With Preliminary Reaction To Form Hydrogen Or A Carbon Oxide Patents (Class 518/702)
  • Patent number: 7741377
    Abstract: A process to prepare a paraffinic hydrocarbon from a solid carbonaceous feedstock, preferably coal by performing the following steps, (a) feeding an oxygen comprising gas and the carbonaceous feedstock to a burner positioned horizontal and firing into a reactor vessel, (b) performing a partial oxidation of the carbonaceous feedstock in said burner to obtain a stream of hot synthesis gas which flows upwardly relative to the burner and a liquid slag which flows downwardly relative to the burner, (c) cooling the hot synthesis gas by first cooling the gas to a temperature of between 500 and 900° C. by injecting a gaseous or liquid cooling medium into the synthesis gas and subsequently second cooling the gas in to below 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert Erwin Van Den Berg, Franciscus Gerardus Van Dongen, Thomas Paul Von Kossak-Glowczewski, Hendrik Jan Van Der Ploeg, Pieter Lammert Zuideveld
  • Patent number: 7737311
    Abstract: Use of a Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel in a fuel composition is disclosed, for the purpose of reducing catalyst degradation in a catalytically driven or catalyst containing system which is running on, or is to be run on, the composition or its products, wherein the Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel is used to reduce the level of silicon in the fuel composition, such as by reducing the concentration of silicon-containing antifoaming additive(s) in the fuel composition. It may also be used to reduce loss of efficiency of fuel atomization and/or combustion, and/or to reduce build up of silicon deposits, in a fuel consuming system which is running on, or is to be run on, the fuel composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Roger Francis Cracknell, Trevor Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20100144905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reclaiming plastics and cellulose materials for use in a variety of applications, including as alternative fuel sources. According to one embodiment of the invention, waste is received which includes cellulose materials and plastics. Such materials are sorted from other materials and the cellulose and plastic materials are shredded or ground and then blended together. The blended materials can then be fed to an energy converter, such as a combustion unit or a gasifier, where they are burned as fuel source or used to create synthetic gas. In other embodiments, the blended materials are heated or have a binding element added thereto. Such mixture is then compressed to form a desired shape or sized object, and that object can then be packaged, distributed or used. The blended object can be used as a fuel source, or as a building, sound attenuation, or insulation material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Reaveley, Mark Bryant
  • Patent number: 7732499
    Abstract: A method for the production of syngas from methanol feedstock is disclosed. The methanol feed (110) is supplied to a partial oxidation reactor (112) with oxygen (114) and optionally steam (116) to yield a mixed stream (118) of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide (122) is separated out and the hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixture (124) is fed to a cold box (126) where it is separated into hydrogen-rich and carbon monoxide-rich streams (130, 128). The separated carbon dioxide (122) can be recycled back to the partial oxidation reactor (112) as a temperature moderator if desired. The carbon monoxide-rich stream (128) can be reacted with methanol (134) in an acetic acid synthesis unit (132) by a conventional process to produce acetic acid (136) or an acetic acid precursor. Optionally, an ammonia synthesis unit (144) and/or vinyl acetate monomer synthesis unit (156) can be integrated into the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Acetex (Cyprus) Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Marcel Thiebaut
  • Publication number: 20100137457
    Abstract: A method for converting carbon dioxide in a gaseous environment, including air into useful materials by use of renewable energy sources which comprises: (1) extracting carbon dioxide from a gaseous source using a sorbent such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide; (2) utilizing wind power, solar power, or other renewable energy sources to regenerate said sorbent by membrane cell electrolysis or other similar method, simultaneously producing hydrogen (H2) gas; (3) releasing carbon dioxide from said sorbent; and (4) utilizing the Fischer Tropsch process, Mobil process, ICI process, or related or similar processes to convert carbon oxides to a hydrocarbon concomittantly with or after effecting the reverse water-gas shift reaction to convert said CO2 and H2 gas into carbon monoxide for reaction in said Fischer Tropsch process, Mobil process or ICI process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Proger KAPLAN
  • Publication number: 20100137458
    Abstract: A process for converting synthesis gas to hydrocarbons, using a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Two F-T reactors are used in series with water removal between them and additional hydrogen added to the second reactor in an embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GTL.F1 AG
    Inventor: Rytter Erling
  • Patent number: 7728046
