Patents Examined by Syed Iqbal
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Patent number: 9751759Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nonpassivated silicon to produce hydrogen, by hydrolysis of the nonpassivated silicon. In particular, the invention relates to a composition comprising nonpassivated silicon, a process for producing a composition comprising nonpassivated silicon, and a process for producing hydrogen by reacting the composition with water.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Oxford University Innovation LimitedInventors: John Stuart Foord, Jingping Hu
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Patent number: 9738536Abstract: An allotrope-specific reagent includes a hydride molecule in complex with a specified elemental allotrope. The elemental allotrope included in the complex substantially retains a specified allotropic structure of the bulk element. For example, the reagent can contain a specified allotrope of carbon, such as amorphous carbon, diamond, or graphite. The allotrope-specific reagent can be useful for the synthesis of allotropic nanoparticles. A method for synthesizing the allotrope-specific reagent includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes a bulk hydride molecule, such as lithium borohydride powder, and a powder of a specified elemental allotrope.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Univeristy of ManitobaInventors: Michael Paul Rowe, Elizabeth Marie Skoropata, Johan Alexander van Lierop
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Patent number: 9725317Abstract: A process and a resulting product by process of an aluminum hydride which is modified with by physically combining in a ball milling process an aluminum hydride with a triammonium salt of aurin tricarboxylic acid. The resulting product is an aluminum hydride which is resistant to air, ambient moisture, and liquid water while maintaining useful hydrogen storage and release kinetics.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Jose A. Cortes-Concepcion, Donald L. Anton
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Patent number: 9675961Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for the thermochemical generation of hydrogen from water and/or the thermochemical generation of carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide comprising a solid solution of cerium dioxide and uranium dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATIONInventors: Hicham Idriss, Ibraheam Al-Shankiti, Yong Man Choi, Faisal Mohammed Al-Otaibi
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Patent number: 9675931Abstract: A system and method is provided for the removal of mercury from flue gas. Effective removal of mercury is obtained by oxidation of elemental mercury, with highly reactive halogen species derived from dissociation of halogen compounds at moderate temperatures brought into contact with the flue gas with or without the addition of carbon.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish, Edwin S. Olson
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Patent number: 9676635Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous zirconium chloride solution includes: grinding zircon sand to an average particle diameter of 10 ?m or less; adding a sodium compound to the ground zircon sand to thereby obtain a mixture; firing the mixture in an iron container at 400° C. or less to thereby obtain a decomposed product; firing the decomposed product in a stainless-steel container at 400 to 1,100° C. to thereby obtain a fired product; dispersing the fired product in water to prepare a dispersion, and washing the fired product with water while adjusting the temperature of the dispersion to 70° C. or less, thereby obtaining a water-washed cake; washing the water-washed cake with hydrochloric acid with a pH of 1 to 6 to thereby obtain zirconium hydrate; and dissolving the zirconium hydrate in hydrochloric acid, and then removing insoluble components to thereby obtain a salt solution.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: DAIICHI KIGENSO KAGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Taichi Kunisada, Nobutaka Nochioka
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Patent number: 9670063Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia, and in particular a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia by reacting it with a Group I metal, particularly with sodium, for use in a fuel cell and/or in a prime mover. The method may be carried out in-situ in a vehicle. The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing hydrogen from ammonia.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: The Science and Technology Facilities CouncilInventors: William I. F. David, Martin Owen Jones
