Patents by Inventor John L. Burba

John L. Burba 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).

  • Publication number: 20240139683
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for extracting desired chemical species including, without limitation, lithium, specific lithium species, and/or other chemical compounds from input flows in a modular unit. The input flows may be raw materials in which lithium metal and/or lithium species are dissolved and/or extracted. The apparatuses and methods may include daisy chain flow through separate tanks, a column array, and/or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: International Battery Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: John L. BURBA
  • Patent number: 11904276
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for extracting desired chemical species including, without limitation, lithium, specific lithium species, and/or other chemical compounds from input flows in a modular unit. The input flows may be raw materials in which lithium metal and/or lithium species are dissolved and/or extracted. The apparatuses and methods may include daisy chain flow through separate tanks, a column array, and/or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: International Battery Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: John L. Burba
  • Publication number: 20220212144
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for extracting desired chemical species including, without limitation, lithium, specific lithium species, and/or other chemical compounds from input flows in a modular unit. The input flows may be raw materials in which lithium metal and/or lithium species are dissolved and/or extracted. The apparatuses and methods may include daisy chain flow through separate tanks, a column array, and combinations thereof. The apparatuses may be modular and mobile and may be powered by a renewable energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: International Battery Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: John L. Burba
  • Publication number: 20200140290
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of one or more selected target materials, in particular a physiologically active compound contaminant, from various streams using a rare earth fixing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Secure Natural Resources LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler, Robert Cable
  • Publication number: 20190136340
    Abstract: A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventor: John L. Burba, III
  • Patent number: 10179942
    Abstract: A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Secure Natural Resources LLC
    Inventor: John L. Burba, III
  • Publication number: 20170110761
    Abstract: An ion transporting solvent for use with batteries can be improved by simultaneously shortening a phosphazene compound's pendent groups, eliminating most or all of the distal ion carriers, and randomizing the solvent molecules so as to intentionally disrupt symmetry to the maximum degree possible. The combination of these strategies dramatically improves battery performance to the point where the performance recorded is comparable to batteries using conventional organic solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: PRINCESS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Mason K. Harrup, Thomas A. Luther
  • Publication number: 20160294013
    Abstract: An ion transporting solvent for use with batteries can be improved by simultaneously shortening a phosphazene compound's pendent groups, eliminating most or all of the distal ion carriers, and randomizing the solvent molecules so as to intentionally disrupt symmetry to the maximum degree possible. The combination of these strategies dramatically improves battery performance to the point where the performance recorded is comparable to batteries using conventional organic solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: PRINCESS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Mason K. Harrup, Thomas A. Luther
  • Publication number: 20160285132
    Abstract: An ion transporting solvent for use with batteries can be improved by simultaneously shortening a phosphazene compound's pendent groups, eliminating most or all of the distal ion carriers, and randomizing the solvent molecules so as to intentionally disrupt symmetry to the maximum degree possible. The combination of these strategies dramatically improves battery performance to the point where the performance recorded is comparable to batteries using conventional organic solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: PRINCESS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Mason K. Harrup, Thomas A. Luther
  • Publication number: 20150197826
    Abstract: A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventor: John L. Burba
  • Patent number: 8980477
    Abstract: The present invention is a secondary battery having a high specific capacity and good cycleability, and that can be used safely. The secondary battery is manufactured to include an anode formed from a host material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium in an electrochemical system such as a carbonaceous material, and lithium metal dispersed in the host material. The anodes of the invention are combined with a cathode including an active material, a separator that a separates the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte in communication with the cathode and the anode. The present invention also includes a method of preparing an anode and a method of operating a secondary battery including the anode of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Yuan Gao, John L. Burba, III, John F. Engel, Marina V. Yakovleva
  • Patent number: 8936770
    Abstract: A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventor: John L. Burba, III
  • Publication number: 20140239224
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a lithium aluminate intercalate (LAI) matrix solid and methods for the selective extraction and recovery of lithium from lithium containing solutions, including brines. The method for preparing the LAI matrix solid includes reacting aluminum hydroxide and a lithium salt for form the lithium aluminate intercalate, which can then be mixed with up to about 25% by weight of a polymer to form the LAI matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Simbol Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Burba, Ray F. Stewart, Brian E. Viani, Stephen Harrison, Christine ellen Vogdes, John Galil Salim Lahlouh
  • Patent number: 8809229
    Abstract: An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventor: John L. Burba
  • Patent number: 8753594
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a lithium aluminate intercalate (LAI) matrix solid and methods for the selective extraction and recovery of lithium from lithium containing solutions, including brines. The method for preparing the LAI matrix solid includes reacting aluminum hydroxide and a lithium salt for form the lithium aluminate intercalate, which can then be mixed with up to about 20% by weight of a polymer to form the LAI matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Simbol, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Ray F. Stewart, Brian E. Viani, Stephen Harrison, Christine Ellen Vogdes, John Galil Salim Lahlouh
  • Publication number: 20140007773
    Abstract: An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventor: John L. Burba
  • Patent number: 8349764
    Abstract: An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventor: John L. Burba, III
  • Publication number: 20120328681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to protecting a human from an infection using a disinfecting agent as described herein and a method for use thereof, more particularly to a rare earth-containing device for protecting a wound and a method for use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Carl R. Hassler, John L. Burba, Charles Whitehead, Joe Pascoe
  • Patent number: 8252087
    Abstract: Apparatus, process and article for treating a gas containing one or more of a chemical and/or biological contaminant. The process includes contacting the gas with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a gas depleted of chemical and active biological contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The composition comprises no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate has been sintered. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate. In one embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include the treatment of breathing gases such as air that may contain chemical and/or biological contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
  • Publication number: 20120138530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating arsenic from an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The method includes the steps of contacting an arsenic-containing solution with a first portion of fixing agent to remove at least a portion of the arsenic. An arsenic-laden fixing agent is separated from the solution and the partially depleted solution is contacted with a second portion of fixing agent. The fixing agent can include a high surface area insoluble compound containing one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. Following removal of the arsenic, the arsenic-depleted solution can be further processed to separate a recoverable metal through metal refining. The arsenic-laden fixing agent can be filtered to recover and recycle a filtrate to the solution for additional treatment, as well as using a partially saturated fixing agent to remove arsenic from fresh solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead