Patents by Inventor Virgil J. Flanigan

Virgil J. Flanigan 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: 6800318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solvent for use in extracting oil from an oil bearing material, such as soybeans, with the solvent resulting in the selective extraction of a triglyceride rich oil, which contains 95% or greater triglycerides and non-polar constituents, with the solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon, preferably hexane, and a fluorocarbon, so that the solvent has a viscosity less than 2.6 centipoise and a polarity of less than 0.1. The present invention also relates to a method of using the solvent to extract the triglyceride rich oil, with the method including preferably extracting the oil at a temperature ranging between 35° C. and 55° C., and then preferably cooling resulting miscella to a temperature ranging between 15° C. and 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: University of Missouri Board of Curators
    Inventors: Shubhen Kapila, Paul K. S. Nam, Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Patent number: 6793951
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solvent for use in extracting oil from an oil bearing material, such as soybeans, with the solvent resulting in the selective extraction of a triglyceride rich oil, which contains 95% or greater triglycerides and non-polar constituents, with the solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon, preferably hexane, and a fluorocarbon, so that the solvent has a viscosity less than 2.6 centipoise and a polarity of less than 0.1. The present invention also relates to a method of using the solvent to extract the triglyceride rich oil, with the method including preferably extracting the oil at a temperature ranging between 35° C. and 55° C., and then preferably cooling resulting miscella to a temperature ranging between 15° C. and 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: University of Missouri Board of Curators
    Inventors: Shubhen Kapila, Paul K. S. Nam, Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Patent number: 6547987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solvent for use in extracting oil from an oil bearing material, such as soybeans, with the solvent resulting in the selective extraction of a triglyceride rich oil, which contains 95% or greater triglycerides and non-polar constituents, with the solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon, preferably hexane, and a fluorocarbon, so that the solvent has a viscosity less than 2.6 centipoise and a polarity of less than 0.1. The present invention also relates to a method of using the solvent to extract the triglyceride rich oil, with the method including preferably extracting the oil at a temperature ranging between 35° C. and 55° C., and then preferably cooling resulting miscella to a temperature ranging between 15° C. and 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: University of Missouri Board of Curators
    Inventors: Shubhen Kapila, Paul K. S. Nam, Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Publication number: 20020121628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solvent for use in extracting oil from an oil bearing material, such as soybeans, with the solvent resulting in the selective extraction of a triglyceride rich oil, which contains 95% or greater triglycerides and non-polar constituents, with the solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon, preferably hexane, and a fluorocarbon, so that the solvent has a viscosity less than 2.6 centipoise and a polarity of less than 0.1. The present invention also relates to a method of using the solvent to extract the triglyceride rich oil, with the method including preferably extracting the oil at a temperature ranging between 35° C. and 55° C., and then preferably cooling resulting miscella to a temperature ranging between 15° C. and 25° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Shubhen Kapila, Paul K.S. Nam, Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Publication number: 20020113227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solvent for use in extracting oil from an oil bearing material, such as soybeans, with the solvent resulting in the selective extraction of a triglyceride rich oil, which contains 95% or greater triglycerides and non-polar constituents, with the solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon, preferably hexane, and a fluorocarbon, so that the solvent has a viscosity less than 2.6 centipoise and a polarity of less than 0.1. The present invention also relates to a method of using the solvent to extract the triglyceride rich oil, with the method including preferably extracting the oil at a temperature ranging between 35° C. and 55° C., and then preferably cooling resulting miscella to a temperature ranging between 15° C. and 25° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Shubhen Kapila, Paul K.S. Nam, Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Patent number: 6342651
    Abstract: A process is provided for the combustion of ammonium salts of sulfuric acid contained in aqueous media. More particularly, a reductive combustion process which produces a combustion gas containing a divalent sulfur compound having a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide. The process is suitable for combusting ammonium salts of sulfuric acid produced during manufacture of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid (HMBA) or methionine. The divalent sulfur compounds in the combustion gas may be further converted to other useful sulfur products and recycled for use in the manufacture of HMBA or methionine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Novus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lorbert, James M. Willock, Lewis B. Irvine, Shubhender Kapila, Virgil J. Flanigan, Paul K. S. Nam, Yvonne M. Liske
  • Patent number: 6337413
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for solubilizing polystyrene in a fatty acid ester, whereby the resultant polystyrene fatty acid ester composition can be used in a variety of polymeric applications, including forming an improved polyester. The present invention also relates to the resultant polystyrene fatty acid ester composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: Shubhen Kapila, Virgil J. Flanigan, Michael F. Maples, Michael W. Mills
  • Patent number: 5883040
    Abstract: A process for producing activated carbon from agricultural residues by heating the residues to a temperature in the range of about 250.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C. to volatilize organic compounds in the residues and to carbonize the residues and further heating to activate the carbonized residues. Activated carbon produced from agricultural residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Daniel W. Armstrong, Virgil J. Flanigan, William J. James, Jui-Lung Li, Kimber L. Rundlett
  • Patent number: 5809758
    Abstract: Riding mower apparatus which combines a rider controlled motor drive for area mowing, a battery power source carried by the riding mower, and a trimmer carried by the riding mower to be powered by the battery power source and located to be detachable from the riding mower and maneuverable by the rider to trim around stationary objects in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventors: Virgil J. Flanigan, Charles V. Otis
  • Patent number: 5783046
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the destructive distillation or pyrolysis of rubber, such as used rubber tires, to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and a solid carbonaceous char. A heat transfer gas circulating in a circulation loop is used to cool the hot char produced in the distillation chamber of a distillation oven, the circulation loop having some means for removing the heat transferred to the heat transfer gas from the hot char. In one embodiment, two distillation ovens are operated in off-set, batchwise distillation cycles. The distillation cycles in the two ovens are coordinated so that a fresh charge of rubber feed is introduced into the distillation chamber of one of the ovens as the distillation of rubber in the other oven is concluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Gentech, Inc.
    Inventor: Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Patent number: 4946486
    Abstract: A scrubber which dries and removes contaminants from a fluid stream (a gas-liquid stream) using as a media, particulate material which can be char obtained from a gasifier, the scrubber system processing the gas and cooling liquid combined with the gas which is obtained by reactions in the gasifier. The media is fed in a continuous stream forming a downward moving column in counterflow relationship with the gas. The gas flows upward thru the particulate media and is dried and cleaned as it contacts the media. The flow relationship is such that the cleanest and dryest media and the cleanest gas contact each other. The column of media continues downward entering a liquid scrubbing section where it is disposed below the level of the liquid. There the contaminated liquid stream, passes through the media in counterflow relationship being cleaned as it contacts the media. Both the gas and liquid components of the stream are scrubbed prior to discharge of the spent media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: H. E. Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Parker, Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Patent number: 4881947
    Abstract: A high efficiency gasifier employs a rotary kiln having an indirect fired gasifier and a recycle system. The rotary kiln provides an essentially oxygen-free gasifying chamber into which raw feed material is introduced. Radiant tubes within the chamber transfer heat to the incoming raw feed material to pyrolyze it and convert it to char and product gas as the material advances toward the outlet end. The recycle system within the chamber returns both product gas and hot char to a receiving end of the kiln to aid in heat transfer to the raw feed material. The feed is thus heated more rapidly, and less heat input is required. Efficiency is further aided by providing additional residence time and gasification of the char.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventors: Thomas H. Parker, Virgil J. Flanigan