Patents Issued in May 2, 2017
  • Patent number: 9637385
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for growth of carbon nanotubes includes providing a graphitic composite, decorating the graphitic composite with metal nanostructures to form graphene-contained powders, and heating the graphene-contained powders at a target temperature to form the carbon nanotubes in an argon/hydrogen environment that is devoid of a hydrocarbon source. In one embodiment, the target temperature can be as low as about 150° C. (±5° C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
    Inventors: Alexandru S. Biris, Enkeleda Dervishi
  • Patent number: 9637386
    Abstract: A graphite film which is low in graphite dust generation can be produced by properly selecting acid dianhydride and diamine which constitute a polyimide film, which polyimide film is a raw material of the graphite film. Specifically, the graphite film which is low in graphite dust generation can be obtained if (1) the acid dianhydride is PMDA and the diamine has a molar ratio of ODA/PDA in a range of 100:0 to 80:20, or (2) the acid dianhydride has a molar ratio of PMDA/BPDA in a range of 80:20 to 50:50, and the diamine has a molar ratio of ODA/PDA in a range of 30:70 to 90:10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Ohta, Takashi Inada, Makoto Mishiro, Yasushi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9637387
    Abstract: A method for repairing a reduced graphene oxide, the method comprising the following steps: Dispersing the reduced graphene oxide into a solvent to obtain a graphene dispersion liquid, adding a first Lewis acid and a compound containing a methyl or methylene group to obtain the first mixture, reacting the first mixture in a microwave environment of which power is 300˜900 w for 0.5˜2 hours, refluxing for 3˜5 hours; separating, purifying and drying to obtain the first crude product; adding the first crude product into a second Lewis acid, adding an aromatic hydrocarbon repairing agent to obtain the second mixture, reacting the second mixture to obtain a molten solid, separating and purifying same to obtain the second crude product; mixing the second crude product, a metal powder catalyst and a third Lewis acid to obtain the third mixture, this method can repair reduced graphene oxide effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CANTONNET ENERGY SERVICES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Mingdong Zhang, Linde Zhang
  • Patent number: 9637388
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a simple and easily scalable process for preparation of two potentially value added carbonaceous materials from graphene. The invention further discloses simultaneous preparation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs,) and porous graphene (pGr) from graphene. The invention further relates to nitrogen doped porous graphene having excellent activity towards electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Sreekumar Kurungot, Thangavelu Palaniselvam
  • Patent number: 9637389
    Abstract: An activated carbon monolith catalyst comprising a finished self-supporting activated carbon monolith having at least one passage therethrough, and comprising a supporting matrix and substantially discontinuous activated carbon particles dispersed throughout the supporting matrix and at least one catalyst precursor on the finished self-supporting activated carbon monolith. A method for making, and a method for use, of such an activated carbon monolith catalyst in catalytic chemical reactions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Robert L. Mitchell, Sr., Lee M. Mitchell, Joseph H. Keller, Jack H. L'Amoreaux
  • Patent number: 9637390
    Abstract: A method produces activated carbon, suitable in particular for use in double-layer condensers. The method includes a) producing a mixture of a preferably pulverulent carbon material, a base and a hydrophilic polymer chemically inert to the base, b) pressing the mixture produced in step a) to form a pressing and c) activating the pressed body produced in step b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Kirschbaum, Astrid Rota
  • Patent number: 9637391
    Abstract: A crystalline silicon ingot and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The method utilizes a nucleation promotion layer to facilitate a plurality of silicon grains to nucleate on the nucleation promotion layer from a silicon melt and grow in a vertical direction into silicon grains until the silicon melt is completely solidified. The increment rate of defect density in the silicon ingot along the vertical direction has a range of 0.01%/mm˜10%/mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sino-American Silicon Products Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Huai Yu, Cheng-Jui Yang, Yu-Min Yang, Kai-Yuan Pai, Wen-Chieh Lan, Chan-Lu Su, Yu-Tsung Chiang, Sung-Lin Hsu, Wen-Ching Hsu, Chung-Wen Lan
  • Patent number: 9637392
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicoaluminophosphate represented by the following formula (1) and having a powder X-ray diffraction pattern shown in Table 1 below: (SixAlyPz)O2??(1) wherein x is the molar fraction of Si and 0.05<x?0.15; y is the molar fraction of Al and 0.47?y?0.52; z is the molar fraction of P and 0.40?z?0.46; and x+y+z=1; TABLE 1 Interplanar Spacing Relative Intensity ? I/I0 9.30 ± 0.15 1000 6.85 ± 0.10 from 100 to 300? 6.60 ± 0.10 from 10 to 100 B 5.50 ± 0.10 from 50 to 300 5.24 ± 0.10 from 10 to 100 B 4.64 ± 0.10 from 10 to 100 4.29 ± 0.05 from 100 to 500? 4.17 ± 0.05 from 10 to 150 B 3.82 ± 0.05 from 10 to 100 3.42 ± 0.05 from 20 to 150 2.87 ± 0.02 from 20 to 200 I/I0 is the relative intensity when the peak of 9.30 ± 0.15 ? is taken as 1,000; and B indicates a broad peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TOSOH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okaniwa, Hidekazu Aoyama
  • Patent number: 9637393
    Abstract: Techniques for growing crystalline calcium carbonate solids such that the crystalline calcium carbonate solids include a volume of 0.0005 mm3 to 5 mm3, include a slaker to react quicklime (CaO) and a low carbonate content fluid to yield a slurry of primarily slaked lime (Ca(OH)2); a fluidized-bed reactive crystallizer that encloses a solid bed mass and includes an input for a slurry of primarily slaked lime, an input for an alkaline solution and carbonate, and an output for crystalline calcium carbonate solids that include particles and an alkaline carbonate solution; a dewatering apparatus that includes an input coupled to the crystallizer and an output to discharge a plurality of separate streams that each include a portion of the crystalline calcium carbonate solids and alkaline carbonate solution; and a seed transfer apparatus to deliver seed material into the crystallizer to maintain a consistent mass of seed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Carbon Engineering Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kenton Robert Heidel, David William Keith, Jane Anne Ritchie, Nicholas Vollendorf, Eric Fessler
  • Patent number: 9637394
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method preparing a TiO2 nanostructure comprising: mixing an organic acid and an aminoalcohol to form an ionic liquid; heating the ionic liquid with titanium ions and lithium ions to form a layered structure; and annealing the mixture to form the TiO2 nanostructure. There is also provided uses of the prepared nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jiehua Liu, Xue-Wei Liu, Xiangfeng Wei
  • Patent number: 9637395
    Abstract: A tungsten precursor useful for forming tungsten-containing material on a substrate, e.g., in the manufacture of microelectronic devices. The tungsten precursor is devoid of fluorine content, and may be utilized in a solid delivery process or other vapor deposition technique, to form films such as elemental tungsten for metallization of integrated circuits, or tungsten nitride films or other tungsten compound films that are useful as base layers for subsequent elemental tungsten metallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Weimin Li, David W. Peters, Scott L. Battle, William Hunks
  • Patent number: 9637396
    Abstract: A container for liquids is provided, in which pressurization of the container is used to force the liquid through one or more membranes to an output. The membranes are disposed across substantially an entire length of the container, and pass liquid in preference to the air. As a result, the liquid may be extracted from the container in any orientation. A particular use for this kind of container is as a portable water bottle containing a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PRITCHARD SPRAY IP LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9637397
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of removing ions from a feed water stream using a flow-through capacitor and a controller for performing the methods. A target value for a water property concentration or a fixed percent removal of a water property concentration to be removed is established for a treated water stream exiting the flow-through capacitor. A feed value for the water property concentration is measured in a feed water stream entering the flow-through capacitor. An amperage of the flow-through capacitor and a flow rate through the flow-through capacitor is controlled to remove ions from the feed water stream to achieve the desired removal of the water property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Pentair Residential Filtration, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Averbeck, Rebecca M. Tallon, Brett A. Boedeker
  • Patent number: 9637398
    Abstract: A method for treating a swimming pool, including introducing Mg2+ to a level from 60 ppm to 300 ppm to the swimming pool by addition of a soluble magnesium compound to the swimming pool, or Mg2+ to a level from 60 ppm to 1000 ppm by addition of a magnesium halide in addition to a further soluble magnesium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ZODIAC GROUP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Ross Leslie Palmer, Stuart Bruce Anderson
  • Patent number: 9637399
    Abstract: A method of producing an apparatus to remove ions from water is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a first electrode having a first current collector, a second electrode having a second current collector, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The method includes flushing water through the spacer and subsequently exerting a force on the stack so as to compress the first and second electrodes and the spacer. Exerting a force on the stack may result in a pressure of less than 5 bar, less than 2 bar, or between 1 bar and 0.5 bar, between the electrodes and the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: VOLTEA B.V.
    Inventors: Albert Van Der Wal, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Piotr Edward Dlugolecki, Thomas Richard Bednar, George Shoemaker Ellis, David Jeffrey Averbeck
  • Patent number: 9637400
    Abstract: Electrochemical devices and methods for water treatment are disclosed. An electrodeionization device (100) may include one or more compartments (110) containing an ionselective media, such as boron-selective resin (170). Cyclic adsorption of target ions and regeneration of the media in-situ is used to treat process water, and may be driven by the promotion of various pH conditions within the electrochemical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Evgeniya Freydina, Joseph D. Gifford
  • Patent number: 9637401
    Abstract: A combination water and air pump and method of use, for simultaneously circulating and aerating water. The pump including a housing, a first chamber for circulating water, having an inlet for water to be drawn into the first chamber and an outlet for water to exit the first chamber, a second chamber for aerating water, having an inlet for water to be drawn into the second chamber, an apparatus to draw air into the second chamber, and an outlet for aerated water to exit the second chamber. A rotatable shaft connected to a first rotatable impeller in the first chamber and a second rotatable impeller in the second chamber. In use, rotation of the shaft simultaneously rotates the impellers to circulate water within said first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EUGENE G. DANNER MANUFACTURING INC.
    Inventor: Steven R. Sawicki
  • Patent number: 9637402
    Abstract: A process for treatment of sludge made up of saline organic solids or organic waste produced in a saltwater or brackish aquaculture system is described. The process includes use of a modified reactor, operating under anaerobic conditions, which yields methane from the digestion of the saline organic solids. Modification of a traditional reactor to include a packing substrate provides for saline waste digestion not previously known. Additionally provided is a process for producing methane from the digestion of organic solids. Inclusion of and use of modified reactors in aquaculture systems is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY
    Inventors: Yossi Tal, Kevin R. Sowers
  • Patent number: 9637403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of sludge and, more particularly, to a method for recovering phosphate as a substantially solid component from a phosphate-containing sludge. Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for recovering phosphate as a substantially solid component and aluminum as a liquid component from a phosphate-containing and aluminum-containing sludge. The method incorporates wet oxidation to decompose the organic components of the sludge to provide a residual sludge. The residual sludge comprises the insoluble components and, in some embodiments wherein the sludge comprises aluminum, the residual sludge further comprises suspended and/or soluble aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Wetox Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph McKay, Thomas Borrmann
  • Patent number: 9637404
    Abstract: An oil recovery process which utilizes chemical precipitation and complexation reactions to remove dissolved organics and silica from waste water streams. The process produces brine suitable for deep well injection and solids suitable for Class II landfill. The treatment process can be used in combination with a concentrator and in addition to producing brine suitable for deep well injection and solids suitable for Class II landfill, the concentrator also produces a clean water stream for reuse. By including a crystallizer for the brine processing the system has zero liquid discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Back Porch Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Minnich, Jana L. Vander Kloet
  • Patent number: 9637405
    Abstract: An evaluation method of suitable silica powder for forming a bubble-free layer of a vitreous silica crucible for pulling of a silicon single crystal, includes: a process of measuring a porosity between silica particles in the silica powder, a process of melting the silica powder, a process of measuring a bubble content rate of a vitreous silica block obtained by cooling to harden the melted silica powder, and a process of determining whether the silica powder is suitable from the porosity of the silica powder and the bubble content rate of the vitreous silica block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SUMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sudo, Tadahiro Sato, Ken Kitahara, Makiko Hinooka
  • Patent number: 9637406
    Abstract: An apparatus for melting and refining a silica-based glass composition includes a vertical first reaction chamber having an input adjacent to a lower end for receiving glass-forming components. The glass-forming components are heated to elevated temperature during upward flow through the vertical first reaction chamber to form a glass precursor melt adjacent to an upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber. A vertical second reaction chamber has an input adjacent to an upper end and an output adjacent to a lower end for delivering glass melt. A cross passage connects the upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber to the upper end of the vertical second reaction chamber such that the precursor melt flows from the vertical first reaction chamber through the cross passage and then through the vertical second reaction chamber to homogenize the precursor melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Dawid Dewet-Smith, D. Wayne Leidy, Carl L. Fayerweather, Daniel R. Swiler, Terence J. Clark
  • Patent number: 9637407
    Abstract: There are provided a conduit structure for molten glass, a vacuum degassing apparatus using the conduit structure, and a process for vacuum-degassing molten glass by use of the vacuum degassing apparatus, wherein without using a cooling system, solid thermal insulating materials constituting a backup for the conduit are prevented from being corroded by molten glass oozing out of a joint between adjacent fused cast refractories constituting the conduit, and wherein production cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kensuke Nagai, Hiroaki Hamamoto, Shuji Kabashima
  • Patent number: 9637408
    Abstract: Sodium-containing aluminosilicate and boroaluminosilicate glasses are described herein. The glasses can be used as substrates for photovoltaic devices, for example, thin film photovoltaic devices such as CIGS photovoltaic devices. These glasses can be characterized as having strain points ?540° C., thermal expansion coefficient of from 6.5 to 9.5 ppm/° C., as well as liquidus viscosities in excess of 50,000 poise. As such they are ideally suited for being formed into sheet by the fusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Corsam Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Gardiner Aitken, James Edward Dickinson, Jr., Timothy J Kiczenski, Michelle Diane Pierson-Stull
  • Patent number: 9637409
    Abstract: A glass composition comprising B2O3, Na2O, Al2O3, Li2O, TiO2, ZnO, Ta2O5, Nb2O3, BaO, ZrO2 and SiO2, and devoid of lead, bismuth, and vanadium. Pastes comprising the glass composition and devices including seals comprising such pastes are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep K. Singh, George E. Sakoske
  • Patent number: 9637410
    Abstract: A subject matter of the invention is a glass-ceramic sheet provided, on at least a portion of at least one of its faces, with a coating of thin layers comprising at least one thin functional layer composed of a metal based on niobium metal Nb, or of an oxide based on a niobium oxide NbOx in which x is at most 0.5, the or each thin functional layer being framed by at least two thin layers made of dielectric materials, the physical thickness of the thin functional layer or, if appropriate, the combined physical thickness of all the thin functional layers being within a range extending from 8 to 15 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EUROKERA S.N.C.
    Inventors: Marco De Grazia, Claire Mallet
  • Patent number: 9637411
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible includes: a taking-out process of taking out the vitreous silica crucible from the mold, a honing process of removing the unfused silica powder layer on the outer surface of the vitreous silica crucible, and further comprising, after the taking-out process and before the honing process, a marking process of marking an identifier comprised of one or more groove line on the outer surface of the vitreous silica crucible, wherein the groove line after the honing process has a cross-sectional shape of an inverse trapezoid and a depth of 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and a width of 0.8 mm or more at the opening of the groove line. The groove line is formed by repeating shifting a focal point of a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SUMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sudo, Taira Sato, Shuichi Ikehata, Manabu Shonai, Takuji Nishi, Takaya Satou, Shinsuke Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9637412
    Abstract: A low-temperature fast-fired lightweight ceramic heat insulation plate and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises: performing ball milling and powder spraying on a raw material containing foamable ceramic waste slag to prepare foamable powder, the foamable ceramic waste slag accounting for 80-100 wt % of the weight of the raw material; uniformly mixing 100 weight portions of the foamable powder with 3-15 weight portions of granular powder of a low-melting-point organic matter to obtain mixed powder materials; pressing the mixed powder materials under 10-20 MPa to prepare a ceramic green body; and firing the ceramic green body at a temperature of 1100-1170° C. to prepare the lightweight energy-saving ceramic heat insulation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MONALISA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qinggang Wang, Yijun Liu, Limin Pan, Bingyu Pan, Yong Zhao
  • Patent number: 9637413
    Abstract: A base material for a disk roll, the base material including: 5 to 9 wt % of ceramic fibers, 20 to 40 wt % of kibushi clay, 2 to 20 wt % of bentonite and 40 to 60 wt % of mica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NICHIAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Watanabe, Tetsuya Mihara, Taichi Shiratori
  • Patent number: 9637414
    Abstract: A dielectric porcelain composition with a sintering density of 93% or above, is expressed by the composition formula below: 100[1?x(0.94Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3?0.06BaTiO3)?xK0.5Na0.5NbO3]+?CuO+?LiF (wherein x is between 0.14 and 0.28, and ? and ? meet either (I) ? is between 0.4 and 1.5, and ? is between 0 and 2.4, or (II) ? is between 0 and 1.5, and ? is between 0.2 and 2.4). The dielectric porcelain composition is Pb-free and can be sintered at low temperature, as well as a dielectric element having such composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shimizu, Yutaka Doshida
  • Patent number: 9637415
    Abstract: A method of making high purity crystalline AlON bodies by synthesizing and calcining AlON powders having less than 80 ppm Si, Mg, Ca, Na, and K impurities. The AlON powders are milled to reduce the particle size of the AlON powders using a high purity milling media. An AlON body is formed from the milled AlON powders. Such AlON bodies are particularly suitable for semiconductor process chamber components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SURMET CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suri A. Sastri, Sreeram Balasubramanian, Lee M. Goldman
  • Patent number: 9637416
    Abstract: A composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal boride and a carbonaceous matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder. A composition comprising a metal component, boron, and an organic component. The metal component is nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing into refractory metal nanoparticles. The organic component is an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound. A method of combining particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of reacting or decomposing into refractory-metal nanoparticles, boron, and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight to form a precursor mixture. A composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal boride that is not in the form of a powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Teddy M. Keller, Andrew P. Saab, Matthew Laskoski
  • Patent number: 9637417
    Abstract: Sialon materials contain HFO2 in a maximum of 1 mass-% as a sintering additive, methods of producing them and methods of using them an ?/?-SiAlON material with 5 mass % to 50 mass %, ?/(?/?) RE-?-SiAlON wherein RE stands for at least one cation selected from the group consisting of Y, Sc, Lu, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Mg or Ca, and 95 mass % to 50 mass %, ?/(?/?) ?-SiAlON and of an Hf-containing amorphous or partially crystalline grain-boundary phase with a proportion with respect to the overall material is below 10 vol %, wherein the Hf content of the sintered material is 0.2 mass % to 1.0 mass %, and of a dispersion phase comprising globular particles with a mean particle size of from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CeramTec GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Bitterlich, Killian Friederich
  • Patent number: 9637418
    Abstract: In a method for preparing an ester from an hydroxybenzoic acid and a fatty alcohol for use in a binder system for powder injection molding, transesterification of an ester of the hydroxybenzoic acid and a low alcohol using the fatty alcohol is carried out, the fatty alcohol and the ester of the hydroxybenzoic acid and the low alcohol forming a reaction mixture and being used in an essentially equimolar ratio. The transesterification is carried out at a temperature at which the ester of the hydroxybenzoic acid and the low alcohol and the fatty alcohol are present as a homogeneous melt. The binder system for a powder injection molding contains 80 to 98 wt. % of a metal powder and/or a ceramic powder and 1 to 19 wt. % of a polymeric binder component, and 1 to 19 wt. % of at least one ester prepared by the transesterification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Aichele, Jochen Rager, Klaus Czerwinski, Eberhard Grath, Josef Arnold, Eva Weisser
  • Patent number: 9637419
    Abstract: Wheat bran culture mix is used to inoculate organic waste and produce an inoculated waste material, where the wheat bran culture mix includes soil derived microbes. The inoculated waste material is shredded to produce shredded inoculated waste material which is fermented the shredded inoculated waste material for at least 7 days. Contents from the fermenter are then transferred into a dewatering device to produce dewatered contents which are then separated into soluble and suspended products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Green
  • Patent number: 9637420
    Abstract: Increasing longevity of the nitrogen content of soil through improved liquid delivery formulations of urease inhibitors and/or nitrification inhibitors designed to apply to fertilizers, especially urea and manure based fertilizers These delivery formulations provide an environmentally sound and inherently safe solvating system that improves the storage stability of the urease inhibitors by utilizing aprotic solvents, maintain the urease inhibitors and/or nitrification inhibitors in solution to storage temperatures of at least 10° C. and provides improved application to fertilizer of urease and/or nitrification inhibitors. These delivery formulations enable safe storage, transport and subsequent application or blending with urea based or manure based fertilizers that can be applied to soil in either a liquid or granular form to provide improved nitrogen retention in the soil for uptake for plant life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Gary David McKnight, Randall Linwood Rayborn, David Bruce Parker, Wei Xu, Zehui Yang, Raymond Patrick Perkins, Andrew Michael Semple
  • Patent number: 9637421
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing an octadiene from 2,7-octadienyl formate in an industrially useful manner in which palladium can maintain its catalytic activity for a long period of time. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing an octadiene which includes the steps of continuously adding 2,7-octadienyl formate into a reaction system in which a mixture of a palladium compound, a tertiary organophosphorus compound and a solvent is present; and subjecting the 2,7-octadienyl formate to reaction while continuously distilling off a reaction product containing the resulting octadiene out of the reaction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Nakayama, Junichi Fuji, Masaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9637422
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing isobutene in which high-purity isobutene is separated (prepared) from a C4 mixture by cracking glycol ether prepared from a C4 mixture (in particular, C4 raffinate-1) containing isobutene and a glycol. The method includes cracking glycol ether into isobutene and glycol at a temperature between 50° C. and 300° C. in the presence of a strongly acidic catalyst. The glycol ether may be prepared by reaction between a C4 mixture containing isobutene and glycol in the presence of an acid catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DAELIM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myeong-Seok Kim, Jae-Hoon Uhm, Min-Sup Park, Hyoung-Jae Seo, Kyoung-Tae Min
  • Patent number: 9637423
    Abstract: An integrated process for converting low-value paraffinic materials to high octane gasoline and high-cetane diesel light is disclosed. The process involves: (1) oxidation of an iso-paraffin to alkyl hydroperoxide and alcohol; (2) converting the alkyl hydroperoxide and alcohol to dialkyl peroxide; (3) converting low-octane, paraffinic gasoline molecules using the dialkyl peroxides as radical initiators, thereby forming high-cetane diesel, while the dialkyl peroxide is converted to an alcohol; (4) converting the alcohol to an olefin; and (5) alkylating the olefin with iso-butane to form high-octane alkylate. The net reaction is thus conversion of iso-paraffin to high-octane gasoline alkylate, and conversion of low-octane paraffinic gasoline to high-cetane diesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kun Wang, Shamel Merchant
  • Patent number: 9637424
    Abstract: A process for converting light paraffins to a high octane gasoline composition is disclosed. The process involves: (1) oxidation of iso-paraffins to alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol; (2) conversion of the alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol to dialkyl peroxides; and (3) radical coupling of iso-paraffins using the dialkyl peroxides as radical initiators, thereby forming gasoline-range molecules. Fractionation of the gasoline-range molecules can then be used to isolate high octane gasoline fractions having a road octane number [(RON+MON)/2] greater than 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 9637425
    Abstract: A catalyst comprising a NCN pincer ligand group VI complex is capable of being used as an olefin polymerization or isomerization catalyst that does not require an expensive cocatalyst. The complex has the NCN pincer ligand in a trianionic form with the group VI in the +3 oxidation state or the +4 oxidation state and complexed to an anionic hydrocarbon group, or the complex has the NCN pincer ligand in a dianionic form with the group VI in the +2 oxidation state. The complex is capable of initiating the polymerization of alkenes without an added activator. The presence of a water scavenger and activator or cocatalyst, such as triisobutylaluminum, increases the catalytic activity. The complex is capable of selectively isomerizing 1-alkenes to cis/trans 2-alkenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McGowan, Adam S. Veige
  • Patent number: 9637426
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled to form a partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream. The partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream is separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream and the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream are combined to form a two-phase combined stream. The two-phase combined stream is cooled and separated to form an H2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C3/C4 hydrocarbons and further comprises C5+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert Edison Tsai, Xin X. Zhu, Tokhanh Ngo, William Yanez, Lisa Lane
  • Patent number: 9637427
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is separated for forming an H2-rich stream and a first intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The H2-rich stream is contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream and a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) tail gas stream. The PSA tail gas stream and at least a portion of the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream are combined and cooled to form a cooled two-phase combined stream. The cooled two-phase combined stream is separated into a H2, C2?hydrocarbons-containing gas stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert Edison Tsai, Xin X. Zhu, Tokhanh Ngo, William Yanez, Lisa Lane
  • Patent number: 9637428
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the expanded first stream is heated to form a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction. The vapor fraction is combined with the tower overhead vapor, directed to a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly, and cooled and partially condensed by the expanded first stream to form a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is combined with the liquid fraction and supplied to the tower at its top feed point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products, LP
    Inventors: Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Scott A. Miller, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Patent number: 9637429
    Abstract: A process is provided comprising contacting and reacting the compound CF3CF2CHXCl, wherein X is H or Cl, or the compound CF3CF?CXCl, wherein X is H or Cl, with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of Cu, Ru, Cu—Pd, Ni—Cu, and Ni—Pd, to obtain as a result thereof reaction product comprising hydrofluoropropenes or intermediates convertible to said hydrofluoropropenes, notably CF3CF?CH2 and CF3CH?CHF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventor: Xuehui Sun
  • Patent number: 9637430
    Abstract: The process is provided for forming the reaction product comprising the homologue mixture of I(CF2)nI, wherein n is 3 to 7, which may contain at least one of the contaminants ICF2I and I(CF2)2I, by the steps comprising (a) reacting iodine with hexafluoropropylene oxide at a temperature of 150° C. to 210° C. in a reactor, the amount of said hexafluoro-propylene oxide being a portion of the total amount of hexafluoropropylene oxide to be reacted with said iodine, thereby forming a reaction product containing gaseous perfluoroacetyl fluoride as a reaction by-product, (b) cooling said reaction product to become liquid except for said gaseous perfluoroacetyl fluoride, (c) venting said perfluoroacetyl fluoride from said reactor, and (d) repeating said steps (a), (b), and (c) until said total amount of said HFPO is reacted with said iodine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Hong Hung, Alexander Anthony Marchione, Peter A. Morken
  • Patent number: 9637432
    Abstract: A method and system for producing methanol that employs steam methane reforming (SMR) and/or autothermal (ATR) synthesis gas production system, together with a partial oxidation system, is disclosed. The dual mode system and method for producing the synthesis gas in a methanol production process optimizes the efficiency and productivity of the methanol plant by using the partial oxidation based reforming system as an independent source of synthesis gas. The disclosed methods and systems are configurable either as a retrofit to existing methanol production facilities or as an integrated package into newly constructed methanol production facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Shrikar Chakravarti, Minish Shah, Raymond F. Drnevich
  • Patent number: 9637433
    Abstract: A mobile system and method that reform flare gas, methane, or natural gas, using air without steam, to directly produce methanol, a clean burning gasoline blend, component, and/or substitute are disclosed. The system first reforms the air-methane mixture at ambient atmospheric pressure, then compresses the resulting CO-hydrogen-nitrogen gas mixture to 600 psi, and feeds it through a methanol reactor which reacts the gas mixture directly into methanol. The nitrogen is returned by the system back to the atmosphere. Methanol is a clean burning gasoline substitute, and can be used to displace significantly costlier and dirtier petroleum-based fuel, while solving a critical problem with flaring. For example, the over 120 billion cubic feet per year that was flared in North Dakota in 2014 could be converted into over 6 million tons of methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Pioneer Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M Zubrin, Boris Nizamov, Thomas L Henshaw, Adam M Kortan, James Siebarth, Colin Apke, Mark Berggren
  • Patent number: 9637434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining ethanol from a carbohydrate-containing raw substrate wherein the ethanol that is produced is separated during fermentation using a carrier gas. The invention further relates to the adsorption of the ethanol from the gas phase to an adsorber, the desorption of the ethanol during a subsequent process step, and to the further concentration of the ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SUD-CHEMIE IP GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Zavrel, Michael Kraus, Sandra Hofmann, Ulrich Kettling, Andre Koltermann, Christian Ott, Zdravko Dragovic
  • Patent number: 9637435
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a hexafluoroisopropanol, including the steps of (a) purifying a mixture containing hexafluoroacetone and at least 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,2-dichloroethane as an impurity, thereby obtaining a purified hexafluoroacetone containing 120 ppm or lower of the 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,2-dichloroethane; and (b) bringing hydrogen (H2) into contact with the purified hexafluoroacetone in the presence of a catalyst, thereby hydrogenating the hexafluoroacetone into the hexafluoroisopropanol. It is possible by this method to produce the hexafluoroisopropanol with a short reaction time and a high conversion. Therefore, it is possible to particularly advantageously produce fluoromethyl hexafluoroisopropyl ether (sevoflurane) by using the hexafluoroisopropanol produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuzuru Morino, Shigeru Fujii, Toshihiro Nakamichi, Shinya Akiba, Masaaki Takeda, Masaki Fujiwara