Patents by Inventor Howard T. Jennings

Howard T. Jennings 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).

  • Waste processing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5839078
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating toxic waste by the vitrification thereof are described, the method comprising the steps of providing said waste in the form of relatively small pieces; optionally adding vitrifiable material to said waste; bringing a high intensity light source to bear on said waste and said optional vitrifiable material; said high intensity light source being of sufficient power to cause melting and subsequent vitrification of said waste; and, cooling and storing said vitrified material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels PLC
    Inventors: Howard T. Jennings, Lin Li
  • Method of decontaminating a cementitious surface
    Patent number: 5414196
    Abstract: A cementitious surface contaminated with a radioactive substance is decontaminated by applying a micro-organism to the surface to degrade the surface. The residue which contains the radioactive substance is then removed by suction, scraping, brushing or abrasion blasting. The micro-organism might comprise an aerobic sulphur oxidising bacteria, or an anaerobic sulphate reducing bacteria, or a mixture thereof. Action of the micro-organism can be stopped as necessary by heating, or by depriving the micro-organism of nutrients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventor: Howard T. Jennings