Producers Patents (Class 48/76)
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Patent number: 11398637Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a radiator that is provided in a circulation path of coolant that cools the fuel cell, a spray unit that sprays, toward the radiator, generated water that has been generated in and discharged from the fuel cell, and a heating unit that is provided in a supply path of the generated water from the fuel cell to the spray unit and heats the generated water.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazutoshi Wakatsuki, Katsuya Komaki
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Patent number: 11319792Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for reducing elemental sulfur production in a gas production plant that includes receiving produced fluids high in hydrogen sulfide, removing hydrogen sulfide and converting hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur in a Claus unit. An acid gas stream is diverted from a feed line to the Claus unit in the gas processing plant and directed to a multistage acid gas compressor. An elemental sulfur production rate is reduced without reducing a production rate of the produced fluids. The compressed acid gas stream can be injected into a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the gas production plant is integrated with an oil processing and gas injection plant.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Daniel Chinn, Brent A. Hetrick, Nitesh Bhuwania, Shabbir Husain, Sam J. Mishael
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Patent number: 10948180Abstract: A gasification reactor is provided. The reactor comprises a first gasification area, a second gasification area and a shared combustion area. The shared combustion area is set between the first and second gasification areas. Therein, the (present invention applies interconnected fluidized beds in gasification. The connecting piping between the first and second gasification areas are separately replaced with dense beds to be integrated for forming a single reactor. Thus, the present invention simplifies the system, saves the cost and reduces the operation difficulty.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan, R.O.C.Inventors: Yau-Pin Chyou, Po-Chuang Chen, Keng-Tung Wu, Rei-Yu Chein
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Patent number: 10899612Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen production reactor as a reactor producing a reforming gas including hydrogen, in which a burning unit and a reforming unit are sequentially arranged and spaced apart from each other in a concentric structure based on a raw material transfer pipe positioned at a central axis of the reactor, including a heating raw material transfer pipe supplying a raw material to the burning unit, a burning unit burning the supplied raw material and supplying heat to the reforming unit, a reforming raw material phase change pipe positioned within the burning unit and heating the supplied raw material, and a reforming unit reforming the phase-changed raw material supplied from the reforming raw material phase change pipe, wherein the reforming raw material phase change pipe is provided as a coil surrounding an outer circumferential surface of a lower end of the heating raw material transfer pipe.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCHInventors: Dong-joo Seo, Woohyun Kim, Sang-ho Park, Wang-lai Yoon
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Patent number: 10648739Abstract: A microprocessor-based controller manages combustion within a biofuel furnace. A clinker agitator controller generates signals for controlling operation of a motorized clinker agitator of the biofuel furnace. The microprocessor-based controller may additionally control any of fuel feed rate, air supply rate and ash removal rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignees: Biomass Controls PBCInventors: Jeffrey R. Hallowell, Jessica M. Peterson, Kelli A. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10519047Abstract: Methods and apparatus may permit the generation of consistent output synthesis gas from highly variable input feedstock solids carbonaceous materials. A stoichiometric objectivistic chemic environment may be established to stoichiometrically control carbon content in a solid carbonaceous materials gasifier system. Processing of carbonaceous materials may include dominative pyrolytic decomposition and multiple coil carbonaceous reformation. Dynamically adjustable process determinative parameters may be utilized to refine processing, including process utilization of negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, process utilization of flue gas, and adjustment of process flow rate characteristics. Recycling may be employed for internal reuse of process materials, including recycled negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, recycled flue gas, and recycled contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Thermo Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis E. J. Johnson, Grigori A. Abramov, Richard A. Kleinke, Marcus A. Wiley
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Patent number: 9809770Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing hydrogen-rich gas by solid organics. For example, solid organic raw materials are heated in a pyrolysis reaction device to perform pyrolysis reaction, and gaseous product generated from the pyrolysis reaction performs gasification with steam in a moving bed gasification reaction device to generate hydrogen-rich product. The present disclosure also provides a system for preparing hydrogen-rich gas by solid organics, and the system may include a solid heat carrier grading-dedusting device; a pyrolysis reaction device; a moving bed gasification reaction device; and a riser and combustion reactor. The present disclosure may operate at atmospheric pressure, and the technology is simple and suitable for the gasification and co-gasification of various high-volatile solid organics, such as raw materials containing a relatively large amount of moisture, mineral substance, and sulfur content.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignees: ECO ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE LIMITED, DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Shaoping Xu, Yahui Xiao, Chao Wang, Guangyong Wang, Tursun Yalkunjan, Kam Shing Siu, Bin Xu, Hiu Ying Connie Chow
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Patent number: 9452932Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen production module by an integrated reaction/separation process, and a hydrogen production reactor using the same, and more specifically, provides a hydrogen production apparatus which laminates a plurality of layered unit cells, is mounted in a pressure-resistant chamber, and can be operated at a high pressure, wherein the unit cell comprises a first modified catalyst, and a second modified catalyst opposite to a hydrogen separator. The hydrogen production module can produce hydrogen using a hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and an alcohol as sources. Particularly, all the modified catalysts are formed into a porous metal plate form, thereby maximizing the heat transfer effect necessary for reaction.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Jong-Soo Park, Kyung-Ran Hwang, Shin-Kun Ryi, Chun-Boo Lee, Sung-Wook Lee, Jin-Woo Park
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Patent number: 9376624Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing fuel from organic waste or biomass in a gasification process comprising the burning of organic waste or biomass and the recovery of the gasification residue. The method comprises at least the following steps: organic aqueous waste or biomass (M; M1) is fed in a combustion chamber (1); oxygen-bearing pressurized regeneration gas (G) is also fed in said combustion chamber (1); a continuous, pressurized combustion process is maintained in the combustion chamber, without adding an external oxygen source or heat in the process, so that the combustion of organic waste or biomass is carried out with the oxygen content of 0.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Inventors: Timo Nylander, Sami Nylander
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Patent number: 9266727Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen generator with a liquid reservoir, a reaction area, a byproduct containment area and a hydrogen containment area within a housing. A liquid from the liquid reservoir can react within the reaction area to produce hydrogen gas and byproducts, which flow to the byproduct containment area, and hydrogen gas passes into the hydrogen containment area and is released from the housing through a hydrogen outlet as needed. The liquid reservoir and the reaction area are each within a container made of a liquid impermeable material, the byproduct containment area is within a flexible container made of a hydrogen permeable, liquid impermeable material, and the hydrogen containment area is within a flexible container made of a hydrogen impermeable material. The byproduct containment area is in a volume exchanging relationship with one or both of the liquid reservoir and the reaction area.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Jason L. Stimits, Guanghong Zheng
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Patent number: 9242219Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: PHG Energy, LLCInventors: Douglas R. Bull, Ross M. Patten, Paul Cairney, Gerald M. Cox, William P. Jepson
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Patent number: 9234147Abstract: A gasification reactor (1) and a process for the production of syngas by gasification of a carbonaceous feed. The reactor comprises a gasifier unit with a discharge channel (4) for discharging a stream of slag-loaded hot syngas and a quencher (5) for supplying a flow of quench gas into the discharge channel (4). At least one blaster (10) is arranged comprising at least one blast nozzle (12), such as a blast lance, in line with the flow direction of the quench gas. The blaster (10) can be connected to a source of pressurized gas, such as syngas, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, steam or the like. The blaster can be actuated periodically to blast away slag deposits.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: Thomas Paul Von Kossak-Glowczewski
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Patent number: 9212057Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel reformer, capable of generating hydrogen by reforming fuel, comprises: heating a catalyst of the fuel reformer by operating an electric heater formed to enclose the catalyst; supplying fuel and air to the catalyst under a condition of complete combustion; flame-combusting the fuel by igniting an ignition plug installed near a rear end of the catalyst; and shifting the position of the flame combustion to inside of the catalyst, by reducing a supply amount of the fuel and the air, such that temperature of the catalyst is drastically increased.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENTInventors: Hyun Jin Ji, Sang Hyeon Ha, Sung Baek Cho
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Patent number: 9181502Abstract: This invention relates to gasification of high ash bituminous coals that have high ash fusion temperatures. The ash content can be in 15 to 45 weight percent range and ash fusion temperatures can be in 1150° C. to 1500° C. range as well as in excess of 1500° C. In a preferred embodiment, such coals are dealt with a two stage gasification process—a relatively low temperature primary gasification step in a circulating fluidized bed transport gasifier followed by a high temperature partial oxidation step of residual char carbon and small quantities of tar. The system to process such coals further includes an internally circulating fluidized bed to effectively cool the high temperature syngas with the aid of an inert media and without the syngas contacting the heat transfer surfaces. A cyclone downstream of the syngas cooler, operating at relatively low temperatures, effectively reduces loading to a dust filtration unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: SOUTHERN COMPANYInventors: Guohai Liu, Pannalal Vimalchand, WanWang Peng
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Patent number: 9169118Abstract: A hydrogen purification method that is used to separate hydrogen gas from a source gas. A hydrogen separator is provided that has at least one hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is provided for each hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is coaxially aligned with the hydrogen permeable tube, wherein a micro-channel exists between the hydrogen permeable tube and the support tube in an area of overlap. A tubular wire structure is placed within the micro-channel. The tubular wire structure is coated with catalyst material. The source gas is introduced into the micro-channel. The source gas spreads thinly past the tubular wire structure in the micro-channel. The restrictions of the micro-channel cause the source gas to embody turbulent flow characteristics as it flows. The turbulent flow causes the hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from the source gas in a highly efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: SAES PURE GAS, INC.Inventor: Peter R. Bossard
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Patent number: 9028568Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Raymond Douglas Steele, Pradeep Stanley Thacker
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Patent number: 9028571Abstract: A process and system for cooling syngas provides effective syngas cooling and results in reduced levels of fouling in syngas cooling equipment. A process for cooling syngas includes blending syngas with cooled recycled syngas in an amount effective for providing a blended syngas with a temperature at an inlet of a syngas cooler of about 600° F. to about 1400° F. The blended syngas changes direction of flow at least once prior to the inlet of the syngas cooler.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Ineos Bio SAInventors: Peter S. Bell, Nicolas Vanhecke, Bernard Descales
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Patent number: 9017435Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Patent number: 9011561Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Thermochem Recovery International, Inc.Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Jonathan A. Zenz, Dave G. Newport, Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney
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Patent number: 9000056Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Enn Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jicheng Bi, Rong Zhang, Yixin Chen, Zhiqiang Sun, Jinlai Li, Zhongxue Gan
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Patent number: 8999022Abstract: A method for producing synthetic gas from biomass by: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a pyrolysis furnace while spraying a first superheated water vapor into the pyrolysis furnace, controlling the temperature of the pyrolysis furnace at 500-800° C., contacting the biomass with the first superheated water vapor for a pyrolysis reaction to yield crude synthetic gas and ash including coke; b) cooling the ash, and separating the coke from the ash; c) transporting the crude synthetic gas and the coke into a gasifier, spraying a second superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the second superheated water vapor for a gasification reaction to yield primary synthetic gas; and d) cooling, removing dust, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to obtain clean synthetic gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Sunshine Kaidi New Energy Group Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yilong Chen, Hongming Tang, Yanfeng Zhang
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Patent number: 8999019Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Taylor Biomass Energy, LLCInventor: Mark A. Paisley
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Patent number: 8992640Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Khodaram Rustom Khosravian, Ronald Frederick Tyree, Patrick Joseph McKenna
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Patent number: 8986405Abstract: A gas generator and process for converting a fuel into an oxygen-depleted gas and/or hydrogen-enriched gas. The gas generator is preferably used for generating protection gas or reducing gas for start up, shut down or emergency shut down of a SOFC or SOEC. The process for converting fuel into oxygen-depleted gas and/or a hydrogen-enriched gas includes combusting the fuel in a primary catalytic burner with an oxygen-containing gas to produce a flue gas with oxygen, combusting or partially oxidizing the flue gas comprising oxygen with excess fuel in a secondary catalytic burner to produce a gas with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and reducing the trace amounts of oxygen from the gas comprising traces of oxygen and obtaining an oxygen-depleted gas, or reducing the carbon monoxide present in the gas by conversion to carbon dioxide or methane to obtain a hydrogen-enriched gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Topsoe Fuel Cell A/SInventor: Hassan Modarresi
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Patent number: 8974557Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Good Earth Power CorporationInventor: John Dooher
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Patent number: 8951311Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Peter L. Rozelle, Victor K. Der
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Patent number: 8945248Abstract: Biomass gasification systems including a biofilter assembly adapted to be disposed within a filter unit of a biomass gasification system are provided. The biofilter assemblies may be adapted to filter particulate matter from a producer gas flowing through the filter unit while allowing a remainder of the producer gas to pass through the biofilter assembly. The biofilter assembly may include a support structure and a biofilter disposed on the support structure and including a biomaterial adapted to be gasified in a biomass gasification reactor of the biomass gasification system.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Omprakash Mall, Amol Mahulkar
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Patent number: 8936656Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrogen generator for producing hydrogen by the steam-reforming reaction of hydrocarbons, in which a pressure loss induction structure for artificially reducing the pressure of exhaust gas is provided between a combustion unit and an exhaust gas discharge pipe, thus improving the uneven distribution of exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young Dae Kim, Jae Suk Choi, Jin Sik Yang, Myung Jun Kim
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Patent number: 8926719Abstract: A hydrogen generator including a reactor chamber having a feedstock inlet and an inlet seal positioned at the feedstock inlet. At least one pair of feed rollers is positioned to draw a feedstock through the inlet seal and into the reactor chamber. At least one pair of distressing rollers is positioned in line with the feed rollers to produce stress in the feedstock. Steam is provided to the reactor chamber through a steam inlet and hydrogen is collected from a hydrogen outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLCInventor: Roy Edward McAlister
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Patent number: 8915980Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: UHDE GmbHInventor: Christoph Hanrott
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Patent number: 8900334Abstract: The goal of the invention consists in making available a method for supplying fuel to a pressurized gasification system, which ensures, in economically efficient manner, that the emission of pollutants from the coal transfer and the transport is minimized or completely avoided. This is achieved in that a gas that contains at least 10 ppm vol. CO is used for transfer and/or conveying, whereby a gas that contains oxygen is mixed into this gas, and that this gas mixture is heated to a temperature that oxidizes at least 10% of the pollutants contained in the gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: ThyssenKrupp UHDE GmbHInventors: Johannes Kowoll, Stefan Hamel, Michael Rieger
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Patent number: 8894728Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbHInventors: Domenico Pavone, Ralf Abraham, Muhammad Iqbal Mian
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Patent number: 8894729Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: shell Oil CompanyInventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
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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: 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: 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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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: 8778038Abstract: A method for controlling the peak temperature of a fluid gasification zone used for the gasification of carbonaceous materials to a syngas. Pulsed oxygen is used to control the peak temperature of the gasification zone and to avoid hot spots in the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Syngas Technology, LLCInventors: Duane A. Goetsch, Jacqueline R. Hitchingham, Lloyd R. White
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 8636828Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: DCNS SAInventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger, R. Todd Studebaker