Patents by Inventor Robert A. Spitz

Robert A. Spitz 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: 20150299588
    Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a petroleum coke, coal and a gasification catalyst, where the gasification catalyst is loaded onto at least the coal for gasification in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Robert A. Spitz, Alkis S. Rappas
  • Patent number: 8734548
    Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substantially free-flowing alkali metal gasification catalyst-loaded coal particulate suitable for use as a feedstock for the production of gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the catalytic gasification of the catalyst-loaded coal particulate in the presence of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz, George Frederick Salem
  • Patent number: 8734547
    Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substantially free-flowing alkali metal gasification catalyst-loaded carbonaceous particulate suitable for use as a feedstock for the production of gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the catalytic gasification of the catalyst-loaded carbonaceous particulate in the presence of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Patent number: 8648121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydromethanating a nickel-containing (and optionally vanadium-containing) carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the nickel content (and optionally vanadium content) originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Patent number: 8557878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for hydromethanating a vanadium-containing carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the vanadium content originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20120213680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydromethanating a nickel-containing (and optionally vanadium-containing) carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the nickel content (and optionally vanadium content) originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20110262323
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for hydromethanating a vanadium-containing carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the vanadium content originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Patent number: 7901644
    Abstract: Processes are described for the extraction and recovery of alkali metal from the char that results from catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material. Among other steps, the processes of the invention include a hydrothermal leaching step in which a slurry of insoluble particulate comprising insoluble alkali metal compounds is treated with carbon dioxide and steam at elevated temperatures and pressures to effect the conversion of insoluble alkali metal compounds to soluble alkali metal compounds. Further, processes are described for the catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material where a substantial portion of alkali metal is extracted and recovered from the char that results from the catalytic gasification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Patent number: 7897126
    Abstract: Processes are described for the extraction and recovery of alkali metal from the char that results from catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material. Among other steps, the processes of the invention include a hydrothermal leaching step in which a slurry of insoluble particulate comprising insoluble alkali metal compounds is treated with carbon dioxide and steam at elevated temperatures and pressures to effect the conversion of insoluble alkali metal compounds to soluble alkali metal compounds. Further, processes are described for the catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material where a substantial portion of alkali metal is extracted and recovered from the char that results from the catalytic gasification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20100305395
    Abstract: Devices for treating stress incontinence, having a horizontal proximal portion supported on the pubococcygeus muscle and a distal portion extending downward and away from the proximal portion at an angle approximating the vagina in an erect female as it passes down and between the anterior segments of the pubococcygeus. The distal portion may terminate with a protrusion that is positioned to provide midurethral support, thereby preserving the urethovesical angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Contine Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Spitz, J. Anthony von Fraunhofer
  • Publication number: 20100168494
    Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substantially free-flowing alkali metal gasification catalyst-loaded coal particulate suitable for use as a feedstock for the production of gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the catalytic gasification of the catalyst-loaded coal particulate in the presence of steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz, George Frederick Salem
  • Publication number: 20100168495
    Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substantially free-flowing alkali metal gasification catalyst-loaded carbonaceous particulate suitable for use as a feedstock for the production of gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the catalytic gasification of the catalyst-loaded carbonaceous particulate in the presence of steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20090169449
    Abstract: Processes are described for the extraction and recovery of alkali metal from the char that results from catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material. Among other steps, the processes of the invention include a hydrothermal leaching step in which a slurry of insoluble particulate comprising insoluble alkali metal compounds is treated with carbon dioxide and steam at elevated temperatures and pressures to effect the conversion of insoluble alkali metal compounds to soluble alkali metal compounds. Further, processes are described for the catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material where a substantial portion of alkali metal is extracted and recovered from the char that results from the catalytic gasification process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20090165382
    Abstract: Processes for extracting and recycling alkali metal compounds present in the char produced from the catalytic gasification of carbonaceous materials are provided involving at least contacting the char with and alkali metal hydroxide followed by carbon dioxide. Both the alkali metal hydroxide and carbon dioxide treatments serve to convert at least a portion of the insoluble alkali metal compounds in the char into soluble species which can be recovered and recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20090166588
    Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a petroleum coke, coal and a gasification catalyst, where the gasification catalyst is loaded onto at least the coal for gasification in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Spitz, Alkis S. Rappas
  • Publication number: 20090169448
    Abstract: Processes are described for the extraction and recovery of alkali metal from the char that results from catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material. Among other steps, the processes of the invention include a hydrothermal leaching step in which a slurry of insoluble particulate comprising insoluble alkali metal compounds is treated with carbon dioxide and steam at elevated temperatures and pressures to effect the conversion of insoluble alkali metal compounds to soluble alkali metal compounds. Further, processes are described for the catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material where a substantial portion of alkali metal is extracted and recovered from the char that results from the catalytic gasification process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20090165383
    Abstract: Processes are described for the extraction and recovery of alkali metal from the char that results from catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material. Among other steps, the processes of the invention include a hydrothermal leaching step in which a slurry of insoluble particulate comprising insoluble alkali metal compounds is treated with carbon dioxide and steam at elevated temperatures and pressures to effect the conversion of insoluble alkali metal compounds to soluble alkali metal compounds. Further, processes are described for the catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous material where a substantial portion of alkali metal is extracted and recovered from the char that results from the catalytic gasification process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20070239528
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for dynamic network address identification and replacement for delivering a web page to a data processing device associated with a customer, for performing a marketing campaign on behalf of an advertiser. A browser request message is received over a data network from a browser program executing on the data processing device. The browser request message requests an origin web page at an origin web site on the data network. The origin web site is associated with the advertiser. A network address of the origin web site on the data network is determined. Responsive to the browser request message, content of the origin web page is retrieved from the origin web site at the determined network address. A network address is located in the retrieved content of the origin web page. The located network address is replaced with a proxy network address to define a modified web page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Shunxing Xie, Robert Spitz, Michael Kline
  • Publication number: 20060074749
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for allocating a campaign budget among a plurality of electronic publishers for performing a marketing campaign on behalf of an advertiser. The advertiser has an associated computer in communication with a data network. In one aspect, the method includes providing a budget amount for the marketing campaign. A plurality of parameters defining the marketing campaign are also provided. These parameters include marketing campaign parameters associated with the marketing campaign, and publisher parameters associated with the electronic publishers. The publisher parameters include a minimum campaign spend amount and a maximum campaign spend amount for each electronic publisher. Certain ones of the electronic publishers are selected. The budget amount is allocated among the electronic publishers according to at least one of a plurality of allocation rules, to define an allocated budget.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Kline, Leon Simmonds, Robert Spitz
  • Publication number: 20060074746
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for tracking and reporting campaign status information for an advertiser having an associated computer in communication with a data network. The campaign status information describes the progress of a marketing campaign performed on behalf of the advertiser using a plurality of electronic publishers in communication with the data network. In one aspect, the method includes determining an amount spent on or for each of the electronic publishers. Campaign event information is determined for the marketing campaign. An electronic report can be prepared, including a compilation of one or more of the determined amount spent and campaign event information. The electronic report can be provided for the advertiser computer over the data network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Kline, Robert Spitz, Leon Simmonds, Jonathan Myron, Thomas Hubbard, Truoc Duong, Shunxing Xie