Patents by Inventor Robert L. Clayton
Robert L. Clayton 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: 9358553Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Renewable Algal Energy, LLCInventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel
-
Publication number: 20130344575Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Robert L. CLAYTON, Stephen N. FALLING, Jeffrey S. KANEL
-
Patent number: 8512998Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignees: Renewable Algal Energy, LLC, Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel
-
Publication number: 20130193036Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. When a gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced into a separation vessel, a baffle directs the rising bubbles toward the perimeter of the apparatus. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a froth collection launder. Also disclosed is an improvement for froth flotation processes comprising using a vacuum to pull froth and/or collapsed froth into and through the froth collection launder and froth drain line.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicants: RENEWABLE ALGAL ENERGY, LLC, EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel, C. Calvert Churn, III
-
Patent number: 8251228Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. The process may be used to treat the gas/liquid dispersion after it has been introduced from two or more ducts near the perimeter or from a central duct of the separation vessel. When the gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced from a central duct, the rising bubbles are directed by, e.g., a baffle toward the perimeter of the apparatus, where they rise. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a central froth collection launder. Rising froth at the perimeter pushing the froth bed into the reduced area of the center encourages further coalescence of the bubbles and increases liquid drainage from the froth, thus leading to concentration of the collected materials without the need for complex equipment geometry.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignees: Renewable Algal Energy, LLC, Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel, C. Calvert Churn, III
-
Patent number: 8196750Abstract: A method of concentrating particles in a liquid-particle dispersion feed by adsorptive bubble separation by intimately contacting a gas with a pressurized stream of liquid in a chamber to form an aerated dispersion that retains at least some of the kinetic energy from the pressurized stream, and removing at least some of the kinetic energy from the aerated dispersion to form a dense foam. A liquid-particle dispersion feed is then injected into the dense foam to form a gas-liquid-particle dispersion. The gas-liquid-particle dispersion is injected into a flotation chamber at a point below a surface of a liquid contained therein, where the gas-liquid-particle dispersion forms bubbles of a gas-particle agglomerate, and the bubbles are released from the feed liquid depleted in hydrophobic particles and rise to the surface to form a floating froth enriched in particles.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignees: Renewable Algal Energy, LLC, Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Jeffrey S. Kanel, Robert L. Clayton
-
Publication number: 20100181234Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. The process may be used to treat the gas/liquid dispersion after it has been introduced from two or more ducts near the perimeter or from a central duct of the separation vessel. When the gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced from a central duct, the rising bubbles are directed by, e.g., a baffle toward the perimeter of the apparatus, where they rise. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a central froth collection launder. Rising froth at the perimeter pushing the froth bed into the reduced area of the center encourages further coalescence of the bubbles and increases liquid drainage from the froth, thus leading to concentration of the collected materials without the need for complex equipment geometry.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2008Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel, C. Calvin Chum, III
-
Publication number: 20100176062Abstract: A method of concentrating particles in a liquid-particle dispersion feed by adsorptive bubble separation by intimately contacting a gas with a pressurized stream of liquid in a chamber to form an aerated dispersion that retains at least some of the kinetic energy from the pressurized stream, and removing at least some of the kinetic energy from the aerated dispersion to form a dense foam. A liquid-particle dispersion feed is then injected into the dense foam to form a gas-liquid-particle dispersion. The gas-liquid-particle dispersion is injected into a flotation chamber at a point below a surface of a liquid contained therein, where the gas-liquid-particle dispersion forms bubbles of a gas-particle agglomerate, and the bubbles are released from the feed liquid depleted in hydrophobic particles and rise to the surface to form a floating froth enriched in particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Jeffrey S. Kanel, Robert L. Clayton
-
Publication number: 20100167339Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel
-
Patent number: 6623540Abstract: A filter apparatus for deployment over a duct end in a forced air heating/ventilating/air conditioning system is described. The apparatus has been specifically designed for easy installation, and also for convenient cleaning and maintenance by occupants of the structure where the apparatus is employed. The apparatus preferably overhangs the duct end, thereby allowing improved filtration efficiency and reduced air pressure drop across the filter apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Inventors: Robert L. Clayton, Michael T. Hodge
-
Publication number: 20020194824Abstract: A filter apparatus for deployment over a duct end in a forced air heating/ ventilating/air conditioning system is described. The apparatus has been specifically designed for easy installation, and also for convenient cleaning and maintenance by occupants of the structure where the apparatus is employed. The apparatus preferably overhangs the duct end, thereby allowing improved filtration efficiency and reduced air pressure drop across the filter apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventors: Robert L. Clayton, Michael T. Hodge