Patents by Inventor Vlad Kalika
Vlad Kalika 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).
-
Publication number: 20230132692Abstract: Described herein are catalytic heating systems, comprising catalytic reactors and dual-mode fuel evaporators, and methods of operating such systems. A dual-mode fuel evaporator is thermally coupled to a catalytic reactor and comprises an electric heater used for preheating the evaporator to at least a fuel-flow threshold temperature. Upon reaching this threshold, the liquid fuel, such as ethanol or methanol, is flown into the evaporator and evaporates therein, forming vaporized fuel. The vaporized fuel is mixed with oxidant, and the mixture is flown into the catalytic reactor where the vaporized fuel undergoes catalytic exothermic oxidation. At least some heat, generated in the catalytic reactor, is transferred to the evaporator and used for the evaporation of additional fuel. When the evaporator reaches or exceeds its operating threshold, the electric heater can be turned off and all heat is supplied to the evaporator from the catalytic reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Proof Energy Inc.Inventors: Vlad Kalika, Michael Hoover
-
Publication number: 20230132773Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising anode-conductor seals and/or cathode-conductor seals used for sealing porous metal structures and controlling the distribution of fuel and oxidants within these porous structures. For example, a SOFC comprises an anode conductor, cathode conductor, and electrolyte, disposed between the anode and cathode conductors. The anode conductor comprises multiple porous portions (permeable to the fuel) and a non-porous portion. The SOFC also comprises an anode-conductor seal, forming a stack with the non-porous portion. This sealing stack extends between the electrolyte and current collector and separates two porous portions thereby preventing the fuel and oxidant migration between these portions. In some examples, the sealing stack forms an enclosed boundary around one porous portion of the anode conductor. In the same or other examples, another sealing stack is formed in the cathode conductor, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Proof Energy Inc.Inventors: Vlad Kalika, Steven Couse, Timothy G. Dummer
-
Publication number: 20230067972Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells comprising conductive layers and methods of fabricating such cells. Specifically, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises cathode and anode layers, each comprising a porous base, catalyst sites disposed within the base, and a conductive layer. The conductive layer provides electrical conduction between the corresponding current collector and the catalyst sites. The conductive layer may at least partially extend into the porous base. For example, at least a portion of the conductive layer may be formed by infiltration of the porous base, e.g., before catalyst infiltration. In some examples, at least a portion of the conductive layer forms an interface between the corresponding porous base and the current collector. In these examples, the conductive layer is formed from an initial (green) conductive layer that is stacked between layers used to form the porous base and current collector and sintered the stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Proof Energy Inc.Inventors: Toshio Suzuki, Vlad Kalika
-
Publication number: 20230014723Abstract: Described herein are two-stage catalytic heating systems and methods of operating thereof. A system comprises a first-stage catalytic reactor and a second-stage catalytic reactor, configured to operate in sequence and at different operating conditions, For example, the first-stage catalytic reactor is supplied with fuel and oxidant at fuel-rich conditions. The first-stage catalytic reactor generates syngas. The syngas is flown into the second-stage catalytic reactor together with some additional oxidant. The second-stage catalytic reactor operates at fuel-lean conditions and generates exhaust. Splitting the overall fuel oxidation process between the two catalytic reactors allows operating these reactors away from the stoichiometric fuel-oxidant ratio and avoiding excessive temperatures in these reactors. As a result, fewer pollutants are generated during the operation of two-stage catalytic heating systems. For example, the temperatures are maintained below 1.000° C. at all oxidation stages.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2021Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Proof Energy Inc.Inventor: Vlad Kalika
-
Patent number: 9799902Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: David Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika, Martin Perry
-
Patent number: 9680175Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises at least one fuel cell stack, a CPOX reactor, and a conduit for providing a fuel stream to the at least one fuel cell stack through the CPOX reactor during both a start up and a steady state modes of operation of the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, David Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika
-
