Patents by Inventor Earl R. Decker

Earl R. Decker 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).

  • Patent number: 11821624
    Abstract: A multi-fueled impulse initiator that includes a fuel source equipped with a control valve, an air source equipped with a control valve, a removable air flow insert having opposing inlet and outlet faces, an air expansion chamber fluidly connected to both the air source and the inlet face of the removable air flow insert, and an igniter assembly having a sparking tip. The removable air flow insert includes channels traversing from the inlet face to the outlet face of the air flow insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl R. Decker, Gregory F. Decker
  • Publication number: 20230271235
    Abstract: An advanced single canister reactor system for the advanced thermal chemical conversion processing of municipal solid waste (“MSW”), either sorted or unsorted, and autoclaves specially designed to process the waste at suitable temperature and pressure combinations is disclosed. The canister having at least one support structure mounted therein with at least one compression relief structure pivotally attached to the support structure. The compression relief structure is pivotable between a first position that is parallel to the wall, and a second position that is orthogonal to the wall, so that the compression relief structure prevents compression of waste materials loaded into the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl R. DECKER
  • Patent number: 11584893
    Abstract: A method of processing MSW, either sorted or unsorted, which can be carried out through the use of canisters to hold the waste feedstock, and autoclaves specially designed to process the waste at suitable temperature and pressure combinations is disclosed. The final solid product is a mixture of carbon ash and non-combustible materials, such as, metals, drywall, etc., and syngas that has an enhanced BTU value, typically between about 300 to 700 BTU/ft3. The remainder solid material generally amounts to approximately 5% of the original MSW volume. This material can then be sorted for metals with the balance being sent to a landfill or other recycling processes depending on its composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl R Decker
  • Publication number: 20220401348
    Abstract: A method of controlling odor where the odor is generated by sources like decomposing organic matter in landfills or other sources is provided. A wood vinegar-containing solution, adjusted for the source of the odor, can be applied to the source of the odor. A method of improving the rate and completeness of settling of fine clays from oil sands tailings is also provided. Additional disclosure of a method of controlling algae bloom in a body of water is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a wood vinegar-containing solution, adjusting the composition of the wood vinegar-containing solution according to the states of both the body of water and the algae, respectively, then applying the wood vinegar-containing solution to the surface of a body of water, and inhibiting growth of the algae responsible for the algae bloom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl R Decker, Judi Krzyzanowski
  • Publication number: 20220348471
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of hardwood and bamboo to engineered carbon is disclosed. The biomass feedstock of hardwood and bamboo is placed into a holding canister, and the holding canister is lowered into the sealable reactor vessel. The biomass feedstock is ignited, and superheated stream and/or water is metered, or alternately steam is created in situ by introduction of water, into the process. The process is controlled by supplying compressed air and steam, or in situ water, and releasing process gases. The process is performed in an oxygen deprived state. Steam, or in situ water, is injected at the end of the cycle to end the thermal conversion and clean the resulting engineered carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl R. Decker
  • Patent number: 11325834
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of hardwood and bamboo to engineered carbon is disclosed. The biomass feedstock of hardwood and bamboo is placed into a holding canister, and the holding canister is lowered into the sealable reactor vessel. The biomass feedstock is ignited, and superheated stream and/or water is metered, or alternately steam is created in situ by introduction of water, into the process. The process is controlled by supplying compressed air and steam, or in situ water, and releasing process gases. The process is performed in an oxygen deprived state. Steam, or in situ water, is injected at the end of the cycle to end the thermal conversion and clean the resulting engineered carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl R. Decker
  • Publication number: 20220126249
    Abstract: A multi-autoclave lateral conversion module includes a central mixing process pipe having first and second terminal ends, a heating unit providing heated air at the first terminal end of the central mixing process pipe, two or more gas injection units connected to opposing sides of the central mixing process pipe at a first addition point located between the first and the second terminal ends, and each gas injection unit receiving the process discharge gas from an autoclave unit. The process discharge gas is transmitted from an autoclave unit through the gas injection unit into the central mixing process pipe where it mixes with the process discharge gas from the other autoclave unit, and then the mixed process gases are converted. Process units other than autoclaves can also utilize the module and method provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl R. Decker, Gregory F. Decker
