George R Lightsey

US Patent:

57791643, Jul 14, 1998

Filed:

Sep 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/717909

Inventors:

Rodger Chieffalo - Birmingham AL
George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS

Assignee:

Controlled Environmental Systems Corporation - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

B02C 1912

US Classification:

241 17

Abstract:

A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which can inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.

US Patent:

62673092, Jul 31, 2001

Filed:

Jul 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/354665

Inventors:

Rodger Chieffalo - Birmingham AL
George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS

Assignee:

Controlled Environmental Systems Corporation - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

B02C 1912

US Classification:

241 17

Abstract:

A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which can inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.

US Patent:

53381858, Aug 16, 1994

Filed:

Oct 4, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/130920

Inventors:

Richard W. Henderson - Quinby SC
George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS

Assignee:

Southeastern Research Laboratories, Inc. - Quinby SC

International Classification:

F23H 500

US Classification:

431 33

Abstract:

A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in wick-fed liquid fuel burners employs an excess fuel containment compartment (24) which receives any excess fuel which might be fed to the fuel supply chamber (40). The excess fuel causes a receptacle (20) in the compartment to move downwardly. Through a rod (30) and balance arm (18), such movement communicates with an automatic wick extinguisher (42) to extinguish the wick flame immediately in response to the excess fuel condition. Also the mechanism prevents re-ignition of the wick (54) until the danger of flareup is removed. This safety device also alerts the user of the liquid fuel burner to dangerous conditions by a mechanism comprising a highly visible warning gauge needle (34). In addition, this safety device can be easily reset if accidentally triggered when overflow conditions do not exist, and the burner can be readily serviced and restored to operation should an excess fuel malfunction occur.

US Patent:

54078172, Apr 18, 1995

Filed:

Aug 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/291045

Inventors:

George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS
Rodger Chieffalo - Birmingham AL

Assignee:

Controlled Environmental Systems Corporation - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

C12P 710

US Classification:

435165

Abstract:

A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein tile municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and tile remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. A pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid is employed to reduce tile heavy metal content of tile cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which inhibits the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste.

US Patent:

59754397, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

May 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/076890

Inventors:

Rodger Chieffalo - Birmingham AL
George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS

Assignee:

Controlled Environmental Systems Corporation - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

B02C 1912

US Classification:

241 17

Abstract:

A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which can inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.

US Patent:

55061230, Apr 9, 1996

Filed:

Apr 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/422529

Inventors:

Rodger Chieffalo - Birmingham AL
George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS

Assignee:

Controlled Environmental Systems Corporation - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

C12P 756

US Classification:

439139

Abstract:

A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make lactic acid and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which may contaminate the produced lactic acid or inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of lactic acid from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.

US Patent:

51960699, Mar 23, 1993

Filed:

Jul 5, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/728901

Inventors:

Hatice S. Cullingford - Houston TX
Clifford E. George - Starkville MS
George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

C13K 102
D21C 320
D21C 500

US Classification:

127 37

Abstract:

A method for pretreating a cellulosic waste product with microwaves is disclosed as well as a method and apparatus for converting cellulosic wastes into soluble saccharides. The invention greatly enhances a reaction rate for enzymatic hydrolysis. A feed mixture of cellulose, water and acetic acid are irradiated with microwaves at a superatmospheric pressure in an autoclave reaction vessel and the treated cellulose is enzymatically hydrolyzed in a bioreactor. The acid and enzymes are optionally separated for reuse. As a feed stock for the culture of microbes, the sugars can be further processed into ethanol or food protein. High yield, low hazard potential, low energy usage and ready preparation in space of acetic acid and the enzyme makes the present invention well suited for use on long duration space missions.

US Patent:

55717039, Nov 5, 1996

Filed:

Apr 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/422585

Inventors:

Rodger Chieffalo - Birmingham AL
George R. Lightsey - Starkville MS

Assignee:

Controlled Environmental Systems Corporation - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

C12P 1902
C12P 710

US Classification:

435105

Abstract:

A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which can inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.