Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Roper
Ralph E. Roper 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).
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Publication number: 20220055931Abstract: Method of reducing calcite formation from solubilized calcium forms in aqueous effluent streams, including the reduction or removal of solubilized forms of nickel, selenium, sulfate, and magnesium.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Heritage Research Group, LLCInventors: Ralph E. Roper, JR., Anthony Rogers, Carina Vargas, Anthony J. Kriech
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Publication number: 20210252566Abstract: Methods of treating leachates in rock piles. Exemplary leachates include neutral aqueous leachates containing selenates and nitrates, said leachates being found in waste rock piles from coal mining operations. In certain embodiments, the method includes introducing an inert gas to the lower section of the rock pile, and allowing bacteria indigenous to the mining site to reduce the selenates and nitrates to selenium and nitrogen, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Heritage Research GroupInventors: Ralph E. Roper, JR., Anthony J. Kriech
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Publication number: 20170144895Abstract: A method of reducing the mobility of metal contaminates in mediums such as soil, groundwater, sludge, etc. that involves contacting the mediums with a reagent that is a ferrous sulfide suspension that contains at least FeS and Al(OH)3. The reagent is produced by reacting a solution that contains at least NaAlO2 and NaOH with a solution that contains FeCl2, HCl and water to form a reaction mixture that contains Fe2+, Cl?, Na+, Al(OH)3 and H2O; and adding NaHS to the reaction mixture. The mobility of the metal contaminates is reduce by adsorption of the metal contaminates in the medium onto the surface of ferrous sulfide or Al(OH)3 in the ferrous sulfide suspension; adsorption of the metal contaminates in the medium onto iron (hydr)-oxides formed in the suspension; and precipitation of the metal contaminates.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Gary J. Meyer, Thomas P. McCullough, Anthony J. Kriech, Ralph E. Roper
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Publication number: 20160107210Abstract: A method of reducing the mobility of metal contaminates in mediums such as soil, groundwater, sludge, etc. that involves contacting the mediums with a reagent that is a ferrous sulfide suspension that contains at least FeS and Al(OH)3. The reagent is produced by reacting a solution that contains at least NaAlO2 and NaOH with a solution that contains FeCl2, HCl and water to form a reaction mixture that contains Fe2+, Cl?, Na+, Al(OH)3 and H2O; and adding NaHS to the reaction mixture. The mobility of the metal contaminates is reduce by adsorption of the metal contaminates in the medium onto the surface of ferrous sulfide or Al(OH)3 in the ferrous sulfide suspension; adsorption of the metal contaminates in the medium onto iron (hydr)-oxides formed in the suspension; and precipitation of the metal contaminates.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Gary J. Meyer, Thomas P. McCullough, Anthony J. Kriech, Ralph E. Roper, JR.
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Patent number: 9073008Abstract: A wet gas scrubber liquor and method of using the same to remove mercury from flue gases. The wet gas scrubber liquid is an alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles that can be prepared by combining together a ferrous ion source such as ferrous chloride, a sulfide ion source such as sodium hydrosulfide and an alkalinity source such as sodium hydroxide. When used to scrub flue gases to remove mercury from flue gases the mercury reacts with said alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles and can be removed by at least one of: i) adsorption onto said ferrous sulfide particles; ii) adsorption onto iron (hydr)-oxides that form in said alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles; and iii) absorption by reacting with sulfur formed in alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles and forming mercuric sulfide as a precipitate.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Redox Technology Group, LLCInventors: Thomas P. McCullough, Gary Joel Meyer, Ralph E. Roper, Jr., Anthony J. Kriech
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Patent number: 9034285Abstract: A ferrous sulfide suspension that includes at least FeSm and Al(OH)3 and which can be used to reduce mercury emissions in flue gases. Through a combination of complex chemical reactions, precipitation, co-precipitation, and surface adsorption the ferrous sulfide suspension of the present invention effectively removes mercury from gaseous streams while concurrently preventing mercury re-emission.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Redox Technology Group LLCInventors: Thomas P. McCullough, Gary Joel Meyer, Ralph E. Roper, Jr., Anthony J. Kriech
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Publication number: 20140255280Abstract: A wet gas scrubber liquor and method of using the same to remove mercury from flue gases. The wet gas scrubber liquid is an alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles that can be prepared by combining together a ferrous ion source such as ferrous chloride, a sulfide ion source such as sodium hydrosulfide and an alkalinity source such as sodium hydroxide. When used to scrub flue gases to remove mercury from flue gases the mercury reacts with said alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles and can be removed by at least one of: i) adsorption onto said ferrous sulfide particles; ii) adsorption onto iron (hydr)-oxides that form in said alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles; and iii) absorption by reacting with sulfur formed in alkaline liquid suspension of ferrous sulfide particles and forming mercuric sulfide as a precipitate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventors: Thomas P. McCullough, Gary Joel Meyer, Ralph E. Roper, JR., Anthony J. Kriech
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Patent number: 7938766Abstract: A calcium-sodium polysulfide chemical reagent and methods for producing the reagent. The reagent is a blend of calcium polysulfide and sodium polysulfide that can be prepared using various types, sources and ratios of lime, elemental sulfur and sulfide ion using either virgin or waste materials. The reagent is amenable to inexpensive and high rate production methods at ambient or warmer temperatures. The reagent can be used to precipitate metals from wastewater, stabilize hexavalent chrome in hazardous waste residues, remove mercury from coal fired power plants, and as an electrolyte in large-scale bromide/polysulfide electrical storage batteries.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Heritage Environmental Services, LLCInventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
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Patent number: 7767188Abstract: A calcium-sodium polysulfide chemical reagent and methods for producing the reagent. The reagent is a blend of calcium polysulfide and sodium polysulfide that can be prepared using various types, sources and ratios of lime, elemental sulfur and sulfide ion using either virgin or waste materials. The reagent is amenable to inexpensive and high rate production methods at ambient or warmer temperatures. The reagent can be used to precipitate metals from wastewater, stabilize hexavalent chrome in hazardous waste residues, remove mercury from coal fired power plants, and as an electrolyte in large-scale bromide/polysulfide electrical storage batteries.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Heritage Environmental Services, LLCInventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090270671Abstract: A calcium-sodium polysulfide chemical reagent and methods for producing the reagent. The reagent is a blend of calcium polysulfide and sodium polysulfide that can be prepared using various types, sources and ratios of lime, elemental sulfur and sulfide ion using either virgin or waste materials. The reagent is amenable to inexpensive and high rate production methods at ambient or warmer temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Heritage Environmental Services, LLCInventor: Ralph E. Roper, JR.
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Publication number: 20090202424Abstract: A calcium-sodium polysulfide chemical reagent and methods for producing the reagent. The reagent is a blend of calcium polysulfide and sodium polysulfide that can be prepared using various types, sources and ratios of lime, elemental sulfur and sulfide ion using either virgin or waste materials. The reagent is amenable to inexpensive and high rate production methods at ambient or warmer temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: Heritage Environmental Services, LLCInventor: Ralph E. Roper, JR.
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Patent number: 7534413Abstract: A calcium-sodium polysulfide chemical reagent and methods for producing the reagent. The reagent is a blend of calcium polysulfide and sodium polysulfide that can be prepared using various types, sources and ratios of lime, elemental sulfur and sulfide ion using either virgin or waste materials. The reagent is amenable to inexpensive and high rate production methods at ambient or warmer temperatures. The reagent can be used to precipitate metals from wastewater, stabilize hexavalent chrome in hazardous waste residues, remove mercury from coal fired power plants, and as an electrolyte in large-scale bromide/polysulfide electrical storage batteries.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Heritage Environment Services, LLCInventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080113063Abstract: This disclosure relates to a family of micronutrient supplements that can be used in food or in animal feeds and to methods of enhancing the growth of animals using one or more of the supplements. The family of micronutrient supplements is an ammine chloride salt of an essential metal. Representative essential metals for use according to this disclosure include a divalent or trivalent cation of zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, chrome, iron, cobalt and calcium. When provided as a metal ammine chloride salt, the essential metal is highly bioavailable to enhance the survivability, growth, health and/or reproductivity of animals. The micronutrient supplement can be administered to animals either as a single supplement or admixed with other nutrients or feeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Shannon R. Wilson
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Patent number: 7144362Abstract: A method of chemically stabilizing multivalent oxyanions in residue materials such as wastes from glass manufacturing facilities which method involves adding to the residue material cement, lime and aluminum sulfate to form a clay-like material having a low leachability and permeability to water. Calcium polysulfide or other sulfide bearing materials can also be added to assist in stabilizing multivalent oxyanions by adjusting the oxidation-reduction potential of the stabilized waste matrix.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Heritage Environmental Servicers, LLCInventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
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Patent number: 5890387Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming complex shaped frame members from a tubular blank where the blank is transferred from station to station and various tooling are performed on the blank at each station. For example, at a first station the blank is expanded into a tube having a varying cross-section throughout the length of the tube by applying pressure to the interior of the tube and compressive force to the opposed ends of the tube preferably simultaneously. At another station, the expanded tube is preformed by introducing a bend therein. The bend in the preformed tube is then increased at another station. While the expanded tube is being preformed and bent, the flow of material into the die cavity at those stations is controlled to reduce the amount of folding that may occur. The shape of the frame member is finished at another station by introducing a lateral bend and varying the cross-sectional configuration of the bent tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Aquaform Inc.Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary Alan Webb, Douglas W. Tyger
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Patent number: 5865054Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Aquaform Inc.Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
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Patent number: 5802898Abstract: An apparatus for bending a tube blank having an outer diameter, comprising: an inner bending die having an arcuate outer surface which has a first radius from an axis; a wiper shoe having an inner surface, said shoe disposed and adapted to trap a tube blank between said inner surface and said outer surface; holding means for holding a first portion of the blank against said inner die; limiting means for limiting movement of said shoe to rolling about an arc around said axis, said arc having a second radius from said axis which is approximately between said first radius and said first radius plus said diameter; and, moving means for moving said shoe around said axis, and around the blank thereby bending a second portion of the blank around said outer surface; and sealing and pressurizing means for sealing the blank and for hydraulically pressurizing the interior of the blank to a sufficient pressure to allow moving means to bend a second portion of the blank around said outer surface, said pressurized liquid aType: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Aquaform, Inc.Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
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Patent number: 5533372Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for forming metal sheet is adapted for operation within a standard double action press having a base and outer and inner vertically reciprocating slides. A basic die is mountable to the press and specific tooling is replaceably mountable to the basic die. The basic die includes a riser, a manifold and hydraulic cylinder assemblies. A sheet metal blank is positioned on the lower die and is clamped between the upper and lower dies whereby the periphery of the blank is gripped between a male and female bead mounted all around a part print cavity. The cylinder assemblies cause hydraulic fluid to be forced into a region between the clamped blank and the lower die and form the blank in the part print cavity. The male bead exerts varying control on the sheet to allow it to stretch across portions of the cavity while flowing into other portions of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: AK Steel CorporationInventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb
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Patent number: 5499520Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Aquaform Inc.Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
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Patent number: 5481892Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a one-piece, complex-shaped tubular member from a tubular blank is provided. The tubular blank is placed in a die cavity defining a tube having at least two expanded portions and a bend therein. As the die cavity is closed around the tubular blank to form the bend, the interior of the tubular blank is pressurized to expand the tubular blank into the at least two expanded portions defined by the die cavity. When the bent and expanded tubular blank is removed from the die cavity, the ends of the tubular blank are cropped to form the finished tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1993Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb, Douglas W. Tyger, Donald F. Lowen