Apparatus For Converting Or Treating Hydrocarbon Gas Patents (Class 48/127.9)
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Patent number: 8882863Abstract: A fuel reformulation system for an engine comprising an annular body for a flow of fluids therethrough connected to the engine, a source of fuel for flowing through at least a portion of the annular body, and a catalytic member connected to the annular body for the flow of any fluids thereacross from the annular body.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Dean Modroukas, Jason S. Tyll, John C. Leylegian, Florin Girlea, Richard Perlman
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Patent number: 8864857Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas from a replaceable aluminum pack comprising an aluminum and hydride mixture encased in a breathable membrane that is raised and lowered into a fluid contained within an enclosed tank wherein contact with the fluid releases hydrogen gas from the aluminum. A pressure transducer and microprocessor chip are provided for monitoring and regulating the rate of hydrogen production by engaging and disengaging a reversible motor that raises and lowers an inner tray on which the aluminum pack resides accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Inventor: Harlo Mayne
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Patent number: 8864855Abstract: Portable hydrogen generators are disclosed. In the various embodiments, the generator may include a chamber configured to endothermically decompose a material positioned within the chamber to generate hydrogen gas. A heater may be in thermal communication with the material to stimulate a release of the hydrogen gas. An electrical power source may be controllably coupled to the heater, so that electrical power delivered to the heater may be controlled in response to at least one detected property of the hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Societe BICInventor: Joerg Zimmermann
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Patent number: 8858661Abstract: A gasification system reduces volume of a bulky carbonaceous feedstock by pyrolysis to bring about a significant reduction in volume. The system includes a pyrolysis chamber, a reformer, a syngas burner, and a syngas storage tank. Flue gas is provided from the chamber to the reformer. Hot gases are introduced to the reformer from the syngas burner. The pyrolysis reaction occurs in the reformer to produce syngas of at least 1200° C. Some of the produced syngas is used to heat the pyrolysis chamber and the rest returns to the reformer with the flue gas. The syngas burner is situated horizontally at the bottom of the reformer, while the pyrolysis chamber is situated vertically at the top of the reformer. The reformer is inclined relative to each of the syngas burner and the pyrolysis chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Inventor: Hyun Yong Kim
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Patent number: 8845770Abstract: A gasification system including a gasifier, a feed injector, and a fuel feed system that includes a first feed line, a second feed line, and a controller that includes a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the first feed line to supply a fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to supply oxygen into the feed injector, receive instructions to add a slurry to the gasifier, prevent the first feed line from supplying the fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the first feed line to supply the slurry into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to simultaneously supply the oxygen and the inert gas into the feed injector, and prevent the second feed line from supplying the inert gas into the feed injector.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronald Frederick Tyree, Huan Van Ho
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Patent number: 8840690Abstract: A gasification reactor including a gasifier with a tubular gastight wall arranged within a pressure vessel. The tubular gastight wall is provided with one or more pressure relief passages sealed by a rupture element. The pressure relief passages can be provided with a cooled section, such as a double walled section confining a coolant channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
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Patent number: 8834585Abstract: A hydrogen generating device is adapted for a fuel cell. The hydrogen generating device includes a casing, a button, a solid reactant, a bag-shaped body, and at least one flexible element. The casing has a containing space and an opening. The button is integrally formed and connected to the casing to seal the opening. The solid reactant is disposed in the casing. The bag-shaped body is disposed in the casing and contains a liquid reactant. The flexible element is connected to the casing and is located in the containing space. The flexible element includes a bending end, wherein the flexible element is aligned to the button and is located between the button and the bag-shaped body. When the button is pressed, the button pushes the flexible element so the bending end pierces the bag-shaped body, and the liquid reactant flows out and reacts with the solid reactant to generate hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Lin, Hsuan-Yi Lu
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Publication number: 20140250785Abstract: A system is set forth for the exothermic generation of soot depleted syngas comprising (i) reacting a hydrocarbon-containing fuel with an oxygen containing gas in a first reactor to produce the syngas and byproducts comprising CO2, H2O and soot; and (ii) introducing the syngas and byproducts into a second reactor containing a non-carbonaceous material that traps the soot for a sufficient time such that the majority of the byproduct soot is gasified via reaction with the byproduct CO2 and/or H2O to produce a syngas stream that is depleted in the soot. The system is particularly suitable for the practice of heat exchange reforming therein a portion of the heat is recovered from the soot depleted syngas stream and used as at least a portion of the heat to facilitate the additional production of syngas via the (endothermic) catalytic reforming of natural gas and steam.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventors: William Robert Licht, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng, John Michael Repasky
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Patent number: 8828109Abstract: A method of assembling a gasification reactor includes extending an injection device at least partially into the gasification reactor. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip and at least one outer surface. The modular tip includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method further includes forming at least one layer of insulation about at least a portion of the at least one outer surface to facilitate insulating at least a portion of the injection device from heat within the gasification reactor.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter, Constantin Bugescu, Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
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Hydrogen generating element, hydrogen generation device, power generation device, and driving device
Patent number: 8821601Abstract: A hydrogen generating element which can supply hydrogen efficiently and stably, is safe, and has low environmental load is provided. Further, a hydrogen generation device to which the hydrogen generating element is applied is provided. Furthermore, a power generation device and a driving device to each of which the hydrogen generation device is applied are provided. A hydrogen generating element in which a needle-like or dome-like silicon microstructure is formed over a base may be used and reacted with water, whereby hydrogen is efficiently generated. The hydrogen generating element may be applied to a hydrogen generation device. The hydrogen generation device may be applied to a power generation device and a driving device.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomokazu Yokoi, Shuhei Yoshitomi, Kensuke Yoshizumi -
Patent number: 8808411Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a high-purity gas. The process includes an interrelationship among at least four bath vessels, each of which has a molten metal bath. In one embodiment, the process generally includes adding a gas stream into a first bath vessel and then removing that gas stream to introduce it into a third bath vessel. The third bath gas stream is removed to ultimately obtain hydrogen. Steam is added to a fourth bath vessel to ultimately produce additional hydrogen. One or more gas streams produced in the third and/or fourth bath vessels are added to a second bath vessel to ultimately result in production of methane or carbon monoxide.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
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Patent number: 8801813Abstract: A gasification apparatus for solid fuel, especially an apparatus for producing syngas by pressurized gasification of coal powder, including a gasification chamber (II) and a syngas cooling and purification chamber (III). The inner wall of the gasification chamber is a water-cooling wall (4). The inner side of the water-cooled wall is evenly coated with a layer of fire-resistant material (16). There is an annular cavity between the water-cooling wall of the gasification chamber and the furnace body. A syngas quencher, a vertical pipe (22), a gas distribution device (24), a defoaming device, and a dewatering and deashing device (21) are provided in the syngas cooling and purification chamber. The apparatus has a simple structure and is easy to operate. A high temperature gasification method for dry powder of carbonaceous material comprises spraying the combustible material and oxygen into the furnace and followed by ignition.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Changzheng Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhengtao Lu, Mingkun Wang, Congbin Jiang, Wei Xin, Ruiheng Gao, Honghai Li
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Patent number: 8801814Abstract: A process for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in a reactor, in which a stream comprising the hydrocarbon and a stream comprising the oxygen are fed to the reactor, wherein both streams fed to the reactor are conducted within the reactor separately through in each case one or more spatially separate lines, these lines having turbulence generators in their interior, owing to which, as a result of the imposed deflection of the flow direction downstream of turbulence generators, a highly turbulent flow field forms, and the streams are then mixed in a mixing zone after exiting from the lines and then converted in a reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Dirk Grossschmidt, Maximilian Vicari, Christian Weichert, Hans Zapf, Andreas Joa, Ravindra Aglave, Jens Denecke
