Patents by Inventor Aicardo Roa-Espinosa

Aicardo Roa-Espinosa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11097971
    Abstract: A composition for solid pellets and a process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and dredging of bodies of water are disclosed. The composition comprises a precipitating agent, a purification agent and, optionally, a binding agent. The process comprises the steps of 1) water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and 2) reacting the sludge with a demulsifier and a superabsorbent polymer that locks onto the water in the remaining slurry thus turning the slurry into a solid crust. The crust is ground into a particulate form and disposed in a landfill. The combined effect of the treatments is the thickening of the particulate material slurry from about 10% solids to about 25% solids. The removed water may be used for further drilling and drinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Michelle H Pham
  • Patent number: 10919828
    Abstract: A process for producing cannabidiol from hemp and cannabis plants is disclosed. The steps of the process include the steps of: plant conditioning and size reduction, infusing with an extraction agent, separating a solid biomass and a liquid phase, treating the liquid phase with a removal agent, decarboxylation, removal of impurities; and color removal. The resulting cannabidiol conversion efficiency is over 90% and a TCH content within the legal limits for commercial cannabidiol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Joaquin Camilo Perez-Mahecha, Michelle H Pham, Charles Kevin Jepson
  • Publication number: 20210017061
    Abstract: A composition for solid pellets and a process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and dredging of bodies of water are disclosed. The composition comprises a precipitating agent, a purification agent and, optionally, a binding agent. The process comprises the steps of 1) water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and 2) reacting the sludge with a demulsifier and a superabsorbent polymer that locks onto the water in the remaining slurry thus turning the slurry into a solid crust. The crust is ground into a particulate form and disposed in a landfill. The combined effect of the treatments is the thickening of the particulate material slurry from about 10% solids to about 25% solids. The removed water may be used for further drilling and drinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Michelle H. Pham
  • Patent number: 10532942
    Abstract: A process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and from dredging of bodies of water is disclosed. The process comprises a first step of water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and a second step of reacting the sludge with a demulsifier and a superabsorbent polymer that locks onto the water in the remaining slurry thus turning the slurry into a solid crust. The crust is ground into a particulate form and disposed in a landfill. The combined effect of the treatments is the thickening of the particulate material slurry from about 10% solids to about 25% solids. The removed water may be used for further drilling and drinking. Another benefit is the reduced volume of the particulate material that needs to be disposed in landfills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Kim Huong Pham
  • Patent number: 10464834
    Abstract: A multi stage process for the separation of bio-components from grease trap waste and animal waste materials is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, one or more presses, a dissolved air floatation device and a clarifier in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly oil, grease and protein, a stream containing predominantly water and a stream that predominantly contains fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9956563
    Abstract: A process for separating clean water which has an impurities content of less than 100 ppm from waste materials such as farm manure is disclosed. In a first step, a plate separator splits the waste material stream into a first effluent fraction and a first solids fraction. The first solids fraction then undergoes two stages of pressing to increase the solids contents to about 30 to 40 percent which makes it suitable for granulation or pelletizing. The first effluent fraction is treated in successive stages with various chemical agents resulting in the removal of most of the solids and inorganic impurities from the effluent to achieve drinkable water purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Samuel William Roa-Lauby, Kim Huong Pham, Joaquin Camilo Perez-Mahecha
  • Patent number: 9730463
    Abstract: A multi stage process for separating oil, protein, fiber and clean water from a stream containing whole stillage byproduct from ethanol production is disclosed. In a first step, fibers are separated in a two-step process that includes a plate separator and a press. In a subsequent step, the liquid stream separated from the fibers and contains oil, protein and water is treated with a composition that causes the protein to gel. The liquid stream is then processed in a phase separator that drains the oil by gravity, removes the water by an impeller under pressure and removes the solidified protein using a scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9688586
    Abstract: A modified fertilizer structure and a process for making the structure are disclosed. The structure contains at least a first modified oil layer that coats the fertilizer particle. Additional layers may be added as necessary to include a modified fiber layer that coats the modified oil layer, a second and third modified oil layers, a second modified fiber layer, a layer of diatomaceous earth mineral particles and a superabsorbent layer. The structure may be constructed by placing fertilizer particles in a rotating drum, then adding the materials for each layer consecutively into the drum at appropriate conditions. The modified fertilizer structure is configured to gradually release the nutrients into the soil over a desired period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Hailin Lin, Jie Yan
  • Publication number: 20170001879
    Abstract: A multi stage process for the separation of bio-components from grease trap waste and animal waste materials is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, one or more presses, a dissolved air floatation device and a clarifier in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly oil, grease and protein, a stream containing predominantly water and a stream that predominantly contains fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9516891
    Abstract: A multi stage process for separating oil, protein, fiber and clean water from a stream containing whole stillage byproduct from ethanol production is disclosed. In a first step, fibers are separated in a two-step process that includes a plate separator and a press. In a subsequent step, the liquid stream separated from the fibers and contains oil, protein and water is treated with a composition that causes the protein to gel. The liquid stream is then processed in a phase separator that drains the oil by gravity, removes the water by an impeller under pressure and removes the solidified protein using a scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9422663
    Abstract: A process for treatment of biomass materials is disclosed. The treatment comprises of applying mechanical rubbing and crushing action to the biomass materials that result in significant reduction in the biomass particle size. The treatment is carried out in a chamber where the biomass is subjected to the action of a plurality of rotating pins against channels disposed on the chamber interior wall. The maceration of the biomass is further aided by impact from a plurality of blocks and sand particles placed inside the treatment chamber that are hurled into motion inside the chamber through collision with the rotating pins. Chemical catalysts may be used to speed up the maceration. These include aluminum silicate, either an acid or alkaline pretreatment, gaseous urea or urea granules. The treatment produces materials that are beneficial in a variety of applications such as soil erosion prevention, biofuel manufacturing, plant growth substrates and animal bedding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9371356
    Abstract: A process for separating amino acids and peptides from raw and digested farm manure is disclosed. The raw manure may be recovered from sand bedding used in the cow stalls of some farms. The process involves the steps of precipitating out struvite and separating a stream rich in amino acids and peptides from a mineral rich stream in a dissolved air floatation machine. Struvite precipitation is accomplished by the addition of polydicyandiamide and an acrylate based polymer, while the separation of the stream rich in fibers, amino acids and peptides from a mineral rich streams is accomplished by the addition of an acrylamide chloride copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9249039
    Abstract: A process for separating a sludge stream containing particulate matter into a stream containing predominantly clarified water and a stream containing predominantly particulate matter is disclosed. The process involves passing the sludge stream through a solid reagent contactor bed composed of solid reagent tablets having a copolymer composition for particle aggregation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,076,391. The dissolution of the solid reagent tablets into the sludge stream treats the sludge and makes it amenable for the speedy settling of concentrated sludge at the bottom of a sludge concentrator tank leaving a relatively clean water phase to rise to the top. The process is particularly useful for recovering water from mining sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20150344768
    Abstract: An aqueous composition, a solid composition and method for producing the solid composition are disclosed. The aqueous and solid compositions may be used in a number of applications such as in processes to recover oil from a production well containing an oil slug and in processes to clarify aqueous slurries containing sedimentation. The compositions comprise a surfactant, a pre-gelatinized starch, an inorganic salt, an oil and a polymer. The method of manufacturing the solid composition includes exposing the aqueous composition to temperatures around 0 degrees F. A solid block stable at ambient temperatures is formed along with a liquid phase that may be separated from the solid block. Dispersing the solid composition in water further enhances flow stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20150210602
    Abstract: A composition for enhancing plant growth and a method of applying the composition onto hydrophobic surfaces and retaining the composition on these surfaces is disclosed. The composition comprises a mixture of superabsorbent monomer and linear polymer that maybe partially cross-linked, a binder and nutrients that may be applied onto surfaces of materials that are part of the plants or plant growth environment such as seeds, soil, mulch, plant roots and herbicides. An aqueous solution of the composition may be applied to the material surfaces through the irrigation system. The polymer undergoes in-situ polymerization and crosslinking due to the effect of the heat from the sun and UV radiation. Once dried, a substantially solid film forms on the surfaces that contains the superabsorbent and the nutrients that are available for the plants to enhance their growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Tomas James Roa-Lauby
  • Patent number: 9051538
    Abstract: A multi stage process for the separation of bio-components from a waste stream containing Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, a press, and a dissolved air floatation in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly protein, a stream containing predominantly oil, a stream containing predominantly water and a stream that contains predominantly fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20150001160
    Abstract: A multi stage process for the progressive removal of protein and isolating streams containing cellulose fibers and oil from a waste stream containing Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, a multi disk press, a dissolved air floatation device and optionally a centrifuge in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly protein, a stream containing predominantly oil and a stream that contains predominantly cellulose and hemicellulose fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20150005482
    Abstract: A process for separating amino acids and peptides from raw and digested farm manure is disclosed. The raw manure may be recovered from sand bedding used in the cow stalls of some farms. The process involves the steps of precipitating out struvite and separating a stream rich in amino acids and peptides from a mineral rich stream in a dissolved air floatation machine. Struvite precipitation is accomplished by the addition of polydicyandiamide and an acrylate based polymer, while the separation of the stream rich in fibers, amino acids and peptides from a mineral rich streams is accomplished by the addition of an acrylamide chloride copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 8907113
    Abstract: A process for separating glycerin from methyl ester at an enhanced rate is disclosed. The improved process results from carrying out the transesterification reaction in a substantially non-polar and water free environment. A polymer selected from a group of polymers shown to be effective in such an environment is added to the product mixture which greatly improves the rate of separation between the methyl ester and the glycerin and reduces the number of required steps to accomplish the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa, Hailin Lin
  • Patent number: RE47268
    Abstract: A multi stage process for the separation of bio-components from a waste stream containing Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, a press, and a dissolved air floatation in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly protein, a stream containing predominantly oil, a stream containing predominantly water and a stream that contains predominantly fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa