Abstract

Provided is a continuous process for producing hydrocarbon products, such as jet fuel, diesel, and naphtha, from lignin-derived materials via hydrodeoxygenation in presence of catalysts under hydrogen pressure. The process comprises introducing a lignin-derived material into a feedstock stream; hydrodeoxygenating said feedstock stream in a first reactor to produce a partially hydrodeoxygenated intermediate; separating gaseous and aqueous by-products from said partially hydrodeoxygenated intermediate to obtain an organic intermediate; hydroprocessing said organic intermediate in a second reactor to produce a hydroprocessed product, said hydroprocessing comprising hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenation; separating gaseous by-products and aqueous phase by-products from said hydroprocessed product to produce a hydrocarbon product; and fractionating said hydrocarbon product into fuels such as naphtha, jet fuel, or diesel.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10G 1/06 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by destructive hydrogenation

Abstract

A continuous process for producing hydrocarbon products, such as jet fuel, diesel, and naphtha, from lignin-derived materials comprising lignin oligomers, via hydrodeoxygenation in presence of catalysts under hydrogen pressure. These hydrocarbon products can then be fractionated into fuels such as naphtha, jet fuel, or diesel. Preferably, the jet fuel and diesel meet the corresponding fuel standards. Preferably, the naphtha meets key specifications of the corresponding gasoline and naphtha standards. Because lignin-derived materials are produced from biomass, the hydrocarbon products, including the jet fuel, diesel, and naphtha produced by this process, may contain up to 100% biogenic carbon.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10G 1/06 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by destructive hydrogenation
• C08H 7/00 - LigninModified ligninHigh-molecular-weight products derived therefrom
• C08J 11/10 - Recovery or working-up of waste materials of polymers by chemically breaking down the molecular chains of polymers or breaking of crosslinks, e.g. devulcanisation
• C10G 49/02 - Treatment of hydrocarbon oils, in the presence of hydrogen or hydrogen-generating compounds, not provided for in a single one of groups , , , , or characterised by the catalyst used
• C10G 49/22 - Separation of effluents

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling electric vehicle chargers using central control consoles for controlling and communicating with industrial equipment. The electric vehicle chargers operate as clients in a client-server configuration with a dedicated OCPP server. The OCPP server communicates with a control console using either of two communications paths-one path uses a direct HTTP connection with the control console. For this path, the control console operates as a web-enabled client. For the other path, multiple communications protocols are used and conversions between these protocols are effected using a conversion module and a MODBUS server. The MODBUS server communicates with the OCPP server. The MODBUS server also communicates with the control console by way of the conversion module and a control server. The control console is thereby able to control multiple pieces of industrial equipment along with the electric vehicle chargers without needing to be compliant with the OCPP protocol.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 69/08 - Protocols for interworkingProtocol conversion
• G05B 19/05 - Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts

Abstract

The present application provides a process and system for extraction of rare earth elements from a solid feed that employs a high solid to liquid pulp density during cracking. In particular, the present application provides a high pulp density cracking water leaching process for extracting rare earth elements, which comprises: combining a ground solid feed with a strong acid and water to form a slurry or mud having a solid to liquid pulp density of at least 33%; cracking the slurry or mud in a reactor, with or without agitation; and leaching the slurry with an aqueous leaching solution to obtain a leachate comprising the rare earth elements. Also provided is a system for extraction of rare earth elements, which includes a grinding and/or milling device, a cracking reactor and a leaching device configured to perform the high pulp density cracking water leaching process.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• B01D 11/02 - Solvent extraction of solids
• C01F 17/00 - Compounds of rare earth metals
• C22B 1/00 - Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
• C22B 59/00 - Obtaining rare earth metals

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 11/02 - Solvent extraction of solids
• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions

Abstract

The present application provides a method for bitumen froth treatment in the transition region between coalescence and agglomeration. The method involves separating diluted bitumen product from a bitumen froth mixture, comprising the bitumen, water and mineral solids, the method comprising: (a) combining the mixture with a solvent blend to obtain a combination having a ratio of said solvent blend to the bitumen of about 1.0-1.6 by mass, wherein said solvent blend comprises from 2.2-4.5 (±0.2) wt % aromatic solvent or from 70-80 (±10) wt % paraffinic solvent; (b) mixing the combination; and (c) separating the diluted bitumen product from the water and mineral solids.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10G 1/04 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by extraction

Abstract

A computer system models a hydrocarbon extraction process using a dynamic pore network model that is generated to represent a subterranean reservoir containing hydrocarbons as pores connected by throats. Solvent is injected into the subterranean reservoir to mobilize the hydrocarbons for extraction thereof. An iterative process may be repeated over time to determine hydrocarbon extraction based on changes in the molar balance of the components over time. A first set of characteristics for each pore is defined from which a second set of characteristics can be derived for two-phase pores. The molar balance of the components is determined based on the first and second sets of characteristics. The first set of characteristics is updated based on the molar balance of the components and the process can be repeated for subsequent times. Parameters for injection of the solvent may be adjusted and the iterative process repeated over time to identify preferred parameters.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 49/08 - Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• E21B 43/27 - Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures by use of eroding chemicals, e.g. acids

Abstract

A computer system models a hydrocarbon extraction process using a dynamic pore network model that is generated to represent a subterranean reservoir containing hydrocarbons as pores connected by throats. Solvent is injected into the subterranean reservoir to mobilize the hydrocarbons for extraction thereof. An iterative process may be repeated over time to determine hydrocarbon extraction based on changes in the molar balance of the components over time. A first set of characteristics for each pore is defined from which a second set of characteristics can be derived for two-phase pores. The molar balance of the components is determined based on the first and second sets of characteristics. The first set of characteristics is updated based on the molar balance of the components and the process can be repeated for subsequent times. Parameters for injection of the solvent may be adjusted and the iterative process repeated over time to identify preferred parameters.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 41/00 - Equipment or details not covered by groups
• E21B 43/16 - Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
• G06F 17/10 - Complex mathematical operations

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling electric vehicle chargers using central control consoles for controlling and communicating with industrial equipment. The electric vehicle chargers operate as clients in a client-server configuration with a dedicated OCPP server. The OCPP server communicates with a control console using either of two communications paths—one path uses a direct HTTP connection with the control console. For this path, the control console operates as a web-enabled client. For the other path, multiple communications protocols are used and conversions between these protocols are effected using a conversion module and a MODBUS server. The MODBUS server communicates with the OCPP server. The MODBUS server also communicates with the control console by way of the conversion module and a control server. The control console is thereby able to control multiple pieces of industrial equipment along with the electric vehicle chargers without needing to be compliant with the OCPP protocol.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05B 19/05 - Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• H04L 69/08 - Protocols for interworkingProtocol conversion

Abstract

An oriented magnetic core lamination technique and a method of producing circular lamination cores. The method includes cutting rectangular strips with teeth pointing in a single direction (may not be the traverse or rolling direction) from the steel sheet plane, as opposed to directly punching circular laminates from the steel sheet with the teeth pointing in all directions. The strips are cut in such a way that the short side is aligned to the direction that has the best magnetic properties. The strips can then be bent into a donut or toroidal shape, either inwardly (with teeth pointing to the circle center) or outwardly (with teeth pointing out of the center) depending on the design of the lamination core. The direction with the best magnetic properties may be determined by non-destructive methods such as magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD), or electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD).

IPC Classes  ?

• H01F 3/04 - Cores, yokes or armatures made from strips or ribbons
• H01F 41/02 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformersApparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties for manufacturing cores, coils or magnets
• H02K 15/02 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining or repairing of dynamo-electric machines of stator or rotor bodies

Abstract

The invention discloses method and system of drying renewable sources of energy and raw material. The drying process is carried out under partial vacuum conditions and at lower temperatures than conventional dryers. The temperature to dry the material and the rate of water removal are controlled by regulating the degree of vacuum and the intensity of heat input. A method for drying material to moisture content below 10% by weight, comprises introducing into an ejector a stream with a pressure above ambient pressure, creating partial vacuum in a drying chamber through the secondary nozzle of the ejector when the stream enters the ejector and provides the motive pressure to the primary nozzle of the ejector, said drying chamber having an inlet into which a wet material is introduced and an outlet for taking out the dried material after the drying treatment, drying the wet material using low temperature waste heat.

IPC Classes  ?

• F26B 5/04 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum
• F26B 17/18 - Machines or apparatus for drying materials in loose, plastic, or fluidised form, e.g. granules, staple fibres, with progressive movement with movement performed by rotating helical blades or other rotary conveyors moving materials in stationary chambers

Abstract

The present invention discloses build-up welding methods for repair by low power density laser direct energy deposition upon a substrate to be welded, which do not necessarily require preheating of the substrate. The present invention further discloses welded regions formed by such methods, and products comprising such welded regions. Moreover, the present invention relates to laser additive welding methods and processes using a filler wire for various welding positions and orientations.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 26/342 - Build-up welding
• B23K 26/60 - Preliminary treatment
• B23K 28/02 - Combined welding or cutting procedures or apparatus

Abstract

Provided herein is a methane oxidation catalyst having a support comprising alumina doped with lanthanum and comprising platinum and palladium as active phases. The platinum and palladium are present in the catalyst at an amount effective for producing an exhaust stream from a natural gas vehicle having reduced levels of methane. The catalyst disclosed herein may exhibit improvements in sulfur and water resistance.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01J 23/44 - Palladium
• B01D 53/94 - Chemical or biological purification of waste gases of engine exhaust gases by catalytic processes
• B01J 23/63 - Platinum group metals with rare earths or actinides
• B01J 21/04 - Alumina
• B01J 37/02 - Impregnation, coating or precipitation
• B01D 53/72 - Organic compounds not provided for in groups , e.g. hydrocarbons
• B01J 23/10 - Catalysts comprising metals or metal oxides or hydroxides, not provided for in group of rare earths
• B01J 35/10 - Solids characterised by their surface properties or porosity

