Patents Examined by Ferris Lander
  • Method of treatment of waste and product formed thereby
    Patent number: 5435819
    Abstract: A low-labor method of treating wood-containing or other cellulosic wastes to form a plant growth product. The wastes are formed into mounds containing soil or sand. Plants are allowed to grow on top of the mounds. When the wood becomes crumbly, the wastes are screened to form the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventors: William S. Andrews, Jr., William S. Andrews, III
  • Controlled release vegetation enhancement agents coated with sulfonated polymers, method of production and prcesses of use
    Patent number: 5435821
    Abstract: A vegetation enhancement composite including a vegetation enhancement agent consisting of a first member selected from the group consisting of at least one macronutrient, micronutrient, nitrogen fertilizer including an inhibitor of nitrification activity, slow release fertilizer, and mixtures of such members and a pesticide; and at least one first controlled release film including a sulfonated polymer coating at least a portion of a surface of the vegetation enhancement agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Ilan Duvdevani, Evelyn N. Drake, Warren A. Thaler, Pacifico V. Manalastas
  • Method of adsorbing and removing nitrogen oxides
    Patent number: 5435981
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of adsorbing and removing NOx, by washing with water a gas discharged by ventilation from highway tunnels in a washing tower as pretreatment, and then adsorbing NOx in the gas with a rotary NOx adsorption unit. The washed gas may be heated by a heater which is placed between the washing tower and the rotary NOx adsorption unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Ichiki, Takanobu Watanabe, Atsushi Fukuju, Shigenori Onitsuka, Teruo Iwamoto
  • Process for charcoal production from woody and herbaceous plant material
    Patent number: 5435983
    Abstract: An improved batch process for the pyrolytic conversion of woody and herbaceous plant material is provided which yields charcoal, on a dry weight basis, in yields ranging from about 35% to about 50%, having volatile matter content of about 25% or less, and fuel value of 13000 BTU/pound. The batch process can be conducted in two hours or less per batch with virtually instantaneous reloading for subsequent batches without substantial cooling of the reactor utilized for the process and without exposing the hot processed charcoal to air or oxygen sufficient to cause combustion upon removal from the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: University of Hawaii
    Inventor: Michael J. Antal, Jr.
  • Calcium and magnesium based nitrogen fertilizer, process and eqiupment for its production
    Patent number: 5435823
    Abstract: A fertilizer containing Ca, Mg and NH.sub.4 4, having a water content ranging between 15% and 35% in weight and a melting point ranging between 50 and 65 degrees C is prepared by etching of dolomite and/or limestone with nitric acid, neutralization, concentration and granulation (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Terni Industrie Chimiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Crispoldi
  • Method for dissociating waste in a packed bed reactor
    Patent number: 5435982
    Abstract: A method for dissociating waste to its atomic constituents in a molten metal bath wherein the molten metal bath includes a refractory packing. The refractory packing is disposed in the molten metal bath to restrict the flow of waste and waste dissociation products through the molten metal and around the refractory packing to tortuous flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Wilkinson
  • Cyclic process for oxidation of calcium sulfide
    Patent number: 5433939
    Abstract: A cyclic process of subjecting calcium sulfide particles to alternating oxidizing and reducing conditions. The impenetrable shell of calcium sulfate which forms during the oxidation phase of the cycle is destroyed by the subsequent reducing phase. By repeating the cycle many times the particles are converted completely into calcium oxide at a reasonable temperature of about 1000.degree. C. The process can be carried out in a fluidized bed reactor either by maintaining both oxidizing and reducing zones within the same fluidized bed or by varying the gas phase throughout the fluidized bed in a periodic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wheelock
  • Slow-release fertilizer
    Patent number: 5433766
