Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Nagel

Christopher J. Nagel 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: 20040231458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20040129925
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20040129350
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20040119053
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20040113130
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 6572792
    Abstract: A composition of matter includes a changed underlying electronic structure of a mass or matter containing a ‘p’, ‘d’ and/or ‘f’ atomic orbital. The structural change is accompanied by changes in energy or mass or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Atomic Ordered Materials, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 6258988
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reforming organics into shorter-chain unsaturated organic compounds. A molten metal bath is provided which can cause homolytic cleavage of an organic component of an organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the molten metal bath at a rate which causes partial homolytic cleavage of an organic component of the feed. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause partial homolytic cleavage of the organic component to produce unsaturated organic compounds, as products of the homolytic cleavage, which are discharged from the molten metal bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Quantum Catalytics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, Thomas P. Griffin, Thomas A. Kinney, Kevin A. Sparks
  • Patent number: 6096109
    Abstract: A method for converting a ligated-metal into chemical components of the ligated-metal includes forming an ionized zone that can convert the ligated-metal to a reduced ligated-metal intermediate. The ligated-metal is directed into the ionized zone, whereby the ligated-metal is converted to a reduced ligated-metal intermediate, thereby causing a thermodynamically stable metal-ligand bond of the ligated-metal to be electronically destabilized and inducing subsequent metal-ligand bond rupture. The reduced ligated-metal intermediate is converted by the metal-ligand bond rupture into chemical components of the ligated-metal. Ligated-metals that are suitable for processing by the method of the invention include, for example: uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6); sodium chloride (NaCl); and metal halides, such as iron trichloride (FeCl.sub.3). Chemical components that can be recovered from the ligated-metal include, for example, metals and gases derived from the ligand component of the ligated-metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, Robert D. Bach
  • Patent number: 5866095
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for converting a feed, such as a carbonaceous waste, to dissolved atomic constituents for subsequent oxidation of the dissolved atomic constituents. The feed is injected into a molten bath which, at a sufficient temperature, causes conversion of essentially all of the feed to its atomic constituents, such as atomic carbon. Essentially all of the atomic constituents which are to be oxidized in the molten bath dissolve in the molten bath. An oxidant is injected into the molten bath at a rate sufficient to cause the oxidant to exothermically react with the dissolved atomic constituents to heat at least a portion of the molten bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey E. McGeever, Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 5776420
    Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for treating a gaseous discharge stream formed from a waste in a molten metal bath. The waste is directed into a reactor containing a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath has operating conditions which are sufficient to dissociate the waste and form a gaseous discharge stream including a dissociation product. The gaseous discharge stream is cooled in a cooling section and the dissociation product is separated, as a particulate, from a gaseous component of the gaseous discharge stream. The fluid particulate stream is recirculated to the gaseous discharge stream in a reaction section of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 5744117
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus produce a product in at least one phase from an organic component in a feed gas stream. The method includes forming a process zone including a process molten bath and a process gas space disposed over the process molten bath. Molten droplets of said molten bath are then dispersed across the process gas space. The feed gas stream is then directed into the process gas zone, wherein the organic component is exposed to said molten droplets, thereby converting at least a portion of the organic component to a product in at least one phase.The apparatus of the invention comprises a reactor which includes a gas formation section, having a feed inlet, and means for retaining a solid feed component within the gas formation section. The apparatus also includes a process section, disposed in the reactor, having a process gas space, a gas outlet and a process molten bath disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Wilkinson, Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 5717149
    Abstract: A method and apparatus producing halogenated products from metal halide feeds. In one embodiment, uranium hexafluoride is treated by separating fluorine from the metal of the uranium hexafluoride. Uranium hexafluoride is introduced into a molten metal bath under conditions whereby the uranium hexafluoride in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen can react to form a uranium dioxide and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is removed from the molten metal bath as a gas stream and the uranium dioxide is discharged as a ceramic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, Robert D. Bach, Michael J. Stephenson, James E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5679132
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for injecting vaporizable material, such as a vaporizable waste, into a molten bath. A gas is injected into the molten bath at a rate which is sufficient to cause the gas and the molten bath to form a gaseous dispersion. The gas component of the gaseous dispersion occupies a sufficient fraction of said dispersion to cause a significant portion of the vaporizable material, at a rate at which the vaporizable material is injected into the molten bath, to volatilize, combust or decompose during exposure to said gas component. A vaporizable material, such as a particulate solid or hazardous liquid waste, is injected into the gaseous dispersion at a rate which cases a significant portion of the vaporizable material to volatilize, combust or decompose during exposure of said vaporizable material to the gas component of said gaseous dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick M. Rauenzahn, Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 5640706
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a product, such as hydrogen halide gas or sulfuric acid, in a regenerator furnace subsystem from a waste containing a non-gasifiable impurity. The method of the invention includes directing a waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity into a reaction zone, containing a molten metal bath, in a reactor maintained under conditions sufficient to dissociate the waste and to form a gasified feed component and a non-gasifiable impurity. The gasified feed component is then directed from the reactor to a regenerator furnace subsystem, maintained under conditions sufficient to convert the gasified feed component to the desired product.The apparatus of the invention includes a reactor having a waste inlet and a gaseous effluent, a reaction zone containing a molten-metal bath for dissociating the waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity, and forming a gasified feed component, and a lance for injecting the waste into the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, William M. Haney, III, Ian C. Yates
  • Patent number: 5640709
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a product, such as hydrogen halide gas or sulfuric acid, in a regenerator furnace subsystem from a waste containing a non-gasifiable impurity. The method of the invention includes directing a waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity into a reaction zone, containing a molten metal bath, in a reactor maintained under conditions sufficient to dissociate the waste and to form a gasified feed component and a non-gasifiable impurity. The gasified feed component is then directed from the reactor to a regenerator furnace subsystem, maintained under conditions sufficient to convert the gasified feed component to the desired product.The apparatus of the invention includes a reactor having a waste inlet and a gaseous effluent, a reaction zone containing a molten-metal bath for dissociating the waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity, and forming a gasified feed component, and a lance for injecting the waste into the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, William M. Haney, III, Ian C. Yates
  • Patent number: 5640707
    Abstract: A method includes organic homologation employing an organic-containing feed. The organic-containing feed is directed into a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath includes a metal which can cause an organic component of the organic-containing feed to homologate and form a homologated organic compound. Operating conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause the organic component to form a homologated organic compound that is discharged from the molten metal bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, Robert D. Bach
  • Patent number: 5629464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an unsaturated organic compound from an organic-containing feed. The method includes providing a reactor containing a liquid bath which includes a Bronsted acid that can protonate an organic component of the organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the liquid bath at a rate which causes the Bronsted acid to protonate the organic component. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor which cause the protonated organic component to fragment and form a carbenium ion and an unsaturated organic compound, whereby the unsaturated organic compound is discharged from the liquid bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Bach, Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 5585532
    Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for treating a gaseous discharge stream formed from a waste in a molten metal bath. The waste is directed into a reactor containing a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath has operating conditions which are sufficient to dissociate the waste and form a gaseous discharge stream including a dissociation product. The gaseous discharge stream is cooled in a cooling section and the dissociation product is separated, as a particulate, from a gaseous component of the gaseous discharge stream. The fluid particulate stream is recirculated to the gaseous discharge stream in a reaction section of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 5571486
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for top-charging a solid waste into a molten metal bath to form a dissociation product are disclosed. The method includes introducing the waste into the molten metal bath through a refractory tube disposed in a reactor, containing the molten metal bath, through which the refractory tube extends. A gas outlet is disposed above the molten metal bath. The refractory tube has a submergible end which is immersed in the molten metal bath and which defines a lower opening at the terminal end of the refractory tube and an elevated opening, whereby a portion of the molten metal bath enters the refractory tube through the lower opening to allow the molten metal bath to remain within the refractory tube while at least partially dissociating the waste to form the dissociation product in the molten metal bath. An oxidizing agent can be directed into the molten metal bath at a rate sufficient to form an gaseous oxygenated product which is discharged from the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar J. Robert, F. James Howie, III, Christopher J. Nagel, Thomas P. Griffin
  • Patent number: 5543558
    Abstract: A method includes producing an unsaturated organic compound from an organic component of an organic-containing feed. A reactor is provided which contains a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath includes a metal, such as a suitable transition metal, which can interact with an organic component of the feed. The feed is directed into the molten metal bath at a rate which causes the metal to interact with the organic component. Operating conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause the metal to interact with the organic component. At least one carbon-carbon double bond is formed in the organic component to produce an unsaturated organic compound that is discharged from the molten metal bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, Robert D. Bach