Patents by Inventor Mark Lyverse

Mark Lyverse 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: 10112854
    Abstract: A method for controlling petroleum hydrocarbon (NAPL) sheen releases resulting from seeps, ebullition and erosion, on water surfaces, is described. An oleophilic bio-Barrier (OBBs), which may include a composite of hydrocarbon sorptive materials through which water is readily conducted, is placed at a groundwater/surface water interface (GSI) for promoting natural aerobic degradation of the intercepted/adsorbed NAPL through natural cycling of aerobic surface water and/or atmospheric oxygen. OBBs may be protected by structural covers (i.e., sand and rock gabions, as examples).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignees: Colorado State University Research Foundation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Arcadis Corporate Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio A. Zimbron, Thomas C. Sale, Matthew J. Biondolillo, Philip H. Batten, Marc Chalfant, Mark Lyverse
  • Publication number: 20160075576
    Abstract: A method for controlling petroleum hydrocarbon (NAPL) sheen releases resulting from seeps, ebullition and erosion, on water surfaces, is described. An oleophilic bio-Barrier (OBBs), which may include a composite of hydrocarbon sorptive materials through which water is readily conducted, is placed at a groundwater/surface water interface (GSI) for promoting natural aerobic degradation of the intercepted/adsorbed NAPL through natural cycling of aerobic surface water and/or atmospheric oxygen. OBBs may be protected by structural covers (i.e., sand and rock gabions, as examples).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Julio A. Zimbron, Thomas C. Sale, Matthew J. Biondolillo, Philip H. Batten, Marc Chalfant, Mark Lyverse
  • Patent number: 8714034
    Abstract: A passive sampling apparatus and method for measuring the cumulative mass of a selected gas being transported through a known cross-sectional area, for example, a soil surface, during a chosen period of time, using absorbent material, are described. Two quantities of absorbent material are disposed in a hollow container, such as a pipe section, and spaced apart such that they may be readily separated for analysis. The absorbent material closest to the soil captures the gas leaving the soil. Under reversed flow conditions, for example when the ambient air enters the ground because of fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, the upper absorbent material captures the component of interest entering the apparatus, thereby preventing this gas from entering the lower material and disturbing the measurement. The apparatus can therefore sequester the component of interest without being affected by the direction of gas transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Colorado State University Research Foundation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julio A. Zimbron, Thomas C. Sale, Mark Lyverse
  • Publication number: 20130031955
    Abstract: A passive sampling apparatus and method for measuring the cumulative mass of a selected gas being transported through a known cross-sectional area, for example, a soil surface, during a chosen period of time, using absorbent material, are described. Two quantities of absorbent material are disposed in a hollow container, such as a pipe section, and spaced apart such that they may be readily separated for analysis. The absorbent material closest to the soil captures the gas leaving the soil. Under reversed flow conditions, for example when the ambient air enters the ground because of fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, the upper absorbent material captures the component of interest entering the apparatus, thereby preventing this gas from entering the lower material and disturbing the measurement. The apparatus can therefore sequester the component of interest without being affected by the direction of gas transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicants: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Julio A. Zimbron, Thomas C. Sale, Mark Lyverse
  • Patent number: 7861601
    Abstract: A natural gradient, single well, tracer dilution non-continuous mixing apparatus and method for measuring flow of liquids through porous media are described. The method has been applied to concentrations of Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) in monitoring wells to measure the rate of LNAPL flow through the wells and through the adjacent formation. Similar measurements were made for concentrations of water in other formations. A LNAPL-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to LNAPL in the wells, and a water-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to water in the wells. The tracer is initially uniformly-mixed into the LNAPL or water in the well, and the tracer concentration is measured using a fiber optic cable and a spectrometer. The LNAPL or water with dissolved tracer is then allowed to flow from the well without any mixing. At a later time, the LNAPL or water and tracer in the well are mixed to a uniform tracer concentration, and the tracer concentration is remeasured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignees: Colorado State University Research Foundation, Chevron Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sale, Timothy J. Smith, Mark Lyverse
  • Publication number: 20090223303
    Abstract: A natural gradient, single well, tracer dilution non-continuous mixing apparatus and method for measuring flow of liquids through porous media are described. The method has been applied to concentrations of Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) in monitoring wells to measure the rate of LNAPL flow through the wells and through the adjacent formation. Similar measurements were made for concentrations of water in other formations. A LNAPL-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to LNAPL in the wells, and a water-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to water in the wells. The tracer is initially uniformly-mixed into the LNAPL or water in the well, and the tracer concentration is measured using a fiber optic cable and a spectrometer. The LNAPL or water with dissolved tracer is then allowed to flow from the well without any mixing. At a later time, the LNAPL or water and tracer in the well are mixed to a uniform tracer concentration, and the tracer concentration is remeasured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicants: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, CHEVRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sale, Timothy J. Smith, Mark Lyverse
  • Patent number: 7281435
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring in situ flow of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) through a porous medium is described. A tracer is introduced into a well or boring located in the medium and the tracer concentration in the well kept uniform by mixing. The rate at which the tracer is depleted from the well has been determined to be proportional to the flow rate of the NAPL through the well or boring and surrounding formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignees: Colorado State University Research Foundation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sale, Geoffrey R. Taylor, Mark Lyverse
  • Publication number: 20070113676
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring in situ flow of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) through a porous medium is described. A tracer is introduced into a well or boring located in the medium and the tracer concentration in the well kept uniform by mixing. The rate at which the tracer is depleted from the well has been determined to be proportional to the flow rate of the NAPL through the well or boring and surrounding formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Sale, Geoffrey Taylor, Mark Lyverse