Patents Examined by Melvin Curtis Mayes
  • Patent number: 8961923
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for separately preheating gaseous ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas mixture, combusting them to form a hydrogen-containing gas mixture, and cooling the hydrogen-containing gas mixture in conjunction with the preheating of the next ammonia and the preheating of the next oxygen-containing gas mixture. Combustion may occur at combinations of pressure and temperature that permit rapid and non-catalyzed decomposition of the ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Shawn Grannell, Donald E. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 8932973
    Abstract: A catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx having one or more transition metals selected from Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ce, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Re, Ir, Pt, and mixtures thereof supported on a support, wherein the support has a molecular sieve having at least one intergrowth phase having at least two different small-pore, three-dimensional framework structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Andersen, John Leonello Casci, Hai-Ying Chen, Joseph M. Fedeyko
  • Patent number: 8815184
    Abstract: A process for treating spent catalyst containing heavy metals, e.g., Group VIB metals and Group VIII metals is provided. In one embodiment after deoiling, the spent catalyst is treated with an ammonia leach solution under conditions sufficient to dissolve the group VIB metal and the Group VIII metal into the leaching solution, forming a leach slurry. After solid-liquid separation to recover a leach solution, chemical precipitation and solids repulping is carried out to obtain an effluent stream containing ammonium sulfate (Amsul), ammonium sulfamate, Group VB, Group VIB and Group VIII metals. Following sulfidation, the Group VIII metal is fully removed and Group VB and Group VI metals are partially removed from the Amsul stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Shankar Bhaduri, Louis Joseph Nordrum, Alexander E Kuperman
  • Patent number: 8809215
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent cobalt Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst includes subjecting a spent particulate cobalt Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst sequentially to a dewaxing treatment, an oxidation treatment at a pressure of 4 to 30 bar(a) and a reduction treatment, thereby regenerating the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Jan Van De Loosdrecht, Abdool Muthalib Saib
  • Patent number: 8785076
    Abstract: A fuel cell system including, among other things, one or more of a fuel cell, a fuel reservoir, a current collecting circuit, a plenum, or a system cover. The fuel reservoir is configured to store fuel, and may include a regulator for controlling an output fuel pressure and a refueling port. A surface of the fuel reservoir may be positioned adjacent a first fuel cell portion. The current collecting circuit is configured to receive and distribute fuel cell power and may be positioned adjacent a second fuel cell portion. The plenum may be formed when the fuel reservoir and the first fuel cell portion are coupled or by one or more flexible fuel cell walls. The system cover allows air into the system and when combined when a fuel pressure in the plenum, may urge contact between the fuel cell and the current collecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Gerard F. McLean, Jeremy Schrooten, Joerg Zimmermann, Mark Petersen, Paul Sobejko
  • Patent number: 8722573
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel sulfonated carbon silica (SCS) composite material and a process for the preparation thereof. The synthesized SCS composite material on calcination yields the hierarchical mesoporous silica (MS) and further finds application as catalyst in two industrially important reactions namely phenol butylation and glycerol acetalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Nagabhatla Viswanadham, Devaki Nandan
  • Patent number: 8715615
    Abstract: The invention relates to the low temperature recovery of lead oxide (PbO) from lead acid battery paste through the preparation of lead carboxylate from the battery paste and the conversion of the lead carboxylate to PbO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Retriev Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Steven A. Kinsbursky
  • Patent number: 8715612
    Abstract: Zinc peroxide nanoparticles, used for arsenic and chromium removal, were synthesized using zinc acetate di-hydrate as precursors in ammonical water medium at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Nahar Singh, Rashmi, Sukhvir Singh, Renu Pashricha, Prabhat Kumar Gupta, Daya Soni
  • Patent number: 8546009
    Abstract: A thermal energy transfer element includes a thermally conductive core and, in some embodiments, a sleeve. The core has first and second portions. The first portion is for placement in direct contact with and to be surrounded by an electrolyte. The sleeve surrounds at least the first portion of the transfer element. The first portion conducts thermal energy between the electrolyte and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Tulsee Satish Doshi
  • Patent number: 8524185
    Abstract: Catalysts, methods of preparing catalyst, and methods for treating exhaust gas streams are described. In one or more embodiments, a catalyst system includes an upstream zone effective to catalyze the conversion of a mixture of NOx and NH3 to N2, and a downstream zone effective for the conversion of ammonia to N2 in the presence or absence of NOx. In an embodiment, a method for preparing a catalyst system includes: first coating one end of a substrate along at least 5% of its length with an undercoat washcoat layer containing a material composition effective to catalyze the removal of ammonia; second coating with an overcoat layer containing a material composition effective to catalyze the conversion of a mixture of NOx and NH3 to N2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Tyler Caudle, Martin Dieterle, Scott E. Buzby
