Kent E Hatfield

US Patent:

8298406, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

May 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/470423

Inventors:

Ralph L. Coates - Salt Lake City UT, US
L. Douglas Smoot - Provo UT, US
Kent E. Hatfield - Salt Lake City UT, US

Assignee:

Coates Engineering, LLC - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

C10B 47/18
C10B 47/30

US Classification:

208407, 201 32

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for achieving improved throughput capacity of indirectly heated rotary kilns used to produce pyrolysis products such as shale oils or coal oils that are susceptible to decomposition by high kiln wall temperatures is disclosed. High throughput is achieved by firing the kiln such that optimum wall temperatures are maintained beginning at the point where the materials enter the heating section of the kiln and extending to the point where the materials leave the heated section. Multiple high velocity burners are arranged such that combustion products directly impact on the area of the kiln wall covered internally by the solid material being heated. Firing rates for the burners are controlled to maintain optimum wall temperatures.

US Patent:

20080202985, Aug 28, 2008

Filed:

Feb 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/710389

Inventors:

Kent E. Hatfield - Salt Lake City UT, US
Ralph L. Coates - Salt Lake City UT, US
L. Douglas Smoot - Provo UT, US

Assignee:

Combustion Resources, L.L.C. - Provo UT

International Classification:

C10G 1/06

US Classification:

208403

Abstract:

A continuous, efficient surface method for thermal recovery of hydrocarbons from a solid feedstock is described that includes a self-contained process that produces hydrogen for upgrading the hydrocarbons to produce motor fuel. The hydrogen also is used as a clean burning fuel for the thermal processing. The hydrogen is produced as a component of synthesis gas formed by gasification of coal. The synthesis gas is processed to remove and dispose of carbon dioxide and by-product sulfur. Combustion of the hydrogen to provide indirect heating of the solid feedstock maximizes hydrocarbons that can be upgraded and reduces or eliminates the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

US Patent:

20120292232, Nov 22, 2012

Filed:

Aug 2, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/565664

Inventors:

Ralph L. Coates - Salt Lake City UT, US
L. Douglas Smoot - Provo UT, US
Kent E. Hatfield - Salt Lake City UT, US

International Classification:

C10G 1/00

US Classification:

208400

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for achieving improved throughput capacity of indirectly heated rotary kilns used to produce pyrolysis products such as shale oils or coal oils that are susceptible to decomposition by high kiln wall temperatures is disclosed. High throughput is achieved by firing the kiln such that optimum wall temperatures are maintained beginning at the point where the materials enter the heating section of the kiln and extending to the point where the materials leave the heated section. Multiple high velocity burners are arranged such that combustion products directly impact on the area of the kiln wall covered internally by the solid material being heated. Firing rates for the burners are controlled to maintain optimum wall temperatures.

US Patent:

62213105, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

Jul 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/350385

Inventors:

Jed H. Checketts - Salt Lake City UT
Kent E. Hatfield - Salt Lake City UT
Ramaswami Neelameggham - South Jordan UT

Assignee:

Powerball Industries, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

C22B 2610

US Classification:

266 48

Abstract:

A reactor system that includes a reactor nozzle for use with a reactor vessel and process for its use for producing sodium metal, by a reaction of an alkali hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, as a reactant, with methane gas as a reductant, at high heat. The invention includes heating apparatus therewith for supplying heated sodium hydroxide and methane gas along with oxygen or compressed air to a reactor nozzle that sprays the materials therethrough to provide a breakup of the materials into fine particulates with mixing thereof in a burner area or portion of a reactor vessel wherein a heated area is provided to cause a reaction of the sodium hydroxide and methane, producing sodium metal vapors along with carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases, which vapors and gases are then passed to a quench assembly that cools the vapor and gas flow to below the condensation temperature of sodium, causing sodium metal to condense therefrom and pass to a storage tank for later use, with the carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases vented therefrom. The quench assembly includes first and second quench coolers that sequentially receive, and in stages cool, the vapor and gas flow with the produced sodium metal to enter the storage tank below the sodium metal level therein with the storage tank further including a volume of a liquid having a lesser specific gravity than, and is non-reactive with, sodium metal for prohibiting a back reaction of the sodium metal.