Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110258914 | METHODS FOR INTEGRATED FAST PYROLYSIS PROCESSING OF BIOMASS - Methods, process, apparatus, equipment, and systems are disclosed for converting biomass into bio-oil fractions for chemicals, materials, feedstocks and fuels using a low-cost, integrated fast pyrolysis system. The system improves upon prior art by creating stable, bio-oil fractions which have unique properties that make them individually superior to conventional bio-oil. The invention enables water and low-molecular weight compounds to be separated into a final value-added fraction suitable for upgrading or extracting into value-added chemicals, fuels and water. Initial bio-oil fractions from the process are chemically distinct, have low-water content and acidity which reduces processing costs normally associated with conventional bio-oil post-production upgrading since fewer separation steps, milder processing conditions and lower auxiliary inputs are required. Biochar is stabilized so that it can be handled safely. The integrated fast pyrolysis process includes biomass storage, preparation, pretreatment, and conversion, product recovery and processing to create and store stable biochar and bio-oil fractions. | 10-27-2011 |
20120090221 | METHODS FOR INTEGRATED FAST PYROLYSIS PROCESSING OF BIOMASS - Methods, process, apparatus, equipment, and systems are disclosed for converting biomass into bio-oil fractions for chemicals, materials, feedstocks and fuels using a low-cost, integrated fast pyrolysis system. The system improves upon prior art by creating stable, bio-oil fractions which have unique properties that make them individually superior to conventional bio-oil. The invention enables water and low-molecular weight compounds to be separated into a final value-added fraction suitable for upgrading or extracting into value-added chemicals, fuels and water. Initial bio-oil fractions from the process are chemically distinct, have low-water content and acidity which reduces processing costs normally associated with conventional bio-oil post-production upgrading since fewer separation steps, milder processing conditions and lower auxiliary inputs are required. Biochar is stabilized so that it can be handled safely. The integrated fast pyrolysis process includes biomass storage, preparation, pretreatment, and conversion, product recovery and processing to create and store stable biochar and bio-oil fractions. | 04-19-2012 |
20120289440 | METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR INCORPORATING BIO-DERIVED MATERIALS INTO OIL SANDS PROCESSING - Methods, processes, apparatus, systems, and compositions are disclosed for improving the sustainability of oil sands processing. In some embodiments, bitumen is combined with biodiluent comprising one or more liquid pyrolysis fractions obtained from pyrolyzing biomass and collecting multiple liquid fractions. The bitumen may be any source of bitumen, such as bitumen obtained from oil sands. In some embodiments, a water-rich pyrolysis liquid displaces water use in an oil sands process. The water-rich pyrolysis liquid may be used for primary separation of bitumen from oil sands or for hydrotransport, for example. Also, biochar produced from biomass pyrolysis may be introduced to an oil sands tailing pond with various benefits. Water may be recycled from a tailing pond. Integration of a pyrolysis and separation process into an oil sands refining process reduces the overall greenhouse-gas emissions on a well-to-refined product basis by 10-70% or more. Various compositions and products are also disclosed. | 11-15-2012 |
20120302470 | COMPOSITIONS, METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR INCORPORATING BIO-DERIVED MATERIALS IN DRILLING AND HYDRAULIC FRACTURING - The present invention provides compositions, methods, apparatus, and systems to minimize environmental impact, water use, and overall cost of drilling and hydraulic fracturing for crude oil and natural gas. Some variations of the invention provide a fracturing-fluid additive composition comprising a water-soluble portion of a biomass-pyrolysis liquid. In some embodiments, the fracturing-fluid additive composition is substantially biodegradable and is not toxic. Some variations provide improved proppants for oil or gas well fracturing. Other variations of this invention relate to drilling-fluid additive compositions, and methods of using these compositions. This invention can significantly improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability associated with drilling and fracturing for production of oil and gas. | 11-29-2012 |
20140275612 | Dual Catalyst Esterification - Methods, processes, apparatus, equipment and systems are disclosed for converting carboxylic acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst. The method combines a homogenous and heterogeneous catalyst in one or more reactors to increase the conversion of carboxylic acids compared to using a homogenous and/or heterogeneous catalyst independently. The invention converts free fatty acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst such that the reaction mixture contains sufficiently low free fatty acids and the amount of free fatty acids in the product stream leaving the process remains stable over time. | 09-18-2014 |
