Including Heat Exchanger For Reaction Chamber Or Reactants Located Therein Patents (Class 422/198)
  • Publication number: 20130216445
    Abstract: A Fischer Tropsch (“FT”) unit includes at least one FT reactor tube. The FT reactor tube is configured to convert syngas into one or more hydrocarbon products. Inside the tube is a nano-sized catalyst particles dispersed in a micro-fibrous substrate. The FT reactor tube may be positioned within a cooling block that may be made of aluminum or another metal. The cooling block includes an aperture, wherein the FT reactor tube is housed within the aperture. At least one cooling channel is located on the cooling block. The cooling channel houses at least one cooling tube that is designed to dissipate the heat produced by the FT reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventor: Ceramatec, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130213256
    Abstract: Mobile transport platforms for producing hydrogen and structural materials, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a mobile transport platform and a chemical reactor carried by the mobile transport platform. The chemical reactor is configured to dissociate a donor into first and second constituents in a non-combustion reaction. The reactor has a donor entrance port, a first constituent exit port, and a second constituent exit port. A donor supply is carried by the mobile transport platform and is coupled to the donor entrance port to deliver the donor to the reactor. A first collector is coupled to the first constituent exit port to receive the first constituent from the reactor. A second collector is coupled to the second constituent exit port to receive the second constituent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20130216446
    Abstract: A process container for use in a chemical process comprising two planar faces parallel to each other wherein the edges of the faces are joined together by adjacent curved bullnose portions. The process of scaling up a chemical process operation from a small scale apparatus to a large scale unit comprising the steps of: maintaining the diameter of the small scale apparatus as a critical dimension; inserting a rectangularly cross-sectioned extension between two half-cylindrically shaped ends corresponding to halves of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: William Rex Clingan
  • Publication number: 20130216447
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for producing synthesis gas is described, the apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical shell (2) closed by opposite bottoms (3, 4), at least one inlet opening (8) for feeding a gaseous flow comprising oxygen, at least one inlet opening (7) for a gaseous flow comprising hydrocarbons and at least one outlet opening for a flow of synthesis gas and at least one burner (9) in fluid communication with a reaction chamber (15) for partially oxidising and/or reforming said hydrocarbons obtaining said flow of synthesis gas, and being characterised in that it comprises a pipe (12) of a ceramic material extended inside said shell (2), said pipe (12) of ceramic material internally defining said reaction chamber (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Casale Chemicals S.A.
    Inventor: Casale Chemicals S.A.
  • Patent number: 8512653
    Abstract: A micro-reactor system assembly comprises a stack of at least n process modules (1-6), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, made from a rigid first material and comprising at least one reactive fluid passage (1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 6A) for accommodating and guiding a reactive fluid, and at least n+1 heat exchange modules (7, 8) made from a ductile second material other than said first material and comprising at least one heat exchange fluid passage (7A, 8A) for accommodating and guiding a heat exchange fluid, wherein each process module (1-6) is sandwiched between two adjacent heat exchange modules (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Lonza AG
    Inventors: Dominique Roberge, Nikolaus Bieler, Bertin Zimmermann, Rainald Forbert
  • Patent number: 8512646
    Abstract: A device for generating a sterilizing gas includes a methanol gas generation device (11) for vaporizing methanol to generate a methanol gas, a tubular part (12) and a catalyst section (13). The tubular section (12) is arranged on top of the methanol gas generation device (11) to provide a flow path for upwardly directing the methanol gas generated by the methanol gas generation device by natural convection. The tubular section also operates to mix the methanol gas with a predetermined proportion of air. The catalyst section (13) is arranged on top of the tubular section (12) for turning the methanol gas mixed with the air at the predetermined proportion in the tubular section (12) into radicals by a catalyzed reaction. The catalyst section (13) is formed by a turn-into-radical reaction catalyst layer (30) obtained on forming a thin metal sheet (35a) to a honeycomb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Wiz Systems Corporation, Seavile Inc., Hoei Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawamata, Yasushi Suzuki, Shunsuke Nishiyama, Motoboru Iio
  • Publication number: 20130205650
    Abstract: The system and method described herein provide for the higher production rate fractionation of biomass for the purpose of selectively separating specific volatile components, which may subsequently be used in the production of a renewable liquid fuel, such as gasoline. Increased production rates of processing of biomass or other feedstock is achieved through the use of sealed reaction chambers, which may be transferred in a sealed configuration between stations in a multi-station processing system. Also, the present invention considers the use of piston assemblies for the dual functions of controlling fluid intake and exhaust (in combination with valves) and for providing a more robust and more cost effective sealing mechanism. The present invention may also achieve improved uniformity of biomass processing through the introduction of a mechanical agitator designed to mix the biomass during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jon Strimling
