Patents by Inventor Heather A. Elsen

Heather A. Elsen 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: 11936081
    Abstract: A redox flow battery may include: a positive half-cell comprising a catholyte; a negative half-cell comprising an anolyte; and an ion permeable membrane, wherein the ion permeable membrane separates the catholyte and the anolyte, and wherein the catholyte, the anolyte, or both comprise a low-transition temperature material comprising: a redox-active phase; and an ionically conducting organic salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Divyaraj Desai, Michael R. Harper, Jr., Heather A. Elsen, Jonathan D. Saathoff, Mehmet D. Ertas, Steven W. Levine
  • Patent number: 11888199
    Abstract: An elevated target amount of electrolyte is used to initially fill a molten carbonate fuel cell that is operated under carbon capture conditions. The increased target electrolyte fill level can be achieved in part by adding additional electrolyte to the cathode collector prior to start of operation. The increased target electrolyte fill level can provide improved fuel cell performance and lifetime when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high current density with a low-CO2 content cathode input stream and/or when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high CO2 utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Rosen, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, William A. Lamberti, William C. Horn, Anding Zhang, Timothy C. Geary, Adam Franco, Abdelkader Hilmi
  • Patent number: 11888187
    Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated to provide enhanced CO2 utilization. This can increase the effective amount of carbonate ion transport that is achieved. The enhanced CO2 utilization is enabled in part by operating an MCFC under conditions that cause transport of alternative ions across the electrolyte. The amount of alternative ion transport that occurs during enhanced CO2 utilization can be mitigated by using a more acidic electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdelkader Hilmi, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, Carl A. Willman, Chao-Yi Yuh, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh, Timothy C. Geary
  • Publication number: 20220255105
    Abstract: A redox flow battery may include: a positive half-cell comprising a catholyte; a negative half-cell comprising an anolyte; and an ion permeable membrane, wherein the ion permeable membrane separates the catholyte and the anolyte, and wherein the catholyte, the anolyte, or both comprise a low-transition temperature material comprising: a redox-active phase; and an ionically conducting organic salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Divyaraj Desai, Michael R. Harper, JR., Heather A. Elsen, Jonathan D. Saathoff, Mehmet D. Ertas, Steven W. Levine
  • Publication number: 20220173421
    Abstract: An elevated target amount of electrolyte is used to initially fill a molten carbonate fuel cell that is operated under carbon capture conditions. The increased target electrolyte fill level can be achieved in part by adding additional electrolyte to the cathode collector prior to start of operation. The increased target electrolyte fill level can provide improved fuel cell performance and lifetime when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high current density with a low-CO2 content cathode input stream and/or when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high CO2 utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Rosen, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, William A. Lamberti, William C. Horn, Anding Zhang, Timothy C. Geary, Adam Franco, Abdelkader Hilmi
  • Patent number: 11335937
    Abstract: An elevated target amount of electrolyte is used to initially fill a molten carbonate fuel cell that is operated under carbon capture conditions. The increased target electrolyte fill level can be achieved in part by adding additional electrolyte to the cathode collector prior to start of operation. The increased target electrolyte fill level can provide improved fuel cell performance and lifetime when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high current density with a low-CO2 content cathode input stream and/or when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high CO2 utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Rosen, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, William A. Lamberti, William C. Horn, Anding Zhang, Timothy C. Geary, Adam Franco, Abdelkader Hilmi
  • Publication number: 20210159531
    Abstract: An elevated target amount of electrolyte is used to initially fill a molten carbonate fuel cell that is operated under carbon capture conditions. The increased target electrolyte fill level can be achieved in part by adding additional electrolyte to the cathode collector prior to start of operation. The increased target electrolyte fill level can provide improved fuel cell performance and lifetime when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high current density with a low-CO2 content cathode input stream and/or when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high CO2 utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Rosen, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, William A. Lamberti, William C. Horn, Anding Zhang, Timothy C. Geary, Adam Franco, Abdelkader Hilmi
  • Publication number: 20200396799
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to processes for forming or otherwise creating a transparent, conductive film from a heavy hydrocarbon material. It allows for what is often considered to be waste material to be transformed into a useful product, such as a heating element. Such heating elements can be incorporated into many contexts where it can be important to have transparency and/or a thin heating element, such as in windshields. The process involves dissolving a heavy hydrocarbon material in a solvent, casting the heavy hydrocarbon solution that results from the dissolving onto a substrate to form a film, and then annealing the film. The disclosure also provides for objects in which such resulting films can be used, such as Joule heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Grossman, Brent Keller, Owen Morris, Mark Disko, Heather Elsen, Xining Zang, Nicola Ferralis, Ximena Hasbach
