Water Patents (Class 48/78)
  • Patent number: 11220642
    Abstract: A pulverized coal gasification device and process for producing high heating value coal gas with low carbon residue content includes a U-shaped coal gas generation furnace and a coal gas-semicoke separating device, and the U-shaped coal gas generation furnace consists of two section structures including high-temperature and low-temperature sections which are arranged in a U-shaped manner; the high-temperature section and the low-temperature section share an ash hopper; the high-temperature section is a downward entrained-flow bed, and the low-temperature section is an upward entrained-flow bed; and an inlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to the outlet of the low-temperature section, a solid outlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to an inlet of the high-temperature section, and a gas outlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to a coal gas waste heat utilizing and purifying system. The coal utilization rate can be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chunyuan Ma, Tao Wang, Binxuan Zhou, Zhen Zhang, Jiapeng Fu, Liqiang Zhang, Xiqiang Zhao, Xingxing Cheng
  • Patent number: 9359200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for parallel preparation of hydrogen and one or more carbonaceous products, in which hydrocarbons are introduced into a reaction space (R) and decomposed thermally to carbon and hydrogen in the presence of carbon-rich pellets (W). It is a feature of the invention that at least a portion of the thermal energy required for the hydrocarbon decomposition is introduced into the reaction space (R) by means of a gaseous heat carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: BASF SE, Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Maass, Volker Goeke, Otto Machhammer, Marcus Guzmann, Christian Schneider, Wolfgang Alois Hormuth, Andreas Bode, Dirk Klingler, Matthias Kern, Grigorios Kolios
  • Patent number: 9102525
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing carbon nanotubes which includes supplying a continuous fluidized feed of a catalyst and at least one hydrocarbon to a reactor operating under conditions suitable to produce carbon nanotubes. The fluid is made to flow though the reactor with a swirling motion which ensures that the internal surfaces of the reactor are cleaned of deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: University of the Witwatersrand
    Inventor: Sunny Esayegbemu Iyuke
  • Patent number: 9028571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ineos Bio SA
    Inventors: Peter S. Bell, Nicolas Vanhecke, Bernard Descales
  • Patent number: 8999022
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sunshine Kaidi New Energy Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yilong Chen, Hongming Tang, Yanfeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8974557
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tunable catalytic gasifier systems suitable for gasifying coal, biomass, and other fuel sources. The gasifier reactors of the disclosed systems may be heated by, e.g., a catalytic tube or other jacket that generates heat by catalytically combusting syngas, which syngas may be syngas produced by the gasifier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Good Earth Power Corporation
    Inventor: John Dooher
  • Patent number: 8936656
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Dae Kim, Jae Suk Choi, Jin Sik Yang, Myung Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 8845770
    Abstract: A gasification system including a gasifier, a feed injector, and a fuel feed system that includes a first feed line, a second feed line, and a controller that includes a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the first feed line to supply a fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to supply oxygen into the feed injector, receive instructions to add a slurry to the gasifier, prevent the first feed line from supplying the fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the first feed line to supply the slurry into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to simultaneously supply the oxygen and the inert gas into the feed injector, and prevent the second feed line from supplying the inert gas into the feed injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Frederick Tyree, Huan Van Ho
  • Patent number: 8764860
    Abstract: A system includes a gasification vessel configured to receive a fuel and an oxidizer. The system also includes a gasifier disposed in the gasification vessel. The gasifier is configured to partially oxidize the fuel and the oxidizer to generate a syngas. The system further includes a convective syngas cooler configured to cool the syngas via heat exchange with a coolant. The convective syngas cooler is disposed in an interior of the gasification vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron John Avagliano, James Michael Storey
  • Publication number: 20140157665