  • Patent number: 8507397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel organometallic compound based on a divalent metal belonging to the 2nd column of the Periodic Table that can be used as an alkylating agent in a catalytic system based on a rare-earth metal. This novel compound corresponds to the formula: in which, M is a metal belonging to the 2nd column of the Periodic Table, chosen from Be, Mg, Sr, Ba, and Ra; R1, R2, R3 and R4 are hydrogen atoms or alkyl or aryl substituents, optionally bonded together to form at least one ring or at least one aromatic ring; R and R? denote alkyl or aryl substituents; L is a Lewis base; x is an integer from 0 to 4; m is an integer greater than or equal to 0; and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: Campagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Centre National de la Recherche Scientific, Ecole Polytechnique
    Inventors: Guillaume Cortial, Francois Nief, Julien Thuilliez, Françoise Hervagault, Elaine Le Floch, Clémence Le Floch, Paul Le Floch
  • Patent number: 8501641
    Abstract: Compositions comprising cationic compounds having fluorinated ether groups and hydrolyzable silane groups are provided, the compounds having the formula: (I)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Suresh Iyer, Chetan P. Jariwala, Thomas P. Klun, Rudolf J. Dams
  • Patent number: 8501660
    Abstract: A nickel slurry comprising a nickel catalyst, water and at least one rheology modifier, the activity of the nickel catalyst being equal to or greater than the activity of the equivalent nickel catalyst contained in a slurry which does not comprise rheology modifiers, wherein the at least one rheology modifier provides high viscosity at low shear stress and low viscosity at high shear stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventor: James Spencer Dalton
  • Patent number: 8501658
    Abstract: This invention provides a convenient method for converting imines and other electrophiles into heterocyclic ring systems. The process does not require the use of metallic reagents, and is catalyzed by an organic heterocyclic carbene catalyst. Accordingly, it produces the desired compounds without the concomitant production of a large volume of metallic waste. Chiral heterocyclic carbene catalysts of the invention and methods of using these catalysts produce chiral heterocycles in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bode, Ming He, Justin Struble
  • Patent number: 8501136
    Abstract: A method for preparing single-crystalline, rare-earth metal hexaboride nanowires by a chemical vapor deposition process is described. Also described are the nanowires themselves, the electron emitting properties of the nanowires, and the use of the nanowires in electron emitting devices, particularly as point electron sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Lu-Chang Qin, Han Zhang, Qi Zhang, Jie Tang
  • Patent number: 8501651
    Abstract: A catalyst system comprising a half-sandwich chromium complex, an activator support and an optional cocatalyst. A compound of formula Cp?Cr(Cl)2(Ln), where Cp? is ?5—C5H4CH2CH2CH?CH2 and Ln is pyridine, THF or diethylether. A compound of formula Cp?Cr(Cl)2(Ln), where Cp? is ?5—C5H4C(Me)2CH2CH2CH?CH2 and Ln is pyridine, THF or diethylether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Errun Ding, Albert P. Masino, Joel L. Martin, Youlu Yu
  • Patent number: 8470280
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of preparing monodisperse microtablets of calcium carbonate in aqueous solutions containing calcium, gelatin and urea. Calcium carbonate powders of a unique tablet-like morphology were produced by simply ageing the prerefrigerated (at 4° C. for at least 24 hours) CaCI2-gelatin-urea solutions at 70° C. for 24 h in ordinary glass media bottles. Thermal decomposition of dissolved urea was used to supply aqueous carbonate (CO32?) ions to the calcium (Ca2+) ion and gelatin-containing solutions. Monodisperse CaCO3 microtablets have the particle sizes from 1 to 8 microns. CaCO3 microtablets were biphasic in nature and consist of 93 to 98% vaterite and 2 to 7% calcite. Identical solutions used without prerefrigeration yielded only trigonal prismatic calcite crystals upon ageing at 70° C. for 24 h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Ahmet Cüneyt Tas
  • Patent number: 8469046
    Abstract: The method for parallel operation of moisture generating reactors according to the present invention operates so that an orifice, provided with an orifice hole having a predetermined opening diameter, is disposed on a mixed-gas inlet side of each of a plurality of moisture generating reactors connected in parallel with each other, and mixed gas G consisting of hydrogen and oxygen is supplied from a mixer to each of the moisture generating reactors through each orifice, and the flows of moisture generated by the moisture generating reactors are combined, and the resulting combined moisture is supplied to an apparatus that uses high-purity water. Thus, a need to increase the amount of high-purity water supply is met by allowing a plurality of moisture generating reactors to perform a parallel water generating operation by branching off a mixed gas consisting of H2 and O2 by using a simple orifice construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Yukio Minami, Keiji Hirao, Masaharu Taguchi, Toshiro Nariai, Koji Kawada, Akihiro Morimoto, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8431043
    Abstract: A technique is described including receiving a hydrocarbon stream, and heating the hydrocarbon stream with an exhaust steam from an internal combustion engine. This technique may include reacting the hydrocarbon stream catalytically to produce hydrogen and a modified hydrocarbon stream having a lower saturation state than the hydrocarbon stream, recovering energy from the hydrogen stream, and/or providing the modified hydrocarbon stream to a fuel supply for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Goodman, Aleksey Yezerets, Neal Currier, Cheryl Klepser
  • Patent number: 8187993
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for stabilizing the activity of catalytic compositions during catalytic processes, such as alkylation. A catalytic composition comprising a partially deactivated ionic liquid catalyst may be regenerated by reaction with a metal to form reactivated catalyst and an inorganic catalyst precursor; and the catalytic composition may be amended in-process by addition of an organic catalyst precursor for reaction with the inorganic catalyst precursor to form fresh ionic liquid catalyst. The organic catalyst precursor may be protected from water, e.g., during handling, by hydrophobic material(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas V. Harris