Patents Assigned to Ceramatec, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8764965
    Abstract: Electrochemical processes to convert alkali sulfates into useful chemical products, such as syngas, alkali hydroxide, and sulfur are disclosed. An alkali sulfate is reacted with carbon to form carbon monoxide and alkali sulfide. In one embodiment, the alkali sulfide is dissolved in water and subjected to electrochemical reaction to form alkali hydroxide, hydrogen, and sulfur. In another embodiment, the alkali sulfide is reacted with iodine to form alkali iodide sulfur in a non-aqueous solvent, such as methyl alcohol. The alkali iodide is electrochemically reacted to form alkali hydroxide, hydrogen, and iodine. The iodine may be recycled to react with additional alkali sulfide. The hydrogen and carbon monoxide from both embodiments may be combined to form syngas. The alkali hydroxide from both embodiments may be recovered as a useful industrial chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramatec,Inc.
    Inventor: Ashok V. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20140170443
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell having an negative electrode compartment and a positive electrode compartment. A solid alkali ion conductive electrolyte membrane is positioned between the negative electrode compartment and the positive electrode compartment. A catholyte solution in the positive electrode compartment includes a halide ion or pseudohalide ion concentration greater than 3M, which provides degradation protection to the alkali ion conductive electrolyte membrane. The halide ion or pseudohalide ion is selected from chloride, bromide, iodide, azide, thiocyanate, and cyanide. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell is a molten sodium rechargeable cell which functions at an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Robins, Chett Boxley
  • Publication number: 20140171708
    Abstract: A system and process to produce an aromatic hydrocarbon via catalyzed nonoxidative dehydroaromatization (DHA). The system includes a reaction zone containing a dehydroaromatization catalyst. A reactant feed stream inlet supplies a reactant composition, such as natural gas, to the reaction zone. A heater maintains the reaction zone at a suitable dehydroaromatization temperature. A product stream exit removes the aromatic hydrocarbon produced by the nonoxidative dehydroaromatization of the reactant composition from the reaction zone. A hydrogen separation membrane is disposed between the reaction zone and a hydrogen stream exit to enable continuous and selective removal of hydrogen produced in the reaction zone. A hydrogen recycle stream diverts a portion of hydrogen from the hydrogen stream exit and adds the portion of hydrogen to the reactant composition supplied to the reaction zone. The hydrogen may also be used to regenerate the dehydroaromatization catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Pallavi Chitta, Mukund Karanjkar
  • Patent number: 8747660
    Abstract: A process for upgrading an oil feedstock includes reacting the oil feedstock with a quantity of an alkali metal, wherein the reaction produces solid materials and liquid materials. The solid materials are separated from the liquid materials. The solid materials may be washed and heat treated by heating the materials to a temperature above 400° C. The heat treating occurs in an atmosphere that has low oxygen and water content. Once heat treated, the solid materials are added to a solution comprising a polar solvent, where sulfide, hydrogen sulfide or polysulfide anions dissolve. The solution comprising polar solvent is then added to an electrolytic cell, which during operation, produces alkali metal and sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: John Howard Gordon, Javier Alvare
  • Publication number: 20140154766
    Abstract: A method that produces coupled radical products from biomass. The method involves obtaining a lipid or carboxylic acid material from the biomass. This material may be a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, a triglyceride of a carboxylic acid, or a metal salt of a carboxylic acid, or any other fatty acid derivative. This lipid material or carboxylic acid material is converted into an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon. The produced hydrocarbon may be, for example, saturated, unsaturated, branched, or unbranched, depending upon the starting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mukund Karanjikar, Sai Bhavaraju, Ashok V. Joshi, Pallavi Chitta, David Joel Hunt
  • Patent number: 8742285
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing a combustible material. The method includes introducing a volume of the combustible material into a plasma zone of a gliding electric arc oxidation system. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system. The volume of oxidizer includes a stoichiometrically excessive amount of oxygen. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system to oxidize the combustible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hartvigsen, Elangovan, Michele Hollist, Piotr Czernichowski
  • Patent number: 8728180
    Abstract: A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hartvigsen, Singaravelu Elangovan, Piotr Czernichowski, Michele Hollist, Michael Boettcher
  • Patent number: 8728295
    Abstract: A cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment is used to electrolyze an alkali metal polysulfide into an alkali metal. The cell includes an anode, wherein at least part of the anode is housed in the anode compartment. The cell also includes a quantity of anolyte housed within the anode compartment, the anolyte comprising an alkali metal polysulfide and a solvent. The cell includes a cathode, wherein at least part of the cathode is housed in the cathode compartment. A quantity of catholyte is housed within the cathode compartment. The cell operates at a temperature below the melting temperature of the alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: John Howard Gordon, Ashok V. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20140134067
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a heat transfer structure configured to be disposed at least partially within an enclosure of a fixed bed reactor and operable to transfer heat from a heat source to a heat sink. The heat transfer structure includes a plurality of fins each fin including a first end and a second end, the first end contacting an inner surface of the enclosure of the fixed bed reactor, the second end at least partially enclosed within the enclosure of the fixed bed reactor. A path of at least one of the plurality of fins comprises the shortest possible length between the first end of the at least one of the plurality of fins and the second end of the at least one of the plurality of fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Hartvigsen
  • Patent number: 8722221
    Abstract: A method for discharging a nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Howard Gordon, Sai Bhavaraju, John Joseph Watkins
  • Patent number: 8647492
    Abstract: A method that produces coupled radical products from biomass. The method involves obtaining a lipid or carboxylic acid material from the biomass. This material may be a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, a triglyceride of a carboxylic acid, or a metal salt of a carboxylic acid, or any other fatty acid derivative. This lipid material or carboxylic acid material is converted into an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon. The produced hydrocarbon may be, for example, saturated, unsaturated, branched, or unbranched, depending upon the starting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mukund Karanjikar, Sai Bhavaraju, Ashok V. Joshi, Pallavi Chitta, David Joel Hunt
  • Publication number: 20140030571
    Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary cell having a negative electrode compartment and a positive electrode compartment, which are separated by an alkali ion conductive electrolyte membrane. An alkali metal negative electrode disposed in the negative electrode compartment oxidizes to release alkali ions as the cell discharges and reduces the alkali ions to alkali metal during recharge. The positive electrode compartment includes a positive electrode contacting a positive electrode solution that includes an alkali metal compound and a metal halide. The alkali metal compound can be selected from an alkali halide and an alkali pseudo-halide. During discharge, the metal ion reduces to form metal plating on the positive electrode. As the cell charges, the metal plating oxidizes to strip the metal plating to form metal halide or pseudo halide or corresponding metal complex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Robins, Chett Boxley
  • Patent number: 8618436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for oxidizing a combustible material. The method includes introducing a volume of the combustible material into a plasma zone of a gliding electric arc oxidation system. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system. The volume of oxidizer includes a stoichiometrically excessive amount of oxygen. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system to oxidize the combustible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hartvigsen, Singaravelu Elangovan, Michele Hollist, Piotr Czernichowski
  • Publication number: 20130312668
    Abstract: An animal litter composition that includes geopolymerized ash particulates having a network of repeating aluminum-silicon units is described herein. Generally, the animal litter is made from a quantity of a pozzolanic ash mixed with an alkaline activator to initiate a geopolymerization reaction that forms geopolymerized ash. This geopolymerization reaction may occur within a pelletizer. After the geopolymerized ash is formed, it may be dried and sieved to a desired size. These geopolymerized ash particulates may be used to make a non-clumping or clumping animal litter or other absorbing material. Aluminum sulfate, clinoptilolite, silica gel, sodium alginate and mineral oil may be added as additional ingredients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Chett Boxley, Jessica McKelvie
  • Patent number: 8591472
    Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger and having a material treatment module associated with a needle. The material treatment module may be an ozone generator that is initiated such that material containing ozone accumulates within the needle. The material can then be delivered from the barrel into a target site via the needle, thereby delivering therapeutic effects to that target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, James Steppan, Jesse Nachlas, Thomas A. Meaders, Kieran P. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130244085
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rechargeable battery. The battery includes a honeycomb separator which defines therein a plurality of cells separated from adjacent cells by thin, non-porous cell walls of a substantially non-porous, alkali ion conductive ceramic membrane material. The battery includes a plurality of positive electrodes, each positive electrode being disposed in a respective positive electrode cell of the honeycomb separator. Each positive electrode cell contains a positive electrode electrochemical material that undergoes electrochemical reduction during battery discharge and electrochemical oxidation during battery charge. Negative electrodes are disposed in respective negative electrode cells of the honeycomb separator. Each negative electrode cell contains a negative electrode electrochemical material that undergoes electrochemical oxidation during battery discharge and electrochemical reduction during battery charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc
    Inventors: Douglas M. Coors, John Howard Gordon
  • Publication number: 20130245347
    Abstract: A method for alkylating aromatic compounds is described using an electrochemical decarboxylation process. This process produces aryl-alkyl compounds that have properties useful in Group V lubricants (and other products) from abundant and economical carboxylic acids. The process presented here is also advantageous as it is conducted at moderate temperatures and conditions, without the need of a catalyst. The electrochemical decarboxylation has only H2 and CO2 as its by-products, as opposed to halide by-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CERAMATEC, INC.
    Inventors: James Mosby, Patrick McGuire, Sai Bhavaraju, Mukund Karanjikar
  • Patent number: 8522720
    Abstract: An animal litter composition that includes geopolymerized ash particulates having a network of repeating aluminum-silicon units is described herein. Generally, the animal litter is made from a quantity of a pozzolanic ash mixed with an alkaline activator to initiate a geopolymerization reaction that forms geopolymerized ash. This geopolymerization reaction may occur within a pelletizer. After the geopolymerized ash is formed, it may be dried and sieved to a desired size. These geopolymerized ash particulates may be used to make a non-clumping or clumping animal litter or other absorbing material. Aluminum sulfate, clinoptilolite, silica gel, sodium alginate and mineral oil may be added as additional ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Chett Boxley, Jessica McKelvie
  • Publication number: 20130220801
    Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes an ozone generator for producing therapeutic oxygen-ozone mixture. The generator includes an electrochemical cell configured to communicate with an accumulator having an anode, a cathode and a power supply in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode. The power supply is configured to create an electric current between the anode and the cathode such that water in the electrochemical cell electrolyzes to produce ozone and oxygen at the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventor: Ceramatec, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130216445
    Abstract: A Fischer Tropsch (“FT”) unit includes at least one FT reactor tube. The FT reactor tube is configured to convert syngas into one or more hydrocarbon products. Inside the tube is a nano-sized catalyst particles dispersed in a micro-fibrous substrate. The FT reactor tube may be positioned within a cooling block that may be made of aluminum or another metal. The cooling block includes an aperture, wherein the FT reactor tube is housed within the aperture. At least one cooling channel is located on the cooling block. The cooling channel houses at least one cooling tube that is designed to dissipate the heat produced by the FT reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventor: Ceramatec, Inc.