  • Publication number: 20220107086
    Abstract: A multi-fueled impulse initiator that includes a fuel source equipped with a control valve, an air source equipped with a control valve, a removable air flow insert having opposing inlet and outlet faces, an air expansion chamber fluidly connected to both the air source and the inlet face of the removable air flow insert, and an igniter assembly having a sparking tip. The removable air flow insert includes channels traversing from the inlet face to the outlet face of the air flow insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Bright Sand, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl R. Decker, Gregory F. Decker
  • Patent number: 11098251
    Abstract: A reactor system made up of a single canister or a plurality of separate canister sections for the advanced thermal chemical conversion processing of municipal solid waste (“MSW”), either sorted or unsorted, and autoclaves specially designed to process the waste at suitable temperature and pressure combinations is disclosed. The canister sections can be individually and separately filled with compressed bales of MSW or with selected loose MSW. The reactor system can produce syngas that has an enhanced BTU value, typically between about 300 to 700 BTU/ft3. The remainder solid waste material generally amounts to approximately 5% of the original MSW volume. This material can then be sorted for metals with the balance being sent to a landfill or other recycling processes depending on its composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Earl R Decker
  • Publication number: 20200263100
    Abstract: A method of processing MSW, either sorted or unsorted, which can be carried out through the use of canisters to hold the waste feedstock, and autoclaves specially designed to process the waste at suitable temperature and pressure combinations is disclosed. The final solid product is a mixture of carbon ash and non-combustible materials, such as, metals, drywall, etc., and syngas that has an enhanced BTU value, typically between about 300 to 700 BTU/ft3. The remainder solid material generally amounts to approximately 5% of the original MSW volume. This material can then be sorted for metals with the balance being sent to a landfill or other recycling processes depending on its composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Earl R. Decker
  • Publication number: 20200263093
    Abstract: A reactor system made up of a single canister or a plurality of separate canister sections for the advanced thermal chemical conversion processing of municipal solid waste (“MSW”), either sorted or unsorted, and autoclaves specially designed to process the waste at suitable temperature and pressure combinations is disclosed. The canister sections can be individually and separately filled with compressed bales of MSW or with selected loose MSW. The reactor system can produce syngas that has an enhanced BTU value, typically between about 300 to 700 BTU/ft3. The remainder solid waste material generally amounts to approximately 5% of the original MSW volume. This material can then be sorted for metals with the balance being sent to a landfill or other recycling processes depending on its composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Earl R. Decker
  • Publication number: 20190276320
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of hardwood and bamboo to engineered carbon is disclosed. The biomass feedstock of hardwood and bamboo is placed into a holding canister, and the holding canister is lowered into the sealable reactor vessel. The biomass feedstock is ignited, and superheated stream and/or water is metered, or alternately steam is created in situ by introduction of water, into the process. The process is controlled by supplying compressed air and steam, or in situ water, and releasing process gases. The process is performed in an oxygen deprived state. Steam, or in situ water, is injected at the end of the cycle to end the thermal conversion and clean the resulting engineered carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventor: Earl R. Decker
  • Patent number: 8715582
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing activated carbon that has a reactor vessel for containing carbon based feedstock and a processor that encloses the reactor vessel. An insulating barrier is disposed between the reactor vessel and the processor for defining generally vertical outer and inner pathways that are communicably interconnected. The reactor vessel has a gas receiving intake port in communication with the inner pathway. First and second inlet conduits are formed through the processor and into the reactor for respectively introducing a first ignition gas into the reactor to ignite the feedstock and a second gas into the first pathway. The second gas circulates through the outer and inner pathways and enters the reactor vessel through the gas receiving intake port. The exhaust gas is circulated through a catalyst chamber/cartridge/bed. At least one exhaust port discharges gas from the vessel exteriorly of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Earl R. Decker, Walter David Hemenway, Douglas MacPherson, Carl B. Melanson