Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Weirauch

Douglas A. Weirauch 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: 11041250
    Abstract: Compositions for making wettable cathodes to be used in aluminum electrolysis cells are disclosed. The compositions generally include titanium diboride (TiB2) and metal additives. The amount of selected metal additives may result in production of electrodes having a tailored density and/or porosity. The electrodes may be durable and used in aluminum electrolysis cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, Lance M. Sworts, Brian J. Tielsch, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Publication number: 20190055660
    Abstract: Compositions for making wettable cathodes to be used in aluminum electrolysis cells are disclosed. The compositions generally include titanium diboride (TiB2) and metal additives. The amount of selected metal additives may result in production of electrodes having a tailored density and/or porosity. The electrodes may be durable and used in aluminum electrolysis cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, Lance M. Sworts, Brian J. Tielsch, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Patent number: 10151039
    Abstract: A system is provided including an electrolysis cell configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath, the bath including at least one bath component, the electrolysis cell including: a bottom, and a sidewall consisting essentially of the at least one bath component; and a feed material including the least one bath component to the molten electrolyte bath such that the at least one bath component is within 30% of saturation, wherein, via the feed material, the sidewall is stable in the molten electrolyte bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Jeff Ward, Douglas A. Weirauch, Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys, Jonell Kerkhoff, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Patent number: 9771659
    Abstract: A system is provided including an electrolysis cell configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath, the bath including at least one bath component, the electrolysis cell including: a bottom, and a sidewall consisting essentially of the at least one bath component; and a feeder system, configured to provide a feed material including the least one bath component to the molten electrolyte bath such that the at least one bath component is within 2% of saturation, wherein, via the feed material, the sidewall is stable in the molten electrolyte bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr., Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys, Jonell Kerkhoff, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Publication number: 20160068979
    Abstract: A system is provided including an electrolysis cell configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath, the bath including at least one bath component, the electrolysis cell including: a bottom, and a sidewall consisting essentially of the at least one bath component; and a feed material including the least one bath component to the molten electrolyte bath such that the at least one bath component is within 30% of saturation, wherein, via the feed material, the sidewall is stable in the molten electrolyte bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Jeff Ward, Douglas A. Weirauch, Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys, Jonell Kerkhoff, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Publication number: 20150075975
    Abstract: Compositions for making wettable cathodes to be used in aluminum electrolysis cells are disclosed. The compositions generally include titanium diboride (TiB2) and metal additives, The amount of selected metal additives may result in production of electrodes having a tailored density and/or porosity, The electrodes may be durable and used in aluminum electrolysis cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, JR., Lance M. Sworts, Brian J. Tielsch, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Publication number: 20140262807
    Abstract: A system is provided including an electrolysis cell configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath, the bath including at least one bath component, the electrolysis cell including: a bottom, and a sidewall consisting essentially of the at least one bath component; and a feeder system, configured to provide a feed material including the least one bath component to the molten electrolyte bath such that the at least one bath component is within 2% of saturation, wherein, via the feed material, the sidewall is stable in the molten electrolyte bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Douglas A. Weirauch, JR., Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys, Jonell Kerkhoff, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Publication number: 20120222964
    Abstract: Compositions for making wettable cathodes to be used in aluminum electrolysis cells are disclosed. The compositions generally include titanium diboride (TiB2) and metal additives. The amount of selected metal additives may result in production of electrodes having a tailored density and/or porosity. The electrodes may be durable and used in aluminum electrolysis cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, JR., Lance M. Sworts, Brian J. Tielsch, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Patent number: 8211278
    Abstract: Compositions for making wettable cathodes to be used in aluminum electrolysis cells are disclosed. The compositions generally include titanium diboride (TiB2) and metal additives. The amount of selected metal additives may result in production of electrodes having a tailored density and/or porosity. The electrodes may be durable and used in aluminum electrolysis cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr., Lance M. Sworts, Brian J. Tielsch, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Publication number: 20110024304
    Abstract: Compositions for making wettable cathodes to be used in aluminum electrolysis cells are disclosed. The compositions generally include titanium diboride (TiB2) and metal additives. The amount of selected metal additives may result in production of electrodes having a tailored density and/or porosity. The electrodes may be durable and used in aluminum electrolysis cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, JR., Lance M. Sworts, Brian J. Tielsch, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Patent number: 7507322
    Abstract: Stable anodes comprising iron oxide useful for the electrolytic production of metal such as aluminum are disclosed. The iron oxide may comprise Fe3O4, Fe2O3, FeO or a combination thereof. During the electrolytic aluminum production process, the anodes remain stable at a controlled bath temperature of the aluminum production cell and current density through the anodes is controlled. The iron oxide-containing anodes may be used to produce commercial purity aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert DiMilia, Xinghua Liu, Douglas Weirauch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7235161
