Billy Freeman Hopper

US Patent:

8546636, Oct 1, 2013

Filed:

Jan 28, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/752021

Inventors:

Billy Freeman Hopper - Carrollton MS, US
Jeffrey Scott Brown - Leland MS, US
Mark Oliver Loftin - Mobile AL, US

Assignee:

PHG Energy, LLC - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

A62D 3/40

US Classification:

588321, 588405, 252373

Abstract:

A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.

US Patent:

20050112517, May 26, 2005

Filed:

Nov 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/718351

Inventors:

Deon Potgieter - Monroe LA, US
Billy Hopper - Carrollton MS, US

Assignee:

Associated Physics of America, LLC - Greenwood MS

International Classification:

F23M003/02
F23C005/00

US Classification:

431008000

Abstract:

A method and device for combustion of liquid fuels is presented which uses a plurality of rotating hydrogen flames to blast atomize and ignite a mechanically dispersed stream of the liquid fuel. This combustion method and device are particularly suited for heavy oil fuels, such as vegetable oils, which are not well burned using conventional burner technologies. This combustion method involves establishing a zone of combusting hydrogen and projecting a mechanically atomized dispersion of the liquid fuel into and through this zone of combusting hydrogen. The combusting hydrogen partially vaporizes and ignites the liquid fuel while the intense turbulence of the hydrogen combustion zone further disperses any remaining liquid fuel droplets. Once ignited and dispersed, the fuel oil continues to burn as it moves away from the hydrogen combustion zone. Since only a small amount of combusting hydrogen is utilized, the hydrogen can be generated by the electrolysis of water, which produces a 2:1 molar ratio of hydrogen and oxygen, or hydroxy, gas. The device implementing this combustion method is comprised of a AC motor connected to a solid shaft into which a plurality of fuel transport tubes are bored. A series of chambers are formed around the rotating shaft to stage the fuel oil and hydroxy gas. A forward chamber is located nearest to the flame area to provide cooling and insulation of the middle hydrogen staging chamber. The fuel oil transport tube has one end on the surface of the shaft which opens into the fuel oil chamber. The other end is fitted with an atomizing nozzle which discharges into the combusting hydrogen zone. Each of the hydroxy gas transport tubes has one end on the surface of the shaft which opens into the hydroxy gas chamber and another end fitted with an angled tube that directs the gas back toward the axis of rotation. Multiple chambers can used to inject other liquid or gaseous streams into the combustion zone as desired. The burner is capable of economically producing heat energy using only vegetable oil, water and power input, which allows it to qualify as an all-renewable energy device.

US Patent:

20200109342, Apr 9, 2020

Filed:

Dec 6, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/705837

Inventors:

- Franklin TN, US
Brandon Davis - Murfreesboro TN, US
Matthew Newman - Spring Hill TN, US
Deon John Potgieter - Brentwood TN, US
Billy Freeman Hopper - Carrollton MS, US
Jeffrey Scott Brown - Leland MS, US
Mark Oliver Loftin - Mobile AL, US

Assignee:

Aries Gasification, LLC - Franklin TN

International Classification:

C10J 3/42
C10J 3/72
C10J 3/74
B01J 6/00
C10J 3/26

Abstract:

A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.

US Patent:

20200040268, Feb 6, 2020

Filed:

Sep 27, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/586181

Inventors:

- Franklin TN, US
Brandon Davis - Murfreesboro TN, US
Matt Newman - Spring Hill TN, US
Deon John Potgieter - Brentwood TN, US
Billy Freeman Hopper - Carrollton MS, US
Jeffrey Scott Brown - Leland MS, US
Mark Oliver Loftin - Mobile AL, US

Assignee:

Aries Gasification, LLC - Franklin TN

International Classification:

C10J 3/42
B01J 6/00
C10J 3/74
C10J 3/72
C10J 3/26

Abstract:

A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.

US Patent:

20160348015, Dec 1, 2016

Filed:

May 27, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/167452

Inventors:

- Antioch TN, US
Billy Freeman Hopper - Carrollton MS, US
Jeffrey Scott Brown - Leland MS, US
Mark Oliver Loftin - Mobile AL, US

International Classification:

C10J 3/42
C10J 3/72
C10J 3/26

Abstract:

A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.

US Patent:

20140219874, Aug 7, 2014

Filed:

Mar 21, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/222217

Inventors:

- LaVergne TN, US
Billy Freeman Hopper - Carrollton MS, US
Jeffrey Scott Brown - Leland MS, US
Mark Oliver Loftin - Mobile AL, US

Assignee:

PHG Energy, LLC - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

B01J 6/00

US Classification:

422111, 422641

Abstract:

A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.

US Patent:

20140209446, Jul 31, 2014

Filed:

Aug 5, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/959605

Inventors:

- LaVergne TN, US
Billy Freeman Hopper - Carrollton MS, US
Jeffrey Scott Brown - Leland MS, US
Mark Oliver Loftin - Mobile AL, US

Assignee:

PHG Energy, LLC - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

C10B 3/00
C10B 29/02

US Classification:

201 4, 201 31, 201 18

Abstract:

A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.