Patents Assigned to Energy and Environmental Research Center Foundation
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Patent number: 11958056Abstract: Upgraded coal, method of forming the same, and graphene films and quantum dots made therefrom. A method of upgrading coal includes cleaning coal to form a cleaned coal residue. The method also includes (A) reacting the cleaned coal residue with an oxidizable inorganic metallic agent, or (B) reacting the cleaned coal residue with a reducing agent, or a combination thereof, to form the upgraded coal.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Alexander Azenkeng, Jason Laumb
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Patent number: 11918970Abstract: A method of treating a metal carbonate salt includes hydrolyzing a metal halide salt to form a hydrohalic acid and a hydroxide salt of the metal in the metal halide salt. The metal includes an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal. The method includes reacting the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt, wherein the metal carbonate salt is a carbonate salt of the alkaline earth metal or alkali metal, to form CO2 and the metal halide salt. At least some of the metal halide salt formed from the reacting of the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt is recycled as at least some of the metal halide salt in the hydrolyzing of the metal halide salt to form the hydrohalic acid and the hydroxide salt.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher Lee Martin
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Patent number: 11905382Abstract: A proton-exchange membrane includes a polymer matrix, polymer fibers, or a combination thereof. The proton-exchange membrane also includes a proton-conducting material distributed on the polymer matrix, on the polymer fibers, in the polymer fibers, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Ted R. Aulich, Jivan Thakare, John Hurley, Xiangfa Wu, Zhengping Zhou, Oksana Zholobko
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Patent number: 11884887Abstract: A method of recycling gaseous hydrocarbons includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas composition from a secondary separator into a compressor unit to form a compressed mixture. The secondary separator includes a crude liquid hydrocarbon input stream from a primary separator. The method includes flowing the compressed mixture into a cooling unit to cool the compressed mixture, to form a cooled composition comprising liquid hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing the liquid hydrocarbons from the cooled composition into the primary separator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren Schmidt
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Patent number: 11858819Abstract: A method of producing a syngas composition includes hydrolyzing a metal halide salt to form a hydrohalic acid and a hydroxide salt of the metal in the metal halide salt. The metal includes an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal. The method includes reacting the hydrohalic acid with a metal carbonate salt, wherein the metal carbonate salt is a carbonate salt of the alkaline earth metal or alkali metal, to form CO2 and the metal halide salt. At least some of the metal halide salt formed from the reacting of the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt is recycled as at least some of the metal halide salt in the hydrolyzing of the metal halide salt to form the hydrohalic acid and the hydroxide salt. The method also includes electrolytically converting the CO2 and the water into the syngas composition including carbon monoxide and hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher Lee Martin
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Patent number: 11814591Abstract: A method of recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from tank headspace as fuel on-site includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas composition from headspace of a tank fed by a secondary separator into a compressor to form a compressed mixture. The method includes flowing the compressed mixture into a cooling unit to cool the compressed mixture, to form a cooled composition including liquid hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing the cooled composition to a buffer tank to form a buffered fuel composition. The method includes removing a fuel gas composition from headspace of the buffer tank. The method also includes combusting the fuel gas composition as an on-site fuel.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2023Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren Schmidt
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Patent number: 11747027Abstract: A heat dissipation system apparatus and method of operation using hygroscopic working fluid for use in a wide variety of environments for absorbed water in the hygroscopic working fluid to be released to minimize water consumption in the heat dissipation system apparatus for effective cooling in environments having little available water for use in cooling systems. The system comprises a low-volatility, hygroscopic working fluid to reject thermal energy directly to ambient air. The low-volatility and hygroscopic nature of the working fluid prevents complete evaporation of the fluid and a net consumption of water for cooling, and direct-contact heat exchange allows for the creation of large interfacial surface areas for effective heat transfer. Specific methods of operation prevent the crystallization of the desiccant from the hygrosopic working fluid under various environmental conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher L. Martin
