Steam Injected Patents (Class 48/105)
  • Publication number: 20140259924
    Abstract: Methods and systems for gasifier system are provided. The system includes a two-stage particulate separator having a side draw-off connector configured as a first virtual impactor, the first virtual impactor configured to separate a substantially particulate free flow of a reaction product from a particulate laden flow of the reaction product. The two-stage particulate separator also includes a transfer line coupled downstream of said draw-off connector, a second virtual impactor coupled downstream of the transfer line, and a quench chamber coupled downstream from the second virtual impactor, such that the quench chamber is configured to receive at least the particulate laden flow of the reaction product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20140223822
    Abstract: A method and system for producing synthesis gas comprising CO, CO2, and H2 from a carbonaceous stream using an oxygen containing stream. A stream containing a carbonaceous material, and a stream containing oxygen are injected into a gasification reactor, where the carbonaceous stream is partially oxidised to obtain a raw synthesis gas. The raw synthesis gas is removed from the gasification reactor and directed into a quenching section wherein a liquid, preferably water, is injected in the form of a mist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert Erwin VAN DEN BERG, Franciscus Gerardus VAN DONGEN, Thomas Paul VON KOSSAK-GLOWCZEWSKI, Hendrik Jan VAN DER PLOEG, Pieter Lammert ZUIDEVELD
  • Patent number: 8690976
    Abstract: A fuel reformer is provided that is capable of improving endurance and performance. The fuel reformer includes a first burner having a first-burner first end, a first-burner second end, and a first opening formed in the first-burner first end; a second burner surrounding the first burner and having a second-burner second end, a second-burner second end, and a second opening in the second-burner first end, wherein the second-burner second end is coupled to the first-burner second end to communicate a fluid. The reforming reactor is configured to generate heat from the first and second burners, and has a fuel supply including a nozzle unit in the first burner and supplies a second oxidation fuel from the outside to the first burner. A first oxidation fuel is introduced into the first opening and flows through the first burner in a first direction and flows through the second burner in a third direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-Hyuk Son
  • Publication number: 20130174485
    Abstract: A reforming process and apparatus exhibiting improved catalyst longevity towards reforming a high sulfur-containing liquid fuel. The process involves contacting in a first reforming zone a first oxidant and a liquid fuel containing high molecular weight organosulfur compounds with a partial oxidation catalyst under CPDX reaction conditions to form a first reformate stream containing a mixture of unconverted and partially-converted hydrocarbons and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds; and then contacting in a second reforming zone the first reformate stream with steam and optionally a second oxidant in the presence of an autothermal reforming catalyst under ATR reaction conditions to form a second reformate stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds. The low molecular weight sulfur compounds can be readily removed from the first and/or second reformate streams by gas phase adsorption methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Precision Combusion Inc.
    Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Christian Junaedi, Saurabh Vilekar, Dennis E. Walsh
  • Patent number: 8480769
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method. The cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method involve a chamber having a first portion proximal to a first end and a second portion proximal to a second end, introducing a first fuel to the first portion of the chamber, introducing a second fuel to the chamber; and introducing a first oxidant to accelerate the velocity of the first fuel and swirl the first fuel from the first portion toward the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Daniel D'Agostini
  • Patent number: 8404008
    Abstract: A system for reforming diesel fuel into hydrogen including feeds for water and diesel fuel, a supercritical water (SCW) reactor in fluid communication with the water feed and the diesel fuel, at least one pre-heater in thermal communication with the water feed, the diesel fuel feed that is configured to heat water from the water feed and diesel fuel from the diesel fuel feed to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the critical temperature of water before the water and the diesel fuel are mixed, a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor, and a hydrogen capturing system, where the SCW reactor reforms the diesel fuel into a synthesis gas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and outputs the synthesis gas, the synthesis gas output by the SCW reactor is fed into the WGS reactor which converts the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydrogen and outputs an output gas including a higher percentage of hydrogen to carbon monoxide compared to the synthesis gas, and the hydrogen in the output ga
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Wootton, Sunggyu Lee, Asdrubal Garcia-Ortiz
  • Patent number: 8038743
    Abstract: A supercritical water reformer (SCWR) and methods for using supercritical water to convert hydrocarbons, particularly hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel fuel or gasoline, into carbonaceous gases and hydrogen. The synthesis gas stream generated by the fuel reforming reaction can then be further refined to increase hydrogen content, and the resultant hydrogen can be utilized to power fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Wootton, Sunggyu Lee, Asdrubal Garcia-Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7998226
    Abstract: An appliance is provided having a waste receptor module and an energy generation module for converting household waste into energy. The receptor module has a rotary drum with an opening for receiving the household waste and a steam reforming means for converting the waste into synthesis gas. A swing arm is attached adjacent to the opening in the rotary drum and a sealing door is mounted on the swing arm for sealing the opening when the waste receptor module is in operation. An outer door is used to cover the sealing door. The steam reforming means includes a tube mounted within the rotary drum for receiving the volatilized organic waste and an internal heater for heating the organic waste to temperatures to convert the waste into the synthesis gas. The energy generation module has an inlet in fluid communication with the waste receptor module for receiving the synthesis gas and a fuel cell for converting the synthesis gas into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Terry R. Galloway
  • Publication number: 20100319253
    Abstract: A process for refining raw materials containing oil and/or bitumen includes supplying water and the raw materials to an expulsion stage and/or an expulsion stage and a downstream gasification stage to obtain solids containing non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons and to expel hydrocarbonaceous vapour. The expelled hydrocarbonaceous vapour is supplied to a processing stage and is further processed to expel hydrocarbonaceous vapour to obtain processing stage products which are separated and withdrawn. The solids from the expulsion stage and/or the expulsion stage and the downstream gasification stage are introduced into a combustion stage. The non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons are burned in the combustion stage to obtain hot solids which are recirculated from the combustion stage into the expulsion stage and/or the downstream gasification stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventor: Erwin Schmidbauer
  • Patent number: 7621973
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a gasifier having a partial moderator bypass are provided. The gasifier includes a partial oxidation reactor including an inlet and an outlet and a primary reaction zone extending therebetween, the partial oxidation reactor configured to direct a flow of products of partial oxidation including fuel gases, gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation, and unburned carbon, and a secondary reaction chamber coupled in flow communication with the partial oxidation reactor, the secondary reaction chamber is configured to mix a flow of moderator with the flow of gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation and unburned carbon such that a concentration of fuel gases is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul Steven Wallace
  • Patent number: 7487601
    Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: EarthRenew, Inc.
    Inventors: Christianne Carin, Christianne Carin, legal representative, Alvin W. Fedkenheuer, John S. Jonasson, Alexander Starosud, Brian N. Gorbell
  • Patent number: 7070633
    Abstract: The present invention improves the start-up characteristics of a fuel gas generating apparatus for a fuel cell comprising a reformer. In a fuel gas generating apparatus 1 for a fuel cell comprising a vaporizer 22 that generates a fuel vapor by vaporizing a raw liquid fuel, a reformer 11 that generates a reforming gas that includes hydrogen from the raw fuel gas that has been partially oxidized by adding reforming air to the fuel vapor generated by the vaporizer 22, and a CO eliminator 13 that generates a fuel gas having carbon monoxide eliminated by adding a CO eliminating air to the reforming gas generated by the reformer 11, the supplied amount of the reforming air during the warm-up of the fuel gas generating apparatus for a fuel cell is larger than the supplied amount of reforming air during idle operation after completion of the warm-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hikaru Okada, Yasunori Kotani, Atsushi Sakuma
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040172877
    Abstract: A reformer (2) which enables rapid load changes of up to 100% within a few seconds, and which is intended to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbons by steam reformation, has an evaporator cooler for cooling the reformate and for generating steam. The evaporator cooler (34) is disposed in the reformer (2), 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Joachim A. Wunning
  • Publication number: 20040163313
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus includes controls for delivering a feedstock to a reactor and a water gas step membrane reactor operating at a lower temperature than the reactor so as to efficiently produce purified hydrogen and manage heat within the apparatus. Catalytic combustion of feedstock in the presence of a combustible gas based on a computer controller facilitates operation. Flat plate heat exchangers in various configurations are contemplated as a reactor, water gas step membrane reactor, and purifier. Catalytic burning of feedstock in the presence of a combustible gas enhances apparatus efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Buxbaum
  • Publication number: 20040093797
    Abstract: A reactor vessel for the catalytic reforming of air and steam-fuel mix into a hydrogen rich output gas is designed to relevant pressure code requirements. The steam-fuel mix and/or air provided to the vessel may be internally pre-heated prior to contacting the catalyst. Reformate is selectively directed into a recuperator to accomplish such heating. A bypass valve to divert reformate around the recuperator is also provided to allow control of the reaction conditions. Notably, this control may be performed manually or by way of an automated system. The resulting vessel enhances the safety and performance of the vessel, and it is more easily integrated into a complete fuel processor system. A method for achieving these goals is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Billy E. Bingham, Ray L. Sullivan, Stephen W. Scoles, Mark A. Perna, Andrew F. Kisik
  • Publication number: 20030140559
    Abstract: A method serves for the pyrolysis and gasification of substance mixtures containing organic constituents. The organic substances (4) or the substance mixture containing the organic constituents are brought into contact with a heat transfer medium, for preference the ash (5) from a combustion reactor (2) in a pyrolysis reactor (1), for preference a shaft reactor and pyrolysed. The pyrolysis coke (10) derived from the pyrolysis is combusted in a combustion reactor (2), for preference a fluidised bed reactor, under the admission of air (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Krumm, Gunter Funk, Stefan Hamel, Christian Mertens
  • Patent number: 6039774
    Abstract: A self-sustaining system for converting organic waste feedstreams into usable solid and gas end products includes a plurality of interconnected retorts, an apparatus for flash pyrolyzing the feedstream to form intermediate gas and solid products, a source for introducing a water spray to refine and cool the intermediate products, a device for separating the gas product from the solid product and a device for regenerating, and thereby further refining, the solid product. In a self-sustaining process, wastes which would otherwise be landfilled are converted to an activated carbon product and a combustible gas mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and lower hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventors: Frederick G. McMullen, Dillon G. McMullen, Roger B. McMullen
  • Patent number: 5096674
    Abstract: An endothermic reaction apparatus for converting a raw gas, or a feed gas, into a reaction gas or a produced gas, under the influence of an endothermic reaction catalyst includes a reaction tube having a pair of inner and outer vertical tubular spaces which are separated by a vertical partition wall and communicate with each other at their lower ends. The endothermic reaction catalyst is disposed in the inner and outer tubular spaces to form a continuous catalyst structure. The catalyst structure has an inlet portion for introducing the raw gas into the catalyst structure and an outlet portion for discharging the reaction gas from the catalyst structure. The inlet and outlet portions of the catalyst structure are disposed generally at the same level. A burner is disposed inwardly of the inner tubular space for heating the catalyst structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Shingai
  • Patent number: 5002481
    Abstract: Production of oxides of nitrogen during combustion of liquid fuel can be reduced by burning at relatively low temperatures of about 1400.degree. C., by first producing a special combustible gaseous mixture of superheated steam, fuel vapor, and combustion air. Water is fed (9) to the apparatus in quantities of about 2 to 4 parts for each part of fuel (10). Then the fuel is vaporized (8) in a stream of the superheated steam. This avoids fuel cracking and formation of long-chain hydrocarbons. Preheated air (13,14,15) is added (17) in slightly over stoichiometric proportions. The resulting mixture is burned (2) and the hot effluent is used to heat the evaporator (6,7,8) and the air preheating chamber (15), with a bypass (20) equipped with a throttle (22) being used for regulation of evaporator temperature. For start-up, an external hot air source (23) or electric heat (24) can be used. The remaining heat in the effluent can be captured in a conventional heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Forster
  • Patent number: 4673413
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating carbonaceous material, e.g. waste oil by effecting the gasification thereof to produce a relatively high BTU content gas to supplement or substitute for natural gas. This is attained by a furnace in which the products of combustion are utilized to separately generate steam and to preheat a supply of carbonaceous material which may be mixed with water. The generated steam is mixed with the preheated carbonaceous material and passed through a premixing and/or a primary dynamic mixer wherein the preheated carbonaceous material and steam mixture is further heated to a temperature ranging between 1600.degree.-1800.degree. F. to effect a partial gasification of the carbonaceous material. The partially gasified material is thereafter directed through one or more secondary dynamic mixing chambers to be further heated in the presence of additional steam to complete the gasification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Inventor: William A. Strong