Patents by Inventor Stephen W. Dvorak

Stephen W. Dvorak 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).

  • Publication number: 20230286877
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for producing Class A biosolids. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method comprising digesting waste material by anaerobic digestion, and yielding Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material to produce Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material comprising a mixing chamber, a digester, a heating pit, and an effluent pit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20220186164
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to process poultry litter. In one embodiment, the poultry litter is anaerobically digested to produce a biogas and one or more nutrients. In one embodiment, the poultry litter is wettened with recycled digestate prior to anaerobic digestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Doug VanOrnum, Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20210017034
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Quanbao Zhao, Stephen W. Dvorak, Shulin Chen, Craig Frear, Bryan J. VanLoo
  • Publication number: 20200362378
    Abstract: The invention relates to composite components and methods of producing composite components. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of producing a composite component using anaerobically digested biomass. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises using liquid effluent from the digester. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises wet-mat forming and cold pressing the anaerobically digested biomass and wet-mat drying under heat and pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen W. Dvorak, John F. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20200346989
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for producing Class A biosolids. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method comprising digesting waste material by anaerobic digestion, and yielding Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material to produce Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material comprising a mixing chamber, a digester, a heating pit, and an effluent pit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 10731190
    Abstract: The invention relates to composite components and methods of producing composite components. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of producing a composite component using anaerobically digested biomass. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises using liquid effluent from the digester. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises wet-mat forming and cold pressing the anaerobically digested biomass and wet-mat drying under heat and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: DVO. Inc., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Stephen W. Dvorak, John F. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10717684
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for producing Class A biosolids. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method comprising digesting waster material by anaerobic digestion, and yielding Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material to produce Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material comprising a mixing chamber, a digester, a heating pit, and an effluent pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: DVO LICENSING, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 10556804
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignees: DVO, INC., WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, ANDGAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Quanbao Zhao, Stephen W. Dvorak, Shulin Chen, Craig Frear, Bryan J. VanLoo
  • Publication number: 20160251587
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas with ease of operation and reduced operating and capital costs. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S over CO2 from biogas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Kennedy, Quan-Bao Zhao, Anping Jiang, Craig Frear, Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 9339760
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas with ease of operation and reduced operating and capital costs. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S over CO2 from biogas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: DVO, Inc., Washington State University
    Inventors: Nicholas Kennedy, Quan-Bao Zhao, Anping Jiang, Craig Frear, Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 9005918
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an algae bioreactor and process. The algae bioreactor includes a container with an inlet and an outlet. An algae suspension present in the container interior moves from an inlet to an outlet along a flowpath. A light assembly, a liftwall, and a gas conduit are located in the container interior. The gas conduit extends along a length of the container and emits gas bubbles into the algae suspension. A diffuser is located on a bottom wall of the container, The flowpath, the liftwall, the gas conduit, and the diffuser produce an active flow of the algae from the container inlet to the container outlet. The container may be a deep-vessel container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: DVO, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Dvorak, Douglas Van Ornum
  • Publication number: 20140377855
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for producing Class A biosolids. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method comprising digesting waster material by anaerobic digestion, and yielding Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material to produce Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material comprising a mixing chamber, a digester, a heating pit, and an effluent pit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20140314657
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Quanbao Zhao, Stephen W. Dvorak, Shulin Chen, Craig Frear, Bryan J. VanLoo
  • Patent number: 8835155
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for producing Class A biosolids. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method comprising digesting waste material by anaerobic digestion, and yielding Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material to produce Class A biosolids. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for anaerobic digestion of waste material comprising a mixing chamber, a digester, a heating pit, and an effluent pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: DVO Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 8613894
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: DVO, Inc., Washington State University, Andgar Corporation
    Inventors: Quanbao Zhao, Stephen W. Dvorak, Shulin Chen, Craig Frear, Bryan J. VanLoo
  • Publication number: 20130309759
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas with ease of operation and reduced operating and capital costs. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S over CO2 from biogas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas Kennedy, Quan-Bao Zhao, Anping Jiang, Craig Frear, Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20130280757
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an algae bioreactor and process. The algae bioreactor includes a container with an inlet and an outlet. An algae suspension present in the container interior moves from an inlet to an outlet along a flowpath. A light assembly, a liftwall, and a gas conduit are located in the container interior. The gas conduit extends along a length of the container and emits gas bubbles into the algae suspension. A diffuser is located on a bottom wall of the container, The flowpath, the liftwall, the gas conduit, and the diffuser produce an active flow of the algae from the container inlet to the container outlet. The container may be a deep-vessel container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen W. Dvorak, Douglas Van Ornum
  • Publication number: 20130224803
    Abstract: The invention relates to composite components and methods of producing composite components. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of producing a composite component using anaerobically digested biomass. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises using liquid effluent from the digester. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises wet-mat forming and cold pressing the anaerobically digested biomass and wet-mat drying under heat and pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen W. Dvorak, John F. Hunt
  • Patent number: 8470177
    Abstract: A system and method for treating high-strength organic liquid waste. Generally, the method includes feeding influent high-strength organic liquid waste including organic molecules to an anaerobic digester, converting at least a portion of the organic molecules in the liquid waste to acids using acid forming bacteria, converting at least a portion of the acids in the liquid waste to methane using methanogenic bacteria, separating the liquid waste after treatment with the methanogenic bacteria into alkaline sludge and effluent, and using the alkaline sludge to adjust the pH of the liquid waste in the anaerobic digester. In the case of acidic high-strength organic liquid wastes, a portion of the acids produced by the acid forming bacteria may be recirculated to the front of the anaerobic digester and combined with influent high-strength organic liquid waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: DVO Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 8414808
    Abstract: The invention relates to composite components and methods of producing composite components. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of producing a composite component using anaerobically digested biomass. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises using liquid effluent from the digester. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises wet-mat forming and cold pressing the anaerobically digested biomass and wet-mat drying under heat and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: DVO. Inc., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Stephen W. Dvorak, John F. Hunt