Patents by Inventor John S. Vavruska

John S. Vavruska 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).

  • Plasma reforming/fischer-tropsch synthesis
    Patent number: 6380268
    Abstract: Fischer-Tropsch (FT) products are formed in a plant utilizing a combination of a plasma reformer reactor (9) and an FT reactor (19). Feedstocks ranging from gases such as methane and natural gas to solids such as petroleum coke and coal are plasma reformed with water and/or CO2 to produce one or more of hydrogen, oils, liquid alkanes and oxygenated alkanes, oil and waxes. The specific ancillary equipment, e.g., boilers (16), preheaters, condensers (22) (24), gas liquid separators (19) (25), compressors (18) (18a), etc. will be combined or omitted as needed for treatment of desired raw materials as shown by the Figures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis L. Yakobson, John S. Vavruska, Edward Bohn, Andreas Blutke
  • Use of a chemically reactive plasma for thermal-chemical processes
    Patent number: 6153852
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the efficiency of an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch by varying at least one of a plasma gas flow rate and a power level applied to energize the ICP torch, and method and apparatus for efficiently using a CO.sub.2 feed as both a reactant and for generating a thermal plasma to produce high value chemical feed stocks, such as a synthesis gas or carbon monoxide from low value feedstocks, such as methane or carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: Andreas S. Blutke, Edward M. Bohn, Robert S. Ottinger, Michel G. Tuszewski, John S. Vavruska
  • Plasma energy recycle and conversion (PERC) reactor and process
    Patent number: 5762009
    Abstract: Plasma energy recycle and conversion (PERC) reactor and process for disposal of energetics such as solid rocket propellants, liquid rocket fuel, chemical agents such as nerve gas, industrial waste such as paint sludge, medical waste or any aqueous/organic liquid or slurry that is pumpable and for separation/consolidation/conversion of low-level radioactive waste or mixed waste incorporating an induction coupled plasma heat source, insulated primary and secondary reaction chambers and associated peripheral control, process and filter devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignees: Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Plasma Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Millard M. Garrison, John S. Vavruska
  • Induction steam plasma torch for generating a steam plasma for treating a feed slurry
    Patent number: 5611947
    Abstract: Steam plasma reactor incorporating an induction steam plasma torch where superheated steam is generated and passed through an induction coil or coils to generate high temperature steam plasma for conversion and disposal of waste products such as low level radioactive waste, energetics, such as solid rocket propellants, liquid rocket fuel, chemical agents such as nerve gas, industrial waste such as paint sludge, hazardous chemical waste, medical waste and other general wastes in a downstream conversion reactor referred to as a plasma energy recycle and conversion (PERC) reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignees: Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Plasma Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Vavruska
  • Method and apparatus for controlled size distribution of gel microspheres formed from aqueous dispersions
    Patent number: 4459245
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for making a population of dense, closely size-controlled microspheres by sol-gel procedures wherein said microspheres are characterized by a significant percentage of said population being within a predetermined, relatively narrow size range. Microsphere populations thus provided are useful in vibratory-packed processes for nuclear fuels to be irradiated in LWR- and FBR-type nuclear reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Allen D. Ryon, Paul A. Haas, John S. Vavruska