Patents by Inventor Robert R. Odle

Robert R. Odle 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: 9970076
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for condensing vapour phase compounds or elements, typically metals such as magnesium, obtained by reduction processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BOULLE CARBOTHERMIC METALS LTD
    Inventors: Jens Sonderberg Frederiksen, Peter Saxby, Jean-Raymond Boulle, Robert R. Odle
  • Publication number: 20160153065
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for condensing vapour phase compounds or elements, typically metals such as magnesium, obtained by reduction processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Jens Sonderberg FREDERIKSEN, Peter SAXBY, Jean-Raymond BOULLE, Robert R. ODLE
  • Patent number: 9163298
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for condensing vapor phase compounds or elements, typically metals such as magnesium, obtained by reduction processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Boulle Carbothermic Metals Ltd
    Inventors: Jens Sonderberg Frederiksen, Peter Saxby, Jean-Raymond Boulle, Robert R. Odle
  • Patent number: 8585977
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing corrosion in a turbomachine are provided. The method may include providing a process gas to a condenser, wherein the process gas contains a condensate having a pH level that is acidic. The condenser may be configured to remove at least a portion of the condensate from the process gas. Any condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The method may further include increasing the pH level of the remaining condensate to above about 4 by mixing the process gas and the remaining condensate with an amount of pH modifier to form a mixture, and directing the mixture to a compressor coupled to the condenser, wherein the compressor is configured to compress the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Publication number: 20120297930
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for condensing vapour phase compounds or elements, typically metals such as magnesium, obtained by reduction processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNESIUM SILICA LTD
    Inventors: Jens Sonderberg Frederiksen, Peter Saxby, Jean-Raymond Boulle, Robert R. Odle
  • Publication number: 20120107183
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing corrosion in a turbomachine are provided. The method may include providing a process gas to a condenser, wherein the process gas contains a condensate having a pH level that is acidic. The condenser may be configured to remove at least a portion of the condensate from the process gas. Any condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The method may further include increasing the pH level of the remaining condensate to above about 4 by mixing the process gas and the remaining condensate with an amount of pH modifier to form a mixture, and directing the mixture to a compressor coupled to the condenser, wherein the compressor is configured to compress the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Patent number: 8101125
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing corrosion in a turbomachine. The method may include providing a process gas to a condenser, wherein the process gas contains a condensate having a pH level that is acidic. The condenser may be configured to remove at least a portion of the condensate from the process gas. Any condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The method may further include increasing the pH level of the remaining condensate to above about 4 by mixing the process gas and the remaining condensate with an amount of pH modifier to form a mixture, and directing the mixture to a compressor coupled to the condenser, wherein the compressor is configured to compress the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Patent number: 8075245
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an exemplary method for operating a compressor system, wherein the method may include cooling a process gas containing water vapor to a first temperature. The water vapor may form a condensate at the first temperature, and cooling the process gas may produce residual heat. At least a portion of the condensate is removed from the process gas, wherein any portion of the condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The remaining condensate may be heated to a second temperature with the residual heat, wherein the remaining condensate in the process gas evaporates at the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Publication number: 20100303670
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing corrosion in a turbomachine. The method may include providing a process gas to a condenser, wherein the process gas contains a condensate having a pH level that is acidic. The condenser may be configured to remove at least a portion of the condensate from the process gas. Any condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The method may further include increasing the pH level of the remaining condensate to above about 4 by mixing the process gas and the remaining condensate with an amount of pH modifier to form a mixture, and directing the mixture to a compressor coupled to the condenser, wherein the compressor is configured to compress the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Publication number: 20100303605
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an exemplary method for operating a compressor system, wherein the method may include cooling a process gas containing water vapor to a first temperature. The water vapor may form a condensate at the first temperature, and cooling the process gas may produce residual heat. At least a portion of the condensate is removed from the process gas, wherein any portion of the condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The remaining condensate may be heated to a second temperature with the residual heat, wherein the remaining condensate in the process gas evaporates at the second temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Patent number: 7232472
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of coal to form a product gas such as methane (CH4), and a high purity carbon product. The method includes contacting a coal-containing feedstock with a treatment gas that includes hydrogen. The coal feedstock can advantageously be a low-grade coal that contains high levels of impurities. The methane product gas can be augmented with hydrogen (H2) gas. Reactants and by-products are advantageously recycled within the process system to enhance the economics of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Alchemix Corporation
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6682714
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of hydrogen gas. The method includes the reduction of steam utilizing a metal species, such as iron or tin, to form pure hydrogen gas. At least two reactors are preferably utilized to continuously form additional metal for the reduction of the steam by reducing a metal oxide. No substantial transport of the non-gaseous reactants (e.g., the metal and metal oxide) is required, thereby simplifying the apparatus and reducing the overall cost of the hydrogen production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Alchemix Corporation
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6663681
    Abstract: A method for the production of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is formed by steam reduction using a metal/metal oxide couple to remove oxygen from water. Steam is contacted with a molten metal mixture including a first reactive metal such as iron dissolved in a diluent metal such as tin. The reactive metal oxidizes to a metal oxide, forming a hydrogen gas and the metal oxide can then be reduced back to the metal for further production of hydrogen without substantial movement of the metal or metal oxide to a second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Alchemix Corporation
    Inventors: James Kelly Kindig, Boyd R. Davis, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand
  • Patent number: 6620398
    Abstract: A method for the production of ammonia. The method includes the reduction of steam using a metal species such as iron or tin to form pure hydrogen gas and the reaction of hydrogen gas with nitrogen gas to form ammonia. The nitrogen gas can be formed by extracting the oxygen from air through the oxidation of a metal, yielding nitrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Alchemix Corporation
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20030072705
    Abstract: A method for the production of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is formed by steam reduction using a metal/metal oxide couple to remove oxygen from water. Steam is contacted with a molten metal mixture including a first reactive metal such as iron dissolved in a diluent metal such as tin. The reactive metal oxidizes to a metal oxide, forming a hydrogen gas and the metal oxide can then be reduced back to the metal for further production of hydrogen without substantial movement of the metal or metal oxide to a second reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: James Kelly Kindig, Boyd R. Davis, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand
  • Publication number: 20020139049
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the conversion of a hydrocarbon-bearing feedstock to a valuable product gas such as methane (CH4). The feedstock can advantageously be a low-cost or negative net cost feedstock such as municipal waste or low-grade coal. The method advantageously includes the step of forming large volumes of hydrogen gas and contacting the hydrogen gas with the feedstock to produce methane. The methane can be combusted to produce electricity, such as in a combined cycle generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020127165
    Abstract: A method for the production of ammonia. The method includes the reduction of steam using a metal species such as iron or tin to form pure hydrogen gas and the reaction of hydrogen gas with nitrogen gas to form ammonia. The nitrogen gas can be formed by extracting the oxygen from air through the oxidation of a metal, yielding nitrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020124466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of coal to form a valuable product gas such as methane (CH4), that may be augmented with hydrogen gas, and a high purity carbon product. The coal feedstock can advantageously be a low-grade coal that contains high levels of impurities. Reactants and by-products are advantageously recycled within the process system to enhance the economics of the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020127178
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of hydrogen gas. The method includes the reduction of steam utilizing a metal species, such as iron or tin, to form pure hydrogen gas. At least two reactors are preferably utilized to continuously form additional metal for the reduction of the steam by reducing a metal oxide. No substantial transport of the non-gaseous reactants (e.g., the metal and metal oxide) is required, thereby simplifying the apparatus and reducing the overall cost of the hydrogen production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Patent number: 4315775
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated system for continuously melting and refining secondary and blister copper to produce and continuously cast anode grade copper comprising: continuous melting of secondary and blister copper in an optional fuel vertical shaft furnace; continuously or semicontinuously skimming initial slag from the surface of the melted copper in a slag vessel as it drains from the shaft furnace; collecting a reservoir of molten copper in a holding furnace capable of controlling its temperature and subsequent flow; adding fluxes to the molten copper; directing the molten copper into an oxidation vessel where the molten copper and impurities are oxidized; transferring the oxidized and fluxed molten copper to a second slag vessel where slag is skimmed from its surface; flowing the oxygen rich molten copper into a reduction vessel where oxygen content is reduced; collecting a supply of refined molten copper in a final holding vessel; continuously passing the refined molten copper through a filtering ladle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, Milton E. Berry, William W. Brunson, William R. Burson, Daniel B. Cofer, Roy Richards