Patents by Inventor Yunquan Liu
Yunquan Liu 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: 20140230316Abstract: Processes for thermal conversion of biomass are provided. The processes involve upgrading the pyrolysis vapor from a pyrolysis reactor. The steps include thermally converting a biomass feedstock in a pyrolysis reactor, recovering a pyrolysis vapor from the reactor, passing the pyrolysis vapor in contact with a cracking catalyst, a water-gas shift reaction catalyst, a hydrotreating catalyst, and an acid catalyst, and converting the resulting upgraded pyrolysis vapor into a liquid product. The resulting biooil liquid product is more refined, and the overall processes offer economic and energy efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Armando Joseph Belardinelli, Curtis L. Krause
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Publication number: 20140230318Abstract: Processes for thermal conversion of biomass are provided. The processes involve upgrading the pyrolysis vapor from a pyrolysis reactor. The steps include thermally converting a biomass feedstock in a pyrolysis reactor, recovering a pyrolysis vapor from the reactor, passing the pyrolysis vapor in contact with a cracking catalyst, a water-gas shift reaction catalyst, and a hydrotreating catalyst, and converting the resulting upgraded pyrolysis vapor into a liquid product. The resulting biooil liquid product is more refined, and the overall processes offer economic and energy efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Armando Joseph Belardinelli, Curtis L. Krause
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Publication number: 20140230317Abstract: Processes for thermal conversion of biomass are provided. The processes involve upgrading the pyrolysis vapor from a pyrolysis reactor. The steps include thermally converting a biomass feedstock in a pyrolysis reactor, recovering a pyrolysis vapor from the reactor, passing the pyrolysis vapor in contact with a water-gas shift reaction catalyst and a hydrotreating catalyst, and converting the resulting upgraded pyrolysis vapor into a liquid product. The resulting biooil liquid product is more refined, and the overall processes offer economic and energy efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Armando Joseph Belardinelli, Curtis L. Krause
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Publication number: 20140230319Abstract: Processes for thermal conversion of biomass are provided. The processes involve upgrading the pyrolysis vapor from a pyrolysis reactor. The steps include thermally converting a biomass feedstock in a pyrolysis reactor, recovering a pyrolysis vapor from the reactor, passing the pyrolysis vapor in contact with an acid catalyst in the presence of alcohol, and converting the resulting upgraded pyrolysis vapor into a liquid product. The resulting biooil liquid product is more refined, and the overall processes offer economic and energy efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Armando Joseph Belardinelli, Curtis L. Krause
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Patent number: 8241374Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluidized bed system for the single step reforming technology for the production of hydrogen. Single step reforming combines the steam methane reforming, water gas shift, and carbon dioxide removal in a single step process of hydrogen generation. In the present invention, to address the heat transfer and the replenishment issues associated with single step reforming, the sorbent particles are fluidized. This fluidization allows the sorbent particles to be regenerated and consequently allows the optimal operating conditions for single step reforming to be maintained.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Farshad Bavarian, James F. Stevens, Balaji Krishnamurty, Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause, Lixin You, Daniel G. Casey
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Patent number: 8062392Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for biomass treatment which addresses the need to find economical solutions to transport biomass. In the present invention, small, distributed gasifiers convert the biomass into synthesis gas (“syngas”). The syngas is then transported via a pipeline network to a central fuel production facility.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Bryan, Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause
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Patent number: 7964176Abstract: Relates to a process and apparatus that improves the hydrogen production efficiency for small scale hydrogen production. According to one aspect, the process provides heat exchangers that are thermally integrated with the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, combustion and water gas shift, are arranged closely to the endothermic reaction, steam reformation, and heat sinks, cool natural gas, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermally integrated process eliminates excess piping throughout, reducing initial capital cost.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Curtis L. Krause, Kevin H. Nguyen, Bhaskar Balasubramanian, Yunquan Liu, Jeroen Valensa, Michael J. Reinke, Mark G. Voss, Todd M. Bandhauer
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Patent number: 7832364Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat transfer unit which integrates a boiler and a gas preheater for steam generation and gas preheating. In one embodiment, the heat transfer unit of the present invention may be used in fuel processing applications. In this embodiment, the heat transfer unit may be located downstream of a combustor such as an anode tailgas oxidizer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Yunquan Liu
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Publication number: 20100150794Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for biomass treatment which addresses the need to find economical solutions to transport biomass. In the present invention, small, distributed gasifiers convert the biomass into synthesis gas (“syngas”). The syngas is then transported via a pipeline network to a central fuel production facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Bryan, Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause
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Patent number: 7578669Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid combustor, such as an anode tailgas oxidizer (ATO), for fuel processing applications which combines both flame and catalytic type burners. The hybrid combustor of the present invention combines the advantages of both flame and catalytic type burners. The flame burner component of the hybrid combustor is used during start-up for the preheating of the catalytic burner component. As soon as the catalytic burner bed is preheated or lit off, the flame burner will be shut off. Optionally, the hybrid combustor may also include an integrated heat recovery unit located downstream of the catalytic burner for steam generation and for the preheating of the feed for a reformer, such as an autothermal reformer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause, Kevin H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20090165368Abstract: A process for transitioning from gaseous fuel reformation to liquid fuel reformation has been invented. The process comprises a series of control steps wherein an autothermal reforming reactor's temperature can substantially be stable and satisfactory hydrogen concentration and selectivity can be achieved for producer gas during the transition process. The temperature is controlled by, for example, adjusting the air and water feed. Formulas and algorithms for writing control programs have also been developed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause, Dennis P. Essl
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Publication number: 20080141951Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat transfer unit which integrates a boiler and a gas preheater for steam generation and gas preheating. In one embodiment, the heat transfer unit of the present invention may be used in fuel processing applications. In this embodiment, the heat transfer unit may be located downstream of a combustor such as an anode tailgas oxidizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Yunquan Liu
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Publication number: 20080141675Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid combustor, such as an anode tailgas oxidizer (ATO), for fuel processing applications which combines both flame and catalytic type burners. The hybrid combustor of the present invention combines the advantages of both flame and catalytic type burners. The flame burner component of the hybrid combustor is used during start-up for the preheating of the catalytic burner component. As soon as the catalytic burner bed is preheated or lit off, the flame burner will be shut off. Optionally, the hybrid combustor may also include an integrated heat recovery unit located downstream of the catalytic burner for steam generation and for the preheating of the feed for a reformer, such as an autothermal reformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause, Kevin H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20080145309Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluidized bed system for the single step reforming technology for the production of hydrogen. Single step reforming combines the steam methane reforming, water gas shift, and carbon dioxide removal in a single step process of hydrogen generation. In the present invention, to address the heat transfer and the replenishment issues associated with single step reforming, the sorbent particles are fluidized. This fluidization allows the sorbent particles to be regenerated and consequently allows the optimal operating conditions for single step reforming to be maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Farshad Bavarian, James F. Stevens, Balaji Krishnamurty, Yunquan Liu, Curtis L. Krause, Lixin You, Daniel G. Casey
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Publication number: 20060225349Abstract: Relates to a process and apparatus that improves the hydrogen production efficiency for small scale hydrogen production. According to one aspect, the process provides heat exchangers that are thermally integrated with the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, combustion and water gas shift, are arranged closely to the endothermic reaction, steam reformation, and heat sinks, cool natural gas, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermally integrated process eliminates excess piping throughout, reducing initial capital cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: October 12, 2006Inventors: Curtis Krause, Kevin Nguyen, Bhaskar Balasubramanian, Yunquan Liu
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Patent number: D676597Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ming-Wei Zhu, Yunquan Liu