John A Coffman

US Patent:

45977720, Jul 1, 1986

Filed:

Sep 20, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/652481

Inventors:

John A. Coffman - Ballston Spa NY

Assignee:

Wright-Malta Corporation - Ballston Spa NY

International Classification:

C10J 300

US Classification:

48111

Abstract:

A tilted, fixed kiln with rotory steam gasifier having a fixed elongated, pressurizable kiln body member with an input end and an output end and with the center axis supported at an angle to the horizontal so as to bring into effect gravitational forces acting on high moisture content biomass material fed into the input end and travelling through the kiln to the output end and having in the kiln body an axially extending rotor and a motor, radially spaced-apart scoop-like blade elements extending along the axial length of the kiln for tumbling the material, means for increasing the temperature from its input to its output end, spaced-apart blades and chains disposed in the rotor kiln cavities for stirring the biomass material as it travels through the kiln to prevent agglomeration, a plurality of parallel, axially extending hot gas counter-flow feedback pipes arranged around the kiln body and along the backsides of the scoop-like blade elements, a metering auger mounted vertically to the input end of the kiln to assure continuous flow of the biomass into the kiln, and dam-like baffles mounted within the kiln body to increase the volume held in the kiln.

US Patent:

55103936, Apr 23, 1996

Filed:

Jun 2, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/460057

Inventors:

John A. Coffman - Ballston Spa NY

Assignee:

Wright Malta Corporation - Ballston Spa NY

International Classification:

C07C 2706

US Classification:

518703

Abstract:

A graded temperature methanol reactor includes an inclined container containing a liquid heat transfer medium, such as water, having a varying temperature along the container. Conduits, extending through the container and in contact with heat transfer medium, conduct a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide and permit heat transfer between the feed gas and the heat transfer medium. A copper catalyst is disposed within each conduit to cause the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to react to form methanol, which condenses as the temperature decreases along the container from the upper end to the lower end. Preferably, the conduits are configured as a rotor and can be rotated relative to the container. By using this methanol reactor, methanol can be produced from a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a 2:1 molecular ratio, regardless of the source of this feed gas. For example, this feed gas can be produced by a biomass gasification and reforming process, and the methanol reactor can be interrelated with the gasification process.

US Patent:

55078460, Apr 16, 1996

Filed:

Dec 6, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/349905

Inventors:

John A. Coffman - Ballston Spa NY

Assignee:

Wright Malta Corporation - Ballston Spa NY

International Classification:

C10J 320
C10J 330

US Classification:

48111

Abstract:

A gasifier for producing methane-rich fuel gas from a biomass material feed includes at least one cylindrical vessel, and an axially extending rotor mounted within the vessel. A feeding system is mounted to the vessel at the input end for introducing feed to the vessel. The feeding system includes two independently operated pistons, slidable in an inclined cylinder, and two slide valves, disposed in a vertical pipe above the inclined cylinder. The slide valves serve to apportion the amount of feed delivered to the gasifier, while the pistons selectively seal the pressurized interior of the kiln from the feed hopper. A discharge system for removing residue from the kiln also includes two pistons which selectively seal kiln from the environment. The gasifier of the present invention may also include double-plate intake and exhaust manifolds, and a box beam rotor, optionally including zinc oxide disposed in the hollow, central rotor shaft defined by the vanes of the box beam rotor.

US Patent:

55122558, Apr 30, 1996

Filed:

Dec 6, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/349912

Inventors:

John A. Coffman - Ballston Spa NY

Assignee:

Wright Malta Corporation - Ballston Spa NY

International Classification:

F28D 700

US Classification:

422201

Abstract:

A graded temperature methanol reactor includes an inclined container containing a liquid heat transfer medium, such as water, having a varying temperature along the container. Conduits, extending through the container and in contact with heat transfer medium, conduct a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide and permit heat transfer between the feed gas and the heat transfer medium. A copper catalyst is disposed within each conduit to cause the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to react to form methanol, which condenses as the temperature decreases along the container from the upper end to the lower end. Preferably, the conduits are configured as a rotor and can be rotated relative to the container. By using this methanol reactor, methanol can be produced from a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a 2:1 molecular ratio, regardless of the source of this feed gas. For example, this feed gas can be produced by a biomass gasification and reforming process, and the methanol reactor can be interrelated with the gasification process.