Patents by Inventor Billie E. Leach

Billie E. Leach has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • METHODS FOR OPERATING A FLUIDIZED-BED REACTOR
    Publication number: 20120240833
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluidized-bed reactor includes introducing an alkali-containing material into a fluidized-bed reactor and introducing hydrous clay into the fluidized-bed reactor, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the fluidized-bed reactor. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the fluidized-bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Billie E. Leach, Thomas E. Landon
  • Methods for operating a fluidized-bed reactor
    Patent number: 8196533
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluidized-bed reactor includes introducing an alkali-containing material into a fluidized-bed reactor and introducing hydrous clay into the fluidized-bed reactor, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the fluidized-bed reactor. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the fluidized-bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Co.
    Inventors: Billie E. Leach, Thomas E. Landon
  • METHODS FOR OPERATING A FURNACE
    Publication number: 20110300498
    Abstract: A method for operating a furnace, such as, for example, a fluidized bed reactor, includes introducing an alkali-containing material and a hydrous clay into the furnace, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the furnace. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Co.
    Inventors: Billie E. Leach, Thomas E. Landon
  • METHODS FOR OPERATING A FLUIDIZED-BED REACTOR
    Publication number: 20100101464
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluidized-bed reactor includes introducing an alkali-containing material into a fluidized-bed reactor and introducing hydrous clay into the fluidized-bed reactor, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the fluidized-bed reactor. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the fluidized-bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Billie E. Leach, Thomas E. Landon