Carbon-oxide And Hydrogen Containing Patents (Class 252/373)
  • Patent number: 10005961
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for continuous production of liquid fuels from biomass are provided. Some embodiments utilize a thermochemical process to produce a bio-oil in parallel with a thermochemical process to produce a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. Both product streams may be fed into a third reaction chamber that may enrich the bio-oil with the hydrogen gas, for example, in a continuous production process. One product stream may include a liquid fuel such as diesel. Some embodiments may also produce other product streams including, but not limited to, electrical power generation and/or biochar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Proton Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver
  • Patent number: 10000294
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction method includes feeding pressurized air into an air separation module containing a carbon membrane, the air feed exhibiting a normal pressure of no more than 55 psig. The method includes producing nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed. An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction system includes a source for pressurized air, an air separation module configured to receive air feed from the pressurized air source, and a carbon membrane. The carbon membrane is configured to permeate oxygen from the air feed through the carbon membrane at a temperature of at least 120° C. (248° F.) and to produce nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara J. Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 9993790
    Abstract: An isothermal carbon monoxide (CO) shift reactor having high CO conversion and the process technology comprises the outside pressure vessel; the catalyst unit; upper and lower tube sheets welded with water tubes and bottom tee joints; the said outside pressure vessel has seal heads at the upper and lower ends; the said vessel has a water chamber and a steam chamber at the upper section. The catalyst unit comprises the upper catalyst bed with water tubes. There is a central pipe that is located in the said vessel, of which the upper end is located in the upper catalyst bed while the lower end is located in the lower catalyst bed; the said bottom tee joint has an inlet for feed gas, outlet for reacted shift gas and inlet for steam-water mixture; the said central pipe is installed with spray nozzle for steam-water mixture; the said reactor is applicable for process technologies for feed and effluent gas having different CO contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hunan Anchun Advanced Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Dingzhong Xie
  • Patent number: 9994447
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of heating a reaction cell that produces hydrogen from a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and steam. The reaction cell contains a first tube of hydrogen permeable material and a second tube of hydrogen impermeable material. The first tube and the second tube are concentrically positioned so that a gap space exists between the two tubes. A heat pipe structure is utilized to heat the gap space. The heat pipe structure defines an enclosed vapor chamber. A volume of a multi-phase material is disposed within the vapor chamber. The multi-phase material changes phase between a liquid and gas within an operating temperature range. A heating element is used to heat the vapor chamber to the operating temperature range. The vapor chamber transfers heat along its length in the same manner as a heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Power & Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Bossard
  • Patent number: 9994778
    Abstract: A direct coal liquefaction process and system is provided that utilizes a dispersed catalyst and recycle of atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms to produce a maximum yield of jet fuel/diesel or chemical plant feedstock while eliminating all slurry heat exchangers and a slurry preheat furnace. Process hydrogen is preheated in a heat exchanger and, if necessary, in a hydrogen furnace, and mixed with the recycled atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms being fed to the input of the direct liquefaction reactor. Heat for the hydrogen heat exchanger is provided by the overhead from the hot separator receiving the effluent from the direct liquefaction reactor. Product selectivity is controlled by operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Richard F Bauman, Richard P O'Connor, Peter S Maa
  • Patent number: 9988267
    Abstract: A mixing device for a fuel reformer for mixing at least two fluids is provided. The mixing device includes at least a first plurality of holes which is arranged along a first row, and a second plurality of holes which is arranged along a second row. The mixing device can be used in a fuel reformer for converting hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen rich gas by auto-thermal reaction process having a, preferably cylindrically shaped and double walled, housing with two side walls forming a reaction chamber of the fuel reformer, wherein hydrocarbon fuel and an oxidizing agent are mixed by the mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: POWERCELL SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Anders Karlsson
  • Patent number: 9991538
    Abstract: The method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly that has an electrode catalyst layer formed on a surface of an electrolyte membrane comprises (a) producing an electrode catalyst layer by drying a catalyst ink that includes catalyst-supported particles having a catalyst metal supported thereon, a solvent and an ionomer; and (b) selecting a produced electrode catalyst layer that contains an amount of sulfate ion equal to or less than a specified reference value, and manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly by using the selected electrode catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tsubosaka, Hiroo Yoshikawa, Tsunemasa Nishida, Nobuaki Mizutani, Takeaki Saitou, Junji Nakanishi, Masato Hamano
  • Patent number: 9987612
    Abstract: A reactor assembly is provided. The reactor assembly includes a substrate and a first catalytic layer provided on the substrate. The first catalytic layer further includes a first temperature zone configured to operate at a first temperature. The first catalytic layer further includes a second temperature zone extending from the first temperature zone. The second temperature zone is configured to operate at a second temperature. The second temperature is lower than the first temperature. The reactor assembly also includes a diffusion barrier coating provided on the first catalytic layer. The diffusion barrier coating is configured to regulate a diffusion of gas phase oxygen therethrough for controlling the first temperature with respect to the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Mark Ginter, Ling Deng, Wilce Damion Williams, Ronald G. Silver
  • Patent number: 9981854
    Abstract: A process for co-production of ammonia, urea and methanol from natural gas, comprising the steps of (a) producing a synthesis gas by simultaneous feeding natural gas to an autothermal reformer (ATR) and to a steam methane reformer (SMR), the two reformers running in parallel, (b) feeding air to an air separation unit (ASU), where the air is split into oxygen, which is fed to the ATR, and nitrogen, (c) subjecting the synthesis gas from the SMR to a water gas shift, (d) removing the carbon dioxide from the synthesis gas from step (c) and leading it to urea synthesis in a urea synthesis unit, (e) combining the hydrogen-rich gas from step (d) with the nitrogen from step (b), removing catalyst poisons from the gases and leading the gas mixture to ammonia synthesis in an ammonia synthesis unit, (f) optionally removing part of the carbon dioxide from the syngas from the ATR in step (a) and leading it to urea synthesis in a urea synthesis unit and (g) leading the syngas from step (f) to the methanol synthesis unit, w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Per Juul Dahl
  • Patent number: 9980912
    Abstract: Biochars and methods for treating biochars are provided that are useful in various applications, including, but not limited to, applications related to the raising, care, maintenance, disease prevention, disease treatment and odor control of animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wilson Belcher, Ranko Panayotov Bontchev, Han Suk Kim, Gregory Dean Butler, Brian Buege, Juliette MacKay
  • Patent number: 9968906
    Abstract: Various embodiments that pertain to oxygen enrichment are described. Oxygen enrichment is shown to allow for independent control of both reformer residence time and the oxygen-to-carbon ratio during reforming. This allows for much better control over the reformer and for significant gains in reformer through-put without negative impacts to reformer performance. Additionally, the use of oxygen enriched reforming is shown to result in enhanced reformer performance, reduced degradation from catalyst poisons (carbon formation and sulfur) and enhanced fuel cell stack performance due to greatly increased hydrogen concentration in the reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Terry DuBois
  • Patent number: 9964034
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically planning a well site are provided herein. Methods include flowing a raw gas stream though a suction scrubber to form a feed gas stream and compressing the feed gas stream to form a compressed gas stream. Methods include cooling the compressed gas stream in a cooler to produce a cooled gas stream. Methods include feeding the cooled gas stream into a gas treatment system, using a turboexpander, to produce a conditioned gas and a waste stream. Methods include heating the conditioned gas in a heat exchanger, where the conditioned gas is a superheated, sweetened, gas. Methods also include burning the conditioned gas in a turbine generator and mixing the waste stream into the raw gas stream upstream of the suction scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Denton
  • Patent number: 9950928
    Abstract: A process and a related equipment for producing ammonia synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock (20), the process comprising the steps of: primary reforming with steam (21), secondary reforming with an oxidant stream (23), and purification of the effluent of said secondary reforming, said purification comprising a step of shift conversion (13) of carbon monoxide, wherein the synthesis gas (25) produced by said secondary reforming is subject to a medium-temperature shift over a copper-based catalyst, and the global steam to carbon ratio of the process is not greater than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Raffaele Ostuni
  • Patent number: 9941535
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided. A plurality of heat exchange pipes are provided in the heat exchanger around a first partition plate. At least one of the heat exchange pipes has at least one constricted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 9937484
    Abstract: A reactor and process for production of hydrogen gas from a carbon-containing fuel in a reaction that generates carbon dioxide is described. The carbon-containing fuel can be, for example, carbon monoxide, alcohols, oxygenates bio-oil, oil and hydrocarbons. In preferred embodiments, the reactor includes a monolithic structure form with an array of parallel flow channels. Methods of using the reactor are also described. In the reactor apparatus of the present invention, the catalytic reaction for hydrogen formation is conducted in conjunction with a carbonation reaction that removes carbon dioxide that is produced by the reactor. The carbonation reaction involves reaction of the carbon dioxide produced from the hydrogen formation reaction with metal oxide-based sorbents. The reactor apparatus can be periodically regenerated by regeneration of the sorbent. A carbon dioxide sorbent system comprising a solid sorbent and a eutectic, mixed alkali metal molten phase is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Xiaohong Shari Li
  • Patent number: 9932228
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid reforming system for producing syngas through a reforming reaction between carbon dioxide plasma and a hydrocarbon material, the system comprising: a carbon dioxide feeder (110) which feeds carbon dioxide; a hydrocarbon material feeder (120) which feeds the hydrocarbon material; a plasma reformer (200) which respectively receives carbon dioxide and the hydrocarbon material from the carbon dioxide feeder (110) and the hydrocarbon material feeder (120), and produces primary syngas through a reforming reaction while producing the carbon dioxide plasma using electromagnetic waves; a wet carbon-refining device (130) which is arranged at a gas exhaust end of the plasma reformer (200) and filters and refines carbon contained in the primary syngas; and a catalyst dry-reformer (140) which is arranged at a gas exhaust end of the wet carbon-refining device (130) and produces secondary syngas by making the refined syngas undergo a catalyst dry-reforming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA BASIC SCIENCE INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yong Cheol Hong, Dae Hyun Choi, Se Min Chun
  • Patent number: 9927116
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes an exhaust heat passage through which a first heat medium holding exhaust heat flows; a second heat medium passage through which the second heat medium, of which temperature is lower than that of the first heat medium, flows; a Rankine cycle which includes a pump, an evaporator, an expander, and a condenser and causes heat exchange at the evaporator between the first heat medium flowing through the exhaust heat passage and a working fluid, so that the working fluid is evaporated, the evaporated working fluid expands at the expander, and power is generated; and an exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger which causes heat exchange between the first heat medium flowing through the exhaust heat passage and the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium passage, so that the second heat medium is heated and exhaust heat of the first heat medium is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuo Okaichi, Osao Kido, Takumi Hikichi, Osamu Kosuda
  • Patent number: 9926196
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the conversion of biomass to oxygenated organic compound using a simplified syngas cleanup operation that is cost effective and protects the fermentation operation. The processes of this invention treat the crude syngas from the gasifier by non-catalytic partial oxidation. The partial oxidation reduces the hydrocarbon content of the syngas such as methane, ethylene and acetylene to provide advantageous gas feeds for anaerobic fermentations to produce oxygenated organic compounds such as ethanol, propanol and butanol. Additionally, the partial oxidation facilitates any additional cleanup of the syngas as may be required for the anaerobic fermentation. Producer gases and partial oxidation processes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Synata Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Tobey, Jianxin Du, Ralph Corley
  • Patent number: 9920267
    Abstract: A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Jonathan A. Zenz, Dave G. Newport, Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 9920268
    Abstract: A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Jonathan A. Zenz, Dave G. Newport, Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 9908776
