Patents by Inventor Steven J. Pontonio

Steven J. Pontonio 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: 20100000305
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and kits for measuring and analyzing degradation of adsorbent materials, particularly for adsorbent materials used in gas separation processes. The present invention can assess the damage to adsorbent due to moisture contamination and it can assess damage that is not moisture-related. The advantage to the present invention is that it can detect degradation of adsorbent before the degradation affects production. Another advantage is that it can conclusively determine whether the sieve is damaged. Because it is so inexpensive to run, the test of the present invention can be conducted to determine adsorbent damage and to confirm whether the damage continues to be an issue. The present invention can test adsorbents in any form, including, but not limited to, bead, pellet or powder form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Stephenson, Philip Alexander Barrett, Steven J. Pontonio, Michael T. Freiert, Jesus Gallego-Preciado Nieto
  • Publication number: 20100000306
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and kits for measuring and analyzing degradation of adsorbent materials, particularly for adsorbent materials used in gas separation processes. The present invention can assess the damage to adsorbent due to contamination including moisture contamination and it can assess damage that is not contaminant-related. The advantage to the present invention is that it can detect degradation of adsorbent directly at the plant site before the degradation affects production. Another advantage is that it can conclusively determine whether the adsorbent is damaged. Because it is so inexpensive to run, the test of the present invention can be conducted to determine adsorbent damage and to confirm whether the damage continues to be an issue. The present invention can test adsorbents in any form, including, but not limited to, bead, pellet or powder form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Stephenson, Philip Alexander Barrett, Steven J. Pontonio, Michael T. Freiert, Jesus Gallego-Preciado Nieto
  • Patent number: 6425940
    Abstract: The invention relates to adsorbent materials having comparatively high intrinsic adsorption rates. Methods are disclosed whereby such rates can be achieved. In preferred embodiments, the adsorbent is a LiX zeolite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Chao, Steven J. Pontonio