Patents by Inventor Randol E. Kirk

Randol E. Kirk 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).

  • Publication number: 20180257028
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting gaseous nitrogen compounds into an aqueous solution are provided. The method enables the combination of gaseous sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the aqueous solution to generate ammonium compound components, to include ammonium sulfate. Sulfur may be pressure injected into the solution as gaseous sulfur dioxide. Optionally, carbon may be introduced into the solution as gaseous carbon dioxide. The sulfur may be earlier sourced by a burning of a sulfurous solid. The pH of the solution may be monitored and the introduction of ammonia, carbon and/or sulfur may be halted or constrained while the pH of the solution is measured outside of specified range. The solution may be allowed to age to permit a mix of compounds of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate to restabilize and thereby encourage a renewed surge of ammonium sulfate generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: DIRK ANDREWS, RANDOL E. KIRK, DANIEL F. GORZEN
  • Patent number: 9993770
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting gaseous nitrogen compounds into an aqueous solution are provided. The method enables the combination of gaseous sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the aqueous solution to generate ammonium compound components, to include ammonium sulfate. Sulfur may be pressure injected into the solution as gaseous sulfur dioxide. Optionally, carbon may be introduced into the solution as gaseous carbon dioxide. The sulfur may be earlier sourced by a burning of a sulfurous solid. The pH of the solution may be monitored and the introduction of ammonia, carbon and/or sulfur may be halted or constrained while the pH of the solution is measured outside of specified range. The solution may be allowed to age to permit a mix of compounds of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbomate to restabilize and thereby encourage a renewed surge of ammonium sulfate generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Dirk Andrews, Randol E. Kirk, Daniel F. Gorzen
  • Publication number: 20170128880
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting gaseous nitrogen compounds into an aqueous solution are provided. The method enables the combination of gaseous sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the aqueous solution to generate ammonium compound components, to include ammonium sulfate. Sulfur may be pressure injected into the solution as gaseous sulfur dioxide. Optionally, carbon may be introduced into the solution as gaseous carbon dioxide. The sulfur may be earlier sourced by a burning of a sulfurous solid. The pH of the solution may be monitored and the introduction of ammonia, carbon and/or sulfur may be halted or constrained while the pH of the solution is measured outside of specified range. The solution may be allowed to age to permit a mix of compounds of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbomate to restabilize and thereby encourage a renewed surge of ammonium sulfate generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: DIRK ANDREWS, RANDOL E. KIRK, DANIEL F. GORZEN
  • Publication number: 20160213797
    Abstract: Low energy electron sterilizers and method of sterilization using low energy electrons are disclosed herein. An example method of sterilizing an instrument using low energy electrons can include generating one or more low energy electrons, maintaining the instrument in a vacuum and irradiating the instrument with the low energy electrons. The low energy electrons can have an energy less than or equal to 25 ke V, and the vacuum can be sufficiently low to prevent the one or more electrons from producing a plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel F. Gorzen, Randol E. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20150056095
    Abstract: Low energy electron sterilizers and method of sterilization using low energy electrons are disclosed herein. An example method of sterilizing an instrument using low energy electrons can include generating one or more low energy electrons, maintaining the instrument in a vacuum and irradiating the instrument with the low energy electrons. The low energy electrons can have an energy less than or equal to 25 keV, and the vacuum can be sufficiently low to prevent the one or more electrons from producing a plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel F. Gorzen, Randol E. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20140170725
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting gaseous nitrogen compounds into an aqueous solution are provided. The method enables the combination of gaseous sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the aqueous solution to generate ammonium compound components, to include ammonium sulfate. Sulfur may be pressure injected into the solution as gaseous sulfur dioxide. Optionally, carbon may be introduced into the solution as gaseous carbon dioxide. The sulfur may be earlier sourced by a burning of a sulfurous solid. The pH of the solution may be monitored and the introduction of ammonia, carbon and/or sulfur may be halted or constrained while the pH of the solution is measured outside of specified range. The solution may be allowed to age to permit a mix of compounds of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbomate to restabilize and thereby encourage a renewed surge of ammonium sulfate generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: DIRK ANDREWS, RANDOL E. KIRK, DANIEL F. GORZEN
  • Publication number: 20140017161
    Abstract: An aerobic composting process for producing an organic ammonium sulfate product is provided, including providing an enclosed composting apparatus for decomposition of a source of nitrogen; mixing said source of nitrogen with a source of carbon, thereby creating a biomass having a high solids content; moving said biomass down the composting trench as the aerobic composting process progresses; providing aerobic bacteria to highly selectively convert the available nitrogen compounds from said biomass into NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2 without addition of external heat; capturing the NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2 from the atmosphere of the composting apparatus in an aqueous solution; adding a source of sulfate to said aqueous solution containing captured NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2; and processing said aqueous solution containing a source of sulfate and captured NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2 to obtain preferrably organic ammonium polycarbonate and/or solid or concentrated liquid ammonium sulfate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Andrews Ag Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Andrews, Daniel F. Gorzen, Randol E. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7515686
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing uniform X-Ray irradiation to material carried in a plurality of containers. The apparatus includes an X-Ray tube providing a linear source of irradiation and also a 4 pi (360 degrees) irradiation. The material to be irradiated is placed in containers suspended on a vertical carousel wheel type structure. The individual containers are mounted receive irradiation throughout the rotation of the wheel. The tube is mounted approximately at the axis or center of the wheel. In operation, the containers of material are rotated around the tube, and due to their orientation and the 4 pi irradiation from the source, each and all the containers receive a uniform irradiation for the material contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Randol E. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20080273661
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing uniform X-Ray irradiation to material carried in a plurality of containers. The apparatus includes an X-Ray tube providing a linear source of irradiation and also a 4pi (360 degrees) irradiation. The material to be irradiated is placed in containers suspended on a vertical carousel wheel type structure. The individual containers are mounted receive irradiation throughout the rotation of the wheel. The tube is mounted approximately at the axis or center of the wheel. In operation, the containers of material are rotated around the tube, and due to their orientation and the 4 pi irradiation from the source, each and all the containers receive a uniform irradiation for the material contained therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Randol E. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7346147
    Abstract: A linear source of x-rays is disclosed wherein an elongated filament, mounted within a cylindrically formed anode, provides electrons around the filament, and along the length of said filament. The anode that comprises a high Z material such as gold, receives the electrons and emits X-rays in a 360 degree arc and along a substantial length of the anode. In one embodiment the tube is used for irradiation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventors: Randol E. Kirk, Daniel F. Gorzen
  • Patent number: 6614876
    Abstract: A blood irradiator for providing a uniform dose of X-ray beam irradiation for blood products contained within bags positioned in a cannister. A first X-ray tube is positioned to irradiate said bags from one surface of the bags, and a second X-ray tube is positioned to irradiate said bags from the opposite surface of said bags concurrently with said first tube. A low Z high density material collar mounted around said cannister to reflect X-rays. The X-rays from the two tubes and the reflected X-rays combine to provide a uniform dose of X-rays to said bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Randol E. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6212255
    Abstract: A blood irradiator for providing a uniform dose of X-ray beam irradiation for blood contained within a transfusion bag. A first X-ray tube is positioned to irradiate said bag from one side of the bag, and a second X-ray tube is positioned to irradiate said bag from the opposite side of said bag concurrently with said first bag whereby a uniform dose of X-rays is provided to the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Randol E. Kirk