Patents by Inventor Michael S. Navetta

Michael S. Navetta 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).

  • Method and apparatus for removing mercury from mercury-contaminated soils
    Patent number: 5569154
    Abstract: A method for the removal of mercury from soil, wherein the soil has been contaminated with mercury. The method comprises the following steps. Soil is added to one end of an internally fired hollow screw desorber under a vacuum in the range of from about 15 inches of mercury to about 30 inches of mercury. The soil is moved from the one end of the internally fired hollow screw desorber to another end of the desorber and the temperature of the soil is increased in the desorber as it moves from the one end of the desorber to the other end, wherein the temperature of the soil is increased from a temperature in the range of from about ambient to about 150.degree. F. to a temperature in the range of from about 800.degree. F, to about 1500.degree. F. A mercury vapor is produced in the internally fired hollow screw desorber. The soil is removed from the other end of the desorber while the mercury vapor is removed from the internally fired hollow screw desorber. Mercury is then recovered from the mercury vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Michael S. Navetta