Patents by Inventor Howard A. Barrie

Howard A. Barrie 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).

  • Application of inert gas mixtures to prevent and/or to control sulfide mineral oxidation and the generation of acid rock drainage
    Patent number: 6991405
    Abstract: A system, computer program product and method of preventing and controlling sulfide mineral oxidation and generation of acid rock drainage in a mass of sulfidic waste is provided. The mass of sulfidic waste includes a cover. The method involves applying under the cover of an oxygen deficient/non-reactive gas mixture, substantially throughout the mass of sulfidic waste, in a quantity sufficient to create a pressure differential between the inside of the mass of sulfidic waste and the open atmosphere outside and adjacent to the mass of sulfidic waste, such that the oxygen gas concentration inside the mass of sulfidic waste is substantially equal to, or less than, the atmospheric oxygen gas concentration outside and adjacent to the mass of sulfidic waste. The system includes a distribution system and sensors for detecting acid rock drainage conditions of the mass of sulfidic waste, and in response applying an effective amount of oxygen deficient/non-reactive gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Terraquest Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard A. Barrie, David A. Orava
  • Application of inert gas mixtures to prevent and/or to control sulfide mineral oxidation and the generation of acid rock drainage
    Publication number: 20040067107
    Abstract: A system, computer program product and method of preventing and controlling sulfide mineral oxidation and generation of acid rock drainage in a mass of sulfidic waste is provided. The mass of sulfidic waste includes a cover. The method involves applying under the cover of an oxygen deficient/non-reactive gas mixture, substantially throughout the mass of sulfidic waste, in a quantity sufficient to create a pressure differential between the inside of the mass of sulfidic waste and the open atmosphere outside and adjacent to the mass of sulfidic waste, such that the oxygen gas concentration inside the mass of sulfidic waste is substantially equal to, or less than, the atmospheric oxygen gas concentration outside and adjacent to the mass of sulfidic waste. The system includes a distribution system and sensors for detecting acid rock drainage conditions of the mass of sulfidic waste, and in response applying an effective amount of oxygen deficient/non-reactive gas mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Howard A. Barrie, David A. Orava