Anthony J Modestino

US Patent:

6361580, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Aug 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/622753

Inventors:

Sven Plahte - Hovik, NO
Bjorn Lillebuen - Stathelle, NO
Alexander F. Diaz - Dallas TX
Jack B. Howard - Winchester MA
Anthony J. Modestino - Hanson MA
William A. Peters - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Massachuetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

C22B 2102

US Classification:

75 1021, 75 1027, 75674, 75673

Abstract:

A continuous process for the production of elemental aluminum is described. Aluminum is made from aluminum oxide and a reducing gas such as a light hydrocarbon gas or other reducing gas, for example hydrogen. In the process, a feed stream of the aluminum oxide and the reducing gas is continuously fed into a reaction zone. There the aluminum oxide and reducing gas are reacted at a temperature of about 1500Â C. or greater in the reaction zone to provide a continuous product stream of reaction products, which include elemental aluminum. The product stream is continuously quenching after leaving the reaction zone, and the elemental aluminum is separated from the other reaction products.

US Patent:

7396520, Jul 8, 2008

Filed:

Aug 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/489846

Inventors:

Jack B. Howard - Winchester MA, US
David F. Kronholm - Boston MA, US
Anthony J. Modestino - Hanson MA, US
Henning Richter - Dorchester MA, US

Assignee:

Nano-C, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

B01J 19/08

US Classification:

423445B, 977842

Abstract:

A mod of combustion and a multi-component reactor to accomplish this mode of combustion are disclosed which produces fullerenes and fullerenic material by combustion. This mode consists of de-coupling an oxidation region of a flame from a post-flame region, thus giving greater control over operating parameters, such as equivalence ratio, temperature, and pressure; allows conditions of the operating parameters of the combustion reaction to be attained which would not be easily attained by conventional methods; and offers the ability to more easily stabilize the combustion reactions to allow for higher throughputs of fuel and oxidant. Several embodiments of a primary zone of a multicomponent reactor are also disclosed. Said primary zone serves as the oxidation region, operates on the principle of providing recycle to the reacting combustion mixture, and which may be operated as approximately a well-mixed reactor. A secondary zone is also disclosed which provides further residence time for reaction and the ability to control operating parameters, operates on the principle of minimizing recycle of the reacting combustion mixture.

US Patent:

7494637, Feb 24, 2009

Filed:

May 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/858861

Inventors:

William A. Peters - Lexington MA, US
Jack B. Howard - Winchester MA, US
Anthony J. Modestino - Hanson MA, US
Fredreric Vogel - Villigen PSI, CH
Carsten R. Steffin - Herne, DE

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

C01B 31/30

US Classification:

423439, 423442

Abstract:

A continuous process for the conversion of biomass to form a chemical feedstock is described. The biomass and an exogenous metal oxide, preferably calcium oxide, or metal oxide precursor are continuously fed into a reaction chamber that is operated at a temperature of at least 1400 C. to form reaction products including metal carbide. The metal oxide or metal oxide precursor is capable of forming a hydrolizable metal carbide. The reaction products are quenched to a temperature of 800 C. or less. The resulting metal carbide is separated from the reaction products or, alternatively, when quenched with water, hydolyzed to provide a recoverable hydrocarbon gas feedstock.

US Patent:

7771692, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Aug 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/184801

Inventors:

Jack B. Howard - Winchester MA, US
David F. Kronholm - Boston MA, US
Anthony J. Modestino - Hanson MA, US
Henning Richter - Dorchester MA, US

Assignee:

Nano-C, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

B01J 19/08

US Classification:

423445B, 977842

Abstract:

A mode of combustion and multi-component reactor to accomplish this mode of combustion are disclosed which produces fullerenes and fullerenic material by combustion. This mode consists of de-coupling an oxidation region of a flame from a post-flame region, thus giving greater control over operating parameters, such as equivalence ratio, temperature, and pressure; allows conditions of the operating parameters of the combustion reaction to be attained which would not be easily attained by conventional methods; and offers the ability to more easily stabilize the combustion reactions to allow for higher throughputs of fuel and oxidant. Several embodiments of a primary zone of a multi-component reactor are also disclosed. Said primary zone serves as the oxidation region, operates on the principle of providing recycle to the reacting combustion mixture, and which may be operated as approximately a well-mixed reactor. A secondary zone is also disclosed which provides further residence time for reaction and the ability to control operating parameters, operates on the principle of minimizing recycle of the reacting combustion mixture.

US Patent:

7833493, Nov 16, 2010

Filed:

May 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/127536

Inventors:

Jack B. Howard - Winchester MA, US
David F. Kronholm - Boston MA, US
Anthony J. Modestino - Hanson MA, US
Henning Richter - Dorchester MA, US

Assignee:

Nano-C, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

C01C 1/00
C01B 31/00

US Classification:

422150, 423445 B, 977842, 977734

Abstract:

A mode of combustion and multi-component reactor to accomplish this mode of combustion are disclosed which produces fullerenes and fullerenic material by combustion. This mode consists of de-coupling an oxidation region of a flame from a post-flame region, thus giving greater control over operating parameters, such as equivalence ratio, temperature, and pressure; allows conditions of the operating parameters of the combustion reaction to be attained which would not be easily attained by conventional methods; and offers the ability to more easily stabilize the combustion reactions to allow for higher throughputs of fuel and oxidant. Several embodiments of a primary zone of a multi-component reactor are also disclosed. Said primary zone serves as the oxidation region, operates on the principle of providing recycle to the reacting combustion mixture, and which may be operated as approximately a well-mixed reactor. A secondary zone is also disclosed which provides further residence time for reaction and the ability to control operating parameters, operates on the principle of minimizing recycle of the reacting combustion mixture.

US Patent:

57829527, Jul 21, 1998

Filed:

Aug 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/706076

Inventors:

Alexander F. Diaz - Cambridge MA
Jack B. Howard - Winchester MA
Anthony J. Modestino - Hanson MA
William A. Peters - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

C22B 2622

US Classification:

75 1019

Abstract:

A continuous process for the production of elemental magnesium is described. Magnesium is made from magnesium oxide and a light hydrocarbon gas. In the process, a feed stream of the magnesium oxide and gas is continuously fed into a reaction zone. There the magnesium oxide and gas are reacted at a temperature of about 1400. degree. C. or greater in the reaction zone to provide a continuous product stream of reaction products, which include elemental magnesium. The product stream is continuously quenched after leaving the reaction zone, and the elemental magnesium is separated from other reaction products.