Coal Patents (Class 48/210)
  • Patent number: 11959379
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring gas pressure of a close-distance seam group simultaneously, including the following steps: constructing a pressure-measuring drill hole inclined downwards; lowering a first seam piezometer tube, lowering a baffle and a polyurethane blocking material after a tube head reaching a lowermost seam; and installing a gas pressure gauge; lowering a second seam piezometer tube, lowering the baffle and the polyurethane blocking material after the tube head reaching a second layer of seam; and installing the gas pressure gauge; lowering a nth seam piezometer tube, lowering the baffle and the polyurethane blocking material after the tube head reaching a nth layer of seam; and installing the gas pressure gauge; injecting a high-water and quick-solidifying material into the drill hole; and connecting the gas pressure gauges through optical fibers, and connecting the gas pressure gauges with a ground control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Anhui University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shaobo Li, Lei Wang, Xingang Niu, Chuanqi Zhu, Zhenyu Yang, Lipeng Chen, Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11939545
    Abstract: A gasifier system includes a reactor for receiving a wet feedstock which has a base and a container rotatably connected to the base such that a rotation of the container causes a mixing of the feedstock in an interior of the reactor. The interior is bounded by the base and the container. A space between the base and the container allows an entry of oxygen into the interior. The space has a dimension such that the feedstock is fully oxidized in a combustion area adjacent the base and such that the feedstock avoids combustion in a remainder of the interior. The reactor has a longitudinal axis inclined at an inclination angle relative to a horizontal line to promote the mixing of the feedstock in the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventor: David J. Waage
  • Patent number: 11738996
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating power using hydrogen fuel, such as derived from natural gas, are provided. Feed materials are introduced into a compact hydrogen generator to produce carbon dioxide, hydrogen gas and steam. Sorbent material within the compact hydrogen generator acts to absorb carbon dioxide, forming a used sorbent. Hydrogen gas and steam are separated from the used sorbent and passed to a power generator such as a hydrogen turbine to produce power. The used sorbent is introduced into a calciner and heated to desorb carbon dioxide and form a regenerated sorbent which can be recycled to the compact hydrogen generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ganesan Subbaraman, Jeffrey A. Mays, Ronald J. Stanis
  • Patent number: 11667525
    Abstract: The invention relates to petroleum sludge or other wastes recycle treatment system, which comprises a pre-treatment operation facility for a treated matter to be treated as a raw material. A feeding unit is arranged to feed the raw material into at least one gasification reactor with a push rod or a screw for pyrolysis gasification. The upper half of the at least one gasification reactor is provided with a syngas collecting pipe which can be connected with a gas collecting pump, and the lower half is provided with a liquid petroleum output pipe and an ash residue outlet, in which the ash residue outlet can be provided with a spiral pipe to draw the ash residue out. The petroleum sludge and other wastes in a dense fluid state are transported from a raw material tank to the at least one gasification reactor end which is bent upward through at least one pipe body, and the feeding mode of pyrolysis gasification of the raw material from below to upper of the gasification reactor is adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: INFINIFORCE, INC.
    Inventor: Ming-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 11648520
    Abstract: A fluidized bed cooler for cooling a urea-containing granular material may include a cooler chamber having a product inlet opening, a product outlet opening, a perforated plate disposed in the cooler chamber, and at least one cooling medium entry opening disposed beneath the perforated plate. The product inlet opening may be disposed above the perforated plate, and a baffle plate may be disposed between the product inlet opening and the perforated plate. A distributor plate may be disposed between the baffle plate and the perforated plate. An area of the distributor plate may be 10% to 50% greater than an area of the baffle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP FERTILIZER TECHNOLOGY GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Rositsa Marianova Rieks, Thomas Gerner
  • Patent number: 11485919
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electricity and producing carbon and heat via biomass fixed bed gasification, said method and apparatus utilising medium calorific value combustible gas to satisfy high-temperature high-pressure boiler heat requirements, and increasing overall electricity generation efficiency. The method and apparatus have low nitrogen oxides amounts, satisfy environmental protection requirements, and do not require denitrification treatment. The method comprises the following steps: feeding a biomass raw material into a gasification apparatus to prepare a medium calorific value biomass combustible gas, and performing gasification on the biomass raw material at 700-850° C. under the effect of an air/water vapour pre-mixed gasification agent to produce a combustible gas, the calorific value of the combustible gas being 1600-1800 kcal, the temperature being 200-300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: Jianbin Zhou, Yimeng Zhang, Huanhuan Ma
  • Patent number: 11300288
    Abstract: The solution comprises a method of and a system for maintaining steam temperature and therefore electricity production efficiency with decreased loads of a steam turbine power plant comprising a fluidized bed boiler (12) and a fluidized bed superheater (2) adapted to superheat steam supplied to a steam turbine (3). According to the solution, the steam temperature may be maintained by providing, outside a furnace (10), additional heating to the fluidized bed material in its outer circulation, thereby increasing the amount of thermal energy available in the fluidized bed material to be transferred in the fluidized bed superheater (2) to the steam supplied to the steam turbine (3). Such additional heating may be performed by selectably supplying combustible gas with nozzles (111) into and/or burned with a burner in or in the vicinity of the fluidized bed material outside the furnace (10). As an additional aspect of the disclosed solution, the combustible gas may be produced with a gasifier (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Varonen, Matti Nieminen
  • Patent number: 11084720
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating power using hydrogen fuel, such as derived from natural gas, are provided. Feed materials are introduced into a compact hydrogen generator to produce carbon dioxide, hydrogen gas and steam. Sorbent material within the compact hydrogen generator acts to absorb carbon dioxide, forming a used sorbent. Hydrogen gas and steam are separated from the used sorbent and passed to a power generator such as a hydrogen turbine to produce power. The used sorbent is introduced into a calciner and heated to desorb carbon dioxide and form a regenerated sorbent which can be recycled to the compact hydrogen generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ganesan Subbaraman, Jeffrey A. Mays
  • Patent number: 10781384
    Abstract: A gasification system for the oxidation of a carbonaceous feedstock to provide a synthesis gas comprising: a reactor chamber for oxidizing the carbonaceous feedstock; a quench section for holding a bath of liquid coolant; an intermediate section having a reactor outlet opening through which the synthesis gas is conducted from the reactor chamber into the bath of the quench section; at least one layer of refractory bricks arranged on the reactor chamber floor, the lower end section of the refractory bricks enclosing the reactor outlet opening and defining the inner diameter thereof; the intermediate section including a number of halved tubes for liquid coolant arranged onto at least part of the reactor chamber floor on a side thereof opposite to the lower end section of the refractory bricks; and a pump system for circulating the liquid coolant through the halved tubes on the reactor chamber floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Sijing Liu, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb, Anthony Wolfert, Unai Jauregi, Joachim Ottomar Wolff
  • Patent number: 10611973
    Abstract: A fluidized bed biogasifier is provided for gasifying biosolids. The biogasifier includes a reactor vessel and a feeder for feeding biosolids into the reactor vessel at a desired feed rate during steady-state operation of the biogasifier. A fluidized bed in the base of the reactor vessel has a cross-sectional area that is proportional to at least the fuel feed rate such that the superficial velocity of gas is in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). In a method for gasifying biosolids, biosolids are fed into a fluidized bed reactor. Oxidant gases are applied to the fluidized bed reactor to produce a superficial velocity of producer gas in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). The biosolids are heated inside the fluidized bed reactor to a temperature range between 900° F. (482.2° C.) and 1700° F. (926.7° C.) in an oxygen-starved environment having a sub-stoichiometric oxygen level, whereby the biosolids are gasified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Aries Gasification, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R. Bull, Ross M. Patten, Paul Cairney, Gerald M. Cox, William P. Jepson
  • Patent number: 10557095
    Abstract: A process for the gasification of a solid carbonaceous feed, the process comprising the steps of: introducing a batch of the solid carbonaceous feed into a sluice vessel, while an internal pressure in the sluice vessel is at a first pressure; introducing at least recycled CO2 into the sluice vessel via one or more gas inlets covered by the solid carbonaceous feed, to pressurize the sluice vessel from the first pressure to a second pressure exceeding the first pressure, during a predetermined time period; closing the one or more gas inlets; opening a feed outlet of the sluice vessel to supply the batch of the solid carbonaceous feed to a feed vessel for feeding the solid carbonaceous feed to a gasification reactor; closing the feed outlet; venting the sluice vessel to reduce the internal pressure to the first pressure; and repeating the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang Xu, Robert Erwin Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 10144642
    Abstract: In a method for cooling a hot synthesis gas containing at least one condensable constituent part, in particular tar, during which the synthesis gas in a multi-stage cooling process passes through a first cooling stage, a second cooling stage and a third cooling stage one after the other and the synthesis gas after an at least partial cooling is at least subjected to a separation step for separating the at least one condensable constituent part, the synthesis gas is cooled in the first cooling stage to a temperature above the condensation temperature of the at least one condensable constituent part and the second cooling stage comprises the recirculating of a part quantity of synthesis gas branched off after the third cooling stage and the at least one separation step into the synthesis gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Gussing Renewable Energy International Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Dichand
  • Patent number: 10118824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying synthesis gas, comprising at least one stage for separating the crude synthesis gas to be treated into at least two effluents, namely a first part and a complementary part, in which the said first part is subjected to a carbon monoxide conversion stage with steam and the said complementary part is subjected to a COS and HCN catalytic hydrolysis stage, the two gas flows, namely the first part and complementary part, are then each treated separately in two stages intended to remove acid gases such as CO2 and H2S, by washing with aqueous solutions of specific amines, before a recombination stage of the two treated effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: AVRIL, AXENS, IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES, BIONEXT, THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG, TOTAL RAFFINAGE CHIMIE, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: David Chiche, Anne Claire Pierron, Norbert Ullrich
  • Patent number: 9914890
    Abstract: A gasification system method and apparatus to convert a feed stream containing at least some organic material into synthesis gas having a first region, a second region, a gas solid separator, and a means for controlling the flow of material from the first region to the second region. The feed stream is introduced into the system, and the feed stream is partially oxidized in the first region thereby creating a solid material and a gas material. The method further includes the steps of separating at least a portion of the solid material from the gas material with the gas solid separator, controlling the flow of the solid material into the second region from the first region, and heating the solid material in the second region with an electrical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: InEnTec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Surma, James A. Batdorf
  • Patent number: 9464247
    Abstract: A device for treating steam-saturated crude gases from the entrained flow gasification of fuels before entry into heat exchanges sited upstream of a crude gas converting operation. To avoid solid deposits in an entrance region of the heat exchangers, a crude gas is converted from a saturated into the superheated state by supply of hot gas. Hot gas contemplated is superheated high pressure steam or recycled superheated converted crude gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Norbert Fischer, Manfred Jänig, Doris Klostermann, Andreas Meissner, Manfred Schingnitz, Guido Schuld
  • Patent number: 9409775
    Abstract: A method for purifying biomass syngas, including: a) introducing syngas out of a gasifier, through a water-cooling flue to a water-cooling quench tower; b) introducing the syngas from the water-cooling quench tower to a waste heat boiler of a water-tube type and a waste heat boiler of a heat-tube type; c) washing the syngas from the waste heat boiler of the heat-tube type in a Venturi scrubber in the absence of a filler to remove dust; d) introducing the syngas from the Venturi scrubber to a wet electrical dust precipitator for conducting dust removal and tar mist removal; and e) extracting the syngas by a coal gas draft fan, and transporting the syngas to a wet gas tank for storage or to a downstream process for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: WUHAN KAIDI ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanfeng Zhang, Hongtao Nie, Minggui Xia, Wenyan Liu, Liang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9339753
    Abstract: A process for treating steam-saturated crude gases from an entrained flow gasification of fuels before entry into heat exchangers sited upstream of a crude gas converting operation. To avoid solid deposits in an entrance region of the heat exchangers, the crude gas is converted from a saturated into a superheated state by supply of a hot gas to the crude gas. Hot gas contemplated is superheated high pressure steam or recycled superheated converted crude gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Norbert Fischer, Manfred Jänig, Doris Klostermann, Andreas Meiβner, Manfred Schingnitz, Guido Schuld
  • Patent number: 9333455
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for removing a condensate from a synthetic gas treatment system. The method includes feeding a first fluid stream into a bottom section of a scrubber chamber defined by a scrubber shell of a scrubber. The first fluid stream includes at least one condensable component. A second fluid stream is fed into a top section of the scrubber chamber, such that the second fluid stream flows in the scrubber chamber in a countercurrent flow direction to the first fluid stream. The second fluid stream contacts the first fluid stream causing the at least one condensable component to form the condensate, such that the condensate and the second fluid stream are collected in the bottom section of the scrubber chamber. The method further includes feeding a third fluid stream into the top section of the scrubbing chamber, such that the third fluid stream contacts the condensate and the second fluid stream and forms an emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GRUPO GUASCOR, S. L.
    Inventor: Roberto Gil
  • Patent number: 9309115
    Abstract: A method for purifying biomass syngas under a positive pressure. The method includes: 1) aerating a pyrolysis gasifier by using an oxidation fan; 2) introducing syngas produced in the pyrolysis gasifier through a water-cooling flue to a water-cooling quench tower; 3) introducing the syngas from the water-cooling quench tower to a waste heat boiler of a water-tube type and a waste heat boiler of a heat-tube type; 4) introducing the syngas from the waste heat boiler of the heat-tube type to a Venturi scrubber in the absence of a filler to wash the syngas and remove dust; 5) introducing the syngas from the Venturi scrubber to a wet electrical dust precipitator for further removing the dust; and 6) transporting qualified syngas to a wet gas tank for storage or to a downstream process for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Wuhan Kaidi General Research Institute of Engineering & Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yanfeng Zhang, Hongtao Nie, Minggui Xia, Wenyan Liu, Liang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9297530
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating oxygenated fuel. In one aspect, a method of producing an oxygenated fuel from biomass waste for use in a combustion system includes dissociating the biomass waste to produce one or more carbon donors. The biomass waste produced carbon donors are reacted with an oxygen donor to produce the oxygenated fuel comprising oxygenated carbon. Reacting the carbon donors with the oxygen donors includes applying waste heat recovered from an external heat source to the reaction of carbon donors and oxygen donor. The oxygenated fuel is combusted in the combustion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 9266731
    Abstract: Process for the production of synthesis gas (3), in which methane and carbon dioxide (2) are introduced into a reaction space (R) and reacted in the presence of a solid (W) at elevated temperatures to give hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Methane and carbon dioxide are passed through a carbon-containing granular material (W) and reacted in a high-temperature zone (H).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Mass, Volker Goke, Otto Machhammer, Marcus Guzmann, Christian Schneider, Wolfgang Alois Hormuth, Andreas Bode, Dirk Klingler, Matthias Kern, Grigorios Kolios
  • Patent number: 9193923
    Abstract: An entrained flow gasifier designed as a component for an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle plant of optimized efficiency is provided. The raw gas initially flows through a waste heat unit designed as a radiation cooler and subsequently flows through a full water quench. This results in a higher ratio of steam in the raw gas, which decreases the medium-pressure steam supply before the water-gas shift and thus improves efficiency in IGCC plants with CO2 separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Fleischer, Frank Hannemann, Christian Reuther, Manfred Schingnitz, Ralph Schumann
  • Patent number: 9127222
    Abstract: A system includes a gasifier. The gasifier includes a reaction chamber configured to convert a feedstock into a synthetic gas, a quench chamber configured to cool the synthetic gas, and a transition section between the reaction chamber and the quench chamber. The gasifier also includes a quench ring configured to provide a first flow of a coolant to the quench chamber and a shielding gas system configured to provide a second flow of a shielding gas to protect at least one of the quench ring or the transition section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paromita Bhattacharya, Atul Kumar Vij, Rajeshwar Sripada
  • Publication number: 20150143749
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and devices for preparing the fuel gas used. A device may include a furnace body, a tower type synchronous roller extruding machine with a circular ladder groove mold that is mounted at the upper end of the furnace body. The tower type synchronous roller extruding machine is provided with a bucket, the bucket is in airtight connection with the furnace body, and a first transmission shaft is mounted in the bucket. At least two tower type synchronous rollers are mounted on the first transmission shaft, and the tower type synchronous rollers are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the first transmission shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Lingzeng Kong
  • 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: 9005322
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading coal and other carbonaceous fuels includes subjecting the carbonaceous fuel to a pyrolyzing process, thereby forming upgraded carbonaceous fuel and a flow of lean fuel gases. Auxiliary fuel is combusted in an auxiliary fuel combustor to produce auxiliary fuel combustion gases, and the lean fuel gases are heated with the auxiliary fuel combustion gases. The heated lean fuel gases are combusted in a lean fuel combustor, thereby producing a gas stream of products of combustion, and at least a portion of the gas stream of products of combustion are directed to the pyrolyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: National Institute of Clean and Low-Carbon Energy (NICE)
    Inventors: Dennis W. Coolidge, Deane A. Horne, Ronn G. Smith, Leslie C. White
  • Patent number: 8999019
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for gasifying biomass or other carbonaceous feedstocks in an indirectly heated gasifier and provides a method for the elimination of condensable organic materials (tars) from the resulting product gas with an integrated tar removal step. More specifically, this tar removal step utilizes the circulating heat carrier to crack the organics and produce additional product gas. As a benefit of the above process, and because the heat carrier circulates through alternating steam and oxidizing zones in the process, deactivation of the cracking reactions is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Taylor Biomass Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Paisley
  • 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: 8979955
    Abstract: Methods for fractional catalytic pyrolysis which allow for conversion of biomass into a slate of desired products without the need for post-pyrolysis separation are described. The methods involve use of a fluid catalytic bed which is maintained at a suitable pyrolysis temperature. Biomass is added to the catalytic bed, preferably while entrained in a non-reactive gas such as nitrogen, causing the biomass to become pyrolyzed and forming the desired products in vapor and gas forms, allowing the desired products to be easily separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Foster A. Agblevor, Nii Ofei Mante
  • Patent number: 8968434
    Abstract: An assembly for producing at least one synthetic hydrocarbon from at least one inflowing stream of carbon monoxide and one inflowing stream of carbon dioxide is provided. The assembly includes an electrolyzer provided for producing a first stream of hydrogen, a first conversion unit provided for producing an intermediate stream of carbon monoxide from at least one portion of the inflowing stream of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, a reactor for synthesizing said synthetic hydrocarbon; a second conversion unit provided for producing a second stream of hydrogen from carbon monoxide and water, the second hydrogen stream being directed towards the synthesis reactor; a guide assembly provided for selectively distributing the inflowing stream of carbon monoxide between the second conversion unit and the synthesis reactor, and for selectively distributing the first hydrogen stream between the first conversion unit and the synthesis reactor; a control unit provided for controlling the guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: AREVA
    Inventor: Michel Lecomte
  • Publication number: 20150052813
    Abstract: A method for using a downdraft gasifier comprising a housing and a refractory stack contained within the housing. The refractory stack may comprise various sections. Apertures in the sections may be aligned to form multiple columnar cavities. Each columnar cavity may comprise an individual oxidation zone. The method of use may include the steps of placing a feedstock into an upper portion of the refractory stack, measuring the temperature of each columnar cavity, and adjusting the flow of oxygen to a particular columnar cavity to maintain the temperature of the particular columnar cavity within a particular range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Alan M. Neves, Grover R. Brockbank, Morris K. Ebeling
  • Patent number: 8955776
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method of constructing a stationary wear-resistant stationary nozzle 200 and/or nozzle liner 230 for solid fueled furnaces. A transition section 210 is constructed from several flat pieces 211-218 several that may have identical starting shapes. This reduces manufacturing complexity and costs. All pieces 211-218 have a high-wear weld overlay on their inner surface 316, 416. Corner pieces 215-218 are folded into a corner shape at an outlet edge 412 and rolled into a curved shape at an inlet edge 411. Horizontal 211, 212 and vertical pieces 213, 214 are only rolled at an inlet edge 311. The pieces have seam tab 240 along longitudinal edges that are welded together to construct a transition section 210. The transition section 210 may be used as a liner to reduce wear in an existing stationary nozzle or may be constructed to be connected to an inlet piece 220 to form a strong, wear-resistant coal nozzle 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel J. Adam, Paul M. Bovat, Jr., Thomas J. Campanelli, Kevin J. Grzebien, James P. Sutton
  • Patent number: 8951316
    Abstract: A process for the production, treatment and combustion of synthesis gas for the purpose of generating electric power is disclosed. The synthesis gas is produced from a solid, carbon-containing fuel with the aid of an oxygen-containing gas and treated by a slag-separating device and a device separating alkalis. Subsequently, the synthesis gas produced is fed to an expansion turbine where the pressure energy is used for generating power. On account of the treatment and separation of alkalis the expansion turbine is protected from corrosion and mechanical impact. The expanded synthesis gas is then burnt under pressure and the combustion is used in a combined-cycle process using a gas turbine, steam generator and steam turbine for generating power. The process thus has an increased efficiency. Apparatus for use of the process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions AG
    Inventors: Ralf Abraham, Domenico Pavone
  • Publication number: 20140366504
    Abstract: An object is to prevent blockage of a slag hole with char and slag, enabling stable operation of a gasification furnace. In a configuration in which a heat exchanger (20) is provided above a coal gasification portion (10), the diameters (D1, D3) of the slag hole (16) and the throat portion (17) are set to three times or more the pitch (ST) of rows of heat exchange tubes (21). By doing so, blockage of the slag hole (16) or the throat portion (17) with char and a sintered material (50) falling from the heat exchanger (20) is prevented, enabling stable operation of a coal gasification furnace (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kenta Haari, Osamu Shinada, Yasunari Shibata, Yuichiro Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20140345198
    Abstract: A pressure equalizing structure that includes: a gasification furnace (3) for gasifying a carbon-containing fuel; a pressure vessel (5) housing the gasification furnace (3); an annulus section (7) filled with an inert gas and provided between the gasification furnace (3) and the pressure vessel (5). A pressure equalizing part (13), which is connected to the gasification furnace (3) to communicate between the inside of the gasification furnace (3) and the inside of the annulus section (7), is provided in a region where the in-furnace gas temperature inside the gasification furnace (3) is higher than the annulus temperature inside the annulus section (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Kenta Haari, Osamu Shinada, Yasunari Shibata
  • Patent number: 8888876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for gasifying feedstock such as carbonaceous materials. The invention includes partial combustion of dry solids and pyrolysis of carbonaceous material slurry in two separate reactor sections and produce mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more catalytic or sorbent bed for removing tar from the synthesis gas. The inventive system and process allow a gasification to be carried out under higher slurry feeding rate and lower temperature with the provision to manage the tar being produced, therefore to increase the conversion efficiency of the overall gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Albert C. Tsang, Chancelor L. Williams, Max W. Thompson, David L. Breton
  • Publication number: 20140311031
    Abstract: Systems and methods for step-wise cooling high pressure and high temperature ash discharged from the gasifier used for gasification of carboneous materials, wherein a high pressure cooler cools the ash under the operating pressure of the gasifier, which may be followed by a depressurizer which brings the cooled ash to safe-handling temperature. A low temperature ash cooler may also be optionally used. Also provided is a system where a wet scrubber is used to clean the syngas from the gasifier, the waste water blow down from the scrubber is used to cool the hot ash either in the high temperature ash cooler, or the low temperature ash cooler. Steam generated in the ash coolers is supplied back to the gasifier to reduce steam consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: John D. Winter
  • Patent number: 8822553
    Abstract: A Coal-to-Liquid Fuels production process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaust by-products are significantly reduced, if not eliminated, through a system comprising the generation of a first hydrogen (H2) product and carbon from coal and generating carbon monoxide (CO) by reacting the Carbon (C) with CO2. A second hydrogen (H2) product is generated through catalyzation of water, methane reformation, electrolysis of water, or other reaction processes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is reacted with the first and second hydrogen (H2) products to form a first hydrocarbon group having Olefins. The first hydrocarbon group, as Olefins, are further reacted to form C1-40 alcohols, Kerosene, Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, and Jet Fuel, and combinations thereof. At least a portion of the finished fuel blends are optionally used to generate electricity for use in the fuels production process or for distribution to an external power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Saga Fuel Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Deborah Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20140237986
    Abstract: A slag discharge system that includes: a gasification furnace which thermally decomposes and gasifies a pulverized raw material composed of a carbonaceous solid; a slag hopper which is provided at a bottom portion of the gasification furnace and receives slag produced from the pulverized raw material and in which cooling water is stored; a lock hopper which temporarily stores the slag outside of the gasification furnace; and a slag discharge line which makes the slag hopper communicate with the lock hopper. The lock hopper is disposed to the side of the gasification furnace, and the slag discharge system is provided with a water flow forming apparatus for forming a flow of the cooling water which allows the slag to be led to the lock hopper in the slag discharge line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Naoyuki Tazawa, Naoshige Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8814962
    Abstract: Techniques, systems and material are disclosed for thermochemical regeneration of biomass into renewable engineered fuel, storage of the renewable engineered fuel, respeciation of the renewable engineered fuel and transport. In one aspect, a method includes generating low density hydrogen fuel from biomass dissociation at a first location of a low elevation. The low density hydrogen fuel is self-transported in a pipeline to a second location at a higher elevation than the first location by traveling from the first location to the second location without adding energy of pressure. A high density hydrogen carrier is generated at the second location of higher elevation by reacting the low density hydrogen fuel with at least one of a carbon donor, a nitrogen donor and an oxygen donor harvested from industrial waste. The high density hydrogen carrier is delivered to a third location of a lower elevation than the second location while providing pressure or kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8814963
    Abstract: A system for production of high-quality syngas comprising a first dual fluidized bed loop having a fluid bed conditioner operable to produce high quality syngas comprising a first percentage of components other than carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a gas feed, wherein the conditioner comprises an outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream comprising a catalytic heat transfer material and having a first temperature, and an inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream comprising catalytic heat transfer material and having a second temperature greater than the first temperature; a fluid bed combustor operable to combust fuel and oxidant, wherein the fluid bed combustor comprises an inlet connected with the outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner, and an outlet connected with the inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner; and a catalytic heat transfer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: George Apanel, Harold A. Wright
  • Patent number: 8808411
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
  • Publication number: 20140223820
    Abstract: Provided is a gasifier start-up method for a gasifier capable of preventing or inhibiting a temporary occurrence of black smoke when a gasifier is started-up. A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier, in which a gasifying agent and a solid carbonaceous fuel are supplied and gasified, includes a start-up burner igniting step of supplying a start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas to a start-up burner and igniting the start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas, under an inert atmosphere in which an inside of the gasifier around the start-up burner is filled with inert gas; and an oxygen-containing-gas supply adjusting step of adjusting the supply of the oxygen-containing gas such that combustion gas obtained after the combustion reaction of the start-up fuel and the oxygen-containing gas becomes the inert gas, which contains little oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo YOSHIDA, Katsuhiko YOKOHAMA, Keisuke MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20140196369
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a gasifier that electrodynamically agitates charged chemical species in a reaction region of a reaction vessel of a gasifier and related methods. In an embodiment, a gasifier includes a reaction vessel configured to gasify at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to synthesis gas. The reaction vessel includes an inlet(s) for receiving a gasification medium that reacts with the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material and an outlet for allowing the synthesis gas to exit from the reaction vessel, and a reaction region. The gasifier includes at least one electrode positioned to be in electrical communication with the reaction region, and a voltage source operatively coupled to the at least one electrode. The voltage source and the at least one electrode are cooperatively configured to generate a time varying electric field in the reaction region to effect electrodynamic mixing of charged chemical species therein during gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: ClearSign Combustion Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 8771388
    Abstract: A method for producing high levels of methane based on a combination of steam hydrogasification and a shift reactor is provided. Hydrogen produced by the shift reactor can be recycled back into the steam hydrogasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Joseph M. Norbeck, Chan Seung Park, Arun S K Raju
  • Patent number: 8758458
    Abstract: A gasifier includes a combustion chamber in which a fuel is burned to produce a syngas and a particulated solid residue. A quench chamber is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A dip tube is disposed coupling the combustion chamber to the quench chamber. The syngas is directed to contact liquid coolant in the quench chamber and produce a cooled syngas. A draft tube is disposed surrounding the dip tube such that an annular passage is formed. A baffle is disposed proximate to an exit path of the quench chamber. The cooled syngas is directed through the annular passage and impacted against the baffle so as to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas before it is directed through the exit path. A cross sectional area of the annular passage is larger towards the bottom of the quench chamber and smaller towards the top of the quench chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prashant Tiwari, Gregory Michael Laskowski, Judeth Brannon Corry, Helge Burghard Herwig Klockow, Allyson Joy Jimenez-Huyke, Shailesh Singh Bhaisora, Steven Craig Russell, Karl Hardcastle, Jennifer Lynn Moyer, Scott Reginald Parent, Yulianto Salahuddin Mohsin
  • 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: RE45317
    Abstract: Methods for carrying out high temperature reactions such as biomass pyrolysis or gasification using solar energy. The biomass particles are rapidly heated in a solar thermal entrainment reactor. The residence time of the particles in the reactor can be 5 seconds or less. The biomass particles may be directly or indirectly heated depending on the reactor design. Metal oxide particles can be fed into the reactor concurrently with the biomass particles, allowing carbothermic reduction of the metal oxide particles by biomass pyrolysis products. The reduced metal oxide particles can be reacted with steam to produce hydrogen in a subsequent process step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Alan W. Weimer, Christopher Perkins, Dragan Mejic, Paul Lichty