Patents by Inventor Steven M. Kuznicki

Steven M. Kuznicki 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: 20200392008
    Abstract: A method of plant growth promotion includes the steps of mixing synthetic high aluminum zeolite A with soil around seeds of a desired plant. The zeolite A may be ion exchanged with nutrients including a plant growth promoter chosen from the group consisting of copper, zinc and mixtures thereof included in the amount of at least about 0.04 meq/g. Preferably, the zeolite A has a moisture reserve capacity of at least about 30 wt %. Preferred synthetic zeolite A compositions may have at least double the ion exchange capacity of Clinoptilolite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, Natalie P. Ireland, Daniel B. Kuznicki, Michael J. Kuznicki, Elizabeth A. Butler-Henderson
  • Patent number: 9764306
    Abstract: A hydrogen sulphide adsorbent is formed from an alkali metal nanotitanate having a portion of the alkali metal cations exchanged with metal cations reactive with hydrogen sulphide, and heat treated. A method for producing the adsorbent includes the steps of mixing an alkali metal nanotitanate in powder form into an aqueous metal cation solution to produce a slurry, which is subsequently dehydrated to produce a powder, which is heat treated. A low temperature method for removing hydrogen sulphide from a gaseous mixture involves exposing the gaseous mixture to the aforementioned adsorbent, at a temperature less than 250° C. The adsorbent maintains a high adsorption capacity over a range of activation temperatures and humidity conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: Steven M. Kuznicki
  • Publication number: 20170136442
    Abstract: A hydrogen sulphide adsorbent is formed from an alkali metal nanotitanate having a portion of the alkali metal cations exchanged with metal cations reactive with hydrogen sulphide, and heat treated. A method for producing the adsorbent includes the steps of mixing an alkali metal nanotitanate in powder form into an aqueous metal cation solution to produce a slurry, which is subsequently dehydrated to produce a powder, which is heat treated. A low temperature method for removing hydrogen sulphide from a gaseous mixture involves exposing the gaseous mixture to the aforementioned adsorbent, at a temperature less than 250° C. The adsorbent maintains a high adsorption capacity over a range of activation temperatures and humidity conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: Steven M. KUZNICKI
  • Publication number: 20160059209
    Abstract: A hydrogen sulphide adsorbent is formed from an alkali metal nanotitanate having a portion of the alkali metal cations exchanged with metal cations reactive with hydrogen sulphide, and heat treated. A method for producing the adsorbent includes the steps of mixing an alkali metal nanotitanate in powder form into an aqueous metal cation solution to produce a slurry, which is subsequently dehydrated to produce a powder, which is heat treated. A low temperature method for removing hydrogen sulphide from a gaseous mixture involves exposing the gaseous mixture to the aforementioned adsorbent, at a temperature less than 250° C. The adsorbent maintains a high adsorption capacity over a range of activation temperatures and humidity conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: Steven M. KUZNICKI
  • Patent number: 8552246
    Abstract: ETS-10 titanosilicate materials selectively adsorb carbon dioxide from gaseous mixtures containing carbon dioxide and light paraffins such as methane and ethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, Alejandro Anson, Christopher C. H. Lin, Patricio S. Herrera
  • Patent number: 8545608
    Abstract: Embodiments of crystalline, titanium silicate molecular sieves are described having a formula representing mole ratios of oxides of nM1O:TiO2:ySiO2:zH2O:wX where M1 refers to a metal cation or mixture of metal cations; n is from about 1 to about 2; y is from about 1 to about 10; z is from 0 to about 100; X is a halide anion other than fluorine, or combination of halide anions that excludes fluorine; and w is greater than 0. The pore size of the sieves can be adjusted by ion exchanging M1 cations with a suitable amount of another species. Embodiments of the invention are useful for various adsorptive fluid separation processes, including pressure swing adsorption processes. For example, disclosed embodiments are useful for separating methane from air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: James A. Sawada, Edward J. Rode, Steven M. Kuznicki, Christopher Chih Itao Lin
  • Publication number: 20130014644
    Abstract: Embodiments of crystalline, titanium silicate molecular sieves are described having a formula representing mole ratios of oxides of nM1O:TiO2:ySiO2:zH2O:wX where M1 refers to a metal cation or mixture of metal cations; n is from about 1 to about 2; y is from about 1 to about 10; z is from 0 to about 100; X is a halide anion other than fluorine, or combination of halide anions that excludes fluorine; and w is greater than 0. The pore size of the sieves can be adjusted by ion exchanging M1 cations with a suitable amount of another species. Embodiments of the invention are useful for various adsorptive fluid separation processes, including pressure swing adsorption processes. For example, disclosed embodiments are useful for separating methane from air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: James A. Sawada, Edward J. Rode, Steven M. KUZNICKI, Christopher Chih Itao Lin
  • Patent number: 8232221
    Abstract: A metal nanodot material is formed by ion-exchange with chabazite or a chabazite-like structure, followed by activation to form metallic nanodots. The nanodot may be formed from silver, nickel, copper, gold or a platinum group metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventor: Steven M. Kuznicki
  • Patent number: 8211295
    Abstract: Bitumen within raw oilsands may be cracked and fully recovered by light hydrocarbon extraction following exposure to modified natural zeolite catalysts under cracking conditions. The recovered bitumen is reduced in viscosity, with lower boiling point distributions. Effective cracking of oilsands bitumen using economical, abundant and readily disposable natural zeolites represents a significant step towards a waterless and environment friendly extraction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: The Governors Of The University Of Alberta, Imperial Oil Resource Limited
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, William C. McCaffrey, Murray R. Gray, James A. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8017825
    Abstract: An as prepared Na-ETS-10 zeolite was modified by ion exchange with a mono-, di-, or tri-valent cation and mixtures thereof. Several of the modified ETS-10 zeolites showed improved pressure swing capacity during the selective adsorption of ethylene from an ethylene/ethane mixture, relative to Na-ETS-10, although the selectivity of adsorption decreased. Modification with Ba2+ and Ba2+/H+ provided modified ETS-10 zeolite adsorbents having a good balance of selectivity and pressure swing capacity for the separation of ethylene/ethane mixtures, making them useful adsorbents for PSA processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, Alejandro Anson, Tetyana Segin, Christopher C. H. Lin
  • Publication number: 20100269694
    Abstract: Embodiments of crystalline, titanium silicate molecular sieves are described having a formula representing mole ratios of oxides of n M1O:TiO2:y SiO2:zH2O:wX where Mi refers to a metal cation or mixture of metal cations; n is from about 1 to about 2; y is from about 1 to about 10; z is from 0 to about 100; X is a halide anion other than fluorine, or combination of halide anions that excludes fluorine; and w is greater than 0. The pore size of the sieves can be adjusted by ion exchanging Mi cations with a suitable amount of another species. Embodiments of the invention are useful for various adsorptive fluid separation processes, including pressure swing adsorption processes. For example, disclosed embodiments are useful for separating methane from air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: James A. Sawada, Edward J. Rode, Steven M. Kuznicki, Christopher Chih Hao Lin
  • Publication number: 20100228069
    Abstract: ETS-10 titanosilicate materials selectively adsorb carbon dioxide from gaseous mixtures containing carbon dioxide and light paraffins such as methane and ethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, Alejandro Anson, Christopher C. H. Lin, Patricio S. Herrera
  • Publication number: 20100021559
    Abstract: A metal nanodot material is formed by ion-exchange with chabazite or a chabazite-like structure, followed by activation to form metallic nanodots. The nanodot may be formed from silver, nickel, copper, gold or a platinum group metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: Steven M. KUZNICKI
  • Patent number: 7645324
    Abstract: Improved adsorbent sheet based parallel passage adsorbent structures for enhancing the kinetic selectivity of certain kinetic-controlled adsorption processes, such as PSA, TSA and PPSA processes, and combinations thereof, are provided. The enhancements in kinetic selectivity made possible through the implementation of the present inventive improved adsorbent structures may unexpectedly enable significant intensification of selected kinetic adsorption processes relative to attainable performance with conventional adsorbent materials in beaded or extruded form. Such process intensification enabled by the present inventive adsorbent structures may provide for increased adsorption cycle frequencies, and increased gas flow velocities within the adsorbent beds, which may increase the productivity and/or recovery of a kinetic adsorption system incorporating the inventive adsorbent structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Xebec Adsorption Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Rode, Andre J. J. Boulet, Aaron M. Pelman, Matthew L. Babicki, Bowie G. Keefer, James A. Sawada, Soheil Alizadeh-Khiavi, Surajit Roy, Andrea C. Gibbs, Steven M. Kuznicki
  • Publication number: 20090288994
    Abstract: Bitumen within raw oilsands may be cracked and fully recovered by light hydrocarbon extraction following exposure to modified natural zeolite catalysts under cracking conditions. The recovered bitumen is reduced in viscosity, with lower boiling point distributions. Effective cracking of oilsands bitumen using economical, abundant and readily disposable natural zeolites represents a significant step towards a waterless and environment friendly extraction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicants: THE GOVERNORS OF UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, IMPERIAL OIL RESOURCES LIMITED
    Inventors: Steven M. KUZNICKI, William C. McCAFFREY, Murray R. GRAY, James A. DUNN
  • Publication number: 20090202655
    Abstract: A metal nanodot material is formed by ion-exchange with an ETS zeolite, followed by activation to form metallic nanodots. The nanodot may be formed from silver, nickel, copper, gold or a platinum group metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: Steven M. KUZNICKI
  • Publication number: 20090187053
    Abstract: An as prepared Na-ETS-10 zeolite was modified by ion exchange with a mono-, di-, or tri-valent cation and mixtures thereof. Several of the modified ETS-10 zeolites showed improved pressure swing capacity during the selective adsorption of ethylene from an ethylene/ethane mixture, relative to Na-ETS-1 0, although the selectivity of adsorption decreased. Modification with Ba2+ and Ba2+/H+ provided modified ETS-10 zeolite adsorbents having a good balance of selectivity and pressure swing capacity for the separation of ethylene/ethane mixtures, making them useful adsorbents for PSA processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, Alejandro Anson, Tetyana Segin, Christopher C. H. Lin
  • Patent number: 7152932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid power accumulator in which the fluid undergoes a state change as the system is pressurized to store energy. A state change can be a phase change, a chemical reaction, or a combination of these. Generally the state change results from the interaction of a compressible fluid contained in the accumulator with another substance, which can be a fluid or a solid. Preferably, the state change includes the physical adsorption of a fluid by a solid adsorbant. The invention can improve the energy storage density of a fluid power accumulator, allow a given energy storage density to be achieved at a lower maximum pressure, facilitate heat transfer and storage within an accumulator, and/or improve accumulator efficiency by storing energy in a form other than thermal energy, such as in the form of chemical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, Wayne Scott Kaboord, Roger James Briggs, Richard Randel Lyman, Jr., Orhan Talu, Edward John Hummelt
  • Patent number: 7117669
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems for removing NOx from exhaust. In one aspect of the invention, after adsorption, an NOx adsorber is isolated from the main exhaust flow and desorption induced by raising the temperature. The desorbed NOx is combined with a reductant and reduced over a catalyst. Preferably, the reductant is syn gas produced in an on-board reformer. The catalyst need never be exposed to the main exhaust flow, which is particularly advantageous for catalysts sensitive to water, oxygen, or sulfur. In another aspect of the invention, a recirculating flow is induced through an NOx adsorber during a regeneration cycle. Recirculation can induce greater desorption at a given temperature, provide a source of heat for the adsorber, and allow a higher conversion rate with a fixed amount of catalyst. A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle-mounted adsorbers with provisions for heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Scott Kaboord, Dawn Marie Becher, Fred Joseph Begale, Daniel Woodrow Fellers, John Albert Kovacich, Steven M. Kuznicki
  • Patent number: 6761875
    Abstract: Rare earth silicate octahedral/tetrahedral molecular sieves with the octahedral chains as rare earth centers exhibit enhanced thermal and hydrothermal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, Richard M. Jacubinas