Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Ferguson

Thomas E. Ferguson 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).

  • Methods and systems for the co-generation of gaseous fuels, biochar, and fertilizer from biomass and biogenic wastes
    Patent number: 9862610
    Abstract: Methods and systems for converting a biomass and biogenic wastes to hydrogen with integrated carbon dioxide capture and storage are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: mixing at least one of a dry solid or liquid or liquid hydroxide and catalysts with a biomass to form a biomass mixture; heating the biomass mixture until the hydroxide and the biomass react to produce hydrogen, carbonate, biochar, and potentially fertilizer; calcining the carbonate or performing double replacement reactions of the carbonate to produce sequestration-ready carbon dioxide and a hydroxide; storing the carbon dioxide produced; transferring the hydrogen produced to a fuel cell; and generating electricity with the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Ah-Hyung Alissa Park, Thomas E. Ferguson
  • Methods and Systems for the Co-Generation of Gaseous Fuels, Biochar, and Fertilizer From Biomass and Biogenic Wastes
    Publication number: 20150033812
    Abstract: Methods and systems for converting a biomass and biogenic wastes to hydrogen with integrated carbon dioxide capture and storage are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: mixing at least one of a dry solid or liquid or liquid hydroxide and catalysts with a biomass to form a biomass mixture; heating the biomass mixture until the hydroxide and the biomass react to produce hydrogen, carbonate, biochar, and potentially fertilizer; calcining the carbonate or performing double replacement reactions of the carbonate to produce sequestration-ready carbon dioxide and a hydroxide; storing the carbon dioxide produced; transferring the hydrogen produced to a fuel cell; and generating electricity with the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ah-Hyung Alissa Park, Thomas E. Ferguson