  • Publication number: 20130211118
    Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing organometallic compounds is provided where two or more reactants are conveyed to a reactor having a laminar flow contacting zone, a heat transfer zone, and a mixing zone having a turbulence-promoting device; and causing the reactants to form the organometallic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicants: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC, Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ravindra S. Dixit, Hua Bai, Curtis D. Modtland, Robert A. Ware, John G. Pendergast, JR., Christopher P. Christenson, Deodatta Vinayak Shenai-Khatkhate, Artashes Amamchyan, Kenneth M. Crouch, Robert F. Polcari
  • Publication number: 20130211117
    Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing an organometallic compound is provided where two or more reactants are conveyed to a contacting zone of a reactor in a manner so as to maintain a laminar flow of the reactants; and causing the reactants to form the organometallic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Curtis D. MODTLAND
  • Publication number: 20130209352
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for manufacturing composite nanoparticles. The apparatus comprises: a first precursor supply unit vaporizing a first precursor and supplying it to a reaction unit; a second precursor supply unit vaporizing a second precursor and supplying it to the reaction unit; the reaction unit producing composite nanoparticles by reacting the vaporized first precursor with the vaporized second precursor; an oxygen supply line supplying an oxygen source to the reaction unit; and a collection unit collecting the composite nanoparticles produced by the reaction unit. Since gas phase synthesis occurs in different stages using the U-shaped reaction chamber, aggregation is prevented and composite nanoparticles of uniform size and high specific surface area can be produced easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jong Soo JURNG, Eun Seuk PARK, Sung Min CHIN, Min Su KIM
  • Patent number: 8506839
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising water and at least one ionic liquid, and also to devices capable of executing an absorption cycle using such compositions as a refrigerant pair. This invention also provides a method of cooling using an absorption cycle comprising water as the refrigerant and at least one ionic liquid as the absorbent. The present invention also provides a method of heating using an absorption cycle comprising water as the refrigerant and at least one ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mark Brandon Shiflett, Akimichi Yokozeki
  • Patent number: 8501107
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating mercury (II) sulfide from elemental mercury. Elemental mercury is injected into a heated and sealed reaction vessel containing vaporized sulfur. The elemental mercury reacts with at least a portion of the vaporized sulfur to form the mercury (II) sulfide within the reaction vessel. The formed mercury (II) sulfide is then unloaded from the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: John M. Boyle, Bruce J. Lawrence, Scott A. Schreffler
  • Patent number: 8501108
    Abstract: When growing carbon nanotubes, a substrate is delivered into a thermal CVD chamber whose internal temperature is a room temperature, and a mixed gas of an inert gas and a raw gas is introduced in the inside thereof. After a pressure inside of the chamber is stabilized at 1 kPa, the temperature in the chamber is raised to 510° C. in 1 minute. As a result, the carbon nanotubes start to grow linearly from the respective catalytic particles without any fusion of each of the catalytic particles. Subsequently, the temperature and an atmosphere are maintained for about 30 minutes. Once the carbon nanotubes start to grow, surfaces of the catalytic particles are covered by carbon, so that any fusion of each of the catalytic particles can be avoided even during the maintenance for about 30 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Akio Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8501142
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to carbonizing and activating carbonaceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Robert Tennison, Jonathan Robert Tunbridge, Roger Nicholas Place, Andrew John Blackburn, Alan Mark Giles
  • Patent number: 8501123
    Abstract: An improved process for removing polymeric by-product (ASO) from the HF alkylation acid in an HF alkylation unit used for the production of gasoline boiling range alkylate product by olefin/iso-paraffin alkylation, comprises fractionating a portion of the circulating HF alkylation acid inventory of the unit with a portion of hot alkylate product in a fractionation zone to from an overhead product comprising HF alkylation acid and water and a bottoms fraction comprising the polymeric by-product and alkylate. The bottoms fraction is sent to the isoparaffin stripper of the unit to remove trace HF alkylation acid as overhead and form a product stream of hot alkylate as a bottoms fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: D'Arcy H. J. Blais, Doug F. Bodeux, Steve L. Burgwin, Alexander D. Chan, Gary S. Locke, Jerry H. Squires, Sarah J. Virtue
  • Publication number: 20130195736
    Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly includes a heated medium flow path for a first medium and a reforming flow path for a second medium. A catalyst substrate is located within the reforming flow path and supports a catalyst. A heat exchanger is disposed within the heated medium flow path for transferring heat from the heated medium flow path to the catalyst substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130197109
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a large volume of gas from a liquid stream is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first channel through which the liquid stream passes. The apparatus also includes a layer of catalyst particles suspended in a solid slurry for generating gas from the liquid stream. The apparatus further includes a second channel through which a mixture of converted liquid and generated gas passes. A heat exchange channel heats the liquid stream. A wicking structure located in the second channel separates the gas generated from the converted liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Karim M. Ayman, Paul H. Humble, Yong Wang
  • Patent number: 8496717
    Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream is actively-cooled by a gaseous or liquid coolant which is directed to flow in contact with at least a portion of the outer shell of the fuel processor. Active cooling can improve the operating characteristics of the fuel processor as well as allowing for the use of compact fuel processor designs that would otherwise tend to have insufficient heat loss capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Jacobus Neels, Xuantian Li
  • Publication number: 20130189165
    Abstract: A system includes a quench ring assembly, which includes a quench ring, a throat ring coupled to the quench ring, and a dip tube coupled to the quench ring. The quench ring assembly is self-retained as a unit. The system also includes a support assembly configured to support the quench ring assembly. The support assembly includes a removable mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Karol Rzepniewski, Allyson Joy Jimenez-Huyke, Anna Renata Ziombra, Slawomir Jozef Golec
  • Patent number: 8491857
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus produce economically feasible biodiesel without subsidies. Toward that end, integrated small plants process materials containing lipids with anhydrous bioethanol as solvent and reactant, and sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide mainly as catalysts to produce up to 3 million gallons of biodiesel per plant per year. The product is predominantly fatty acids ethyl esters (FAEE) and a chemically-enhanced organic fertilizer as byproduct. The raw material may include a wide variety of non-edible solid matter that contains lipids, which normally have from 0.5% to 80% by weight of free fatty acids in total oils. Multiple apparatus makes this process feasible. In addition to not competing with food production, since they supply fertilizer for small scale farmers, the processes and apparatus allow sustainable liquid fuel production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Antonio Cantizani
  • Patent number: 8486343
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a novel reaction tube is capable of following up the thermal expansion of the reaction tube without the need of hanging down the reaction tube in the apparatus for producing silicon. In a reaction unit in a reaction vessel body of the apparatus for producing silicon, there are provided a gas feed pipe for feeding chlorosilanes and hydrogen, a reaction tube for precipitating silicon, a high-frequency coil arranged on the outer circumferential side of the reaction tube to melt the precipitated silicon, a heat insulating material provided between the reaction tube and the high-frequency coil, and an intermediate wall provided at the lower portion of the reaction unit to support the heat insulating material. The reaction tube is supported on the upper surface of the intermediate wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tokuyama Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Noumi, Satoru Wakamatsu, Nobuaki Yoshimatsu
  • Patent number: 8486233
    Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus is provided for supplying a fluid mixture to a distillation column or reactor. The apparatus can be used to enhance the heat duty, the flow and/or the flow stability of an existing thermosiphon reboiler which supplies a heated fluid to the column or reactor. The apparatus includes an integrated eductor which receives and increases the fluid velocity of a supplemental fluid into which the heated fluid is aspirated to form a fluid mixture then delivered to the column or reactor. A process and a system utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed, as well as a method of retrofitting an existing system with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Alphonzo George Nelson, Les Jackowski
  • Publication number: 20130177496
    Abstract: A reactor for synthesizing hydrogen sulfide in which sulfur and hydrogen are subjected to gas-phase reaction in the absence of a catalyst to synthesize hydrogen sulfide, the reactor including: a reactor body that retains liquid sulfur in a bottom portion thereof; a heating unit that gasifies part of the liquid sulfur; a hydrogen gas supply unit that supplies hydrogen gas into the liquid sulfur; and a heat-exchanging portion provided in a gas-phase reaction region located above the liquid surface of the liquid sulfur in the reactor body, wherein heat-exchanging portion is configured such that the reaction temperature in the gas-phase reaction region is controlled to be within a predetermined temperature range by changing the heat exchange amount per unit volume in a gas-phase reaction region located farther from the liquid surface from the heat exchange amount per unit volume in a gas-phase reaction region located closer to the liquid surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: JGC CORPORATION
    Inventors: HIROSHI UMINO, NOBUHIRO YAMADA, TSUTOMU KATAGIRI, HIROMITSU SHIBUYA, SHUICHI OGURO, NAOYOSHI IWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20130171041
    Abstract: An isothermal chemical reactor (1) is described comprising a plate (30) heat exchange unit (12), immersed in a catalytic bed (7) and destined to heat or cool the reagents in order to maintain the reaction temperature in a predetermined range; said plates (30) are formed by two flat walls (31, 32) and longitudinal spacers (33), with obtainment of parallel channels (34) for the circulation of a heat exchange fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventor: Methanol Casale S.A.
  • Patent number: 8475729
    Abstract: A method of forming a honeycomb reactor or reactor component is disclosed, including the steps of providing a honeycomb structure having cells divided by cell walls, providing an array of cutting tools arrayed in a pattern so as to be able to simultaneously align with a first plurality of the cell walls at a first end of the structure, and cutting the walls of the first plurality, reducing their height. Systems utilizing the reactors or reactor components thus formed are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8475545
    Abstract: A method of assembling a feed injector is provided. The method includes providing a feed injector tip that includes an inlet, a tip end, a flow passage that extends longitudinally through the feed injector tip from the inlet to the tip end, an annular cooling channel that substantially circumscribes the flow passage, and a buffer region that separates the annular cooling channel from the flow passage. The method further includes coupling the feed injector tip to the feed injector to enable a fluid to be channeled through the flow passage, such that the fluid flows past the inlet, at which the buffer region has a first width, before flowing past the tip end, at which the buffer region has a second width, the first width wider than the second width, and coupling a cooling assembly to the feed injector to enable a flow of cooling fluid to be channeled into the annular cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Campbell Steinhaus, Shashishekara Sitharamarao Talya, Daniel Aaron Kessler
  • Patent number: 8475726
    Abstract: A reactor (6) for pyrolysing waste, in particular rubber tires, said reactor comprising a pyrolysis space (68), an inlet port (63) and an outlet port (64) enabling a flow across the pyrolysis space (68) of a heating medium for transferring heat required for the pyrolysis, and a lower discharge port (62) for discharging solid residues of the pyrolysis. The invention is, characterized in that—it comprises a baffle means (65) made of a plate material and enabling a gravitational slipping of the solid residues towards the discharge port (62), which baffle means (65) has openings (66) allowing the flow of the heating medium and is arranged to divide the inner space of the reactor (6) to form an upper pyrolysis space (68) and a lower space and—one of the inlet and outlet ports (63, 64) is in connection with the pyrolysis space (68) and the other one with the lower space. The invention is also an apparatus comprising the above reactor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Pirolisis Project Kft.
    Inventors: András Bence Balint, Péter Varga, László Nagy, Sándor Demeter, Iván Pál Fodor
  • Patent number: 8475727
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new system for controlling temperature and pressure in, at least, one chemical reactor, characterized in that it includes, at least, the following devices: a) a deposit with at least one pressure regulation device; b) a connecting duct between said deposit and the reactor; c) a device for injecting condensates into the reactor. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said control system to control the pressure and temperature of at least one chemical reactor, being especially applicable to a chemical reactor in which a hydrothermal biomass carbonization reaction takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ingelia, S.L.
    Inventor: Martin Hitzl
  • Patent number: 8475548
    Abstract: In a reactor for the gasification of solid and liquid fuels in the entrained flow at temperatures between 1200 and 1900° C. and pressures between ambient pressure and 10 MPa with an oxidizing agent containing free oxygen, the cooling screen is connected in a gas-tight manner to the pressure shell via a bellows compensator to accommodate linear deformation. Continuous sweeping by gas of the annular gap between pressure shell and cooling screen is unnecessary and backflow by producer gas is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Kirchhübel, Manfred Schingnitz, Heidrun Toth
  • Patent number: 8475547
    Abstract: In a reactor for gasification of entrained solid and liquid fuels at temperatures between 1,200 and 1,900° C. and at pressures between ambient pressure and 10 MPa using an oxidizing agent containing free oxygen, the cooling screen is connected to the pressure shell in a gastight manner via a sliding seal in order to allow length changes. Continuous gas purging of the annular gap between pressure shell and cooling screen is unnecessary and gasification gas is prevented from flowing behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Kirchhübel, Christian Reuther, Manfred Schingnitz, Heidrun Toth
  • Publication number: 20130164187
    Abstract: A production apparatus of composite silver nanoparticle including: a device for arranging a silver salt microparticle and at least an alcohol solvent selected from alcohols having a carbon number of 1 to 12; a raw material mixer for preparing an alcohol solution by mixing the silver salt microparticle into the alcohol solvent added more excessively than the mol number of the silver salt microparticle to make an excess alcohol solution; a reactor for generating a composite silver nanoparticle by heating the excess alcohol solution at a generation temperature PT generating an aldehyde for a generation time with a heater, in which a silver core is formed by reducing the silver salt microparticle by the alcohol solvent and/or the aldehyde and the composite silver nanoparticle having an organic coating layer originated from the alcohol solvent around the silver core is formed, and a chiller for cooling the alcohol solution
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Applied Nanoparticle Laboratory Corporation
    Inventor: Applied Nanoparticle Laboratory Corporation
  • Patent number: 8470182
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for hydrolyzing biological material for safe disposal thereof without the necessity of incineration or use of disinfectants are described. An alkaline solution having a concentration and an amount effective for hydrolyzing the biological material is brought into contact therewith by means of rotating paddles which both pound the biological material into small pieces and thoroughly mix the alkaline solution with the material under pressure and at elevated temperature. Following the hydrolysis of the biological material, a chosen portion of the water is removed from the alkaline solution and from the liquefied biological material, such that the resulting product solidifies when cooled. The present safe disposal of the biological material does not require incineration thereof, the addition of disinfectants thereto, or the discharge of liquid effluent containing processed biological material into the sewage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Gyver L. Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Muth
  • Patent number: 8470249
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a gaseous clathrate has a closed reaction vessel to which are fed a reaction gas and a reaction liquid while an interior of the vessel is maintained at a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature so that the gaseous clathrate is formed in the vessel. An outlet nozzle on the vessel defines a flow passage opening into the vessel and having an inner wall surface extending between an inner inlet end inside the vessel and an outer outlet end. The passage extends along an axis, is rotation-symmetrical about the axis, and is of decreasing flow cross section from its inner end to its outer end. The inner wall surface is curved in an S-shape from the inner end to the outer end so that pressure in the vessel forces the formed clathrate out through the passage with increasing compression as the flow cross section decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Reto Mebes
    Inventor: Bernd Bonso
  • Patent number: 8465705
    Abstract: Process for the removal/reduction of the hydrogen sulfide contained in natural gas which comprises: a) feeding natural gas and water to a reaction vessel maintained under thermodynamic conditions favorable for the formation of H2S hydrates and substantially at the production pressure of natural gas; b) discharging the H2S hydrates, from the bottom of the reaction vessel; c) optionally melting the hydrates and re-injecting water and/or gas comprising hydrogen sulfide and/or the hydrates as such into the same production field or into a geologically equivalent structure; and d) optionally feeding the remaining natural gas to a conventional softening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Liberato Giampaolo Ciccarelli, Gian Paolo Borghi
  • Publication number: 20130149212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for revaporizing natural gas. Provided is a device for revaporizing natural gas hydrate pellets, comprising: a pellet charging portion for charging pellets which is formed with an upper valve and a lower valve so as to divide space for adjusting pressure; a storing portion, which communicates with the lower portion of the pellet charging portion, for receiving pellets when the lower valve is opened; a transfer screw, one end of which couples to the lower portion of the storing portion, for transferring the pellets in the storing portion; and a dissolving reaction tub, which is coupled to the other end of the transfer screw, receives pellets from the lower portion of the dissolving reaction tub, and which accommodates heating water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Myung Ho Song, Yong Seok Yoon, Hye Jung Hong, Jung Huyk Ahn, Mun Keun Ha, Seok Ku Jeon, Hoon Ahn, Ta Kwan Woo
  • Publication number: 20130145691
    Abstract: An improved active grate consisting of at least two elongated rockers positioned parallel to one and another, each rocker having a lower surface and an upper surface and configured to rotate back and forth about their longitudinal axis. Each individual rocker is further configured to rotate in the opposite direction of the adjacent rockers such that any pair of adjacent rockers alternately forms a void allowing material to pass through active grate when rotating in one direction into a first position, and closes the void when rotated in the opposite direction in a second position. The active grate finds particular utility in a combined gasification/vitrification waste treatment system, where it is used to pass partially oxidized materials from a gasification chamber to a vitrification chamber. The rockers include a coolant loop through the longitudinal axis of the rockers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Surma, James A. Batdorf
  • Publication number: 20130149211
    Abstract: A carbocatalyst for use in oxidation and polymerization reactions includes particles having a carbon and oxygen-containing material, such as catalytically-active graphene oxide and/or catalytically-active graphite oxide. In some cases, the particles are disposed on a solid support formed of a carbon-containing material, such as graphene or graphite, or a non-carbon containing material, such as a metallic or insulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GRAPHEA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Bielawski, Daniel R. Dreyer
  • Patent number: 8460614
    Abstract: An isothermal chemical reactor (1) comprising an array of radially arranged plate-like heat exchange elements (11) inside a reaction space, each element comprising feeding and collecting ducts and a bundle of parallel tubes (15) defining channels (12) for a heat exchange medium, the tubes (15) having an elongated cross section and being disposed with a variable orientation relative to the radial direction of the reactor, so that inner tubes near the axis of the reactor have the cross-section major axis aligned with said radial direction, and outer tubes have the same axis perpendicular to the radial direction. The preferred structure of a plate-like heat exchange element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Rizzi, Ermanno Filippi, Mirco Tarozzo, Luca Redaelli
  • Publication number: 20130142701
    Abstract: Techniques, systems and material are disclosed for thermochemical regeneration of biomass into renewable engineered fuel, storage of the renewable engineered fuel, respeciation of the renewable engineered fuel and transport. In one aspect, a method includes generating low density hydrogen fuel from biomass dissociation at a first location of a low elevation. The low density hydrogen fuel is self-transported in a pipeline to a second location at a higher elevation than the first location by traveling from the first location to the second location without adding energy of pressure. A high density hydrogen carrier is generated at the second location of higher elevation by reacting the low density hydrogen fuel with at least one of a carbon donor, a nitrogen donor and an oxygen donor harvested from industrial waste. The high density hydrogen carrier is delivered to a third location of a lower elevation than the second location while providing pressure or kinetic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: McAlister Technologies, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130136667
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane in which reacted gas including trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride is produced by heating raw gas including silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen, the apparatus having: a reaction vessel having a substantially cylindrical shape and being provided with a heated wall forming a gas flow-passage along an axis direction; and a heater heating the heated wall, wherein a folding flow-passage is provided at an uppermost stream of the gas flow-passage and has: an inlet flow-passage in which raw gas is introduced; and a turning part connected to a downstream of the inlet flow-passage in which a flow direction of the raw gas is turned at least once in an opposite direction, the turning part is formed between the inlet flow-passage and the heated wall in the folding flow-passage, and a turning length of the folding flow-passage along the axis direction is smaller than a maximum length of the gas flow-passage along the axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130134358
    Abstract: A reactor vessel includes an entrained-flow gasifier and a dry solids discharge beneath the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Darby, Steven P. Fusselman
  • Patent number: 8449846
    Abstract: A system and method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Pet Projects Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Merritt
  • Patent number: 8450381
    Abstract: The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allen Rogers, Paul William Neagle, Michael Alan Marchiando, Christopher Paul Well, Robert Dwayne Litt, Ronald Chester Pasadyn, G. Bradley Smith, Charles Robert Miele, Thomas Peter Forte, Jimmy Glen Pelham
  • Publication number: 20130129584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas, and more particularly, to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas containing methane gas from synthetic gas, including a porous nickel plate catalyst part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Jong Soo Park, Shin Kun Ryi, Kyung Ran Hwang, Dong Kook Kim, Tae Hwan Kim, Chun Boo Lee, Sung Wook Lee
  • Publication number: 20130129569
    Abstract: A reactor for the gasification of biomass having a reactor vessel that defines a gasification chamber with an oxidation zone, to which oxidation zone an oxygen containing gasification agent, in particular air, may be supplied from outside of the reactor vessel, wherein biomass may be continuously transported to the oxidation zone in the gasification chamber, wherein air supply elements having exit openings in the area of the oxidation zone are arranged in the reactor vessel, which extend in the transport direction of the biomass. The air supply elements are each configured in lance form and provided along at least one insulation section with an external insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Erwin Schiefer
  • Patent number: 8444925
    Abstract: A lignocellulosic biomass saccharification pre-treatment device for easily recovering ammonia water to be used in a pre-treatment for saccharification of a lignocellulosic biomass and recycle use. The device has a mixing unit 2 mixing lignocellulosic biomass and ammonia, a heating unit 3 heating the mixture, a separation unit 4 separating ammonia gas from the mixture to obtain a biomass-water mixture, and a transfer unit 6 transferring the biomass-water mixture to a later process. An ammonia water supply unit 8 supplies ammonia water to the mixing means 2. An ammonia recovery unit 20 recovers ammonia gas as ammonia water. A heat-of-dissolution recovery unit 24 recovers heat-of-dissolution generated when ammonia gas is dissolved in water. A heat pump unit 30 generates heat to be supplied to the heating unit 3 using at least the heat-of-dissolution as a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Baba
  • Patent number: 8444939
    Abstract: A reactor module for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis having a generally rectangular reactor block with a stack of plates defining flow channels for coolant and flow channels for the synthesis reaction arranged alternately in the block. The synthesis flow channels extend in a generally vertical direction between upper and lower faces of the reactor block and are defined by plates in combination with either bars or sheets such that each channel is of width no more than 200 mm. The coolant flow channels are oriented in the same direction, and communicate through distributor chambers with inlet and outlet ports at side faces of the reactor block. A plant may contain a multiplicity of such reactor modules operating in parallel, the modules being interchangeable and replaceable. The temperature control is enhanced by allowing the coolant flow to be parallel to the synthesis gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: CompactGTL plc
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, Clive Derek Lee-Tuffnell
  • Patent number: 8440165
    Abstract: A method includes operating a gas loading system with a source of one or more isotopes of hydrogen, a gas loading chamber containing a number of metallic nanoparticles, the metallic nanoparticles being selected to provide for a predetermined hydrogen cluster formation density, a vacuum system, and a valve system in communication with the gas loading chamber, the source of one or more isotopes of hydrogen and the vacuum system; providing the gas loading chamber with a first quantity of the one or more isotopes of hydrogen from the source of one or more isotopes of hydrogen; monitoring an operating temperature; and cycling a loading pressure of the gas loading chamber using the source of one or more isotopes of hydrogen in response to providing the gas loading chamber and monitoring the operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: NPL Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Miley, Xiaoling Yang
  • Patent number: 8435457
    Abstract: A method of: introducing hydrogen and a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide into a reactor containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; and heating the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a temperature of at least about 190° C. to produce hydrocarbons in the reactor. An apparatus having: a reaction vessel for containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, capable of heating gases to at least about 190° C.; a hydrogen delivery system feeding into the reaction vessel; a carbon dioxide delivery system for delivering a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide feeding into the reaction vessel; and a trap for collecting hydrocarbons generated in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Nick E Tran, Dennis R Hardy, Samuel G Lambrakos, John G. Michopoulos
  • Patent number: 8435453
    Abstract: A device for performing chemical and/or physical reactions between a solid material and a gas, especially for preheating, cooling and/or calcining fine-grained materials has at least three stages arranged one above the other, each stage comprising the following components: a. a gas-solids suspension duct for conducting a gas-solids suspension, b. means for separating the delivered solid material from the delivered gas, c. a solids duct for discharging the separated solid material, d. and a gas duct for discharging the separated gas, the gas duct of one stage merging into the gas-solids suspension duct of the next-higher stage and the solids duct of one stage joining the gas-solids suspension duct of the next lower stage. In addition, the junction of the solids duct and the gas-solids suspension duct of the third or a higher stage is provided below the highest point of the gas-solids suspension duct arranged two stages lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Polysius AG
    Inventors: Verena Georg, Detlev Kupper, Andreas Hoppe, Heinz-Werner Thiemeyer, Daniel Klegraf, Thomas Deck, Stefanie Richter, Luis Lagar Garcia