Patents by Inventor Eric W. McFarland
Eric W. McFarland 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).
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Patent number: 11814285Abstract: The reaction rate of hydrocarbon pyrolysis can be increased to produce solid carbon and hydrogen by the use of molten materials which have catalytic functionality to increase the rate of reaction and physical properties that facilitate the formation and contamination-free separation of the solid carbon. Processes, materials, reactor configurations, and conditions are disclosed whereby methane and other hydrocarbons can be decomposed at high reaction rates into hydrogen gas and carbon products without any carbon oxides in a single reaction step. The process also makes use of specific properties of selected materials with unique solubilities and/or wettability of products into (and/or by) the molten phase to facilitate generation of purified products and increased conversion in more general reactions.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Eric W. McFarland, Ches Upham, Jiren Zeng, Clarke Palmer, Shizhao Su, Davide Mannini, Dohyung Kang, Nazanin Rahimi, Horia Metiu, Michael Gordon
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Publication number: 20230340336Abstract: A process for performing high temperature reactions includes introducing reactants into a reactor vessel, generating a high temperature within the reactor vessel, exposing a first portion of the reactants to the high temperature, and reacting the first portion of the reactants based on contact with the high temperature to produce one or more products. The high temperature is higher than a lower temperature of a wall of the reactor vessel, and a temperature gradient is generated between the high temperature and the lower temperature of the wall. A second portion of the reactants are not exposed to the high temperature, and the second portion of the reactants do not react.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventor: Eric W. McFarland
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Publication number: 20210061654Abstract: A reaction process comprises feeding a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon into a vessel, reacting the feed stream in the vessel, producing solid carbon and a gas phase product based on the contacting of the feed stream with the molten salt mixture, separating the gas phase product from the molten salt mixture, and separating the solid carbon from the molten salt mixture to produce a solid carbon product. The vessel comprises a molten salt mixture, and the molten salt mixture comprises a reactive component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Eric W. McFarland, Ches Upham, Clarke Palmer, Shizhao Su, Davide Mannini, Nazanin Rahimi, Dohyung Kang, Horia Metiu, Michael Gordon
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Publication number: 20200283293Abstract: The reaction rate of hydrocarbon pyrolysis can be increased to produce solid carbon and hydrogen by the use of molten materials which have catalytic functionality to increase the rate of reaction and physical properties that facilitate the formation and contamination-free separation of the solid carbon. Processes, materials, reactor configurations, and conditions are disclosed whereby methane and other hydrocarbons can be decomposed at high reaction rates into hydrogen gas and carbon products without any carbon oxides in a single reaction step. The process also makes use of specific properties of selected materials with unique solubilities and/or wettability of products into (and/or by) the molten phase to facilitate generation of purified products and increased conversion in more general reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2018Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Eric W. McFarland, Ches Upham, Jiren Zeng, Clarke Palmer, Shizhao Su, Davide Mannini, Dohyung Kang, Nazanin Rahimi, Horia Metiu, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 10100415Abstract: A multi-junction artificial photosynthetic unit includes an active element with a plurality of semiconducting layers, with metal layers deposited between the semiconductor layers appropriately forming Schottky barrier junctions or ohmic junctions with a surface of an adjacent semiconductor layer. The active element is formed within a protective structure formed of porous aluminum oxide. Successive layers of the active element can be formed within the protective structure, and additional layers and junctions can be added until desired photovoltages are achieved. A photoreactor for the production of fuels and chemicals driven by solar-powered redox reactions includes a bag reactor filled with a feedstock solution. A plurality of multi-junction photosynthetic units are placed in the feedstock solution to drive the redox reactions and produce the desired fuels and chemicals.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: HYPERSOLAR, INC.Inventors: Syed Mubeen Jawahar Hussaini, Eric W. McFarland, Martin Moskovits, Joun Lee, Tim Young
