University of Illinois

Gas Technology Institute

Drexel University

North Carolina State University

Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Alexei V Saveliev

Serguei Zelepouga

Young I Cho

Alexander Fridman

Alexander F Gutsol

David M Rue

Lawrence Kennedy

John M Pratapas

Kenneth Blank

Andrey Romanets

Vilas Vyankatrao Jangale

Vijay Anant Deshpande

Igor Matveev

Tecle S Rufael

Sergeui Zelepouga

Igor Martveev

Vilas V Jangale

An exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for real-time, in situ measurement of gas compositions and heating values. The apparatus includes a near infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, a mid infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide and a semiconductor based sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrogen gas. A data processor having a computer program for reducing the effects of cross-sensitivities of the sensors to components other than target components of the sensors is also included. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for real-time, in situ determination of a composition and heating value of a fuel gas.

Method and apparatus for real-time measurement of fuel gas compositions and heating values

A method and apparatus for absorbance correction in a spectroscopic heating value sensor in which a reference light intensity measurement is made on a non-absorbing reference fluid, a light intensity measurement is made on a sample fluid, and a measured light absorbance of the sample fluid is determined. A corrective light intensity measurement at a non-absorbing wavelength of the sample fluid is made on the sample fluid from which an absorbance correction factor is determined. The absorbance correction factor is then applied to the measured light absorbance of the sample fluid to arrive at a true or accurate absorbance for the sample fluid.

Method of absorbance correction in a spectroscopic heating value sensor

A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a substantially cylindrical shaped portion forming a reaction chamber therein, wherein said substantially cylindrical shaped portion forms a first charged electrode; a circumferential flow apparatus fluidly connected to the reaction chamber for creating a circumferential fluid flow; a second charged electrode; and an outlet for releasing said circumferential fluid flow. Also provided are methods of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention.

Vortex reactor and method of using it

A method and system for measuring a physical property of a fluid in which light having wavelengths in the near-infrared is directed into a test cell containing the fluid and portions of the light not absorbed by the fluid and passing out of the cell are spatially dispersed by wavelength, forming a light spectrum that is projected onto a detector. The light spectrum is digitized and inputted into a data processing unit in which it is compared to the actual spectrum of the light source stored in the system to determine the absorbance spectrum of the fluid. The system is spectrally calibrated by identifying known spectral features of the fluid absorbance spectrum. To correct for deviations in the original light source spectrum, a calibration method in which the pressure of the fluid in the test cell is alternated between a first positive pressure and a second positive pressure is employed. Upon determination of the absorbance spectrum of the fluid, the physical property of interest of the fluid is determined by comparing the absorbance spectrum to a plurality of spectra located within an on-board database.

Pressure controlled spectroscopic heating value sensor

A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a reaction chamber formed by a frustum-shaped portion, the narrower part of which is downwardly oriented. Proximate to the narrower part of the frustum-shaped portion, the vortex reactor includes apparatus for creating an axial gas flow and apparatus for creating a circumferential gas flow. The vortex reactor also includes a particulate solid inlet for feeding particulate solids to the reaction chamber. The vortex reactor may optionally include apparatus for generating plasma in the reaction chamber by providing a gliding arc electrical discharge in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention. A reverse vortex plasma reactor (TSAPG) is also provided.

A system and method for real-time monitoring of the interior of a combustor or gasifier wherein light emitted by the interior surface of a refractory wall of the combustor or gasifier is collected using an imaging fiber optic bundle having a light receiving end and a light output end. Color information in the light is captured with primary color (RGB) filters or complimentary color (GMCY) filters placed over individual pixels of color sensors disposed within a digital color camera in a BAYER mosaic layout, producing RGB signal outputs or GMCY signal outputs. The signal outputs are processed using intensity ratios of the primary color filters or the complimentary color filters, producing video images and/or thermal images of the interior of the combustor or gasifier.

Video and thermal imaging system for monitoring interiors of high temperature reaction vessels

A system for real-time monitoring of flame properties in combustors and gasifiers which includes an imaging fiber optic bundle having a light receiving end and a light output end and a spectroscopic imaging system operably connected with the light output end of the imaging fiber optic bundle. Focusing of the light received by the light receiving end of the imaging fiber optic bundle by a wall disposed between the light receiving end of the fiber optic bundle and a light source, which wall forms a pinhole opening aligned with the light receiving end.

Fiber optic spectroscopic digital imaging sensor and method for flame properties monitoring

A plasma reactor () is provided. The plasma reactor () includes a reaction chamber () formed by a wall (). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet () for creating a reverse vortex gas flow () in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor () also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor () may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

Alexei V Saveliev