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hydrocarbon-containing gaseous fuel comprises at least three stages. In the first stage water is entered for heating and water steam forming in the second stage hydrocarbon component is entered and mixed with water steam by injecting The mixture is heated and directed to third and subsequent stages to additional heating for fuel producing. Turbo generator setup is made as two cylinder tubes, forming technological cylinder, divided on isolated sections. The first section is made with induction heat source for system start-up, the second section is made with injector type mixer. The inner tube cavity forms the firing chamber. In technological cylinder multistage components and mixture heated and additional heating in subsequent sections are realized until forming of hydrogen-containing gaseous fuel. Burning system is installed on the firing chamber inlet. Working torch forming element, as a restriction device is installed on the firing chamber outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Gamlet Gurgenovich ARAKELYAN, Artur Gamletovich ARAKELYAN, Grant Gamletovich ARAKELYAN
  • Patent number: 8475546
    Abstract: A reactor vessel includes a dipleg connecting a tubular syngas collection chamber and a quench chamber. The collection chamber connects to the dipleg via a slag tap having a frusto-conical part starting from the lower end of the collection chamber and diverging to an opening connected to an interior of the dipleg. The slag tap has a first tubular part connected to the opening of the frusto-conical part and extending in the direction of the dipleg. A second tubular part connects to the frusto-conical part or to the tubular part and extends toward the dipleg. The second tubular part is spaced away from the dipleg to provide an annular space having a discharge conduit. The discharge conduit has a discharge opening located to direct water along the inner wall of the dipleg. At least half of the vertical length of the first tubular part extends below the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Benedict Ignatius Maria Ten Bosch, Thomas Ebner, Wouter Koen Harteveld, Hans Joachim Heinen, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
  • Patent number: 8475547
    Abstract: In a reactor for gasification of entrained solid and liquid fuels at temperatures between 1,200 and 1,900° C. and at pressures between ambient pressure and 10 MPa using an oxidizing agent containing free oxygen, the cooling screen is connected to the pressure shell in a gastight manner via a sliding seal in order to allow length changes. Continuous gas purging of the annular gap between pressure shell and cooling screen is unnecessary and gasification gas is prevented from flowing behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Kirchhübel, Christian Reuther, Manfred Schingnitz, Heidrun Toth
  • Patent number: 8475548
    Abstract: In a reactor for the gasification of solid and liquid fuels in the entrained flow at temperatures between 1200 and 1900° C. and pressures between ambient pressure and 10 MPa with an oxidizing agent containing free oxygen, the cooling screen is connected in a gas-tight manner to the pressure shell via a bellows compensator to accommodate linear deformation. Continuous sweeping by gas of the annular gap between pressure shell and cooling screen is unnecessary and backflow by producer gas is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Kirchhübel, Manfred Schingnitz, Heidrun Toth
  • Publication number: 20130025200
    Abstract: A gasifier system for converting biomass to biogas includes a reaction chamber with a biomass supply port for receiving a biomass volume, a waste outlet port for discharging biomass conversion by-products, a gas inlet for receiving heated oxidizing gas, a gas outlet for discharging generated biogas and a burner manifold for distributing oxidizing gas within the chamber to react the biomass. The burner manifold includes primary tubes and secondary tubes, positioned in a vertically lower part of the chamber and configured with multiple openings or ports for dispensing the oxidizing gas, where the secondary tubes extend into, inject and evenly distribute the oxidizing gas into the biomass volume to optimize conversion to biogas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20120167462
    Abstract: A char 7 feed rate at a rated point determined from a relationship between a current water vapor 3 flow rate and a current raw material 5 charge rate to a gasification furnace 1 is multiplied by a proper number determined from a relationship between a current gasification furnace 1 temperature and a current bed material 4 circulated rate to calculate an actual char 7 feed rate. A subtraction is performed between a gross heat value of the char 7 flowing into the combustion furnace 2 determined on the basis of the calculated char 7 feed rate and a heat value required for keeping a top of the combustion furnace 2 at a commanded temperature determined from a relationship between the commanded temperature and an air flow rate in the furnace 2 to determine a heat value required for keeping the combustion furnace 2 at the commanded temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20120028142
    Abstract: An on-board fuel processor includes a microchannel steam reforming reactor (30) and a water vaporizer (40) heated in series with a combustion gas. The reformer (30) and the vaporizer (40) are both of a cross-flow panel configuration that allows for low combustion side pressure drop. Fuel is directly injected into the steam, and during a rapid cold start, both the combustion gas flow rate and the steam to carbon ratio are substantially increased relative to their steady state operating values. A rapid cold start can be achieved in under 30 seconds with a manageable amount of electric power consumption, removing impediments to use in automotive fuel cell applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Greg A. Whyatt, Christopher M. Fischer, James M. Davis
