Daniel M Cohn

US Patent:

58473530, Dec 8, 1998

Filed:

Aug 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/693425

Inventors:

Charles H. Titus - Newtown Square PA
Daniel R. Cohn - Chestnut Hill MA
Jeffrey E. Surma - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Integrated Environmental Technologies, LLC - Carle Place NY

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912136

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for high efficiency generation of electricity and low oxides of nitrogen (NO. sub. x) emissions are provided. The electricity is generated from combustion of hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion units using ultra lean fuel to air ratios in the range of 0. 4-0. 7 relative to stoichiometric operation in internal combustion engine-generators or ultra lean operation in gas turbines to ensure minimal production of pollutants such as NO. sub. x. The ultra lean operation also increases the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. High compression ratios (r=12 to 15) can also be employed to further increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Supplemental fuel, such as natural gas or diesel oil, may be added directly to the internal combustion engine-generator or gas turbine for combustion with the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit. In addition, supplemental fuel may be reformed into a hydrogen-rich gas in a plasma fuel converter and then introduced into the internal combustion engine-generator or a gas turbine for combustion along with supplemental fuel and the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit.

US Patent:

60375604, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Sep 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/158361

Inventors:

Charles H. Titus - Newtown Square PA
Daniel R. Cohn - Chestnut Hill MA
Jeffrey E. Surma - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Integrated Environmental Technologies, LLC - Carle Place NY

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912137

Abstract:

The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In the preferred embodiment, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another.

US Patent:

57569576, May 26, 1998

Filed:

Mar 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/622762

Inventors:

Charles H. Titus - Newtown Square PA
Daniel R. Cohn - Chestnut Hill MA
Jeffrey E. Surma - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Integrated Environmental Technologies, LLC - Carle Place NY

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912138

Abstract:

The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In the preferred embodiment, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another.

US Patent:

60668253, May 23, 2000

Filed:

Dec 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/207442

Inventors:

Charles H. Titus - Newtown Square PA
Daniel R. Cohn - Chestnut Hill MA
Jeffrey E. Surma - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Integrated Environmental Technologies, LLC - Richland WA

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912136

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for high efficiency generation of electricity and low oxides of nitrogen (NO. sub. x) emissions are provided. The electricity is generated from combustion of hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion units using ultra lean fuel to air ratios in the range of 0. 4-0. 7 relative to stoichiometric operation in internal combustion engine-generators or ultra lean operation in gas turbines to ensure minimal production of pollutants such as NO. sub. x. The ultra lean operation also increases the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. High compression ratios (r=12 to 15) can also be employed to further increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Supplemental fuel, such as natural gas or diesel oil, may be added directly to the internal combustion engine-generator or gas turbine for combustion with the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit. In addition, supplemental fuel may be reformed into a hydrogen-rich gas in a plasma fuel converter and then introduced into the internal combustion engine-generator or a gas turbine for combustion along with supplemental fuel and the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit.

US Patent:

59085649, Jun 1, 1999

Filed:

Aug 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/911408

Inventors:

Charles H. Titus - Newtown Square PA
Daniel R. Cohn - Chestnut Hill MA
Jeffrey E. Surma - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Battelle Memorial Institute - Richland WA

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912136

Abstract:

The present invention provides a relatively compact self-powered, tunable waste conversion system and apparatus which has the advantage of highly robust operation which provides complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The system provides the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or by an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another.

US Patent:

61602388, Dec 12, 2000

Filed:

May 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/083061

Inventors:

Charles H. Titus - Newtown Square PA
Daniel R. Cohn - Chestnut Hill MA
Jeffrey E. Surma - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Integrated Environmental Technologies, Inc. - Richland WA

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912137

Abstract:

The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In the preferred embodiment, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another.