Patents by Inventor Heikki Eerola

Heikki Eerola 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 for producing easily volatile materials
    Patent number: 5611989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to be used in producing easily volatile metals from their sulfides. The method employs two closely connected furnaces, a reduction furnace and a converter, which are operated at normal pressure, so that the material transfer therebetween is arranged to be carried out continuously at normal pressure through the channels provided in between the furnaces. As a result of chemical reactions taking place in the furnaces, the hydrostatic pressure in the furnaces changes, and the circulations caused by these changes through the channels at the same time bring about recycling of the sulfide matte needed in the process from the reduction furnace to the converter and the recycling of the molten metal from the converter to the reduction furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Outokumpu Research Oy
    Inventors: Timo Talonen, Heikki Eerola, Antti Roine