Patent•
Plasma whirl reactor apparatus and methods of use
17 Mar 2014-
TL;DR: In this article, an apparatus for synergistically combining a plasma with a comminution means such as a fluid kinetic energy mill (jet mill), preferably in a single reactor and/or in single process step is provided.
Abstract: An apparatus for synergistically combining a plasma with a comminution means such as a fluid kinetic energy mill (jet mill), preferably in a single reactor and/or in a single process step is provided by the present invention. Within the apparatus of the invention potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and subsequently into angular momentum by means of wave energy, for comminuting, reacting and separation of feed materials. Methods of use of the apparatus in the practice of various processes are also provided by the present invention.
Citations
More filters
Patent•
19 Jul 2005
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a system and methods for converting high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for reuse or recycle or reuse, which includes a gas turbine generator unit, a dryer vessel and a processing unit.
Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.
157 citations
Patent•
05 Apr 2007
TL;DR: In this article, a system, method and apparatus for treating a liquid by providing a santitary type stainless steel hydrocyclone and turning on a plasma torch attached to it such that a plasma arc irradiates the liquid.
Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for treating a liquid by providing a santitary type stainless steel hydrocyclone, flowing the liquid through the hydrocyclone, and turning on a plasma torch attached to the hydrocyclone such that a plasma arc irradiates the liquid. The hydrocyclone can be a forward flow hydrocyclone, a reverse flow hydrocyclone, a through flow hydrocyclone, a hydrocyclone pump or a volute.
89 citations
Patent•
13 Nov 2007
TL;DR: The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size. In one embodiment, drops of agricultural input materials are formed for spraying on agricultural fields. In another embodiment, nanofibers of materials such as chitosan or metals are formed. In another embodiment seeds are planted with gel. In another embodiment particles carrying desired agricultural inputs with modified release characteristics are delivered.
81 citations
Patent•
12 Feb 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented a plasma arc torch that can be used for lean combustion using a cylindrical vessel, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylinrical vessel such that a first electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vessel, the second electrode extends into the vessel and can be moved along the longitudinal axis.
Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma arc torch that can be used for lean combustion. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and (c) can be moved along the longitudinal axis, a linear actuator connected to the first electrode to adjust a position of the first electrode, a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that the center line of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and wherein the tangential inlet and the tangential outlet create a vortex within the cylindrical vessel, and the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle crate a plasma the discharges through the hollow electrode nozzle.
79 citations
Patent•
03 Feb 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, an electrode movement control system may position the plasma electrodes to facilitate a pryolysis process to treat the waste feedstock, and the system includes a vessel that has an open space that receives waste feed stock.
Abstract: A waste treatment system processes waste upon the application of energy. The system includes a vessel that has an open space that receives waste feedstock. At least two plasma electrodes are mounted to the vessel. An electrode movement control system may position the plasma electrodes to facilitate a pryolysis process to treat the waste feedstock.
77 citations
References
More filters
Patent•
17 Feb 1988
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe an underground interval of oil shale that is conductively heated from borehole interiors which are kept hotter than about 600° C and are heated at a rate such that kerogen pyrolysis products formed within the oil shale create and flow through horizontal fractures which subsequently extend into fluid-producing wells that are positioned in specified locations.
Abstract: Shale oil is produced from a subterranean interval of oil shale, where the interval is initially substantially impermeable and contains a specified grade and thickness of oil shale. Said interval is conductively heated from borehole interiors which are kept hotter than about 600° C. and are heated at a rate such that kerogen pyrolysis products formed within the oil shale create and flow through horizontal fractures which subsequently extend into fluid-producing wells that are positioned in specified locations.
383 citations
Patent•
22 Aug 1990
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of microwave flooding, plasma torch activation, molecular cracking and selective heating are used to heat the oil within the reservoir, by controlling frequency, intensity, duration, direction and wave form of the electromagnetic field.
Abstract: A method of creating a protocol for oil extraction or for enhancing oil extraction from oil reservoirs. A process of devising and applying a customized electromagnetic irradiation protocol to individual reservoirs. Reservoir samples are tested to determine their content, molecular resonance frequencies and the effects of electromagnetic field on their compounds. Electromagnetic field frequencies, intensities, wave forms and durations necessary to heat and/or crack individual molecules and produce plasma torches is determined. Equipment are selected and installed according to the results of the laboratory tests and the geophysics of the mine. Dielectric constant of the formation is reduced by draining the water and drying it with electromagnetic energy. A combination of the effects of microwave flooding, plasma torch activation, molecular cracking and selective heating are used to heat the oil within the reservoir, by controlling frequency, intensity, duration, direction and wave form of the electromagnetic field. Conditions of there servoir are continuously monitored during production to act as feedback for modification of the irradiation protocol.
377 citations
Patent•
06 Jul 1976
TL;DR: In this article, a plasma arc torch is used as a heat source for recovering useful fuel products from in situ coal, tar sands, oil shale, and the like, where the fixed carbon is gasified by reaction with steam that is sprayed into the devolatilized area.
Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizes a plasma arc torch as a heat source for recovering useful fuel products from in situ deposits of coal, tar sands, oil shale, and the like. When applied to a coal deposit, the plasma torch is lowered in a shaft into the deposit and serves as a means for supplying heat to the coal and thereby stripping off the volatiles. The fixed carbon is gasified by reaction with steam that is sprayed into the devolatilized area and product gases are recovered through the shaft. When applied to tar sands and oil shale, the torch is lowered in a shaft into the deposit and serves as a heat source to allow the entrapped oil in the tar sand or the kerogen in the oil shale to flow to a reservoir for collection. When economically justified, the carbonaceous matter in the tar sands or oil shale deposits may be partially or completely pyrolyzed and recovered as gaseous fuel products. Monitoring means for continuously analyzing selected properties of the fuel products enable the operator to control the operating parameters within the shaft. Subsidence of the coal deposit overburdens can be avoided by leaving pillars for support.
341 citations
Patent•
23 Apr 2004TL;DR: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation as discussed by the authors, which is referred to as pyrolyzing.
Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.
333 citations
Patent•
13 Jul 1987TL;DR: In this article, an underground probe is inserted into a bore hole until the probe is in close proximity to a coal seam, and a mixture of air, steam, an electrolyte and a suitable catalyst is supplied to the probe, and the mixture is then sprayed directly on the coal seam through a passage in a nozzle.
Abstract: A method for the electro-thermal and electrochemical underground conversion of coal into oil and by-products comprises the steps of inserting an underground probe into a bore hole until the probe is in close proximity to a coal seam. A mixture of air, steam, an electrolyte and a suitable catalyst is supplied to the probe, and the mixture is then sprayed directly on the coal seam through a passage in a nozzle. The probe is also energized with electricity applied to the nozzle to produce an arc between the coal and the probe, simultaneous with the spraying of the mixture on the coal seam. Heat of the combustion from the arc and the steam combine to produce a pyrolysis, oxidation, and reduction of the coal, thereby converting the coal into a gaseous combination of oil and by-products. The arc can be rotated to increase the tunnel diameter. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.
326 citations