Christopher A Perkins

US Patent:

8187731, May 29, 2012

Filed:

May 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/774286

Inventors:

Alan W. Weimer - Niwot CO, US
Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Jonathan Scheffe - Westminster CO, US
Steven M. George - Boulder CO, US
Paul Lichty - Westminster CO, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Colorado - Denver CO

International Classification:

C23C 16/44

US Classification:

428702, 428701, 428329

Abstract:

1-100 nm metal ferrite spinel coatings are provided on substrates, preferably by using an atomic layer deposition process. The coatings are able to store energy such as solar energy, and to release that stored energy, via a redox reaction. The coating is first thermally or chemically reduced. The reduced coating is then oxidized in a second step to release energy and/or hydrogen, carbon monoxide or other reduced species.

US Patent:

8287610, Oct 16, 2012

Filed:

Aug 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/847097

Inventors:

Alan W. Weimer - Niwot CO, US
Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Dragan Mejic - Brighton CO, US
Paul Lichty - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate - Denver CO

International Classification:

B01J 7/00
C01B 3/36
C01B 6/24

US Classification:

48197R, 48 61, 48210, 423644

Abstract:

Methods for carrying out high temperature reactions such as biomass pyrolysis or gasification using solar energy. The biomass particles are rapidly heated in a solar thermal entrainment reactor. The residence time of the particles in the reactor can be 5 seconds or less. The biomass particles may be directly or indirectly heated depending on the reactor design. Metal oxide particles can be fed into the reactor concurrently with the biomass particles, allowing carbothermic reduction of the metal oxide particles by biomass pyrolysis products. The reduced metal oxide particles can be reacted with steam to produce hydrogen in a subsequent process step.

US Patent:

8378151, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Jun 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/796121

Inventors:

Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Zoran Jovanovic - Louisville CO, US
Courtland Hilton - Broomfield CO, US
Wayne Simmons - Dublin OH, US
Andrew Minden - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Sundrop Fuels, Inc. - Longmont CO

International Classification:

C07C 29/00
C07C 31/04
C07C 1/04

US Classification:

568840, 518702, 20415715

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, and system for an integrated solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chemical reactant, including particles of biomass, are converted in a solar driven chemical reactor into synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen using concentrated solar energy to drive the conversion of the chemical reactant. The synthesis gas is supplied for a catalytic conversion of the synthesis gas in a methanol synthesis plant to methanol. Cycling occurs between an operational state and an idle state for a number of methanol trains in the methanol synthesis plant depending upon an amount of synthesis gas generated in the solar driven chemical reactor. A control system for the chemical reactor sends control signals to and receives feedback from a control system for the methanol synthesis plant.

US Patent:

8397508, Mar 19, 2013

Filed:

Nov 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/741492

Inventors:

Alan W. Weimer - Niwot CO, US
Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Jonathan Scheffe - Westminster CO, US
Steven M. George - Boulder CO, US
Paul Lichty - Westminster CO, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Colorado - Denver CO

International Classification:

C01B 3/02
C01B 31/18
F03G 7/00
C01G 49/00

US Classification:

60721, 4234182, 4235941, 4236481

Abstract:

1-100 nm metal ferrite spinel coatings are provided on substrates, preferably by using an atomic layer deposition process. The coatings are able to store energy such as solar energy, and to release that stored energy, via a redox reaction. The coating is first thermally or chemically reduced. The reduced coating is then oxidized in a second step to release energy and/or hydrogen, carbon monoxide or other reduced species.

US Patent:

20060188433, Aug 24, 2006

Filed:

Nov 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/282116

Inventors:

Alan Weimer - Niwot CO, US
Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Allan Lewandowski - Evergreen CO, US
Carl Bingham - Lakewood CO, US

International Classification:

C01G 9/02

US Classification:

423622000, 423605000

Abstract:

The invention provides methods for reduction of metal oxide particles using a high temperature solar aerosol reactor. The invention also provides metal-oxide based processes for the generation of hydrogen from water splitting using a high temperature solar aerosol reactor. In addition, the invention provides solar thermal reactor systems suitable for use with these processes.

US Patent:

20100242352, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/795989

Inventors:

Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Courtland Hilton - Broomfield CO, US
Steven Strand - Midland MI, US
Donna Kelley - Louisville CO, US
Wayne Simmons - Dublin OH, US
Andrew Minden - Boulder CO, US
Joseph Hilton - Provo UT, US
Zoran Jovanovic - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

SUNDROP FUELS, INC. - Louisville CO

International Classification:

C10L 1/02
B01J 19/12

US Classification:

44639, 4221863, 422108

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical reactor are disclosed, including a solar thermal receiver aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy. Some embodiments include a solar driven chemical reactor that has multiple reactor tubes. Some embodiments include one of 1) one or more apertures open to an atmosphere of the Earth or 2) one or more windows, to pass the concentrated solar energy into the solar thermal receiver. This energy impinges on the multiple reactor tubes and cavity walls of the receiver and transfer energy by solar radiation absorption and heat radiation, convection, and conduction. In this way, the energy causes reacting particles to drive the endothermic chemical reaction flowing in the reactor tubes. The design of the multiple reactor tubes and solar thermal receiver can be adapted per a solar flux profile to take advantage of variations in the concentrations of solar flux in the profile.

US Patent:

20100242353, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/796222

Inventors:

Zoran Jovanovic - Louisville CO, US
Bryan Schramm - Broomfield CO, US
Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Courtland Hilton - Broomfield CO, US
Wayne Simmons - Dublin OH, US

Assignee:

SUNDROP FUELS, INC. - Louisville CO

International Classification:

C10L 1/02
F27B 15/00
F27B 15/08

US Classification:

44639, 422143, 422111

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

US Patent:

20100242354, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/796471

Inventors:

Christopher Perkins - Boulder CO, US
Zoran Jovanovic - Louisville CO, US
Courtland Hilton - Broomfield CO, US
Brittany Lancaster - Boulder CO, US
Andrew Minden - Boulder CO, US
Richard Ridley - Loveland CO, US
Donna Kelley - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

SUNDROP FUELS, INC. - Louisville CO

International Classification:

C10L 1/00
G05D 7/00
C07C 1/02

US Classification:

44639, 422105, 422110, 252373

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. Some embodiments include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy, a solar driven chemical reactor contained within the solar thermal receiver, and an entrained gas biomass feed system that uses an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar driven chemical reactor. Inner walls of the solar thermal receiver and the chemical reactor can be made from materials selected to transfer energy. Some embodiments include a control system that may be configured to balance the gasification reaction of biomass particles with the available concentrated solar energy and additional variable parameters including, but not limited to, a fixed range of particle sizes, temperature of the chemical reactor, and residence time of the particles in a reaction zone in the chemical reactor.