Including Fluid-transfer Means Connecting Chamber To Heat-exchange Jacket Patents (Class 422/203)
  • Patent number: 10493420
    Abstract: A composite material preparation system comprises a sealed reaction kettle for containing reactants and base materials; temperature and pressure detecting units for detecting the temperature and pressure inside the reaction kettle; and a heating unit for hydrothermally induced heating, based on the detected temperature and pressure values. The heating unit comprises an induction coil, an induction heating device, and a control mechanism for controlling the generation of an induction frequency of the induction heating device. The reaction kettle is located in the induction coil, both ends of the induction coil are mounted on an outer wall of the induction heating device, and the induction coil and the induction heating device have circulating water introduced inside. The device can prepare a composite material having good interface bonding, by utilizing induced heating under the premise of controllable temperature and pressure, and by utilizing the characteristic that the reactants themselves are heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SHAANXI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Huang, Wenbin Li, Ruizi Li, Jiayin Li, Jie Fei, Haibo Ouyang, Liyun Cao, Duo Li, Lei Zhou
  • Patent number: 10011792
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gasifier and/or a gasification process that provides a long, uniform temperature zone in the gasifier, regardless of the particle size, chemical composition, and moisture content of the fuel by sandwiching a reduction zones between two oxidation zones. The gasifier and/or gasification process has a char that is more energy-dense and almost devoid of moisture that affords for an additional (or char) oxidation zone with a temperature that is higher than a first oxidation zone which is closer to a evaporation and devolatilization zone. As such, the additional (or char) oxidation zone contributes to augmenting the reduction zone temperature, thereby providing a favorable dual impact in improving syngas composition and near-complete conversion of the tar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Nikhil Manubhai Patel
  • Patent number: 9738519
    Abstract: A fuel reformer 20 producing a reformed gas by catalysis by using a fuel gas includes a combustion chamber 24, a combustion nozzle 30, an exhausting pipe 15, a gas distribution gap 25, an outer reforming portion 43, a fuel gas introduction pipe 10, and a reformed gas outlet pipe 11. The combustion nozzle 30 is located in the combustion chamber 24. A columnar protruding portion 40 is provided in the combustion chamber 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO PRECISION PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Hirakawa, Shigeru Mizukawa
  • Patent number: 9321639
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for co-producing methanol and ammonia, wherein a syngas mixture consisting essentially of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) is first partially reacted in a methanol once-through reactor, unreacted syngas is divided into a first and a second stream, the first stream is purified and fed to an ammonia synthesis section, and the second stream is fed to a methanol synthesis and purification section. With this process it is possible to produce methanol and ammonia at very high capacities in an integrated single process, applying unit operations not exceeding current practical capacity limitations. For example, the process allows production of 8000 mtpd of methanol and 2000 mtpd of ammonia starting from natural gas and air. The process further shows a balanced production of ammonia and carbon dioxide, thus allowing co-production of urea also to be integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ijaz C. Ahmed, Mubarak Bashir
  • Patent number: 9023312
    Abstract: Process and apparatus is disclosed for providing a chemical reaction between calcium oxide containing grit particles to produce calcium hydroxide and heat, capturing the heat of hydration and using it to preheat water initially at ambient temperature, to rise to an elevated temperature to increase the amount of lime present in the water to a supersaturated lime suspension level, with the chemical reaction running to completion, followed by cooling. Heat from a water jacket may be used to raise the temperature in the lime slaker. A process and apparatus is also provided for dissolving scale on internal surfaces of a lime slaker, a lime aging tank, grit separation device and piping and dosing sub-systems, by adding acid into the system with rinse water. A pressurized delivery system that is substantially closed to atmosphere delivers treating dosing under sufficient pressure conditions to maintain a relatively constant back pressure, by means of valving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: RDP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Michael Quici, Louis Litz
  • Patent number: 8895796
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and related devices and systems for the conversion of higher hydrocarbons, such as in the form of waste plastics, petroleum sludge, slope oil, vegetable oil, and so forth, into lower hydrocarbons, which can be used as fuels or raw materials for a variety of industrial and domestic uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Innovative Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Atul G. Kelkar, Prasad V. Bhat
  • Patent number: 8721981
