NETL Technology Transfer: Partnership Opportunites http://www.netl.doe.gov/rss/tech-transfer.xml NETL has a variety of technologies available for partnership (i.e., a CRADA or License Agreement). Some of these technologies are patented or are in the patenting process. Other technologies are available without a patent. Individual partnership opportunity notices are listed in the table below. Contact information for the partnership opportunities is included in the individual notices. en Friday, 3 May 2013 13:30:00 EST netl.webmaster@netl.doe.gov netl.webmaster@netl.doe.gov 1440 RSSeditor v0.9.54 (http://www.rss-info.com) Pyrochlore-Based Catalysts for Syngas-Derived Alcohol Synthesis http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-131022-pyrocholore-catalysts-for-alcohol-syn.pdf Industry has been increasingly attracted to the process of converting syngas from natural gas, coal, or biomass into various classes of chemicals such as C2+ (ethanol), known as higher oxygenates. The attraction stems from the fact that syngas can be used to produce a wide range of products, including liquid transportation fuels and a variety of chemical intermediates. These chemicals are commonly used as solvents, fuel additives, and neat fuels. To attain higher oxygenate and long-chain hydrocarbon synthesis from syngas, the major technical challenge is to develop a catalyst with high selectivity towards carbon chain growth and/or CO insertion, higher syngas conversion at lower temperatures and pressures, and high stability in a reducing environment. Researchers for this invention discovered that the pyrochlore material they developed addresses the above issues and improves the conversion process. Their pyrochlore material was found to interact with supported metals, such as Rh, to form long-chain and oxygenated hydrocarbon products from syngas with selectivities not achieved with other support systems that do not have the pyrochlore structure. Researchers found that the unique feature of the pyrochlore material is its ability to isomorphically substitute various elements that can interact at the surface with clusters of metal atoms. The properties of the pyrochlore can be used to tailor the degree and type of interaction with the active metal to catalyze the conversion of syngas to specific end products. Friday, 3 May 2013 13:30:00 EST Computationally Optimized Homogenization Heat Treatment of Metal Alloys http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-127575-heat-treatment-of-metals.pdf Alloys are metallic solid solutions of two or more elements. During the casting or solidification of an alloy, the component elements typically segregate unevenly throughout the alloy. These chemical segregations or nonuniformities negatively impact an alloy’s mechanical properties such as corrosion/oxidation resistance, tensile strength, service temperature and hot workability. Unless used in the cast form, redistribution of the alloying elements is necessary to achieve optimal alloy performance. This requires a thermal process known as homogenization. Homogenization heat treatment results in the diffusion and redistribution of the alloying elements throughout the alloy. Other than altering chemical composition, homogenization is the primary means of ‘tuning’ an alloy for its intended use. The extent of homogenization directly determines the performance properties of the alloy. Conventional homogenization processes require much experimentation. This usually entails numerous samples, substantial furnace time and associated energy, and additional lab time to physically evaluate the extent of homogenization. This is both a costly and time-consuming process. Thus, there is significant need to optimize the homogenization process for efficiency and cost effectiveness. To address this issue, NETL researchers developed a computationally-based approach to homogenization heat treatment of metal alloys. Thursday, 2 May 2013 8:30:00 EST A Computational Approach to Homogenizing Nickel-Based Single Crystal Alloys http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-130803-homogenization-ni-alloy.pdf Ni-based superalloys are a unique class of metallic materials possessing an exceptional combination of high temperature strength, durability and resistance to degradation in corrosive or oxidizing environments. Optimal superalloy performance requires thermal processing subsequent to manufacture and prior to use. This processing typically involves homogenization heat treatment to evenly distribute the alloying elements throughout the superalloy microstructure, minimizing the adverse, performance-reducing effects of solute non-uniformity. Traditionally, the homogenization process has been performed in a time consuming, costly, empirical manner. This is a particularly daunting task given that typical Ni-based superalloys contain 10 to 15 alloying elements and uniform chemistry is highly critical to performance. Researchers at NETL have developed a computationally-based approach to homogenization heat treatment of Ni-based superalloys that delivers consistent levels of homogenization in a time and cost-effective manner. Thursday, 2 May 2013 8:30:00 EST Metal Oxide Promoters for Improving the Reactivity and Capacity of Oxygen Carriers for the Chemical Looping Combustion Process http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/13477247.pdf Metal Oxide Promoters for the Chemical Looping Combustion Process Researchers continue to face the challenge of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants because existing methods to separate CO2 from the gas mixtures require a significant fraction of the power plant output. Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) is a novel combustion technology that uses an oxygen carrier, such as metal oxide, to transport oxygen to the fuel thereby avoiding direct contact between fuel and air. The CLC process has the advantage of producing sequestration-ready CO2 without the need for further separation required by conventional combustion technology whose streams are diluted by nitrogen (N2). Oxygen carrier development is very critical for CLC and iron oxide (Fe2O3) has commonly been used as an oxygen carrier in the past. However, the reactivity of Fe2O3-based oxygen carriers is insufficient for an industrial process. To address the above issue, this technology offers a mixed metal oxide carrier consisting of magnesium oxide (MgO) and Fe2O3 (natural hematite) to improve the performance of oxygen carriers most often used in a chemical looping combustion reaction. The mixed metal oxide has a specific composition that exhibits superior reactivity and high oxygen carrier capacity over