Patents by Inventor Russell G. Tonkyn

Russell G. Tonkyn 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: 6808694
    Abstract: A NOx reduction method includes treating a first gas containing NOx, producing a second gas containing NO2, reducing a portion of the NO2 in the second gas to N2, and producing a third gas containing less NOx than the first gas, substantially all of the third gas NOx being NO. The method also includes treating the third gas, producing a fourth gas containing NO2, reducing a portion of the NO2 in the fourth gas to N2, and producing a fifth gas containing less NOx than the third gas, substantially all of the fifth gas NOx being NO. Treating the first and/or third gas can include treatment with a plasma. Reducing a portion of the NO2 in the second and/or fourth gas can include reducing with a catalyst. The method can further include controlling energy consumption of the plasmas independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Russell G. Tonkyn, Stephan E. Barlow, M. Lou Balmer, Gary D. Maupin
  • Publication number: 20030059357
    Abstract: A NOx reduction method includes treating a first gas containing NOx, producing a second gas containing NO2, reducing a portion of the NO2 in the second gas to N2, and producing a third gas containing less NOx than the first gas, substantially all of the third gas NOx being NO. The method also includes treating the third gas, producing a fourth gas containing NO2, reducing a portion of the NO2 in the fourth gas to N2, and producing a fifth gas containing less NOx than the third gas, substantially all of the fifth gas NOx being NO. Treating the first and/or third gas can include treatment with a plasma. Reducing a portion of the NO2 in the second and/or fourth gas can include reducing with a catalyst. The method can further include controlling energy consumption of the plasmas independent of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Russell G. Tonkyn, Stephan E. Barlow, M. Lou Balmer, Gary D. Maupin
  • Publication number: 20030007901
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing the amount of NOx in an automotive vehicle combustion exhaust gas are disclosed. Accordingly, the system includes a first converter for forming aldehyde in a tributary fluid that includes fuel from the fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. Once the aldehyde is formed, the tributary fluid is combined with combustion exhaust of the vehicle to form an aldehyde/exhaust admixture. Thereafter, a second converter of the system is used to reduce NOx in the aldehyde/exhaust admixture to N2 gas and O2 gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: John Hoard, Mari Lou Balmer-Millar, Russell G. Tonkyn, Alexandre Malkine, Alexander Panov
  • Publication number: 20020014071
    Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery that microporous catalysts, especially zeolites in the class of metallic Faujasites, Linde Type A (LTA) and combinations thereof having a pore size greater than 3 angstroms in combination with a plasma are capable of catalyzing conversion of NOx to N2 in a real or actual exhaust stream without any gas phase additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: MARI LOU BALMER, ANTHONY Y. KIM, RUSSELL G. TONKYN, STEPHAN E. BARLOW, THOMAS M. ORLANDO
  • Patent number: 5914015
    Abstract: The present invention is placing a catalyst coating upon surfaces surrounding a volume containing corona discharge. In addition, the electrodes are coated with a robust dielectric material. Further, the electrodes are arranged so that at least a surface portion of each electrode extends into a flow path of the exhaust gas to be treated and there is only exhaust gas in the volume between each pair of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Stephan E. Barlow, Thomas M. Orlando, Russell G. Tonkyn