Patents by Inventor Bruce M. Putnam

Bruce M. Putnam 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).

  • Apparatus for removing organic contaminants from inorganic-rich mineral solids
    Patent number: 4434028
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing oil and other organic constituents from particulate, inorganic-rich mineral solids. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for removing oil from oil-contaminated drill cuttings. The solids to be treated are transferred into pressure vessel means wherein they are contacted with an extractant which is normally a gas but is under conditions of pressure and temperature to provide the extractant in a fluidic solvent state for the constituents to be removed, whereby the constituents are transferred to the extractant. The extractant containing the constituents is withdrawn from the pressure vessel and depressurized to render it a nonsolvent for the constituents and to form a two-phase system which can then be separated into extractant for repressurizing and recycling with proper handling of the constituents removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Critical Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Eppig, Bruce M. Putnam, Richard P. de Filippi