Thomas Minh Vu

US Patent:

7384621, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

Apr 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/827189

Inventors:

James F. Stevens - Katy TX, US
Julie M. Cao - Houston TX, US
Thomas M. Vu - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - San Ramon CA

International Classification:

C01B 3/24
C01B 3/26
C01B 31/20

US Classification:

423650, 423438, 423651, 423652

Abstract:

Methods for converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen-rich reformate that incorporate a carbon dioxide fixing mechanism into the initial hydrocarbon conversion process. The mechanism utilizes a carbon dioxide fixing material to remove carbon dioxide from the reformate product stream. The removal of carbon dioxide from the product stream shifts the reforming reaction equilibrium toward higher hydrocarbon conversion with only small amounts of carbon oxides produced. Repeated absorption/desorption of carbon dioxide by the fixing materials tends to decrease the fixing capacity of the materials. Hydration of the carbon dioxide fixing materials between one or more cycles serves to sustain their fixing capacity and to enhance the efficiencies of the reforming and shift reactions occurring in the catalyst bed. Hydration can occur during reactor start-up or shut down, periodically over a number of cycles, and/or upon a monitored change in the reformate composition.

US Patent:

20100307052, Dec 9, 2010

Filed:

Jun 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/477450

Inventors:

James F. Stevens - Katy TX, US
Mukund R. Karanjikar - Sandy UT, US
Kerry K. Spilker - Houston TX, US
Douglas Gene Naae - Sugar Land TX, US
Dennis P. Essl - Sugar Land TX, US
Peter Charles Ricci - Spring TX, US
Zoran Mirkovic - Pearland TX, US
Thomas M. Vu - Houston TX, US
Stephen J. Decanio - Richmond TX, US
Jerry M. Rovner - Houston TX, US
Jason C. Hicks - Katy TX, US

Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - San Ramon CA

International Classification:

C10L 1/18

US Classification:

44436

Abstract:

The instant invention pertains to new processes which produce an energy source effectively, efficiently, and in a more environmentally friendly manner. The process comprises hydrolyzing a lignocellulosic feedstock to form lignocellulosic hydrolyzate and a hydrolyzate residue. The lignocellulosic hydrolyzate is treated to produce hydrogen. The hydrolyzate residue may be reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to yield the energy source.