Patents by Inventor Yaofan Yi

Yaofan Yi 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: 11891300
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers in one embodiment to processes for making and transporting clean hydrogen fuel. The processes may involve hydrotreating, hydrocracking, or both hydrotreating and hydrocracking an aromatic feedstock under conditions to obtain a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel is hydrogenated to obtain a hydrogen-rich fuel that is transported to a dehydrogenation facility that may also be at or near a hydrogen station. The hydrogen-rich fuel is used to obtain hydrogen and a second liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Bi-Zeng Zhan, Steven Xuqi Song, Trenton Otto, Yaofan Yi
  • Publication number: 20230212004
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems and methods for the production, storage, and transportation of hydrogen. In a representative embodiment a reactor system comprises a fluidized bed combustor configured for reduced metal oxide oxidation and heat generation without significant greenhouse gas emission and/or with readily capturable emissions. The reactor system also comprises a liquid organic hydrogen carrier dehydrogenation reactor. The fluidized bed combustor is operatively coupled to the liquid organic hydrogen carrier dehydrogenation reactor. Advantageously, at least a portion of heat generated by the fluidized bed combustor may be transferred to the liquid organic hydrogen carrier dehydrogenation reactor. In this manner hydrogen production and transportation is both energy efficient, low carbon intensity and cost-effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Xuqi Song, Bi-Zeng Zhan, Yaofan Yi
  • Publication number: 20230140581
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers in one embodiment to processes for making and transporting clean hydrogen fuel. The processes may involve hydrotreating, hydrocracking, or both hydrotreating and hydrocracking an aromatic feedstock under conditions to obtain a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel is hydrogenated to obtain a hydrogen-rich fuel that is transported to a dehydrogenation facility that may also be at or near a hydrogen station. The hydrogen-rich fuel is used to obtain hydrogen and a second liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Bi-Zeng Zhan, Steven Xuqi Song, Trenton Otto, Yaofan Yi
  • Patent number: 9709325
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of retrofitting a full-scale LNG plant to enhance the LNG production capacity of the LNG plant and a method for operating such a retrofit plant. A small scale LNG plant having a capacity less than 2 MTPA can be integrated with a main LNG plant having a capacity of at least 4 MTPA such that end flash gas and boil off gas from the main LNG plant can be liquefied by the small scale LNG plant as incremental LNG. It has been found that the production capacity of the integrated system can be improved by increasing the temperature of the gas stream exiting the main cryogenic heat exchanger of the main LNG plant between 5° C. and 30° C. as compared with the design temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Chinn, Stanley Hsing-Wei Huang, Yaofan Yi
  • Publication number: 20150143843
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of retrofitting a full-scale LNG plant to enhance the LNG production capacity of the LNG plant and a method for operating such a retrofit plant. A small scale LNG plant having a capacity less than 2 MTPA can be integrated with a main LNG plant having a capacity of at least 4 MTPA such that end flash gas and boil off gas from the main LNG plant can be liquefied by the small scale LNG plant as incremental LNG. It has been found that the production capacity of the integrated system can be improved by increasing the temperature of the gas stream exiting the main cryogenic heat exchanger of the main LNG plant between 5° C. and 30° C. as compared with the design temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Chinn, Stanley Hsing-Wei Huang, Yaofan Yi
  • Patent number: 8904792
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for storing energy and generating power and/or heat within a subsea environment. The systems and methods utilize stored compressed air within an air storage chamber to drive an engine/generator system in order to generate power. The engine may or may not utilize combustion. Alternatively, the systems and methods utilize stored compressed air to supply air to a combustor to generate heat. The heat generated can be used for variety of purposes, including to generate steam and to heat heavy oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison W. Sigworth, Jr., Trevor N. Demayo, Yaofan Yi
  • Publication number: 20120279222
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for storing energy and generating power and/or heat within a subsea environment. The systems and methods utilize stored compressed air within an air storage chamber to drive an engine/generator system in order to generate power. The engine may or may not utilize combustion. Alternatively, the systems and methods utilize stored compressed air to supply air to a combustor to generate heat. The heat generated can be used for variety of purposes, including to generate steam and to heat heavy oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A.
    Inventors: Harrison W. Sigworth, JR., Trevor N. Demayo, Yaofan Yi