Patents by Inventor Sandeep Nijhawan
Sandeep Nijhawan 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).
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Publication number: 20250109516Abstract: Methods and systems for producing iron from an iron-containing ore and removing impurities found in the iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method for producing iron comprises providing a feedstock having an iron-containing ore and one or more impurities to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell; producing an iron-rich solution, in the dissolution subsystem; treating the iron-rich solution to remove at least a portion of one or more impurities by raising a pH of the iron-rich solution from an initial pH to an adjusted pH thereby precipitating at least a portion of the one or more impurities in the treated iron-rich solution; delivering the treated iron-rich solution to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing at least a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal; and removing the Fe metal from the second electrochemical cell thereby producing iron.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Steven FATUR
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Publication number: 20250055007Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the management and control of electrolyte within confined electrochemical cells or groups (e.g. stacks) of connected electrochemical cells, for example, in an electrolyzer. Various embodiments of systems and methods provide for the elimination of parasitic conductive paths between cells, and/or precise passive control of fluid pressures within cells. In some embodiments, a fixed volume of electrolyte is substantially retained within each cell while efficiently collecting and removing produced gases or other products from the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Inventors: Eric SEYMOUR, Gregory KUMOR, Erik T. HERRERA, Byron J. BURKILL, David COX, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Cameron TAVENER-SMITH, Wayne Richard HEMZACEK, Nathaniel Martin SCHUH
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Publication number: 20250030073Abstract: In an aspect, provided is an alkaline rechargeable battery comprising: i) a battery container sealed against the release of gas up to at least a threshold gas pressure, ii) a volume of an aqueous alkaline electrolyte at least partially filling the container to au electrolyte level; iii) a positive electrode containing positive active material and at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, iv) an iron negative electrode at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, the iron negative electrode comprising iron active material; v) a separator at least partially submerged in the electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; vi) an auxiliary oxygen gas recombination electrode electrically connected to the iron negative electrode by a first electronic component, ionically connected to the electrolyte by a first some pathway, and exposed to a gas headspace above the electrolyte level by a first gas pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Aswin K. MANOHAR, Kevin Van GALLOWAY, Chenguang YANG, Eric E. BENSON, Lang MCHARDY, Tim RACKERS
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Publication number: 20240425994Abstract: A method of making a material for capturing carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere, comprises producing an acid and a base with an electrochemical acid-base generator; dissolving a mineral in the acid to produce a mineral rich solution, separating silica from the mineral rich solution to form a silica depleted solution; adding a first portion of the base to the silica depleted solution to remove impurities by precipitation, adding a second portion of the base until ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2) precipitates, then pausing base addition and removing the ferrous hydroxide precipitate from the solution. Then adding a third portion of the base to the iron-depleted solution to precipitate magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and/or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). Then recovering a salt solution and directing the recovered salt solution to the electrochemical acid-base generator to produce a new acid and a new base.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2024Publication date: December 26, 2024Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Kevin GALLOWAY, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Philip WAGNER, Steven FATUR
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Patent number: 12155047Abstract: In an aspect, provided is an alkaline rechargeable battery comprising: i) a battery container sealed against the release of gas up to at least a threshold gas pressure, ii) a volume of an aqueous alkaline electrolyte at least partially filling the container to an electrolyte level; iii) a positive electrode containing positive active material and at least partially submerged in the electrolyte; iv) an iron negative electrode at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, the iron negative electrode comprising iron active material; v) a separator at least partially submerged in the electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; vi) an auxiliary oxygen gas recombination electrode electrically connected to the iron negative electrode by a first electronic component, ionically connected to the electrolyte by a first ionic pathway, and exposed to a gas headspace above the electrolyte level by a first gas pathway.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: FORM ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc Pham, Sandeep Nijhawan, Aswin K. Manohar, Kevin Van Galloway, Chenguang Yang, Eric E. Benson, Lang McHardy, Tim Rackers
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Publication number: 20240368788Abstract: Methods and systems for dissolving an iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method of processing and dissolving an iron-containing ore comprises: thermally reducing one or more non-magnetite iron oxide materials in the iron-containing ore to form magnetite in the presence of a reductant, thereby forming thermally-reduced ore; and dissolving at least a portion of the thermally-reduced ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution; wherein the acidic iron-salt solution comprises protons electrochemically generated in an electrochemical cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Steven FATUR
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Publication number: 20240368789Abstract: Methods and systems for producing are disclosed. A method for producing iron, for example, comprises: providing an iron-containing ore to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell; wherein the first anolyte has a different composition than the first catholyte; dissolving at least a portion of the iron-containing ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution having dissolved first Fe3+ ions; providing at least a portion of the acidic iron-salt solution to the first cathodic chamber; first electrochemically reducing said first Fe3+ ions in the first catholyte to form Fe2+ ions; transferring the formed Fe2+ ions from the dissolution subsystem to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal at a second cathode of the second electrochemical cell; and removing the Fe metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Colleen WALLACE, Steven FATUR
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Patent number: 12080928Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the management and control of electrolyte within confined electrochemical cells or groups (e.g. stacks) of connected electrochemical cells, for example, in an electrolyzer. Various embodiments of systems and methods provide for the elimination of parasitic conductive paths between cells, and/or precise passive control of fluid pressures within cells. In some embodiments, a fixed volume of electrolyte is substantially retained within each cell while efficiently collecting and removing produced gases or other products from the cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: EDAC Labs, Inc.Inventors: Eric Seymour, Gregory Kumor, Erik T. Herrera, Byron J. Burkill, David Cox, Sandeep Nijhawan, Cameron Tavener-Smith, Wayne Richard Hemzacek, Nathaniel Martin Schuh
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Patent number: 12065749Abstract: Methods and systems for producing are disclosed. A method for producing iron, for example, comprises: providing an iron-containing ore to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell; wherein the first anolyte has a different composition than the first catholyte; dissolving at least a portion of the iron-containing ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution having dissolved first Fe3+ ions; providing at least a portion of the acidic iron-salt solution to the first cathodic chamber; first electrochemically reducing said first Fe3+ ions in the first catholyte to form Fe2+ ions; transferring the formed Fe2+ ions from the dissolution subsystem to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal at a second cathode of the second electrochemical cell; and removing the Fe metal.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc Pham, Sandeep Nijhawan, Adolfredo Alvarez, Colleen Wallace, Steven Fatur
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Publication number: 20240263333Abstract: Methods and systems for producing iron from an iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method for producing iron comprises: providing an iron-containing ore to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell and a dissolution tank; dissolving the iron-containing ore to form an acidic iron-salt solution; reducing Fe3+ ions to form Fe2+ ions and electrochemically generating protons in the first electrochemical cell; circulating solution between the dissolution tank and the first electrochemical cell; transferring formed Fe2+ ions from the dissolution subsystem to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal at a second cathode of the second electrochemical cell; and removing the Fe metal. The methods and systems optionally include removing one or more impurities found in the feedstock.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2022Publication date: August 8, 2024Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Colleen WALLACE, Steven FATUR
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Patent number: 12054837Abstract: Methods and systems for dissolving an iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method of processing and dissolving an iron-containing ore comprises: thermally reducing one or more non-magnetite iron oxide materials in the iron-containing ore to form magnetite in the presence of a reductant, thereby forming thermally-reduced ore; and dissolving at least a portion of the thermally-reduced ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution; wherein the acidic iron-salt solution comprises protons electrochemically generated in an electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2023Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc Pham, Sandeep Nijhawan, Adolfredo Alvarez, Steven Fatur
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Publication number: 20240158939Abstract: Methods and systems for producing iron from an iron-containing ore and removing impurities found in the iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method for producing iron comprises providing a feedstock having an iron-containing ore and one or more impurities to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell; producing an iron-rich solution, in the dissolution subsystem; treating the iron-rich solution to remove at least a portion of one or more impurities by raising a pH of the iron-rich solution from an initial pH to an adjusted pH thereby precipitating at least a portion of the one or more impurities in the treated iron-rich solution; delivering the treated iron-rich solution to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing at least a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal; and removing the Fe metal from the second electrochemical cell thereby producing iron.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2022Publication date: May 16, 2024Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Steven FATUR
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Publication number: 20240141510Abstract: A method of making a material for capturing carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere, comprises producing an acid and a base with an electrochemical acid-base generator; dissolving a mineral in the acid to produce a mineral rich solution, separating silica from the mineral rich solution to form a silica depleted solution; adding a first portion of the base to the silica depleted solution to remove impurities by precipitation, adding a second portion of the base until ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2) precipitates, then pausing base addition and removing the ferrous hydroxide precipitate from the solution. Then adding a third portion of the base to the iron-depleted solution to precipitate magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and/or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Kevin GALLOWAY, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Philip WAGNER, Steven FATUR