  • Publication number: 20200176783
    Abstract: Cathode collector structures and/or corresponding cathode structures are provided that can allow for improved operation for a molten carbonate fuel cell when operated under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization. A cathode collector structure that provides an increased open area at the cathode surface can reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs within the fuel cell. Additionally or alternately, grooves in the cathode surface can be used to increase the open area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan Rosen, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, Lu Han, Thomas M. Smith, Sandipan K. Das, Chao-Yi Yuh, Carl A. Willman, Timothy C. Geary, Keith E. Davis, Abdelkader Hilmi, Lawrence J. Novacco
  • Publication number: 20200176789
    Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated to provide enhanced CO2 utilization. This can increase the effective amount of carbonate ion transport that is achieved. The enhanced CO2 utilization is enabled in part by operating an MCFC under conditions that cause transport of alternative ions across the electrolyte. The amount of alternative ion transport that occurs during enhanced CO2 utilization can be mitigated by using a more acidic electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Abdelkader Hilmi, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, Carl A. Willman, Chao-Yi Yuh, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh, Timothy C. Geary
  • Publication number: 20160060545
    Abstract: The stability of distillate type jet fuels is improved by cathodic hydrogenation in an electrolytic cell with a proton permeable membrane separating cathode and anode compartments; a source of hydrogen is oxidized in the anode compartment to form protons which permeate the membrane to effect a cathodic reduction of the nitrogenous components of the fuel in the cathode compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark A. GREANEY, Richard J. QUANN, Heather A. ELSEN, Kuangnan QIAN, Anthony S. MENNITO
  • Patent number: 8932455
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst comprising a surface, and a Group VI/Group VIII metal sulfide coated onto the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Chuansheng Bai, Adrienne J. Thornburg, Heather A. Elsen, Jean W. Beeckman, William G. Borghard
  • Patent number: 8765628
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an active catalyst component comprising a surface, and a metal oxide film coated on the surface of the active catalyst component. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as improved resistance to catalytic deactivation due to sulfur and nitrogen compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Chuansheng Bai, Adrienne J. Thornburg, Heather A. Elsen, William G. Borghard, Cody R. Cole
  • Publication number: 20140081060
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst comprising a surface, and a Group VI/Group VIII metal sulfide coated onto the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Chuansheng BAI, Adrienne J. THORNBURG, Heather A. ELSEN, Jean W. BEECKMAN, William G. BORGHARD
  • Patent number: 8637424
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride comprising a surface, with a metal oxide integrally synthesized and providing a coating on the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur and nitrogen reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Heather A. Elsen
  • Patent number: 8618010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new processes for regenerating oxidized interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts prior to the use of such catalysts in a hydroprocessing process. Interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts are easily oxidized in the environment and once oxidized, the hydroprocessing activity of the interstitial metal hydrides is most often severely diminished and this lost activity due to oxidization of the iMeH is not susceptible to recovery under hydroprocessing conditions. As a result, these catalysts in the present art require considerable special handling in inert environments all through processes from fabrication, shipping, loading, use, and maintenance of the catalyst systems to protect the activity of the interstitial metal hydride components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Faiz Pourarian, Marc A. Portnoff, David A. Purta, Margaret A. Nasta, Jingfeng Zhang, Heather A. Elsen, Patricia A. Bielenberg
  • Patent number: 8598067
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst comprising a surface, and a Group VI/Group VIII metal sulfide coated onto the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Chuansheng Bai, Adrienne J. Thornburg, Heather A. Elsen, Jean W. Beeckman, William G. Borghard
  • Publication number: 20120115713
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an active catalyst component comprising a surface, and a metal oxide film coated on the surface of the active catalyst component. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as improved resistance to catalytic deactivation due to sulfur and nitrogen compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Chuansheng Bai, Adrienne J. Thornburg, Heather A. Elsen, William G. Borghard, Cody R. Cole
  • Publication number: 20120111768
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride comprising a surface, with a metal oxide integrally synthesized and providing a coating on the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur and nitrogen reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Heather A. Elsen
  • Publication number: 20120111767
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst comprising a surface, and a Group VI/Group VIII metal sulfide coated onto the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Chuansheng Bai, Adrienne J. Thornburg, Heather A. Elsen, Jean W. Beeckman, William G. Borghard