    Abstract: A synthetic apatite containing agronutrients and a method for making the apatite are disclosed. The apatite comprises crystalline calcium phosphate having agronutrients dispersed in the crystalline structure. The agronutrients can comprise potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, molybdenum, chlorine, boron, copper and zinc in amounts suited for plant growth. The apatite can optionally comprise a carbonate and/or silicon solubility control agent. The agronutrients are released slowly as the apatite dissolves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Douglas W. Ming, Dadigamuwage C. Golden
  • Process for producing carbon preform
    Patent number: 5433937
    Abstract: A simple manufacturing process for obtaining a carbon/carbon composite of superior performance is provided without using a carbon fiber fabric which is expensive and without going through the step of fixing fibers together using a binder.A precursor fiber for a carbon fiber which precursor fiber has been rendered infusible is subjected to uniaxial pressing at a temperature lower than the temperature adopted in the infusiblizing treatment, and then a carbonization treatment is performed.According to the present invention, a primary-pressed carbon material can be produced without using a binder, thus resulting in that not only the carbon material but also a carbon/carbon composite can be produced in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Sohda, Yutaka Sonokawa, Takefumi Kohno
  • Method for simultaneous absorption of sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide from flue gas
    Patent number: 5433934
    Abstract: The simultaneous abatement of NO and SO.sub.2 in flue gas is provided by an absorption process and apparatus utilizing an absorbent composition comprising an aqueous solution of chelates and sulfite salt for NO abatement and amine SO.sub.2 absorbents such as piperazinones, morpholinones, piperidines, piperazines, piperazinediones, hydantoins, triazinones, pyrimidinones, oxazolidones, etc. for SO.sub.2 abatement. SO.sub.2 is thermally stripped from the spent absorbent and recovered. Metal chelates oxidized to an inactive state as a side-reaction are electrochemically reduced. An anionic exchange membrane in the electrochemical cell regenerates heat stable amine salt byproducts to be converted back to useable amine sorbent, and facilitates removal from the absorbent solution of other waste salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Dane Chang, Stephen A. Bedell, Larry H. Kirby
  • Method and apparatus for aerobic composting
    Patent number: 5432088
    Abstract: A compost bin (20) including a plurality of substantially horizontal aeration/mixing slots (42). Slots (42), preferably "L-shaped," permit mixing and aeration of the composting material. A mixing tool, e.g., garden fork, can be inserted substantially vertically into the mixing/aeration slots (42), and pivoted to a substantially horizontal position to achieve thorough mixing of the compost material. Compost bin (20) also preferably includes a cover (26) having one or more rain collection ramps (74) which collect rainwater and divert it to one or more rain slots (76) and into the interior of compost bin (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jay J. Kakuk, Robert W. Beachy
  • Cleaning exhaust gases from combustion installations
    Patent number: 5431893
    Abstract: In a process for cleaning the exhaust gases from combustion installations, a dilute urea solution prepared in a reagent tank (20) is introduced into the hot exhaust gas flow (30) of differing concentrations and is finely sprayed in the direction of the exhaust gas flow. After decomposition of the urea in a pyrolysation channel (14), the exhaust gas flow (30) is homogeneously mixed in-line by a mixer located in a mixing channel (16). In a subsequent in-line reaction channel (18), the reducible exhaust gas constituents are converted into non-toxic gases in at least one selective reduction catalyst which does not contain zeolite (36), then, dependent on the installation, the oxidizable exhaust gas components are converted into non-toxic gases without reagent in at least one oxidation catalyst (38) to produce a virtually complete reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventors: Hans T. Hug, Axel Hartenstein, Michael Hug
  • Process for preventing a formation of dust during the loading and shipping of sulfate fertilizer granulates
    Patent number: 5431708
    Abstract: A process for preventing the formation of dust during the loading of sulfate fertilizer granulates includes spraying a high-percent aqueous solution of urea onto the fertilizer granulates. The amount of aqueous solution sprayed ranges from 4 to 8 kg of solution per ton of granulate. The concentration of urea within the solution is between 50% and 80% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Kali und Salz AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Lehmann, Otto Wendt, Wolfgang Walczyk
  • Coated agricultural products
    Patent number: 5429654