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Patent number: 11725880Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to heat dissipation systems including a hygroscopic working fluid integrating waste water as makeup water. The present invention also relates to methods of using the same. The present invention also relates to hygroscopic cooling systems adapted to dispose of waste water by combining the waste water with a hygroscopic working fluid, precipitating impurities and evaporating the remaining water.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher Lee Martin
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Patent number: 11725154Abstract: A method of recovery of rich gas where the rich gas is a hydrocarbon gas comprising less than 50 mole % methane is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of gathering the low pressure gas, compressing the gathered gas, cooling the compressed gas in a condenser so that a portion of the compressed gas condenses to form a liquefied gas and liquefied gas vapour in the condenser, and discharging the liquefied gas and liquefied gas vapour from the condenser, in which the cooling of the compressed gas is performed using at least one heat exchanger (40).Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren Schmidt
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Patent number: 11717802Abstract: A method of treating a metal carbonate salt includes hydrolyzing a metal halide salt to form a hydrohalic acid and a hydroxide salt of the metal in the metal halide salt. The metal includes an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal. The method includes reacting the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt, wherein the metal carbonate salt is a carbonate salt of the alkaline earth metal or alkali metal, to form CO2 and the metal halide salt. At least some of the metal halide salt formed from the reacting of the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt is recycled as at least some of the metal halide salt in the hydrolyzing of the metal halide salt to form the hydrohalic acid and the hydroxide salt.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher Lee Martin
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Patent number: 11697773Abstract: A method of recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from tank headspace includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas composition from headspace of a tank fed by a secondary separator into a compressor to form a compressed mixture. The method includes flowing the compressed mixture into a cooling unit to cool the compressed mixture, to form a cooled composition including liquid hydrocarbons. The method includes recovering the liquid hydrocarbons as a recovered liquid hydrocarbon stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren Schmidt
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Publication number: 20230151286Abstract: An ASG system for polygeneration with CC includes a devolatilizer that pyrolyzes solid fuel to produce char and gases. A burner adds exothermic heat by high-pressure sub-stoichiometric combustion, a mixing pot causes turbulent flow of the gases to heat received solid fuel, and a riser micronizes resulting friable char. A devolatilizer cyclone separates the micronized char by weight providing micronized char, steam and gases to a gasifier feed and oversized char to the mixing pot. An indirect fluid bed gasifier combustion loop includes a gasifier coupled to the gasifier feed, a steam input to provide oxygen for gasification and to facilitate sand-char separation, and an output for providing syngas. A burner provides POC to a mixing pot which provides hot sand with POC to a POC cyclone via a riser, where the POC cyclone separates sand and POC by weight and provides POC and sand for steam-carbon reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicants: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc., Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Douglas M. Todd, John Parkes, Scott G. Tolbert, Michael L. Swanson, Surya B. Reddy Karri, Teddy M. Knowlton
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Patent number: 11633712Abstract: A method of treating a metal carbonate salt includes hydrolyzing a metal halide salt to form a hydrohalic acid and a hydroxide salt of the metal in the metal halide salt. The metal includes an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal. The method includes reacting the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt, wherein the metal carbonate salt is a carbonate salt of the alkaline earth metal or alkali metal, to form CO2 and the metal halide salt. At least some of the metal halide salt formed from the reacting of the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt is recycled as at least some of the metal halide salt in the hydrolyzing of the metal halide salt to form the hydrohalic acid and the hydroxide salt.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher Lee Martin
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Patent number: 11619763Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying non-metallic subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. Some examples will include the amorphous metal in the form of one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to physically isolate the amorphous metal foil from the surrounding Earth. The amorphous metal foil and enclosure may be in the form of a tape which either will be secured to, or placed proximate the subterranean structure, which may be, for example, a pipe or conduit, or other non-metallic structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher Lee Martin
