Patents by Inventor Steven T. Perry
Steven T. Perry 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).
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Publication number: 20110039955Abstract: This invention describes gas-solid, liquid-solid and gas-solid-liquid processes in microchannels devices including such processes as heterogeneous catalysis, particle formation, particle attrition, particle separation and adsorption or desorption of selected species. Various processes can be enhanced by the unique properties of microchannels such as the predominance of laminar flow, high rates of shear, high rates of heat transfer and high rates of mass transfer. Also encompassed by this invention are methods for the introduction to and removal from microchannels of particle containing fluid streams.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: VELOCYS INC.Inventors: Kai Jarosch, Anna Lee Tonkovich, David J. Hesse, Eric Daymo, Steven T. Perry, Laura J. Silva
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Publication number: 20110002818Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus, comprising: at least one process microchannel having a height, width and length, the height being up to about 10 mm, the process microchannel having a base wall extending in one direction along the width of the process microchannel and in another direction along the length of the process microchannel; at least one fin projecting into the process microchannel from the base wall and extending along at least part of the length of the process microchannel; and a catalyst or sorption medium supported by the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Dongming Qiu, Richard Q. Long, Barry L. Yang, Thomas Yuschak, Steven T. Perry
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Publication number: 20100300550Abstract: Provided is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: VELOCYS, INC.Inventors: James Allen Mathias, G. Bradley Chadwell, Dongming Qiu, Anna Lee Y.Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Matthew B. Schmidt, Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Thomas D. Yuschak, Bin Yang
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Patent number: 7820445Abstract: This invention describes gas-solid, liquid-solid and gas-solid-liquid processes in microchannels devices including such processes as heterogeneous catalysis, particle formation, particle attrition, particle separation and adsorption or desorption of selected species. Various processes can be enhanced by the unique properties of microchannels such as the predominance of laminar flow, high rates of shear, high rates of heat transfer and high rates of mass transfer. Also encompassed by this invention are methods for the introduction to and removal from microchannels of particle containing fluid streams.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: VelocysInventors: Kai Jarosch, Anna Lee Tonkovich, David J. Hesse, Eric Daymo, Steven T. Perry, Laura J. Silva
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Patent number: 7816411Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, David John Hesse, Michael Alan Marchiando, Micheal Jay Lamont, Dongming Qiu, Terence Andrew Dritz, Kristina M. Pagnotto, Richard Stevenson, Steven T. Perry, Maddalena Fanelli, Ravi Arora, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Timothy J. Sullivan, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Thomas Yuschak
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Publication number: 20100258198Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and techniques for controlling flow between a manifold and two or more connecting microchannels. Flow between plural connecting microchannels, that share a common manifold, can be made more uniform by the use of flow straighteners and distributors that equalize flow in connecting channels. Alternatively, flow can be made more uniform by sections of narrowed diameter within the channels. Methods of making apparatus and methods of conducting unit operations in connecting channels are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Velocys Inc.Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Bin Yang, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Ravi Arora, Robert Luzenski, Thomas D. Yuschak
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Patent number: 7803325Abstract: 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 flee 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco
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Patent number: 7780944Abstract: The invention is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The invention enables the combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger of the present invention enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: James A. Mathias, G. Bradley Chadwell, Dongming Qiu, Annalee Y. Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Matthew B. Schmidt, Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Thomas D. Yuschak, Bin Yang
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Publication number: 20100196226Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: VELOCYS INC.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
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Publication number: 20100174124Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conducting a hydrocracking or a hydrotreating process in a microchannel reactor. This invention also relates to a process and apparatus for flowing a vapor and liquid into a plurality of microchannels in a microchannel processing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, John Brophy, Francis P. Daly, Soumitra Deshmukh, Maddalena Fanelli, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Timothy J. LaPlante, Richard Q. Long, Terry Mazanec, Daniel Francis Ryan, Laura J. Silva, Wayne W. Simmons, Bruce Stangeland, Yong Wang, Thomas Yuschak, Steven T. Perry, Jeffrey Dale Marco, Michael Alan Marchiando, Robert Dwayne Litt
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Patent number: 7722854Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Velocy'sInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20100068366Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, David John Hesse, Michael Alan Marchiando, Micheal Jay Lamont, Dongming Qiu, Terrence Andrew Dritz, Kristina M. Pagnotto, Richard Stevenson, Steven T. Perry, Maddalena Fanelli, Ravi Arora, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Timothy J. Sullivan, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Thomas Yuschak
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Patent number: 7641865Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and techniques for controlling flow between a manifold and two or more connecting microchannels. Flow between plural connecting microchannels, that share a common manifold, can be made more uniform by the use of flow straighteners and distributors that equalize flow in connecting channels. Alternatively, flow can be made more uniform by sections of narrowed diameter within the channels. Methods of making apparatus and methods of conducting unit operations in connecting channels are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: VelocysInventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Bin Yang, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Ravi Arora, Robert Luzenski, Thomas D. Yuschak
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Publication number: 20090326279Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an apparatus, comprising: at least one microchannel, the microchannel comprising at least one heat transfer wall; a porous thermally conductive support in the microchannel in contact with the heat transfer wall; a catalyst or a sorption medium supported by the porous support; and a heat source and/or heat sink in thermal contact with the heat transfer wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2006Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Jeffrey D. Marco, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Steven T. Perry, Thomas Yuschak, Francis P. Daly, Haibiao Chen
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Patent number: 7622509Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, David John Hesse, Michael Alan Marchiando, Michael Jay Lamont, Dongming Qiu, Terence Andrew Dritz, Kristina M. Pagnotto, Richard Stevenson, Steven T. Perry, Maddalena Fanelli, Ravi Arora, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Timothy J. Sullivan, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Thomas Yuschak
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Patent number: 7610775Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a distillation process for separating two or more components having different volatilities from a liquid mixture containing the components. The process employs microchannel technology for effecting the distillation and is particularly suitable for conducting difficult separations, such as the separation of ethane from ethylene, wherein the individual components are characterized by having volatilities that are very close to one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Wayne W. Simmons, Laura J. Silva, Dongming Qiu, Steven T. Perry, Thomas Yuschak, Thomas P. Hickey, Ravi Arora, Amanda Smith, Robert Dwayne Litt, Paul Neagle
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Patent number: 7507274Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture comprising the first fluid. The process comprises: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator in contact with a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the first fluid is sorbed by the sorption medium, removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing first fluid from the sorption medium and removing desorbed first fluid from the microchannel separator. The process and apparatus are suitable for separating nitrogen or methane from a fluid mixture comprising nitrogen and methane. The process and apparatus may be used for rejecting nitrogen in the upgrading of sub-quality methane.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Michael Jay Lamont, Deanna Burwell, Terence Andrew Dritz, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, William A. Rogers, Jr., Laura J. Silva, Daniel J. Weidert, Wayne W. Simmons, G. Bradley Chadwell
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Publication number: 20080184915Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a feed composition comprising one or more hydrocarbons to a product comprising one or more unsaturated hydrocarbons, the process comprising: flowing the feed composition and steam in contact with each other in a microchannel reactor at a temperature in the range from about 200° C. to about 1200° C. to convert the feed composition to the product, the process being characterized by the absence of catalyst for converting the one or more hydrocarbons to one or more unsaturated hydrocarbons. Hydrogen and/or oxygen may be combined with the feed composition and steam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Thomas Yuschak, Timothy J. LaPlante, Scott Rankin, Steven T. Perry, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Terry Mazanec, Eric Daymo
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Publication number: 20080058574Abstract: Methods of oxidative dehydrogenation are described. Surprisingly, Pd and Au alloys of Pt have been discovered to be superior for oxidative dehydrogenation in microchannels. Methods of forming these catalysts via an electroless plating methodology are also described. An apparatus design that minimizes heat transfer to the apparatus' exterior is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Bin Yang, Steven T. Perry, Terry Mazanec, Ravi Arora, Francis P. Daly, Richard Long, Thomas D. Yuschak, Paul W. Neagle, Amanda Glass
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Patent number: 7305850Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for distilling a fluid mixture in a microchannel distillation unit, the microchannel distillation unit comprising a plurality of microchannel distillation sections, the fluid mixture comprising a more volatile component and a less volatile component, the process comprising: flowing a vapor phase of the fluid mixture in a first microchannel distillation section in contact with a liquid phase of the fluid mixture, part of the more volatile component transferring from the liquid phase to the vapor phase to form a more volatile component rich vapor phase, part of the less volatile component transferring from the vapor phase to the liquid phase to form a less volatile component rich liquid phase; separating the more volatile component rich vapor phase from the less volatile component rich liquid phase; flowing the less volatile component rich liquid phase to another microchannel distillation section upstream from the first microchannel distillation section; and flowingType: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Wayne W. Simmons, Laura J. Silva, Dongming Qiu, Steven T. Perry, Thomas Yuschak