    Abstract: A synthesis gas is produced from a carbon-containing starting material such as a coal; a CO-containing gas is separated from the resultant synthesis gas, whereby obtaining a gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen; a methanol- and/or dimethyl ether-containing gas is produced from the resultant gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen; meanwhile, a H2-containing gas is produced from the CO-containing gas and the H2O-containing gas separated from the lower-paraffin-containing gas by a shift reaction; a lower-paraffin-containing gas containing propane or butane as a main component of hydrocarbons contained therein is produced from the methanol- and/or dimethyl ether-containing gas and the H2-containing gas; and a H2O-containing gas is separated from the resultant lower-paraffin-containing gas, whereby obtaining a liquefied petroleum gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Gas Synthesize, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Fujimoto, Kenji Asami, Sachio Asaoka, Xiaohong Li
  • Publication number: 20100129691
    Abstract: Provided are devices and related methods for enhanced gasification of carbonaceous material in which supplemental carbon dioxide is introduced to the gasifier. The gasified carbonaceous material can then be used as a syngas or further processed into hydrocarbon form. The hydrocarbon can then be used in a fuel cell to produce electrical power or used in a traditional combustion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: GOOD EARTH POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Dooher, Marco Castaldi
  • Publication number: 20100125107
    Abstract: A method of producing synthesis gas via gasification in a Fischer-Tropsch plant, the method including providing a number of gasifiers, the number of gasifiers provided being at least one more than the base number required to provide 100% plant capacity of synthesis gas when each gasifier is operated at 100% gasifier capacity. A method of continually producing synthesis gas via gasification of a carbonaceous feed in a Fischer-Tropsch plant by providing a number of gasifiers, the number of gasifiers provided being at least one more than the base number required to provide 100% plant capacity of synthesis gas when each gasifier is operated at 100% gasifier capacity; and adjusting the amount of synthesis gas produced by adjusting the number of online gasifiers, the flow rate of carbonaceous feed to each gasifier, or a combination thereof. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: RENTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua G. LEE, Mark IBSEN, Robert F. HOGSETT, Harold A. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20100113624
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of syngas from two sources with different hydrogen:carbon ratios, the first source having a low hydrogen:carbon ratio including any one or a combination of coal, brown coal, pet bitumen and tar sands, and the second source having a high hydrogen:carbon ratio including any one or a combination of natural gas, associated gas and coal bed methane. The sources are converted to syngas and then combined to provide syngas with an optimum hydrogen:carbon monoxide ratio for use in a Fischer-Tropsch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Arold Marcel Albert Routier
  • Patent number: 7704412
    Abstract: Partial oxidation process of liquid and/or gaseous fuels, by means of a catalytic system, preferably consisting of oxides, nitrides or oxynitrides containing one or more elements selected from Rh, Ru, Ir, Pt, Ni, Fe, Co, Cr and Cu, comprising the following steps: —premixing and, upon start-up, preheating the reagents consisting of natural gas, oxygen or air or air enriched in oxygen, optionally vapour and/or CO2, to temperatures ranging from 150 to 600° C., below the flash-point values, so that the surface rate of the reaction gases is maintained above the flame rate and the temperature of the reagent mixture in the area preceding the catalytic bed is below its flash point; —reacting the reagent mixture in the reaction zone by interaction of the catalyst, activating it at temperatures ranging from 150 to 600° C. and at space velocities ranging from 50,000 to 5,000,000 Nl reagents/L cat×h, reaching temperatures ranging from 600 to 1350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Eni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Basini, Alessandra Guarinoni
  • Publication number: 20100076096
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkylate and middle distillate, the process comprising: (a) catalytically cracking a first hydrocarbon feedstock by contacting the feedstock with a cracking catalyst comprising a shape-selective additive at a temperature in the range of from 450 to 650° C. within a riser or downcomer reaction zone to yield a first cracked product comprising middle distillate and a spent cracking catalyst; (b) regenerating the spent cracking catalyst to yield a regenerated cracking catalyst; (c) contacting, within a second reaction zone, at least part of the regenerated cracking catalyst obtained in step (b) with a second hydrocarbon feedstock at a temperature in the range of from 500 to 800° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Hans Peter Alexander Calis, Georghios Agamemnonons Hadjigeorge, Weijian Mo, Easwar Santhosh Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20100076097
    Abstract: A chemical product providing system is provided, which comprises an electrolyser and a gasification unit, whereas the gasification unit is fed with oxygen, resulted from the electrolyser, to produce a synthesis gas by the gasification unit, the synthesis gas being a source material for the chemical product. A method is for providing a chemical product is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Metz, Erik Wolf
  • Patent number: 7682587
    Abstract: A fuel cell reformer includes a main body having a first pipe with a second pipe inside the first pipe, a thermal source unit in the second pipe, a reforming reaction unit in a first region between the first pipe and the second pipe to generate a reforming gas containing hydrogen through a reforming reaction of a fuel, and a carbon monoxide reduction unit in a region other than the first region between the first pipe and the second pipe to reduce a concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reforming gas. A thermal treatment unit in the main body supplies thermal energy to the reforming reaction unit and the carbon monoxide reduction unit at a time of initial driving of the reformer such that the supplied thermal energy corresponds to a unique operational temperature range in the reforming reaction unit, and to a unique operational temperature range in the carbon monoxide reduction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Jun Kong, Ju-Yong Kim, Dong-Yun Lee, Chan-Ho Lee, Sung-Chul Lee, Dong-Myung Suh, Myeong-Ju Ha, Dong-Uk Lee
  • Patent number: 7678951
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for treating a natural gas containing ethane, comprising the following stages: (a) extraction of at least one part of the ethane from the natural gas; (b) reforming of at least one part of the extracted ethane into a synthesis gas; (c) methanation of the synthesis gas into a methane-rich gas; and (d) mixing of the methane-rich gas with the natural gas. Installation for implementing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Total S.A.
    Inventor: Denis Chretien
  • Patent number: 7670586
    Abstract: Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, John Repasky, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng
  • Patent number: 7665328
    Abstract: A method for rendering a contaminated biomass inert includes providing a first composition, providing a second composition, reacting the first and second compositions together to form an alkaline hydroxide, providing a contaminated biomass feedstock and reacting the alkaline hydroxide with the contaminated biomass feedstock to render the contaminated biomass feedstock inert and further producing hydrogen gas, and a byproduct that includes the first composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis N. Bingham, Kerry M. Klingler, Bruce M. Wilding
  • Publication number: 20100022666
    Abstract: A process (10) for co-producing power and hydrocarbons includes in a wet gasification stage (70), gasifying coal to produce a combustion gas (86) at elevated pressure comprising at least H2 and CO; enriching (72) a first portion of the combustion gas with H2 to produce an H2-enriched gas (88); and generating power (77) from a second portion of the combustion gas. In a dry gasification stage (16), coal is gasified to produce a synthesis gas precursor (36) at elevated pressure comprising at least H2 and CO. At least a portion of the H2-enriched gas (88) is mixed with the synthesis gas precursor (36) to provide a synthesis gas for hydrocarbon synthesis, with hydrocarbons being synthesised (20, 22) from the synthesis gas. In certain embodiments, the process (10) produces a CO2 exhaust stream (134) for sequestration or capturing for further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED
    Inventors: Jan Hendrik Duvenhage Boshoff, Isabella Lodewina Greeff, Andre Peter Steynberg
  • Publication number: 20100016453
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks to oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of a particulate catalyst. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) (CO and CO2) and hydrogen containing feedstocks, e.g. synthesis gas or syngas, to alcohols in the presence of a particulate modified molybdenum sulphide based catalyst, or a modified methanol based catalyst and/or a modified Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and/or a precious metal (e.g. rhodium) based catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Leslie W. Bolton, Benjamin P. Gracey
  • Patent number: 7645807
    Abstract: Production of biodiesel from vegetable and animal oils with conversion of a by-product crude glycerol stream to methanol. The crude glycerol stream is combined with superheated steam and oxygen to produce a synthesis gas that is then passed to a methanol synthesis reaction zone to produce methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: G.D.O. Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Goetsch, Ian S. Machay, Lloyd R. White
  • Patent number: 7642294
    Abstract: A process is provided to make ethylene and propylene from a carbonaceous feedstock. The process comprises preparing a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a feedstock. A Fischer Tropsch synthesis is then performed on the gaseous mixture to obtain a Fischer Tropsch product along with unconverted carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The Fischer Tropsch product in admixture with the unconverted carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the previous step is then subjected to terminal cracking to form ethylene and propylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Emil Eduard Antonius Cruijsberg, Jan Lodewijk Maria Dierickx, Arend Hoek, Johannes Marie Gemma Van Schijndel, Jeroen Van Westrenen
  • Patent number: 7642292
    Abstract: A process and system for producing hydrocarbon compounds or fuels that recycle products of hydrocarbon compound combustion—carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, or both, and water. The energy for recycling is electricity derived from preferably not fossil based fuels, like from nuclear fuels or from renewable energy. The process comprises electrolyzing water, and then using hydrogen to reduce externally supplied carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, then using so produced carbon monoxide together with any externally supplied carbon monoxide and hydrogen in Fischer-Tropsch reactors, with upstream upgrading to desired specification fuels—for example, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel fuel, and others. Energy released in some of these processes is used by other processes. Using adiabatic temperature changes and isothermal pressure changes for gas processing and separation, large amounts of required energy are internally recycled using electric and heat distribution lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Fuelcor LLC
    Inventor: Alexander J. Severinsky
  • Publication number: 20090308731
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to gasification processes using high-temperature steam. In one aspect, steam at relatively high temperatures (e.g., at a temperature of at least about 1500° F.) is reacted with a carbon-containing fuel. The carbon-containing fuel may be reacted to produce a carbonaceous intermediate, which may then be reacted to produce a hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon may then be purified, further reacted, or the like. In some cases, the carbonaceous intermediate may be reacted in a different reactor than the reactor involving reaction of the carbon-containing fuel with the steam. In addition, in some embodiments, H2 may be produced in reaction systems of the invention, which may be separated and purified, used to produce heat, reacted to produce a hydrocarbon, or the like. In some embodiments, the steam used in this reaction system may be heated to relatively high temperatures using a ceramic heat exchanger, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,465.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ernest R. Zabolotny, Carl E. Tauber, Francis J. Yopak, James L. Barker, Paul G. Lahaye
  • Publication number: 20090289227
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for utilizing CO2 waste comprising recovering carbon dioxide from an industrial process that produces a waste stream comprising carbon dioxide in an amount greater than an amount of carbon dioxide present in starting materials for the industrial process. The method further includes producing hydrogen using a renewable energy resource and producing a hydrocarbon material utilizing the produced hydrogen and the recovered carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Bruce W. Rising
  • Patent number: 7619012
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting carbonaceous material to a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas by heating the carbonaceous material in a fluidized bed reactor using hydrogen, as fluidizing medium, and using steam, under reducing conditions at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas but at a temperature low enough and/or at a pressure high enough to enable the carbonaceous material to be fluidized by the hydrogen. In particular embodiments, the carbonaceous material is fed as a slurry feed, along with hydrogen, to a kiln type reactor before being fed to the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Joseph M. Norbeck, Chan Seung Park, Surinder P. Singh
  • Publication number: 20090234030
    Abstract: A process for the reduction of carbonyl sulfide (COS) in a gas stream is described. It comprises contacting the gas stream with an iron oxide-based material. The present invention relates to the removal of COS from any type of gas stream, in particular those which include one or more of the group comprising ethane, methane, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and noble gases. These include natural gas, and in particular syngas. Syngas is useable in a Fischer-Tropsch process. The present invention provides a simple but effective process for the reduction of COS, especially with a material that can easily be located in existing guard beds—avoiding any re-engineering time and costs. The iron oxide-based materials can also be useable against other impurities, providing a single bed solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Rudolf Robert Gouman, Rudolf Henri Max Herold, Thijme Last, Bernardus Josephus Maria Manshande, Cornelis Jacobus Smit
  • Patent number: 7569204
    Abstract: A method for controlling the output composition from a gasification device for use in the gasification of biomass using a gasifier in which the biomass and gas both flow in a downward direction. The method combines the use of steam and oxygen as a mixed oxidation stream to control the processes occurring within the gasifier. The oxidants are introduced into the gasifier using a number of injection rings. Each injection ring is comprised of a number of injection nozzles each radially distributed at the same vertical height and possibly connected to the same supply source. Particularly satisfactory results can be achieved through the use of three injection rings, one at the top of the gasifier, one at the interface of the oxidation and reduction zone and one a small distance below the grate assembly. The produced syngas also contains extremely low concentrations of tar and low molecular weight hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Zeropoint Clean Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip D. Leveson
  • Publication number: 20090186952
    Abstract: A process (10) for the preparation and conversion of synthesis gas includes reforming a feed gas (34) comprising methane in a reforming stage (18) to produce synthesis gas (46) which includes hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Some of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide is converted to a Fischer-Tropsch product (48) in a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage (24). A tail gas (52), including unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide, methane and carbon dioxide, is separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product (48). In a tail gas treatment stage (28,30), the tail gas (52) is treated by reforming the methane in the tail gas (52) with steam (66) and removing carbon dioxide to produce a hydrogen rich gas (56). The tail gas treatment stage (28,30) may be either a combined tail gas treatment stage (28,30) or a composite tail gas treatment stage. The carbon dioxide from the tail gas treatment stage (28,30) is fed to the reforming stage (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Andre Peter Steynberg, Ib Dybkjaer, Kim Aasberg-Petersen
  • Publication number: 20090173080
    Abstract: A method of producing substitute natural gas (SNG) includes providing a syngas stream that includes at least some carbon dioxide (CO2). The method also includes separating at least a portion of the CO2 from at least a portion of the syngas stream provided. The method further includes channeling at least a portion of the CO2 separated from at least a portion of the syngas stream to at least a portion of at least one gasification reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Steven Wallace, Arnaldo Frydman
  • Publication number: 20090173079
    Abstract: A method of producing substitute natural gas (SNG) includes providing at least one steam turbine engine. The method also includes providing a gasification system that includes at least one gas shift reactor configured to receive a boiler feedwater stream and a synthesis gas (syngas) stream. The at least one gas shift reactor is further configured to produce a high pressure steam stream. The method further includes producing a steam stream within the at least one gas shift reactor and channeling at least a portion of the steam stream to the at least one steam turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Steven Wallace, Arnaldo Frydman
  • Patent number: 7556736
    Abstract: The process and system of the invention converts biomass materials into energy to power a large marine vessel without the problematic environmental releases of either liquids to the sea or greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The biomass is conveyed to an on-board biomass storage facility and converted to synthesis gas in an on-board gasification unit to synthesis gas that is used as fuel for fuel cells to power the marine vessel. A portion of the biomass is sea biomass harvested from the sea and removed from the sea by on-board biomass removal means that strains the biomass from the sea water and flips the biomass into a holding bin before being conveyed to the biomass storage facility. A portion of the synthesis gas is converted to useful products. These products are partially used as fuel for the fuel cells. The remaining products are off-loaded at port facilities where biomass waste materials are loaded on-board and conveyed to the biomass storage to serve as the remaining portion of biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventors: Leslie Dean Price, Terry R. Galloway, H. F. William Perk
  • Publication number: 20090170966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks to oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of a particulate catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: BP CHEMICALS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Philip Atkins, Leslie William Bolton, Benjamin Patrick Gracey, John Glenn Sunley
  • Publication number: 20090170967
    Abstract: A process for preparation of a synthesis gas and/or hydrogen by concurrently providing an oxidation reactant stream through an oxidation chamber and a reforming reactant stream through a steam, reforming chamber is described. Also provided is a reactor for conducting the reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Lixin You, Crutis Lee Krause, Kevin Hoa Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20090156695
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the CO2 in a gaseous stream, such as an exhaust stream, from a power plant or industrial plant, like a cement kiln, is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes providing the gaseous stream to pyrolysis reactor along with a carbon source such as coke. The CO2 and carbon are heated to about 1330° C. and at about one atmosphere with reactants such as steam such that a reaction takes place that produces syngas, carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2). The Syngas is then cleaned and provided to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor to produce Ethanol or Bio-catalytic synthesis reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Gary C. Young
  • Publication number: 20090156696
    Abstract: An integrated process is described in which at least a portion of CO2 is captured from both the feedstock and a process stream in a GTL facility. This integrated process provides for lower costs in CO2 capture than can be done by separate processes. At least a portion of the captured CO2 can then be prevented from being emitted into the environment by sequestration or reaction of the CO2 to other than a CO2 product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090124710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks to oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of a particulate catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Philip Atkins
  • Publication number: 20090105356
    Abstract: When producing synthesis gas from a starting material containing hydrocarbons, in particular natural gas, a feed stream of the starting material is divided into a first partial stream and a second partial stream. The first partial stream is supplied to a steam reformer (4), in which together with steam it is catalytically converted to a gas stream containing carbon oxides. Then, the first partial stream is again combined with the second partial stream and the combined gas stream is supplied to an autothermal reformer (7), in which together with gas rich in oxygen it is autothermally reformed to a synthesis gas in the presence of a cracking catalyst. Processing a starting material with a high content of higher hydrocarbons is made possible in that before the steam reformer (4) and before the autothermal reformer (7) the entire starting material is supplied to a pre-reformer (2) in which the starting material largely is liberated from higher hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Lurgi GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Bormann, Dierk Muller
