Patents Represented by Attorney Harold M. Dixon
  • Patent number: 4921557
    Abstract: This invention relates in general to fabricating fiber-reinforced membranes sing elastomeric materials and, in particular, to a filament winding process suitable for fabricating flexible fiber-reinforced membranes for inflatable depolyable or expandable structures capable of sustaining high structural loads or providing thermal insulation to the structure. The invention relates especially to a filament winding process for fabricating a flexible membrane which may be inflated to provide a conically shaped deployable nose fairing for a missile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Wayne H. Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4732744
    Abstract: The present invention in one aspect relates to a process for the simultaneous removal of NO.sub.x and SO.sub.2 from a fluid stream comprising mixtures thereof and in another aspect relates to the separation, use and/or regeneration of various chemicals contaminated or spent in the process and which includes the steps of:(A) contacting the fluid stream at a temperature of between about 105.degree. and 180.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Shih-Ger Chang, David K. Liu, Elizabeth A. Griffiths, David Littlejohn
  • Patent number: 4705108
    Abstract: A method for extracting valuable constituents from underground hydrocarbonaceous deposits such as heavy crude tar sands and oil shale is disclosed. Initially, a stratum containing a rich deposit is hydraulically fractured to form a horizontally extending fracture plane. A conducting liquid and proppant is then injected into the fracture plane to form a conducting plane. Electrical excitations are then introduced into the stratum adjacent the conducting plate to retort the rich stratum along the conducting plane. The valuable constituents from the stratum adjacent the conducting plate are then recovered. Subsequently, the remainder of the deposit is also combustion retorted to further recover valuable constituents from the deposit. Various R.F. heating systems are also disclosed for use in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Little, Thomas R. McLendon
  • Patent number: 4698431
    Abstract: Chelating agents having 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinone (HOPO) and related moieties incorporated within their structures, including polydentate HOPO-substituted polyamines such as spermidine and spermine, and HOPO-substituted desferrioxamine. The chelating agents are useful in selectively removing certain cations from solution, and are particularly useful as ferric ion and actinide chelators. Novel syntheses of the chelating agents are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Kenneth N. Raymond, Robert C. Scarrow, David L. White
  • Patent number: 4659684
    Abstract: Described is a process for removing arsenic, vanadium, and/or nickel from petroliferous derived liquids by contacting said liquid at an elevated temperature with a divinylbenzene-crosslinked polystyrene having catechol ligands anchored thereon. For vanadium and nickel removal an amine, preferably a diamine is included.Also, described is a process for regenerating spent catecholated polystyrene by removal of the arsenic, vanadium, and/or nickel bound to it from contacting petroliferous liquid as described above and involves:treating the spent polymer containing any vanadium and/or nickel with an aqueous acid to achieve an acid pH; and,separating the solids from the liquid; and thentreating said spent catecholated polystyrene, at a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. with an aqueous solution of at least one carbonate and/or bicarbonate of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metals, said solution having a pH between about 8 and 10; and,separating the solids and liquids from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard H. Fish
  • Patent number: 4659470
    Abstract: A method for providing anisotropic polymer membranes from a binary polymer/solvent solution using a thermal inversion process. A homogeneous binary solution is cast onto a support and cooled in such a way as to provide a differential in cooling rate across the thickness of the resulting membrane sheet. Isotropic or anisotropic structures of selected porosities can be produced, depending on the initial concentration of polymer in the selected solvent and on the extent of the differential in cooling rate. This differential results in a corresponding gradation in pore size. The method may be modified to provide a working skin by applying a rapid, high-temperature pulse to redissolve a predetermined thickness of the membrane at one of its faces and then freezing the entire structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Gerard T. M. Caneba, David S. Soong
  • Patent number: 4609596
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells are provided with a reactive metal to reduce the oxide of the alkali metal electrode-reactant. Cells employing a molten alkali metal electrode, e.g., sodium, in contact with a ceramic electrolyte, which is a conductor of the ions of the alkali metal forming the electrode, exhibit a lower resistance when a reactive metal, e.g., vanadium, is allowed to react with and reduce the alkali metal oxide. Such cells exhibit less degradation of the electrolyte and of the glass seals often used to joining the electrolyte to the other components of the cell under cycling conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: David C. Hitchcock, Catherine C. Mailhe, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
  • Patent number: 4604191
    Abstract: Described is a process for removing arsenic, vanadium, and/or nickel from petroliferous derived liquids by contacting said liquid at an elevated temperature with a divinylbenzene-crosslinked polystyrene having catechol ligands anchored thereon. For vanadium and nickel removal an amine, preferably a diamine is included.Also, described is a process for regenerating spent catecholated polystyrene by removal of the arsenic, vanadium, and/or nickel bound to it from contacting petroliferous liquid as described above and involves:treating the spent polymer containing any vanadium and/or nickel with an aqueous acid to achieve an acid pH; and,separating the solids from the liquid; and thentreating said spent catecholated polystyrene, at a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. with an aqueous solution of at least one carbonate and/or bicarbonate of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metals, said solution having a pH between about 8 and 10; and,separating the solids and liquids from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard H. Fish
  • Patent number: 4552854
    Abstract: Described is a process for removing arsenic from petroliferous derived liquids by contacting said liquid at an elevated temperature with a divinylbenzene-crosslinked polystyrene having catechol ligands anchored thereon.Also, described is a process for regenerating spent catecholated polystyrene by removal of the arsenic bound to it from contacting petroliferous liquid as described above and involves:a. treating said spent catecholated polystyrene, at a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. with an aqueous solution of at least one carbonate and/or bicarbonate of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metals, said solution having a pH between about 8 and 10 and,b. separating the solids and liquids from each other. Preferably the regeneration treatment is in two steps wherein step (a) is carried out with an aqueous alcoholic carbonate solution containing lower alkyl alcohol, and, steps (a) and (b) are repeated using a bicarbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard H. Fish
  • Patent number: 4547293
    Abstract: Contaminating basic gases, i.e., ammonia, and acid gases, e.g., carbon dioxide, are removed from process waters or waste waters in a combined extraction and stripping process. Ammonia in the form of ammonium ion is extracted by an immiscible organic phase comprising a liquid cation exchange component, especially an organic phosphoric acid derivative, and preferably di-2-ethyl hexyl phosphoric acid, dissolved in an alkyl hydrocarbon, aryl hydrocarbon, higher alcohol, oxygenated hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, and mixtures thereof. Concurrently, the acidic gaseous contaminants are stripped from the process or waste waters by stripping with steam, air, nitrogen, or the like. The liquid cation exchange component has the ammonia stripped therefrom by heating, and the component may be recycled to extract additional amounts of ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: C. Judson King, Patricia D. MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 4543213
    Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen or a conventional electron-withdrawing group, particularly --SO.sub.3 H or a salt thereof; n is 2, 3, or 4; m is 2, 3, or 4; and p is 2 or 3. The present compounds are useful as specific sequestering agents for actinide (IV) ions. Also described is a method for the 2,3-dihydroxybenzamidation of azaalkanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Frederick L. Weitl, Kenneth N. Raymond
  • Patent number: 4540285
    Abstract: Predetermined amounts of heat are generated within a coal sample (11) by directing pump light pulses (14) of predetermined energy content into a small surface region (16) of the sample (11). A beam (18) of probe light is directed along the sample surface (19) and deflection of the probe beam (18) from thermally induced changes of index of refraction in the fluid medium adjacent the heated region (16) are detected. Deflection amplitude and the phase lag of the deflection, relative to the initiating pump light pulse (14), are indicative of the calorific value and the porosity of the sample (11). The method provides rapid, accurate and non-destructive analysis of the heat producing capabilities of coal samples (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Nabil M. Amer
  • Patent number: 4532230
    Abstract: A ThO.sub.2 catalyst having a high surface area of about 80-125 m.sup.2 /g is synthesized. The compound is synthesized by simultaneously mixing an aqueous solution of ThNO.sub.3 (NO.sub.3).sub.4.4H.sub.2 O with an aqueous solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3.H.sub.2 O, to produce a solution and solid ThOCO.sub.3. The solid ThOCO.sub.3 is separated from the solution, and then calcined at a temperature of about 225.degree.-300.degree. C. for about 40-55 hours to produce ThO.sub.2. The ThO.sub.2 catalyst produced includes Na present as a substitutional cation in an amount equal to about 5-10 atom percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Carlos A. Colmenares, Gabor A. Somorjai, Joseph J. Maj
  • Patent number: 4526231
    Abstract: Compositions and process employing same for enhancing the recovery of residual acid crudes, particularly heavy crudes, by injecting a composition comprising caustic in an amount sufficient to maintain a pH of at least about 11, preferably at least about 13, and a small but effective amount of a multivalent cation for inhibiting alkaline silica dissolution with the reservoir. Preferably a tall oil pitch soap is included and particularly for the heavy crudes a polymeric mobility control agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Clayton J. Radke
  • Patent number: 4525252
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrochemically synthesizing N.sub.2 O.sub.5 includes oxidizing a solution of N.sub.2 O.sub.4 /HNO.sub.3 at an anode, while maintaining a controlled potential between the N.sub.2 O.sub.4 /HNO.sub.3 solution and the anode. A potential of about 1.35 to 2.0 V vs. SCE is preferred, while a potential of about 1.80 V vs. SCE is most preferred. Thereafter, the N.sub.2 O.sub.5 is reacted with either 1.5-diacetyl-3,7-dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (DADN) or 1,3,5,7-tetraacetyl-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (TAT) to form cyclotetramethylenetetraamine (HMX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Raymond R. McGuire, Clifford L. Coon, Jackson E. Harrar, Richard K. Pearson
  • Patent number: 4523612
    Abstract: Flexible bellows are utilized between two systems, such as a pumping system and a process station, to partially absorb system vibrations and to compensate for misalignment between the systems. It is common practice to either clamp a rigid spacer between flanges of the two systems (FIG. 3B) to separate them from each other, or to maintain the bellows in unsupported relationship between these systems (FIG. 4B). In the former bellows arrangement, the rigid spacer transmits vibratory energy between the two systems and the bellows tends to function as an undamped or underdamped unit that resonates at its own frequency to create additional vibratory energy, transmitted to the systems. In the latter, unsupported bellows arrangement (FIG. 4B), the pressure differential prevalent between the fluid flowing through the bellows and ambient normally causes extension or retraction of the bellows and resulting misalignment problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Thomas C. Kuklo
  • Patent number: 4518490
    Abstract: Described is a process for removing arsenic from petroliferous derived liquids by contacting said liquid at an elevated temperature with a divinylbenzene-crosslinked polystyrene having catechol ligands anchored thereon.Also, described is a process for regenerating spent catecholated polystyrene by removal of the arsenic bound to it from contacting petroliferous liquid as described above and involves:a. treating said spent catecholated polystyrene, at a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. with an aqueous solution of at least one carbonate and/or bicarbonate of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metals, said solution having a pH between about 8 and 10 and,b. separating the solids and liquids from each other. Preferably the regeneration treatment is in two steps wherein step (a) is carried out with an aqueous alcoholic carbonate solution containing lower alkyl alcohol, and, steps (a) and (b) are repeated using a bicarbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard H. Fish
  • Patent number: 4514363
    Abstract: Isotope enrichment, particularly .sup.235 U enrichment, is achieved by irradiating an isotopically mixed vapor feed with radiant energy at a wavelength or wavelengths chosen to selectively excite the species containing a desired isotope to a predetermined energy level. The vapor feed if simultaneously reacted with an atomic or molecular reactant species capable of preferentially transforming the excited species into an ionic product by a chemiionization reaction. The ionic product, enriched in the desired isotope, is electrostatically or electromagnetically extracted from the reaction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: James W. Dubrin
  • Patent number: 4511745
    Abstract: Process for functionalizing saturated hydrocarbons selectively in the terminal position comprising:(a) reacting said saturated hydrocarbons of the formula:RHwhere:H represents a hydrogen atom, andR represents a saturated hydrocarbon radical,with a metal complex of the formula:CpRhPMe.sub.3 H.sub.2where:Cp represents a pentamethylated cyclopentadienyl radical,Rh represents a rhodium atom,P represents a phosphorous atom,Me represents a methyl group,H represents a hydrogen atom,in the presence of ultraviolet radiation at a temperature maintained at about -60.degree. to -17.degree. C. to form a hydridoalkyl complex of the formula:CpRhPMe.sub.3 RH(b) reacting said hydridoalkyl complex with a haloform of the formula:CHX.sub.3where:X represents a bromine, iodine or chlorine atom,at a temperature in the range of about -60.degree. to -17.degree. C. to form the corresponding haloalkyl complex of step (a) having the formula:CpRhPMe.sub.3 RX; and,(c) reacting said haloalkyl complex formed in (b) with halogen (X.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Robert G. Bergman, Andrew H. Janowicz, Roy A. Periana-Pillai
  • Patent number: 4499945
    Abstract: A silane propane burner for an underground coal gasification process which is used to ignite the coal and to controllably retract the injection point by cutting the injection pipe. A narrow tube with a burner tip is positioned in the injection pipe through which an oxidant (oxygen or air) is flowed. A charge of silane followed by a supply of fuel, such as propane, is flowed through the tube. The silane spontaneously ignites on contact with oxygen and burns the propane fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard W. Hill, Dewey F. Skinner, Charles B. Thorsness