Patents by Inventor Lawrence C. Costa

Lawrence C. Costa 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: 11458439
    Abstract: The disclosure of the present invention relates to a method for preparing membrane and associated membrane and filter element. The method comprises providing a porous substrate having a plurality of pores; and applying a pre-filler solution to at least partially occupy the pores in the porous substrate. The membrane comprises a porous substrate and a filter layer formed on the porous substrate. The filter element comprises a core tube; and a membrane as prepared and rolled around the core tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Linglu Yang, Peng Wang, Su Lu, Zhen Liu, Yun Peng, Lawrence C. Costa
  • Publication number: 20190083940
    Abstract: The disclosure of the present invention relates to a method for preparing membrane and associated membrane and filter element. The method comprises providing a porous substrate having a plurality of pores; and applying a pre-filler solution to at least partially occupy the pores in the porous substrate. The membrane comprises a porous substrate and a filter layer formed on the porous substrate. The filter element comprises a core tube; and a membrane as prepared and rolled around the core tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Linglu YANG, Peng WANG, Su LU, Zhen LIU, Yun PENG, Lawrence C. COSTA
  • Publication number: 20180326360
    Abstract: Disclosed here are semi-permeable cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based membranes that can be used as supports for water purification membranes, and methods for their production. The cross-linked PVA-based membranes are cross-linked with the reaction product of poly-epoxides and —OH groups from the PVA polymers. Methods according to the present disclosure include crosslinking dissolved PVA and dissolved poly-epoxides, casting the cross-linked PVA, and coagulating the cast polymer in a phase immersion precipitation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Li May GOH, Lawrence C. COSTA, Kai ZHANG, Dezhong XIAO, Kia Kian KEE, Kin Ho WEE, Ranting WU
  • Patent number: 9914098
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an additive that may be used in the manufacture of thin-film polyamide composite membranes. Thin-film polyamide composite membranes are used in filtration processes, such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. The additive may be an amino-siloxane compound. The amino-siloxane compound includes repeated groups of silicon bonded to oxygen with at least one amine functional group. Optionally, the amino-siloxane compound may also include a hydrophilic group. The additive reacts with an aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a thin polyamide film on a porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Xingpeng Zhang, Lawrence C. Costa, Steven John Harrold, Babu Narayanswamy
  • Publication number: 20160193572
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an additive that may be used in the manufacture of thin-film polyamide composite membranes. Thin-film polyamide composite membranes are used in filtration processes, such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. The additive may be an amino-siloxane compound. The amino-siloxane compound includes repeated groups of silicon bonded to oxygen with at least one amine functional group. Optionally, the amino-siloxane compound may also include a hydrophilic group. The additive reacts with an aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a thin polyamide film on a porous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Xingpeng ZHANG, Lawrence C. COSTA, Steven John HARROLD, Babu NARAYANSWAMY
  • Patent number: 9346023
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an additive that may be used in the manufacture of thin-film polyamide composite membranes. Thin-film polyamide composite membranes are used in filtration processes, such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. The additive may be an amino-siloxane compound. The amino-siloxane compound includes repeated groups of silicon bonded to oxygen with at least one amine functional group. Optionally, the amino-siloxane compound may also include a hydrophilic group. The additive reacts with an aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a thin polyamide film on a porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xingpeng Zhang, Lawrence C. Costa, Steven John Harrold, Babu Narayanswamy
  • Publication number: 20140054228
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an additive that may be used in the manufacture of thin-film polyamide composite membranes. Thin-film polyamide composite membranes are used in filtration processes, such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. The additive may be an amino-siloxane compound. The amino-siloxane compound includes repeated groups of silicon bonded to oxygen with at least one amine functional group. Optionally, the amino-siloxane compound may also include a hydrophilic group. The additive reacts with an aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a thin polyamide film on a porous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xingpeng ZHANG, Lawrence C. COSTA, Steven John HARROLD, Babu NARAYANSWAMY
  • Patent number: 7514001
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for producing clear reverse osmosis retentates having silica concentrations which are substantially supersaturated in silica from feedwaters having silica concentrations, without substantial formation of alkali-soluble scale having substantial silica content in the associated reverse osmosis apparatus, by adjusting the pH of such feedwaters to an acidic pH range prior to reverse osmosis in accordance with this invention. Also disclosed are related processes and apparatus for periodically removing minor amounts of alkali-soluble scale having substantial silica content from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: GE Infrastructure, Water & Process Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Costa, Patrick J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20030173296
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for producing clear reverse osmosis retentates having silica concentrations which are substantially supersaturated in silica from feedwaters having silica concentrations, without substantial formation of alkali-soluble scale having substantial silica content in the associated reverse osmosis apparatus, by adjusting the pH of such feedwaters to an acidic pH range prior to reverse osmosis in accordance with this invention. Also disclosed are related processes and apparatus for periodically removing minor amounts of alkali-soluble scale having substantial silica content from the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence C Costa, Patrick J McCabe
  • Patent number: 5693227
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the polymerization of molecules having electrophilic and nucleophilic substituents on the same or different molecules, such polymerization mediated by aminopyridine catalysts which are substantially regenerated during polymerization. The invention also pertains to polymer products of such polymerization, to permselective membranes containing such polymers, and to processes and apparatus for separating fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ionics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Costa
  • Patent number: 5089192
    Abstract: Asymmetric, semipermeable membranes cast from a solution comprised of poly(aryletherketone) dissolved in a strongly protic non-reactive acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Ionics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Costa
  • Patent number: 4321414
    Abstract: A process is provided for catalytic hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde to form ethylene glycol in liquid phase employing a homogeneous ruthenium catalyst and a basic promoter. Ethylene glycol is produced in excellent yields and selectivities, and the process permits use of mild temperature and pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: The Halcon SD Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Costa
  • Patent number: 4317946
    Abstract: A process is provided for catalytic hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde to form ethylene glycol in liquid phase employing a homogeneous ruthenium carboxylate complex catalyst system. Ethylene glycol is produced in excellent yields and selectivities and the process permits use of mild temperature and pressure conditions. The formation of acetals is greatly minimized as compared to prior art ruthenium catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: The Halcon SD Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Costa
  • Patent number: 4316045
    Abstract: A process for the catalytic preparation of aryl carboxylates is provided in which an arylmetallo carboxylate is contacted in liquid medium with an organic peracid in the presence of a catalytic amount of an aryl iodide, to form the desired aryl carboxylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: The Halcon SD Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Costa
  • Patent number: 4316046
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of aryl carboxylates is provided in which an arylmetallo carboxylate is contacted with an aryliodoso carboxylate in liquid medium to form the desired aryl carboxylate. Promoters can be employed to increase the rate of reaction and improve selectivity to the aryl carboxylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: The Halcon SD Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Costa