Patents by Inventor George A. Olah

George A. Olah 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).

  • Publication number: 20210197172
    Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, solid sorbents for adsorbing carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, including air, with the sorbent including a modified polyamine and a solid support. The modified polyamine is the reaction product of an amine and an epoxide. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple cycles of adsorption-desorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Alain GOEPPERT, Hang ZHANG, George A. OLAH, G.K. Surya PRAKASH
  • Patent number: 10953384
    Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, solid sorbents for adsorbing carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, including air, with the sorbent including a modified polyamine and a solid support. The modified polyamine is the reaction product of an amine and an epoxide. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple cycles of adsorption-desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Alain Goeppert, Hang Zhang, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 10751689
    Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, solid sorbents for adsorbing carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, including air, with the sorbent including a modified polyamine and a solid support. The modified polyamine is the reaction product of an amine and an epoxide. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple cycles of adsorption-desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Alain Goeppert, Hang Zhang, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Publication number: 20190168185
    Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, solid sorbents for adsorbing carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, including air, with the sorbent including a modified polyamine and a solid support. The modified polyamine is the reaction product of an amine and an epoxide. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple cycles of adsorption-desorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Alain GOEPPERT, Hang ZHANG, George A. OLAH, G.K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 10131599
    Abstract: A method of producing methanol from shale gas and CO2 by the exclusive dry CO2 fracking of shale rock by injection of gaseous CO2 at a pressure between 10 and 100 atm to extract shale gas and recover it together with used CO2; combining and admixing produced shale gas containing CO2 and steam to produce a mixture of methane:carbon dioxide:water having a molar ratio of 3:1:2 for conducting the bi-reforming reaction to form a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide having a molar ratio of 2:1 to 2.1:1; and converting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide under conditions sufficient to exclusively form methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 9968880
    Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, solid sorbent for adsorbing carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, with the sorbent including a modified polyamine and a nano-structured solid support. The modified polyamine is the reaction product of an amine and an aldehyde. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple operations of absorption-desorption cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Alain Goeppert, Hang Zhang, G. K. Surya Prakash, George A. Olah
  • Publication number: 20170304764
    Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, solid sorbent for adsorbing carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, with the sorbent including a modified polyamine and a nano-structured solid support. The modified polyamine is the reaction product of an amine and an aldehyde. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple operations of absorption-desorption cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Alain GOEPPERT, Hang ZHANG, G.K. Surya PRAKASH, George A. OLAH
  • Patent number: 9504952
    Abstract: A method for recycling a carbon-containing greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane (natural gas) or a hydrocarbon homolog thereof. The method includes the steps of capturing the emissions, sequestering them in an underground or undersea storage area, withdrawing them from the storage area after storage therein, and converting them to carbon-containing compounds such as methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are chemically recycled to provide a permanent and inexhaustible supply of carbon-containing fuels or products, which subsequently can be combusted or used without increasing the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. The method is thus effective in neutralizing or reducing the carbon footprint due to human activities related to combustion or use of carbon-containing fuels while providing a repeatedly sustainable carbon source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Publication number: 20160340278
    Abstract: A method of producing methanol from shale gas and CO2 by the exclusive dry CO2 fracking of shale rock by injection of gaseous CO2 at a pressure between 10 and 100 atm to extract shale gas and recover it together with used CO2; combining and admixing produced shale gas containing CO2 and steam to produce a mixture of methane:carbon dioxide:water having a molar ratio of 3:1:2 for conducting the bi-reforming reaction to form a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide having a molar ratio of 2:1 to 2.1:1; and converting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide under conditions sufficient to exclusively form methanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G.K. Surya Prakash
  • Publication number: 20160237362
    Abstract: The common interchangeable use of a high methanol content fuel for use in all types of internal combustion engines, including cars, trucks, vehicles for transportation use (ships, boats, locomotives, airplanes, etc.), various other equipment and turbines. The engines are converted to be able to use these fuels although further vehicles can be made with components that would allow such fuels to be used. These methanol fuels are renewable and environmentally benign when produced from carbon dioxide capture and recycling of their combustion or other use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: George A. OLAH, G.K. Surya PRAKASH
  • Publication number: 20160199810
    Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, solid sorbents for adsorbing carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, including air, with the sorbent including a modified polyamine and a solid support. The modified polyamine is the reaction product of an amine and an epoxide. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple cycles of adsorption-desorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Alain GOEPPERT, Hang ZHANG, George A. OLAH, G.K. Surya PRAKASH
  • Patent number: 9334253
    Abstract: A direct trifluoromethylation method preferably using a trifluoromethane as a fluoro-methylating species. In particular, the present method is used for preparing a trifluoromethylated substrate by reacting a fluoromethylatable substrate with a trifiuoromethylating agent in the presence of an alkoxide or metal salt of silazane under conditions sufficient to trifluoromethylate the substrate; wherein the fluoromethylatable substrate includes chlorosilanes, carbonyl compounds such as esters, aryl halides, aldehydes, ketones, chalcones, alkyl formates, alkyl halides, aryl halides, alkyl borates, carbon dioxide or sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: G. K. Surya Prakash, Parag V. Jog, Patrice. T. D Batamack, George Olah
  • Patent number: 8980961
    Abstract: The invention provides for \ a method of forming methanol by combining a mixture of methane, water and carbon dioxide under reaction conditions sufficient to form a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are reacted under conditions sufficient to form methanol. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is at least two moles of hydrogen to one mole of carbon monoxide and the overall molar ratio between methane, water and carbon dioxide is about 3:2:1. Methane, carbon dioxide and water are bi-reformed over a catalyst. The catalyst includes a single metal, a metal oxide, a mixed catalyst of a metal and a metal oxide or a mixed catalyst of at least two metal oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8816137
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method for processing heavy oil from any sources including tar sands, oil shales, varied residues in a bi-reforming process utilizing reaction conditions with steam and carbon dioxide sufficient to form a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to form methanol. Methanol produced can be dehydrated to form dimethyl ether, with water produced being recycled back to the bi-reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G.K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8791166
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing methanol and its products exclusively from a geothermal source as the sole source material also using the needed energy from the geothermal energy source. The method includes separating or isolating carbon dioxide accompanying hot water or steam of the source, generating hydrogen from the water and subsequently preparing methanol from the carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The methanol can be further converted into dimethyl ether or other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8697759
    Abstract: A method for producing methanol from a methane source such as methane from natural (shale) gas by first reacting one equivalent of methane with oxygen from the air to result in complete combustion to produce carbon dioxide and water in a molar ratio of 1:2; then conducting a bi-reforming process with a mixture of methane:carbon dioxide:water having a ratio of 3:1:2 to produce metgas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide having a molar ratio of 2:1 to 2.1:1; and finally converting metgas exclusively to methanol. The thus produced methanol can be dehydrated to form dimethyl ether, with water produced being recycled back to the bi-reforming process, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Publication number: 20140100391
    Abstract: A method for producing methanol from a methane source such as methane from natural (shale) gas by first reacting one equivalent of methane with oxygen from the air to result in complete combustion to produce carbon dioxide and water in a molar ratio of 1:2; then conducting a bi-reforming process with a mixture of methane: carbon dioxide:water having a ratio of 3:1:2 to produce metgas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide having a molar ratio of 2:1 to 2.1:1; and finally converting metgas exclusively to methanol. The thus produced methanol can be dehydrated to form dimethyl ether, with water produced being recycled back to the bi-reforming process, if necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G.K. Surya Prakash
  • Publication number: 20140066640
    Abstract: A direct trifluoromethylation method preferably using a trifluoromethane as a fluoro-methylating species. In particular, the present method is used for preparing a trifluoromethylated substrate by reacting a fluoromethylatable substrate with a trifiuoromethylating agent in the presence of an alkoxide or metal salt of silazane under conditions sufficient to trifluoromethylate the substrate; wherein the fluoromethylatable substrate includes chlorosilanes, carbonyl compounds such as esters, aryl halides, aldehydes, ketones, chalcones, alkyl formates, alkyl halides, aryl halides, alkyl borates, carbon dioxide or sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: G.K. Surya Prakash, Parag V. Jog, Patrice T.D. Batamack, George A. Olah
  • Publication number: 20130331616
    Abstract: A method for recycling a carbon-containing greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane (natural gas) or a hydrocarbon homolog thereof. The method includes the steps of capturing the emissions, sequestering them in an underground or undersea storage area, withdrawing them from the storage area after storage therein, and converting them to carbon-containing compounds such as methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are chemically recycled to provide a permanent and inexhaustible supply of carbon-containing fuels or products, which subsequently can be combusted or used without increasing the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. The method is thus effective in neutralizing or reducing the carbon footprint due to human activities related to combustion or use of carbon-containing fuels while providing a repeatedly sustainable carbon source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8461218
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for rendering petroleum oil as an essentially environmentally carbon dioxide-neutral fuel and source material. Carbon dioxide produced from petroleum oil combustion is captured, purified, combined with steam and light hydrocarbon fractions, or with hydrogen, and reacted under reaction conditions sufficient to form methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which can be used as fuel or feedstock for derived synthetic hydrocarbons and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash