Craig L Timmerman

US Patent:

20090023973, Jan 22, 2009

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/883275

Inventors:

Patrick S. Lowery - Kennewick WA, US
Leo E. Thompson - Kennewick WA, US
Craig Timmerman - Belgrade MT, US
Jack L. McElroy - Pasco WA, US
Brett E. Campbell - Richard WA, US
James E. Hansen - Richard WA, US

International Classification:

B09B 3/00
B01J 19/00

US Classification:

588252, 422307

Abstract:

A process for melting material to be treated includes placing material to be treated in a container that may include an insulating lining, heating the material to be treated and melting the material to be treated, preferably allowing the melted material to cool to form a vitrified and/or crystalline mass, and disposing of the mass. The mass is either disposed while contained in container or removed from container after cooling and disposed. Heat loss and melt-surface disruptions can be minimized with an engineered overburden material, which covers at least a portion of an exposed surface of the material to be treated.

US Patent:

50245562, Jun 18, 1991

Filed:

Dec 5, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/446384

Inventors:

Craig L. Timmerman - Richland WA

Assignee:

Battelle Memorial Institute - Richland WA

International Classification:

F02D 300

US Classification:

405128

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a system for promoting the destruction of volatile and/or hazardous contaminants present in waste materials during in situ vitrification processes. In accordance with the present invention, a cold cap (46) comprising a cohesive layer of resolidified material is formed over the mass of liquefied soil and waste (40) present between and adjacent to the electrodes (10, 12, 14, 16) during the vitrification process. This layer acts as a barrier to the upward migration of any volatile type materials thereby increasing their residence time in proximity to the heated material. The degree of destruction of volatile and/or hazardous contaminants by pyrolysis is thereby improved during the course of the vitrification procedure.

US Patent:

49565354, Sep 11, 1990

Filed:

Oct 7, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/255057

Inventors:

James L. Buelt - Richland WA
John G. Carter - Richland WA
Eugene A. Eschbach - Richland WA
Vincent F. FitzPatrick - Richland WA
Paul L. Koehmstedt - Richland WA
William C. Morgan - Richland WA
Kenton H. Oma - Richland WA
Craig L. Timmerman - Richland WA

Assignee:

Battelle Memorial Institute - Richland WA

International Classification:

H05B 654

US Classification:

219 1081

Abstract:

An electrode comprising a molybdenum rod is received within a conductive collar formed of graphite. The molybdenum rod and the graphite collar may be physically joined at the bottom. A pair of such electrodes are placed in soil containing buried waste material and an electric current is passed therebetween for vitrifying the soil. The graphite collar enhances the thermal conductivity of the combination, bringing heat to the surface, and preventing formation of a cold cap of material above the ground surface. The annulus between the molybdenum rod electrode and the graphite collar is suitably filled with a conductive ceramic powder that sinters upon the molybdenum rod, protecting the same from oxidation as graphite material is consumed, or a metal powder which liquefies at operating temperatures. The center of the molybdenum rod, used with a collar of separately, can be hollow and filled with a powdered metal, such as copper, which liquefies at operating temperatures. Connection to electrodes can be provided below ground level to avoid open circuit due to electrode deterioration, or sacrificial electrodes may be employed when operation is started.

US Patent:

47629916, Aug 9, 1988

Filed:

May 29, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/056582

Inventors:

Craig L. Timmerman - Richland WA
Kenton H. Oma - Richland WA
Karl C. Davis - Richland WA

Assignee:

Battelle Memorial Institute - Richland WA

International Classification:

H01J 516

US Classification:

250227

Abstract:

A detector system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path comprises multiple sensors each having an input port. The input ports are distributed along the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location. Each sensor generates an electrical signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port. A signal processor is coupled to the sensors to receive an electrical signal generated by a sensor, and generate a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and whether the ISV process has reached the sensor's input port. A transmitter propagates the encoded signal. The signal processor and the transmitter are below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location. A signal receiver and a decoder are located above ground for receiving the encoded signal propagated by the transmitter, decoding the encoded signal and providing a human-perceptible indication of the progress of the ISV process.

US Patent:

51002590, Mar 31, 1992

Filed:

May 2, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/518461

Inventors:

James L. Buelt - Richland WA
John G. Carter - Richland WA
Eugene A. Eschbach - Richland WA
Vincent F. FitzPatrick - Richland WA
Paul L. Koehmstedt - Richland WA
William C. Morgan - Richland WA
Kenton H. Oma - Richland WA
Craig L. Timmerman - Richland WA

Assignee:

Battelle Memorial Institute - Richland WA

International Classification:

E02D 300

US Classification:

405128

Abstract:

An electrode for use in in situ vitrification of soil comprises a molybdenum rod received within a conductive sleeve or collar formed of graphite. Electrodes of this type are placed on either side of a region containing buried waste material and an electric current is passed therebetween for vitrifying the soil between the electrodes. The graphite collar enhances the thermal conductivity of the electrode, bringing heat to the surface, and preventing the formation of a cold cap of material above the ground surface. The annulus between the molybdenum rod electrode and the graphite collar is filled with a conductive ceramic powder of a type that sinters upon the molybdenum rod, protecting the same from oxidation as the graphite material is consumed, or a metal powder which liquifies at operating temperatures. The molybdenum rod in the former case may be coated with an oxidation protectant, e. g. of molybdenum disilicide.