Patents by Inventor Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen

Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen 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: 8773118
    Abstract: A magnetometer which includes an elongate reactor in which a sample can be secured in a sample support zone and which is located within a magnetic field space of a magnetic field generator and one or more signal pickup coils. Movement generating means is provided for generating relative movement in a generally linear direction between the reactor and at least one of the magnetic field and pickup coil, preferably by moving the reactor in its length. The magnetometer is characterised in that the reactor is a metal tube having a length which permits its ends to remain external of the signal pickup device during the relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Michael Christian Maximilian Claeys, Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen, Jacobus Lucas Visagie, Jan van de Loosdrecht
  • Patent number: 8558047
    Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydrocarbons from synthesis gas wherein the synthesis gas is fed to a reactor in which a catalyst acts on the feed at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 5 bar. The feed includes a compound containing one or both nitrogen and phosphorus added to the reactor with the synthesis gas. The compound containing nitrogen typically constitutes at least 1 vol % and preferably of the order of 4 to 20 vol % or more of the feed. The carbonaceous gas may be carbon monoxide with a ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas of from 0.5:1 to 5:1. The catalyst is preferably a supported cobalt catalyst and may be modified with a promoter. The process produces an enhanced proportion of olefins, in the hydrocarbons produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Michael Christian Maximillian Claeys, Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen, Frank Roessner, Andreas Karl Rausch
  • Patent number: 8513463
    Abstract: A process is described for the production of one or more of linear nitriles, amides and formamides which includes reacting a nitrogen containing compound, such as ammonia or NOx, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A further process for the production of one or more of linear phosphorous containing compounds is also described, which includes reacting a phosphorous containing compound, such as a phosphine, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A supported cobalt, iron, ruthenium or rhodium catalyst or an unsupported (bulk) promoted iron catalyst, modified with a promoter is used. The synthesis gas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in a ratio from 0.5:1 to 5:1; or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide; or a mixture of water and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: The University of Cape Town, Carl Von Ossietzky Universitat Oldenburg
    Inventors: Michael Christian Maximilian Claeys, Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen, Frank Roessner, Tawanda Stephen Sango
  • Publication number: 20110204884
    Abstract: A magnetometer which includes an elongate reactor in which a sample can be secured in a sample support zone and which is located within a magnetic field space of a magnetic field generator and one or more signal pickup coils. Movement generating means is provided for generating relative movement in a generally linear direction between the reactor and at least one of the magnetic field and pickup coil, preferably by moving the reactor in its length. The magnetometer is characterised in that the reactor is a metal tube having a length which permits its ends to remain external of the signal pickup device during the relative movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Michael Christian Maximilian Claeys, Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen, Jacobus Lucas Visagie, Jan van de Loosdrecht
  • Publication number: 20110160510
    Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydrocarbons that include olefins from synthesis gas containing at least one of carbon monoxide and or carbon dioxide wherein the synthesis gas is fed to a reactor in which a catalyst acts on the feed at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. The feed includes a compound containing one or both of nitrogen and phosphorous, such as ammonia and a phosphine, added to the reactor with the synthesis gas. The compound containing nitrogen typically constitutes at least 1 vol % and preferably of the order of 4 to 20 vol % or more of the feed. The carbonaceous gas may be carbon monoxide with a ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas of from 0.5:1 to 5:1. The catalyst is preferably a supported cobalt catalyst and may be modified with a promoter. The process produces an enhanced proportion of olefins, especially linear olefins, in the hydrocarbons produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Christian Maximillian Claeys, Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen, Frank Roessner, Andreas Karl Rausch
  • Publication number: 20110092728
    Abstract: A process is described for the production of one or more of linear nitriles, amides and formamides which includes reacting a nitrogen containing compound, such as ammonia or NOx, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A further process for the production of one or more of linear phosphorous containing compounds is also described, which includes reacting a phosphorous containing compound, such as a phosphine, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A supported cobalt, iron, ruthenium or rhodium catalyst or an unsupported (bulk) promoted iron catalyst, modified with a promoter is used. The synthesis gas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in a ratio from 0.5:1 to 5:1; or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide; or a mixture of water and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN, CARL VON OSSIETZKY UNIVERSITAT OLDENBURG
    Inventors: Michael Christian Maximilian Claeys, Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen, Frank Roessner, Tawanda Stephen Sango