Kresnyak 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: 11753597
    Abstract: A process for preparing synthetic hydrocarbons from a biomass feedstock is provided. The process involves electrolyzing water in an electrolyzer to produce oxygen and hydrogen, using the generated oxygen to gasify a biomass feedstock under partial oxidation reaction conditions to generate a hydrogen lean syngas, adding at least a portion of the generated hydrogen to the hydrogen lean syngas to formulate hydrogen rich syngas, which is reacted a Fischer Tropsch (FT) reactor to produce the synthetic hydrocarbons and water. At least a portion of the water produced in the FT reaction is recycled for use in the electrolysis step, and optionally using heat generated from the FT reaction to dry the biomass feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Expander Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Price, Steve Kresnyak, Gord Crawford
  • Publication number: 20220396743
    Abstract: A process for preparing synthetic hydrocarbons from a biomass feedstock is provided. The process involves electrolyzing water in an electrolyzer to produce oxygen and hydrogen, using the generated oxygen to gasify a biomass feedstock under partial oxidation reaction conditions to generate a hydrogen lean syngas, adding at least a portion of the generated hydrogen to the hydrogen lean syngas to formulate hydrogen rich syngas, which is reacted a Fischer Tropsch (FT) reactor to produce the synthetic hydrocarbons and water. At least a portion of the water produced in the FT reaction is recycled for use in the electrolysis step, and optionally using heat generated from the FT reaction to dry the biomass feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Price, Steve Kresnyak, Gord Crawford
  • Patent number: 10982151
    Abstract: A continuous multi-stage vertically sequenced gasification process for conversion of solid carbonaceous fuel material into clean (low tar) syngas. The process involves forming a pyrolysis residue bed having a uniform depth and width to pass raw syngas there through for an endothermic reaction, while controlling the reduction zone pressure drop, resident time and syngas flow space velocity during the endothermic reaction to form substantially tar free syngas, to reduce carbon content in the pyrolysis residue, and to reduce the temperature of raw syngas as compared to the temperature of the partial oxidation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: EXPANDER ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Pavel Zahorik
  • Publication number: 20210071089
    Abstract: An enhanced natural gas processing method using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. A selection of natural gas, separately or combined with portions of natural gas liquids and FT naphtha and FT vapours are destroyed in a syngas generator and used or recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results are the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the presence or formation of low value by-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Steve Price, Jan Wagner
  • Publication number: 20200032150
    Abstract: A continuous multi-stage vertically sequenced gasification process for conversion of solid carbonaceous fuel material into clean (low tar) syngas. The process involves forming a pyrolysis residue bed having a uniform depth and width to pass raw syngas there through for an endothermic reaction, while controlling the reduction zone pressure drop, resident time and syngas flow space velocity during the endothermic reaction to form substantially tar free syngas, to reduce carbon content in the pyrolysis residue, and to reduce the temperature of raw syngas as compared to the temperature of the partial oxidation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Steve KRESNYAK, Pavel ZAHORIK
  • Publication number: 20180223192
    Abstract: An enhanced natural gas processing method using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. A selection of natural gas, separately or combined with portions of natural gas liquids and FT naphtha and FT vapours are destroyed in a syngas generator and used or recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results are the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the presence or formation of low value by-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Steve Price, Jan Wagner
  • Publication number: 20180086994
    Abstract: A continuous multi-stage vertically sequenced gasification process for conversion of solid carbonaceous fuel material into clean (low tar) syngas. The process involves forming a pyrolysis residue bed having a uniform depth and width to pass raw syngas there through for an endothermic reaction, while controlling the reduction zone pressure drop, resident time and syngas flow space velocity during the endothermic reaction to form substantially tar free syngas, to reduce carbon content in the pyrolysis residue, and to reduce the temperature of raw syngas as compared to the temperature of the partial oxidation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Steve KRESNYAK, Pavel ZAHORIK
  • Patent number: 9732281
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to modifications of bitumen and heavy oil upgrading and refining processes to synthesize synthetic crude oil and other valuable synthesized hydrocarbon products in an efficient manner along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products formed by the upgrading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 9562196
    Abstract: An enhanced Fischer-Tropsch process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, green hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. Naphtha is destroyed in a hydrogen generator and recycled as feedstock to a syngas (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. A further variation integrates a second hydrogen generator capturing light hydrocarbon gas for conversion to hydrogen and carbon monoxide which supplements the Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The result is a considerable increase in the volume of syndiesel formulated. A system for effecting the process is also characterized in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Expander Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Timothy William Giles
  • Publication number: 20160362610
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to modifications of bitumen and heavy oil upgrading and refining processes to synthesize synthetic crude oil and other valuable synthesized hydrocarbon products in an efficient manner along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products formed by the upgrading process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 9315452
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the modification of the hydrocarbon production sequence of operations including the Fischer-Tropsch process for the production of hydrocarbon fuels in an efficient manner, along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products of the hydrocarbon production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Publication number: 20160096997
    Abstract: An enhanced natural gas processing method using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. A selection of natural gas, separately or combined with portions of natural gas liquids and FT naphtha and FT vapours are destroyed in a syngas generator and used or recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results are the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the presence or formation of low value by-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Expander Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Steve Price, Jan Wagner
  • Patent number: 9266730
    Abstract: A bitumen and heavy oil upgrading process and system is disclosed for the synthesis of hydrocarbons, an example of which is synthetic crude oil (SCO). The process integrates Fischer-Tropsch technology with gasification and hydrogen rich gas stream generation. The hydrogen rich gas generation is conveniently effected using singly or in combination a hydrogen source, a hydrogen rich vapor from hydroprocessing and the Fischer-Tropsch process, a steam methane reformer (SMR) and autothermal reformer (ATR) or a combination of SMR/ATR. The feedstock for upgrading is distilled and the bottoms fraction is gasified and converted in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. A resultant hydrogen lean syngas is then exposed to the hydrogen rich gas stream to optimize the formation of, for example, the synthetic crude oil. Partial upgrading and the commensurate benefits is detailed as well. A system for effecting the processes is also characterized in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 9212319
    Abstract: An enhanced natural gas processing method using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. A selection of natural gas, separately or combined with portions of natural gas liquids and FT naphtha and FT vapors are destroyed in a syngas generator and used or recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results is the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the presence or formation of low value by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 9169443
    Abstract: A bitumen and heavy oil upgrading process and system is disclosed for the synthesis of hydrocarbons, an example of which is synthetic crude oil (SCO). The process advantageously avoids the waste attributed to residuum and/or petcoke formation which has a dramatic effect on the yield of hydrocarbon material generated. The process integrates Fischer-Tropsch technology with gasification and hydrogen rich gas stream generation. The hydrogen rich gas generation is conveniently effected using singly or in combination a hydrogen source, a hydrogen rich vapor from hydroprocessing and the Fischer-Tropsch process, a steam methane reformer (SMR) and autothermal reformer (ATR) or a combination of SMR/ATR. The feedstock for upgrading is distilled and the bottoms fraction is gasified and converted in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. A resultant hydrogen lean syngas is then exposed to the hydrogen rich gas stream to optimize the formation of, for example, the synthetic crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 9156691
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to modifications of bitumen and heavy oil upgrading and refining processes to synthesize synthetic crude oil and other valuable synthesized hydrocarbon products in an efficient manner along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products formed by the upgrading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 9115324
    Abstract: An enhanced Fischer-Tropsch process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, green hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. Naphtha is destroyed in a hydrogen generator and recycled as feedstock to a syngas (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. A further variation integrates a second hydrogen generator capturing light hydrocarbon gas for conversion to hydrogen and carbon monoxide which supplements the Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The result is a considerable increase in the volume of syndiesel formulated. A system for effecting the process is also characterized in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: EXPANDER ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Timothy William Giles
  • Publication number: 20150141535
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the modification of the hydrocarbon production sequence of operations including the Fischer-Tropsch process for the production of hydrocarbon fuels in an efficient manner, along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products of the hydrocarbon production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Publication number: 20150038599
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to modifications of bitumen and heavy oil upgrading and refining processes to synthesize synthetic crude oil and other valuable synthesized hydrocarbon products in an efficient manner along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products formed by the upgrading process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 8889746
    Abstract: An enhanced Fischer-Tropsch process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. Naphtha is destroyed in a syngas generator and recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results is the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the formation of low value by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak