Patents by Inventor Wolfram Franke

Wolfram Franke 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: 11820710
    Abstract: A manufacturing method includes: (1) incorporating at least one soluble, calcium, magnesium, or other divalent cation-containing additive into a concrete mixture including aggregates prone to alkali-silica reaction; and (2) curing the concrete mixture to form a concrete product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Yara International ASA, Construction Research & Technology GMBH
    Inventors: Gaurav N. Sant, Gabriel D. Falzone, Tandre Oey, Wolfram Franke, Paul Seiler, Erika Callagon La Plante
  • Publication number: 20220194868
    Abstract: A method for the corrosion inhibition, and optionally rehabilitation, of metal reinforcements present in a hardened concrete construction having one or more surfaces that are exposed to chloride intrusion, wherein the method comprises the step of applying an aqueous alkali metal nitrate solution, an aqueous alkaline earth metal nitrate solution, an aqueous zinc nitrate solution, an aqueous aluminium nitrate solution, an aqueous ammonium nitrate solution or a mixture thereof on one or more of the surfaces. The present disclosure also relates to the use of an aqueous alkali metal nitrate solution, an aqueous alkaline earth metal nitrate solution, an aqueous zinc nitrate solution, an aqueous aluminium nitrate solution, an aqueous ammonium nitrate solution or a mixture thereof as a corrosion inhibitor by applying it on one or more surfaces of hardened concrete construction comprising metal reinforcements that are exposed to chloride intrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Giuseppe CILLUFFO, Wolfram FRANKE, Nikolaos N. STAVROULAKIS
  • Patent number: 11339094
    Abstract: A manufacturing method includes: (1) incorporating at least one soluble, calcium, magnesium, or other divalent cation-containing additive into a concrete mixture including aggregates prone to alkali-silica reaction; and (2) curing the concrete mixture to form a concrete product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Yara International ASA, CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Gaurav N. Sant, Gabriel D. Falzone, Tandre Oey, Wolfram Franke, Paul Seiler, Erika Callagon La Plante
  • Patent number: 11286211
    Abstract: The present application relates to a setting and hardening accelerator for a cement, mortar or concrete composition, optionally comprising cement replacement materials (CSMs). The accelerator composition comprises an aqueous nitrate solution and an alkaline hydroxide. Particularly, the aqueous accelerator composition comprises between 30 and 55 w/w % of a nitrate salt as a nitrate solution and between 0.02 and 0.1 w/w % of an alkaline hydroxide, which is dissolved in the nitrate solution and, optionally, as a hydroxide precipitate in the accelerator composition, wherein the accelerator composition has a pH of at least 9.0. In case the cement, mortar or concrete composition comprises CSMs, the accelerator composition has a pH of at least 12.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Wolfram Franke, Hilde Thommesen
  • Publication number: 20220064066
    Abstract: A manufacturing method includes: (1) incorporating at least one soluble, calcium, magnesium, or other divalent cation-containing additive into a concrete mixture including aggregates prone to alkali-silica reaction; and (2) curing the concrete mixture to form a concrete product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Yara International ASA, BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Gaurav Sant, Gabriel Falzone, Tandre Oey, Wolfram Franke, Paul Seiler, Erika La Plante
  • Patent number: 11046895
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide in the production of hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200° C., wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a bituminous or asphalt mixture, heating the mixture until a temperature of between 150-200° C. and adding an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder while mixing the bituminous or asphalt mixture. The present application furthermore relates to the use of an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder during mixing of a bituminous or asphalt mixture in the production of a hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200° C. to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Wolfram Franke, Hilde Brekke Dahl Thommesen
  • Publication number: 20210040001
    Abstract: The present application relates to a setting and hardening accelerator for a cement, mortar or concrete composition, optionally comprising cement replacement materials (CSMs). The accelerator composition comprises an aqueous nitrate solution and an alkaline hydroxide. Particularly, the aqueous accelerator composition comprises between 30 and 55 w/w % of a nitrate salt as a nitrate solution and between 0.02 and 0.1 w/w % of an alkaline hydroxide, which is dissolved in the nitrate solution and, optionally, as a hydroxide precipitate in the accelerator composition, wherein the accelerator composition has a pH of at least 9.0. In case the cement, mortar or concrete composition comprises CSMs, the accelerator composition has a pH of at least 12.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfram FRANKE, Hilde THOMMESEN
  • Publication number: 20200369568
    Abstract: A manufacturing method includes: (1) incorporating at least one soluble, calcium, magnesium, or other divalent cation-containing additive into a concrete mixture including aggregates prone to alkali-silica reaction; and (2) curing the concrete mixture to form a concrete product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Gaurav N. SANT, Gabriel D. FALZONE, Tandre OEY, Wolfram FRANKE, Paul SEILER, Erika Callagon LA PLANTE
  • Publication number: 20200354020
    Abstract: A bicycle operating apparatus for wirelessly controlling at least one component of a bicycle includes a carrier element on a fastening device for fixing the bicycle operating apparatus to a handlebar of the bicycle, a housing attachable to the carrier element having an energy storage compartment for receiving an energy storage element and having an electronic circuit arrangement in the housing. At least one switch is connected to the electronic circuit arrangement on the housing. An operating component mounted on the carrier element to be pivotable about an operating axis preloaded into a neutral position which is able to be deflected out of the neutral position in a first direction of rotation about the operating axis in order to actuate the switch, and the operating axis extends obliquely with respect to the flat outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: ALEXANDER LINKE, WOLFRAM FRANKE, THORSTEN HAMISCH
  • Publication number: 20200157438
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide in the production of hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200° C., wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a bituminous or asphalt mixture, heating the mixture until a temperature of between 150-200° C. and adding an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder while mixing the bituminous or asphalt mixture. The present application furthermore relates to the use of an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder during mixing of a bituminous or asphalt mixture in the production of a hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200° C. to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfram FRANKE, Hilde BREKKE DAHL THOMMESEN
  • Publication number: 20200123483
    Abstract: The application relates to an anaerobic digestion system for production of biogas with a reduced hydrogen sulphide content. The system comprises an airtight reactor vessel comprising: —sludge comprising a surface layer and a volume underneath the surface layer comprising bio-matter and micro-organisms that are able to anaerobically digest the bio-matter, thereby producing biogas comprising hydrogen sulphide, —a headspace above the surface layer of the sludge into which biogas migrates out of the sludge, —a spraying system for spraying an aqueous nitrate containing solution in the headspace using a carrier gas stream to form a nitrate containing interphase layer between the surface layer of the sludge and the headspace, with the proviso that the reactor vessel does not comprise a membrane or fabric positioned in the headspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Wolfram Franke, Günter Doppelbauer
  • Publication number: 20190071367
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of calcium nitrate to reduce the pore size distribution of a hardened cementitious composition, preferably, a hardened concrete composition, wherein the cementitious (concrete) composition comprises between 1 weight % to 4 weight % of calcium nitrate of the cement content of the cementitious composition, depending on the type of cement. This results in a reduced permeability for the set cementitious (concrete) composition for carbon dioxide (CO2) and thus an elevated resistance towards carbonation. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a hardened cementitious (concrete) composition and a pourable and curable (wet) concrete composition. The invention also relates to a steel reinforced concrete solid having an elevated resistance towards carbonation and a method for producing a steel reinforced concrete solid having an elevated resistance towards carbonation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Wolfram Franke, Giuseppe Cilluffo, Mehrdad Torabzadegan
  • Publication number: 20180297897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid particulate calcium nitrate composition having particles with an average particle size of between 0.1 and 1 mm and comprising an anti-caking agent, wherein the anti-caking agent consists of a solid particulate silicate with an average particle size of between 0.05 and 750 ?m. The invention furthermore relates to a pre-blend binder composition comprising such a solid particulate calcium nitrate composition. Also a dry mortar mix or tile adhesive composition and a dry concrete mix comprising an aggregate and such a pre-blend binder composition. Also a method for producing a solid particulate calcium nitrate composition, the use of a solid particulate silicate as anti-caking agent for a solid particulate calcium nitrate composition and the use of a solid particulate calcium nitrate composition as a setting accelerator for cementitious pre-blend binder composition are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Wolfram Franke, Hilde Thommesen, Giuseppe Cilluffo, Gianluca Romegialli, Mehrdad Torabzadegan
