Patents by Inventor Charles F. Whitehead

Charles F. Whitehead 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).

  • Publication number: 20200140290
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of one or more selected target materials, in particular a physiologically active compound contaminant, from various streams using a rare earth fixing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Secure Natural Resources LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler, Robert Cable
  • Publication number: 20120138530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating arsenic from an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The method includes the steps of contacting an arsenic-containing solution with a first portion of fixing agent to remove at least a portion of the arsenic. An arsenic-laden fixing agent is separated from the solution and the partially depleted solution is contacted with a second portion of fixing agent. The fixing agent can include a high surface area insoluble compound containing one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. Following removal of the arsenic, the arsenic-depleted solution can be further processed to separate a recoverable metal through metal refining. The arsenic-laden fixing agent can be filtered to recover and recycle a filtrate to the solution for additional treatment, as well as using a partially saturated fixing agent to remove arsenic from fresh solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120138528
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing arsenic from an arsenic-bearing material. The method includes the steps of contracting an arsenic-bearing material with an arsenic leaching agent to form an arsenic-containing solution and arsenic-depleted solids. The leaching agent can be an inorganic salt, an inorganic acid, an organic acid, and/or an alkaline agent. The arsenic-depleted solids are separated from the arsenic-containing solution, which is contacted with a fixing agent to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is then separated from the arsenic-depleted solution. A recoverable metal in the arsenic-depleted solids, arsenic-containing solution or arsenic-depleted solution can be separated and recovered. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120138529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a metal and separating arsenic from an arsenic-containing solution. The method includes contacting the arsenic-containing solution with a fixing agent that comprises a rare earth compound to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is separated from the arsenic-depleted solution and a recoverable metal is separated from one or more of the arsenic-containing solution and the arsenic-depleted solution. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals. The arsenic-containing solution can be formed by contacting an arsenic-containing material with a leaching agent. Arsenic-depleted solids formed during the leach can also be separated and recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120031827
    Abstract: The subject invention relates generally to friable metal oxide agglomerates and specifically to agglomerates containing high surface area rare earth-containing materials and a polymeric binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, Carl R. Hassler, Charles F. Whitehead, Joseph A. Lupo, John Lahlouh, Chris Vogdes, Brandt Wright
  • Publication number: 20110309017
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for removing a variety of contaminants using both rare earth and non-rare earth-containing treatment elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Carl R. Hassler, John L. Burba, III, Charles F. Whitehead, Joseph Lupo, Timothy L. Oriard
  • Publication number: 20110303871
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of one or more selected target materials, in particular a physiologically active compound contaminant, from various streams using a rare earth fixing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler, Robert Cable
  • Publication number: 20100258448
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process for removing one or more contaminants from an electrolytic solution and more particularly to a process for removing the one or more contaminants contained in an electrorefining solution using rare earth metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler
  • Publication number: 20100230359
    Abstract: The invention is directed generally to a porous and durable ceramic filter monolith coated with one or more rare earth-containing compositions for removing contaminants from a fluid, particularly for removing one or more contaminants from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Whitehead, Timothy L. Oriard