Patents by Inventor Douglas N. Trerice

Douglas N. Trerice 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).

  • Method and associated apparatus for determining carbon content in fly ash
    Patent number: 5173662
    Abstract: A method for determining carbon content in fly ash includes providing a source of fly ash and a microwave interrogation chamber. A quantity of fly ash is introduced into the interrogation chamber and exposed to microwave energy. The amount of carbon in the fly ash is determined by measuring the amount of microwave energy exposed to the fly ash, the amount of energy transmitted through the fly ash, and the amount reflected therefrom in order to determine the amount of energy absorbed. The concentration of fly ash is preferably determined by determining the weight of the fly ash and determining the percentage of carbon content in the fly ash. The method is particularly useful in respect of monitoring carbon content in fly ash of boiler exhaust gases. The system may also be employed to determine the fly ash glass content of fly ash. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventors: Douglas N. Trerice, Charles R. Muffler
  • Method and associated apparatus for determining carbon content in fly ash
    Patent number: 5109201
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining carbon content in fly ash providing a source of fly ash and a microwave interrogation chamber. A quantity of fly ash is introduced into the interrogation chamber and exposed to microwave energy. The amount of carbon in the fly ash is determined by measuring the amount of microwave energy exposed to the fly ash, the amount of energy transmitted through the fly ash, and the amount reflected therefrom in order to determine the amount of energy absorbed. The concentration of fly ash is preferably determined by determining the weight of the fly ash and determining the percentage of carbon content in the fly ash. The method is particularly useful in respect of monitoring carbon content in fly ash of boiler exhaust gases. The system may also be employed to determine the fly ash glass content of fly ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventors: Douglas N. Trerice, Charles R. Buffler
  • Method and apparatus for measurement of carbon content in fly ash
    Patent number: 4705409
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing and measuring carbon content in fly ash. The invention employs microwave energy as the method of heating for inducing combustion of the carbon in a fly ash sample. Measurement of the carbon content can be accomplished in accordance with the present invention by measuring temperature differential of an excess energy absorber in the form of water before and after the fly ash is exposed to microwave radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventor: Douglas N. Trerice
  • Method and apparatus for reduction of fly ash carbon by microwave
    Patent number: 4663507
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing and measuring carbon content in fly ash. The invention employs microwave energy as the method of heating for inducing combustion of the carbon in a fly ash sample. Measurement of the carbon content can be accomplished in accordance with the present invention by measuring temperature differential of an excess energy absorber in the form of water before and after the fly ash is exposed to microwave radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventor: Douglas N. Trerice