    Abstract: A heat exchanging system is provided. The heat exchanging system includes multiple plates wound spirally around a reaction chamber. The multiple plates also form multiple channels that operate as a counter flow recuperator terminating within the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Walter Freund, Gabriel Rojas Kopeinig
  • Patent number: 8715582
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing activated carbon that has a reactor vessel for containing carbon based feedstock and a processor that encloses the reactor vessel. An insulating barrier is disposed between the reactor vessel and the processor for defining generally vertical outer and inner pathways that are communicably interconnected. The reactor vessel has a gas receiving intake port in communication with the inner pathway. First and second inlet conduits are formed through the processor and into the reactor for respectively introducing a first ignition gas into the reactor to ignite the feedstock and a second gas into the first pathway. The second gas circulates through the outer and inner pathways and enters the reactor vessel through the gas receiving intake port. The exhaust gas is circulated through a catalyst chamber/cartridge/bed. At least one exhaust port discharges gas from the vessel exteriorly of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Earl R. Decker, Walter David Hemenway, Douglas MacPherson, Carl B. Melanson
  • Patent number: 8692016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the phosgenation of amines in the gas phase, in which a specific type of heat exchanger is used for vaporizing the amines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Josef Sanders, Hanno Brummer, Jorg Laue, Bernd Sojka, Marcus Eichmann, Verena Haverkamp
  • Patent number: 8636964
    Abstract: An end-face sealing fluidic connector for fluidic connection and/or interconnection of glass, glass-ceramic and/or ceramic fluidic modules in a microreactor includes a connector body having a circular first end face with a recess for retaining one or more O-rings and a first end section having a circular cylindrical outeT surface and a diameter In the range of from 3 to 25 mm. The outer surface has a circumferential recess dividing the first end section into a proximal portion adjacent the first end face and a distal portion. A retaining ring is seated in the circumferential recess and a protecting ring coinpming a high-compression-strength polymer surrounds the proximal portion of the first end section. A circular cylindrical sleeve surrounds the first end section and the reinforcing and/or protecting ring, the sleeve including a circumferentially extending inside bearing surface for engaging the retaining ring on the distal side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Pierre Brunello, Paul Louis Florent Delautre, Sylvain Maxime F Gremetz, Olivier Lobet
  • Publication number: 20140004008
    Abstract: A gasification reactor including a gasifier having a tubular gastight wall with a discharge channel or dip at its lower end leading into a lower slag collection bath. The gastight wall and the slag collection bath are arranged within a pressure vessel. An annular space between the pressure vessel and the gasifier with the discharge channel is separated in a high pressure top section and a low pressure lower section by a sealing arrangement having a damper. The damper can for instance be a hydraulic, or a lower at a distance below an upper seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Christian Karzel, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
  • Patent number: 8603407
    Abstract: A novel catalytic reactor is provided for controlling the contact of a limiting reactant with a catalyst surface. A first flow vessel defines an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the interior surface has a catalyst deposited on at least a portion thereof. A second flow vessel is positioned within the first flow vessel and the second flow vessel defines a porous surface designed to deliver a fluid uniformly to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first flow vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Pfefferle, Shahrokh Etemad
  • Publication number: 20130181168
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generating gas from nitrous oxide are provided as well as downstream uses for the product gas. Reactor devices of the invention are compact and incorporate a novel heat-exchange/regenerative cooling system to optimize N2O decomposition and reactor durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: PIONEER ASTRONAUTICS
    Inventor: Pioneer Astronautics
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 8414842
    Abstract: A reactor for treating a material in a medium. It includes a body (2) in which is defined a reaction area (10) capable of containing a reaction medium, at least one inlet for introducing the reaction medium into the reaction area, one outlet for discharging effluents out of the reaction area. A protective casing (8) positioned inside the body (2) delimits the reaction area (10). It is spaced apart from the body in order to delimit a confinement area (12) isolating the reaction area of the body. The reaction area and the confinement area are sealably isolated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Hubert-Alexandre Turc, Christophe Joussot-Dubien
  • Publication number: 20120328510
    Abstract: Process and apparatus is disclosed for providing a chemical reaction between calcium oxide containing grit particles to produce calcium hydroxide and heat, capturing the heat of hydration and using it to preheat water initially at ambient temperature, to rise to an elevated temperature to increase the amount of lime present in the water to a supersaturated lime suspension level, with the chemical reaction running to completion, followed by cooling. Heat from a water jacket may be used to raise the temperature in the lime slaker. A process and apparatus is also provided for dissolving scale on internal surfaces of a lime slaker, a lime aging tank, grit separation device and piping and dosing sub-systems, by adding acid into the system with rinse water. A pressurized delivery system that is substantially closed to atmosphere delivers treating dosing under sufficient pressure conditions to maintain a relatively constant back pressure, by means of valving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: RDP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Michael Quici, Louis Litz
  • Publication number: 20120258021
    Abstract: A moving bed gasification/thermal treatment reactor includes a geometry in which moving bed reactor particles serve as both a moving bed filter and a heat carrier to provide thermal energy for thermal treatment reactions, such that the moving bed filter and the heat carrier are one and the same to remove solid particulates or droplets generated by thermal treatment processes or injected into the moving bed filter from other sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Phillip C. Badger, Kenneth J. Dunn, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120141366
    Abstract: A fuel processor for generating hydrogen rich gas or cleaned hydrogen rich gas from hydrocarbon fuel includes an inner housing and an outer housing defining a mantel space between them, wherein at least one fuel reformer unit for reforming hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas and optionally a gas-cleaning unit for cleaning the hydrogen rich gas from unwanted by-products are arranged in the inner housing. The fuel processor further includes a processor inlet for introducing hydrocarbon fuel into the inner housing and a processor outlet for releasing cleaned hydrogen rich gas from the inner housing. The outer housing further includes a fluid inlet for introducing a heat transporting fluid into the mantel space. The inner housing includes at least one opening for providing a fluid-connection between the inner housing and the mantel space. A method for operating such a fuel processor is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Powercell Sweden AB
    Inventors: Peter Forsberg, Björn Häggendal, Anders Eriksson, Louise De Verdier
  • Patent number: 8105564
    Abstract: Provided is a plant for the continuous production of monosilane and tetrachlorosilane by catalytic dismutation of trichlorosilane, wherein the plant contains: a countercurrent reactor having a double wall, a catalyst bed containing a catalyst which is located in the countercurrent reactor, a condenser at the top of the countercurrent reactor, a vaporizer unit at the bottom of the countercurrent reactor, a trichlorosilane feed line for the introduction of trichlorosilane into the countercurrent reactor, a heat exchanger, with the trichlorosilane conveyed by line via the heat exchanger and preheated there by a bottom product from the vaporizer unit and, for this purpose, the bottom product is fed by line via the heat exchanger into the double wall at a level in the lower part of the countercurrent reactor and discharged from the double wall at a level in the upper part of the countercurrent reactor, a condensation unit downstream of the condenser, and a distillation column having an outlet for monosilane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Raymund Sonnenschein, Peter Adler, Yuriy Kasatkin, Adolf Petrik, Leonid Schwarzmann
  • Patent number: 8080207
    Abstract: A reactor vessel system includes a reactor vessel including a first port in fluid communication with an interior of the reactor vessel and an outlet port connected in fluid communication with the interior of the reactor vessel. A base supports the reactor vessel. A first coil of tubing is connected in fluid communication with the first port and disposed around a perimeter of the reactor vessel. A method of operating a reactor vessel system includes providing a reactor vessel including a first port in fluid communication with an interior of the reactor vessel and an outlet port connected in fluid communication with the interior of the reactor vessel, providing a first coil of tubing connected in fluid communication with the first port and disposed around a perimeter of the reactor vessel, and flowing steam through the first coil and into the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Christopher H. Van Dyke, Edward T. McCullough
  • Patent number: 8048176
    Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell system, and a method of controlling the reformer. The reformer includes a cylindrical reforming catalyst; a burner disposed inside of the reforming catalyst and comprising a plurality of nozzles to direct flames at the reforming catalyst; a nozzle covering element to selectively cover a portion of each of the nozzles; a combustion fuel supply valve to change the amount of a combustion fuel that is supplied to the burner; and a controller that controls the nozzle covering units and the combustion supply valve. The method of controlling the reformer includes: moving the nozzle covering element to cover a decreasing portion of each of the nozzles in response to an increasing amount of the combustion fuel being supplied to the burner; and moving the nozzle covering element to cover a increasing portion of each of the nozzles in response to a decreasing amount of the combustion fuel supplied to the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-woo Lee, Tae-sang Park
  • Patent number: 8038957
    Abstract: A containment vessel having a spiral plate heat exchanger, a central catalyst chamber packed with particulate catalyst, a central heater, a plenum providing conductive flow access for a hydrocarbon-air mixture to and from the containment vessel interior, and essential flow pathways interconnecting the plenum section, heat exchanger, catalyst chamber and central heater. The spiral plate heat exchanger, catalyst chamber, and heater assembly occupy successively smaller annular regions within the containment vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: James M. Cleary
  • Patent number: 8003059
    Abstract: A system having a reactor for continuous processing of fluid is provided herein. The reactor, in general, includes an outer vessel to accommodate fluids to be processed or used in connection therewith, an inner vessel situated within the outer vessel to serve as an energy exchange surface, and an annular space defined between the outer and inner vessels and along which processing of the fluids can be implemented. The continuous thin film reactor can be used to perform, for example, distillation and evaporation, fluid-fluid or solid-fluid-fluid reactions, organic reactions, cooling, and desalination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: R3 Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Roshan J. J. Jachuck, Supriya Jachuck
  • Patent number: 7972572
    Abstract: A reactor vessel liner system includes a liner having a plurality of first conduits and a plurality of second conduits for conveying a coolant. The plurality of second conduits is located at least partially within corresponding ones of the plurality of first conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Fusselman, Stephen Arthur Yows, Bryan William McEnerney, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 7767156
    Abstract: A system for the control of the contents of a reactor which employs a control element of variable area containing flowing heat transfer fluid. The area available for the for the control of the contents of the reactor is controlled is changed by opening and closing a bank of conduits in a cascade and the conduits are opened and closed according to a temperature measurement device in the medium whose temperature is to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ashe Morris Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Ashe, David Charles Morris
  • Patent number: 7700053
    Abstract: A reforming device includes a reforming portion generating reformed gas from a mixed gas, in which fuel and steam are mixed and including a reforming portion loop-back channel provided at the reforming portion so as to extend along an axis line thereof, a combusting portion provided at an inner circumference of the reforming portion in order to generate combustion gas, a combustion gas channel including a loop-back channel within which the combustion gas flows, an evaporating portion generating steam by heating water and supply steam to the reforming portion; and a carbon monoxide reducing portion provided at an outer circumferential wall of the evaporating portion in order to reduce a level of carbon monoxide in the reformed gas that has been exhaled by the reforming portion, and in order to supply such reformed gas to a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Kuwaba
  • Patent number: 7687042
    Abstract: A reformer of a fuel cell system includes a heat source unit for generating heat, a reforming reaction unit for generating a reforming gas containing hydrogen from a fuel through a fuel reforming reaction using the heat, a carbon monoxide reducing unit connected to a reforming reaction unit to reduce a concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reforming gas, and a thermal treatment unit disposed outside the reforming reaction unit and the carbon monoxide reducing unit to adjust the thermal energy supplied to the reforming reaction unit and the carbon monoxide reducing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seong-Jin An, Ju-Yong Kim, Ho-Jin Kweon
  • Patent number: 7674933
    Abstract: A method for modernizing a urea production plant including a urea synthesis reactor, a stripping unit and at least one condensation unit. The method includes providing: means in the condensation unit for substantially condensing at least a portion of a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase leaving the stripping unit; a second stripping unit; means for feeding a first portion of a reaction mixture flow comprising urea, carbamate and free ammonia in aqueous solution leaving the reactor to the first stripping unit; means for feeding a second portion of the reaction mixture flow leaving the reactor to the second stripping unit; and means for feeding at least a portion of a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase leaving the second stripping unit directly to the synthesis reactor. A de-bottlenecking of the high-pressure section downstream of the synthesis reactor may be achieved, improving production capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventor: Federico Zardi
  • Patent number: 7645428
    Abstract: A reaction vessel which includes internally placed temperature controlling mixing baffles in which liquid is boiled, resulting in an isothermal heat sink. The energy of vaporization is supplied by the reaction vessel contents. The vapor produced by the boiling may be directed to channel coils which surround the outside of the reaction vessel wall. The channel coils contact the outside wall of the reaction vessel perpendicularly, and provide mechanical support for the reaction vessel. The mechanical support from the channel coils allows for a decrease in the thickness of the reaction vessel wall and corresponding increased heat transfer efficiency between the channel coil contents and the reaction vessel contents. The entire above described apparatus is enclosed within an evacuated shell to provide additional insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: José P. Arencibia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7635456
    Abstract: A syngas reforming reactor has a shell-and-tube configuration wherein the shell-side fluid flow path through the tube bundle has a longitudinal configuration. The reactor can include a shell-side inlet fluid distributor plate below the lower end of the tube bundle, and a flow sleeve in an enlarged-diameter discharge annulus at an upper end adjacent the tube sheet to prevent short-circuiting of the shell-side fluid into the shell-side fluid outlet. The tube bundle can include a plurality of ring baffles and lattice baffles. The longitudinal flow configuration can provide a lower shell-side pressure drop and lower cost compared to a conventional cross-flow reforming exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Robert Stevens Burlingame, Lloyd Edward Cizmar, Larry Gene Hackemesser, Laura Beth Aguilar
  • Patent number: 7517507
    Abstract: The steam reformer has a double-cylinder structure having an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder contains a high-temperature reaction section and an adjacent section being adjacent to the high-temperature reaction section. The high-temperature reaction section contains a mixed-catalyst bed prepared by mixing a steam reforming catalyst and an oxidation catalyst, and an oxygen-containing gas introduction section. A heat transfer suppresser is structured to suppress heat transfer from the high-temperature reaction section to the adjacent section or to the oxygen-containing gas introduction section. With the heat-transfer suppressor, the thermal diffusion from the high-temperature reaction section to peripheral area is effectively suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: T.RAD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuwabara, Yoshio Tomizawa, Jun Ono, Yasushi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7497881
    Abstract: A heat exchanger design is provided for optimal transfer of thermal energy between a primary reactor-out reformate and a primary reactor-in steam and air. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a prime-surface true counter axial flow heat exchanger positioned around the primary reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Burch, Matthew J. Beutel, Kevin Stukey
  • Patent number: 7445647
    Abstract: A method for making fuel cells is disclosed and includes placing catalyst strips on an anode side and a cathode side of a proton exchange membrane disposed between carbon bases. The method includes metalizing at least two collectors, and drilling a plurality of paths through the body portions to form a first and second metalized collectors, which are placed on opposite sides of the proton exchange membrane to form a membrane electrode assembly. The metalized collectors are connected to form an electrical circuit for operating the fuel cell. A flexible fuel plenum and a flexible oxidant plenum are disposed on opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel manifold and an oxidant manifold of a sealable two-part housing engage the membrane electrode assembly to provide oxidant to the flexible oxidant plenum and fuel to the flexible fuel plenum forming an operational singe unit fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hydra Fuel Cell Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Lee Davis, Benjamin Franklin Schafer
  • Patent number: 7338644
    Abstract: A compact fuel processor for converting a hydro-carbonaceous fuel into hydrogen and carbon dioxide having in series a hydrocarbon conversion zone for converting the hydro-carbonaceous fuel into a product gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, a water-gas shift reaction zone containing a catalyst suitable for the water-gas shift conversion reaction, an auxiliary water-gas shift reaction zone containing a catalyst suitable for the water-gas shift conversion reaction, and a carbon monoxide removal zone. The invention further relates to a fuel cell system having such a fuel processor and a fuel cell and to the use of such a fuel processor or such a fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Sevenhuijsen, Hendrik Martinus Wentinck
  • Patent number: 7273593
    Abstract: A reactor including a bundle of catalyst tubes through which a reaction mixture is passed, and wherein a heat exchange medium is passed through a space surrounding the catalyst tubes and including ring lines at both reactor ends with jacket orifices for feeding in and removing the heat exchange medium by at least one pump. The heat exchange medium is fed to the upper ring line and is sucked in via the lower ring line by the at least one pump having at least one vertical pump shaft mounted and operated at its upper end. The at least one pump includes a diagonal rotor and a restrictor gap in the longitudinal direction of the at least one pump shaft, within the heat exchange medium, on the pressure side of the at least one pump for sealing and mounting the at least one pump shaft and reducing axial shear of the diagonal rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Olbert, Franz Corr
  • Patent number: 7217304
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanged membrane reactor for electric power generation. More specifically, the invention comprises a membrane reactor system that employs catalytic or thermal steam reforming and a water gas shift reaction on one side of the membrane, and hydrogen combustion on the other side of the membrane. Heat of combustion is exchanged through the membrane to heat the hydrocarbon fuel and provide heat for the reforming reaction. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is combusted with compressed air to power a turbine to produce electricity. A carbon dioxide product stream is produced in inherently separated form and at pressure to facilitate injection of the CO2 into a well for the purpose of sequestering carbon from the earth's atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, John W. Fulton, Jeffrey M. Grenda, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 7166139
    Abstract: A reformer which enables rapid load changes of up to 100% within a few seconds and is intended to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbons by steam reformation, comprises an evaporator cooler for cooling the reformate and for generating steam. The evaporator cooler is disposed in the reformer, on the end of its reaction vessel. It keeps the applicable end of the tube cool and uses the waste heat of the reformate for generating steam. This makes fast load changes possible, because an increase in the introduction of water immediately causes an increase in the reformate produced and thus an increase in the heat output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: WS Reformer GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim A. Wunning
  • Patent number: 7135154
    Abstract: A reactor module for use in a compact fuel processor having a module inlet for receiving a feed stream, a module outlet for producing an effluent stream, a reactor having a reactor inlet, a reactor outlet, and catalyst, an inlet spiral passage in fluid communication with the module inlet to the reactor inlet, and an outlet spiral passage in fluid communication with the reactor outlet to the module outlet. Such a design provides for the feed stream to be introduced to the module inlet, where it then passes through the inlet spiral passage, and is heated by hot reactor product passing through the outlet spiral passage. The reactor may be any type of fixed bed exothermic containing supported catalyst particles or the reactor bed may be a monolith with catalytic material coated on to the surface of the structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Vijay A. Deshpande
  • Patent number: 7067088
    Abstract: A polymerization reactor for exothermic liquid phase reactions comprises a reaction zone which is divided into a plurality of channels by thermally conductive heat transfer fins which are conductively mounted on one or more heat pipes for the removal of heat of reaction from reactants and reaction products flowing between the heat transfer fins. The reactor of the invention is capable of maintaining essentially isothermal conditions without the use of complicated and maintenance intensive agitators. The reactor is particularly useful when viscosity of the reactants and/or reaction products is high, when the reaction conducted has a fast reaction rate and when consistent polymer properties are desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Vinh N. Le
  • Patent number: 7063821
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing molybdenum carbide from a precursor material includes a supply of process gas and a furnace defining at least a first heating zone and a second heating zone. The furnace heats the first heating zone to a first temperature and the second heating zone to a second temperature. The second temperature is at least about 100° C. hotter than the first temperature. A transfer system operatively associated with the furnace and the supply of process gas moves the precursor material through the first and second heating zones and in the presence of the process gas to form molybdenum carbide (MoC and Mo2C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Cyprus Amax Minerals Company
    Inventors: Mohamed H. Khan, Joel A. Taube
  • Patent number: 7037473
    Abstract: An appliance for the gasification of carbon- and ash-containing fuel, residual and waste materials using an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent at temperatures above the melting point of the inorganic fractions, in a reaction chamber which is designed as an entrained-bed reactor, at pressures between atmospheric pressure and 80 bar, preferably between atmospheric pressure and 30 bar, the contour of the reaction chamber being delimited by a cooled reactor wall. The cooled reactor wall having the following structure, from the outside inward: a pressure shell, a cooling wall, a water-cooled gap between the pressure shell and the cooling wall, a ceramic protection for the cooling wall, and a layer of slag. The pressure and temperature of the cooling gap between the pressure shell and the cooling wall is controlled in such a way that it can be operated above and below the boiling point of the cooling water. The pressure in the cooling gap is higher than the pressure in the gasification chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Future Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Donner, Dietmar Degenkolb, Manfred Schingnitz
  • Patent number: 7008460
    Abstract: Process for the production of thermally converted light products from residual feedstock and electricity from syngas obtained from thermal conversion residue as feedstock, in which process flue gas exiting from the electricity producing unit is fed through a heat recovery unit providing at least part of the heat required in the thermal conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jacobus Henricus Gerardus Beurskens, Johannes Didericus De Graaf, Anthony Malcolm Rigby
  • Patent number: 6986797
    Abstract: An auxiliary reactor for use with a reformer reactor having at least one reaction zone, and including a burner for burning fuel and creating a heated auxiliary reactor gas stream, and heat exchanger for transferring heat from auxiliary reactor gas stream and heat transfer medium, preferably two-phase water, to reformer reaction zone. Auxiliary reactor may include first cylindrical wall defining a chamber for burning fuel and creating a heated auxiliary reactor gas stream, the chamber having an inlet end, an outlet end, a second cylindrical wall surrounding first wall and a second annular chamber there between. The reactor being configured so heated auxiliary reactor gas flows out the outlet end and into and through second annular chamber and conduit which is disposed in second annular chamber, the conduit adapted to carry heat transfer medium and being connectable to reformer reaction zone for additional heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Clawson, Matthew H. Dorson, William L. Mitchell, Brian J. Nowicki, Jeffrey M. Bentley, Robert Davis, Jennifer W. Rumsey
  • Patent number: 6955793
    Abstract: A reaction vessel which includes internally placed temperature controlling mixing baffles in which liquid is boiled, resulting in an isothermal heat sink. The energy of vaporization is supplied by the reaction vessel contents. The vapor produced by the boiling is directed to channel coils which surround the outside of the reaction vessel wall. The channel coils contact the outside wall of the reaction vessel perpendicularly, and provide mechanical support for the reaction vessel. The mechanical support from the channel coils allows for a decrease in the thickness of the reaction vessel wall and corresponding increased heat transfer efficiency between the channel coil contents and the reaction vessel contents. The entire above described apparatus is enclosed within an evacuated shell to provide additional insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: José P. Arencibia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6939521
    Abstract: A reactor for fluorinating an organic compound comprising (a) an outer vessel; (b) a reactor vessel being disposed within said outer vessel to define an annular space, said reactor vessel at least partially comprising a fluoropolymer, said annular space being adapted to receive a fluid; (c) at least one pathway for introducing said heating fluid into said annular space; (d) at least one pathway for inputing reaction materials into said reactor vessel; and (e) at least one pathway for ouputing a product stream from said reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yuon Chiu, William James Hague
  • Patent number: 6911185
    Abstract: A fluidized-bed reactor for the oxychlorination of ethylene, oxygen and HCL, comprises a heat exchanger, having tube packets in the fluidized-bed for releasing the heat evolved from exothermic reaction to a heat-transfer medium in the tube packets, in particular to water/steam. The tube packets come into contact with water via a ring pipe and the steam being removed via a ring pipe to provide an economical solution with which expensive drilled passages are avoided, the calculation for ring pipes is facilitated and a large number of wall passages is dispensed with. This is achieved by the ring pipe being mounted as a collector or chamber directly on the reactor wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Krupp Unde GmbH
    Inventor: Harmut Schön
  • Patent number: 6830596
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanged membrane reactor for electric power generation. More specifically, the invention comprises a membrane reactor system that employs catalytic or thermal steam reforming and a water gas shift reaction on one side of the membrane, and hydrogen combustion on the other side of the membrane. Heat of combustion is exchanged through the membrane to heat the hydrocarbon fuel and provide heat for the reforming reaction. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is combusted with compressed air to power a turbine to produce electricity. A carbon dioxide product stream is produced in inherently separated form and at pressure to facilitate injection of the CO2 into a well for the purpose of sequestering carbon from the earth's atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, John W. Fulton, Jeffrey M. Grenda, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: RE39675
    Abstract: This reforming apparatus is provided with a raw material reforming unit including a heat source for generating heat when a fuel gas is burnt and adapted to reaction heat directly from the heat source, steam-reform a material, and produce a reformed gas containing hydrogen as a main component, a shift reaction unit for reducing by a water shift reaction the amount of CO contained in the reformed gas produced in the raw material reforming unit, a CO oxidation unit adapted to further reduce the amount of CO contained in the reformed gas after the process in the shift reaction unit, by oxidizing the same. These units are united as independent units. These raw material reforming unit, shift reaction unit and CO oxidation unit are arranged so that the shift reaction unit and the CO oxidation unit are indirectly heated by the heat transmitted from the heat source of the raw material reforming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kudo, Noriyuki Yamaga, Mikio Shinagawa