Patents by Inventor César I. Torres

César I. Torres 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).

  • Bicarbonate and carbonate as hydroxide carriers in a biological fuel cell
    Patent number: 9142852
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process that helps alleviate the pH gradient between anode and cathode compartments in any biological fuel cell or electrolytic cell configuration in which a pH gradient between anode and cathode is limiting the voltage efficiency. By providing acid to the cathode compartment in the form of CO2, the pH gradient is reduced and voltage efficiency and power output are increased. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide produced in the anode chamber is recycled to the cathode chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents for and on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Bruce E. Rittmann, César I. Torres, Hyung-Sool Lee
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCTION OF HALOGENATED COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20130115684
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dehalogenating organohalides are disclosed. In one respect, the systems can generate hydrogen in an electrolysis cell and supply the hydrogen to anaerobic dehalogenating bacteria to decontaminate organohalides at a contamination site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce E. Rittmann, Hyung-Sool Lee, Cesar I. Torres, Anca G. Delgado, Rolf U. Halden, Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown
  • Microbial Electrolytic Cell
    Publication number: 20120082869
    Abstract: System and methods for efficiently capturing hydrogen gas from a microbial electrolytic cell. Certain aspects of the invention describe microbial electrolytic cells in which the cathode is located above the anode and proximal to a fluid level and a gas headspace in the single-chamber microbial electrolytic cell. In other aspects, the invention relates to improved and high volumetric production rate of hydrogen gas effected by increasing the geometric surface area of the electrodes. Combinations of these aspects also are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventors: Bruce E. Rittmann, Hyung-sool Lee, Cesar I. Torres
  • BICARBONATE AND CARBONATE AS HYDROXIDE CARRIERS IN A BIOLOGICAL FUEL CELL
    Publication number: 20110143224
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process that helps alleviate the pH gradient between anode and cathode compartments in any biological fuel cell or electrolytic cell configuration in which a pH gradient between anode and cathode is limiting the voltage efficiency. By providing acid to the cathode compartment in the form of CO2, the pH gradient is reduced and voltage efficiency and power output are increased. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide produced in the anode chamber is recycled to the cathode chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce E. Rittmann, Cesar I. Torres, Hyung-Sool Lee
  • Apparatus and methods for water treatment
    Patent number: 7910009
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of water borne oxidized contaminants, using hydrogen as an electron donor for denitrification and reduction of other oxidized contaminants. Preliminary results reported here show that a biofilm of autotrophic denitrifiers accumulates rapidly in the wastewater setting, the MBfR can drive NO3? concentrations below 1 mgN/L, and the H2 pressure controls the NO3? flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Bruce E. Rittmann, Robert Nerenberg, César I. Torres
  • Apparatus and methods for water treatment
    Patent number: 7632415
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of water borne oxidized contaminants, using hydrogen as an electron donor for denitrification and reduction of other oxidized contaminants. Preliminary results reported here show that a biofilm of autotrophic denitrifiers accumulates rapidly in the wastewater setting, the MBfR can drive NO3? concentrations below 1 mgN/L, and the H2 pressure controls the NO3? flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Bruce E. Rittmann, Robert Nerenberg, César I. Torres
  • Apparatus for water treatment
    Patent number: 7338597
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of water borne oxidized contaminants, using hydrogen as an electron donor for denitrification and reduction of other oxidized contaminants. Preliminary results reported here show that a biofilm of autotrophic denitrifiers accumulates rapidly in the wastewater setting, the MBfR can drive NO3? concentrations below 1 mgN/L, and the H2 pressure controls the NO3? flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Bruce E. Rittmann, Robert Nerenberg, César I. Torres