Patents by Inventor Francis P. Burke

Francis P. Burke 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).

  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION OF SHALLOW DEPTH FLUIDS
    Publication number: 20140054158
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing that has at least an inlet and an outlet. The housing is configured to receive a volume of fluid via the inlet. The volume of fluid is in a substantially liquid state and at least a portion of the volume of fluid includes a dissolved impurity. The apparatus also includes a heat-transfer element coupled to an interior volume of the housing. The heat-transfer element includes a surface, at least a portion of which is disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The volume of fluid includes a surface parallel to the horizontal plane. The apparatus further includes a compression component configured to compress at least a portion of fluid boiled from the volume of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hydrologic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis P. BURKE, Kenneth J. HORNE, David B. TAYLOR, Stephen R. TOPAZ
  • Methods and apparatus for distillation of shallow depth fluids
    Patent number: 8206557
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing that has at least an inlet and an outlet. The housing is configured to receive a volume of fluid via the inlet. The volume of fluid is in a substantially liquid state and at least a portion of the volume of fluid includes a dissolved impurity. The apparatus also includes a heat-transfer element coupled to an interior volume of the housing. The heat-transfer element includes a surface, at least a portion of which is disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The volume of fluid includes a surface parallel to the horizontal plane. The apparatus further includes a compression component configured to compress at least a portion of fluid boiled from the volume of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hydrologic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis P. Burke, Kenneth J. Horne, David B. Taylor, Stephen R. Topaz
  • Method for producing reactive lime and reducing sulfur dioxide
    Patent number: 4609536
    Abstract: Limestone is calcined by being suspended in hot gas produced by combustion of a low-carbon fuel to produce a quicklime of high surface area, which in one embodiment is used for flue gas desulfurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Heeyoung Yoon, Francis P. Burke
  • Method and apparatus for deashing coal liquefaction effluents
    Patent number: 4416424
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for deashing an effluent slurry from a coal liquefaction process is provided. A mixture of relatively coarse coal-derived solids and a precipitating solvent is stirred with the effluent slurry to form hard, discrete agglomerate pellets of improved settling rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Francis P. Burke
  • Method and apparatus for deashing coal liquefaction effluents
    Patent number: 4396489
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for deashing an effluent slurry from a coal liquefaction process is provided. A mixture of relatively coarse coal-derived solids and a precipitating solvent is stirred with the effluent slurry to form hard, discrete agglomerate pellets of improved settling rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Francis P. Burke
  • Treatment of coal liquefaction effluent
    Patent number: 4146459
    Abstract: A solvent extraction coal conversion process is provided wherein the effluent slurry product is subjected to vacuum distillation to yield distillate and extrudable still bottoms. The latter are removed from the vacuum still by means of an extrusion screw which is operatively associated with the still.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Continental Oil Company
    Inventor: Francis P. Burke
  • Method for pelletizing carbonaceous solids
    Patent number: 4133647
    Abstract: An improved method for agglomerating finely divided carbonaceous solids is disclosed. The method comprises mixing the solids with oil having a softening point above about 100.degree. C in an aqueous medium at a temperature above about 120.degree. C and at a pressure greater than about 1000 mm Hg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignees: Continental Oil Co., The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Francis P. Burke