Patents by Inventor Kerri L. Hickenbottom

Kerri L. Hickenbottom 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).

  • Methods for sustainable membrane distillation concentration of hyper saline streams
    Patent number: 11339062
    Abstract: A novel method of producing concentrated streams or otherwise useful hypersaline brines from a source of non-potable or otherwise impaired water is provided. The method comprises feeding the source water into the feed side of a membrane distillation unit while simultaneously feeding a distillate stream through the receiving side of the distillation unit. The feed and receiving sides are separated by a hydrophobic, microporous membrane that allows water vapor to flux through the membrane to the receiving side. As the membrane becomes clogged with particulates, the unit can be subjected to stream flow reversal and/or temperature gradient reversal in order to remove those particulates and restore previous vapor flux levels, after which previous operations can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: Compass Minerals Ogden Inc., Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Kerri L. Hickenbottom, Tzahi Cath, Daniel K. Pannell, Jerry Poe, Corey R. Milne
  • METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE MEMBRANE DISTILLATION CONCENTRATION OF HYPER SALINE STREAMS
    Publication number: 20160280565
    Abstract: A novel method of producing concentrated streams or otherwise useful hypersaline brines from a source of non-potable or otherwise impaired water is provided. The method comprises feeding the source water into the feed side of a membrane distillation unit while simultaneously feeding a distillate stream through the receiving side of the distillation unit. The feed and receiving sides are separated by a hydrophobic, microporous membrane that allows water vapor to flux through the membrane to the receiving side. As the membrane becomes clogged with particulates, the unit can be subjected to stream flow reversal and/or temperature gradient reversal in order to remove those particulates and restore previous vapor flux levels, after which previous operations can be resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kerri L. Hickenbottom, Tzahi Cath, Daniel K. Pannell, Jerry Poe, Corey R. Milne
  • METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE MEMBRANE DISTILLATION CONCENTRATION OF HYPER SALINE STREAMS
    Publication number: 20130327711
    Abstract: A novel method of producing concentrated streams or otherwise useful hypersaline brines from a source of non-potable or otherwise impaired water is provided. The method comprises feeding the source water into the feed side of a membrane distillation unit while simultaneously feeding a distillate stream through the receiving side of the distillation unit. The feed and receiving sides are separated by a hydrophobic, microporous membrane that allows water vapor to flux through the membrane to the receiving side. As the membrane becomes clogged with particulates, the unit can be subjected to stream flow reversal and/or temperature gradient reversal in order to remove those particulates and restore previous vapor flux levels, after which previous operations can be resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Kerri L. Hickenbottom, Tzahi Cath, Daniel K. Pannell, Jerry Poe