Mark James Ness

US Patent:

7275644, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Apr 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/107153

Inventors:

Mark A. Ness - Underwood ND, US
Matthew P. Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Elk River MN

International Classification:

B07B 4/00

US Classification:

209474

Abstract:

An apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. The fluidized bed also includes an opening for receiving a first fluidizing stream, an exit for fluidized particulate and at least one exit for non-fluidized particulate. A conveyor is operatively disposed in the fluidized bed for conveying the non-fluidized particulate to the non-fluidized particulate exit. A collector box is in operative communication with the fluidized bed to receive the non-fluidized particulate. There is a means for directing a second fluidizing stream through the non-fluidized particulate as while it is in the collector box to separate fluidizable particulate therefrom.

US Patent:

7540384, Jun 2, 2009

Filed:

Aug 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/199743

Inventors:

Mark A Ness - Underwood ND, US
Matthew P Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US
Edward K Levy - Bethleham PA, US
Nenad Sarunac - Easton PA, US
John M. Wheeldon - Birmingham AL, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Elk River MN

International Classification:

B07B 4/00
B07B 7/00

US Classification:

209134, 209133, 209143, 209147

Abstract:

An apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. The fluidized bed also includes an opening for receiving a first fluidizing stream, an exit for fluidized particulate and at least one exit for non-fluidized particulate. A conveyor is operatively disposed in the fluidized bed for conveying the non-fluidized particulate to the non-fluidized particulate exit. A collector box is in operative communication with the fluidized bed to receive the non-fluidized particulate. There is a means for directing a second fluidizing stream through the non-fluidized particulate as while it is in the collector box to separate fluidizable particulate therefrom.

US Patent:

7987613, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Aug 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/199744

Inventors:

Mark A Ness - Underwood ND, US
Matthew P Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US
John M Wheeldon - Birmingham AL, US
Adam M Johnson - Bismarck ND, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

F26B 7/00

US Classification:

34138, 34180, 34 90, 34360, 34 80, 110249, 202 99, 44492

Abstract:

A control system for controlling the utilization of heated waste streams for fluidizing particulate matter such as coal in a fluidizing bed dryer. The control system includes a number of graphic user interfaces that allow an operator to more easily monitor and/or control the various regulator devices. The control system controls coal handling or transportation, fluid handling or flow, and the discharge of discarded or separated coal from the dryer.

US Patent:

8062410, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Apr 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/786321

Inventors:

Charles W. Bullinger - Bismarck ND, US
Mark A. Ness - Underwood ND, US
Nenad Sarunac - Easton PA, US
Edward K. Levy - Bethlehem PA, US
Richard S. Weinstein - Bismarck ND, US
Dennis R. James - Allen TX, US
Matthew P. Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US
John M. Wheeldon - Birmingham AL, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

B01D 53/00

US Classification:

95288

Abstract:

The present invention harvests and utilizes fluidized bed drying technology and waste heat streams augmented by other available heat sources to dry feedstock or fuel. This method is useful in many industries, including coal-fired power plants. Coal is dried using the present invention before it goes to coal pulverizers and on to the furnace/boiler arrangement to improve boiler efficiency and reduce emissions. This is all completed in a low-temperature, open-air system. Also included is an apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. This is useful for segregating contaminants like sulfur and mercury from the product stream.

US Patent:

8117764, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

May 13, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/068539

Inventors:

Mark A Ness - Underwood ND, US
Matthew P Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US
John M Wheeldon - Birmingham AL, US
Adam M Johnson - Bismarck ND, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

F26B 7/00

US Classification:

34381, 34413, 34497, 110346, 166248

Abstract:

A control system for controlling the utilization of heated waste streams for fluidizing particulate matter such as coal in a fluidizing bed dryer. The control system includes a number of graphic user interfaces that allow an operator to more easily monitor and/or control the various regulator devices. The control system controls coal handling or transportation, fluid handling or flow, and the discharge of discarded or separated coal from the dryer.

US Patent:

8372185, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

Oct 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/269868

Inventors:

Charles W. Bullinger - Bismarck ND, US
Mark A. Ness - Underwood ND, US
Nenad Sarunac - Easton PA, US
Edward K. Levy - Bethlehem PA, US
Richard S. Weinstein - Bismarck ND, US
James R. Dennis - Bismarck ND, US
Matthew P. Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US
John M. Wheeldon - Birmingham AL, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

B01D 50/00

US Classification:

96150, 34363, 209133, 209134, 209143, 209147

Abstract:

The present invention harvests and utilizes fluidized bed drying technology and waste heat streams augmented by other available heat sources to dry feedstock or fuel. This method is useful in many industries, including coal-fired power plants. Coal is dried using the present invention before it goes to coal pulverizers and on to the furnace/boiler arrangement to improve boiler efficiency and reduce emissions. This is all completed in a low-temperature, open-air system. Also included is an apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. This is useful for segregating contaminants like sulfur and mercury from the product stream.

US Patent:

8523963, Sep 3, 2013

Filed:

Aug 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/199838

Inventors:

Charles W. Bullinger - Bismarck ND, US
Mark A. Ness - Underwood ND, US
Nenad Sarunac - Easton PA, US
Edward K. Levy - Bethlehem PA, US
Anthony F. Armor - Aptos CA, US
John M. Wheeldon - Birmingham AL, US
Matthew P. Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

C10L 5/00

US Classification:

44629, 44626

Abstract:

The present invention constitutes a heat treatment apparatus like a fluidized-bed dryer for heat treating a particulate material in a low temperature, open-air process. Preferably, available waste heat sources within the surrounding industrial plan operation are used to provide heat to the dryer. Moreover, conveyor means contained within the dryer can remove larger, denser particles that could otherwise impede the continuous flow of the particulate material through the dryer or plug the fluidizing dryer. This invention is especially useful for drying coal for an electricity generation plant.

US Patent:

8579999, Nov 12, 2013

Filed:

Apr 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/107152

Inventors:

Charles W. Bullinger - Bismarck ND, US
Mark A. Ness - Underwood ND, US
Nenad Sarunac - Easton PA, US
Edward K. Levy - Bethlehem PA, US
Richard S. Weinstein - Bismarck ND, US
Dennis R. James - Bismarck ND, US

Assignee:

Great River Energy - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

C10L 5/00

US Classification:

44626, 44629

Abstract:

The present invention harvests and utilizes fluidized bed drying technology and waste heat streams augmented by other available heat sources to dry feedstock or fuel. This method is useful in many industries, including coal-fired power plants. Coal is dried using the present invention before it goes to coal pulverizers and on to the furnace/boiler arrangement. Coal can be intercepted on current coal feed systems ahead of the pulverizers. Drying fuel, such as coal, is done to improve boiler efficiency and reduce emissions. A two-stage bed utilized in the process first “pre-dries and separates” the feed stream into desirable and undesirable feedstock. Then, it incrementally dries and segregates fluidizable and non-fluidizable material from the product stream. This is all completed in a low-temperature, open-air system. Elevation of fan room air temperature is also accomplished using waste heat, thereby making available to the plant system higher temperature media to enhance the feedstock drying process.