  • Patent number: 10059610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reducing the amount of sulphur compounds in a sulphur compounds contaminated wastewater stream, using a granular sludge treatment system (10) comprising anaerobic microorganisms, wherein the process comprises the steps of adding an aqueous nitrate solution to the wastewater stream, contacting the wastewater stream with the anaerobic microorganisms, and anoxic oxidation of at least part of the sulphur compounds in the sulphur compounds contaminated wastewater stream by the anaerobic microorganisms, resulting in a sulphur compounds depleted wastewater stream. The invention furthermore relates to such a granular sludge treatment system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Rune Bakke, Carlos Antonio Saldias Dinamarca, Wolfram Franke
  • Patent number: 10053389
    Abstract: The application relates to the use of a powder comprising calcium nitrate as a setting accelerator for a tile adhesive blend, wherein nitrate powder comprising calcium nitrate, and optionally also comprising a nitrate salt different than the calcium nitrate, specifically potassium or ammonium nitrate, and having a particle size of between 0.01 mm and 1 mm is used as the setting accelerator. The application furthermore relates to a process for producing such a setting accelerator comprising, in one possible embodiment, the step of cutting or grinding prills and/or granules comprising the calcium nitrate and optionally the different nitrate salt, and in another embodiment, a spray drying process, resulting into the setting accelerator. The application also relates to a tile adhesive blend comprising at least a cement, sand and a such setting accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Gianluca Romegialli, Wolfram Franke, Giuseppe Cilluffo
  • Patent number: 10000399
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a biochemical process for the denitrification of a hypersaline wastewater composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Breiner, Thorsten Stoeck, Günther Doppelbauer, Wolfram Franke, Marina Ettl
  • Publication number: 20180086668
    Abstract: The application relates to the use of a powder comprising calcium nitrate as a setting accelerator for a tile adhesive blend, wherein nitrate powder comprising calcium nitrate, and optionally also comprising a nitrate salt different than the calcium nitrate, specifically potassium or ammonium nitrate, and having a particle size of between 0.01 mm and 1 mm is used as the setting accelerator. The application furthermore relates to a process for producing such a setting accelerator comprising, in one possible embodiment, the step of cutting or grinding prills and/or granules comprising the calcium nitrate and optionally the different nitrate salt, and in another embodiment, a spray drying process, resulting into the setting accelerator. The application also relates to a tile adhesive blend comprising at least a cement, sand and a such setting accelerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Gianluca Romegialli, Wolfram Franke, Giuseppe Cilluffo
  • Patent number: 9890343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a biofilter system (10) for removing H2S from a H2S contaminated energy production gas stream containing methane. The aqueous biofilter system comprises a biofilter (6) having biofilter support material constituting a biofilter bed supporting a humidified biofilm having microorganisms that are capable of oxidizing H2S. The process comprises the steps of contacting the H2S contaminated energy production gas stream with the microorganisms of the humidified biofilm, and oxidation of at least part of the H2S in the H2S contaminated energy production gas stream by the microorganisms, resulting in a H2S depleted energy production gas stream, wherein the process further comprises the step of adding an aqueous nitrate solution to the H2S contaminated energy production gas stream prior to being contacted with the microorganisms, enabling the microorganisms to oxidize the H2S under anoxic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Marina Ettl, Wolfram Franke, Werner Van Borm
  • Patent number: 9611176
    Abstract: The invention relates to a setting accelerator for a dry mortar blend, the setting accelerator being in the form of a powder comprising calcium nitrate and having a water content between 0.1% and 20%. The invention furthermore relates to a process for producing such a setting accelerator, wherein either prills and/or granules comprising calcium nitrate and a different nitrate salt are processed forming a powder comprising calcium nitrate and the different nitrate salt and having a water content of higher than 5% and lower than 20%, either an aqueous solution at least comprising dissolved calcium nitrate is spray dried at a temperature between 150° C. and 250° C., forming a powder comprising at least calcium nitrate and having a water content between 0.1% and 20%, the powder serving as the setting accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Wolfram Franke, Anne Mette Langholm, Hilde Brekke Dahl Thommesen, Bjørn Helge Engesveen
  • Publication number: 20170081226
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a biochemical process for the denitrification of a hypersaline wastewater composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Breiner, Thorsten Stoeck, Günther Doppelbauer, Wolfram Franke, Marina Ettl