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Publication number: 20230395835Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the management and control of electrolyte within confined electrochemical cells or groups (e.g. stacks) of connected electrochemical cells, for example, in an electrolyzer. Various embodiments of systems and methods provide for the elimination of parasitic conductive paths between cells, and/or precise passive control of fluid pressures within cells. In some embodiments, a fixed volume of electrolyte is substantially retained within each cell while efficiently collecting and removing produced gases or other products from the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: AQUAHYDREX, INC.Inventors: Eric SEYMOUR, Gregory KUMOR, Erik T. HERRERA, Byron J. BURKILL, David COX, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Cameron TAVENER-SMITH, Wayne Richard HEMZACEK, Nathaniel Martin SCHUH
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Publication number: 20230374683Abstract: Methods and systems for dissolving an iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method of processing and dissolving an iron-containing ore comprises: thermally reducing one or more non-magnetite iron oxide materials in the iron-containing ore to form magnetite in the presence of a reductant, thereby forming thermally-reduced ore; and dissolving at least a portion of the thermally-reduced ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution; wherein the acidic iron-salt solution comprises protons electrochemically generated in an electrochemical cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Steven FATUR
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Publication number: 20230366115Abstract: Methods and systems for producing are disclosed. A method for producing iron, for example, comprises: providing an iron-containing ore to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell; wherein the first anolyte has a different composition than the first catholyte; dissolving at least a portion of the iron-containing ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution having dissolved first Fe3+ ions; providing at least a portion of the acidic iron-salt solution to the first cathodic chamber; first electrochemically reducing said first Fe3+ ions in the first catholyte to form Fe2+ ions; transferring the formed Fe2+ ions from the dissolution subsystem to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal at a second cathode of the second electrochemical cell; and removing the Fe metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Adolfredo ALVAREZ, Colleen WALLACE, Steven FATUR
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Patent number: 11767604Abstract: Methods and systems for producing are disclosed. A method for producing iron, for example, comprises: providing an iron-containing ore to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell; wherein the first anolyte has a different composition than the first catholyte; dissolving at least a portion of the iron-containing ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution having dissolved first Fe3+ ions; providing at least a portion of the acidic iron-salt solution to the first cathodic chamber; first electrochemically reducing said first Fe3+ ions in the first catholyte to form Fe2+ ions; transferring the formed Fe2+ ions from the dissolution subsystem to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal at a second cathode of the second electrochemical cell; and removing the Fe metal.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc Pham, Sandeep Nijhawan, Adolfredo Alvarez, Colleen Wallace, Steven Fatur
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Patent number: 11753732Abstract: Methods and systems for dissolving an iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method of processing and dissolving an iron-containing ore comprises: thermally reducing one or more non-magnetite iron oxide materials in the iron-containing ore to form magnetite in the presence of a reductant, thereby forming thermally-reduced ore; and dissolving at least a portion of the thermally-reduced ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution; wherein the acidic iron-salt solution comprises protons electrochemically generated in an electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: ELECTRASTEEL, INC.Inventors: Ai Quoc Pham, Sandeep Nijhawan, Adolfredo Alvarez, Steven Fatur
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Publication number: 20230231213Abstract: In an aspect, provided is an alkaline rechargeable battery comprising: i) a battery container sealed against the release of gas up to at least a threshold gas pressure, ii) a volume of an aqueous alkaline electrolyte at least partially filling the container to an electrolyte level; iii) a positive electrode containing positive active material and at least partially submerged in the electrolyte; iv) an iron negative electrode at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, the iron negative electrode comprising iron active material; v) a separator at least partially submerged in the electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; vi) an auxiliary oxygen gas recombination electrode electrically connected to the iron negative electrode by a first electronic component, ionically connected to the electrolyte by a first ionic pathway, and exposed to a gas headspace above the electrolyte level by a first gas pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, Sandeep NIJHAWAN, Aswin K. MANOHAR, Kevin Van GALLOWAY, Chenguang YANG, Eric E. BENSON, Lang MCHARDY, Tim RACKERS
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Patent number: 11682783Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the management and control of electrolyte within confined electrochemical cells or groups (e.g. stacks) of connected electrochemical cells, for example, in an electrolyzer. Various embodiments of systems and methods provide for the elimination of parasitic conductive paths between cells, and/or precise passive control of fluid pressures within cells. In some embodiments, a fixed volume of electrolyte is substantially retained within each cell while efficiently collecting and removing produced gases or other products from the cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: AQUAHYDREX, INC.Inventors: Eric Seymour, Gregory Kumor, Erik T. Herrera, Byron J. Burkill, David Cox, Sandeep Nijhawan, Cameron Tavener-Smith, Wayne Richard Hemzacek, Nathaniel Martin Schuh