Patents by Inventor Sean M. Mercer
Sean M. Mercer 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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Patent number: 11498853Abstract: A method and system for reversibly converting water between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, using a switchable additive, is described. The disclosed method and system can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions. Following extraction of a solute from a medium by dissolving it in water, the solute can then be isolated from the aqueous solution or “salted-out” by converting the water to a solution having an increased ionic strength. The solute then separates from the increased ionic strength solution as a separate phase. Once the solute is, for example, decanted off, the increased ionic strength aqueous solution can be converted back to water having its original ionic strength and reused. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with CO2, CS2 or COS.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Inventors: Philip G. Jessop, Sean M. Mercer, R. Stephen Brown, Tobias Robert
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Patent number: 10569316Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for two-stage treatment of contaminated particulate material, such as soil, sediment, and/or sludge. The methods and systems utilize a thermal desorption process combined with a smoldering combustion process. The contaminated particulate material is first exposed to thermal desorption at high temperatures (e.g., greater than 150° C.) to form a heated contaminated particulate material. Next, a smoldering combustion process is initiated by introducing a combustion-supporting gas. The combined process can take place in the same or different treatment units.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Gregory P. Rockwell, Sean M. Mercer
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Publication number: 20190315637Abstract: A method and system for reversibly converting water between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, using a switchable additive, is described. The disclosed method and system can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions. Following extraction of a solute from a medium by dissolving it in water, the solute can then be isolated from the aqueous solution or “salted-out” by converting the water to a solution having an increased ionic strength. The solute then separates from the increased ionic strength solution as a separate phase. Once the solute is, for example, decanted off, the increased ionic strength aqueous solution can be converted back to water having its original ionic strength and reused. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with CO2, CS2 or COS.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Philip G. Jessop, Sean M. Mercer, R. Stephen Brown, Tobias Robert
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Patent number: 10377647Abstract: Methods and systems for use of switchable water, which is capable of reversibly switching between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, is described. The disclosed methods and systems can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions, desalination, clay settling, viscosity switching, etc. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with C02, CS2 or COS or treatment with Bronsted acids. Switching from higher to lower ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with air, inert gas, heating, agitating, introducing a vacuum or partial vacuum, or any combination or thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignees: Queen's University at Kingson, Greencentre CanadaInventors: Philip G. Jessop, Sean M. Mercer, Tobias Robert, R. Stephen Brown, Timothy James Clark, Brian Ernest Mariampillai, Rui Resendes, Dominik Wechsler
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Publication number: 20180009014Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for two-stage treatment of contaminated particulate material, such as soil, sediment, and/or sludge. The methods and systems utilize a thermal desorption process combined with a smoldering combustion process. The contaminated particulate material is first exposed to thermal desorption at high temperatures (e.g., greater than 150° C.) to form a heated contaminated particulate material. Next, a smoldering combustion process is initiated by introducing a combustion-supporting gas. The combined process can take place in the same or different treatment units. Treating the particulate material with a thermal desorption process prior to a smoldering combustion process enhances the completeness and throughput compared to operating these processes separately.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Gregory P. Rockwell, Sean M. Mercer
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Publication number: 20160244548Abstract: The present application provides a composite material that comprises a solid and solid-supported non-polymeric switchable moiety, wherein the switchable moiety comprises a functional group that is switchable between a first form and a second form, said first form being neutral and hydrophobic, and said second form being ionized and hydrophilic. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said second form when the switchable moiety is exposed to CO2 at amounts sufficient to maintain the ionized form. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said first form when CO2 is removed or reduced to an amount insufficient to maintain the ionized form. CO2 is removed or reduced by exposing the composite material to heat and/or a flushing inert gas such as N2, Ar, or air. Envisioned uses of these composite materials includes removing water from non-aqueous solvents, removing water vapour from gaseous mixtures, and cleaning industrial reaction vessels and/or pipelines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicants: Queen's University at Kingston, GreenCentre CanadaInventors: Kyle J. Boniface, Timothy James Clark, Michael F. Cunningham, Philip G. Jessop, Brian Ernest Mariampillai, Sean M. Mercer, Rui Resendes, Tobias Robert
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Publication number: 20140076810Abstract: Methods and systems for use of switchable water, which is capable of reversibly switching between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, is described. The disclosed methods and systems can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions, desalination, clay settling, viscosity switching, etc. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with C02, CS2 or COS or treatment with Bronsted acids. Switching from higher to lower ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with air, inert gas, heating, agitating, introducing a vacuum or partial vacuum, or any combination or thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicants: Greencentre Canaga, Queens's UniversityInventors: Philip G. Jessop, Sean M. Mercer, Tobias Robert, R. Stephen Brown, Timothy James Clark, Brian Ernest Mariampillai, Rui Resendes, Dominik Wechsler
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Publication number: 20130105377Abstract: A method and system for reversibly converting water between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, using a switchable additive, is described. The disclosed method and system can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions. Following extraction of a solute from a medium by dissolving it in water, the solute can then be isolated from the aqueous solution or “salted-out” by converting the water to a solution having an increased ionic strength. The solute then separates from the increased ionic strength solution as a separate phase. Once the solute is, for example, decanted off, the increased ionic strength aqueous solution can be converted back to water having its original ionic strength and reused. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with CO2, CS2 or COS.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Queen's University at KingstonInventors: Philip G. Jessop, Sean M. Mercer, R. Stephen Brown, Tobias Robert