Patents by Inventor Patrick R. Dugan

Patrick R. Dugan 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 for mobilization of hazardous metal ions in soils
    Patent number: 5427247
    Abstract: A microbial process for removing heavy metals such as bismuth, cadmium, lead, thorium, uranium and other transuranics from soils and sediments, utilizing indigenous, or isolates of indigenous, microorganisms and reducing agents, such as cysteine or sodium thioglycollate, or complexing agents such as the amino acid glycine, to effect the mobilization or release of the metals from the soil particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Patrick R. Dugan, Robert M. Pfister
  • Microbiological desulfurization of coal
    Patent number: 4456688
    Abstract: A method for reducing the sulfur content of coal wherein comminuted coal is contacted with an enrichment culture which contains acid tolerant Thiobacillus species in combination with acid tolerant hetrotrophic microorganisms in an amount effective to act in a symbotic or synergistic manner with the Thiobacillus species. The initial pH of the coal culture combination may be selected so as to enhance the development of a commercially practical rate of sulfur removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Patrick R. Dugan, William A. Apel
  • Bacterio-electric leaching of metals
    Patent number: H1074
    Abstract: The separation of cationic materials from an ore body is assisted by the application of an electric potential, and resulting current, to the ore body, in association with iron or sulphur oxidizing bacteria. The combined process induces migration of cationic metals to a cathode suspended within the ore body so that the cationic metal can be preferentially separated from the ore body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Norman Lazaroff, Patrick R. Dugan
  • Clay enhancement of methane, low molecular weight hydrocarbon and halocarbon conversion by methanotrophic bacteria
    Patent number: H1430
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the rate of oxidation of toxic vapors by methanotrophic bacteria. The toxic vapors of interest are methane and trichloroethylene. The apparatus includes a gas phase bioreactor within a closed loop pumping system or a single pass system. The methanotrophic bacteria include Methylomonas methanica, Methylosinus trichosporium, and uncharacterized environmental enrichments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William A. Apel, Patrick R. Dugan