Patents by Inventor Alexander F. Hoermann
Alexander F. Hoermann 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).
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Patent number: 12144099Abstract: Design advances for improving the performance of a plasma torch. The use of one or more of various advances described herein can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the torch, the reactor and the manufacturing process. The use of the torch with hydrogen plasma gas, natural gas feedstock, and carbon black production are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Nils Severin Myklebust, Magne Mathisen Nordvik
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Patent number: 12012515Abstract: A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
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Patent number: 11998886Abstract: A method of cooling a liner in a plasma chamber. A recycle gas is contacted with or passed through the liner to cool the liner and pre-heat the recycle gas. The pre-heated gas is then recycled through the plasma chamber to become part of the plasma forming process. The method further comprises the liner is graphite, the recycle gas passes through at least one cooling channel present in the liner, at least one of the cooling channels are covered with at least one removable liner/channel cover, carbon deposits are formed from the presence of hydrocarbons in the recycle gas, at least one channel is formed in a spiral cooling channel pattern, at least one channel is formed in a substantially straight cooling channel pattern, and a plenum to aid in the production of an even distribution of cooling gas in the channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.Inventors: Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann
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Patent number: 11926743Abstract: Systems and methods of making carbon particles with thermal transfer gas. A method of making carbon particles may comprise heating a thermal transfer gas by Joule heating and contacting the thermal transfer gas with a reactive hydrocarbon feedstock gas to generate the carbon particles and hydrogen gas. A method of making carbon particles may comprise heating a thermal transfer gas with the aid of Joule heating and mixing the thermal transfer gas with a hydrocarbon feedstock gas to generate the carbon particles.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann
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Patent number: 11866589Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
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Publication number: 20230279234Abstract: A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
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CARBON PARTICLES HAVING LOW CONTENT OF POLYCYLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND METHODS OF MAKING THEREOF
Publication number: 20230212401Abstract: Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Brian R. Allison, Anthony P. Spizuoco, Christopher E. Mesrobian, Alexander F. Hoermann, Dylan Laidlaw, Aaron S. Hampton -
Publication number: 20230136364Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Moss
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Patent number: 11591477Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
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Patent number: 11492496Abstract: A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
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Publication number: 20220339595Abstract: A method of cooling a liner in a plasma chamber. A recycle gas is contacted with or passed through the liner to cool the liner and pre-heat the recycle gas. The pre-heated gas is then recycled through the plasma chamber to become part of the plasma forming process. The method further comprises the liner is graphite, the recycle gas passes through at least one cooling channel present in the liner, at least one of the cooling channels are covered with at least one removable liner/channel cover, carbon deposits are formed from the presence of hydrocarbons in the recycle gas, at least one channel is formed in a spiral cooling channel pattern, at least one channel is formed in a substantially straight cooling channel pattern, and a plenum to aid in the production of an even distribution of cooling gas in the channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann
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Patent number: 11453784Abstract: The present disclosure provides, for example, systems and methods for generating carbon particles. Carbon particles may have a total content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of less than or equal to about 0.5 parts per million, a content of benzo[a]pyrene of less than or equal to about 5 parts per billion, and a water spreading pressure that is less than about 5 mJ/m2. A carbon particle among the carbon particles may comprise less than about 0.3% sulfur by weight or less than or equal to about 0.03% ash by weight.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Brian R. Allison, Anthony P. Spizuoco, Christopher E. Mesrobian, Alexander F. Hoermann, Dylan Laidlaw, Aaron S. Hampton
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Publication number: 20220272826Abstract: Design advances for improving the performance of a plasma torch. The use of one or more of various advances described herein can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the torch, the reactor and the manufacturing process. The use of the torch with hydrogen plasma gas, natural gas feedstock, and carbon black production are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Alexander F. HOERMANN, Peter L. JOHNSON, Nils Severin MYKLEBUST, Magne Mathisen NORDVIK
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Patent number: 11304288Abstract: Design advances for improving the performance of a plasma torch. The use of one or more of various advances described herein can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the torch, the reactor and the manufacturing process. The use of the torch with hydrogen plasma gas, natural gas feedstock, and carbon black production are also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Nils Severin Myklebust, Magne Mathisen Nordvik
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Patent number: 11203692Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black having increased surface area, reduced grit and/or reduced extract levels. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region to form a plasma. The plasma then flows through a throat region which is narrower than the plasma forming section, which is connected to a separate carbon black forming region. This causes the plasma to accelerate and become turbulent prior to the exit point in the throat region. The carbon black forming feedstock is injected into the turbulence created by the throat region at a point above, at or near the exit point, resulting in the formation of a carbon black in the separate carbon black forming region. The throat region and/or injector region can be cooled, e.g., water plasma gas cooled.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Nils Severin Myklebust
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Patent number: 11149148Abstract: Secondary heat may be added to a particle production process. The particles may be, for example, carbon particles. Among other things, the secondary heat addition may result in change in surface area of the carbon particle(s), change in structure of the carbon particle(s), reduced wall fouling, reduced energy consumption and/or increased throughput. Apparatus for performing the process is also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Robert J. Hanson, Aaron S. Hampton
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Publication number: 20210071007Abstract: Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Brian R. Allison, Anthony P. Spizuoco, Christopher E. Mesrobian, Alexander F. Hoermann, Dylan Laidlaw, Aaron S. Hampton
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Patent number: 10808097Abstract: Carbon nanoparticles made in a one step process. A method of making carbon black nanoparticles is described, including adding a hydrocarbon to a heated gas to produce carbon nanoparticles that are less than 1 micron volume equivalent sphere and have an Lc greater than 3.0 nm. Elastomer composites containing such particles are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Christopher J. -P. Cardinal, Robert J. Hanson
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Publication number: 20200239696Abstract: Systems and methods of making carbon particles with thermal transfer gas. A method of making carbon particles may comprise heating a thermal transfer gas by Joule heating and contacting the thermal transfer gas with a reactive hydrocarbon feedstock gas to generate the carbon particles and hydrogen gas. A method of making carbon particles may comprise heating a thermal transfer gas with the aid of Joule heating and mixing the thermal transfer gas with a hydrocarbon feedstock gas to generate the carbon particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann
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Publication number: 20200140691Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson