Patents by Inventor Thomas Elwood Dowdy

Thomas Elwood Dowdy 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: 5955039
    Abstract: A system and method generates electricity and co-produces a hydrogen flow from coal. The electricity is generated by a turbine with a topping combustor and a solid oxide fuel cell ("SOFC") reacting syngas. The syngas is produced in a coal gasifier with a portion of the compressed air from the turbine, coal, and steam. Prior to the syngas being delivered to the topping combustor and the SOFC, it is cleaned and a portion of the hydrogen in the syngas is removed to form the hydrogen flow. Additionally, a vitiated air flow from the SOFC is directed to the topping combustor and another portion of the compressed air from the turbine directed to the SOFC after it is heated with the turbine exhaust. An aspect of the invention varies the amount of electricity generated and the volume of hydrogen co-produced based upon the demand of electricity and/or the demand of said hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Elwood Dowdy