Patents by Inventor John L. Featherstone

John L. Featherstone 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: 20200189924
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a system and process for recovery of select minerals and lithium from a geothermal brine. The system and process are configured for the sequential recovery of zinc, manganese, and lithium from a Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area brine. The system and process includes: 1) an impurity removal circuit; then 2) a continuous counter-current ion exchange (CCIX) circuit for selectively recovering lithium chloride from the brine flow and concentrating it using a CCIX unit; and then 3) a lithium chloride conversion circuit for converting lithium chloride to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: ENERGYSOURCE MINERALS LLC
    Inventors: JOHN L. FEATHERSTONE, PAUL J. HANSON, MICHAEL J. GARSKA, CHARLES R. MARSTON
  • Publication number: 20200189925
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a system and process for recovery of select minerals and lithium from a geothermal brine. The system and process are configured for the sequential recovery of zinc, manganese, and lithium from a Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area brine. The system and process includes: 1) an impurity removal circuit; then 2) a continuous counter-current ion exchange (CCIX) circuit for selectively recovering lithium chloride from the brine flow and concentrating it using a CCIX unit; and then 3) a lithium chloride conversion circuit for converting lithium chloride to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: ENERGYSOURCE MINERALS LLC
    Inventors: JOHN L. FEATHERSTONE, PAUL J. HANSON, MICHAEL J. GARSKA, CHARLES R. MARSTON
  • Patent number: 10604414
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a system and process for recovery of select minerals and lithium from a geothermal brine. The system and process are configured for the sequential recovery of zinc, manganese, and lithium from a Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area brine. The system and process includes: 1) an impurity removal circuit; then 2) a continuous counter-current ion exchange (CCIX) circuit for selectively recovering lithium chloride from the brine flow and concentrating it using a CCIX unit; and then 3) a lithium chloride conversion circuit for converting lithium chloride to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGYSOURCE MINERALS LLC
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, Paul J. Hanson, Michael J. Garska, Charles R. Marston
  • Publication number: 20190248667
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a system and process for recovery of select minerals and lithium from a geothermal brine. The system and process are configured for the sequential recovery of zinc, manganese, and lithium from a Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area brine. The system and process includes: 1) an impurity removal circuit; then 2) a continuous counter-current ion exchange (CCIX) circuit for selectively recovering lithium chloride from the brine flow and concentrating it using a CCIX unit; and then 3) a lithium chloride conversion circuit for converting lithium chloride to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: ENERGYSOURCE MINERALS LLC
    Inventors: JOHN L. FEATHERSTONE, PAUL J. HANSON, MICHAEL J. GARSKA, CHARLES R. MARSTON
  • Patent number: 9828264
    Abstract: A method of reducing hydrogen sulfide content in a medium is disclosed. The method may include the steps of contacting a medium containing hydrogen sulfide with an effective amount of hydrogen peroxide, contacting the medium with an oxidizing agent, converting the hydrogen sulfide to sulfate, and reducing the hydrogen sulfide content in the medium. The medium may be a gas or a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Jacobs, Henry Castanieto, Steven J. Butler, John L. Featherstone
  • Publication number: 20160023927
    Abstract: A method of reducing hydrogen sulfide content in a medium is disclosed. The method may include the steps of contacting a medium containing hydrogen sulfide with an effective amount of hydrogen peroxide, contacting the medium with an oxidizing agent, converting the hydrogen sulfide to sulfate, and reducing the hydrogen sulfide content in the medium. The medium may be a gas or a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Jacobs, Henry Castanieto, Steven J. Butler, John L. Featherstone
  • Publication number: 20150076064
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: John L. FEATHERSTONE, George Furmanski
  • Patent number: 8894865
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Publication number: 20130186809
    Abstract: A clarifier system that comprises a clarifier and a launder system. The launder system comprises a plurality of radial launders and a peripheral launder. The launder system and the clarifier may be alloyed with an anti-corrosive material to reduce corrosion and scaling and enable use of the clarifier system for longer operating runs between overhauls. In addition, the launder system is configured to facilitate easy on-line cleaning, thereby minimizing down time of the clarifier system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: John L. FEATHERSTONE
  • Patent number: 8313653
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Midamerican Energy Holdings Company
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Publication number: 20110049062
