Patents Assigned to Calera Corporation
  • Patent number: 7993500
    Abstract: A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of removing protons and/or producing a base solution using a gas diffusion anode and a cathode electrolyte comprising dissolved carbon dioxide, while applying 2V or less across the anode and cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan J. Gilliam, Valentin Decker, Nigel Antony Knott, Michael Kostowskyj, Bryan Boggs, Kasra Farsad
  • Patent number: 7993511
    Abstract: An electrochemical system comprising a cathode electrolyte comprising added carbon dioxide and contacting a cathode; and a first cation exchange membrane separating the cathode electrolyte from an anode electrolyte contacting an anode; and an electrochemical method comprising adding carbon dioxide into a cathode electrolyte separated from an anode electrolyte by a first cation exchange membrane; and producing an alkaline solution in the cathode electrolyte and an acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan J. Gilliam, Valentin Decker, Nigel Antony Knott, Michael Kostowskyj, Bryan Boggs
  • Patent number: 7966250
    Abstract: A system and method of generating and trading a CO2 commodity that is correlated to a quantified amount of CO2 sequestered in a CO2 sequestering product comprising a carbonate and/or a bicarbonate. The tradable commodity can be purchased or sold for use in managing CO2 emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Vinod Khosla, Aurelia Setton, Robert Danziger, Andrew Youngs, James R. O'Neil, Chris Camire, Cecily Ryan, Manuel Jose Concha Soler
  • Patent number: 7939336
    Abstract: Methods of characterizing and producing compositions with negative ?13C values are provided. Aspects of the invention include characterizing source materials and process products. Aspects of the invention also include compositions that contain carbon with negative ?13C values. Methods and techniques are provided for confirming that a given composition contains substances sequestered from a particular source e.g., fossil fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Constantz, James R. O'Neil, Sidney Omelon
  • Patent number: 7931809
    Abstract: Desalination methods that include carbonate compound precipitation are provided. In certain embodiments, feed water is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions prior to desalination. In certain embodiments, desalination waste brine is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. In yet other embodiments, both feed water and waste brine are subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the invention include carbone dioxide sequestration. Embodiments of the invention further employ a precipitate product of the carbonate compound precipitation conditions as a building material, e.g., a cement. Also provided are systems configured for use in methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Kasra Farsad, Miguel Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7922809
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods including hydraulic cement, supplementary cementitious material, and/or self-cementing material. Methods for making the compositions and using the compositions are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Kasra Farsad, Chris Camire, Irvin Chen
  • Patent number: 7914685
    Abstract: Compositions comprising synthetic rock, e.g., aggregate, and methods of producing and using them are provided. The rock, e.g., aggregate, contains CO2 and/or other components of an industrial waste stream. The CO2 may be in the form of divalent cation carbonates, e.g., magnesium and calcium carbonates. Aspects of the invention include contacting a CO2 containing gaseous stream with a water to dissolve CO2, and placing the water under precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate containing precipitate product, e.g., a divalent cation carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Constantz, Andrew Youngs, James O'Neil, Kasra Farsad, Joshua Patterson, John Stagnaro, Ryan Thatcher, Chris Camire
  • Patent number: 7906028
    Abstract: Hydraulic cement compositions that include a carbonate compound composition, e.g., a salt-water derived carbonate compound composition containing crystalline and/or amorphous carbonate compounds, are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydraulic cements, as well as settable compositions, such as concretes and mortars, prepared therefrom. The cements and compositions produced therefrom find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R Constantz, Cecily Ryan, Laurence Clodic
  • Patent number: 7887694
    Abstract: Methods of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) are provided. Aspects of the methods include precipitating a storage stable carbon dioxide sequestering product from an alkaline-earth-metal-containing water and then disposing of the product, e.g., by placing the product in a disposal location or using the product as a component of a manufactured composition. Also provided are systems for practicing methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Andrew Youngs, Philip Brian Tuet, Sidney Omelon, Kasra Farsad, Ryan J. Gilliam, Valentin Decker, Donald W. Kirk, J. Douglas Way, Allen J. Bard, Robert Danziger, Miguel Fernandez, Cecily Ryan
  • Patent number: 7875163
    Abstract: A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of producing hydroxide ions and/or bicarbonate ions and/or carbonate ions utilizing significantly less than the typical 3V used across the conventional anode and cathode to produce the ions; consequently, carbon dioxide emissions attributable to the present system and method are significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan J. Gilliam, Thomas A. Albrecht, Nikhil Jalani, Nigel Antony Knott, Valentin Decker, Michael Kostowskyj, Bryan Boggs, Kasra Farsad
  • Patent number: 7829053
    Abstract: Non-cementitious CO2 sequestering compositions are provided. The compositions of the invention include a CO2 sequestering additive, e.g., a CO2 sequestering carbonate composition. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the non-cementitious CO2 sequestering compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Constantz, Andrew Youngs, Joshua Patterson
  • Patent number: 7815880
    Abstract: Reduced-carbon footprint concrete compositions, and methods for making and using the same, are provided. Aspects of the reduced-carbon footprint concrete compositions include CO2-sequestering carbonate compounds, which may be present in the hydraulic cement and/or aggregate components of the concrete. The reduced-carbon footprint concrete compositions find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Andrew Youngs, Terence C. Holland
  • Patent number: 7790012
    Abstract: A low-energy method and system of forming hydroxide ions in an electrochemical cell. On applying a low voltage across the anode and cathode, hydroxide ions form in the electrolyte containing the cathode, protons form at the anode but a gas e.g. chlorine or oxygen does not form at the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Kirk, J. Douglas Way, Allen J. Bard, Ryan J. Gilliam, Kasra Farsad, Valentin Decker
  • Patent number: 7771684
    Abstract: CO2-sequestering formed building materials are provided. The building materials of the invention include a composition comprising a carbonate/bicarbonate component. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the CO2-sequestering formed building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Andrew Youngs, Terence C. Holland
  • Patent number: 7754169
    Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a composition comprising carbonates, wherein the methods comprise utilizing waste sources of metal oxides. An aqueous solution of divalent cations, some or all of which are derived from a waste source of metal oxides, may be contacted with CO2 and subjected to precipitation conditions to provide compositions comprising carbonates. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is the waste source of metal oxides for the aqueous solution containing divalent cations. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is used to provide a source of proton-removing agents, divalent cations, silica, metal oxides, or other desired constituents or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Constantz, Paulo J. M. Monteiro, Sidney Omelon, Miguel Fernandez, Kasra Farsad, Katharine Geramita, Karin Yaccato
  • Patent number: 7753618
    Abstract: Compositions comprising synthetic rock, e.g., aggregate, and methods of producing and using them are provided. The rock, e.g., aggregate, contains CO2 and/or other components of an industrial waste stream. The CO2 may be in the form of divalent cation carbonates, e.g., magnesium and calcium carbonates. Aspects of the invention include contacting a CO2 containing gaseous stream with a water to dissolve CO2, and placing the water under precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate containing precipitate product, e.g., a divalent cation carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Constantz, Andrew Youngs, James O'Neil, Kasra Farsad, Joshua Patterson, John Stagnaro, Ryan Thatcher, Chris Camire
  • Patent number: 7749476
    Abstract: Provided are methods for producing carbonate-containing compositions comprising silicon-based material (e.g., pozzolanic material) from a source of carbon dioxide, a divalent cation-containing solution, and a source of proton-removing agents. In such methods, divalent cations of the divalent cation-containing solution are provided by digestion of material comprising metal silicates. Also provided are methods for producing carbonate-containing compositions comprising little or no silicon-based material. In such methods, silicon-based material (e.g., silica, unreacted or undigested silicates, aluminosilicates, etc.) may be separated and processed separately from carbonate-containing compositions. Silicon-based material and carbonate-containing material may be blended at a later stage to produce a pozzolanic material, which may be further processed and blended with, for example, Portland cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Laurence Clodic, Cecily Ryan, Miguel Fernandez, Kasra Farsad, Sidney Omelon, Philip Tuet, Paulo Monteiro, Gordon E. Brown, Jr., Katharine Geramita
  • Patent number: 7744761
    Abstract: Desalination methods that include carbonate compound precipitation are provided. In certain embodiments, feed water is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions prior to desalination. In certain embodiments, desalination waste brine is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. In yet other embodiments, both feed water and waste brine are subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the invention include carbon dioxide sequestration. Embodiments of the invention further employ a precipitate product of the carbonate compound precipitation conditions as a building material, e.g., a cement. Also provided are systems configured for use in methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Kasra Farsad, Miguel Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7735274
    Abstract: Hydraulic cement compositions that include a carbonate compound composition, e.g., a salt-water derived carbonate compound composition containing crystalline and/or amorphous carbonate compounds, are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydraulic cements, as well as settable compositions, such as concretes and mortars, prepared therefrom. The cements and compositions produced therefrom find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Cecily Ryan, Laurence Clodic