Patents by Inventor Frank S. Zeman

Frank S. Zeman 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: 8926717
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a synthetic fuel are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: thermally reforming methane and carbon dioxide to generate a syngas including a first quantity of carbon monoxide and a first quantity of hydrogen; oxidizing the quantity of first carbon monoxide with a metal to produce metal oxide and carbon thereby separating oxygen from the carbon monoxide; gasifying the carbon using steam to produce a second quantity of carbon monoxide and a second quantity of hydrogen; reacting the metal oxide with methane to produce metal oxide, carbon dioxide, and a third quantity of hydrogen; and synthesizing the first quantity of carbon monoxide, the first quantity of hydrogen, the second quantity of hydrogen, and the third quantity of hydrogen to form the synthetic fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Frank S. Zeman, Marco J. Castaldi
  • Patent number: 8702847
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20130213280
    Abstract: A reduced emission kiln is described. In some embodiments, the kiln includes a combustion zone for generating heat energy. The combustion zone includes an oxygen inlet and a fuel inlet. In some embodiments, the kiln also includes a calcination zone for converting limestone into lime and carbon dioxide in response to the heat energy from the combustion zone. The calcination zone includes an inlet for limestone, a conduit for directing the carbon dioxide to the combustion zone for use as a flood gas to control the heat energy, an outlet for directing the lime to a hydration chamber, and a carbon dioxide permeable membrane for separating the carbon dioxide in the calcination zone from other materials in the calcination zone and preventing the other materials from entering the conduit for directing the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20130115153
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20120302469
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Patrick Grimes, Samuel C. Krevor, Frank S. Zeman
  • Patent number: 8246731
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20110226006
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Patrick Grimes, Samuel C. Krevor, Frank S. Zeman
  • Patent number: 7947239
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Patrick Grimes, Samuel C. Krevor, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20100293845
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a synthetic fuel are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: thermally reforming methane and carbon dioxide to generate a syngas including a first quantity of carbon monoxide and a first quantity of hydrogen; oxidizing the quantity of first carbon monoxide with a metal to produce metal oxide and carbon thereby separating oxygen from the carbon monoxide; gasifying the carbon using steam to produce a second quantity of carbon monoxide and a second quantity of hydrogen; reacting the metal oxide with methane to produce metal oxide, carbon dioxide, and a third quantity of hydrogen; and synthesizing the first quantity of carbon monoxide, the first quantity of hydrogen, the second quantity of hydrogen, and the third quantity of hydrogen to form the synthetic fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Frank S. Zeman, Marco J. Castaldi
  • Publication number: 20100202937
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman
  • Patent number: 7699909
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (C02), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20090101050
    Abstract: A reduced emission kiln is described. In some embodiments, the kiln includes a combustion zone for generating heat energy. The combustion zone includes an oxygen inlet and a fuel inlet. In some embodiments, the kiln also includes a calcination zone for converting limestone into lime and carbon dioxide in response to the heat energy from the combustion zone. The calcination zone includes an inlet for limestone, a conduit for directing the carbon dioxide to the combustion zone for use as a flood gas to control the heat energy, an outlet for directing the lime to a hydration chamber, and a carbon dioxide permeable membrane for separating the carbon dioxide in the calcination zone from other materials in the calcination zone and preventing the other materials from entering the conduit for directing the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20080138265
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Columbia University
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Frank S. Zeman