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Patent number: 8784516Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock and water vapor comprising: A stage for the production of a synthetic gas in a vapor reforming unit of the hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of water vapor, with a fuel that provides the heat that is necessary to the reaction, A stage for conversion to vapor of the synthetic gas that is obtained in the preceding stage producing a hydrogen stream that contains methane and carbon dioxide, A stage for recovering carbon dioxide that is present in the stream that is obtained in the stage for conversion to vapor, making it possible to separate the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen stream, A stage for recovery and recycling to the vapor reforming stage of impurities that are present in the hydrogen stream, comprising a decompression phase.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: IFP Energies NouvellesInventors: Beatrice Fischer, Fabrice Giroudiere, Jean-Louis Ambrosino, Michel Thomas
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Patent number: 8784515Abstract: A process of catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon fuel with an oxidant to produce partially-oxidized reaction products including hydrogen, with simultaneous in-situ coke removal. The process involves feeding a hydrocarbon fuel and an oxidant to a reactor in a fuel-rich feed ratio; reacting the fuel and oxidant for a fuel-rich cycle-time so as to produce a partially-oxidized reaction product; varying the fuel feed, or the oxidant feed, or both feeds to produce a fuel-lean feed to the reactor; maintaining the fuel-lean feed for a fuel-lean cycle-time sufficient to reduce coke deposits while maintaining a substantially constant yield of partially-oxidized reaction product; and alternating between the fuel-rich and fuel-lean operating cycles.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignees: Precision Combustion, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, David Spence, Jun Iwamoto, Go Motohashi
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Patent number: 8769961Abstract: Methods include producing a hydrogen rich fuel gas for a gas turbine ballasted with nitrogen and steam and superheated to a temperature above its dew point. The fuel gas may have a minimal or reduced content of CO2 or fuel components CO and CH4 which contain carbon so that when combusted in a suitable gas turbine there may be minimal or reduced emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere. These methods may result in a capture of the bulk of the carbon present in the total natural gas feed as CO2 compressed to pipeline delivery pressure for sequestration.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: GTLpetrol LLCInventor: Rodney J. Allam
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Patent number: 8764859Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a reaction chamber having a first reactant, a reservoir having an optional second reactant, and a self-regulated flow control device. The self-regulated flow control device stops the flow of reactant from the reservoir to the reaction chamber when the pressure of the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined level. Methods of operating the gas-generated apparatus and the self-regulated flow control device, including the cycling of a shut-off valve of the gas-generated apparatus and the cycling of the self-regulated flow control device are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Constance R. Stepan
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Patent number: 8764860Abstract: A system includes a gasification vessel configured to receive a fuel and an oxidizer. The system also includes a gasifier disposed in the gasification vessel. The gasifier is configured to partially oxidize the fuel and the oxidizer to generate a syngas. The system further includes a convective syngas cooler configured to cool the syngas via heat exchange with a coolant. The convective syngas cooler is disposed in an interior of the gasification vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Aaron John Avagliano, James Michael Storey
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Patent number: 8764856Abstract: The invention relates to a solid fuel decoupled fluidized bed gasifying method and a gasifying apparatus. By physically separately performing drying and pyrolyzing of fuel, gasification of char, and tar/hydrocarbon reforming, the interactions between the separated chemical reactions and physical processes during fluidized bed gasification can be utilized. Specifically, in a fluidized bed reactor having two reaction chambers, drying and pyrolyzing of fuel, gasification of char, and tar/hydrocarbon reforming are performed, respectively, the reforming of tar/hydrocarbon is promoted through the catalytic effect of the char, and the evaporated fuel moisture is provided to the char gasification and tar/hydrocarbon reforming as an effective reaction agent. Accordingly, the tar content in product gas can be reduced, the use amount of external steam can be reduced, the overall efficiency of gasification can be improved, and this technique can also be applied to the processing of high water-containing fuel.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: IHI CorporationInventors: Guangwen Xu, Xinhua Liu, Toshiyuki Suda, Toshiro Fujimori
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Patent number: 8747496Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream, comprises a mixing tube from which the combined fuel and oxidant stream is directed substantially axially into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber comprises a turn-around chamber and a turn-around wall at one end for re-directing the combined reactant stream, so that in the turn-around chamber the re-directed stream surrounds and is in contact with the combined reactant stream flowing substantially axially in the opposite direction. This design and opposing flow configuration creates a low velocity zone which stabilizes the location of a flame in the fuel processor and offers other advantages.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Westport Power Inc.Inventors: Jacobus Neels, Xuantian Li, Richard Allan Sederquist, Andre Boulet, William Allison Logan