  • Publication number: 20110308156
    Abstract: A reformer reactor is provided for converting hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen rich gas by auto-thermal reaction process having a cylindrically shaped and double walled, housing with two side faces forming a reaction chamber of the reformer. Additionally, a fuel inlet is provided in one of the two side faces for providing hydrocarbon fuels into the reaction chamber, wherein further a fuel preheating means is provided which preheats the hydrocarbon fuel before the hydrocarbon fuel enters the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: POWERCELL SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Anders Karlsson, Lars Pettersson, Bärd Lindström
  • Publication number: 20110289843
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided facilitating operation of a steam reformation process as part of a syngas production process. A steam reforming coil is placed inside a refractory lined pressure vessel, thereby allowing the pressure inside the pressure vessel to be controlled in accordance with the pressure in the steam reforming coil. By controlling an external pressure a wider range of materials can be employed to construct system apparatus. Further, a partial pressure operation can be conducted, where the chamber pressure is a ratio of the reforming coil pressure. Furthermore, apparatus can operate in a parasitic manner where, for example, produced syngas can be utilized to heat apparatus components and exhaust gas can power a turbine to compress feed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RED LION BIO-ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Roger Jorgenson
  • Publication number: 20110154736
    Abstract: With a method for discharging slag from a water bath of a reactor for synthesis gas production, whereby the slag is brought to a lower pressure level by means of a transfer container, a solution is supposed to be created, with which the components connected with transferring the slag out are subject to a low temperature, whereby immediate slag transfer without water exchange is supposed to be made possible, with a minimal required cooling power. This is accomplished in that a cooling water stream is passed to the slag stream in the outlet region of the slag from the water bath of the gas generator or the pressurized container that surrounds it, in a region having a greater cross-section than the cross-section of the entry connector of another system part, such as, for example, the transfer container, in such a manner that temperature stratification in the outlet region is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hanrott
  • Publication number: 20110061298
    Abstract: Steam may be used to dry feedstock prior to delivery to a gasifier. A steam supply may be delivered to embodiments such as a feedstock dryer. Heat from the steam may then be transferred into the feedstock and used in drying the feedstock. Steam pressures may include pressures from 75 pounds per square inch up to and including 900 pounds per square inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George Frederick Frey, Karthik Subramanyan
  • Publication number: 20100325955
    Abstract: A gasification apparatus is provided which enables gas hydrate pellets to be transported and gasified in the same vessel and enables a gas to be generated by pellet decomposition in a controlled amount. The apparatus is free from bridging. The apparatus includes a heat-in-saluted vessel main body and, disposed therein, a tubular structure which is open at the top and bottom. This tubular structure holds therein gas hydrate pellets obtained by compression-molding a gas hydrate produced by the hydration reaction of a raw-material gas with raw-material water. The tubular structure becomes wider in diameter from the upper opening toward the lower opening. A channel for passing a heat carrier therethrough has been disposed between the lower end of the tubular structure and the inner bottom surface of the vessel main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Shinji Imai, Kazuhiko Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 7828864
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing hydrogen gas with a fuel processing system that includes a hydrogen-producing region that produces hydrogen gas from a feed stream and a heating assembly that consumes a fuel stream to produce a heated exhaust stream for heating the hydrogen-producing region. In some embodiments, the heating assembly heats the hydrogen-producing region to at least a minimum hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the feed stream and the fuel stream both contain a carbon-containing feedstock and at least 25 wt % water. In some embodiments, at least one of the feed and fuel streams contain at least one additional component. In some embodiments, the feed and fuel streams have the same composition. In some embodiments, the feed and fuel streams are drawn or obtained from a common source or supply, and in some embodiments as a liquid stream that is selectively apportioned to form the feed and fuel streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Darrell J. Elliott, Alan E. Hayes, William A. Pledger, Curtiss Renn, Redwood Stephens, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Patent number: 7780749
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are unmixed fuel processors and methods for using the same. In one embodiment, an unmixed fuel processor comprises: an oxidation reactor comprising an oxidation portion and a gasifier, a CO2 acceptor reactor, and a regeneration reactor. The oxidation portion comprises an air inlet, effluent outlet, and an oxygen transfer material. The gasifier comprises a solid hydrocarbon fuel inlet, a solids outlet, and a syngas outlet. The CO2 acceptor reactor comprises a water inlet, a hydrogen outlet, and a CO2 sorbent, and is configured to receive syngas from the gasifier. The regeneration reactor comprises a water inlet and a CO2 stream outlet. The regeneration reactor is configured to receive spent CO2 adsorption material from the gasification reactor and to return regenerated CO2 adsorption material to the gasification reactor, and configured to receive oxidized oxygen transfer material from the oxidation reactor and to return reduced oxygen transfer material to the oxidation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Parag Prakash Kulkarni, Zhe Cui
  • Publication number: 20100037520
    Abstract: A method for converting biomass having a water content of at least 50% into gaseous products includes providing a reactor containing supercritical water and a salt melt. The salt melt includes at least one of a salt and a salt mixture. The reactor and the salt melt are heated to the reaction temperature. The biomass is heated to a preheat temperature. The biomass heated to the preheat temperature is fed into the salt melt. The biomass is heated to the reaction temperature so as to commence a conversion of the biomass into the gaseous products, so as to release from the biomass at least one additional salt into the salt melt. An amount of the salt melt containing at least a portion of the at least one additional salt is withdrawn from the reactor and the amount of the withdrawn salt melt is replaced with a fresh salt solution. The gaseous products are removed from the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Forschungszentrum Karisruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Goldacker, Andrea Kruse, Nicolaus Dahmen
  • Patent number: 7625414
    Abstract: A reactor intended to carry out partial oxidation reactions starting from liquid feedstocks that can go from GPL to gas oil for the purpose of producing synthesis gas is characterized by finely controlled hydrodynamics and a high degree of thermal integration, and comprises an elongated jacket along an axis of any orientation, means (12) for supplying a preheated gas that contains oxygen and optionally water vapor, means (9) for supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock, means (11) for evacuation of a hydrogen-rich effluent, a first internal chamber (5) inside of which is carried out an essentially isothermal partial oxidation reaction that is connected to means (9) for supplying the hydrocarbon feedstock and to means (12) for supplying preheated gas, gas turbulizing means that are suitable for creating a perfect mixing flow, means (8) for linking first chamber (5) to a second chamber (7) with a suitable volume for carrying out a piston flow, linking means (8) that comprise at least one orifice, and second chamber (7
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Luc Nougier, Stéphane Bertholin, Willy Nastoll
  • Publication number: 20090211155
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a gasifier system are provided. The gasifier system includes a gasifier including a syngas cooler configured to transfer heat from a reaction zone of the gasifier to a flow of fluid through the syngas cooler, a reaction vessel coupled in flow communication with the syngas cooler wherein the reaction vessel is adapted to receive the flow of fluid and generate heat in an exothermic shift reaction. The system also includes a heat exchanger coupled in flow communication with the reaction vessel, the heat exchanger adapted to produce relatively high pressure steam using the generated heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Aaron John Avagliano, Paul Steven Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090119991
    Abstract: 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 (9), 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 (9), and recycled contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: THERMO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis E.J. Johnson, Grigori A. Abramov, Richard A. Kleinke, Marcus A. Wiley
  • Patent number: 7530931
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system includes a fuel container, a spent fuel container, a catalyst system and a control system for generating hydrogen in a manner which provides for a compact and efficient construction while producing hydrogen from a reaction involving a hydride solution such as sodium borohydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Phillip J. Petillo, Stephen C. Petillo, Richard M. Mohring
  • Publication number: 20090077888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process as well as a device for continuous thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of a mixture of substances (crude glycerol) (1) that contains glycerol, salts and water, whereby the crude glycerol (1) is heated in a reactor (pyrolysis reactor) (R) to a temperature (pyrolysis temperature) of more than 100° C. The pyrolysis of the crude glycerol (1) is performed at a pressure (pyrolysis pressure) that is higher than the vapor pressure of the water, present in the pyrolysis reactor (R), at pyrolysis temperature, and salts and other higher-boiling substances together with water are drawn off continuously from the pyrolysis reactor (R) as waste water (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Hans Jorg ZANDER, Anton Wellenhofer, Axel Behrens, Wibke Korn
  • Publication number: 20090064581
    Abstract: A plasma-assisted waste gasification system and process for converting waste stream reaction residues into a clean synthesis gas (syngas) is disclosed. The feedstock is fed into a reactor roughly one-third from the bottom through the use of a feed mechanism. The reactor has three zones; a bottom zone where melting occurs, a middle zone where gasification takes place, and a top zone with integrated plasma torches to control the temperature and polish the syngas. The residence times in the three zones are selected to optimize the syngas composition and melted products. The syngas leaves the reactor and is partially quenched with relatively cooler synthesis gas. The partially quenched syngas is further cooled to recover heat for steam generation and/or preheating the waste stream to the reactor. The cold syngas is then processed to remove pollutants. The clean synthesis gas is combusted in power generation equipment to generate electricity, or converted to other fuels by chemical processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Christian Nielsen, Richard Anthony DePuy, Aditya Kumar, James Patrick Francis Lyons, Vitali Lissianski, Ruijie Shi, Surinder Prabhjot Singh, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, Vladimir Zamansky
  • Patent number: 7497881
    Abstract: A heat exchanger design is provided for optimal transfer of thermal energy between a primary reactor-out reformate and a primary reactor-in steam and air. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a prime-surface true counter axial flow heat exchanger positioned around the primary reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Burch, Matthew J. Beutel, Kevin Stukey
  • Patent number: 7488359
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are provided for the generation of hydrogen which employ a reformer and water gas shift reactor. The apparatus and processes respond quickly to changes in hydrogen generation. The reformate in a region between the reformer and prior to exiting the water gas shift reactor is cooled by indirect heat exchange with water whereby substantially all the water is vaporized to steam, the steam is separated from liquid water and then introduced into the reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: HyRadix, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Sanger
  • Patent number: 7087097
    Abstract: A pressure-supercharged fluidized-bed gasification chamber has a pressure-tight lock for supplying the feed materials which are to be gasified. The fluidized-bed gasification chamber is connected to a filter chamber via a connecting channel, with the result that the gas produced can flow over from the fluidized-bed gasification chamber into the filter chamber, where it is directed through the filter layer. An external heat source provides the necessary heat for the allothermic gasification. A heat-pipe arrangement directs the heat from the external heat source into the gasification bed of the fluidized-bed gasification chamber, in order to provide the temperature which is necessary for the gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Technische Universitat Munchen Lehrstuhl fur Thermische Kraftanlagen
    Inventor: Jurgen Karl
  • Patent number: 6875246
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel reformer that is supplied with water vapor extracted from the reformer's effluent stream. In particular, the present invention provides a power plant fuel processor for the production of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel, comprising: (a) a reactor for the production of hydrogen using an oxidant, water and hydrocarbon fuel; and (b) a water transfer device that transfers water vapor from the reformate produced by said reactor to the oxidant used by said reactor, comprising a water-transfer membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Burch, Jameson R. Forte, Mark A. Brundage
  • Publication number: 20030118505
    Abstract: The process for producing hydrogen gas according to the present invention consists of reacting aluminum with water in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also described. The apparatus comprises an expandable container wherein the pressure and temperature of the reaction causes the container to expand and contract to control the degree of immersion of a fuel cartridge in water and consequently to control the intensity and duration of the reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Erling Reidar Andersen, Erling Jim Andersen
  • Publication number: 20030014918
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel reformer that is supplied with water vapor extracted from the reformer's effluent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Burch, Jameson R. Forte, Mark A. Brundage
  • Publication number: 20020102195
    Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with columns of individual gas passages. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the assembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages. The regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages and the reformer gas passages in each sub-assembly are connected by gas flow reversing manifolds which form a part of each sub-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Roger R. Lesieur, Ned E. Cipollini, Thomas F. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20020007594
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process for sustainable CO2-free production of hydrogen and carbon by thermocatalytic decomposition (or dissociation, pyrolysis, cracking) of hydrocarbon fuels over carbon-based catalysts in the absence of air and/or water. The process is applicable to any hydrocarbon fuel, including sulfurous fuels. Combination of a catalytic reactor with a gas separation unit allows to produce high purity hydrogen (at least, 99.0 v %) completely free of carbon oxides. In a preferred embodiment, sustainable continuous production of hydrogen and carbon is achieved by both internal and external activation of carbon catalysts. Internal activation of carbon catalyst is accomplished by recycling of hydrogen-depleted gas containing unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons back to the reactor. External activation can be achieved via surface gasification of carbon catalysts by hot combustion gases during catalyst heating. The process can conveniently be integrated with any type of fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Nazim Z. Muradov
  • Publication number: 20010053346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for combining sodium and aluminum into a single, substantially homogeneous alloy without the need to use potentially dangerous, toxic mercury compounds. The present invention also provides a catalytic alloy that is capable of dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, thereby allowing the hydrogen to be utilized as fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Edward W. Baldwin, Russell P. White
  • Publication number: 20010049907
    Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus includes a vaporizing device, a vapor mixing device and a reforming device. The vaporizing device produces a vapor by vaporizing at least a portion of a first one of a hydrocarbon fuel and water, without mixing with a second one of the hydrocarbon fuel and the water, so as to produce a vapor gas containing the vapor and air. The vapor mixing device receives the vapor gas from the vaporizing device, and creates a vapor mixture by spraying at least a portion of at least one of the hydrocarbon fuel and the water, which was not vaporized by the vaporizing device, toward the supplied vapor gas. Thr reforming device receives the vapor mixture from the vapor mixing device and reforms the hydrocarbon fuel to a reformate gas containing hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Inoue
  • Publication number: 20010047620
    Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus quickly heats the temperature of a catalyst to an activation temperature to shorten a startup time. The apparatus supplies a hydrocarbon fuel and an oxidizer upstream from a second catalyst (2 ), and steam upstream from a first catalyst (1 ). The second catalyst starts a rapid oxidation reaction to generate a high-temperature gas which heats the first catalyst. When the apparatus changes a startup operation or an accelerating operation to a steady operation after a predetermined period, the apparatus supplies the hydrocarbon fuel and steam upstream from the second catalyst, and the oxidizer upstream from the first catalyst. As a result, the second catalyst starts a steam reforming reaction to absorb heat from the second catalyst. And the second catalyst rapidly cools to stop reactions and pass the hydrocarbon fuel and steam with out reactions. Then, a hydrogen-rich reformed gas is generated from the passed hydrocarbon fuel and steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ichikawa, Fuminori Yamanashi, Masakazu Hanawa
  • Patent number: 5512255
    Abstract: A graded temperature methanol reactor includes an inclined container containing a liquid heat transfer medium, such as water, having a varying temperature along the container. Conduits, extending through the container and in contact with heat transfer medium, conduct a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide and permit heat transfer between the feed gas and the heat transfer medium. A copper catalyst is disposed within each conduit to cause the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to react to form methanol, which condenses as the temperature decreases along the container from the upper end to the lower end. Preferably, the conduits are configured as a rotor and can be rotated relative to the container. By using this methanol reactor, methanol can be produced from a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a 2:1 molecular ratio, regardless of the source of this feed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Wright Malta Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Coffman
  • Patent number: 4597772
    Abstract: A tilted, fixed kiln with rotory steam gasifier having a fixed elongated, pressurizable kiln body member with an input end and an output end and with the center axis supported at an angle to the horizontal so as to bring into effect gravitational forces acting on high moisture content biomass material fed into the input end and travelling through the kiln to the output end and having in the kiln body an axially extending rotor and a motor, radially spaced-apart scoop-like blade elements extending along the axial length of the kiln for tumbling the material, means for increasing the temperature from its input to its output end, spaced-apart blades and chains disposed in the rotor kiln cavities for stirring the biomass material as it travels through the kiln to prevent agglomeration, a plurality of parallel, axially extending hot gas counter-flow feedback pipes arranged around the kiln body and along the backsides of the scoop-like blade elements, a metering auger mounted vertically to the input end of the kiln
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Wright-Malta Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Coffman
  • Patent number: 4368103
    Abstract: An improved plant for coal carbonization or gasification of the type having a vessel with reaction compartment, at least one burner at the top of the reaction compartment for the partial combustion of finely-ground coal at a temperature above the ash-melting temperature to produce a product of gas, coke dust and slag or ashes, the compartment having a bottom opening for the discharge of gas-coke dust current from the compartment, and means for separating the product gas is disclosed. A lower chamber is in the vessel underneath the compartment adjacent to the opening. A heating surface in a vertical wall portion of the vessel surrounding the lower chamber, and a slag trap adapted to trap slag arranged in the bottom of the chamber is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignees: Vereinigte Elektrizitats-Werke Westfalen AG, Firma Carl Still GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Weinzierl, Kurt Tippmer
  • Patent number: 4085578
    Abstract: A coal gasification power plant is described in which low BTU gas is generated and used to operate a gas tubine and accompanying equipment for the generation of power. This plant is equipped with means for enabling the intermittent operation of multiple fixed bed coal gasifier units thereof to simultaneously produce water gas (intermediate BTU gas) and low BTU gas (producer gas) as required to operate the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul H. Kydd
  • Patent number: 3970436
    Abstract: A steam generating system for a gas producer of the type including a combustion chamber and an annular water jacket surrounding the chamber is disclosed characterised in that the upper part of the jacket is of larger diameter than the lower part thereof, the lower part being heated through substantially direct contact with the combustion chamber and the upper part being insulated from the chamber preferably by means of a skin of fire bricks or the like; an open upwardly directed vent pipe communicating with the lower part of the jacket; and a steam exhaust line communicating with the upper part of the jacket. The system also includes a venturi arrangement for introducing the generated steam to the air blast as well as a safety valve in the steam line which is adapted to respond to temperature changes in the air blast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Inventor: Gerald Sydney Victor Livemore
  • Patent number: 3957457
    Abstract: Granulated coals or cokes derived from coal, in sizes up to about 3/4 inch and containing ash matter with an initial deformation temperature above about 2,300.degree.F, are fed to a slow fluidized bed comprising relatively large particles of coke intermingled with roughly spherical ash agglomerates, maintained at about 2,050.degree.F to 2,650.degree.F, and supplied with a gasification medium, for example, steam mixed with oxygen or air. A fast fluidized bed of coke fines is superposed above the slow bed and is contiguous therewith. Gasification products are discharged together with relatively fine particles of coke, which are collected and returned to the fast bed. Ash agglomerates are withdrawn from the bottom of the slow bed via a standpipe leading to a mechanical grate. An oxidizing medium is introduced below the grate to consume coke particles that accompany the ash agglomerates entering the standpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Inventor: Arthur M. Squires
  • Patent number: 3957458
    Abstract: Granulated coals or cokes derived from coal, in sizes up to about 3/4 inch and containing ash matter with an initial deformation temperature below about 2,300.degree.F, are fed to a slow fluidized bed comprising relatively large particles of coke intermingled with roughly spherical ash agglomerates, maintained at about 1,900.degree.F to about 2,450.degree.F, and supplied with a gasification medium, for example, steam mixed with oxygen or air. A fast fluidized bed of coke fines is superimposed above the slow bed and is contiguous therewith. Gasification products are discharged together with relatively fine particles of coke, which are collected and returned to the fast bed. Ash agglomerates are withdrawn from the bottom of the slow bed via a standpipe leading to a slagging grate. Combustion of coke fines in a forehearth beneath the slagging grate creates slagging temperatures therein and at the grate. Molten slag falls through a taphole and into a pool of water, from which slag frit and water are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Inventor: Arthur M. Squires