  • Patent number: 7517916
    Abstract: A process to make ethylene and/or propylene from methane comprises preparing a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen from methane, performing a Fischer Tropsch synthesis using the gaseous mixture to obtain a Fischer Tropsch product having a 50 wt % recovery point above 250° C., evaporating a part of the Fischer Tropsch product in the presence of a dilution gas comprising the unconverted carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the Fischer Tropsch synthesis step and carbon dioxide into a gas and a liquid fraction and separating the liquid fraction from the remaining gas fraction, further heating the gas fraction and subjecting the gas fraction to a thermal cracking step, isolating a mixture of methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the cracked gases, and recycling the mixture of methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the step of preparing a gaseous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Jan Lodewijk Maria Dierickx
  • Publication number: 20090093555
    Abstract: This invention features methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In some embodiments, a substoichiometric amount of oxygen is used to enhance the formation of syngas. In various embodiments, a catalyst is derived from the ash content of the feed material, and this catalyst is used to enhance syngas formation. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. STITES, Jerrod HOHMAN, Robert E. KLEPPER, Arie GEERTSEMA, Shakeel H. TIRMIZI, Francis M. FERRARO
  • Patent number: 7500997
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a synthesis gas for use as a gaseous fuel or as feed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to produce a liquid fuel in a substantially self-sustaining process. In one embodiment, a slurry of carbonaceous material in water, and hydrogen from an internal source, are fed into a hydro-gasification reactor to generate methane rich producer gases which are fed into a steam pyrolytic reformer to generate synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A portion of the hydrogen is used as the internal hydrogen source. The remaining synthesis gas is either used as fuel to produce electricity and/or process heat or is fed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to produce liquid fuel. In another embodiment of the invention, carbonaceous material can be heated simultaneously in the presence of both hydrogen and steam to undergo steam pyrolysis and hydro-gasification in a single step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Joseph M. Norbeck, Colin E. Hackett
  • Patent number: 7501456
    Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons comprises: (A) reforming methane by catalytic reaction with steam at elevated temperature to generate carbon monoxide and hydrogen; (B) subjecting the mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to generate one or more higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and water; and C) extracting or removing one or more oxygenates from the water. The oxygenates are either or both: on start-up of the process, catalytically combusted to provide heat for step (A), and replaced at least in part with methane from tail gas from step (B) when the temperature attains or exceeds the combustion temperature of methane; and/or used as a fuel-enhancer for tail gas from step (B) for steady-state heat provision in step (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: CompactGTL PLC
    Inventors: David James West, Michael Joseph Bowe
  • Patent number: 7498016
    Abstract: A method for the production of syngas from methanol feedstock is disclosed. The methanol feed (110) is supplied to a partial oxidation reactor (112) with oxygen (114) and optionally steam (116) to yield a mixed stream (118) of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide (122) is separated out and the hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixture (124) is fed to a cold box (126) where it is separated into hydrogen-rich and carbon monoxide-rich streams (130, 128). The separated carbon dioxide (122) can be recycled back to the partial oxidation reactor (112) as a temperature moderator if desired. The carbon monoxide-rich stream (128) can be reacted with methanol (134) in an acetic acid synthesis unit (132) by a conventional process to produce acetic acid (136) or an acetic acid precursor. Optionally, an ammonia synthesis unit (144) and/or vinyl acetate monomer synthesis unit (156) can be integrated into the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Acetex (Cyprus) Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Marcel Thiebaut
  • Publication number: 20090048354
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks into alcohols in the presence of a particulate catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Peter Simpson Bell, Leslie William Bolton, Benjamin Patrick Gracey, Michael Keith Lee
  • Publication number: 20090018222
    Abstract: This invention features methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In some embodiments, a substoichiometric amount of oxygen is used to enhance the formation of syngas. In various embodiments, both oxygen and steam are added during the conversion of the feed material into syngas. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. KLEPPER, Arie Geertsema, Shakeel H. Tirmizi, Francis M. Ferraro
  • Publication number: 20080312347
    Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbons from natural gas includes, in a cryogenic separation stage, cryogenically separating the natural gas to produce at least a methane stream and natural gas liquids, in a reforming stage, reforming the methane stream to produce a synthesis gas which includes at least CO and H2, and in a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage, converting at least some of the CO and H2 into a Fischer-Tropsch product which includes hydrocarbons. A Fischer-Tropsch tail gas which includes at least CO and H2, methane and heavier than methane hydrocarbons, is separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product in a Fischer-Tropsch product separation stage. At least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas is recycled to the cryogenic separation stage, where the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas is cryogenically separated into two or more streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Werner Siegfried Ernst, Jacobus Francois Van Tonder
  • Publication number: 20080312348
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting carbonaceous material to a stream of carbon rich gas, comprising heating a slurry feed containing the carbonaceous material in a hydrogasification process using hydrogen and steam, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a methane and carbon monoxide rich stream in which the conversion time in the process is between 5 and 45 seconds. In particular embodiments, the slurry feed containing the carbonaceous material is fed, along with hydrogen, to a kiln type reactor before being fed to the fluidized bed reactor. Apparatus is provided comprising a kiln type reactor, a slurry pump connected to an input of the kiln type reactor, means for connecting a source of hydrogen to an input of the kiln type reactor; a fluidized bed reactor connected to receive output of the kiln type reactor for processing at a fluidizing zone, and a source of steam and a source of hydrogen connected to the fluidized bed reactor below the fluidizing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Chan Seung Park, Joseph M. Norbeck
  • Patent number: 7456226
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and installation for producing liquid energy carriers from a solid carbon carrier by means of gasifying a solid carbon carrier. The installation is at least comprised of a drying device, a gasification apparatus, a synthesizing device for synthesizing the liquid energy carrier, a device for effecting the electrolysis of water for producing oxygen serving as a gasification agent and hydrogen for the synthesis process, and of a combustion apparatus, which is connected to the output of the gasification apparatus for carbon-containing gasification residues and to the oxygen outlet of the device for effecting the electrolysis of water. According to the invention, at least a portion of the waste steam from the drying device and at least a portion of the residual gas arising during synthesis are fed to the gasification process in the gasification apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventors: Norbert Topf, Guenter Liebisch
  • Patent number: 7451618
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of liquid hydrocarbons from a light hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in combination with a process for liquefying natural gas, which liquefaction process involves the steps of (a) passing the natural gas at liquefaction pressure through the product side of a main heat exchanger; (b) introducing cooled liquefied refrigerant at refrigerant pressure in the cold side of the main heat exchanger, allowing the cooled refrigerant to evaporate at the refrigerant pressure in the cold side of the main heat exchanger to obtain vaporous refrigerant at refrigerant pressure, and removing vaporous refrigerant from the cold side of the main heat exchanger; (c) removing the liquefied gas at liquefaction pressure from the product side of the main heat exchanger; (d) allowing the cooled liquefied gas to expand to a lower pressure to obtain expanded fluid; (e) supplying the expanded fluid to a separator vessel; (f) withdrawing from the bottom of the separator vessel a liquid product stream; (g) withdrawi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Joachim Ansorge, Robert Klein Nagelvoort, Adrianus Reinier Punt, Roy Widjaja
  • Patent number: 7435760
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing reagents for a chemical reaction by introducing a fuel containing hydrocarbons into a flash distillation process wherein the fuel is separated into a first component having a lower average molecular weight and a second component having a higher average molecular weight. The first component is then reformed to produce synthesis gas wherein the synthesis gas is reacted catalytically to produce the desire reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Darrell R Herling, Chris L. Aardahl, Robert T. Rozmiarek, Kenneth G. Rappe, Yong Wang, Jamelyn D. Holladay
  • Publication number: 20080249196
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for converting hydrocarbon-containing gases into hydrocarbon-containing liquids which consists in: a) producing a syngas from the hydrocarbon-containing gases, b) treating the syngas using Fischer-Tropsch process to obtain hydrocarbon-containing liquids and a residue gas comprising at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, c) treating the residue gas using a separation process producing at least one gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, d) subjecting said gas stream to a reaction of carbon monoxide vapor oxidizing reaction so as to convert CO into hydrogen and CO2, and mixing the effluent gas derived from the carbon monoxide vapor oxidizing reaction with the syngas derived form step a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: L'AIR LIQUIDE Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Paul Wentink