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Patent number: 9673465Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst in which a reaction initiation temperature at which self-heating function is exhibited is low and which is capable of suppressing carbon accumulation even when a reaction is repeated. The catalyst of the present invention includes a CeZr-based oxide, silicon, and a catalytically active metal, wherein the CeZr-based oxide satisfies CexZryO2 (x+y=1) and the silicon satisfies molar ratios of 0.02?Si/Zr and 0.01<Si/(Ce+Zr+Si)<0.2. When the catalyst is used, a reduction temperature for generating initial oxygen deficiency can be decreased. Depending on the catalytically active metal, a reduction activation treatment can be performed even at about 20° C. without any need for heating. In a repeated hydrogen generating reaction, the deposition of carbon generated on the surface of the catalyst can be suppressed, and a decrease in catalytic activity can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignees: OITA UNIVERSITY, DOWA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.Inventors: Katsutoshi Nagaoka, Tatsuro Miyazaki, Takuya Yano, Kazumasa Ikari, Toshihiko Ueyama
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Patent number: 9669371Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods combine reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The reactant materials can sodium silicide or sodium silica gel. The hydrogen generation devices are used in fuels cells and other industrial applications. One system combines cooling, pumping, water storage, and other devices to sense and control reactions between reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. Multiple inlets of varied placement geometries deliver aqueous solution to the reaction. The reactant materials and aqueous solution are churned to control the state of the reaction. The aqueous solution can be recycled and returned to the reaction. One system operates over a range of temperatures and pressures and includes a hydrogen separator, a heat removal mechanism, and state of reaction control devices. The systems, devices, and methods of generating hydrogen provide thermally stable solids, near-instant reaction with the aqueous solutions, and a non-toxic liquid by-product.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Andrew P. Wallace, John M. Melack, Michael Lefenfeld
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Patent number: 9670589Abstract: A method of synthesizing alkali uranium fluorophosphate crystals. The method includes combining a uranium-based feedstock with a mineralizer solution. The mineralizer solution includes an alkali nutrient, a phosphate, and a fluoride. The feedstock and mineralizer solution are pressurized and a thermal gradient applied thereto such that a first portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution is heated to a temperature that is greater than a temperature of a second portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution. Uranium nutrient enters the mineralizer solution from the feedstock in the first portion and uranium nutrient precipitates to spontaneously form crystals in the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: James M Mann, Eric Hunt
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Patent number: 9663361Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydrogen generating composition, reactor, device and hydrogen production method. The composition includes sodium borohydride and a filler. The filler is a substance having a chemical stability and a water solubility of less than 10 g per 100 g of water under an alkaline or neutral condition at a temperature of 130° C. to 140° C. The filler has a bulk volume of 0.02˜16 times the bulk volume of the sodium borohydride. A mass ratio between the filler and the sodium borohydride is less than or equal to 2:1. The filler has a bulk density of less than 16 and has a mean particle size smaller than that of the sodium borohydride. The present invention has a high hydrogen production density, adequate reaction, lower cost and is environmentally friendly, practical and simple to pause and restart.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Inventor: Ke Jin
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Patent number: 9663364Abstract: A method is provided for making alkali metal hydrides by mechanochemically reacting alkali metal and hydrogen gas under mild temperature (e.g room temperature) and hydrogen pressure conditions without the need for catalyst, solvent, and intentional heating or cooling.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Vitalij K. Pecharsky, Shalabh Gupta, Marek Pruski, Ihor Hlova, Andra Castle
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Patent number: 9663360Abstract: A process for obtaining a solid form containing heat-stabilized borazane is described. The solid form is capable of generating hydrogen by thermal decomposition or by a self-maintained combustion reaction. Within the solid form containing borazane, the borazane is heat-stabilized. It has thus been heat-stabilized by making an oxidized layer at its surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignees: HERAKLES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)Inventors: Hélène Blanchard, Joël A. Renouard, Ali Darwiche, Raphaël L. Janot
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Patent number: 9650247Abstract: A method for efficiently producing a high-purity metal hydride without contamination of other metals while initiating reaction rapidly is provided. A method for producing a metal hydride from a metal selected from the group consisting of Group 2 metals and Group 3 metals comprising: (A) charging the pressure resistant container with the metal, introducing hydrogen into the container, and heating the container to initiate reaction, wherein a gauge pressure (a) is set to 0.1 to 1.5 MPa, a heating temperature (b) is set to 50 to 250° C., and a product of the gauge pressure and the heating temperature, a×b, is set in the range of 20 to 100; (B) stopping the introduction of hydrogen to allow the reaction to proceed when the temperature in the reaction container is increased to a temperature higher by 10 to 100° C. than the heating temperature; (C) introducing hydrogen of 0.1 to 1.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: TAIHEIYO CEMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Tetsuya Ishimoto, Shoji Suzuki, Katsumi Matsui, Tomoki Hatsumori, Kazuhiko Tokoyoda
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Patent number: 9650248Abstract: Reagent complexes have two or more elements, formally in oxidation state zero, complexed with a hydride molecule. Complexation with the hydride molecule may be evidenced by shifts to lower binding energies, of one or more electrons in each of the two or more elements, as observed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reagents can be useful for the synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles. Preparation of the reagents can be achieved by ball-milling a mixture that includes powders of two or more elements and a hydride molecule.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The University of ManitobaInventors: Michael Paul Rowe, Elizabeth Marie Skoropata, Johan Alexander van Lierop
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Patent number: 9643254Abstract: A novel class of reagents, useful for synthesis of elemental nanoparticles, includes at least one element, formally in oxidation state zero in complex with a hydride molecule. The reagents can optionally include an additional ligand incorporated into the complex. Elemental nanoparticles are synthesized by adding solvent to the reagent, optionally with a free ligand and/or a monoatomic cation.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Michael P. Rowe
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Patent number: 9643896Abstract: A method of fertilizing a plant comprises applying to a plant an effective amount of a composition comprising a product of a salicylic acid, a potassium polyphosphite, a potassium phosphite, and a potassium phosphate. The composition may be prepared by reacting salicylic acid, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or potassium carbonate, phosphoric acid, and phosphorous acid.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Plant Food Systems, Inc.Inventor: Carl Fabry
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Patent number: 9630840Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to cooling shale gas via reaction of methane, light hydrocarbons, or a combination thereof, with water. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of cooling syngas. The method includes contacting the hot syngas with methane or light hydrocarbons. The hot syngas includes water and has a temperature of about 800° C. to about 3000° C. The contacting is effective to endothermically react the methane or light hydrocarbons with the water in the hot syngas to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen and to provide a cooled syngas having a lower temperature than the hot syngas.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Joshua J. Stanislowski, Michael J. Holmes, Michael L. Swanson
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Patent number: 9624102Abstract: A pyrotechnic process for providing very high purity hydrogen, includes the combustion of at least one solid pyrotechnic charge capable of generating hydrogen-containing gas for the production of a pressurized hot hydrogen-containing gas that contains at least 70% by volume of hydrogen; and the purification of at least one portion of the pressurized hydrogen-containing gas, by passing through a metallic hydrogen separation membrane maintained at a temperature above 250° C., in order to obtain, at the outlet of the membrane, a hydrogen-containing gas that contains at least 99.99% by volume of hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: HERAKLESInventors: Jean-Philippe Goudon, Pierre Yvart, Fabrice Mantelet, Frédéric Lesage
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Patent number: 9610569Abstract: The present invention provides a process and catalyst system for the production of synthesis gas (a mixture of CO and H2) from greenhouse gases like methane and carbon di oxide. The process provide a single step selective reforming of methane with carbon dioxide to produce synthesis gas over Ce—Ni—MgAl2O4 catalyst prepared by using combination of two methods evaporation induced self-assembly and organic matrix combustion method. These suitably combined methods generate a unique catalyst system with very fine Ni nano clusters evenly dispersed in high surface area support. The process provides both Methane and carbon di oxide conversion more than 90% without any noticeable deactivation till 100 hours between temperature range of 500-800° C. at atmospheric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCHInventors: Ankur Bordoloi, Subhasis Das, Reena Goyal, Rajib Kumar Singha, Chandrasheka R. Pendem, Sivakumar Konathala Laxmi Narayan, Rajaram Bal, Vemulapalli Venkata Durga Nagendra Prasad, Neelam Naidu Botcha, Manoj Kumar