Abstract

The present application provides a process and system for recovery of rare earth elements. In particular, the present application provides a process for obtaining a precipitate of rare earth elements (REE), comprising: (a) obtaining an acidic composition comprising the REE (such as, for example, a pregnant leach solution); (b) adding a reducing agent to the acidic composition and adjusting the pH with a basic agent; (c) adding oxalate directly to the composition formed in step (b) and mixing to form an REE oxalate precipitate; (d) removing the REE oxalate precipitate from the mixture of step (c).

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 59/00 - Obtaining rare earth metals
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
• C22B 3/22 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by physical processes, e.g. by filtration, by magnetic means
• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions

Abstract

A system and method for controlling microgrids composed of inverter-based distributed generation (IBDG) units. This includes a method using multiple IBDGs to inject impedance-modulated harmonic currents during fault conditions, with each IBDG injecting a unique, differentiable harmonic (i.e., non-fundamental) order from neighboring IBDGs. The method also involves using an inverse time-harmonic-current characteristic to detect faults by locally measuring the harmonic currents injected by IBDGs. A harmonic directional overcurrent relay is also used for fault detection.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02J 3/00 - Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• H02J 3/38 - Arrangements for parallelly feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• H02H 3/52 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to the appearance of abnormal wave forms, e.g. AC in DC installations responsive to the appearance of harmonics
• H02H 7/122 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for convertersEmergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for rectifiers for static converters or rectifiers for inverters, i.e. DC/AC converters
• H02H 3/04 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection Details with warning or supervision in addition to disconnection, e.g. for indicating that protective apparatus has functioned

Abstract

Process for formation of composite coatings and composite coatings formed thereby. A process for formation of a metal-matrix composite coating on a surface of a substrate is provided. The substrate is an aluminum alloy. The metal-matrix composite coating is formed on the substrate through laser deposition using filler materials comprising aluminum, silicon and graphite. The particles forming the metal-matrix composite coating are formed in-situ from the filler materials. A metal-matrix composite coating obtained by the laser deposition process with in-situ formation of particles is also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 26/342 - Build-up welding
• B22F 7/04 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite layers with one or more layers not made from powder, e.g. made from solid metal
• C23C 24/10 - Coating starting from inorganic powder by application of heat or pressure and heat with intermediate formation of a liquid phase in the layer

Abstract

The inventions discloses a method for reducing fouling on the surface of a ceramic membrane or filter with a recalcitrant filtration cake thereon that is non-responsive to regular back-flushing or other physical means of removal, where the ceramic membrane or filter is subjected to steam fast-flushing by injecting steam directly in feed channel of the ceramic membrane or filter while back-flushing the ceramic membrane or filter at the same time to heat and remove fouled layer on the ceramic membrane or filter while cooling a selective layer of the ceramic membrane or filter to avoid thermal shocking of the ceramic membrane or filter, the surface is cleaned with the ceramic membrane or filter being stationary.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 65/02 - Membrane cleaning or sterilisation
• B01D 69/02 - Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or propertiesManufacturing processes specially adapted therefor characterised by their properties
• B01D 71/02 - Inorganic material
• C02F 1/44 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
• C02F 101/32 - Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil
• C02F 103/10 - Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from quarries or from mining activities

Abstract

The present invention provides device system and a method for monitoring movements of mining conveyances in a mine shaft. One or more sensors that form part of the system may be installed directly on the mining conveyances. The sensors may be accelerometers and are for detecting movements on mining conveyances. The system may analyze the descent and ascent paths of the mining conveyances on guides by recording vertical, horizontal and transverse accelerations. The analysis may comprise associating the movements with position of the mining conveyances on the guides for identification of an anomaly at a specific position.

IPC Classes  ?

• B66B 5/06 - Applications of checking, fault-correcting or safety devices in elevators responsive to abnormal operating conditions for detecting excessive speed electrical
• B66B 1/34 - Control systems of elevators in general Details
• B66B 5/00 - Applications of checking, fault-correcting or safety devices in elevators
• B66B 19/06 - Applications of signalling devices

Abstract

Thermal energy systems for managing, distribution and recovery of thermal energy. A single-pipe loop circulating a two-phase refrigerant is provided. The single-pipe loop is spread through the entire system and interconnects a plurality of local heat exchange stations, each having different thermal energy loads. A central circulation mechanism (CCM) is also provided for circulating the refrigerant for distribution of thermal energy within the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24F 12/00 - Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
• F24D 10/00 - District heating systems
• F24F 3/06 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the arrangements for the supply of heat-exchange fluid for the subsequent treatment of primary air in the room units