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Publication number: 20160076154Abstract: A multi-junction artificial photosynthetic unit includes an active element with a plurality of semiconducting layers, with metal layers deposited between the semiconductor layers appropriately forming Schottky barrier junctions or ohmic junctions with a surface of an adjacent semiconductor layer. The active element is formed within a protective structure formed of porous aluminum oxide. Successive layers of the active element can be formed within the protective structure, and additional layers and junctions can be added until desired photovoltages are achieved. A photoreactor for the production of fuels and chemicals driven by solar-powered redox reactions includes a bag reactor filled with a feedstock solution. A plurality of multi-junction photosynthetic units are placed in the feedstock solution to drive the redox reactions and produce the desired fuels and chemicals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicants: HyperSolar Inc., The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Syed Mubeen Jawahar Hussaini, Eric W. McFarland, Martin Moskovits, Joun Lee, Tim Young
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Patent number: 9045385Abstract: A process is disclosed that includes brominating a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkane with elemental bromine to form a bromo-alkane. The bromo-alkane is reacted to form a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkene and HBr. The HBr is oxidized to form elemental bromine.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: REACTION 35, LLCInventors: Vivek Julka, Sagar Gadewar, Peter K. Stoimenov, Philip Grosso, Jeffrey H. Sherman, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland
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Publication number: 20150099911Abstract: A process is disclosed that includes brominating a C2, C3 , C4, C5 or C6 alkane with elemental bromine to form a bromo-alkane. The bromo-alkane is reacted to form a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkene and HBr. The HBr is oxidized to form elemental bromine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Vivek JULKA, Sagar GADEWAR, Peter K. STOIMENOV, Philip GROSSO, Jeffrey H. SHERMAN, Aihua ZHANG, Eric W. MCFARLAND
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Patent number: 8940954Abstract: A process is disclosed that includes brominating a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkane with elemental bromine to form a bromo-alkane. The bromo-alkane is reacted to form a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkene and HBr. The HBr is oxidized to form elemental bromine.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Reaction35, LLCInventors: Vivek Julka, Sagar Gadewar, Peter K. Stoimenov, Philip Grosso, Jeffrey H. Sherman, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland
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Patent number: 8449849Abstract: A method comprising providing a halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream to form a halogenated stream, wherein the halogenated stream comprises alkyl monohalides, alkyl polyhalides, and a hydrogen halide; providing a second alkane stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second alkane stream with at least a portion of the alkyl polyhalides to create at least some additional alkyl monohalides.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: GRT, Inc.Inventors: Sagar B. Gadewar, Michael D. Wyrsta, Philip Grosso, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland, Zachary J. A. Komon, Jeffrey H. Sherman
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Patent number: 8415517Abstract: A method comprising: providing a first halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the first halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream in a first reaction vessel to form a first halogenated stream; providing a second alkane stream comprising C2 and higher hydrocarbons; providing a second halogen stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second halogen stream with at least a portion of the second alkane stream in a second reaction vessel to form a second halogenated stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: GRT, Inc.Inventors: Sagar Gadewar, Michael Wyrsta, Philip Grosso, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland, Zachary J. A. Komon, Jeffrey H. Sherman, Peter Stoimenov, Hongfei Lin, Shawn Huff, Shouli Sun
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Patent number: 8415512Abstract: Improvements in previously disclosed methods of and apparatuses for converting alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes includes: safety improvements, use of alternative feedstocks, process simplification, improvements to the halogenation step, improvements to the reproportionation step, improvements to the solid oxide reaction, improvements to solid oxide regeneration, improvements in separations, maintenance, start-up, shut-down, and materials of construction.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: GRT, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric W. McFarland, Michael J. Weiss, Ivan Marc Lorkovic, Leroy E. Laverman, Shouli Sun, Dieter J. Schaefer, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Philip Grosso, Ashley W. Rreed, Michael F. Doherty
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Publication number: 20120302808Abstract: A process is disclosed that includes brominating a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkane with elemental bromine to form a bromo-alkane. The bromo-alkane is reacted to form a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkene and HBr. The HBr is oxidized to form elemental bromine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: GRT, INC.Inventors: Vivek Julka, Sagar Gadewar, Peter K. Stoimenov, Philip Grosso, Jeffrey H. Sherman, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland
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Publication number: 20120009090Abstract: A method comprising providing a halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream to form a halogenated stream, wherein the halogenated stream comprises alkyl monohalides, alkyl polyhalides, and a hydrogen halide; providing a second alkane stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second alkane stream with at least a portion of the alkyl polyhalides to create at least some additional alkyl monohalides.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Sagar B. Gadewar, Michael D. Wyrsta, Philip Grosso, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland, Zachary J.A. Komon, Jeffrey H. Sherman
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Patent number: 8053616Abstract: A method comprising providing a halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream to form a halogenated stream, wherein the halogenated stream comprises alkyl monohalides, alkyl polyhalides, and a hydrogen halide; providing a second alkane stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second alkane stream with at least a portion of the alkyl polyhalides to create at least some additional alkyl monohalides.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: GRT, Inc.Inventors: Sagar B. Gadewar, Michael D. Wyrsta, Philip Grosso, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland, Zachary J. A. Komon, Jeffrey H. Sherman
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Publication number: 20110034741Abstract: Improvements in previously disclosed methods of and apparatuses for converting alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes includes: safety improvements, use of alternative feedstocks, process simplification, improvements to the halogenation step, improvements to the reproportionation step, improvements to the solid oxide reaction, improvements to solid oxide regeneration, improvements in separations, maintenance, start-up, shut-down, and materials of construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric W. McFarland, Michael J. Weiss, Ivan Marc Lorkovic, Leroy E. Laverman, Shouli Sun, Dieter J. Schaefer, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Philip Grosso, Ashley W. Rreed, Michael F. Doherty
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Patent number: 7883568Abstract: A process is provided for separating one or more light gases from bromine or chlorine using one or more physical separations and contact with a chemical scrubber to recover additional halogen. In one aspect, the process comprises (a) providing a feed of halogen containing one or more light gases to a distillation column or flash vaporizer; (b) operating the distillation column or flash vaporizer to separate the feed into (i) a first liquid containing a major amount of halogen and no more than a minor amount of light gas(es), and (ii) a first vapor containing a major amount of light gas(es) and no more than a minor amount of halogen; and (c) providing the vapor to a chemical scrubber to recover halogen from the vapor.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: GRT, Inc.Inventors: Sagar B. Gadewar, Peter K. Stoimenov, Philip Grosso, Eric W. McFarland, Ashley W. Breed, Michael J. Weiss, Michael D. Wyrsta
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Patent number: 7838708Abstract: Improvements in previously disclosed methods of and apparatuses for converting alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes includes: safety improvements, use of alternative feedstocks, process simplification, improvements to the halogenation step, improvements to the reproportionation step, improvements to the solid oxide reaction, improvements to solid oxide regeneration, improvements in separations, maintenance, start-up, shut-down, and materials of construction.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignees: GRT, Inc., The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric W. McFarland, Michael J. Weiss, Ivan Marc Lorkovic, Leroy E. Laverman, Shouli Sun, Dieter J. Schaefer, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Philip Grosso, Ashley W. Breed, Michael F. Doherty
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Publication number: 20100121119Abstract: Improvements in previously disclosed methods of and apparatuses for converting alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes includes: safety improvements, use of alternative feedstocks, process simplification, improvements to the halogenation step, improvements to the reproportionation step, improvements to the solid oxide reaction, improvements to solid oxide regeneration, improvements in separations, maintenance, start-up, shut-down, and materials of construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric W. McFarland, Michael J. Weiss, Ivan Marc Lorkovic, Leroy E. Laverman, Shouli Sun, Dieter J. Schaefer, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Philip Grosso, Ashley W. Breed, Michael F. Doherty
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Publication number: 20100099928Abstract: A method comprising providing a halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream to form a halogenated stream, wherein the halogenated stream comprises alkyl monohalides, alkyl polyhalides, and a hydrogen halide; providing a second alkane stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second alkane stream with at least a portion of the alkyl polyhalides to create at least some additional alkyl monohalides.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Sagar B. Gadewar, Michael D. Wyrsta, Philip Grosso, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland, Zachary J.A. Komon, Jeffrey H. Sherman