Patents by Inventor Erle L. Plunkett

Erle L. Plunkett 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 solution for removal of poly chlorinated biphenyl
    Patent number: 5986147
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provides for decontamination of soil from contaminates such as polychlorinated biphenyls. The method involves (a) admixing a short chain alcohol and a ethoxylated alcohol to provide a solvent composition, (b) admixing the solvent composition with the contaminated soil to extract the contaminant from the soil into the solvent to form contaminated solvent, (c) separating the soil from the contaminated solvent, (d) washing of the decontaminated soil with water to remove residual solvent from the soil, and (e) distillation of the contaminated solvent to separate the reusable short chain alcohol as a light fraction from a heavy fraction containing the ethoxylated alcohol and the contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Erle L. Plunkett
  • Method and apparatus for decontamination of poly chlorinated biphenyl contaminated soil
    Patent number: 5896876
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provides for decontamination of soil from contaminates such as polychlorinated biphenyls. The method involves (a) admixing a short chain alcohol and a long chain alcohol to provide a solvent composition, (b) admixing the solvent composition with the contaminated soil to extract the contaminant from the soil into the solvent to form contaminated solvent, (c) separating the soil from the contaminated solvent, (d) washing of the decontaminated soil with water to remove residual solvent from the soil, and (e) distillation of the contaminated solvent to separate the reusable short chain alcohol as a light fraction from a heavy fraction containing the long chain alcohol and the contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Erle L. Plunkett
  • Method and apparatus for decontamination of poly chlorinated biphenyl contaminated soil
    Patent number: 5779813
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provides for decontamination of soil from contaminates such as polychlorinated biphenyls. The method involves (a) admixing a short chain alcohol and a long chain alcohol to provide a solvent composition, (b) admixing the solvent composition with the contaminated soil to extract the contaminant from the soil into the solvent to form contaminated solvent, (c) separating the soil from the contaminated solvent, (d) washing of the decontaminated soil with water to remove residual solvent from the soil, and (e) distillation of the contaminated solvent to separate the reusable short chain alcohol as a light fraction from a heavy fraction containing the long chain alcohol and the contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Dan W. Gore
    Inventor: Erle L. Plunkett