Search Patents
  • Process for conducting an equilibrium limited chemical reaction using microchannel technology
    Patent number: 8747805
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for conducting an equilibrium limited chemical reaction in a microchannel reactor. The process involves the use of active heat exchange and is suitable for conducting exothermic and endothermic reactions. The process is particularly suitable for synthesizing methanol and dimethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Rachid Taha, Enrique Aceves de Alba
  • Surface features in microprocess technology
    Patent number: 8122909
    Abstract: This invention relates to microchannel apparatus that includes microchannels with interior surface features for modifying flow; processes utilizing this microchannel architecture, and methods of making apparatus having these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Bin Yang, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Ravi Arora, Kai Jarosch, Thomas D. Yuschak, Maddalena Fanelli, Tim Sullivan, Terry Mazanec
  • MANIFOLD DESIGNS, AND FLOW CONTROL IN MULTICHANNEL MICROCHANNEL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20140332081
    Abstract: Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. FITZGERALD, Anna Lee TONKOVICH, Ravi ARORA, Dongming QIU, Thomas D. YUSCHAK, Laura J. SILVA, Wm. Allen ROGERS, Kai JAROSCH, Matthew B. SCHMIDT
  • MANIFOLD DESIGNS, AND FLOW CONTROL IN MULITCHANNEL MICROCHANNEL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20090074627
    Abstract: Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Thomas D. Yuschak, Laura J. Silva, Wm. Allen Rogers, Kai Jarosch, Matthew B. Schmidt
  • Partial boiling in mini and micro-channels
    Patent number: 8252245
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus and systems in which there is partial boiling of a liquid in a mini-channel or microchannel. The partial boiling removes heat from an exothermic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, David J. Hesse, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Bin Yang, Ravi Arora, Laura J. Silva, G. Bradley Chadwell, Kai Jarosch, Dongming Qiu
  • Fischer-Tropsch process
    Patent number: 9006298
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, comprising flowing a reactant mixture comprising fresh synthesis gas and tail gas in a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to form at least one hydrocarbon product, the catalyst being derived from a catalyst precursor comprising cobalt and a surface modified catalyst support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Claude LeViness, Francis Daly, Laura Richard, Sreekala Rugmini
  • Welded, Laminated Apparatus, Methods of Making, and Methods of Using the Apparatus
    Publication number: 20120171517
    Abstract: The invention describes methods of welding onto laminated devices using a low temperature welding process. Also described are laminated devices with welds that do not disrupt a brazed core block of sheets in the laminated devices. Novel laminated devices with welded features for servicing the devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: VELOCYS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Yuschak, Anna Lee Tonkovich
  • Methods of making purified water from the Fischer-Tropsch process
    Patent number: 11739014
    Abstract: The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process creates significant amounts of water. The invention provides an aqueous composition comprising specified amounts of dissolved and suspended solids, low chemical oxygen demand and low chlorine demand, pH in the range of 6.5 to 8.0, where the aqueous composition comprises organic carbon derived from fossil sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Graham Lea, Ivan Philip Greager, Laura J. Silva
  • Methods of conducting catalytic combustion in a multizone reactor, and a method of making a thermally stable catalyst support
    Patent number: 7566441
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of combusting a fuel in a reactor that includes at least 3 zones each of which contains a solid catalyst. A method of making a thermally-stable alumina support from fumed alumina is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Francis P. Daly, Junko M. Watson, Yong Wang, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Richard Long, Rachid Taha
  • Microchannel reactor
    Patent number: 7722833
    Abstract: A microchannel reactor is described which has at least one process microchannel and at least one heat exchange zone. The microchannel reactor may be used for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Shari Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Manifold designs, and flow control in multichannel microchannel devices
    Patent number: 9475026
    Abstract: Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qui (deceased), Thomas D. Yuschak, Laura J. Silva, Wm. Allen Rogers, Kai Jarosch, Matthew B. Schmidt
  • Process for conducting an equilibrium limited chemical reaction in a single stage process channel
    Patent number: 7255845
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conducting an equilibrium limited chemical reaction in a single stage process channel. A process for conducting a water shift reaction is disclosed. A multichannel reactor with cross flow heat exchange is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Wayne W. Simmons, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Terry Mazanec, Eric Daymo, Ying Peng, Jennifer Lynne Marco
  • Process and apparatus for improved methods for making vinyl acetate monomer (VAM)
    Patent number: 7468455
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignees: Velocys, Inc., Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Mazanec, Victor J. Johnston, Michael Huckman, Sean P. Fitzgerald, James A. Foster, Daniel Lindley, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Francis P. Daly, Leslie Wade, Tony Hammock, Thomas Yuschak, Bin Yang, Kai Jarosch
  • Microchannel Technology Having Structures With Reduced Material and Enhanced Volumetric Productivity
    Publication number: 20110147665
    Abstract: Novel designs for microchannel apparatus are described in which microchannels are shaped to reduce the amount of material needed to build an apparatus. In these designs, some microchannels are shaped, in cross-section, to provide relatively more structural material in areas of greatest stress, while leaving greater area for unit operations in areas of the apparatus that are subjected to relatively less stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: VELOCYS INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Neagle, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Soumitra Deshmukh, Ravi Arora
  • Fischer-Tropsch process
    Patent number: 9359271
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, comprising flowing a reactant mixture comprising fresh synthesis gas and tail gas in a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to form at least one hydrocarbon product, the catalyst being derived from a catalyst precursor comprising cobalt and a surface modified catalyst support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Claude LeViness, Francis Daly, Laura Amanda Richard, Sreekala Rugmini
  • Manifold designs, and flow control in multichannel microchannel devices
    Patent number: 7422910
    Abstract: Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Thomas D. Yuschak, Laura J. Silva, Wm. Allen Rogers, Kai Jarosch, Matthew B. Schmidt
  • Cobalt-containing fischer-tropsch catalysts, methods of making, and methods of conducting fischer-tropsch synthesis
    Patent number: 9707546
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions, methods of making catalysts, and methods of conducting Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactions are described. It has been discovered that a combination of large crystallite size and high porosity results in catalysts and FT catalyst systems with high stability and low methane selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Laura Richard, Kai Jarosch, Heinz J. Robota, Daniele Leonarduzzi, Diarmid Roberts
  • Dehydrogenation Reactions in Narrow Reaction Chambers and Integrated Reactors
    Publication number: 20090012341
    Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can dehydrogenationed, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Matthew B. Schmidt, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Pressure vessel testing
    Patent number: 7552642
    Abstract: A method for determining the maximum allowable working pressure of a microchannel device, particularly a diffusion-bonded, shim-based microchannel device operating at a temperature greater to or equal to a base material threshold temperature where significant creep may predominate, and when employing non-traditional materials of construction, when non-traditional fabrication or joining methods are used, or when spurious artifacts arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Neagle, Laura J. Silva, Eric A. Daymo, David J Kuhlmann, Marc Wagner
  • Loading/Unloading of Particulates to/from Microchannel Reactors
    Publication number: 20090252658
    Abstract: The invention providing methods of loading and unloading particulate from microchannels in apparatus that contains multiple microchannels, typically apparatus that is designed to operate with hundreds or thousands of particulate-containing microchannels. Aligning a sonicating head at one end of a set of microchannels provides a particularly effective mode for densifying particulate in microchannels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ramler, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Rachid Taha, Kai Jarosch, Robert J. Luzenski, Jeffery D. Slane, Thomas Hickey, Sean Fitzgerald, Harley D. Freeman, Frederick A. Zenz
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