Fe2O3-based oxygen carriers and does not exhibit agglomeration after a multi-cycle operation. The preparation procedure of the novel oxygen carrier is very simple and uses readily available natural ores which will contribute to low cost. The attrition resistance of the novel oxygen carrier is similar to that of FCC catalysts. This technology has the potential for application to and enhancement of chemical looping systems, thereby providing several advantages to those systems, such as improved efficiencies over traditional single-stage combustion systems; oxidation-reduction reactions that occur at relatively low temperatures, allowing power stations to more closely approach optimum output; and effective carbon capture. Thursday, 14 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST Hydrogen Separation Membranes http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/PON-13-208403.pdf NETL is working to help produce and deliver hydrogen from fossil fuels including coal in commercially applicable and environmentally acceptable ways. To achieve this strategic national goal, advanced hydrogen separation technologies are needed to supply tomorrow's energy and transportation systems with affordable hydrogen fuel. The goal of NETL's hydrogen separation membrane research is to develop cost-effective and robust gas separation technologies to facilitate hydrogen production from fossil fuels. Membranes already exist that can be used to separate hydrogen and carbon dioxide, producing high purity H2, which can be used as fuel, and high purity carbon dioxide, which is ready for sequestration. However, these membranes are expensive and vulnerable to common impurities in coal-derived syngas, such as hydrogen sulfide. Current membrane research is, therefore, focused on increasing hydrogen permeability and decreasing membrane degradation in gases containing detrimental impurities. Palladium is known to have high hydrogen selectivity and is consequently the one of the materials of choice for DOE research; however, palladium is expensive. This invention consists of copper-palladium alloy compositions that use less palladium than existing membranes. Adding copper and carefully selected ternary elements to palladium reduces the cost of the membrane while improving the resistance of the membrane to contaminants. Wednesday, 6 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST Nano-Structured Nobel Metal Catalysts for Hydrocarbon Reforming http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Nano-Structured Nobel.pdf Methods for generating synthesis gas from hydrocarbon feedstocks routinely involve the use of a catalyst—a material that speeds up the reaction, but itself is not consumed—to make this process economically feasible. Sulfur, higher hydrocarbons, and olefins present a major technical challenge since these components can deactivate conventional metal-based reforming catalysts. Development of high durability and economically feasible reforming catalysts for converting hydrocarbons into hydrogen-rich synthesis gas are necessary to improve process efficiency. This invention describes a process and application of nano-structured noble metal catalysts using hexametallate for the reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. This technology helps overcome the limitations of current catalysts by efficiently reforming hydrocarbon fuel sources while maintaining thermal stability and resistance to sulfur, olefins, and carbon deposition. Friday, 25 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST Maximizing Drilling Efficiency http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/13-670543.pdf This invention aims at reducing the cost and improving the efficiency and safety of drilling through maximizing rate of penetration (ROP) while minimizing mechanical-specific-energy (MSE), or the rate of energy use while drilling out a given volume of rock. The invention is a semi-analytical and semi-empirical method that expresses ROP and MSE in terms of weight-on-bit (WOB) and bit turning rate for a given formation, drill bit, drill fluid conditions, confining pressure, bottom-hole temperature and other drilling conditions. The method also predicts optimized drilling conditions for which the highest ROP may be achieved with the lowest MSE. Friday, 18 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST High Temperature Optical Gas Sensing http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/13-443223.pdf This series of inventions addresses harsh environment sensing at temperatures above approximately 400-500oC using novel sensing materials that are compatible with optical sensing platforms as well as more conventional resistive platforms. The sensors will use thin films of specialized materials that can be integrated with optical platforms for measurements of chemical composition or other process properties in extreme conditions. An emphasis is currently being placed on development of sensing materials for hydrogen and carbon monoxide detection, but sensors can be potentially designed to measure other gaseous components including oxygen, carbon dioxide, steam, sulfur species and nitrogen species as well as others at high temperatures in energy systems and other applications. Monday, 14 Jan 2013 08:30:00 EST Update - Method for Enhancing Selectivity and Recovery in the Fractional Flotation of Flotation Column Particles Method for Enhancing Selectivity and Recovery in the Fractional Flotation of Flotation Column Particles Froth flotation—one of the primary solid-solid separation processes for fine particles—has been widely practiced for a century in the mining industry for concentrating valuable minerals such as copper, lead, nickel, precious metals such as platinum group metals, gold and silver, and coal. In this process, specific particulate constituents of a slurry or suspension of finely dispersed particles attach to gas bubbles, separating them from other constituents of the slurry or suspension. The buoyant bubble/particle aggregate rises to the surface of the flotation vessel for separation. Higher recoveries (amount) and grades (concentration) of particles are desired in a separation process. Previously used methods of separation may produce a high amount of low-grade product, are difficult to control under certain conditions, or require other materials to be added, which must be removed at the end of the process. The current invention provides a method of particle separation from a feed stream of particles varying in hydrophobicity by injecting the feed stream directly into the froth zone of the vertical flotation column also provided with a counter-current reflux stream. Tuesday, 18 Dec 2012 09:30:00 EST Transpiration Purging Access Probe for Particulate Laden or Hazardous Environments http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/13205,021.pdf When researchers use sensors to directly observe processes in an industrial environment, problems associated with the sensor’s path or cleanliness of the observation window become critical. If not addressed, this critical issue could result in a disruption of the observation and measurement process. This patent-pending technology provides an access probe that applies remote sensing instrumentation positioned outside the vessel via access ports extending through the vessel containment. Although the medium is typically light and most often used for visual access, it may also be used to assist passive and active remote sensing instrumentation employing a variety of mediums such as X-rays, ultrasounds, magnetic resonances, radar, and sonar. Monday, 17 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST Regenerable Mixed Copper-Iron-Inert Support Oxygen Carriers for Solid Fuel Chemical Looping Combustion Process http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/13159553.pdf Researchers have extensively studied the use of metal-oxide oxygen carriers for the delivery of oxygen via reduction of the oxygen carrier during the application of chemical looping combustion. These combustion systems, which produce a concentrated stream of CO2, potentially have significant advantages over, for example, combustion with air that requires expensive CO2 separation technologies prior to CO2 sequestration. Despite certain advantages, success has been limited due to insufficient durability and reactivity of the metal-oxide oxygen carriers, This patent-pending technology addresses the above issues by providing for an oxygen carrier that demonstrates improved durability and reactivity versus metal oxides currently used in the chemical looping combustion of fuels. The carrier is composed of a combination of metal oxides offering increased reactivity per unit weight and enhanced physical durability and reactivity during multiple cycling combustion-regeneration reactions. The carrier is an optimum combination of CuO and Fe2O3 on an inert support that is reactive with fuels and provides excellent efficiency and combustion rates at relatively low temperatures. Monday, 17 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST Distributed Optical Sensor for CO2 Leak Detection http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-126395 Distributed-Optical-Sensor for CO2 leak detection.pdf NETL has developed a CO2 injection basin leakage detection system using miniaturized laser sensors with optical fibers. The invention will make measurements of elemental content and chemical composition in gases, liquids, and on solids, and will allow the monitoring and reporting of possible CO2 leaks within the environments of interest. The sensors use two laser-based methods: laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and RAMAN spectroscopy (named for the scientist C. V. Raman). LIBS can be used to measure elemental composition and RAMAN spectroscopy provides a fingerprint by which chemical compounds can be identified. Sensors can be distributed widely either above ground or down hole to monitor for the presence of CO2 or to detect characteristic changes in the ground water contents that may indicate leakage from a CO2 injection site. Thursday, 15 Nov 2012 8:30:00 EST Process for Efficient CO2 Capture Using a Regenerable Sorbent http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-199120-S-122813 Process for Efficient CO2 Capture Using .pdf NETL has developed a cyclic CO2 capture process based on a novel sorbent that can be used in gasification plants at high pressures and temperatures for high efficiency and better compatibility with gas turbine combustion, warm gas cleanup and water-gas-shift (WGS is a process to increase hydrogen content in the fuel gas). The sorbent can be regenerated to maintain activity over many absorption cycles, uses steam from the plant for regeneration and is tolerant to water in the fuel gas. The magnesium hydroxide sorbent absorbs CO2 through the formation of magnesium carbonate and releases water as a product. The sorbent is regenerated to convert it back to magnesium hydroxide for reuse. The sorbent capacity is considerably higher and the regeneration energy is lower than that of current commercial CO2 capture processes. Enhancements to the process allow CO2 removal at moderate/high temperatures and high pressures while producing the H2O concentration necessary for the WGS. This reduces the requirement for process steam, allowing more steam to be sent to a steam turbine for additional power generation and improving the overall efficiency of the process by several percentage points. Thursday, 15 Nov 2012 8:30:00 EST Triazolium-based Ionic Liquids as CO2 Capture Solvents and Membranes http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-122718.pdf This invention addresses a novel class of ionic liquids (ILs) that offers promising properties for use in CO2 capture processes, as well as methods to use in applying the IL to gas separation. ILs are organic salts that are commonly liquid at room temperature. They typically have good solubility, negligible vapor pressure (reducing potential air pollution), and good thermal stability. The invention covers a class of compounds in the IL family that is based on the triazolium chemical structure (compounds containing 3 nitrogen atoms in a 5-membered ring with 2 carbon atoms). The invention guides synthesis of these ILs using controllable reaction pathways resulting in compounds with a wide range of properties that are produced in good yields. Some of the resulting compounds have been shown to have improved properties over other IL classes, including increased CO2 solubility and thermal stability, facilitating their use for CO2 capture at high temperatures for high efficiency. Thursday, 15 Nov 2012 8:30:00 EST Fuel-Cell Fuel-Cell Hybrid System http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-130,051 - Methane-RIch Syngas.pdf This patented invention provides a fully integrated hybrid system by using two fuel cells in tandem. A solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is used to electrochemically introduce oxygen into a fuel stream to supercharge the fuel stream with oxygen for more efficient thermodynamic conversion by a lowtemperature fuel cell. Although SOFCs provide durability and economic advantages over liquid electrolytic fuel cells, SOFCs at present typically operate at high temperatures and therefore require a means for disposing of the released heat. As such, they may become bulky, noisy, and comprise several moving parts that require frequent maintenance. Systems that combine SOFCs and molten carbon fuel cell characteristics contain a liquid, which gives rise to corrosion and electrolyte loss. This patented SOFC tandem system would combine the advantages of both high temperature and low temperature fuel cells without the abovementioned disadvantages of each. In addition, the tandem system would be modular and scalable for use in the transportation and propulsion power sectors and should further be adaptable to hydrogen co-generation in industrial settings.. Thursday, 1 Nov 2012 7:30:00 EST Catalytic Coal Gasification Process for the Production of Methane-Rich Syngas http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-130,051 - Methane-RIch Syngas.pdf This invention describes a method for producing methane-rich syngas using alkaline hydroxides as both a catalyst and in situ CO2 capture agent. The molten catalytic gasification process for converting coal into a synthesis fuel occurs at temperatures exceeding 700°C and results in syngas consisting of approximately 20 percent methane and 80 percent hydrogen. The molten catalytic gasifier process represents a way of converting coal or municipal solid wastes into a syngas with the potential to generate synthetic natural gas or electricity by gas turbines or solid oxide fuel cells with minimal to near zero emissions of acid gases, greenhouse gases, and particulates. Monday, 29 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST A Process for the Mixing of Heavy Solid Particulate Matter in a Lighter Liquid Carrier Fluid Using an Inverted Pulsed Jet Mixing Apparatus http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-127180.pdf This invention addresses a problem posed by some large-size nuclear waste particles during a mixing process impacting the ultimate transportation of the waste. The technology associated with this invention provides researchers with a method to selectively mix large and small particles in a carrier fluid to enable transportation of the waste. The U.S. Department of Energy adopted existing technology, called pulsed jet mixers, at its Hanford Nuclear Waste Treatment facility to mix particulate solid nuclear waste material in a liquid carrier fluid within a containment vessel. However, because the particulate material has an extensive range of sizes and weights, the largest and heaviest particles tend to settle very quickly, thereby complicating the mixing process. The existing pulse jet mixers are capable of mixing approximately 80 percent of the waste. This new technology will allow mixing of all waste. Friday, 19 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST Visible Light Photoreduction of CO2 Using Heterostructured Catalysts http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-119750 (Visible Light Photoreduction..).pdf Visible Light Photoreduction of CO2 Using Heterostructured Catalysts In this invention, photocatalytic reduction of CO2 uses readily available sunlight to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals, such as methanol or methane, in a carbon friendly manner. Small semiconductor particles function as photocatalysts to promote various oxidation and reduction reactions under sunlight through the application of solar energy. Research data indicated a significant new finding for the photocatalytic reuse of carbon dioxide (CO2) or, simply, that the lower energy “tails” of the solar spectrum can be used for this application. As such, the results demonstrated an initial step toward creating more efficient photocatalysts for CO2 capture and reuse. Friday, 19 Oct 2012 8:30:00 EST Organoclay Sorbent for Removal of Carbon Dioxide from Gas Streams at Low Temperatures http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-126827 (Organoclay Sorbent).pdf This sorbent is an organoclay material that removes CO2 from gas streams at low temperatures. By incorporating amines inside clay containing quaternary ammonium salts (organoclay) minerals, this invention has created a way to prepare sorbents that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from low temperature and low pressure gas streams. In this process, the clay minerals are modified with organic materials to retain the amines. Currently, CO2 absorption processes, often called wet chemical stripping, and solid sorbent processes have both been used to remove CO2 in gas streams. Recently, several solid processes have been used but they tended to lose their ability to absorb CO2 over numerous cycles due to loss of amine. This new invention solves that problem by improving the retention capability of the amines. Friday, 19 Oct 2012 8:30:00 EST Chemical Looping Air Separation Unit http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/122349.pdf This patent-pending invention is a process that couples a chemical looping process that separates oxygen from air at a high efficiency with an oxy-fuel combustion process, thereby resulting in a highly concentrated stream of CO2 and water. The water can then be condensed out while the CO2 stream can be stored by applying a variety of carbon sequestration methods. The end result is a high efficiency electrical power plant and simultaneous capture of CO2. Thursday, 4 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST Superalloy Surface Treatment for Improved Metal Performance http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Superalloy Surface Treatment.pdf NETL has developed a surface treatment process in which reactive metal elements are applied directly to the alloy substrate prior to bond coating, resulting in reduced oxidation. The process significantly increases corrosive resistance of nickel-based superalloys reducing premature component failure resulting in increased system efficiency and cost savings. Monday, 1 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EST Improved Martensitic Steel for High Temperature Applications http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/OP 8246767.pdf NETL has developed a stainless steel composition and heat treatment process for a high-temperature, titanium alloyed 9 Cr-1 molybdenum alloy exhibiting improved creep strength and oxidation resistance at temperatures up to 650 °C. The heat-treated material provides improved performance at comparable cost to commonly used high-temperature steels and requires heat treatment consisting solely of austenization, rapid cooling, tempering, and final cooling, avoiding the need for any hot-working in the austenite temperature range. Thursday, 27 Sep 2012 7:50:00 EST Other DOE NETL Available Technologies http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/DOE%20NETL%20Intellectual%20Property%20Available%20for%20Licensing.pdf Other DOE NETL Available Technologies Wednesday, 19 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST Methods of Reforming Hydrocarbon Fuels Using Hexaaluminate Catalysts http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/2052212.pdf Here is the description for the RSS feed: This invention discloses a method to reform hydrocarbon fuels using hexaaluminate catalysts. In general, the method successfully disrupts the formation of carbon that leads to the deactivation of the catalyst, a key element in the reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. Wednesday, 13 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST Oxy-fuel Retrofit of Air-Fueled Boilers http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Air-Fueled Boilers.pdf

Oxy-fuel combustion of fossil fuels using pure oxygen instead of air as the primary oxidant offers many advantages including increased boiler efficiency, reduced combustion by-products, increased condensable vapor concentration, and increased concentration of pollutants. These advantages offer specific benefits in terms of emission control, cleanup, and compliance. Additionally CO2 capture is facilitated due to the reduction of nitrogen form the intake oxidant. However, the use of oxygen results in significantly different heat transfer characteristics within the air-fired boiler. As a result, oxy-fuel combustion is incompatible with many exiting air-fired boilers without extensive and costly modifications.

The current invention describes a method using an auxiliary heat unit to retrofit conventional air-fired boilers to oxy-fuel systems in a manner that accommodates existing steam demands of downstream loads without exceeding boiler design constraints or requiring extensive changes to heat transfer mechanics. The process overcomes many of the issues associated with retrofitting of existing air -fired boilers by utilizing oxy-fuel flames in an existing boiler design for air-firing in a configuration with an auxiliary heater that eliminates the need to mimic air-fired conditions in order to meet steam load demands. The process redistributes the release of chemical energy in the fuel such that heat transfer requirements in the radiant zone are dissociated from the convective heat transfer requirements in the convection zone. The method allows the use of superheat or reheats capabilities in the convection zone of the existing boiler and provides significant flexibility allowing oxy-fuel combustion in a wide range of existing boiler configurations

 Wednesday, 9 May 2012 7:00:00 EST Method for Determining Solids Circulation Rate http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8116992.pdf This invention provides a method to measure the rate of solids circulation, particularly in those applications where the solids are recycled back to processes for further use. The applications include processes such as circulating fluidized bed gasifiers and combustors, as well as chemical looping. Wednesday, 9 May 2012 7:00:00 EST Process for CO2 Capture Using Zeolites from High Pressure and Moderate Temperature Gas Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8128735.pdf This invention discloses a method for separating CO2 from a high-pressure and moderate- temperature gas stream composed of CO2 and other gaseous constituents using a zeolite sorbent in a temperature-swing adsorption process, which produces a CO2 stream at a high CO2 pressure contributing to low compression costs for CO2 sequestration. Friday, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST Production of synthesis gas from hydrocarbons http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6793910.pdf Disclosed in this patent is an invention that provides a method and related apparatus required to produce a synthesis gas from a variety of hydrocarbons. The apparatus consists of a semibatch, nonconstant volume reactor that generates the synthesis gas. The key feature is that the apparatus feeds mixtures of air, steam, and hydrocarbons into a cylinder to raise temperature without causing heat transfer from an external source. This invention's quick-start capability shares an advantage with internal combustion engines and can start and stop more readily than continuous flow reactor technologies. Like internal combustion engines, this invention is also sulfur tolerant, which is a distinct advantage because many catalyst based systems are poisoned by sulfur. As a result, this invention's sulfur conversion capabilities outperform other commercialized methods. Monday, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST Method for enhancing selectivity and recovery in the fractional flotation of particles in a flotation column http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7992718.pdf Froth flotation—one of the primary solid-solid separation processes for fine particles—has been widely practiced for a century in the mining industry for concentrating valuable minerals such as copper, lead, precious metals, and coal. In this process, specific particulate constituents of a slurry or suspension of finely dispersed particles attach to gas bubbles, separating them from other constituents of the slurry or suspension. The buoyant bubble/particle aggregate rises to the surface of the flotation vessel for separation. Higher recoveries (amount) and grades (concentration)of particles are desired in a separation process. Previously used methods of separation may produce a high amount of low-grade product, are difficult to control under certain conditions, or require other materials to be added, which must be removed at the end of the process. This patent provides a method of particle separation from a feed stream of particles varying in hydrophobicity by injecting the feed stream directly into the froth zone of the vertical flotation column with a counter-current reflux stream. This creates attachments between bubbles in the froth zone and the hydrophobic particles, which has several benefits to the process. The resulting grade of the product increases, and the grade of the slurry increases. The froth injection method allows flexibility to influence recovery and grade independently, by varying the vertical level of feed stream and the magnitude of reflux stream. Wednesday, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST Electrically Distributed Optically Pumped Laser Spark Plug and Ignition System http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Laser Spark Plug.v1.pjb.031912.pdf This invention describes an electrical distribution system that delivers