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: John L. FEATHERSTONE, George Furmanski
  • Patent number: 7776202
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process of producing electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). More specifically, a method of producing EMD from geothermal brine solutions is provided. Methods for production of manganese dioxide from geothermal brines through an electrolytic process are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Publication number: 20040149590
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process of producing electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). More specifically, a method of producing EMD from geothermal brine solutions is provided. Methods for production of manganese dioxide from geothermal brines through an electrolytic process are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Patent number: 6682644
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process of producing electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). More specifically, a method of producing EMD from geothermal brine solutions is provided. Methods for production of manganese dioxide from geothermal brines through an electrolytic process are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Publication number: 20030226761
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process of producing electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). More specifically, a method of producing EMD from geothermal brine solutions is provided. Methods for production of manganese dioxide from geothermal brines through an electrolytic process are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Patent number: 6458184
    Abstract: Improved methods are disclosed for the efficient and cost-effective recovery of zinc metal from zinc-containing brines. Zinc is first bound to an anionic ion exchange resin (IX) which has been equilibrated with a solution containing a reducing agent, washed, and eluted with an elution solution. A reducing agent can be added to the brine prior to loading on the IX and can optionally be added to the IX after the washing step. The eluted zinc is extracted with a water-immiscible cationic organic solvent (SX), which is scrubbed, then stripped with concentrated acid. Substantially pure zinc is recovered by electrowinning the zinc-loaded concentrated acid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
    Inventor: John L. Featherstone
  • Publication number: 20010000597
    Abstract: Improved methods are disclosed for the efficient and cost-effective recovery of zinc metal from zinc-containing brines. Zinc is first bound to an anionic ion exchange resin (IX) which has been equilibrated with a solution containing a reducing agent, washed, and eluted with an elution solution. A reducing agent can be added to the brine prior to loading on the IX and can optionally be added to the IX after the washing step. The eluted zinc is extracted with a water-immiscible cationic organic solvent (SX), which is scrubbed, then stripped with concentrated acid. Substantially pure zinc is recovered by electrowinning the zinc-loaded concentrated acid solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventor: John L. Featherstone
  • Patent number: 6080696
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the regeneration of fouled ion exchange (IX) resins. In one embodiment, the fouled resin is treated simultaneously with reducing agent and acid. In a preferred embodiment, fouled resin is treated with reducing agent and then with acid. Use of reducing agent prior to the use of acid results in surprisingly unexpected improved cleaning as compared to simultaneous treatment with reducing agent and acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignees: MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Hilton Duke, John L. Featherstone, Charles R. Marston
  • Patent number: 5462668
    Abstract: Additives are usually diluted before they are added to a geothermal brine processing stream. It has been found that one preferred diluent is the conditioned steam condensate produced after power generation in the geothermal plants. One class of additives beneficially diluted by the conditioned steam condensate are crystal structure modifiers. When it is diluted with the steam condensate, the heat-sensitive crystal structure modifier is prevented from being degraded by the heat of the brine so that when blended with the geothermal brine the crystal structure modifier can perform its function of inhibiting the precipitation of alkaline earth salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Darrell L. Gallup, John L. Featherstone, Carl E. Flint
  • Patent number: 5413718
    Abstract: Geothermal brines are extracted from the earth, flashed and the remaining liquids are injected back into the earth. Although it would be advantageous for resource maintenance to inject the same amount of liquid as extracted, addition of liquid causes massive system upsets that prevent such addition. River or other similar surface waters can now be added to the brine stream created when extracting power from a geothermal source, after adding a crystal structure modifier to the brine stream. In operations where the brine stream is returned to the earth, the weight rate of the brine injected into the earth is brought to at least 90% what it was when extracted from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Darrell L. Gallup, John L. Featherstone