    Abstract: Stable anodes comprising iron oxide useful for the electrolytic production of metal such as aluminum are disclosed. The iron oxide may comprise Fe3O4, Fe2O3, FeO or a combination thereof. During the electrolytic aluminum production process, the anodes remain stable at a controlled bath temperature of the aluminum production cell and current density through the anodes is controlled. The iron oxide-containing anodes may be used to produce commercial purity aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. DiMilia, Xinghua Liu, Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20060231410
    Abstract: Stable anodes comprising iron oxide useful for the electrolytic production of metal such as aluminum are disclosed. The iron oxide may comprise Fe3O4, Fe2O3, FeO or a combination thereof. During the electrolytic aluminum production process, the anodes remain stable at a controlled bath temperature of the aluminum production cell and current density through the anodes is controlled. The iron oxide-containing anodes may be used to produce commercial purity aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert DiMilia, Xinghua Liu, Douglas Weirauch
  • Patent number: 7033469
    Abstract: Ceramic inert anodes useful for the electrolytic production of aluminum are disclosed. The inert anodes comprise oxides of Ni, Fe and Al. The Ni—Fe—Al oxide inert anode materials have sufficient electrical conductivity at operation temperatures of aluminum production cells, and also possess good mechanical stability. The Ni—Fe—Al oxide inert anodes may be used to produce commercial purity aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr., Joseph M. Dynys, Robert A. DiMilia, Siba P. Ray, Xinghua Liu, Frankie E. Phelps
  • Patent number: 7014881
    Abstract: An inert anode 50, for use in an electrolytic cell 12 for producing metals such as aluminum, is made by providing chemical source materials 100 such as at least two of metal salts, metal particles, or metal oxides and dissolving them to form a solution or a slurry 110, followed by adding a base 120 and adjusting the pH so that a gel 130 is formed which is dried and calcined 150, 160, 190 to provide a blend of metal oxide powder 200 which can be pressed and sintered 220 to form an inert anode 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Siba P. Ray, Alfred F. LaCamera, Douglas A. Weirauch, Mark L. Weaver, Robert A. DiMilia, Kirk J. Malmquist, Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys
  • Publication number: 20050103641
    Abstract: Stable anodes comprising iron oxide useful for the electrolytic production of metal such as aluminum are disclosed. The iron oxide may comprise Fe3O4, Fe2O3, FeO or a combination thereof. During the electrolytic aluminum production process, the anodes remain stable at a controlled bath temperature of the aluminum production cell and current density through the anodes is controlled. The iron oxide-containing anodes may be used to produce commercial purity aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Robert DiMilia, Xinghua Liu, Douglas Weirauch
  • Publication number: 20050087916
    Abstract: Method of producing sintered nickel ferrite powder having steps of mixing the particles of iron oxide and nickel oxide with an alkali metal borate mineralizer, compacting the mixture to produce green compact and heating the compact at temperatures less than about 1400° C. Resulting product which may be in the form of a non-consumable electrode for electrolysis of alumina, exhibits satisfactory mechanical properties and electrical properties with enhanced chemical stability while being produced at significantly lower sintering temperatures than previously employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Easley, Paula Kolek, Jorge Ramos, Patricia Stewart, Robert DiMilia, Joseph Dynys, Larry Wieserman, Douglas Weirauch
  • Patent number: 6821312
    Abstract: A method of making cermet inert anodes for the electrolytic production of metals such as aluminum is disclosed. The method includes the step of spray drying a slurry comprising ceramic phase particles and metal phase particles. The resultant spray dried powder, which comprises agglomerates of both the ceramic phase and metal phase particles, may then be consolidated by techniques such as pressing and sintering to produce a cermet inert anode material. The ceramic phase may comprise oxides of Ni, Fe and at least one additional metal selected from Zn, Co, Al, Li, Cu, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Ta, W, Mo, Hf and rare earths. The metal phase may comprise Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, Au, Rh, Ru, Ir and/or Os. The consolidated cermet inert anode material exhibits improved properties such as reduced porosity. The cermet inert anodes may be used in electrolytic reduction cells for the production of commercial purity aluminum as well as other metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Siba P. Ray, Xinghua Liu, Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys, Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6758991
    Abstract: Ceramic inert anodes useful for the electrolytic production of aluminum are disclosed. The inert anodes comprise an oxide of Ni and Fe having a controlled Ni/(Ni+Fe) mole ratio which results in a single-phase structure at the operation temperatures of aluminum production cells. The Ni and Fe oxide material may also have a single-phase structure at the sintering temperature of the material. The single-phase inert anode materials maintain sufficient electrical conductivity at the operating temperatures of the cell, and also possess good mechanical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. DiMilia, Joseph M. Dynys, Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr., Siba P. Ray, Xinghua Liu, Frankie E. Phelps
  • Publication number: 20040089852
    Abstract: Ceramic inert anodes useful for the electrolytic production of aluminum are disclosed. The inert anodes comprise an oxide of Ni and Fe having a controlled Ni/(Ni+Fe) mole ratio which results in a single-phase structure at the operation temperatures of aluminum production cells. The Ni and Fe oxide material may also have a single-phase structure at the sintering temperature of the material. The single-phase inert anode materials maintain sufficient electrical conductivity at the operating temperatures of the cells, and also possess good mechanical stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. DiMilia, Joseph M. Dynys, Douglas A. Weirauch,, Siba P. Ray, Xinghua Liu, Frankie E. Phelps