20150158806 | Dual Catalyst Esterification - Methods, processes, apparatus, equipment and systems are disclosed for converting carboxylic acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst. The method combines a homogenous and heterogeneous catalyst in one or more reactors to increase the conversion of carboxylic acids compared to using a homogenous and/or heterogeneous catalyst independently. The invention converts free fatty acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst such that the reaction mixture contains sufficiently low free fatty acids and the amount of free fatty acids in the product stream leaving the process remains stable over time. | 06-11-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090000675 | COMBINED RELIEF VALVE AND CHECK VALVE - A combination check valve and relief valve has a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, and a valve chamber operatively interposed between the inlet and outlet. A check valve may be integrated with the relief valve and therefore simplify a hydraulic system. The valve includes a relief valve member which is within the valve chamber. The valve also includes a resilient member with a first end and a second end. The first end of the resilient member operatively engages the relief valve member. The valve includes a setting member pressure-fit within the valve chamber to operatively engage the second end of the resilient member. The resilient member is resiliently biased between the setting member and the relief valve member to bias the relief valve member against a relief valve seat, whereby, when pressurized fluid communicates with the inlet, the resilient member is compressed, and the relief valve member disengages its seat to enable the fluid to pass through to the outlet. | 01-01-2009 |
20090310119 | PHOTOELASTIC LAYER WITH INTEGRATED POLARIZER - In accordance with the present invention, a photoelastic layer for detecting stress and strain is described. The photoelastic layer comprises a photoelastic material that when strained refracts light anisotropically. The photoelastic layer further comprises an integrated polarizer attached on top of the photoelastic material. Also in accordance with the present invention, a photoelastic monitoring device is described for structural monitoring. The photoelastic monitoring device is made out of a photoelastic material or comprises a photoelastic material attached to a base material. The photoelastic monitoring device further comprises an integrated polarizer attached or coated directly over at least a portion of the photoelastic material. The photoelastic monitoring device is designed to be attached to a structure or a part. The monitoring device is attached to the structure in such a way that stresses and strains from the structure are transmitted into the photoelastic monitoring device. When a certain predetermined stress or strain is reached, the monitoring device may deform plastically. The plastic deformation can then be detected in the photoelastic material using the integrated polarizer. Also in accordance with the present invention, a method is described for photoelastic analysis. The method comprises providing a photoelastic material to be analyzed for stresses and strains. An integrated polarizer is attached directly on top of at least a portion of the photoelastic material. The integrated polarizer is attached in such a way such that the photoelastic material can be illuminated with regular light through the integrated polarizer, and such that light can be reflected back through the photoelastic material and back through the integrated polarizer to the observer or the detector. The method comprises illuminating the polarizer with light, and viewing the reflections of light that have traveled through the integrated polarizer, through the photoelastic material, and been reflected back through the photoelastic material and back through the integrated polarizer. Observing or detecting fringe patterns in the reflected light indicate the presence of strain or plastic deformation in the photoelastic material. | 12-17-2009 |
20090310120 | MONITORING DEVICE FOR DETECTING STRESS STRAIN AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - The present invention provides a monitoring device for detecting stresses and strains in structural components and a method of using the monitoring device. The monitoring device comprises a base material, one or more attachment points for attaching the monitoring device to a structure to be monitored, a detection zone on the monitoring device, and a means for detecting the presence of stress and strain in the detection zone. The dimensions and material of the monitoring device are chosen such that a predetermined level of strain transmitted to the monitoring device from the structure will result in a known level of stress and strain in the detection zone. Detection of stress and strain in the detection zone can be correlated to a level of stress and strain experienced by the structure at the point of attachment of the monitoring device. | 12-17-2009 |
20090310121 | PHOTOELASTIC COATING FOR STRUCTURAL MONITORING - In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photoelastic coating for structural monitoring comprising an optically translucent or transparent photoelastic layer. The photoelastic coating is applied to the structure as a solvent-based liquid or gel that can be cured without heating. The photoelastic properties of the photoelastic layer can be used to detect stress and strain or plastic deformation in the structure using photoelastic techniques. | 12-17-2009 |