Patents by Inventor Robert J. Hanrahan

Robert J. Hanrahan 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: 6093306
    Abstract: A comprehensive energy system is provided in which a fossil fuel-burning electric utility plant is operated in conjunction with a hydrogen production and utility load leveling unit, a CO.sub.2 recovery and methanol synthesis unit, and a Bunsen reactor which reacts Br.sub.2 and SO.sub.2 to from HBr and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, while cleaning a utility stack gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Solar Reactor Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hanrahan, Robin Z. Parker, Harley L. Heaton
  • Patent number: 5833834
    Abstract: An electrolysis cell, fuel cell and solar reactor or conventional furnace are operated in conjunction with one another for providing hydrogen as a product, from electrolysis of hydrogen bromide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Solar Reactor Technologies
    Inventors: Robert J. Hanrahan, Harley L. Heaton, Robin Z. Parker
  • Patent number: 5443804
    Abstract: A method for the joint i) abatement of emission of a "greenhouse" gas by removing carbon dioxide from an effluent and ii) manufacture of methanol by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide which includes:a) reacting carbon dioxide in the effluent by flowing contact of the effluent with a bed of basic metal oxide at a temperature suitable to form a metal carbonate,b) then stopping the effluent flow after said bed has become substantially converted to the carbonate,c) heating the carbonate to a temperature suitable to release carbon dioxide,d) then mixing the released carbon dioxide with hydrogen while passing the mixture over a catalyst of another metal oxide at a suitable temperature and pressure for a reaction, and thereby forming methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Solar Reactor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Z. Parker, Robert J. Hanrahan
  • Patent number: 5247796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy conversion system and more particularly tot he related apparatus and process. A reactor chamber is positioned with respect to a means for collecting and focussing. The focussed beam of radiation is employed to induce a reversible reaction in which the reaction products are converted into work in a work output means. Following that conversion, the reaction materials are passed through a heat sink and are recycled so that the process can be continuously operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventors: Robin Z. Parker, Robert J. Hanrahan, John D. Cox
  • Patent number: 5219671
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for the electrolytic, thermal, and photolytic production of hydrogen and oxygen. In the first step of the cycle a concentrated hydrohalic acid solution is electrolyzed to produce hydrogen, halogen, and dilute hydrohalic acid solution. In the second, or hydrogen halide formation and electrolyte reformation step, the halogen is reacted with steam in a gas phase thermal and photolytic process to reform the hydrogen halide and produce oxygen. An advantage of the novel reformation step is the ability to utilize a contaminated water feedstream for the production of the reusable hydrogen halide.The present invention also provides both an apparatus and method for the radiation-augmented electrolytic and thermal production of hydrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Solar Reactor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Z. Parker, Robert J. Hanrahan, Avinash K. Gupta
  • Patent number: 4848087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy conversion system and more particularly to the related apparatus and process. The system includes a reactor chamber having an input for a reactive substance supplied from a supply vessel, and means for receiving and transmitting a focused beam of electromagnetic or other radiation into the reactor itself. The reactor chamber is positioned with respect to means for collecting and focusing radiation, such as, electromagnetic radiation, such that a beam of focused radiation passes through the receiving and transmitting means provided in the wall of the reactor. The focused beam of radiation is, therefore, employed to induce a reactive substance to react to produce reaction products at high temperatures and elevated pressures. Advantageously, the reaction is reversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Solar Reactor Space and Defense
    Inventors: Robin Z. Parker, Robert J. Hanrahan, John D. Cox
  • Patent number: 4799357
    Abstract: A closed loop power regeneration system combines chlorine and hydrogen to form hydrogen chloride at high temperatures and pressure. The high temperature, high pressure hydrogen chloride is used to drive a turbine after which the heat from the hydrogen chloride is extracted for use in a regeneration system. The hydrogen chloride is converted to hydrogen and chlorine in the regeneration system. In the regeneration system copper and cuprous chloride react with the hydrogen chloride at a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. to generate cuprous chloride, cupric chloride and molecular hydrogen. In a second reactor containing cuprous chloride and cupric chloride the extracted thermal energy from the hydrogen chloride is utilized to generate copper, cuprous chloride and molecular chlorine. The molecular chlorine and hydrogen are recombined to form hydrogen chloride in the system. In an alternative embodiment, silver is used as a reagent rather than copper and cuprous chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Solar Reactor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hanrahan, Avinash K. Gupta