Patents by Inventor Thomas Alan Adams, II

Thomas Alan Adams, II 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).

  • Patent number: 8500868
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the separation and capture of carbon dioxide from water are generally described. In some embodiments, a vapor stream containing carbon dioxide and water is separated using a cascade of at least two flash drums. Additional flash steps may be incorporated to remove atmospheric gases, such as nitrogen and argon, from the feed. Carbon dioxide may be condensed and pressurized at purities suitable for pipeline transport and eventual storage in geological formations. In addition, water may be recovered at high purity. In some embodiments, fuel cells may be used in combination with fuel reforming or gasification to produce syngas. Certain aspects of the invention involve innovations related to the combined reforming and fuel cell process, that, in certain embodiments, do not depend upon water and carbon dioxide separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Adams, II, Paul Inigo Barton
  • Publication number: 20100279181
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the separation and capture of carbon dioxide from water are generally described. In some embodiments, a vapor stream containing carbon dioxide and water is separated using a cascade of at least two flash drums. Additional flash steps may be incorporated to remove atmospheric gases, such as nitrogen and argon, from the feed. Carbon dioxide may be condensed and pressurized at purities suitable for pipeline transport and eventual storage in geological formations. In addition, water may be recovered at high purity. In some embodiments, fuel cells may be used in combination with fuel reforming or gasification to produce syngas. Certain aspects of the invention involve innovations related to the combined reforming and fuel cell process, that, in certain embodiments, do not depend upon water and carbon dioxide separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Adams, II, Paul Inigo Barton