Coal And Water Patents (Class 48/202)
  • Patent number: 11760949
    Abstract: A two-stage syngas production method to produce a final product gas from a carbonaceous material includes producing a first product gas in a first reactor, separating char from the first product gas to produce separated char and char-depleted product gas, and separately reacting the separated char and the char-depleted product gas with an oxygen-containing gas in a second reactor to produce a final product gas. The separated char is introduced into the second reactor above the char-depleted product gas. The solids separation device may include serially connected cyclones, and the separated char may be entrained in a motive fluid in an eductor to produce a char and motive fluid mixture prior to being transferred to the second reactor. A biorefinery method produces a purified product from the final product gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Dave G. Newport, Daniel A. Burciaga, Daniel Michael Leo
  • Patent number: 11713426
    Abstract: A system is described for automatically processing biomass using a series of mechanisms that operate in unison to maintain solids flow through small gasifiers that are otherwise prone to blockage. The system can include an anti jamming mechanism to automatically clear jams within said gasifier using input from at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: V-GRID ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Becker, Wesley Capel
  • Patent number: 11572518
    Abstract: An ASG system for polygeneration with CC includes a devolatilizer that pyrolyzes solid fuel to produce char and gases. A burner adds exothermic heat by high-pressure sub-stoichiometric combustion, a mixing pot causes turbulent flow of the gases to heat received solid fuel, and a riser micronizes resulting friable char. A devolatilizer cyclone separates the micronized char by weight providing micronized char, steam and gases to a gasifier feed and oversized char to the mixing pot. An indirect fluid bed gasifier combustion loop includes a gasifier coupled to the gasifier feed, a steam input to provide oxygen for gasification and to facilitate sand-char separation, and an output for providing syngas. A burner provides POC to a mixing pot which provides hot sand with POC to a POC cyclone via a riser, where the POC cyclone separates sand and POC by weight and provides POC and sand for steam-carbon reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc., Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Douglas M. Todd, John Parkes, Scott G. Tolbert, Michael L. Swanson, Surya B. Reddy Karri, Teddy M. Knowlton
  • Patent number: 11377612
    Abstract: A gaseous combustible fuel includes a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock and solid fuel particles suspended in the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The hydrocarbon fuel feedstock may include natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, and gaseous derivatives and mixtures thereof. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The gaseous combustible fuel has an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is at least 25% greater than the volumetric energy density of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. Improvements in volumetric energy density of 50%, 100%, and even 500% are disclosed. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: OMNIS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Swensen, Simon K. Hodson
  • Patent number: 10927028
    Abstract: An optimized gasification/vitrification processing system having a gasification unit which converts organic materials to a hydrogen rich gas and ash in communication with a joule heated vitrification unit which converts the ash formed in the gasification unit into glass, and a plasma which converts elemental carbon and products of incomplete combustion formed in the gasification unit into a hydrogen rich gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: InEnTec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Surma, James A. Batdorf
  • Patent number: 10851319
    Abstract: A gasification system and a method for gasifying a particulate carbonaceous fuel are disclosed. The gasification system has a gasification chamber with an upper section and a lower section with a fuel inlet for injecting a particulate carbonaceous fuel and oxidant into the upper section whereby, in a thermo-chemical reaction, synthesis gas and residual char is generated. The gasification system further includes a separator configured to receive the synthesis gas and to separate residual tar form the synthesis gas. Further, there is a char bed disposed in the lower section formed by residual char generated in the thermo-chemical reaction and a gas-inlet at a bottom portion of the lower section for injecting gas into the char bed. The residual tar is injected into the char bed whereby, in a thermal cracking process, the residual tar is converted into synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MEVA ENERGY AB
    Inventors: Anders Wingren, Niclas Davidsson, Niklas Strandberg
  • Patent number: 10766059
    Abstract: A multi-stage product gas generation system converts a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas which may subsequently be converted into a liquid fuel or other material. One or more reactors containing bed material may be used to conduct reactions to effect the conversions. Unreacted inert feedstock contaminants present in the carbonaceous material may be separated from bed material using a portion of the product gas. A heat transfer medium collecting heat from a reaction in one stage may be applied as a reactant input in another, earlier stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Daniel A. Burciaga, Daniel Michael Leo, Shawn Robert Freitas, Dave G. Newport, Justin Kevin Miller, Kaitlin Emily Harrington, Brian Christopher Attwood
  • Patent number: 10738250
    Abstract: A carbon-containing material gasification system includes: a gasifier that includes a combustion stage and a gasification stage, and generates generated gas; char providing means that separates char from the generated gas, and provides the combustion stage with the char, the combustion stage including carbon-containing material combustion means and char combustion means; and distributing ratio setting means that sets, according to a ratio of distributing material defined in Expression [1], a ratio of distributing oxidizing agent defined in Expression [2] to be smaller as the ratio of distributing material increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo Yoshida, Tetsuya Kizu
  • Patent number: 10711209
    Abstract: A gasification co-generation process of coal powder in a Y-type entrained flow bed, comprising: spraying coal water slurry or coal powder, gasification agent and water vapor into a gasification furnace through a top nozzle and a plurality of side nozzles for performing combustion and gasification with a residence time of 10 s or more; chilling the resulting slag with water, and subjecting the chilled slag to a dry method slagging to obtain gasification slag used as cement clinker; discharging the produced crude syngas carrying fine ash from the Y-type entrained flow bed to perform ash-slag separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)
    Inventors: Yuanyu Tian, Yingyun Qiao, Kechang Xie, Jinhong Zhang, Peijie Zong, Yuan Jiang
  • Patent number: 10669485
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for producing anode grade coke from whole crude oil. The invention is accomplished by first deasphalting a feedstock, followed by processing resulting DAO and asphalt fractions. The DAO fraction is hydrotreated or hydrocracked, resulting in removal of sulfur and hydrocarbons, which boil at temperatures over 370° C., and gasifying the asphalt portion in one embodiment. This embodiment includes subjecting hydrotreated and/or unconverted DAO fractions to delayed coking. In an alternate embodiment, rather than gasifying the asphalt portion, it is subjected to delayed coking in a separate reaction chamber. Any coke produced via delayed coking can be gasified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Omer Refa Koseoglu
  • Patent number: 10435801
    Abstract: A syngas generation system that combines a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) and a carbon gasification unit is described. On the cathode side of the SOEC, CO2 and H2O are electrochemically converted to syngas. At the anode side of the system, a second stream of syngas is produced through a carbon gasification process in which solid carbon is reacted with H2O/CO2. Oxygen ion transported across the SOEC electrolyte reacts at the anode with a portion of the syngas produced in the gasification process. This reaction product (H2O/CO2) can be fed back to the gasification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Libin Lei, Fanglin Chen, Yao Wang
  • Patent number: 10286431
    Abstract: A multi-stage product gas generation system converts a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas which may subsequently be converted into a liquid fuel or other material. One or more reactors containing bed material may be used to conduct reactions to effect the conversions. Unreacted inert feedstock contaminants present in the carbonaceous material may be separated from bed material using a portion of the product gas. A heat transfer medium collecting heat from a reaction in one stage may be applied as a reactant input in another, earlier stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Daniel A. Burciaga, Daniel Michael Leo, Shawn Robert Freitas, Dave G. Newport, Justin Kevin Miller, Kaitlin Emily Harrington, Brian Christopher Attwood
  • Patent number: 10093876
    Abstract: A gasification process may include (a) introducing a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock and at least one of a dry feedstock or a first slurried feedstock into a reactor lower section, wherein the at least one dry feedstock or first slurried feedstock is introduced through two primary feed nozzles while the liquid hydrocarbon feedstock is introduced through at least two secondary feed nozzles; (b) partially combusting the feedstocks in the reactor lower section with a gas stream comprising an oxygen-containing gas or steam to evolve heat and form products comprising hot synthesis gas; (c) passing said hot synthesis gas from step (b) upward into a reactor upper section; (d) and introducing a second slurried feedstock into said reactor upper section, whereby heat from said hot synthesis gas supports reaction of the second slurried feedstock by pyrolysis and gasification reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Lummus Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chancelor L. Williams, Albert C. Tsang, Philip Rodney Amick, Jayesh Shah, Paul Edgar Michaud, Shrinivas Lokare
  • Patent number: 10093996
    Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for improved energy efficiency in a direct reduction iron production process which uses a direct reduction shaft furnace and syngas as the reduction gas. The method and system of the invention use a part of the top gas emanating from the shaft furnace as transport gas for the gasifier, and control the volume of the top gas used as recycled top gas or fuel for the gas heater. The present invention achieves high energy efficiency, and reduces the need to use additional CH4 source for the reduction gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John D. Winter, Haruyasu Michishita
  • Patent number: 10035965
    Abstract: “Syngas” is produced from carbon based material in a system comprising means for feeding material into the system, means for combustion thereof, means for use of Syngas and means for extraction of combustion residues, combustion means comprise: a sealed combustion chamber; device for injection of gas into the combustion chamber; device for monitoring the quantity of gas introduced/to be introduced into the combustion chamber, where the method comprises: introducing the material into a combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber has a constant temperature between 300 and 600° C.; residence of the material therein for 5-13 hours; which allows combustion to decompose organic molecules of the material producing Syngas, continuously drawn off, and carbonous residues; residence of the carbonous residues at the temperature for 7-13 hours with excess air; the excess air for completely incinerating the carbonous residue; and use of the Syngas and extraction of the ash produced by the above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: HIGH TECH ENERGIE SRO
    Inventor: Michele De Bellis
  • Patent number: 9758739
    Abstract: Cellulose and hemicellulose from biomass can be broken down to C6 and C5 sugars and further converted to corresponding sugar alcohols. It is now found that a new catalyst, MoS2, is active for the hydrogenation of sugar alcohols to hydrocarbons. Combining the technologies listed above allows us to convert the cellulose/hemicellulose to liquid hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventors: Madhu Anand, Jianhua Yao, Edward L. Sughrue
  • Patent number: 9745529
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for gasification of a carbonaceous material. The process produces a raw syngas that can be further processed in a tar destruction zone to provide a hot syngas. The process includes contacting said carbonaceous material with molecular oxygen-containing gas in a gasification zone to gasify a portion of said carbonaceous material and to produce a first gaseous product. A remaining portion of the carbonaceous material is contacted with molecular oxygen-containing gas in a burn-up zone to gasify additional portion of the carbonaceous material and to produce a second gaseous product and a solid ash. The first gaseous product and said second gaseous product are combined to produce a raw syngas that includes carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and tar. The raw syngas is contacted with molecular oxygen containing gas in a tar destruction zone to produce said hot syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventors: Peter S. Bell, Ching Whan Ko, Sean Slape, Scott Breshears, Kim Ocfemia
  • Patent number: 9683184
    Abstract: A gasification system includes a gasifier configured to gasify a feedstock and an oxidant to generate a producer gas, a steam generator configured to supply steam to the gasifier, and a combustion system configured to supply an exhaust gas to the steam generator to produce the steam. The system also includes an exhaust gas injection system located upstream of the gasifier and fluidly coupled to the gasifier. The exhaust gas injection system is configured to supply a portion of the exhaust gas from the combustion system to the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pravin Sadashiv Naphade, Avish Ivan Dsouza, Richard Anthony De Puy
  • Patent number: 9587186
    Abstract: An apparatus for the gasification of coal or other carbonaceous material is provided for operation at an elevated pressure of at least 30 psia, preferably, between 30 psia and 150 psia. Coal or other carbonaceous material passes downwards through two interconnected sections of a gasifier. In the upper section the coal is dried and partially devolatalized and so converted into a char before it passes into the lower section where it is converted, by reaction with steam and air, into ash and a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, ethylene, hydrogen sulphide, carbonyl sulphide and small amounts of ammonia and phenols. The coal, ultimately converted to ash, exits the gasifier through a flanged semi-spherical containment section that has an integrated rotating grate, which collects and disposes of the ash and through which pass the air and steam used as reactants in the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: EPIC CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David W. Wakefield, Robert G. Jackson, Chen Lei
  • Patent number: 9487715
    Abstract: Provided is a coal gasifier enabling a reduction in size of a shift reactor by generating hydrogen-rich gasified coal gas. In a coal gasifier (G) generating gasified coal gas by a gasification reaction proceeding in a furnace fed with a gasifiable raw material, such as coal, and a gasifying agent, at least one of water and steam is fed to the furnace as a material accelerating a hydrogen-generating reaction that proceeds simultaneously with the gasification reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Katsuhiko Yokohama, Yoshinori Koyama, Katsuhiro Ota, Hiromi Ishii
  • Patent number: 9453171
    Abstract: In one aspect, a gasification system for use with low rank fuel is provided. The system includes a first gasifier positioned to receive a feed of low rank fuel, the first gasifier being configured to gasify the low rank fuel to produce hydrocarbons and fixed carbon. The system also includes a second gasifier configured to produce a syngas stream using the received fixed carbon, a cooler configured to receive and cool the syngas stream, and a first conduit coupled between the cooler and the first gasifier. The first conduit is configured to recycle at least a portion of the syngas stream to the first gasifier to facilitate heating low rank fuel within the first gasifier. The recycled syngas stream is mixed with the hydrocarbons to produce a hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream. The system also includes a second conduit coupled to the first gasifier for receiving the hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Anindra Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 9416327
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid gasification system which simultaneously has the advantages of an entrained-flow gasifier using pulverized fuel and a fluidized-bed gasifier utilized for gasifying fuel with relatively various properties. The present intention provides a hybrid gasification system employing a structure in which a second reaction chamber operated at a temperature of 700 to 900 is surrounded by a first reaction chamber operated at temperature, thereby obtaining an insulation effect, performing additional heat exchange, and minimizing a heat loss. Furthermore, the present invention provides a hybrid gasification system having a structure in which unreacted substances and tar within synthetic gas generated from a first reaction chamber reacts within a second reaction chamber, thereby increasing the entire gasification efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Uen Do Lee, Wong Yang, Dong Ho Park, Jeong Woo Lee, Young Doo Kim, Ji Hong Moon, Kwang Soo Kim, Chang Won Yang, Beom Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 9234149
    Abstract: Steam generating gasification reactors for providing high-pressure and high-temperature steam for catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock can be based on oxygen blown gasification reactors adapted for processing a slurry feedstock comprising at least 40% water. The exhaust from the slurry gasifier comprises at least steam, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The slurry composition and the oxygen to fuel ratio can be varied to control the ratio of carbonaceous gases in the generator exhaust. By directing substantially all of exhaust gases produced from the slurry gasification reactor through the catalytic gasifier and subsequent gas separation and sequestration processes, a greatly higher energy efficiency and decreased carbon footprint can be realized. The subsequent gas separation process produces a syngas stream which is recycled and directed into the slurry gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis S. Lau, Earl T. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9234148
    Abstract: A process for the generation of a syngas in an entrained-flow gasification process includes a solid, carbon-containing fuel which is introduced via burners into a reactor which also supplies the oxygen for gasification. The fuel is introduced on a burner level where the burners are arranged concentrically around the reaction chamber or in the head area. The syngas obtained is discharged from the reaction chamber via a discharge nozzle, so that the syngas is passed into a collecting chamber for cooling by addition of low-temperature gaseous, vaporous or liquid cooling agents. A quench chamber is provided between the reactor and the collecting chamber. Additional burner levels are in the quench chamber via which a fuel material of renewable fuels or biofuels is introduced into the syngas, so that the heat enthalpy of the syngas can be utilized for the endothermic gasification reaction of the biological raw material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTION AG
    Inventor: Norbert Ullrich
  • Patent number: 9170019
    Abstract: Solid fuel can be converted into a clean hot flue gas with a low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC's), NOx and dust, and clean ash with a low carbon content by means of a stage-divided thermal reactor, where the conversion process of the solid fuel is in separate vertical stages (from below and up): ash burn-out, char oxidation and gasification, pyrolysis, drying, and a gas combustion stage where gas from the gasifier is combusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dall Energy Holdings ApS
    Inventor: Jens Dall Bentzen
  • Patent number: 9028568
    Abstract: A system includes a carbon dioxide treatment system that includes a catalyst configured to treat carbon dioxide to produce a treated carbon dioxide. The system also includes a gasifier injector configured to inject the treated carbon dioxide, a fuel, and oxygen into a gasifier. The gasifier injector may be coupled to or located inside the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Douglas Steele, Pradeep Stanley Thacker
  • Patent number: 9017435
    Abstract: A system, including a gasifier comprising a wall defining a chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a port, a combination feed injector coupled to the inlet, wherein the combination feed injector is configured to inject a first fuel and air or oxygen into the chamber to preheat the gasifier, and the combination feed injector is configured to inject a second fuel and oxygen into the gasifier after preheating to gasify the second fuel, an optical device coupled to the port, a sensor coupled to the optical device, and a monitoring system coupled to the sensor, wherein the monitoring system is configured to acquire data from the sensor, process the data, and provide an output representative of a condition of the gasifier based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 9011561
    Abstract: A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Thermochem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Jonathan A. Zenz, Dave G. Newport, Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 8999020
    Abstract: Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided. In addition, the processes provide for the generation of a hydrogen-enriched gas stream and, optionally, a carbon monoxide-enriched gas stream, which can be mixed or used separately as an energy source for subsequent catalytic gasification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Pattabhi K. Raman, Francis S. Lau, Earl T. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9000056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gasifier comprising a syngas generation section, a coal methanation section and a syngas methanation section in the order from bottom to top. The invention also relates to a process for preparing methane by catalytically gasifying coal using such a gasifier. Optionally, the gasifier is additionally provided with a coal pyrolysis section above the syngas methanation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Enn Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jicheng Bi, Rong Zhang, Yixin Chen, Zhiqiang Sun, Jinlai Li, Zhongxue Gan
  • Patent number: 8992640
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems for using an expander. In a first embodiment, a system includes a flow path and a gasification section disposed along the flow path. The gasification section is configured to convert a feedstock into a syngas. The system also includes a scrubber disposed directly downstream of the gasification section and configured to filter the syngas. The system also includes a first expander disposed along the flow path directly downstream from the scrubber and configured to expand the syngas. The syngas comprises an untreated syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Khodaram Rustom Khosravian, Ronald Frederick Tyree, Patrick Joseph McKenna
  • Patent number: 8974557
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tunable catalytic gasifier systems suitable for gasifying coal, biomass, and other fuel sources. The gasifier reactors of the disclosed systems may be heated by, e.g., a catalytic tube or other jacket that generates heat by catalytically combusting syngas, which syngas may be syngas produced by the gasifier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Good Earth Power Corporation
    Inventor: John Dooher
  • Patent number: 8951311
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a fuel gasification system includes optimizing a conversion of solid components in the fuel to gaseous fuel components, controlling the flux of solids entrained in the product gas through equipment downstream of the gasifier, and maximizing the overall efficiencies of processes utilizing gasification. A combination of models, when utilized together, can be integrated with existing plant control systems and operating procedures and employed to develop new control systems and operating procedures. Such an approach is further applicable to gasification systems that utilize both dry feed and slurry feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Peter L. Rozelle, Victor K. Der
  • Patent number: 8915980
    Abstract: A process for the discharge of slag and ash from a gasification reactor is disclosed. These solids are directed from the gasification reactor into a water bath housed with the gasification reactor in a pressure vessel. There are at least two lock hoppers underneath the water bath which are fed with a stream of water/solids via a pipe and a flow divider element, it being possible to supply the lock hoppers individually and in a controlled manner with a stream of water/solids via shut-off devices. The filling is performed in a manner that encourages the sett-ling process by withdrawing a stream of liquid from the lock hopper being filled, the filling time being controlled so as to prevent the solids settling above the valves and lock hoppers. Also disclosed is an apparatus with at least two lock hoppers underneath the water bath of a gasification reactor, there being, in an advantageous embodiment, a flow divider element and shut-off devices between the water bath and the lock hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hanrott
  • Patent number: 8894729
    Abstract: A gasification reactor comprising a gasifier with a tubular gastight wall arranged within a pressure vessel. The gasification reactor comprises one or more pressure responsive devices comprising a sleeve with a cooled section extending outwardly from an opening in the gastight wall. The pressure responsive devices can, e.g., include a pressure measurement device and/or a pressure equalizer. Method of using a pressure responsive device with such a gasifier, wherein a heat sluice is used formed by a sleeve with a cooled section extending outwardly from an opening in the gastight wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
  • Patent number: 8894728
    Abstract: In the case of a device for gasification of carbonaceous fuels, having a discharge for slags into a slag bath, a solution is supposed to be created with which the gasifier discharge opening is reliably kept at a temperature that guarantees that the slag will flow out. This is achieved in that the gasifier discharge opening (6) is equipped with a ceramic drip edge (7) that can be electrically heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Domenico Pavone, Ralf Abraham, Muhammad Iqbal Mian
  • Patent number: 8845770
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Frederick Tyree, Huan Van Ho
  • Patent number: 8840690
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8828109
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter, Constantin Bugescu, Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20140208649
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a feedstock preparation system that includes a first slurry preparation system that may receive a first portion of a solid fuel to generate a first fuel slurry using the first portion of the solid fuel and a liquid and second slurry preparation system separate from the first slurry preparation system that may receive a second portion of the solid fuel and the first fuel slurry. The second slurry preparation system may produce a second fuel slurry using the second portion of the solid fuel and the first fuel slurry. The first fuel slurry has a first particle size distribution and the second fuel slurry has a second particle size distribution, and the first and second particle size distributions are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Raul Eduardo Ayala, Judith Pauline Oppenheim
  • Patent number: 8764860
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron John Avagliano, James Michael Storey
  • Patent number: 8741181
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating a raw product stream (raw synthesis gas/raw syngas) generated by underground coal gasification (UCG). In one aspect, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for cooling and initial cleaning of raw syngas gas, so that the treated UCG product stream is suitable for downstream applications such as for energy or chemical production. In another aspect, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for isolating, treating and handling a raw UCG product stream that is generated either when igniting or decommissioning an underground coal gasifier and, due to its consistency, is generally unsuitable for energy or chemical production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Linc Energy Ltd
    Inventors: Grant Bollaert, Ernest Du Toit
  • Patent number: 8696774
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Cliff Yi Guo
  • Patent number: 8652222
    Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a biomass, such as switchgrass or hybrid poplar, a non-biomass carbonaceous material, such as petroleum coke or coal, and a gasification catalyst, where the gasification catalyst is loaded onto at least one of the biomass or non-biomass for gasification in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Pattabhi K. Raman, Edwin J. Hippo, Nelson Yee
  • Patent number: 8641991
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for processing biomass into usable products, wherein such methods and systems involve an integration into conventional refineries and/or conventional refinery processes. Such methods and systems provide for an enhanced ability to utilize biofuels efficiently, and they can, at least in some embodiments, be used in hybrid refineries alongside conventional refinery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Schinski
  • Patent number: 8591608
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: MSW Power Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Young, Steven Anthony, Stephen Armstrong, Steven Chase
  • Patent number: 8574326
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a low tar, renewable fuel gas from biomass and using it in other energy conversion devices, many of which were designed for use with gaseous and liquid fossil fuels. An automated, downdraft gasifier incorporates extensive air injection into the char bed to maintain the conditions that promote the destruction of residual tars. The resulting fuel gas and entrained char and ash are cooled in a special heat exchanger, and then continuously cleaned in a filter prior to usage in standalone as well as networked power systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Afognak Native Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Diebold, Arthur Lilley, Kingsbury Browne, III, Robb Ray Walt, Dustin Duncan, Michael Walker, John Steele, Michael Fields, Trevor Smith
  • Patent number: 8529648
    Abstract: A process of producing a combustible gas from a solid sulfur-containing carbonaceous fuel is provided. In the process, an aqueous solution is provided. A solute of the solution is a carbonate salt of an alkali metal. Particles of the fuel and the aqueous solution are mixed (26) to form a mixture. The mixture is fed into a gasifier (22) that contains molten salts of the alkali metal. The fuel is partially combusted in the gasifier to produce the combustible gas. At least a portion of the carbonate salt in the aqueous solution may be recovered (24) from a molten sulfide salt. The molten sulfide salt may be taken from the molten salts in the gasifier (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur L. Kohl
  • Patent number: 8506915
    Abstract: This invention involves a cyclic method for capturing CO2 from gas streams arising from processes of reforming, gasification or combustion of carbonaceous fuels. The method is based on these gas streams reacting with solids that contain at least CaO and a metal or an oxidized form of the metal. The method is characterized by the oxidized form of the metal being able to undergo a sufficiently exothermic reduction reaction for the heat released during the reaction to cause the decomposition of CaCO3. The thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of the method of this invention make it ideal for the removal of the CO2 present in gas streams resulting from processes such as hydrocarbon reforming or the combustion of carbonaceous fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Abanades García, Ramón Murillo Villuendas