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Patent number: 8747498Abstract: A hydrogen generator of the present invention includes a reformer (16) for generating a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction using a raw material; a combustor (102a) for heating the reformer (16); a combustion air supplier (117) for supplying combustion air to the combustor (102a); and an abnormality detector (110a) for detecting an abnormality; and a controller (110) configured to control the combustion air supplier (117) such that the reformer (16) is cooled with a higher rate in an abnormal shut-down process executed after the abnormality detector (110a) detects the abnormality, than in a normal shut-down process.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kiyoshi Taguchi, Takanori Shimada, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Yoshio Tamura, Shigeki Yasuda
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Patent number: 8747501Abstract: A fuel gasification system including a gasification furnace including a fluidized bed formed by fluidizing reactant gas for gasifying fuel charged into gasification gas and flammable solid content, a combustion furnace for combustion of the flammable solid content into which the flammable solid content produced in the furnace is introduced together with bed material and that includes a fluidized bed formed by fluidizing reactant gas, a material separator such as hot cyclone that separates bed material from exhaust gas introduced from the combustion furnace, the separated bed material being fed through a downcomer to the gasification furnace, and a tar decomposing mechanism that heats the gasification gas produced in the furnace to decompose tar contained in the gasification gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: IHI CorporationInventors: Takahiro Murakami, Koubun Kyo, Toshiyuki Suda
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Patent number: 8728202Abstract: Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: John Michael Repasky, Michael Francis Carolan, VanEric Edward Stein, Christopher Ming-Poh Chen
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Patent number: 8728181Abstract: The inventive stage system for producing hydrogen consists of at least two upstream/downstream stages, respectively, each of which comprises, optionally, a catalytic reactor (C1 to C5) followed by a separator comprising a space (E1 to E4) for circulation of a gaseous mixture contacting at least one oxygen extracting membrane and a hydrogen collecting space, wherein the reactor (C1) of the upstream stage is connected to a reaction gaseous mixture source, the circulation stage (E1) of the upstream stage separator is connected to the reactor (C2) of the downstream stage and the spaces for extracting/collecting oxygen from two separators are connected to a hydrogen collecting circuit (TC, 8) which is common for two stages.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne des Technologies de l'Hydrogene (C.E.T.H.)Inventors: Eric Gernot, Arnaud Deschamps
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Patent number: 8696773Abstract: In a reforming apparatus, for use in a fuel cell, for reforming a raw fuel into a hydrogen-rich reformed gas, a reformer generates the reformed gas from the raw fuel. A shift reactor reduces carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas through a shift reaction. A selective oxidation unit reduces the carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas that has passed through the shift reactor by performing selective oxidation on the carbon monoxide. A reforming reaction tube houses linearly the reformer, the shift reactor and the selective oxidation unit in this order.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy CorporationInventors: Akira Fuju, Masataka Kadowaki, Kazumi Kobayashi, Kazuaki Nakajima, Yasushi Sato, Ken Samura
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Patent number: 8696774Abstract: A system is provided that comprises a gasifier with an enclosure disposed about a chamber, wherein the enclosure comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall between the top and bottom walls. The gasifier also comprises an outlet disposed in the bottom wall, a first injector disposed in the top wall, and a second injector disposed in the side wall, wherein the first and second injectors are configured to inject fuel, oxygen, or a combination thereof, into the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Cliff Yi Guo
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Patent number: 8690972Abstract: A hydrogen production system (X1) according to the present invention includes a reforming apparatus (Y1) having a vaporizer (1) and a reforming reactor (2), and a PSA apparatus (5). In the vaporizer (1) a mixed material (hydrocarbon-based material, water, and oxygen) is heated and vaporized. In the reforming reactor (2), steam reforming reaction and partial oxidation reaction of the hydrocarbon-based material take place at a time, so that reformed gas (containing hydrogen) is led out from the vaporized mixed material. In the PSA apparatus (5), the reformed gas is introduced into an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbing agent, so that an unnecessary component in the gas is adsorbed by the adsorbing agent and hence hydrogen-rich gas is led out of the tower, while the unnecessary component is desorbed from the adsorbing agent, so that hydrogen-containing desorbed gas that contains the unnecessary component and hydrogen remaining in the tower is discharged out of the tower.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshinori Takata, Masanori Miyake, Toshihiko Sumida
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Patent number: 8690976Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: In-Hyuk Son
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Patent number: 8679205Abstract: There is provided a technique and an apparatus for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing gas. An oxygen-containing gas is mixed with a feed gas obtained by mixing steam with a hydrocarbon fuel, this mixture is introduced into a catalytic reaction chamber, and a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction are conducted to obtain a hydrogen-containing gas. In this reforming, an antechamber of the catalytic reaction chamber is heated up to a self-ignition temperature in a first catalyst section, where the self-ignition temperature is the temperature at which a mixed gas self-ignites during the advection period required for the mixed gas to move from a mixing chamber to the catalytic reaction chamber, with this temperature being at least a minimum partial-oxidation temperature and lower than a minimum steam reforming temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fuyuki Nogushi, Naoki Inoue, Kota Yokoyama
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Patent number: 8668752Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc.Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Patent number: 8668751Abstract: A system includes a first cross-flow filter configured to remove at least a first portion of a liquid from a fuel slurry to increase a concentration of a solid fuel in the fuel slurry. The system also includes a gasifier configured to generate a syngas from the fuel slurry.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anindra Mazumdar, Pradeep Stanley Thacker
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Patent number: 8663589Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering sulphur from a sour gas containing hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, comprising: oxidation of the sour gas, wherein a part of the hydrogen sulphide is oxidized to sulphur dioxide and water, reaction of the resulting sulphur dioxide with the residual hydrogen sulphide to elementary sulphur, and removal of elementary sulphur. According to the invention carbon dioxide and/or carbon dioxide generated by oxidation of the sour gas is compressed, and at least a part of the carbon dioxide is injected into an oil well. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plant suitable for performing the above method.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stephen Rhys Graville
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Publication number: 20140053465Abstract: A gasification furnace for gasifying a biomass resource in a manner producing a low quantity of tar. The gasification furnace (10) is provided with a punching plate (11) partitioning the furnace interior into upper and lower spaces; a biomass resource supply port (10a) for supplying the biomass resource over the punching plate (11); a first oxidizer supply port (10c) and a second oxidizer supply port (10d) for supplying an oxidizer into the furnace; a first oxidizer supply path supplying the oxidizer from the first oxidizer supply port (10c) from above towards below the punching plate (11); a second oxidizer supply path distributing and supplying to a plurality of locations within a predetermined area in the vicinity of the punching plate (11) from the second oxidizer supply port (10d); and a dry distillation gas output (10b) for discharging dry distillation gas generated by the pyrolysis and partial oxidation of the biomass resource on the punching plate (11) to the outside.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicants: ZE ENERGY INC.Inventor: Yasuharu Matsushita
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Patent number: 8636817Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc.Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Patent number: 8617265Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of hydrogen. The apparatus includes a hydrogen reactor chamber (99) and a plurality of catalysts within the chamber (99) forming distinct zones or portions (200, 202, and 204), each zone or portion comprising a distinct catalyst or combination thereof. The plurality of catalysts include at least one of a high-activity steam reformation catalyst, coke resistant steam reformation catalyst and steam reformation catalyst that promotes a water gas shift reaction.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Intelligent Energy, Inc.Inventor: Anand Chellappa
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Patent number: 8617269Abstract: A catalytic combustor and a fuel reformer having the same. The catalytic combustor includes a housing having a cylindrical reaction portion and a second reaction portion surrounding the first reaction portion in a double tube shape. The housing has a first opening for supplying a first fuel and an oxidant to the first reaction portion and a second opening through which an exhaust in the second reaction portion is discharged. The first and second openings are disposed at first sides of the first and second reaction portions, respectively. The first and second reaction portions are connected with each other so that the fluid is communicated with the first and second reaction portions at second sides of the first and second reaction portions. A catalyst is disposed in the first reaction portion, and a mesh layer is inserted into the second reaction portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: In-Hyuk Son, Woo-Cheol Shin, Jin-Goo Ahn, Jong-Rock Choi, Sung-Chul Lee
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Patent number: 8614364Abstract: A method for converting renewable energy source electricity and a hydrocarbon feedstock into a liquid fuel by providing a source of renewable electrical energy in communication with a synthesis gas generation unit and an air separation unit is described. Oxygen from the air separation unit and a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided to the synthesis gas generation unit, thereby causing partial oxidation reactions in the synthesis gas generation unit in a process that converts the hydrocarbon feedstock into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is then converted into a liquid fuel.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Inentec Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Jeffrey E. Surma, Leslie Bromberg
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Patent number: 8597385Abstract: Methods and a system for shielding cooling tubes in a radiant syngas cooler. The heat shields may prevent direct contact between heated syngas and the cooling tubes. The heat shield may be mounted to a header that also attaches to the cooling tubes. The heat shield may also be separated from the cooling tubes or, alternatively, the heat shield may be coated onto the cooling tubes. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to the heated syngas may corrode the heat shield.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Judeth Brannon Corry, James Michael Storey
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Patent number: 8591846Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sour gas rich in carbon dioxide in a Claus process, so sulfur compounds are removed by a selective solvent in a gas scrubbing process. Sulfur components and carbon dioxide, are separated into at least two sour gas fractions, wherein at least one sour gas fraction having a higher content of sulfur components is obtained, wherein the fraction having the highest hydrogen sulfide content is introduced in the thermal reaction stage of the Claus furnace with a gas containing oxygen by means of a burner. The sulfur is converted to sulfur dioxide in the thermal reaction stage of the Claus furnace and exhaust gases are discharged into the closed Claus reaction chamber behind the burner. The remaining sour gas fractions stripped of sulfur components are fed to the Claus reaction chamber and are mixed with the combustion gases leaving the burner.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Thyssenkrupp UHDE GmbHInventor: Johannes Menzel
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Patent number: 8591608Abstract: A gasifier includes a combustion zone where a gas is introduced and fuel is combusted and at least one sensor for measuring a predetermined condition in the gasifier. A grate subsystem contains the fuel and includes at least one grinding mechanism. A controller is responsive to the at least one sensor and controls the grinding mechanism by activating the grinding mechanism if the predetermined condition exists to reduce the collection of non-fuel products on the grate subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: MSW Power CorporationInventors: Matthew Young, Steven Anthony, Stephen Armstrong, Steven Chase
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Patent number: 8591609Abstract: A reformer including a heating unit, a first combustor for receiving and oxidizing a heating unit fuel at a first end of the heating unit, and a second combustor for receiving and oxidizing an anode off gas at a second end of the heating unit, a reforming unit having a first reforming portion surrounding the heating unit, a second reforming portion surrounding the first reforming portion, and a flow path portion connecting the first reforming portion and the second reforming portion to provide fluid communication therebetween, and a heat resistant shield between the flow path portion and the second combustor. Here, the heat resistant shield protects the reforming unit from being distorted by thermal expansion caused by the heating unit. In addition, the flow path portion may be formed with a blade configured to further protect the connector from being distorted by thermal expansion.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: In-Hyuk Son, Woo-Cheol Shin, Jong-Rock Choi, Jin-Goo Ahn
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Patent number: 8580019Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for removing acid gases and other trace contaminants to very low levels in combustible gases generated from thermal gasification of biomass or refuse-derived fuels. The invention includes optimization of geometric variables, temperature and pressure set points via use of a pressurized bubbling fluidized bed reactor to convert granular raw (non-activated) sorbents and auto-generated biochar sorbents) into activated, highly dispersed, and ideally sized particles for removing acid gases and toxic metals. The system can incorporate a generated gas cooler, a gas-sorbent contact chamber or zone, and a novel filter (with or without additional gas cooling and residence time stages).Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Frontline BioEnergy, LLCInventors: John P. Reardon, Thomas J. Paskach, Paul Evans
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Patent number: 8577503Abstract: A fuel processing apparatus includes a reformer, raw material supply section, moisture supply section, heating section, reforming temperature detection section, shift converter, shift temperature detection section, and control section. When the apparatus is booted, the control section activates the raw material supply section to begin supplying a raw material to the reformer, and activates the heating section to begin supplying heat to the reforming catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Seiji Fujihara, Yukimune Kani, Hidenobu Wakita, Kunihiro Ukai
