Patents by Inventor Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt
Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt 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: 8512441Abstract: A process for recovering a gaseous component comprising at least one fluorine-containing compound from a mixture of gaseous compounds. The process includes, in a separation zone (12), bringing a mixture of gaseous constituents, including at least one fluorine-containing constituent, into contact with a gas permeable separating medium (16) comprising a polymeric compound, so that a first gaseous component comprising at least one fluorine-containing constituent is separated from a second gaseous component comprising the balance of the gaseous constituents. The first gaseous component is withdrawn from the separation zone as a permeate (34) or a retentate, while the second gaseous component is withdrawn from the separation zone as the retentate (26), when the first gaseous component is withdrawn as the permeate, and as the permeate, when the first gaseous component is withdrawn as the retentate.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignees: The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Limited, North-West UniversityInventors: Johannes Theodorus Nel, Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt, Alfred Teo Grunenberg, Odolphus Simon Leo Bruinsma, Marco Le Roux, Henning Manfred Krieg, Sanette Marx
-
Patent number: 8212091Abstract: A process for depolymerizing fluoropolymers includes continuously feeding a solid fluoropolymer, in particulate form, into a horizontal cylindrical first reaction zone. The fluoropolymer particles enter the first reaction zone at one end. Within the first reaction zone, a central axle from which protrudes at least one paddle, continuously rotates. The rotating paddle serves to advance the fluoropolymer particles along the reaction zone while agitating them. As the fluoropolymer particles pass along the reaction zone, they are subjected to an elevated temperature, thereby depolymerizing the fluoropolymer into a fluoro-containing compound-rich gas phase. A residual solids phase is withdrawn at the other end of the first reaction zone, as is the gas phase. Optionally, the gas phase is passed through a second reaction zone which is also at an elevated temperature. The gas phase is quenched, thereby to recover the fluoro-containing compounds as gaseous products.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation LimitedInventors: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt, Alfred Teo Grunenberg, Johannes Theodorus Nel
-
Publication number: 20090149679Abstract: A process for depolymerizing fluoropolymers includes continuously feeding a solid fluoropolymer, in particulate form, into a horizontal cylindrical first reaction zone. The fluoropolymer particles enter the first reaction zone at one end. Within the first reaction zone, a central axle from which protrudes at least one paddle, continuously rotates. The rotating paddle serves to advance the fluoropolymer particles along the reaction zone while agitating them. As the fluoropolymer particles pass along the reaction zone, they are subjected to an elevated temperature, thereby depolymerizing the fluoropolymer into a fluoro-containing compound-rich gas phase. A residual solids phase is withdrawn at the other end of the first reaction zone, as is the gas phase. Optionally, the gas phase is passed through a second reaction zone which is also at an elevated temperature. The gas phase is quenched, thereby to recover the fluoro-containing compounds as gaseous products.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2006Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventors: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt, Alfred Teo Grunenberg, Johannes Theodorus Nel
-
Patent number: 7252744Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, an upwardly burning thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a solid particulate fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least on fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor of reactive species, at least one more desirable fluorocarbon compound.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Limited, 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt, Klaus Hintzer, Gernot Löhr
-
Patent number: 7166198Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, a thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least one fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species having fewer carbon atoms than the fluorocarbon compound, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, a fluorocarbon product.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignees: South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Limited, 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt, Klaus Hintzer, Werner Schwertfeger, Gerald Lee Bauer
-
Patent number: 6797913Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes radio frequency induction heating of a zone of a reaction chamber to a temperature not exceeding 950° C. The feedstock heats up in the heating zone, and the reaction chamber pressure and heating zone temperature are chosen so that a fluorocarbon compound present in the feedstock dissociates or depolymerizes into a more desired fluorocarbon compound. A hot product gas, which includes the more desired fluorocarbon compound, is formed and then quenched to stabilize the more desired fluorocarbon compound.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: South African Nuclear Energy Corporation LimitedInventor: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt
-
Publication number: 20040094399Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, a thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least one fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species having fewer carbon atoms than the fluorocarbon compound, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, a fluorocarbon product.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt, Klaus Hintzer, Werner Schwertfeger, Gerald Lee Bauer
-
Publication number: 20030125473Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes heating, by means of radio frequency induction, a heating zone to a high temperature, allowing a fluorocarbon feedstock, comprising at least one fluorocarbon compound, to heat up in the heating zone so that the fluorocarbon compound dissociates into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, and cooling the fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, thereby forming, from the fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, at least one more desired fluorocarbon compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt
-
Publication number: 20030114600Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, an upwardly burning thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a solid particulate fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least on fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor of reactive species, at least one more desirable fluorocarbon compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventor: Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt