Patents by Inventor John E. Litz

John E. Litz 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: 10875787
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of radium form an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of radium from a source by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is monitored for radiation levels and replaced with fresh zeolite when the level of radioactivity reaches approximately 9,000 pCi/g. Spent zeolite is disposed of at a low-level radioactive waste site. A system for monitoring and maintaining radium removal and disposal by an off-site provided is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: WRT INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Publication number: 20180194643
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of radium form an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of radium from a source by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is monitored for radiation levels and replaced with fresh zeolite when the level of radioactivity reaches approximately 9,000 pCi/g. Spent zeolite is disposed of at a low-level radioactive waste site. A system for monitoring and maintaining radium removal and disposal by an off-site provided is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Patent number: 9908788
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of radium form an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of radium from a source by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is monitored for radiation levels and replaced with fresh zeolite when the level of radioactivity reaches approximately 9,000 pCi/g. Spent zeolite is disposed of at a low-level radioactive waste site. A system for monitoring and maintaining radium removal and disposal by an off-site provided is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: WRT INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Patent number: 8663479
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing radium from drinking water using a natural zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: WRT International LLC
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130243673
    Abstract: Disclosed is process for the separation of tungsten from molybdenum and more particularly from ammonium molybdate solutions. The method comprises dissolving technical grade molybdenum trioxide in an aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution and further adding certain metal generating compounds to the aqueous solution thereby generating a tungsten-containing precipitate. Calcium, iron and manganese are the preferred metal generating compounds of the invention. Certain temperature and pH values of the system, as disclosed, are preferred for the precipitation of the tungsten from the ammonia molybdate solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Orchard Material Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid N. Shekhter, John E. Litz, Xiong Wei, Lawrence F. McHugh
  • Patent number: 7476311
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of arsenic from an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of arsenic from a source by contact with either a chemically treated natural or synthetic zeolite, for example a ferric-loaded zeolite. The spent zeolite is disposed of at an appropriate arsenic disposal site. A system for monitoring and maintaining an arsenic removal/disposal system by an off-site provider is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: WRT International LLC
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080128359
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing radium from drinking water using a natural zeolite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Patent number: 7326348
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the removal and destruction of ammonia from an aqueous medium. The methods and apparatuses include the removal of ammonia from an aqueous medium by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is regenerated for continuous use, while the ammonia is concentrated as ammonium sulfate, and ultimately destroyed via combustion. A system for monitoring and maintaining an ammonia removal system by an off-site provider is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: WRT International LLC
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Patent number: 7108784
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the removal and destruction of ammonia from an aqueous medium. The methods and apparatuses include the removal of ammonia from an aqueous medium by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is re-generated for continuous use, while the ammonia is concentrated as ammonium sulfate, and ultimately destroyed via combustion. A system for monitoring and maintaining an ammonia removal system by an off-site provider is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: WRT International LLC
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Patent number: 7105087
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of chromium form an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of chromium from a source by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite that has been modified with a ferrous ion or other like substance. The spent zeolite is disposed of and replaced with freshly modified zeolite. In some cases the systems and methods are performed under de-oxidizing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: WRT International LLC
    Inventor: John E. Litz
  • Patent number: 6818191
    Abstract: The process chemistry during the oxidation of molybdenite concentrates in an oxygen pressure leach can be controlled by regulating the amount of ferric iron and excess sulfuric acid recycled as autoclave discharge slurry or filtrate to the autoclave feed. A computer model capable of predicting the concentration of soluble molybdenum in the autoclave discharge and based on the concentrate and recycle analyses was developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: H. C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Paul B. Queneau, Rong-Chien Wu
  • Publication number: 20040124150
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of chromium form an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of chromium from a source by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite that has been modified with a ferrous ion or other like substance. The spent zeolite is disposed of and replaced with freshly modified zeolite. In some cases the systems and methods are performed under de-oxidizing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Litz
  • Patent number: 6730279
    Abstract: High purity ammonium dimolybdate or molybdenum oxide is produced by the pressure oxidation of low grade molybdenite concentrates or molybdenum intermediates. The process entails nearly complete oxidation of the sulfide minerals while optimizing the process chemistry and autoclave conditions to solubilize as little of the molybdenum values as possible. The autoclave discharge 12 is then subjected to a leaching step, either an alkaline leach 50, 400 or ammonium leach 250 process, before or after a liquid/solid separation step 20, 220, 410. The solution is then subjected to (a) filtration 60, 410, solvent extraction 70, 440, crystallization 90,450, and calcination 120, 480 or (b) filtration 260, 280, crystallization 290, and calcination 320 to produce a product suitable for chemical-grade molybdenum oxide 125, 325, 485.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: H. C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Balliett, Wolfgang Kummer, John E. Litz, Lawrence F. McHugh, Harry H. K. Nauta, Paul B. Queneau, Rong-Chien Wu
  • Publication number: 20030132155
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of arsenic from an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of arsenic from a source by contact with either a chemically treated natural or synthetic zeolite, for example a ferric-loaded zeolite. The spent zeolite is disposed of at an appropriate arsenic disposal site. A system for monitoring and maintaining an arsenic removal/disposal system by an off-site provider is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030086864
    Abstract: High purity ammonium dimolybdate or molybdenum oxide is produced by the pressure oxidation of low grade molybdenite concentrates or molybdenum intermediates. The process entails nearly complete oxidation of the sulfide minerals while optimizing the process chemistry and autoclave conditions to solubilize as little of the molybdenum values as possible. The autoclave discharge 12 is then subjected to a leaching step, either an alkaline leach 50, 400 or ammonium leach 250 process, before or after a liquid/solid separation step 20, 220, 410. The solution is then subjected to (a) filtration 60, 410, solvent extraction 70, 440, crystallization 90,450, and calcination 120, 480 or (b) filtration 260, 280, crystallization 290, and calcination 320 to produce a product suitable for chemical-grade molybdenum oxide 125, 325, 485.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Robert W. Balliett, Wolfgang Kummer, John E. Litz, Lawrence F. McHugh, Harry H. K. Nauta, Paul B. Queneau, Rong-Chien Wu
  • Publication number: 20030031614
    Abstract: The process chemistry during the oxidation of molybdenite concentrates in an oxygen pressure leach can be controlled by regulating the amount of ferric iron and excess sulfuric acid recycled as autoclave discharge slurry or filtrate to the autoclave feed. A computer model capable of predicting the concentration of soluble molybdenum in the autoclave discharge and based on the concentrate and recycle analyses was developed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Paul B. Queneau, Rong-Chien Wu
  • Patent number: 6403044
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for converting hazardous speciated and elemental mercury-containing wastes to environmentally acceptable wastes by mixing the wastes in the presence of a polysulfide, water, and an mercury-reactive material, such as elemental sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: ADA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Thomas Broderick, Robin M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4814149
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for selectively precipitating molybdenum in a form that is substantially free from vanadium impurities. The molybdenum is precipitated in the form of ammonium octamolybdate which has a molybdenum to vanadium ratio of about 400:1 in an initial crystallization and a ratio of about 1300:1 in a subsequent recrystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: John E. Litz
  • Patent number: 4606764
    Abstract: The invention comprises the treatment of metal oxides and mixed metal oxides and metal sulfides in a vertical tube reactor system having a downcomer section and a riser section in order to oxidize and dissolve the metal values in aqueous slurry primarily in the downcomer section and introducing a reducing agent comprising a formate species and reducing the dissolved metal values in the riser section. The reduced metal values are then separated with the gangue values from the product solution downstream from the vertical tube reactor system. The reduced metal values may then be separated from the gangue material by conventional solid separation techniques, such as flotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Resource Technology Associates
    Inventors: Wayne C. Hazen, Enzo L. Coltrinari, John E. Litz, David L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4548794
    Abstract: According to the present invention, processes are provided for recovery of nickel, cobalt and like metal values from laterite ores wherein the ores are separated into high and low magnesium containing fractions, the low magnesium fraction is leached with sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures and pressure to solubilize the metal values. The pregnant liquor resulting from the high pressure which also contains solubilized Fe, Al and acid is then contacted with a low magnesium fraction of the ore in a low pressure leach under conditions such that at least some of the acid is neutralized and substantially all of the solubilized Fe and Al is removed as hematite and alunite precipitate.In one embodiment, the pregnant liquor from the high pressure leach and the high magnesium fraction are contacted at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of about 80.degree. C. prior to low pressure leaching. In other embodiments, various process streams are separated by size and otherwise, and recycled to within the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: California Nickel Corporation
    Inventors: E. Harris Lowenhaupt, John E. Litz, Dennis L. Howe