Patents Issued in February 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9890314
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to solar water heaters, in particular to solar water heaters using glass vacuum tubes as both solar energy collector and thermal energy storage device, without a hot water storage tank. To improve the efficiency of thermal energy storage, a novel medium for thermal energy storage is disclosed, which utilizes the heat of solution of aluminum sulphate, comprising water and 40% to 47% of Al2(SO4)3. The working temperature range of such energy storage medium is between 50° C. and 100° C. The energy storage medium is contained in plastic capsules, submerged in water and placed in glass vacuum tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Chengjun Julian Chen
  • Patent number: 9890315
    Abstract: What is proposed is the use of hyperbranched polylysine in the development, exploitation and completion of underground mineral oil and natural gas deposits, and in deep wells, especially as a shale inhibitor in water-based drilling muds, completion fluids or stimulation fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Oscar Lafuente Cerda, Bernd Bruchmann, Sophie Maitro-Vogel, Marta Reinoso Garcia
  • Patent number: 9890316
    Abstract: Embodiments including methods comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a polymeric gelling agent, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a first surface tension; introducing a fluid mobility modifier into the treatment fluid, wherein the fluid mobility modifier comprises: a first surfactant selected from the group consisting of a non-ionic surfactant; a cationic surfactant; and any combination thereof, and a solvent-surfactant blend comprising a second aqueous base fluid, a second surfactant, a solvent, and a co-solvent, wherein the ratio of the first surfactant to the solvent-surfactant blend is in the range of between about 1:5 to about 5:1, wherein the fluid mobility modifier causes the treatment fluid to adopt a second surface tension that is less than the first surface tension; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Donovan Welton, Glenn S. Penny, Jeremy Holtsclaw, Dipti Singh, Melissa C. Weston, Nathan Schultheiss
  • Patent number: 9890317
    Abstract: Diverting fluids may include a solids-free diverting agent having a non-dissolved suspended solids content of less than about 0.01% by weight of the solids-free diverting agent and comprising degradable polyesters dissolved in a water-miscible solvent. Method of utilizing such diverting fluids in subterranean operations may include providing a subterranean formation that comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a higher permeability than the second portion; introducing the diverting fluid into the first portion; precipitating the degradable polyester in the diverting fluid by contacting at least a portion of the diverting fluid in the first portion with an aqueous fluid to form a precipitated degradable polyester, thereby reducing fluid flow into the first portion; diverting at least a portion of a treatment fluid to the second portion; and treating at least a portion of the second portion with the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hallburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Feng Liang
  • Patent number: 9890318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the well drilling field in petroleum industry, in particular to a drilling fluid additive composition and a water-based drilling fluid suitable for high pressure plugging while drilling. The composition contains a bridging agent, a nano-plugging agent, a rheological modifier, a bionic wall bracing agent, and a bionic shale inhibitor, wherein, the bridging agent is a weak-crosslinked copolymer, in which the content of cross-linker structures is 0.1-1 wt. %; the nano-plugging agent is modified nanometer silicon dioxide particles; the rheological modifier is a dimer acid-organic amine copolymer; and the bionic wall bracing agent is carboxymethyl chitosan with a dopamine-derived base group grafted on its main chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (Beijing)
    Inventors: Guancheng Jiang, Chong Liu, Yinbo He, Qingying Ge, Lili Yang, Yong Wang, Fan Liu, Yongqing Zhang, Zhaohui Wang, Jingdong Hu, Lin Cheng, Guangchang Ma, Yong Qin, Chunyao Peng, Haifang Sun, Deli Gao
  • Patent number: 9890319
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a composition comprising a base fluid, a thixotropic viscosifier, a gellable composition and a bridging material, applying a shear force to the composition such that the composition viscosity decreases, introducing the composition into a lost circulation zone in the subterranean formation, wherein the lost circulation zone comprises cavities greater than about 200 microns in diameter, decreasing the shear force applied to the composition, and allowing the composition to set in the lost circulation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan G. Ezell, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 9890320
    Abstract: The presence of iron in a subterranean formation, particularly ferric iron, can be problematic during an acidizing operation due to sludge formation that can occur. Methods for treating a subterranean formation in the presence of iron can comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an acid and an iron stabilization agent comprising a phosphinated carboxylic acid polymer, the treatment fluid having a pH of about 3 or below and the phosphinated carboxylic acid polymer being soluble in the treatment fluid; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and interacting the phosphinated carboxylic acid polymer with ferric iron in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Enrique Antonio Reyes, Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Alyssa Lynn Smith, Christopher Lynn Smith
  • Patent number: 9890321
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a composition comprising an acid and/or an acid precursor, a surfactant, and an aqueous base fluid into contact with oil-wet solids in the wellbore; wherein the acid and/or acid precursor is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid; lactic acid; glycolic acid; oxalic acid; propionic acid; butyric acid; monochloroacetic acid; dichloroacetic acid; trichloroacetic acid; hydrochloric acid; nitric acid; sulphuric acid; sulphonic acid; sulphinic acid; phosphoric acid; phosphorous acid; phosphonic acid; phosphinic acid; sulphamic acid; aliphatic polyesters; glucono-delta-lactone; glucoheptonic lactone; poly(?-caprolactones); poly(hydroxybutyrates); poly(anhydrides); aliphatic polycarbonates; poly(amino acids); polyphosphazenes; poly(ortho esters); or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William Walter Shumway
  • Patent number: 9890322
    Abstract: Methods including preparing a surface modification agent emulsion comprising an aqueous base fluid, a surfactant, and a hydrophobically-modified amine-containing polymer (HMAP), the HMAP comprising a plurality of hydrophobic modifications on an amine-containing polymer, and wherein the aqueous base fluid forms an external phase of the surface modification agent emulsion and the HMAP forms an internal phase of the surface modification agent emulsion; and introducing the surface modification agent emulsion into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Loan K. Vo, Philip D. Nguyen, James William Ogle, Feng Liang
  • Patent number: 9890323
    Abstract: A method includes steps of: providing a treatment fluid including an aqueous base fluid, a gelling agent, and a multifunctional boronic crosslinker, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. The multifunctional boronic crosslinker includes a dendritic polymer including a water-soluble monomer and a boronic acid group, and the ratio of the water-soluble monomer to the boronic acid group is in the range from about 1:210 to about 1:800.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Holtsclaw, Ubong Inyang, Dipti Singh
  • Patent number: 9890324
    Abstract: A curable composition which comprises a carbonate-based polymerizable monomer represented by the following formula, other polymerizable monomers and a photochromic compound, can be used even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions without any problems and provides a cured product having excellent photochromic properties. wherein A and A? are each a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, “a” is an average value of 1 to 20, when there are a plurality of A's, A's may be the same or different, R1 is a hydrogen atom or methyl group, and R2 is a (meth)acryloyloxy group or hydroxyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOKUYAMA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasutomo Shimizu, Junji Takenaka, Junji Momoda, Katsuhiro Mori
  • Patent number: 9890325
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Maria I. Rubino, Rafael A. Auras, Krishnamurthy Jayaraman, Yining Xia, Carlos Diaz, Joe Hotchkiss
  • Patent number: 9890326
    Abstract: To provide a novel light up-conversion organic luminescent substance having a high light up-conversion efficiency. A light up-conversion luminescent substance which comprises a compound represented by general formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenji Kamada, Kenji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9890327
    Abstract: A phosphorescent transition metal complex especially suitable as sensor for hydrogen peroxide in cells, in particular in mitochondria in live cells, includes a metallic central atom, which is a transition metal, a first ligand with at least one pyridine ring, and a second ligand having at least one pyridine ring and at least one structural component selected from the group of 1,2-diketone moiety and an arylboronate moiety. A method for preparing the metal complex is also disclosed as well as a method of detecting hydrogen peroxide in cells by incubating cells with the transition metal complex. The metal complex shows advantageous intense and long-lived phosphorescence accompanied by exceptional cellular localization properties. The metal complex is highly photostable and highly selective towards hydrogen peroxide, thus, especially suitable for detecting mitochondrial H2O2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Kam Wing Kenneth Lo, Hua Wei Liu, Cho Cheung Lee
  • Patent number: 9890328
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus that includes a light source and a phosphor composition radiationally coupled to the light source is presented. The phosphor composition includes a first phosphor that includes a phase of general formula (I): L3ZO4(Br2-nXn):Eu2+ wherein 0?n?1; L is Zn, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or combinations thereof; Z is Si, Ge, or a combination thereof; and X is F, Cl, I, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel Joseph Camardello, Alok Mani Srivastava, Fangming Du, Holly Ann Comanzo, William Winder Beers, William Erwin Cohen
  • Patent number: 9890329
    Abstract: A quantum dot nanocrystal structure includes: a core of a compound M1A1, wherein M1 is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, Pb, Cd, In, Ga, Ge, Mn, Co, Fe, Al, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ni, Ag, Ti and Cu, and A1 is an element selected from Se, S, Te, P, As, N, I, and O; an inner shell having a composition containing a compound M1xM21-xA1yA21-y, wherein M2 is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, Pb, Cd, In, Ga, Ge, Mn, Co, Fe, Al, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ni, Ag, Ti and Cu, A2 is an element selected from Se, S, Te, P, As, N, I and O; and a multi-pod-structured outer shell of a compound M1A2 or M2A2 enclosing the inner shell and having a base portion and protrusion portions extending from the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hsueh-Shih Chen, Guan-Hong Chen, Kai-Cheng Wang, Chang-Wei Yeh, Cheng-Wei Chang, Ching-Che Hung
  • Patent number: 9890330
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal that emits green light having a peak emission with a full width at half maximum of about 30 nm or less at 100° C. and a method of making coated semiconductor nanocrystals are provided. Materials and other products including semiconductor nanocrystals described herein and materials and other products including semiconductor nanocrystals prepared by a method described herein are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenhao Liu, Peter M. Allen, Annie Cho Won, Zhiming Wang, Craig A. Breen
  • Patent number: 9890331
    Abstract: A gasification facility which uses flammable gas as a carrier medium for air-transporting powder fuel, used as a gasification raw material, to a gasification furnace and which can safely release the flammable gas, exhausted from a fuel feed hopper, to the atmosphere. In the gasification facility using flammable gas as a carrier medium for transporting pulverized coal as powder fuel from a pulverized coal feed hopper (7) to a gasification furnace (11), the flammable gas discharged from the pulverized coal feed hopper (7) is subjected to incineration treatment and then released to the atmosphere, so that safe release to the atmosphere can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Mizokoshi, Hiromi Ishii, Takashi Iwahashi, Katsuhiko Yokohama, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9890332
    Abstract: Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: PROTON POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Jim Bierkamp, Neal Evans, Will Johnson, Bryan Biss, Davis McLemore, John Borden, Carson Bone, Priyanka Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 9890333
    Abstract: A reactor for Fischer-Tropsch reaction effected in a three-phase system essentially consisting of a gaseous reagent phase, a liquid reacted phase and a solid catalytic phase, wherein the solid catalytic phase is composed of packed bodies encaged in at least one open-cell foam structure with a high thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpiero Groppi, Enrico Tronconi, Carlo Giorgio Visconti, Andrea Tasso, Roberto Zennaro
  • Patent number: 9890334
    Abstract: An FCC unit enables the normal regenerator to be eliminated by carrying out catalyst regeneration in the reactor section of the unit using air, oxygen-enriched air or even relatively pure oxygen as the stripping medium in the stripping section of the reactor while maintaining overall reducing conditions so that sulfur and nitrogen are produced in the form of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other reduced species. The combustion gases from the stripper are sent from the reactor with the cracking vapors to the FCC main fractionator, wet gas compressor and gas plant to process the by-products of the coke combustion along with the FCC reactor effluent. The principle is applicable to grass-roots FCC units with its potential for elimination of a major unit component but it also has potential for application to existing units to reduce the load on the regenerator or eliminate the need for the existing regenerator so that an existing regenerator may be converted to a parallel or auxiliary reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohsen N. Harandi, Christopher G. Smalley
  • Patent number: 9890335
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream includes the steps of steam stripping a mixed hydrocarbon stream to form a steam stripped overhead stream comprising naphtha and lighter hydrocarbons and a steam stripped bottoms stream comprising naphtha and heavier hydrocarbons; fractionating the steam stripped bottoms stream to form a fractionated overhead stream comprising naphtha hydrocarbons; combining the steam stripped overhead stream with a portion of the fractionated overhead stream and an H2-rich makeup gas stream; and hydrodesulfurizing the combined stream to form an HDS reaction effluent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Steven F. Zink, John Edward Kulach
  • Patent number: 9890336
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfolane from hydrocarbon streams by serial separation using raffinate wash column and at least one raffinate wash drum. The separation may be particularly useful in retrofitting existing separation facilities to produce motor fuels meeting the specifications requiring lower sulfolane content. A method is provided for the purification of a hydrocarbon-containing stream having a sulfolane therein. The method includes separating a first sulfolane-depleted stream from a hydrocarbon stream in a first counter-current separation unit and then separating a second sulfolane-depleted stream from the first sulfolane-depleted stream in a second counter-current separation unit. The first and second counter-current separation units are preferably different and chosen from a raffinate wash column or at least one raffinate wash drum. An apparatus for performing the methods is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Monson, Thomas J. Waddick, John R. Porter, Albert F. Seibert
  • Patent number: 9890337
    Abstract: The invention provides improved apparatus and method for producing a pipeline-ready or refinery-ready feedstock from heavy, high asphaltene crude, comprising a pre-heater for pre-heating a process fluid to a design temperature at or near the operating temperature of a reactor; moving the process fluid into the reactor for conversion of the process fluid by controlled application of heat to the process fluid in the reactor so that the process fluid maintains a substantially homogenous temperature to produce a stream of thermally affected asphaltene-rich fractions, and a stream of vapor. The stream of vapor is separated into two further streams: of non-condensable vapor, and of light liquid hydrocarbons. The thermally affected asphaltene-rich fraction is deasphalted using a solvent extraction process into streams of heavy deasphalted oil liquid, and concentrated asphaltene, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MEG ENERGY CORP.
    Inventors: Tom Corscadden, Jim Kearns, Greg Diduch, Damien Hocking, Darius Remesat
  • Patent number: 9890338
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is for recycling LCO and/or HCO to an FCC unit to recover additional distillate. Spent catalyst recycle in the FCC unit may be used to improve distillate yield. A hydroprocessing zone may saturate cycle oil aromatics for cracking in an FCC unit. The recycle cracked stream may be recycled to a downstream hydroprocessing zone to avoid a first hydroprocessing zone for hydrotreating feed to the FCC unit. Additional recovery of cycle oil for recycle is obtained by heating slurry oil prior to vacuum separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lev Davydov
  • Patent number: 9890339
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of corrosion inhibition in hydrocarbon fluid processing units. The present invention comprises a new additive for inhibiting acid corrosion comprising polymeric thiophosphate ester, which is obtained by reaction of a polymer compound having mono, di or poly hydroxyl group, preferably polymer compound which is hydroxyl-termination, more preferably said polymer compound comprising hydroxyl-terminated polyisobutylene or polybutene and phosphorous pentasulphide. Said polymeric thiophosphate ester is further reacted with any oxide selected from group consisting of ethylene oxide, butylenes oxide or propylene oxide or such other oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, capably forming ethylene oxide derivative of thiophosphate ester. The invention is useful effecting acid corrosion inhibition on the metal surfaces of a distillation unit, distillation column, trays, packing and pump around piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Dorf Ketal Chemicals (I) Private Limited
    Inventor: Mahesh Subramaniyam
  • Patent number: 9890340
    Abstract: A method for using a downdraft gasifier comprising a housing and a refractory stack contained within the housing. The refractory stack may comprise various sections. Apertures in the sections may be aligned to form multiple columnar cavities. Each columnar cavity may comprise an individual oxidation zone. The method of use may include the steps of placing a feedstock into an upper portion of the refractory stack, measuring the temperature of each columnar cavity, and adjusting the flow of oxygen to a particular columnar cavity to maintain the temperature of the particular columnar cavity within a particular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Clean Spark, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan M. Neves, Grover R. Brockbank, Morris K. Ebeling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9890341
    Abstract: A process and device for the gasification of liquid or fine-grain solid fuel materials in a reactor is described. Synthesis gas is generated in a first reaction chamber arranged in the upper part of the reactor; feedstock is fed to the upper part. Liquid slag precipitates on its lateral walls. The lower side has a hole with a slag drop-off edge; generated synthesis gas can be withdrawn in downward direction and the liquid slag can drop off the edge. A second chamber delimited by a water film is located under the opening. A third chamber adjacent to the bottom of the second is fed with water. A water bath is adjacent the bottom of the third chamber. The synthesis gas is withdrawn from the pressure vessel in an area at the side or below the third chamber, but located above the water bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kowoll, Eberhard Kuske, Ralf Abraham, Max Heinritz-Adrian
  • Patent number: 9890342
    Abstract: Methods for deriving a high-C hydrocarbon fuel from an organic source feedstock are provided. The method can include: contacting a mixture of the organic source feedstock and an aldehyde with a catalytic material to produce a product stream comprising a high-C hydrocarbon fuel, and separating the high-C hydrocarbon fuel in the product stream from any remaining organic source feedstock or aldehyde. The catalytic material comprises a metal and a zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Jochen Lauterbach, Jason R. Hattrick-Simpers, Cun Wen
  • 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: 9890344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coal supply device for reducing dust of coal input for dry and supplying dispersing and supplying the coal in a system for drying coal using reheat steam, and more particularly, to a device to minimize dust when the coal is supplied to a multi-stage dryer from a coal constant feeder through a pulverizer in a multi-stage dryer for drying coal using reheat steam and disperse and supply the coal to a transfer device and a coal drying system in which coal which is primarily dried in the first coal dryer is inputted into the second coal dryer and thus is secondarily dried, includes a coal constant feeder supplying a predetermined amount of coal onto the upward surface of the first transfer plate; and a dust reducer constituted by an inlet pipe coupled to an outlet of the coal constant feeder by a bearing, a worm wheel coupled onto the outer periphery of the inlet pipe, a worm gear-coupled with the worm wheel and rotating with rotary force transferred from a motor, a curved pipe o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HANKOOK TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Sung Kon Kim
  • Patent number: 9890345
    Abstract: A system and method for forming at least one of graphene and graphene oxide on a substrate and an opposed wear member. The system includes graphene and graphene oxide formed by an exfoliation process or solution processing method to dispose graphene and/or graphene oxide onto a substrate. The system further includes an opposing wear member disposed on another substrate and a gas atmosphere of an inert gas like N2, ambient, a humid atmosphere and a water solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Anirudha V. Sumant, Ali Erdemir, Junho Choi, Diana Berman
  • Patent number: 9890346
    Abstract: Liquid diphenylamine compositions comprising predominately p,p?-di-alkylated diphenylamines and low amounts of mono-alkylated diphenylamines are prepared by adding an olefin to a mixture comprising mono-alkylated diphenylamines, di-alkylated diphenylamines, Lewis acid catalyst and an amount of another olefin sufficient to suppress dealkylation of the alkylated diphenylamines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LANXESS Solutions US Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G Rowland
  • Patent number: 9890347
    Abstract: A composition of an oil-soluble ionic detergent that does not contribute metal ions to the composition, and which comprises a quaternary non-metallic pnictogen cation and an organic anion having at least one hydrocarbyl group of sufficient length to impart oil solubility to the detergent, the detergent having a total base number (TBN) to total acid number (TAN) ratio of at least 2:1 imparts ash-free basicity to a lubricant composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Ewan E. Delbridge, Virginia A. Carrick, John K. Pudelski, Matthew D. Giesleman, Christopher L. Friend, Patrick E. Mosier, Michele M. Rogers, Mark T. Tierney
  • Patent number: 9890348
    Abstract: A metathesized natural oil composition comprising (i) a mixture olefins and/or esters, or (ii) a metathesized natural oil, is disclosed. The metathesized natural oil composition has a number average molecular weight in the range from about 100 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol, a weight average molecular weight in the range from about 1,000 g/mol to about 100,000 g/mol, a z-average molecular weight in the range from about 5,000 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol, and a polydispersity index of about 1 to about 20. The metathesized natural oil composition is metathesized at least once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Cohen, M. Michelle Morie-Bebel, Alexander D. Ilseman, Benjamin Bergmann, Stephen A. DiBiase, S. Alexander Christensen
  • Patent number: 9890349
    Abstract: A process for utilizing bio-based oils and/or fats for producing biofuels includes the steps of: mixing alcohol with a raw material for forming a reaction mixture; pumping the reaction mixture to a reactor; mixing biogas as a catalyst with the reaction mixture in a selected process step either before or after the supply of the reaction mixture to a high-pressure pump, the biogas including methane and carbon dioxide; adjusting a temperature and pressure of the reactor so that the reaction mixture achieves a supercritical state; esterifying the reaction mixture to produce liquid biofuel and by-products; separating the by-products including methane and alcohol from the liquid biofuel; and recovering separated methane. An equivalent system for utilizing bio-based oils and/or fats for producing biofuels is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BioGTS
    Inventors: Mika Rautiainen, Annimari Lehtomaki
  • Patent number: 9890350
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of cleaning including the use of a soil release polymer. In some embodiments, the soil release polymer can be included in a neutral to low alkalinity prewash or main wash that is substantially free of hydroxide-based alkalinity. In some embodiments, the soil release polymer can be included in a neutral to low alkalinity prewash that is substantially free of hydroxide-based alkalinity, followed by an alkaline main wash with any alkalinity source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Steven Lundberg, Jonathan P. Fast, Thomas Duerrschmidt, Thomas Merz, Jason Lang
  • Patent number: 9890351
    Abstract: The present application relates to encapsulates, compositions, products comprising such encapsulates, and processes for making and using such encapsulates. Such encapsulates comprise a core comprising a perfume and a shell that encapsulates said core, such encapsulates may optionally comprise a parametric balancing agent, such shell comprising one or more azobenzene moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Johan Smets, Susana Fernandez Prieto, Steven Daryl Smith, Todd Laurence Underiner, John August Wos, Wolfgang Edgar Huhn, Heath A. Frederick, Marta Giamberini, Bartosz Tylkowski
  • Patent number: 9890352
    Abstract: An injectable tissue engineered cartilage in vitro construction apparatus, comprising an incubator (1), a centrifugal device arranged in the incubator (1), and a control system for controlling a temperature in the incubator (1) and an action of the centrifugal device. The centrifugal device comprises a centrifuge, a container base (2) mounted onto the centrifuge, a dosing system for adding preparation reagent, and a stirring system for stirring the reagent. With a controller (17) and a pH sensor (16), a measured pH value will be transmitted by the pH sensor (16) to the controller (17) in real time. The controller (17) controls an action of a driving mechanism via a control module II (21), to drive a piston rod to add NaOH solution into a container tank (6). When the pH value of the solution falls in a predetermined range, the driving mechanism is stopped, to precisely control the pH value of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FIRST AFFILIATED HOSPITAL, THIRD MILITARY MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, CHINESE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY, P.R. CHINA
    Inventors: Fuyou Wang, Junli Liu, Liu Yang, Ying Zhang, Guangxing Chen, Lin Guo, Xiaojun Duan
  • Patent number: 9890353
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for removing media from a culture vessel that decreases disruption of the interface between the cellular material and media within the vessel such that aspiration and removal of cells or cell clusters along with the media is minimized. In addition, the media fluid turbulence is decreased so as to minimize the activation or disruption of cells and cell clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Janssen Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Daina Laniauskas, Joseph Hammer
  • Patent number: 9890354
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a biochemical reactor with a lower divider support structure. The biochemical reactor may include a tank configured to house immobilized carriers and fluid. The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include one or more vanes disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include a tank recirculation port disposed proximate to a second end. The biochemical reactor may include a tank inlet configured for feeding fluid into the tank. The biochemical reactor may include a tank outlet configured for drawing fluid from the tank. The tank outlet may be disposed proximate to a first end. The biochemical reactor may include a first divider and a second divider. The second divider may include a support structure including a grating configured to withstand variable loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MIH WATER TREATMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Peter J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9890355
    Abstract: An electroporation apparatus comprising an elongated hollow member in order to provide a uniform electric field during electroporation, wherein specifically, electroporation is carried out b applying electric pulses through a couple of electrodes from both end parts of the elongated hollow member, after the hollow member is charged with fluid specimen including cells and material which would be injected into the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Holdings PTE Limited
    Inventors: Jun-Keun Chang, Keun-Chang Cho, Chan-Il Chung, Young-Shik Shin, Jeong-Ah Kim, Neon-Cheol Jung
  • Patent number: 9890356
    Abstract: An in vitro culture medium for embryos consisting of IVF culture medium additionally containing G-CSF at a concentration of at least 0.5 ng/ml, preferably between 1.0 and 5.0 ng/ml, is described; a method for in vitro embryo culture, comprising the steps of incubating a plurality of embryos in an in vitro culture medium consisting of IVF culture medium additionally containing G-CSF at a concentration of at least 0.5 ng/ml and growing such embryos until the 8-cell stage is reached is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: Fabio Scarpellini, Marco Sbracia
  • Patent number: 9890357
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of a human pluripotent stem cell into an intermediate mesoderm cell without the use of a growth factor. Such method comprises performing culture in a medium containing a specific compound, so as to induce differentiation of a human pluripotent stem cell into an intermediate mesoderm cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kenji Osafune, Toshikazu Araoka
  • Patent number: 9890358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a latent neural stem cell population which is capable of activation by membrane depolarization of a neural cell population, isolation and culture of same, and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The University of Queensland
    Inventors: Tara Louise Walker, Perry Francis Bartlett
  • Patent number: 9890359
    Abstract: A medium which comprises a fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and a sulfated compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a concentration which promotes the growth of a stem cell in the presence of FGF, is useful for culturing stem cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: Yoko Kuriyama, Nao Sugimoto, Manabu Kitazawa, Satoru Okamoto, Sho Senda, Ikue Harata, Satoru Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9890360
    Abstract: A method that includes bringing a nuclear reprogramming substance (DLX4 gene, OCT3/4 gene, and SOX2 gene) into contact with a cell and thereby producing iPS cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: GIFU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenichi Tezuka, Naritaka Tamaoki, Kazuki Iida, Tomoko Kawaguchi, Hitomi Aoki, Takahiro Kunisada, Toshiyuki Shibata, Naoki Goshima
  • Patent number: 9890361
    Abstract: Methods of using viruses labeled with alkyne-modified biomolecules, such as fatty acids, carbohydrates and lipids, to treat a plant, an insect or an animal infected with a virus or to increase the infectivity of a virus, such as the human immunodeficiency virus, are provided. Also provided are methods of labeling a virus, such as human immunodeficiency virus, with an alkyne-modified biomolecule, such as a fatty acid, a carbohydrate, or an isoprenoid lipid. The viruses labeled with alkyne-modified biomolecules may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to produce a pharmaceutical composition, optionally containing another anti-viral agent and/or a delivery agent, such as a liposome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Brian Agnew, David Graham
  • Patent number: 9890362
    Abstract: Embodiments herein report methods, compositions and uses for inducing and/or accelerating viral growth. In certain embodiments, methods, compositions and uses generally relate to copolymer compositions for inducing viral growth, reducing lag time and/or increasing viral plaque size. In other embodiments, methods, compositions and uses of copolymer compositions can be for inducing flaviviral growth, reducing lag in growth and/or increasing plaque size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Takeda Vaccines, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan T Stinchcomb, Jill A. Livengood, O'Neil Wiggan, Richard Kinney, Jorge Osorio
  • Patent number: 9890363
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition useful to prepare high titer influenza viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus, which includes internal genes from an influenza virus vaccine strain or isolate, e.g., one that is safe in humans, for instance, one that does not result in significant disease, that confer enhanced growth in cells in culture, such as MDCK cells, or in eggs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Gabriele Neumann, Jihui Ping