Patents by Inventor Roger D. Aines

Roger D. Aines 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: 20140251600
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, a system includes at least one microsensor configured to detect one or more conditions of a fluidic medium of a reservoir; and a receptacle, wherein the receptacle encapsulates the at least one microsensor. In another general embodiment, a method include injecting the encapsulated at least one microsensor as recited above into a fluidic medium of a reservoir; and detecting one or more conditions of the fluidic medium of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Elmer Scott, Roger D. Aines, Christopher M. Spadaccini
  • Patent number: 8808433
    Abstract: A novel method and system of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas is introduced. Instead of relying on large temperature or pressure changes to remove carbon dioxide from a solvent used to absorb it from flue gas, the ion pump method, as disclosed herein, dramatically increases the concentration of dissolved carbonate ion in solution. This increases the overlying vapor pressure of carbon dioxide gas, permitting carbon dioxide to be removed from the downstream side of the ion pump as a pure gas. The ion pumping may be obtained from reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, thermal desalination methods, or an ion pump system having an oscillating flow in synchronization with an induced electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier
  • Patent number: 8460532
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: William L. Bourcier, Roger D. Aines, Jeffery J. Haslam, Charlene M. Schaldach, Kevin C. O'Brien, Edward Cussler
  • Patent number: 8394350
    Abstract: A method for separating CO2 from gas mixtures uses a slurried media impregnated with buffer compounds and coating the solid media with a catalyst or enzyme that promotes the transformation of CO2 to carbonic acid. Buffer sorbent pebbles with a catalyst or enzyme coating are provided for rapid separation of CO2 from gas mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Roger D. Aines
  • Patent number: 8394351
    Abstract: Various methods and structures of complexes and molecules are described herein related to a zinc-centered catalyst for removing carbon dioxide from atmospheric or aqueous environments. According to one embodiment, a method for creating a tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule includes contacting a pentaerythritol molecule with a propargyl halide molecule to create a trialkyne molecule, and contacting the trialkyne molecule with an azide molecule to create the tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule. In another embodiment, a method for creating a tris(imidazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule includes alkylating an imidazole 2-carbaldehyde molecule to create a monoalkylated aldehyde molecule, reducing the monoalkylated aldehyde molecule to create an alcohol molecule, converting the alcohol molecule to create an alkyl halide molecule using thionyl halide, and reacting the alkyl halide molecule with a pentaerythritol molecule to create a tris(imidazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos A. Valdez, Joe H. Satcher, Jr., Roger D. Aines, Sarah E. Baker
  • Patent number: 8361195
    Abstract: A slurried solid media for simultaneous water purification and carbon dioxide removal from gas mixtures includes the steps of dissolving the gas mixture and carbon dioxide in water providing a gas, carbon dioxide, water mixture; adding a porous solid media to the gas, carbon dioxide, water mixture forming a slurry of gas, carbon dioxide, water, and porous solid media; heating the slurry of gas, carbon dioxide, water, and porous solid media producing steam; and cooling the steam to produce purified water and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier, Brian Viani
  • Publication number: 20130017610
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system of reservoir interrogation. A tracer is encapsulating in a receptacle. The receptacle containing the tracer is injected into the reservoir. The tracer is analyzed for reservoir interrogation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffery Roberts, Roger D. Aines, Eric B. Duoss, Christoper M. Spadaccini
  • Publication number: 20120214219
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating a target substance from a fluid or mixture. Capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are provided. The coating is permeable to the target substance. The capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are exposed to the fluid or mixture. The target substance migrates through the coating and is taken up by the stripping solvents. The target substance is separated from the fluid or mixture by driving off the target substance from the capsules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Joshuah K. Stolaroff, William L. Bourcier, Jennifer A. Lewis, Eric B. Duoss, John J. Vericella
  • Publication number: 20120199535
    Abstract: A system is provided that substantially increases the efficiency of CO2 capture and removal by positioning a catalyst within an optimal distance from the air-liquid interface. The catalyst is positioned within the layer determined to be the highest concentration of carbon dioxide. A hydrophobic tether is attached to the catalyst and the hydrophobic tether modulates the position of the catalyst within the liquid layer containing the highest concentration of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Carlos A. Valdez, Joe H. Satcher, JR., Roger D. Aines, Sergio E. Wong, Sarah E. Baker, Felice C. Lighstone, Joshuah K. Stolaroff
  • Publication number: 20110293496
    Abstract: Various methods and structures of complexes and molecules are described herein related to a zinc-centered catalyst for removing carbon dioxide from atmospheric or aqueous environments. According to one embodiment, a method for creating a tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule includes contacting a pentaerythritol molecule with a propargyl halide molecule to create a trialkyne molecule, and contacting the trialkyne molecule with an azide molecule to create the tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule. In another embodiment, a method for creating a tris(imidazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule includes alkylating an imidazole 2-carbaldehyde molecule to create a monoalkylated aldehyde molecule, reducing the monoalkylated aldehyde molecule to create an alcohol molecule, converting the alcohol molecule to create an alkyl halide molecule using thionyl halide, and reacting the alkyl halide molecule with a pentaerythritol molecule to create a tris(imidazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Carlos A. Valdez, Joe H. Satcher, JR., Roger D. Aines, Sarah E. Baker
  • Publication number: 20110253538
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Bourcier, Roger D. Aines, Jeffery J. Haslam, Charlene M. Schaldach, Kevin C. O'Brien, Edward Cussler
  • Patent number: 7981268
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Bourcier, Roger D. Aines, Jeffery J. Haslam, Charlene M. Schaldach, Kevin C. O'Brien, Edward Cussler
  • Publication number: 20110151537
    Abstract: The creation of a catalyst that can be used for a wide variety of applications including the steps of developing preliminary information regarding the catalyst, using the preliminary information to produce a template of the catalyst, and using the template of the catalyst to produce the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Felice C. Lightstone, Sergio E. Wong, Edmond Y. Lau, Joe H. Satcher, JR., Roger D. Aines
  • Publication number: 20110020208
    Abstract: A novel method and system of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas is introduced. Instead of relying on large temperature or pressure changes to remove carbon dioxide from a solvent used to absorb it from flue gas, the ion pump method, as disclosed herein, dramatically increases the concentration of dissolved carbonate ion in solution. This increases the overlying vapor pressure of carbon dioxide gas, permitting carbon dioxide to be removed from the downstream side of the ion pump as a pure gas. The ion pumping may be obtained from reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, thermal desalination methods, or an ion pump system having an oscillating flow in synchronization with an induced electric field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier
  • Publication number: 20100303694
    Abstract: A method for separating CO2 from gas mixtures uses a slurried media impregnated with buffer compounds and coating the solid media with a catalyst or enzyme that promotes the transformation of CO2 to carbonic acid. Buffer sorbent pebbles with a catalyst or enzyme coating are provided for rapid separation of CO2 from gas mixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Roger D. Aines
  • Publication number: 20100300287
    Abstract: A slurried solid media for simultaneous water purification and carbon dioxide removal from gas mixtures includes the steps of dissolving the gas mixture and carbon dioxide in water providing a gas, carbon dioxide, water mixture; adding a porous solid media to the gas, carbon dioxide, water mixture forming a slurry of gas, carbon dioxide, water, and porous solid media; heating the slurry of gas, carbon dioxide, water, and porous solid media producing steam; and cooling the steam to produce purified water and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier, Brian Viani
  • Patent number: 7828883
    Abstract: A novel method and system of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas is introduced. Instead of relying on large temperature or pressure changes to remove carbon dioxide from a solvent used to absorb it from flue gas, the ion pump method, as disclosed herein, dramatically increases the concentration of dissolved carbonate ion in solution. This increases the overlying vapor pressure of carbon dioxide gas, permitting carbon dioxide to be removed from the downstream side of the ion pump as a pure gas. The ion pumping may be obtained from reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, thermal desalination methods, or an ion pump system having an oscillating flow in synchronization with an induced electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier
  • Publication number: 20070169625
    Abstract: A novel method and system of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas is introduced. Instead of relying on large temperature or pressure changes to remove carbon dioxide from a solvent used to absorb it from flue gas, the ion pump method, as disclosed herein, dramatically increases the concentration of dissolved carbonate ion in solution. This increases the overlying vapor pressure of carbon dioxide gas, permitting carbon dioxide to be removed from the downstream side of the ion pump as a pure gas. The ion pumping may be obtained from reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, thermal desalination methods, or an ion pump system having an oscillating flow in synchronization with an induced electric field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier
  • Patent number: 6387278
    Abstract: In situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of organics at the site of the organics constrained in an subsurface reservoir produces surfactants that can form an oil/water emulsion that is effectively removed from an underground formation. The removal of the oil/water emulsions is particularly useful in several applications, e.g., soil contaminant remediation and enhanced oil recovery operations. A portion of the constrained organics react in heated reservoir water with injected steam containing dissolved oxygen gas at ambient reservoir conditions to produce such surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Roald N. Leif, Kevin G. Knauss, Robin L. Newmark, Roger D. Aines, Craig Eaker
  • Patent number: 6142706
    Abstract: A thermal treatment wall emplaced to perform in-situ destruction of contaminants in groundwater. Thermal destruction of specific contaminants occurs by hydrous pyrolysis/oxidation at temperatures achievable by existing thermal remediation techniques (electrical heating or steam injection) in the presence of oxygen or soil mineral oxidants, such as MnO.sub.2. The thermal treatment wall can be installed in a variety of configurations depending on the specific objectives, and can be used for groundwater cleanup, wherein in-situ destruction of contaminants is carried out rather than extracting contaminated fluids to the surface, where they are to be cleaned. In addition, the thermal treatment wall can be used for both plume interdiction and near-wellhead in-situ groundwater treatment. Thus, this technique can be utilized for a variety of groundwater contamination problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, Robin L. Newmark, Kevin G. Knauss