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Patent number: 8568495Abstract: An evaporator (e.g., a small-sized high-efficiency evaporator) and a fuel reformer having the same. The evaporator has multi-stage structure (e.g., a four-stage disk structure), in which the respective disks are filled with fin structures. The first two disks through which exhaust gas passes and the second two disks through which water passes are stacked alternately with each other. Also, the first two disks are coupled with each other by a first pipe penetrating through one of the second two disks, and the second two disks are coupled with each other by a second pipe penetrating through one of the first two disks.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: In-Hyuk Son
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Patent number: 8562700Abstract: A compact multi-functional fuel converter and a process for converting liquid fuel to a product, which includes providing a supply of oxygen gas, providing a supply of liquid fuel, electrically atomizing the fuel, evaporating the fuel and catalytically reacting the liquid fuel and oxygen in the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Ivan C. Lee, Christopher M. Waits
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Patent number: 8563185Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, comprising: a) supplying a gaseous hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and steam to a reaction zone comprising a steam reforming catalyst and catalytically reforming the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce a reformed gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide; b) supplying a molecular oxygen-comprising gas to the permeate side of a first hydrogen separation membrane; c) contacting a part of the hydrogen with a first hydrogen separation membrane, allowing the hydrogen to permeate through the first hydrogen separation membrane and combusting the hydrogen with the molecular oxygen at a permeate side of the first hydrogen separation membrane to produce all heat necessary for catalytic reforming the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock; d) contacting the remainder of the hydrogen with a second hydrogen separation membrane, which is separate from the first hydrogen separation membrane, and allowing the hydrogeType: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Gerrit Jan Barend Assink, Gert Jan Kramer, Arian Nijmeijer, Martin Van Sint Annaland
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Patent number: 8557452Abstract: Fuel processing by a reformer (42) and a shift reactor (44) converts hydrocarbon feedstock (12) and steam (36) to hydrogen-rich reformate (11), such as for use in a fuel cell power plant (47). Some of the reformate is recycled through a restriction (18) to the inlet (15) of a feedstock pump (14), thereby increasing its pressure sufficiently to cause recycle flow through a hydrodesulfurizer (21) and the secondary inlet (26) of an ejector (28) driven by the steam (36). Recycle pressure (48) is maintained by steam pressure through a valve (34) regulated by a controller (17).Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: ClearEdge Power CorporationInventors: Peter F. Foley, Joshua D. Isom, John L. Preston
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Patent number: 8545580Abstract: A chemically-modified mixed fuel includes methane gas from at least two methane-production sources and can be utilized in any process that incorporates a Kellogg Primary Reformer. A method for producing the chemically-modified mixed fuel described herein includes providing a first methane-containing gas from a first methane-production source, providing a second methane-containing gas from a second methane-production source and blending the first methane-containing gas with the second methane-containing gas at a suitable pressure to form a chemically-modified mixed fuel. In some cases, at least one additional methane-containing gas can be provided from at least one additional methane-production source and blended with the chemically-modified fuel.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Keith A. Togna, Craig T. Euen, Steven W. Weeks, Mohammed I. Loya, Matthew C. Warren, Richard H. Kendrick
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Publication number: 20130247466Abstract: Provided are a method and a device for efficiently decomposing gas hydrate pellets and extracting gas. That is, provided is a method for decomposing gas hydrate characterized by supplying gas hydrate pellets to a decomposition vessel, damming and gathering densely the pellets on a downstream side in the decomposition vessel, and passing hot water through this pellet layer which is in a densely gathered state, to thereby decompose the pellets into water and gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2010Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Go Oishi
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Patent number: 8523965Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for treating and remediating or abating carbon containing wastes to produce clean water, non-toxic, non-hazardous ash has been taught and described, the method, systems and devices are particularly suited to treating aqueous hydrocarbon containing waste streams generated in the oil and gas drilling and hydrofracking industry including electrocoagulating which removes flocculent, the flocculent is removed and then the aqueous stream is separated into light fractions and heavy fractions. The heavy fraction and flocculent are recombined and then gasified to produce syngas and ash, the syngas can then be used in generating power.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Doulos Technologies LLCInventors: Coyte R Jones, Robert C Jones