    Abstract: There is proposed a method for pre-reforming a hydrocarbonaceous feed stream into a pre-reforming product containing carbon oxides, hydrogen and hydrocarbons, in which the adiabatically operated pre-reforming reactor comprises at least two reaction zones designed as fixed beds in a common reactor vessel, which are in fluid connection with each other and are filled with beds of granular, nickel-containing catalyst active for pre-reforming, wherein the first reaction zone in flow direction is filled with a catalyst active for high-temperature pre-reforming and the last reaction zone in flow direction is filled with a catalyst active for low-temperature pre-reforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
    Inventors: Ulrich Wolf, Philipp Marius Hackel, Mirko Hubel
  • Patent number: 9896626
    Abstract: An apparatus for a distributed manufacturing plant that allows direct, economical production of transportation fuels and/or chemicals at remote sites is described. The production plant employs two primary integrated systems consisting of a syngas generator and a catalytic process that are used to directly produce fuels and chemicals. The syngas generator utilizes oxygen anions, produced from a ceramic membrane system, to generate high quality syngas directly at pressures of about 100-600 psia. The tail gas and water containing hydroxyl-alkanes from the catalytic process are recycled into the syngas generator, in automatically controlled proportions, to regulate the hydrogen to carbon monoxide within the preferred H2/CO stoichiometric range of about 1.8-2.4. The primary products produced directly from the plant include reformulated gasoline blendstocks, #1 diesel fuels, and #2 diesel fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Greyrock Technology LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schuetzle, Dennis Schuetzle
  • Patent number: 9893364
    Abstract: A new electroless plating approach to generate a porous metallic coating is described in which a metal is electrolessly deposited on a surface. Microparticles in the metal are removed to leave pores in the metal coating. Another method of forming electroless coatings is described in which a blocking ligand is attached to the surface, followed by a second coating step. The invention includes coatings and coated apparatus formed by methods of the invention. The invention also includes catalyst structures comprising a dense substrate and a porous metal adhered to the dense substrate, which is further characterized by one or more of the specified features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Q. Long, Francis Daly, Haibiao Chen, Terry J. Mazanec
  • Patent number: 9890331
    Abstract: A gasification facility which uses flammable gas as a carrier medium for air-transporting powder fuel, used as a gasification raw material, to a gasification furnace and which can safely release the flammable gas, exhausted from a fuel feed hopper, to the atmosphere. In the gasification facility using flammable gas as a carrier medium for transporting pulverized coal as powder fuel from a pulverized coal feed hopper (7) to a gasification furnace (11), the flammable gas discharged from the pulverized coal feed hopper (7) is subjected to incineration treatment and then released to the atmosphere, so that safe release to the atmosphere can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Mizokoshi, Hiromi Ishii, Takashi Iwahashi, Katsuhiko Yokohama, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9884303
    Abstract: A reformer includes a reforming chamber having a raw fuel passage through which a raw fuel flows, the reforming chamber being filled with or carrying a reforming catalyst, a supply chamber disposed upstream of the reforming chamber, for uniformly supplying the raw fuel to the raw fuel passage, and a discharge chamber disposed downstream of the reforming chamber, for uniformly discharging the raw fuel from the raw fuel passage. The raw fuel passage has first and second reversers for reversing the direction in which the raw fuel flows. The raw fuel passage has a cross-sectional area which is smaller in a downstream portion thereof than in an upstream portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yamamoto, Yukihiko Kiyohiro
  • Patent number: 9879191
    Abstract: A method of start-up for a gasification system includes establishing a flow of a start-up fuel external to the gasifier prior to ignition of the gasifier. The method also includes establishing a start-up liquid feed external to the gasifier during gasifier start-up. The method further includes channeling the start-up liquid feed and the start-up fuel to the gasifier during gasifier start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter
  • Patent number: 9868999
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing DRI utilizing a petroleum refinery bottoms (i.e. heavy fuel oil, vacuum residue, visbreaker tar, asphalt, etc.) or petroleum coke gasifier and a hot gas cleaner. Cooling of the hot synthesis gas generated by the petroleum refinery bottoms or petroleum coke gasifier to <200 C is not necessary. Rather, the synthesis gas from the petroleum refinery bottoms or petroleum coke gasifier is desulfurized and dedusted at high temperature (>350 C) using a hot gas cleaner, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, although not in such an application. This hot gas cleaner may be high pressure or low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Midrex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Cheeley
  • Patent number: 9845438
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a gas purification apparatus and a gas purification method with an excellent thermal efficiency and capable of degrading COS at a high degradation rate. A gas purification apparatus configured to purify gas at least including COS, H2O, CO2, and H2S includes a COS treatment device which is provided with a COS conversion catalyst and configured to treat and degrade COS in the gas by hydrolysis, and H2O adjustment means configured to adjust the concentration of H2O in the gas to be introduced into the COS treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yudai Kato, Kentaro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9840756
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for regenerating and recirculating a CO, H2 or combinations thereof utilized for metal oxide reduction in a reduction furnace. The reduction furnace receives the reducing agent, reduces the metal oxide, and generates an exhaust of the oxidized product. The oxidized product is transferred to a mixing vessel, where the oxidized product, a calcium oxide, and a vanadium oxide interact to regenerate the reducing agent from the oxidized product. The regenerated reducing agent is transferred back to the reduction furnace for continued metal oxide reductions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Jinichiro Nakano, James P. Bennett, Anna Nakano
  • Patent number: 9834728
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the production and use of feedstock streams. Specifically, the present invention provides a process for the production of a commodity using two or more feedstock streams. Each feedstock stream is processed into a common intermediate and subsequently processed into a final product, such as electrical energy, a liquid fuel or a liquefied fuel, such as methanol, dimethyl ether, synthetic gasoline, diesel, kerosene, or jet fuel. The common intermediate may be synthetic gas (syngas), producer gas or pyrolysis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Karen Fleckner
  • Patent number: 9834440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the parallel preparation of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a carbon-comprising product, wherein one or more hydrocarbons are thermally decomposed and at least part of the pyrolysis gas formed is taken off from the reaction zone of the decomposition reactor at a temperature of from 800 to 1400° C. and reacted with carbon dioxide to form a gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Matthias Kern, Friedrich Glenk, Dirk Klingler, Andreas Bode, Grigorios Kolios, Stephan Schunk, Guido Wasserschaff, Jens Bernnat, Bernd Zoels, Sabine Schmidt, Rene Koenig
  • Patent number: 9809769
    Abstract: A fluidized bed biogasifier is provided for gasifying biosolids. The biogasifier includes a reactor vessel and a feeder for feeding biosolids into the reactor vessel at a desired feed rate during steady-state operation of the biogasifier. A fluidized bed in the base of the reactor vessel has a cross-sectional area that is proportional to at least the fuel feed rate such that the superficial velocity of gas is in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). In a method for gasifying biosolids, biosolids are fed into a fluidized bed reactor. Oxidant gases are applied to the fluidized bed reactor to produce a superficial velocity of producer gas in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). The biosolids are heated inside the fluidized bed reactor to a temperature range between 900° F. (482.2° C.) and 1700° F. (926.7° C.) in an oxygen-starved environment having a sub-stoichiometric oxygen level, whereby the biosolids are gasified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Aries Gasification, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R. Bull, Ross M. Patten, Paul Cairney, Gerald M. Cox, William P. Jepson
  • Patent number: 9810104
    Abstract: A method for recovering waste heat in a process for the synthesis of a chemical product, particularly ammonia, where the product is used as the working fluid of a thermodynamic cycle; the waste heat is used to increase the enthalpy content of a high-pressure liquid stream of said product (11), delivered by a synthesis section (10), thus obtaining a vapor or supercritical product stream (20), and energy is recovered by expanding said vapor or supercritical stream across at least one suitable ex-pander (13); the method is particularly suited to recover the heat content of the syngas effluent after low-temperature shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Raffaele Ostuni
  • Patent number: 9809502
    Abstract: Biochar is provided that is treated to have certain chemical and physical properties found to have the highest impact on plant growth and/or soil health. In particular, the following physical and/or chemical properties, among others, of a biochar have been identified as critical properties to control for in the selection of biomass feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and/or enhancing treatment to increase biochar performance: (i) bulk density (ii) impregnation capacity; (iii) particle size distribution; (iv) solid particle density; (v) surface area; (vi) porosity; (vii) total porosity; (viii) ratio of macroporosity to total porosity (ix) content of residual organic compounds; (x) content of volatile organic compounds; (xii) ash content; (xiii) water holding capacity; (xiv) water retention capabilities; (xv) levels of dioxins and other potentially hazardous byproducts of pyrolysis; and (xvi) pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ranko Bontchev, Han Suk Kim, Richard W. Wilson, Richard Wilson Belcher, Cameron Cheyne, Leo E. Manzer, Mark L. Jarand, Haijun Wan, Rajashekharam Malyala
  • Patent number: 9803151
    Abstract: A system includes a first reactor that may gasify a first feed to generate a first syngas. The first feed has a first particle size distribution (PSD1). The system also includes a second reactor that may receive the first feed, a second feed, and at least a portion of the first syngas. The second reactor may gasify the second feed to generate additional syngas, and the second feed has a second particle size distribution (PSD2) that is different from the first PSD. The second reactor includes an elutriation zone disposed on a first end of the second reactor. The elutriation zone may receive the first and second feed. The second reactor also includes a fluidized bed disposed at a second end of the second reactor that is substantially opposite the first end. The fluidized bed is fluidly coupled to the first reactor and may receive the portion of the first syngas via a syngas inlet. The system also includes a gas-solids separation section fluidly coupled to the first and second reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 9789471
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolith catalyst for a carbon dioxide reforming reaction and to a preparation method for same, and more specifically the invention provides a preparation method for a monolith catalyst for a methane reforming reaction using carbon dioxide, the method comprising a step of mixing and impregnating a support in a metal precursor solution, coating a monolith substrate with the solution resulting from the mixing and impregnating, drying same and then calcining the monolith substrate coated with the solution resulting from the mixing and impregnating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jeong Kwon Suh, Young Woo You, Ji Hye Lee, Hongchan Ahn, Tae Sun Chang, Beon Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9783415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the parallel preparation of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a carbon-comprising product, wherein one or more hydrocarbons are thermally decomposed and at least part of the pyrolysis gas formed is taken off from the reaction zone of the decomposition reactor at a temperature of from 800 to 1400° C. and reacted with carbon dioxide to form a gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Matthias Kern, Friedrich Glenk, Dirk Klingler, Andreas Bode, Grigorios Kolios, Stephan Schunk, Guido Wasserschaff, Jens Bernnat, Bernd Zoels, Sabine Schmidt, Rene Koenig
  • Patent number: 9784473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar system for providing volumetric energy reproducing the effect of a combustion flame for a high-temperature industrial process, characterized in that it comprises: a solar receiver exposed to concentrated solar radiation, in which heat transfer fluid (liquid or gas) is brought to high temperature; at least one high-temperature chamber in which said high-temperature industrial process is performed; injection means of the heat transfer fluid in the form of a gas jet reproducing a combustion flame in the at least one high-temperature chamber. The present invention also relates to a process for providing volumetric energy reproducing the effect of a combustion flame for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
    Inventors: Sylvain Rodat, Stéphane Abanades, Gilles Flamant
  • Patent number: 9784182
    Abstract: The present techniques are directed to a system and method for generating power and recovering methane from methane hydrates. The system includes a low emissions power plant configured to generate power, wherein an exhaust gas from the low emissions power plant provides a gas mixture including nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The system also includes a methane recovery system configured to recover methane from methane hydrates by injecting the nitrogen and the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture into the methane hydrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Sulabh K. Dhanuka, Michael W. Eaton, Richard A. Huntington
  • Patent number: 9745238
    Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Gas Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Krishna K. Rao, Walter Breidenstein
  • Patent number: 9738833
    Abstract: A two-stage reactor is disclosed for the conversion of solid particulate biomass material. The reactor is designed to maximize conversion of the solid biomass material, while limiting excess cracking of primary reaction products. The two-stage reactor comprises a first stage rector, in which solid biomass material is thermally pyrolyzed to primary reaction products. The primary reaction products are catalytically converted in a second stage reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Inaeris Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Brady, Ronald Lee Cordle, Peter Loezos, Dennis Stamires
  • Patent number: 9725663
    Abstract: A feedstock conversion system including an integrated two-stage fluid bed thermochemical reaction apparatus (50) has first and second reaction chambers (110, 120) side-by-side and physically separated from one another in one vessel (100) by a partition (130). One or more clusters of heat pipes (400) pass through the partition (130) between the first and second chambers (110, 120) for efficient indirect heat transfer between first and second fluid bed reaction stages (200, 300) and materials therein. The system includes devices for solids transfer between the two reaction chambers (110, 120) to enhance feedstock conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: THEMOCHEM RECOVERY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Daniel Michael Leo, Shawn Robert Freitas
  • Patent number: 9724440
    Abstract: A system and method according to various embodiments combines three separate technologies to form a unique lighting system with enhanced antimicrobial properties and air cleaning capabilities. The combination of the three technologies also produces a lighting system that extends the required maintenance period for lighting fixtures. The first technology is based on anatase type TiO2. The second and third technologies are based on the use of micro-sized surface structures to generate light scattering effects and, at the same time, reduce bacterial colonization and inhibit bacterial migration even during the absence of light or in dark environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Bugenske, Sebastien Magnan, Francois Turgeon, Dengke Cai, Jean-Francois Richard, Angela Wong
  • Patent number: 9718041
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to steam reformers for the production of a hydrogen rich reformate, comprising a shell having a first end, a second end, and a passage extending generally between the first end and the second end of the shell, and at least one heat source disposed about the second end of the shell. The shell comprises at least one conduit member comprising at least one thermally emissive and high radiant emissivity material, at least partially disposed within the shell cavity. The shell further comprises at least one reactor module at least a portion of which is disposed within the shell cavity and about the at least one conduit member and comprises at least one reforming catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Jian L. Zhao, Changsik Kim, Yanlong Shi
  • Patent number: 9714391
    Abstract: A waste to fuel system is disclosed that provides for simplified pyrolysis and cracking of useful hydrocarbons from waste by using molten salt as a heat transfer medium in the pyrolysis stage and using molten salt mixed with catalyst in the cracking stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Johnny D. Combs
  • Patent number: 9714169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a four-component catalyst and a seven-component catalyst and refractory supports for use in the thermoneutral reforming of petroleum-based liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS, PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.
    Inventors: Fahad Ibrahim Al-Muhaish, Shakeel Ahmed, Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt, Mauri Jose Baldini Cardoso, Vivian Passos De Souza
  • Patent number: 9698439
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for extracting hydrogen from a biomass compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. The biomass may include cellulose, lignin, and/or hemicellulose. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Proton Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley
  • Patent number: 9695365
    Abstract: The present disclosures and inventions relate to a method comprising: a) introducing a natural gas; b) reforming the natural gas; wherein the reforming step comprises contacting the natural gas with steam to produce a syngas; c) converting the syngas to a product mixture comprising at least one olefin and a byproduct comprising a paraffin and a gasoline; wherein the converting step comprises contacting the syngas with a Co/Mn catalyst; and d) converting the byproduct to syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Mubarik Ali Bashir, Khalid Karim, Ali Essa Alhammad
  • Patent number: 9683491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power plant to generate electrical power, having a reformer unit, in which an energy carrier can be converted, with the supply of heat, into combustion fluid, wherein the reformer unit has a reformer burning device to provide a heat supply, with which reformer burning device an energy carrier can be burnt, a burner unit, in which thermal energy can be produced by burning the combustion fluid, a turbine unit, in which a rotational movement can be produced with the thermal energy, and a generator unit which can be driven by the rotational movement to generate electrical power. The power plant is characterized according to the invention in that, in order to provide a heat supply, in addition to the reformer burning device, an electric heating unit is provided, through which electrical energy can be converted into heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Lumenion AG
    Inventor: Andrew Zwinkels
  • Patent number: 9676624
    Abstract: This invention pertains to processes for selectively oxidizing hydrogen cyanide contained in syngas using permanganate anion as an oxidant contained in an aqueous solution that is contacted with the syngas under certain conditions of temperature, pressure and duration of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Synata Bio, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E Tobey