Patents Examined by Ciel Thomas
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Patent number: 9689078Abstract: A NaSICON cell is used to convert carbon dioxide into a usable, valuable product. In general, this reaction occurs at the cathode where electrons are used to reduce the carbon dioxide, in the presence of water and/or hydrogen gas, to form formate, methane, ethylene, other hydrocarbons and/or other chemicals. The particular chemical that is formed depends upon the reaction conditions, the voltage applied, etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: CERAMATEC, INC.Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, James Mosby
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Patent number: 9689077Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for production of alkali metal chlorate, and to a method of activating a cathode comprising electrolyzing an electrolyte comprising alkali metal chloride in an electrolytic cell in which at least one anode and at least one cathode are arranged wherein a) said electrolyte comprises chromium in any form in an amount ranging from about 0.01-10?6 to about 500-10?6 mol/dm3 b) said electrolyte comprises molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, manganese and/or mixtures thereof in any form in a total amount ranging from about 0.1-10?6 mol/dm3 to about 0.5-10?3 mol/dm3.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Akzo Nobel Chemicals International B.V.Inventors: Magnus Rosvall, Kristoffer Hedenstedt, Annicka Sellin, Johan Gustavsson, Ann Cornell
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Patent number: 9677182Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a hexose sugar. The hexose sugar may be derived from biomass. The hexose sugar is reacted to form an alkali metal levulinate, an alkali metal valerate, an alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or an alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. An anolyte is then prepared for use in a electrolytic cell. The anolyte contains the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. The anolyte is then decarboxylated. This decarboxylating operates to decarboxylate the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate to form radicals, wherein the radicals react to form a hydrocarbon fuel compound.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: CERAMATEC, INC.Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Mukund Karanjikar
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Patent number: 9657400Abstract: The present techniques provide a novel electrolyzer and methods for welding components of such electrolyzers. The techniques may use conductors, such as resistance wires, placed in paths around the internal structural features and edges of the components. The conductors may be incorporated into the components during manufacture by injection molding, or other molding techniques, or may be tacked or otherwise applied to the surface of the components after manufacture. When current, a field or other excitation is applied to the conductors, the plastic surrounding the wire is melted. If this plastic is in direct contact with an adjoining component, a strong, hermetic seal may be formed between the two components, including the internal structural features.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dana Ray Swala, Richard Scott Bourgeois, Steven Paraszczak, Donald Joseph Buckley
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Patent number: 9650721Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly efficient sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus capable of decreasing disinfection by-products, which is a chlorine disinfection device for on-site generation and produces sodium hypochlorite solution by electrolyzing sodium chloride aqueous solution on site, thereby requiring no additional liquefied chlorine storage equipment or disaster prevention equipment and securing flexibility of installation and operation while not being regulated by a high-pressure gas safety control act.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignees: TECHWIN CO., LTD., KOREA WATER RESOURCES CORPORATIONInventors: Boong Ik Jung, Jung Sik Kim, Hyun Su Shin, Sang Seek Bae, Kyong Lee, Young Jae Lee
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Patent number: 9631289Abstract: A method for starting up an electrolytic cell (20) for aluminum production having a cathode block (26) with an upper surface (32), the method comprising: disposing contact resistance material (46) over the upper surface (32) of the cathode block (26); lowering a plurality of anodes (28) to abut the contact resistance material (46); filling the electrolytic cell (20) and covering the anodes (28) with solid electrolyte material (72) comprising crushed electrolytic bath material, cryolite, or mixtures thereof; delivering electrical current to the anodes (28) to at least partially melt the solid electrolyte material (72) and raising the anodes (28) when a predetermined depth of molten electrolyte material has been reached.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Rio Tinto International LimitedInventors: Robert Cayouette, François Laplante
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Patent number: 9624590Abstract: A method recovers an electropositive metal from a metal carbonate. In the method, hydrogen and halogen are combusted to form hydrogen halide. The solid metal carbonate is converted into metal chloride by a gaseous hydrogen halide. In an electrolysis, the metal chloride is decomposed into metal and halogen. The halogen produced in the electrolysis is led out of the electrolysis for combusting. Preferably, the hydrogen halide is produced by combusting the hydrogen and the halogen and the metal carbonate is converted into metal chloride in a fluidized bed reactor. Preferably, lithium is used as the metal.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Manfred Baldauf, Guenter Schmid, Dan Taroata
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Patent number: 9611555Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a cation-conductive ceramic membrane and an acidic anolyte. Generally, the cell includes an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment that are separated by a cation-conductive membrane. A diffusion barrier is disposed in the anolyte compartment between the membrane and an anode. In some cases, a catholyte is channeled into a space between the barrier and the membrane. In other cases, a chemical that maintains an acceptably high pH adjacent the membrane is channeled between the barrier and the membrane. In still other cases, some of the catholyte is channeled between the barrier and the membrane while another portion of the catholyte is channeled between the barrier and the anode. In each case, the barrier and the chemicals channeled between the barrier and the membrane help maintain the pH of the liquid contacting the anolyte side of the membrane at an acceptably high level.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: CERAMATEC, INC.Inventor: Sai Bhavaraju
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Patent number: 9598782Abstract: A membrane module and method of making are provided. Exemplarily, the membrane module is adapted for use with an electrochemical apparatus. The membrane comprises a fabric made from a synthetic fiber such as nylon, where the nylon is woven into ripstop nylon fabric. The membrane module includes the membrane around which is formed a frame, comprising exemplarily, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene, which frame provides support to the membrane as well as support and structure to internal electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Inventors: Christopher M. McWhinney, David C. Erbaugh
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Patent number: 9593424Abstract: If incorporated in a cleaning system using persulfuric acid, the invention serves for continuous cleaning while increasing the persulfuric acid concentration adequately to ensure enhanced cleaning performance. The invention provides a feeding apparatus that feeds persulfuric acid to a cleaning apparatus. The cleaning system uses an electrolysis reactor 10 that regenerates the persulfuric acid solution by performing electrolytic reaction to produce persulfate ions from sulfate ions contained in the solution, and a circulation line 4, 5, 6 that circulates the persulfuric acid solution between the cleaning vessel 1 and the electrolysis reactor 10. Configured as above, the invention can provides a feeding apparatus. The cleaning system comprises said configuration and a cleaning vessel 1 that cleans objects 30 using a persulfuric acid solution 2 as cleaning fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Tatsuo Nagai, Norihito Ikemiya, Haruyoshi Yamakawa, Hideki Kobayashi, Hiroshi Morita
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Patent number: 9580772Abstract: A method and ionic liquid for the electrorecovery of metal from a metal salt including at least one metal ion. The method includes the steps of dissolving the metal salt in an ionic liquid, the ionic liquid including an ionic liquid cation and an ionic liquid anion; whereby the metal ion of the metal salt forms a metal complex in solution with at least the ionic liquid cation; and subjecting the metal complex to an electrical potential between a cathode and anode to recover metal at the cathode. The ionic liquid includes an ionic liquid cation and an ionic liquid anion, wherein the ionic liquid cation has an affinity for the metal ion which is at least about equal to that of the ionic liquid anion for the metal ion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationInventors: Theo Rodopoulos, Michael David Horne, Thomas Ruether
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Patent number: 9579725Abstract: A method of producing metallic powder for use in the manufacture of a capacitor comprises the step of reducing a non-metallic compound to metal in contact with a molten salt. The salt comprises, for at least a portion of the process, a dopant element that acts as a sinter retardant in the metal. In preferred examples, the metallic powder is Ta or Nb powder produced by the reduction of a Ta or Nb oxide and the dopant is boron, nitrogen, or phosphorous.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: METALYSIS LIMITEDInventors: Raymond Kevin Rasheed, Ian Margerison
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Patent number: 9574278Abstract: A fluid interconnecting module for an HTE electrolyzer with a stack of elementary electrolysis cells. The interconnecting module includes plates welded to each other, some of which are partly stamped, some of the plates being perforated to enable high temperature steam H2O supply to electrolysis cells and collection of the hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2 produced.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternativesInventor: Michel Planque