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Patent number: 11572518Abstract: An ASG system for polygeneration with CC includes a devolatilizer that pyrolyzes solid fuel to produce char and gases. A burner adds exothermic heat by high-pressure sub-stoichiometric combustion, a mixing pot causes turbulent flow of the gases to heat received solid fuel, and a riser micronizes resulting friable char. A devolatilizer cyclone separates the micronized char by weight providing micronized char, steam and gases to a gasifier feed and oversized char to the mixing pot. An indirect fluid bed gasifier combustion loop includes a gasifier coupled to the gasifier feed, a steam input to provide oxygen for gasification and to facilitate sand-char separation, and an output for providing syngas. A burner provides POC to a mixing pot which provides hot sand with POC to a POC cyclone via a riser, where the POC cyclone separates sand and POC by weight and provides POC and sand for steam-carbon reaction.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignees: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc., Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Douglas M. Todd, John Parkes, Scott G. Tolbert, Michael L. Swanson, Surya B. Reddy Karri, Teddy M. Knowlton
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Patent number: 11554357Abstract: A method of treating a metal carbonate salt includes hydrolyzing a metal halide salt to form a hydrohalic acid and a hydroxide salt of the metal in the metal halide salt. The metal includes an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal. The method includes reacting the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt, wherein the metal carbonate salt is a carbonate salt of the alkaline earth metal or alkali metal, to form CO2 and the metal halide salt. At least some of the metal halide salt formed from the reacting of the hydrohalic acid with the metal carbonate salt is recycled as at least some of the metal halide salt in the hydrolyzing of the metal halide salt to form the hydrohalic acid and the hydroxide salt.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Christopher Lee Martin
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Patent number: 11542439Abstract: A method of recycling gaseous hydrocarbons includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas composition from a secondary separator into a compressor unit to form a compressed mixture. The secondary separator includes a crude liquid hydrocarbon input stream from a primary separator. The method includes flowing the compressed mixture into a cooling unit to cool the compressed mixture, to form a cooled composition comprising liquid hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing the liquid hydrocarbons from the cooled composition into the primary separator.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2022Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren Schmidt
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Patent number: 11505750Abstract: A method of recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from tank headspace includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas composition from headspace of a tank fed by a secondary separator into a compressor to form a compressed mixture. The method includes flowing the compressed mixture into a cooling unit to cool the compressed mixture, to form a cooled composition including liquid hydrocarbons. The method includes recovering the liquid hydrocarbons as a recovered liquid hydrocarbon stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren Schmidt
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Patent number: 11448792Abstract: Methods are presented for determining the location of underground features (e.g., CO2). One method includes capturing, by sensors distributed throughout a region, seismic traces associated with seismic signals generated by a seismic source. For multiple sensors, active noise is identified or passive noise is measured within each seismic trace and values for attributes associated with the active or passive noise are determined. Further, an unsupervised machine-learning model, based on the values of the attributes, is utilized to determine noise characteristics for multiple sensors. The sensors are grouped in clusters based on the noise characteristics for each sensor. For multiple clusters, a noise filter is created based on the noise characteristics of the sensors in the cluster, and the noise filter of the cluster is applied, for multiple sensors, to the seismic traces of the sensor. Additionally, the filtered seismic traces are analyzed to determine a location of CO2 underground.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: César Barajas-Olalde, Kyle A. Glazewski, Nicholas W. Bosshart
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Publication number: 20210155860Abstract: An ASG system for polygeneration with CC includes a devolatilizer that pyrolyzes solid fuel to produce char and gases. A burner adds exothermic heat by high-pressure sub-stoichiometric combustion, a mixing pot causes turbulent flow of the gases to heat received solid fuel, and a riser micronizes resulting friable char. A devolatilizer cyclone separates the micronized char by weight providing micronized char, steam and gases to a gasifier feed and oversized char to the mixing pot. An indirect fluid bed gasifier combustion loop includes a gasifier coupled to the gasifier feed, a steam input to provide oxygen for gasification and to facilitate sand-char separation, and an output for providing syngas. A burner provides POC to a mixing pot which provides hot sand with POC to a POC cyclone via a riser, where the POC cyclone separates sand and POC by weight and provides POC and sand for steam-carbon reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicants: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc., Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Douglas M. Todd, John Parkes, Scott G. Tolbert, Michael L. Swanson, Surya B. Reddy Karri, Teddy M. Knowlton