Patents by Inventor Michael P. McGinness

Michael P. McGinness 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: 7029589
    Abstract: A method or process of treating a contaminated fluid (10) having at least one contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being volatile, hazardous, tacky and a combination thereof is provided. The method comprises contacting the contaminated fluid with an effective amount of an agent (12) selected from oxidizing agents, free radical producing agents and a combination thereof for an effective amount of time to convert a substantial amount of the at least one contaminant to at least one corresponding modified contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being non-volatile, less volatile than the converted contaminant non-hazardous, less hazardous than the converted contaminant, non-tacky and a combination thereof; and generating a treated fluid (14) having a level of the at least one contaminant and of the at least one corresponding modified contaminant to allow the treated fluid to at least meet requirements for release, reuse or further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Michael P. McGinness
  • Publication number: 20030047521
    Abstract: A method or process of treating a contaminated fluid (10) having at least one contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being volatile, hazardous, tacky and a combination thereof is provided. The method comprises contacting the contaminated fluid with an effective amount of an agent (12) selected from oxidizing agents, free radical producing agents and a combination thereof for an effective amount of time to convert a substantial amount of the at least one contaminant to at least one corresponding modified contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being non-volatile, less volatile than the converted contaminant non-hazardous, less hazardous than the converted contaminant, non-tacky and a combination thereof; and generating a treated fluid (14) having a level of the at least one contaminant and of the at least one corresponding modified contaminant to allow the treated fluid to at least meet requirements for release, reuse or further treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Michael P. McGinness
  • Patent number: 5776351
    Abstract: An oxidation process for regeneration and closed loop recycling of cleaning solutions contaminated with used surfactants, fats, oils, greases, and inorganic and organic contaminants converts the contaminated cleaning solution into a reusable cleaning solution containing useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The contaminated cleaning solution is mixed with a stoichiometrically limited amount of an ozone containing gas. The reaction with ozone containing gas is carried out in a mixed vapor state (a gas/liquid mist). Fats, oils, greases and organic contaminants are converted into useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The regenerated cleaning solution has a cleaning strength at least as great as the strength of the original cleaning solution prior to contamination. The regenerated cleaning solution is reused as the cleaning solution in the original cleaning process from which the contaminated cleaner was obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventors: Michael P. McGinness, Warren Short
  • Patent number: 5593598
    Abstract: An advanced oxidation process and apparatus for closed loop treating and recycling of cleaning solutions contaminated with used surfactants, fats, oils, greases, and inorganic and organic contaminates converts the contaminated cleaning solution into a reusable cleaning solution containing useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The contaminated cleaning solution is subjected to an ozone containing gas and alternating direct current. The reaction with ozone containing gas is carried out in a mixed vapor (gas/liquid mist) state. Fats, oils, greases and organic contaminates are converted into useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers and the excess organic surfactants, detergents, wetting agents, and emulsifiers are simultaneously converted into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water. The treated cleaning solution is reused as the cleaning solution in the original cleaning process from which the contaminated cleaner was obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventors: Michael P. McGinness, Warren Short