Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Grunder

Douglas E. Grunder 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: 20230294983
    Abstract: A continuous hydrocarbon pyrolysis process to produce hydrogen gas and carbon includes exposing a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxygen depleted combustion gas within a hydrocarbon pyrolysis zone. A valveless pulse combustor produces the combustion gas at a temperature greater than 2,400° C. The hydrocarbon feedstock and combustion gas have a residence time within the hydrocarbon pyrolysis zone less than 30 seconds to cause pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon feedstock and produce gas comprising hydrogen and solid particles comprising carbon. The gas and solid particles exit the hydrocarbon pyrolysis zone at a temperature greater than 1,200° C. A heat exchanger cools the gas and solid particles to a temperature less than 200° C. A gas absorber removes unwanted gas molecules from the gas and produce H2 containing gas having an H2 concentration greater than 80 vol. % H2. The H2 containing gas is continuously introduced to a H2 consuming facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: James S. Swensen, Stephen P. Gibbel, David S. Gibbel, Douglas E. Grunder, Simon K. Hodson
  • Publication number: 20230088821
    Abstract: A process for fracturing and devolatilizing coal particles rapidly exposes coal particles to a high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a sufficient time period to cause volatile matter within the coal particles to vaporize and fracture the coal particles. The work zone has a temperature in the range from 600° C. to 2000° C. The coal particles are exposed to the high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a time period less than 1 seconds, and preferably less than 0.3 second. The vaporized volatile matter is condensed and recovered as microcarbon particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: James S. Swensen, Douglas E. Grunder, Simon K. Hodson
  • Patent number: 11505464
    Abstract: A process for fracturing and devolatilizing coal particles rapidly exposes coal particles to a high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a sufficient time period to cause volatile matter within the coal particles to vaporize and fracture the coal particles. The work zone has a temperature in the range from 600° C. to 2000° C. The coal particles are exposed to the high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a time period less than 1 seconds, and preferably less than 0.3 second. The vaporized volatile matter is condensed and recovered as microcarbon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: OMNIS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Swensen, Douglas E. Grunder, Simon K. Hodson
  • Publication number: 20200262704
    Abstract: A process for fracturing and devolatilizing coal particles rapidly exposes coal particles to a high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a sufficient time period to cause volatile matter within the coal particles to vaporize and fracture the coal particles. The work zone has a temperature in the range from 600° C. to 2000° C. The coal particles are exposed to the high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a time period less than 1 seconds, and preferably less than 0.3 second. The vaporized volatile matter is condensed and recovered as microcarbon particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: James S. Swensen, Douglas E. Grunder, Simon K. Hodson
  • Patent number: 10086330
    Abstract: Coal-derived mineral matter is used to capture or remove combustion gas emissions from flue gas or exhaust gas. The coal-derived mineral matter may be obtained by separating it from coal particles, such as by use of a flotation separation process. Coal-derived mineral matter may also be present in fine coal refuse. In the method of removing combustion gas emissions from flue gas, an aqueous suspension of coal-derived mineral matter particles is contacted with the combustion gas emissions for sufficient time to cause the combustion gas emissions to react with the aqueous suspension and form an enhanced aqueous suspension. The combustion gas emissions may comprise NOx, SOx, CO, or mixtures thereof. An aqueous suspension of coal-derived mineral matter particles containing enhanced amounts of soluble and insoluble sulfate, sulfite, nitrate, nitrite, or carbonate reaction compounds formed by reaction of the aqueous suspension of the coal-derived mineral matter particles with combustion gas emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: OMNIS MINERAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Swensen, Douglas E. Grunder, Simon K. Hodson
  • Publication number: 20170197177
    Abstract: Coal-derived mineral matter is used to capture or remove combustion gas emissions from flue gas or exhaust gas. The coal-derived mineral matter may be obtained by separating it from coal particles, such as by use of a flotation separation process. Coal-derived mineral matter may also be present in fine coal refuse. In the method of removing combustion gas emissions from flue gas, an aqueous suspension of coal-derived mineral matter particles is contacted with the combustion gas emissions for sufficient time to cause the combustion gas emissions to react with the aqueous suspension and form an enhanced aqueous suspension. The combustion gas emissions may comprise NOx, SOx, CO, or mixtures thereof. An aqueous suspension of coal-derived mineral matter particles containing enhanced amounts of soluble and insoluble sulfate, sulfite, nitrate, nitrite, or carbonate reaction compounds formed by reaction of the aqueous suspension of the coal-derived mineral matter particles with combustion gas emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: James S. Swensen, Douglas E. Grunder, Simon K. Hodson
  • Publication number: 20140226433
    Abstract: A valve structure is provided for controlling the discharge flow from a mixing apparatus. The mixing apparatus includes a mixing bowl with a discharge opening therein. The valve includes a paddle member dimensioned to conform to and close the discharge opening in the mixing bowl. A first actuator is provides for selectively moving the paddle member between a closed position, wherein the paddle member overlaps and covers the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the paddle member is displaced from covering the discharge opening. A second actuator mechanism is provided for selectively moving the paddle member into a sealing engagement with the bowl discharge opening, when the paddle member is in the closed position, and displaced from engagement with the bowl opening, prior to movement of paddle member to the open position by the first actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Marion Mixer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ternes, Douglas E. Grunder
  • Patent number: 6551401
    Abstract: A machine for coloring landscaping material is defined as having first and second mixing chamber segments in which liquid colorant is introduced into the first segment in the form of a liquid spray and into the second segment in the form of an aerosol. Paddles supported by arms secured to a rotating shaft are provided through the first and second segments to mix and convey the landscaping material during coloring. Increased tip speed of the paddles is provided by relatively longer arms in the second segment to enhance interaction between the landscaping material and the aerosol colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Becker-Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Winistorfer, Douglas E. Grunder, Brent Lester