Anthony F Sammells

US Patent:

6355093, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

Oct 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/960182

Inventors:

Michael Schwartz - Boulder CO
James H. White - Boulder CO
Anthony F. Sammells - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Eltron Research, INC - Boulder CO

International Classification:

B01J 3500

US Classification:

95 56, 422191, 422222, 21050025, 2105101, 502 4, 502 60, 502303, 502327

Abstract:

This invention relates to catalytic reactor membranes having a gas-impermeable membrane for transport of oxygen anions. The membrane has an oxidation surface and a reduction surface. The membrane is coated on its oxidation surface with an adherent catalyst layer and is optionally coated on its reduction surface with a catalyst that promotes reduction of an oxygen-containing species (e. g. , O , NO , SO , etc. ) to generate oxygen anions on the membrane. The reactor has an oxidation zone and a reduction zone separated by the membrane. A component of an oxygen containing gas in the reduction zone is reduced at the membrane and a reduced species in a reactant gas in the oxidation zone of the reactor is oxidized. The reactor optionally contains a three-dimensional catalyst in the oxidation zone. The adherent catalyst layer and the three-dimensional catalyst are selected to promote a desired oxidation reaction, particularly a partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon.

US Patent:

6447952, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/587439

Inventors:

Ella F. Spiegel - Louisville CO
Anthony F. Sammells - Boulder CO
Kresimir Adamic - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Eltron Research, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

H01M 458

US Classification:

4292181, 429306, 429310, 429311, 429313, 429317, 429219, 429220, 429223, 429224, 4292311, 4292312, 4292315, 42923195, 252 622

Abstract:

This invention provides alkali ion conducting polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and elastomeric properties suitable for use in high energy batteries. The polymer electrolytes are cyclic carbonate-containing polysiloxanes that can be modified with a cross linker or chain extender, and an alkali metal ion-containing material dissolved in the carbonate-containing polysiloxane. The cyclic carbonate-containing polysiloxanes may be prepared by reacting derivatized polysiloxanes with chain extending and/or crosslinking agents. The invention also provides batteries prepared by contacting an alkali metal anode with an alkali metal intercalating cathode and an alkali ion-conducting polymer electrolyte. As one example, polymers prepared from poly {3[2,3-(carbonyldioxy)propoxy]propyl]methyl siloxane, a polysiloxane with cyclic carbonate side chains, have shown promising results for battery applications. This polymer was crosslinked with methyltriacetoxy silane and incorporates lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate into the polymer matrix as the ion conductor.

US Patent:

6471921, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

May 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/314708

Inventors:

Pamela Van Calcar - Superior CO
Richard Mackay - Lafayette CO
Anthony F. Sammells - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Eltron Research, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

B01J 800

US Classification:

422239, 422240, 502 4, 502525, 2525211, 2525191, 25251915

Abstract:

The invention relates to mixed phase materials for the preparation of catalytic membranes which exhibit ionic and electronic conduction and which exhibit improved mechanical strength compared to single phase ionic and electronic conducting materials. The mixed phase materials are useful for forming gas impermeable membranes either as dense ceramic membranes or as dense thin films coated onto porous substrates. The membranes and materials of this invention are useful in catalytic membrane reactors in a variety of applications including synthesis gas production. One or more crystalline second phases are present in the mixed phase material at a level sufficient to enhance the mechanical strength of the mixture to provide membranes for practical application in CMRs.

US Patent:

6592782, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/748344

Inventors:

Richard MacKay - Lafayette CO
Michael Schwartz - Boulder CO
Anthony F. Sammells - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Eltron Research, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

C01B 1300

US Classification:

252500, 252509, 252513, 2525211, 501 972, 501 973, 501 982, 423210, 423583, 423600, 423608, 96 4, 96 7, 505701, 505708, 505785, 505779, 422190

Abstract:

Metal oxides particularly useful for the manufacture of catalytic membranes for gas-phase oxygen separation processes having the formula: where: x and xâ are greater than 0; y and yâ are greater than 0; x+xâ is equal to 2; y+yâ is less than or equal to 2; z is a number that makes the metal oxide charge neutral; A is an element selected from the lanthanide elements; Aâ is an element selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra; Aâ is an element selected from the f block lanthanides, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra; B is an element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In or mixtures thereof and Bâ is Co or Mg, with the exception that when Bâ is Mg, Aâ and Aâ are not Mg. The metal oxides are useful for preparation of dense membranes which may be formed from dense thin films of the mixed metal oxide on a porous metal oxide element. The invention also provides methods and catalytic reactors for oxygen separation and oxygen enrichment of oxygen deficient gases which employ mixed conducting metal oxides of the above formula.

US Patent:

6641626, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/247788

Inventors:

Pamela Van Calcar - Tualatin OR
Richard Mackay - Lafayette CO
Anthony F. Sammells - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Eltron Research, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

C01B 324

US Classification:

481982, 48DIG 5, 502 4, 502524, 423219, 423220, 423224, 423257, 4232421

Abstract:

The invention relates to mixed phase materials for the preparation of catalytic membranes which exhibit ionic and electronic conduction and which exhibit improved mechanical strength compared to single phase ionic and electronic conducting materials. The mixed phase materials are useful for forming gas impermeable membranes either as dense ceramic membranes or as dense thin films coated onto porous substrates. The membranes and materials of this invention are useful in catalytic membrane reactors in a variety of applications including synthesis gas production. One or more crystalline second phases are present in the mixed phase material at a level sufficient to enhance the mechanical strength of the mixture to provide membranes for practical application in CMRs.

US Patent:

6793711, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Nov 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/724131

Inventors:

Anthony F. Sammells - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Eltron Research, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

B01D 5322

US Classification:

95 48, 95 46, 21050025, 2105101, 2105021, 429103, 585818, 204400

Abstract:

Gas-impermeable membranes containing a molten salt electrolyte in an electron-conducting matrix provide for mixed ion and electron conduction across the membrane. The membranes mediate transport of a selected ion for gas separation and or catalytic reactions at the membrane surface. The membranes are useful in catalytic membrane reactors, particularly for gas separation and full or partial oxidation reactions. The membranes are of particular interest for mediation of oxide ions, such as carbonate, for carbon dioxide separation or for partial oxidation reactions. Catalytic membrane reactors can incorporate catalyst layers on the membrane surfaces and or three-dimension catalysts, e. g. , packed-bed catalysts, in the oxidation zone or the reduction zone of the reactor. The invention also relates to methods of gas separation and method for generating products employing the membranes and catalytic membrane reactors of this invention. Membranes and reactors of this invention that incorporate a molten carbonate salt are of particular use in the production of synthesis gas.

US Patent:

6949230, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Aug 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/929870

Inventors:

Michael Schwartz - Boulder CO, US
James H. White - Boulder CO, US
Anthony F. Sammells - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Eltron Research, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

B01J035/02

US Classification:

422198, 422211, 423219, 423224

Abstract:

This invention relates to gas-impermeable, solid state materials fabricated into membranes for use in catalytic membrane reactors. This invention particularly relates to solid state oxygen anion- and electron-mediating membranes for use in catalytic membrane reactors for promoting partial or full oxidation of different chemical species, for decomposition of oxygen-containing species, and for separation of oxygen from other gases. Solid state materials for use in the membranes of this invention include mixed metal oxide compounds having the brownmillerite crystal structure.

US Patent:

20020022568, Feb 21, 2002

Filed:

Jul 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/905651

Inventors:

Richard Mackay - Lafayette CO, US
Anthony Sammells - Boulder CO, US

International Classification:

B01J023/10
C01B003/26
C04B035/50

US Classification:

501/152000, 423/263000, 423/593000, 422/129000, 423/651000

Abstract:

Ceramics of the composition:where Ln is an element selected from the f block lanthanides and yttrium or mixtures thereof; M is an element selected from the d block transition metals or mixtures thereof; xyand is a number that varies to maintain charge neutrality are provided along with methods of their use. These ceramics are useful in making and using gas-impermeable ceramic membranes that exhibit high electronic and ionic conductivity, low coefficients of expansion and high chemical and thermal stability under catalytic membrane reactor conditions. The ceramics provided are particularly useful for promotion of oxidation-reduction reactions and for separating molecular oxygen from oxygen containing gases.