Patent number: 9664140Abstract: A combined heat and power system and method, the system including a generator configured to generate power, a power storage configured to store and discharge power generated by the generator, an exhaust conduit configured to receive exhaust from the generator, a waste heat recovery unit (WHRU) disposed in thermal communication with the exhaust conduit and configured to heat a fluid by transferring heat from the exhaust to the fluid, a tank configured to store the fluid heated by the WHRU, a transfer conduit configured to circulate the fluid between the WHRU and the tank, and an evaporator configured to evaporate liquid carbon dioxide using heat recovered from the exhaust.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: PASTEURIZATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.Inventor: Vlad Kalika
-
Publication number: 20170081210Abstract: A solar wastewater disinfection system and method, the system including a solar collector configured to heat wastewater from a first temperature up to at least a second temperature, using solar energy; a pre-heater configured to heat the wastewater up to at least the first temperature, by transferring heat from the wastewater heated by the solar collector; a pump configured to circulate the wastewater between the pre-heater and the solar collector; and a controller configured to control the pump, such that the wastewater remains at or above the second temperature for a time period sufficient to pasteurize the wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Gregory RYAN, Vlad KALIKA, Antoine ALTASSERRE
-
Publication number: 20170082060Abstract: A combined heat and power system and method, the system including a generator configured to generate power, a power storage configured to store and discharge power generated by the generator, an exhaust conduit configured to receive exhaust from the generator, a waste heat recovery unit (WHRU) disposed in thermal communication with the exhaust conduit and configured to heat a fluid by transferring heat from the exhaust to the fluid, a tank configured to store the fluid heated by the WHRU, a transfer conduit configured to circulate the fluid between the WHRU and the tank, and an evaporator configured to evaporate liquid carbon dioxide using heat recovered from the exhaust.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventor: Vlad KALIKA
-
Patent number: 9520602Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner
-
Publication number: 20160240876Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: David Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika, Martin Perry
-
Patent number: 9401517Abstract: A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: David Weingaertner, Martin Perry, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika
-
Patent number: 9287572Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: David Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika, Martin Perry
-
Publication number: 20160064748Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner
-
Patent number: 9190673Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner
-
Publication number: 20150288006Abstract: A glow plug and method of forming the same, the glow plug including a housing, a heating element extending from a first end of the housing, and a sealing element attached to the heating element and the first end of the housing. The sealing element may include an annular base and a tubular collar extending from the base. The sealing element may be attached using an ABA gold braze. The sealing element may include an austenitic nickel-chromium alloy. The glow plug may further include a landing pad configured to attach a lead wire to the heating element. The landing pad may include a collar and a lead connection extending from the collar and may be attached using the ABA gold braze. The glow plug may further include a glass sealing ring disposed between the heating element and the housing. The sealing ring may be attached using the ABA gold braze.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Nicholas ARCELONA, Martin PERRY, Vlad KALIKA
-
Publication number: 20150111121Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: David WEINGAERTNER, Vlad KALIKA, Martin PERRY
-
Patent number: 8968943Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Martin Perry, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner, Ananda Sundararajan, Navaneetha Krishnan, Nilanjana Basu, Ram Ramanan, Virpaul Bains, William David Lyle
-
Publication number: 20140162162Abstract: A method of insulating a base portion of a fuel cell system including pouring an insulation that can be poured to fill at least 30 volume % of a base portion cavity of the fuel cell system housing through an opening in a sidewall of the housing. The base portion cavity of the housing is located between a bottom wall of the housing and a stack support base plate located in the housing. The stack support base plate supports one or more columns of fuel cell stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Vlad Kalika, David Edmonston, Michael Petrucha, John Matthew Fisher, Martin Perry, Virpaul Bains, James Szweda
-
Publication number: 20140087286Abstract: Embodiment methods for bypassing a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack include identifying a fuel cell to bypass and connecting a conductive bypass to the fuel cell stack such that the bypass electrically connects a first interconnect in the fuel cell stack and a second interconnect in the fuel cell stack and electrically bypasses the identified fuel cell. Further embodiment methods include applying a conductive sealing material to the fuel cell stack such that the conductive sealing material seals a cathode inlet or outlet of the identified fuel cell and such that the conductive sealing material electrically bypasses the identified fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: John Matthew Fisher, Ian Russell, Gary Walth, Martin Perry, David Edmonston, Vlad Kalika