Patents by Inventor Christine Switzer

Christine Switzer 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: 11666956
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the removal of sulfur and other ARD/AMD-generating materials through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods comprise admixing an ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material with an organic material to produce a mixture, exposing the mixture to an oxidant, and initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, depression or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Grant, David Major, Grant Scholes, Silvia Mancini, Christine Switzer
  • Publication number: 20200331043
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the removal of sulfur and other ARD/AMD-generating materials through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods comprise admixing an ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material with an organic material to produce a mixture, exposing the mixture to an oxidant, and initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, depression or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Gavin Grant, David Major, Grant Scholes, Silvia Mancini, Christine Switzer
  • Publication number: 20120272878
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the volumetric reduction of organic liquids. The methods comprise admixing a porous matrix material with an organic liquid to produce a mixture, forcing oxidant through the mixture, and initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic liquid or porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, lagoon or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion. Yet further embodiments comprise the batch addition of a fuel additive to the aggregate prior to smoldering to ensure that the ensuing smoldering combustion is self-sustaining or of the required temperature to reduce or remove other contaminants in the matrix or organic liquid such as heavy metals or asbestos.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GEOSYNTEC CONSULTANTS, INC.
    Inventors: Gavin Grant, David Major, Jason Gerhard, Jose Torero, Grant Scholes, Paolo Pironi, Christine Switzer
  • Patent number: 8132987
    Abstract: A method for remediating land contaminated by a combustible material, in particular, land contaminated with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), which includes the steps of locating a subterranean volume of combustible material such as a DNAPL in land to be remediated, and igniting the combustible material to combust the material and thereby remediate the land. By monitoring combustion of the material, combustion may be optimised by, for example, supplying an oxidant or a combustion suppressant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: University Court of the University of Edinburgh
    Inventors: Jason Gerhard, Jose Torero, Paolo Pironi, Christine Switzer, Guillermo Rein
  • Publication number: 20090180836
    Abstract: A method for remediating land contaminated by a combustible material, in particular, land contaminated with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), which includes the steps of locating a subterranean volume of combustible material such as a DNAPL in land to be remediated, and igniting the combustible material to combust the material and thereby remediate the land. By monitoring combustion of the material, combustion may be optimised by, for example, supplying an oxidant or a combustion suppressant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: The University Court of the University of Edinburgh
    Inventors: Jason Gerhard, Jose Torero, Paolo Pironi, Christine Switzer, Guillermo Rein