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an improved controlled release fertilizer comprising a fertilizer coated with a neutralized, sulfonated EPDM polymer having from about 2% to about 50% crystallinity. Preferably, the coated fertilizer has a coating thickness of from about 1 to about 100 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Vijay Swarup
  • Process for purifying high-temperature reducing gases
    Patent number: 5427752
    Abstract: A process for purifying high-temperature reducing gases containing sulfureous contaminants including hydrogen sulfide and carbonyl sulfide with an absorbent, said process characterized in that at least three reactor towers which are filled with an absorbent are used, and said process comprises the three steps of absorption, regeneration, and reduction, and during in a part of operation two reactor towers are connected in series so as to carry out regeneration, and O.sub.2 concentration can be controlled separately for each regenerating reactor tower in the regeneration step, and steam can be supplied so as to prevent excessive reduction of the absorbent from occurring in the reduction step. The life of the absorbent can be extended and operational costs may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ryomei Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsugi Suehiro, Touru Seto, Shigeaki Mitsuoka, Kenji Inoue, Kazuhiko Shirota
  • Non-blocking wax sealants for fertilizers
    Patent number: 5423897
    Abstract: Mixtures of 50 to 99 percent hydrocarbon waxes and 1 to 50 percent of hydrocarbon soluble surfactants chosen from the group consisting of (a) primary and secondary alkyl amines in which the alkyl groups contain 16 to 30 carbon atoms, and (b) fatty acid amides of primary alkyl amines and (c) fatty acid esters of alkanols in which the alkyl groups of the acids, amines and alkanols contain 16 to 30 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof, provide sealant coatings for sulfur coated urea which are superior moisture barriers and are non-blocking and thus do not require the addition of clay or other fine particle materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventors: Alice P. Hudson, Fred E. Woodward
  • Catalytic conversion of internal combustion engine exhaust gases
    Patent number: 5422085
    Abstract: A technique for substantially reducing nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) emissions in internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The NO.sub.x laden stream is contacted with a As catalytic material supported on a metal plated Ni foam substrate in the presence of a reducing agent. The NO.sub.x is reduced to nitrogen, water and/or carbon, and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: James A. E. Bell, Raymond A. Bradford
  • Process of removing hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture
    Patent number: 5422086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a hydrogen sulfide containing gas comprising contacting the gas in a contactor with an aqueous reactant solution including a coordination complex of Fe(III) with a chelating agent to produce a purified gas and spent aqueous reactant solution containing solid sulfur and having an increased content of coordination complex of Fe(II) with the chelating agent, and regenerating the spent aqueous reactant solution by contacting in a first contact vessel the spent aqueous reactant solution co-currently with air to produce partly regenerated aqueous reactant solution followed by contacting in a second contact vessel partly regenerated aqueous reactant solution counter-currently with air to produce regenerated aqueous reactant solution which is removed from the lower part of the second contact vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: David F. Bowman
  • Method for accelerated aerobic decomposition of vegetative organic waste material
    Patent number: 5417736
    Abstract: A method for aerobic composition of organic waste material including high flow-rate aeration, compaction of the organic material, and percolation of moister released therefrom to provide beneficial soil amendments, fertilizers, and supplemental heat sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Compost Technologies, Inc. (A Corp. of Nebraska)
    Inventor: Donald W. Meyer
  • Concentrated nitrogen-containing fertilizers having increased alkaline earth metal uptake
    Patent number: 5417737
    Abstract: Urea increases the solute content of a fertilizer comprising water and at least two different nitrate-containing compounds selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, alkali metal nitrates, and alkaline earth metal nitrates. In addition, urea enhances plant uptake of alkaline earth metals. Particularly favored are quaternary aqueous solutions containing urea, calcium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Donald C. Young