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Patent number: 9562296Abstract: Provided is a method for producing fine metal particles, wherein metal oxide powders can be used as a source of fine metal particles, and a method for producing fine metal particles can be provided avoiding the contamination of the molten salt electrolyte bath and the produced fine metal particles. A method for producing fine metal particles (112) is provided which comprises generating cathodic discharge outside and over the surface of an electrolyte bath (100) comprising metal oxide powders (110) suspended therein, whereby the metal oxide powders (110) are electrochemically reduced into the fine metal particles (112).Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: I'MSEP CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuhiko Ito, Manabu Tokushige, Tokujiro Nishikiori, Hiroyuki Tsujimura
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Patent number: 9556530Abstract: The invention concerns a system of gas ducts (6) for transporting gas, for example, into electrolytic equipment, in connection with which there are means (13) for taking at least gas into the system of gas ducts, whereby there is a suitable number of gas supply holes (7) in the system of gas ducts in a wall (19) limiting the system of gas ducts, whereby the material, such as gas, flowing in the system of gas ducts (6) is prevented at least in part from passing through the wall (19) of the system of gas ducts (6). The invention also concerns equipment and a method for electrolytic recovery of metal, such as copper.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Outotec OyjInventors: Ville Nieminen, Lauri Palmu, Henri Virtanen
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Patent number: 9550472Abstract: A personal protection arrangement in a vehicle includes a gas generator for fluid communication with a reservoir and a control unit. The control unit is arranged to activate the gas generator upon fulfillment of at least one predetermined criterion such that gas is released by the gas generator into the reservoir and the pressure in the reservoir is increased. The gas generator comprises at least one electrochemical cell which is arranged to generate gas when the electrical status of the electrochemical cell is changed from a first state to a second state by a state-changing action.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Mats Johanson, David Sturk
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Patent number: 9551076Abstract: The electrochemical reactors disclosed herein provide novel oxidation and reduction chemistries and employ increased mass transport rates of materials to and from the surfaces of electrodes therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Clean Chemistry, Inc.Inventor: Wayne Buschmann
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Patent number: 9534311Abstract: A system for the pretreatment and primer electrodeposition of an assembly is provided. The system includes one or more large envelope, heavy payload robots configured to grasp the assembly and arrange the assembly in a substantially vertical orientation. The one or more robots are further configured to vertically raise and lower the assembly. A tank is configured to receive the assembly in a substantially vertical orientation. The tank is further configured to impart a liquid onto the assembly. The liquid imparted onto the assembly is configured to improve the corrosion resistance of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Fanuc America CorporationInventors: Scott J. Clifford, Frank Matuska, Dean Waineo, Paul Andrew Santi
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Patent number: 9512528Abstract: A method of synthesizing a metal foam of at least one metal M having a porous micrometric structure, the method including a step of contact glow discharge electrolysis in an electrolytic plasma reduction conducted in an electrolytic solution in which are immersed an anode and a cathode connected to a continuous electrical power supply, the electrolytic solution including at least one first electrolyte in a solvent, the first electrolyte being the at least one metal M in cationic form, the electrolytic solution further including a gelatine, as well as a metal foam obtained by this method, and a device comprising such a foam.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Commissariat A L'energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventor: Ronan Botrel
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Patent number: 9487871Abstract: A high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode side separator, a cathode side separator, an anode side element member, a cathode side element member, a high-pressure hydrogen communication hole, a first seal member, and a second seal member. The first seal member is provided between the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and an outer circumference edge portion of the anode side separator. The second seal member has a thickness same as a thickness of the anode side element member at a time of operation of the high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus. The second seal member is disposed in an anode chamber to shield between the anode chamber and the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Koji Nakazawa