Patents by Inventor Steven L. Mickna

Steven L. Mickna 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: 4765781
    Abstract: A slurry of liquified gas such as carbon dioxide and finely pulverized coal particles is provided in a mixing chamber and discharged from the chamber into a pipeline for conveyance to a power plant. During discharge from the mixing chamber pressurized gas at a sufficiently high pressure is injected above the slurry mix to maintain adequate pressure during discharge and prevent cavitation at the inlet port of a pump employed in the pipeline. The slurry is depressurized at the downstream end of the pipeline by movement through a pressure reducer so that it is decompressed non-adiabatically and the coal and gas particles are separated. The gas remains at a low temperature and is passed in heat exchange relationship with cooling water from the power plant cooling tower to lower the temperature of same and consequently increase the efficiency of the power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Southwestern Public Service Company
    Inventors: David M. Wilks, Steven L. Mickna
  • Patent number: 4602483
    Abstract: A slurry of liquified gas such as carbon dioxide and finely pulverized coal particles is provided in a mixing chamber and discharged from the chamber into a pipeline for conveyance to a power plant. During discharge from the mixing chamber pressurized gas at a sufficiently high pressure is injected above the slurry mix to maintain adequate pressure during discharge and prevent cavitation at the inlet port of pumping means employed in the pipeline. The slurry is depressurized at the downstream end of the pipeline by movement through pressure reduction means so that it is decompressed non-adiabatically and the coal and gas particles are separated. The gas remains at a low temperature and is passed in heat exchange relationship with cooling water from the power plant cooling tower to lower the temperature of same and consequently increase the efficiency of the power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Southwestern Public Service Company
    Inventors: David M. Wilks, Steven L. Mickna