Patents by Inventor Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr.

Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr. 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: 11952673
    Abstract: Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr., Benjamin David Brakenwagen, Richard Robert Salvucci
  • Patent number: 11952674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr., Benjamin David Brakenwagen, Richard Robert Salvucci
  • Publication number: 20240092649
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for solid-phase reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr., Henry Chase Hutcheson
  • Publication number: 20240084468
    Abstract: Systems and methods for feeding solid material and a gas into a container (e.g., electrolytic cell) are generally described. Certain methods comprise feeding solid material and a gas into an electrolytic cell through an inlet; wherein: the gas comprises an inert gas; and the inlet is positioned, relative to an anode of the electrolytic cell, within a distance that is less than or equal to 5 times the shortest cross-sectional dimension of the anode. Certain systems comprise a container configured for molten salt electrolysis; a passageway configured for feeding solid material and a gas into the container; an anode; a cathode; and an outlet configured for releasing a gas from the container; wherein an inlet from the passageway to the container is positioned, relative to the anode, within a distance that is less than or equal to 5 times the shortest cross-sectional dimension of the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, JR., Richard Robert Salvucci
  • Publication number: 20240082783
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of gaseous substances from molten salt electrolysis are generally described. Certain systems comprise a cell configured for molten salt electrolysis; a collector fluidically connected to the cell and configured to collect volatilized molten salt from the cell; and a gas scrubber fluidically connected to the collector and configured to at least partially remove a gas from an effluent stream of the cell. Some methods comprise, using a pressure gradient: transporting a gas comprising molten salt vapor from an electrolytic cell to and through a collector such that at least a portion of the molten salt vapor forms a solid within the collector; and transporting some or all of the gas from the collector through a gas scrubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, JR., Richard Robert Salvucci, Henry Chase Hutcheson
  • Publication number: 20230374686
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, JR., Benjamin David Brakenwagen, Richard Robert Salvucci
  • Publication number: 20230340682
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, JR., Benjamin David Brakenwagen, Richard Robert Salvucci
  • Patent number: 11649524
    Abstract: A method for extracting noble metals from mining tailings and other solids is provided. The method uses a Lewis acid, Brønsted acid, complexing agent and oxygen to provide excellent extraction without the need for chorine gas or cyanide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Phoenix Tailings Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220349023
    Abstract: A method for extracting noble metals from mining tailings and other solids is provided. The method uses a Lewis acid, Brønsted acid, complexing agent and oxygen to provide excellent extraction without the need for chorine gas or cyanide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Phoenix Tailings Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Anthony Villalon, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220251679
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to the recovery of metal(s) using molten salt and related systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Anthony Villalon, JR.
  • Patent number: 11248278
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to the recovery of metal(s) using molten salt and related systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr.