Patents by Inventor Alexander F. Diaz

Alexander F. Diaz 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).

  • Method for production of aluminum
    Patent number: 6361580
    Abstract: A continuous process for the production of elemental aluminum is described. Aluminum is made from aluminum oxide and a reducing gas such as a light hydrocarbon gas or other reducing gas, for example hydrogen. In the process, a feed stream of the aluminum oxide and the reducing gas is continuously fed into a reaction zone. There the aluminum oxide and reducing gas are reacted at a temperature of about 1500° C. or greater in the reaction zone to provide a continuous product stream of reaction products, which include elemental aluminum. The product stream is continuously quenching after leaving the reaction zone, and the elemental aluminum is separated from the other reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Massachuetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sven Plahte, Bjorn Lillebuen, Alexander F. Diaz, Jack B. Howard, Anthony J. Modestino, William A. Peters
  • Method for production of magnesium
    Patent number: 5782952
    Abstract: A continuous process for the production of elemental magnesium is described. Magnesium is made from magnesium oxide and a light hydrocarbon gas. In the process, a feed stream of the magnesium oxide and gas is continuously fed into a reaction zone. There the magnesium oxide and gas are reacted at a temperature of about 1400.degree. C. or greater in the reaction zone to provide a continuous product stream of reaction products, which include elemental magnesium. The product stream is continuously quenched after leaving the reaction zone, and the elemental magnesium is separated from other reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alexander F. Diaz, Jack B. Howard, Anthony J. Modestino, William A. Peters