high-current pulses to optical pumping devices producing optical pumping power that can be collected and focused to coaxially pumped, solid state, passively Q-switched lasers. The lasers, in turn, produce high-peak power output, which can be focused into a combustion chamber to ignite a lean, high pressure air/fuel mixture. When used as an ignition source for reciprocating engines, laser spark ignition has been shown to improve efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. The recent development of laser diode bars with Bragg gratings and microlenses has greatly reduced temperature dependency of the output wavelength and improves array divergence and focusability, allowing the high-power diode pump source to be located at the laser spark plug. Electrical distribution is now a viable competitor in today's marketplace because laser optics, coatings, materials, and pump sources are now small enough and have sufficient power and low cost. Monday, 26 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy System Using a Passively Q-Switched Laser http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Q-Switched Laser.v2.pjb.032612.pdf Atomic spectroscopy systems such as LIBS are used in many applications where the elemental composition of a solid, liquid or gas sample is desired. In addition, this detection technology has the advantage of providing composition data without sample destruction. In LIBS systems, precise timing and control between the laser and the spectrometer detector are key parameters for producing high quality data. Current systems use active Q-switches to control these parameters because the time between initiation of the Q-switch and opening of the detector shutter are fairly short and known. Passively Q-switched lasers are not considered usable for LIBS applications because they lack Q-switch electronic controls needed for precise laser and spectrometer timing and control. This invention describes the use of passive Q-switches in place of active Q-switches for LIBS systems resulting in reduced system complexity and significant cost savings. Further, this technology can sense passive Q-switch output, which can be used for precise timing and control of the LIBS system while eliminating the expensive active Q-switch used in traditional systems. Monday, 26 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST Transpiration Purged Optical Probe http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6672725.pdf To control power plant pollutants, optical monitoring is needed in harsh environments (e.g., combustion chambers, reactor vessels, the gas and solid flows in fluidized beds, some hot gas filters and heat exchangers). When optical probes are used, contaminants in these high-temperature, high-pressure areas collect on the optical surfaces, reducing their quality and impairing their ability to transmit data. Because there is no way to clean optical surfaces during operation, the particular plant component must be shut down. This transpiration purged optical probe maintains a clean optical surface throughout its lifetime and may be continually used for optical inspection or for control system applications. The invention has been successfully used to view combustion processes and provide data for feedback control to optimize combustion, saving fuel and operation costs and increasing efficiency. Friday, 23 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST Method for the Production of Mineral Wool and Iron from Serpentine Ore http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8033140.pdf This invention discloses a method to fabricate a product that has the potential to replace asbestos, which harbors health and environmental risks, with magnesium silicate-based mineral wools. The mineral wool product yields advantages similar to asbestos while eliminating its inherent detriments. An important need exists to create an alternative to asbestos that still retains the key advantages of liquidus temperature (melting point) and heat resistance. Although alternative mineral wool fibers have been developed from basalt, diabase, and similar materials, these alternatives have a liquidus temperature ranging from about 1,100 to about 1,200 degrees Centigrade, which is significantly lower than asbestos-based insulation. This magnesium silicate-based mineral wool invention addresses the shortcomings of basalt-like material by having a liquidus temperature of at least 1,400 degrees Centigrade, thereby providing an excellent heat insulating material. Monday, 6 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST Poly (Hydroxyl Urethane) Adhesives and Binders from CO<sub>2</sub>-Based Intermediates http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-126394.pdf NETL has a new technology titled "Poly (Hydroxyl Urethane) Compositions and Methods of Making and Using the Same." Polyurethane compounds are useful in many commercial applications, including high-performance adhesives, surface coatings, sealants, binders, hydrogels, and resins. A polyurethane compound is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate (—NCOO—) links. Polyurethanes are conventionally formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and polyfunctional compounds in the presence of a catalyst. The new technology provides a single-step method for the synthesis of crossed-linked PHUs from CO2-based intermediates. Crossed-linked compositions are obtained through the use of cyclic carbonate chemistry involving the reaction of a CO2-derived cyclic carbonate, a thiol, and a compound having two or more amine functional groups. The synthetic process is efficient, simple, flexible, and scalable allowing for the production of less toxic, non-isocyanate containing PHU composites having adhesive properties. Monday, 6 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST Arc Position Sensing http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Electric-Current-Locator.pdf The Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is seeking collaborative research and licensing partners interested in further development and implementation of an innovative technology for arc position sensing. Vacuum arc remelting (VAR) is a process used to refine alloys with the advanced properties and performance needed for certain applications in the aerospace, power generation, defense, and medical and nuclear industries. A VAR melt occurs within a crucible typically made of copper with a water jacket that cools the metal being formed. The control between the heat transfer and remelting is critical to producing defect-free material. The problem is that VAR, an expensive procedure, sometimes produces an ingot that must be rejected because of defects and/or lack of uniformity. Present controls of the remelting process rely on system current and voltage, which cannot reliably show what the electric arcs are doing and what causes ingots to sometimes be defective. Without knowing when problems occur, it is impossible to devise ways to fix them. However, with arc position sensing technology utilizing the ECL, variations in arc positions (and hence energy distribution into the molten metal) can be visualized. This information is a crucial first step toward devising control methods that will permit VAR to produce consistent defect-free ingots. Thursday, 26 Jan 2012 015:30:00 EST Semi-Continuous Detection of Mercury in Gases http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8069703.pdf The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a national regulation for mercury removal from coal-derived flue and fuel gases in December 2011, and many states are promulgating their own rules. These rules typically require at least 91 percent capture of mercury. The levels of mercury in untreated coal-derived flue gas are on the order of 1 part-per-billion (ppb) by volume; 91 percent removal requires treated flue gas with levels of 0.1 ppb. Methods for detection of mercury in coal-derived gas streams are needed to insure compliance with emission regulations. The potential market for mercury analyzers in U.S. coal-utilizing facilities is estimated to be in excess of $100 million. This invention discloses a method for the quantitative detection of heavy metals, especially mercury, in effluent gas streams. The method employs photo-deposition and an array of surface acoustic wave sensors where each sensor monitors a specific metal. Wednesday, 18 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST Thief Carbon Catalyst for Oxidation of Mercury in Effluent Stream http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8071500.pdf This invention discloses a catalyst for the oxidation of heavy metals, such as mercury, from high temperature gas streams generated from industrial sources. The active component of the catalyst is partially combusted coal, termed "Thief" carbon, which can be pretreated with a halogen or left untreated in the presence of an effluent gas entrained with a halogen. The invention provides operators with a catalyst that has the dual advantage of high oxidation levels and high adsorption levels for halogens or halogen-containing compounds. The "Thief" carbon technology, which contains between 20 and 80 percent ash by weight, also yields the advantages of a longer catalyst life and concurrent lower long term costs. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST Method for Regeneration of Immobilized Amine Sorbents for Use in CO<sub>2</sub> Capture (the BIAS Process) http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-119419 (BIAS process).pdf Carbon sequestration entails a multi-step process in which anthropogenic CO2 emissions are captured from CO2-laden process gas streams and permanently stored. Carbon capture is a critical step in the process and accounts for a considerable portion of the overall cost. Newly developed, high-capacity amine-based sorbents offer many advantages over existing technology including: 1) increased CO2 capture capacity; 2) reduced corrosion, energy requirements, and costs; and 3) minimized water usage. Additionally, amine based sorbents are scalable for use in industrial applications, including coal combustion and gasification power generating systems.The current advanced technology describes a steam regeneration process for amine-based solid sorbents used in CO2 capture. Thur, 22 Dec 2011 14:50:00 EST Carbonaceous Chemistry for Computational Modeling http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Market_C3M.pdf Carbonaceous Chemistry for Computational Modeling (C3M) is a software platform available for licensing that is used to access a variety of kinetic processes and reaction mechanisms typically found in coal gasification, gas clean-up, and carbon capture processes. This unique software provides the user the ability to conduct virtual kinetic experiments using leading kinetic packages and available experimental data to evaluate kinetic predictions as a function of fuel and sorbent type and/or operating conditions. Thur, 22 Dec 2011 14:50:00 EST Method for the Photocatalytic Conversion of Gas Hydrates http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6267849.pdf Methane hydrates, a frozen mixture of methane contained within an ice-water mix, are found in deep ocean sediments and the Arctic permafrost. The methane hydrates constitute a large natural reserve of methane that scientists estimate have an energy potential more than twice that of all other fossil fuels combined. This technology demonstrates a way to convert methane hydrates to methanol or hydrogen through exposure to light. Harvesting the methane not only provides a significant energy source but has the environmental advantage of producing less carbon dioxide (CO2) than other forms of fossil fuels. Production of methane from this source could reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 20 percent worldwide. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:50:00 EST Regenerable Immobilized Aminosilane Sorbents for Carbon Dioxide Capture http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-122196.pdf This unique method reduces the impact of water loading on sorbent regeneration by utilizing a conditioner following the steam regeneration step. This allows for optimization of the carbon dioxide removal capacity for a given absorption and regeneration reactor size. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:50:00 EST Carbon Dioxide Capture Process with Regenerable Sorbents http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6387337.pdf Patent Information: 6,387,337 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:50:00 EST Method to Remove Ammonia Using a Proton-Conducting Ceramic Membrane http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6630116.pdf Patent Information: 6,630,116 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:50:00 EST Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Staged Indirect-Internal Air and Fuel Preheating and Reformation http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6635375.pdf Patent Information: 6,635,375 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 7:00:00 EST Gas Sampling System for a Mass Spectrometer http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6670608.pdf Patent Information: 6,670,608 Thur, 08 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST Device and