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).

  • Patent number: 12144099
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Nils Severin Myklebust, Magne Mathisen Nordvik
  • Patent number: 12012515
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 11998886
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann
  • Patent number: 11926743
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann
  • Patent number: 11866589
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230279234
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230212401
    Abstract: Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Brian R. Allison, Anthony P. Spizuoco, Christopher E. Mesrobian, Alexander F. Hoermann, Dylan Laidlaw, Aaron S. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20230136364
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Moss
  • Patent number: 11591477
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 11492496
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20220339595
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann
  • Patent number: 11453784
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Brian R. Allison, Anthony P. Spizuoco, Christopher E. Mesrobian, Alexander F. Hoermann, Dylan Laidlaw, Aaron S. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20220272826
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander F. HOERMANN, Peter L. JOHNSON, Nils Severin MYKLEBUST, Magne Mathisen NORDVIK
  • Patent number: 11304288
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Nils Severin Myklebust, Magne Mathisen Nordvik
  • Patent number: 11203692
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Nils Severin Myklebust
  • Patent number: 11149148
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Robert J. Hanson, Aaron S. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20210071007
    Abstract: Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Brian R. Allison, Anthony P. Spizuoco, Christopher E. Mesrobian, Alexander F. Hoermann, Dylan Laidlaw, Aaron S. Hampton
  • Patent number: 10808097
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Christopher J. -P. Cardinal, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20200239696
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann
  • Publication number: 20200140691
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson