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).

  • Publication number: 20220055931
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Heritage Research Group, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, JR., Anthony Rogers, Carina Vargas, Anthony J. Kriech
  • Publication number: 20210252566
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Heritage Research Group
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, JR., Anthony J. Kriech
  • Publication number: 20170144895
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Gary J. Meyer, Thomas P. McCullough, Anthony J. Kriech, Ralph E. Roper
  • Publication number: 20160107210
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Gary J. Meyer, Thomas P. McCullough, Anthony J. Kriech, Ralph E. Roper, JR.
  • Patent number: 9073008
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Redox Technology Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. McCullough, Gary Joel Meyer, Ralph E. Roper, Jr., Anthony J. Kriech
  • Patent number: 9034285
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Redox Technology Group LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. McCullough, Gary Joel Meyer, Ralph E. Roper, Jr., Anthony J. Kriech
  • Publication number: 20140255280
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas P. McCullough, Gary Joel Meyer, Ralph E. Roper, JR., Anthony J. Kriech
  • Patent number: 7938766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Heritage Environmental Services, LLC
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7767188
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Heritage Environmental Services, LLC
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090270671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Heritage Environmental Services, LLC
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090202424
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Heritage Environmental Services, LLC
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper, JR.
  • Patent number: 7534413
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Heritage Environment Services, LLC
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080113063
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Shannon R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7144362
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Heritage Environmental Servicers, LLC
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5890387
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Aquaform Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary Alan Webb, Douglas W. Tyger
  • Patent number: 5865054
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Aquaform Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5802898
    Abstract: 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 a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Aquaform, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5533372
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: AK Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5499520
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Aquaform Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5481892
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb, Douglas W. Tyger, Donald F. Lowen