Method for Separating Minerals, Carbon and Cement Additives from Fly Ash http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6681938.pdf Patent Information: 6,681,938 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST Lean Blowoff Detection Sensor http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7197880.pdf Patent Information: 7,197,880 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 9:30:00 EST Optimum Catalyst Size Selection for Slurry Bubble Column Reactors http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7619011.pdf Patent Information: 7,619,011 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 7:30:00 EST Low Temperature Sorbents for Removal of Sulfur Compounds from Fluid Feed Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6743405.pdf Patent Information: 6,743,405 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 7:30:00 EST Rapid Gas Hydrate Formation Process http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/4060211.pdf U.S. Patent Pending Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:50:00 EST Process for Sequestering Carbon Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7604787.pdf Patent Information: 7,604,787 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:50:00 EST Multi-component Removal in Flue Gas by Aqua Ammonia http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7255842.pdf Patent Information: 7,255,842 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:35:00 EST Ultrasound Analysis of Slurries http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6959589.pdf Patent Information: 6,959,589 Fri, 20 May 2011 14:35:00 EST Solid sorbents for removal of carbon dioxide from gas streams at low temperatures http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6908497.pdf Patent Information: 6,908,497 Fri, 20 May 2011 14:30:00 EST Method for Sequestering Carbon Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide Utilizing a Plurality of Waste Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7922792.pdf Patent Information: 7,922,792 Mon, 02 May 2011 9:00:00 EST Method for Producing Components with Internal Architectures, Such as Micro-Channel Reactors, via Diffusion Bonding Sheets http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7900811.pdf Patent Information: 7,900,811 Fri, 22 Mar 2011 9:30:00 EST CO<sub>2</sub> Separation from Low-Temperature Flue Gases http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7842126.pdf Patent Information: 7,842,126 Mon, 11 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST Thermal Barrier Coatings http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7740948.pdf Patent Information: 7,740,948 Mon, 10 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST Method of Detecting Leakage from Geologic Formations Used to Sequester CO<sub>2</sub> http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7704746.pdf Patent Information: 7,704,746 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST Regenerable Hydrogen Chloride and Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Sorbents for High Temperature Gas Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7767000.pdf Patent Information: 7,767,000 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST Capacitance Probe for Detection of Anomalies in Nonmetallic Plastic Pipe http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7839282.pdf Patent Information: 7,839,282 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST High Speed Particle Image Velocimetry http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#116773 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST Catalysts for Oxidation of Mercury in Flue Gas http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7776780 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST Thief Process for the Removal of Mercury from Flue Gas http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6521021 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:15:00 EST Method for Removal of Mercury from Various Gas Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6576092 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST Real-Time Combustion Control and Diagnostics Sensor-Pressure Oscillation Monitor http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7559234 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Module-Based Oxy-fuel Boiler http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7516620 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Piezoelectric Axial Flow Microvalve http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7159841 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Direct Fired Reciprocating Engine and Bottoming High Temperature Fuel Cell Hybrid http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6994930 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Fail Save Shut Off Valve for Filtering Systems Employing Candle Filters http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6981516 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Energy Recovery During Expansion of Compressed Gas Using Power Plant Low-Quality Heat Sources http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7007474 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Energy Recovery During Expansion of Compressed Gas Using Power Plant Low-Quality Heat Sources http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7314847 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Laser Spark Distribution and Ignition System http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7421166 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Mercury Sorbent Delivery System for Flue Gas http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7494632 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Ionization Based Multi-directional Flow Sensor http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7523673 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Method of Applying a Cerium Diffusion Coating to a Metallic Alloy http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7553517 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Improved Catalysts for Fuel Reformation Licensing Partnership Opportunity http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#IC U.S. Patent Pending Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST Carbonaceous Chemistry for Continuum Modeling http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#C3M U.S. Patent Pending Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST Real-Time Raman Gas Composition Analyzer http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#MRS Energy Systems Dynamics Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST