Kevin M Downey

US Patent:

6773581, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Oct 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/982986

Inventors:

David A. Hazlebeck - El Cajon CA
Michael H. Spritzer - San Diego CA
Kevin W. Downey - San Diego CA
Martin R. Martinez - San Marcos CA
Toshisuke Isoya - Hatano, JP
Kunitoshi Suzuki - Chigasaki, JP
Satoshi Nakayama - Tokyo, JP

Assignee:

General Atomics - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C02F 172

US Classification:

210178, 15 931, 210205, 210219, 4221841, 422200, 422224

Abstract:

A system and method for performing hydrothermal treatment includes a scraper formed as a hollow cylinder. The scraper is positioned in the reactor vessel with the scraper axis substantially co-linear with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical reactor vessel. A mechanism is provided to rotate the scraper about the longitudinal axis of the reactor vessel. One or more elongated scraper bars are positioned inside the reactor vessel between the scraper and the longitudinal axis of the reactor vessel. Each scraper bar may be held stationary with respect to the reactor vessel, or each scraper bar may rotated relative to an axis passing through the scraper bar to remove any solids that have accumulated on the scraper or on the scraper bar. To prevent accumulation of precipitating solids on the scraper bar itself, each scraper bar may have internal cooling channels or the capability of releasing a purging fluid.

US Patent:

55017991, Mar 26, 1996

Filed:

Jun 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/255070

Inventors:

Luke D. Bond - Etobicoke, CA
Charles C. Mills - Mississauga, CA
Philip Whiting - Milton, CA
Stanley L. Koutz - San Diego CA
David A. Hazlebeck - El Cajon CA
Kevin W. Downey - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Abitibi-Price, Inc. - Mississauga
General Atomics - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C02F 174

US Classification:

210721

Abstract:

A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.

US Patent:

60568836, May 2, 2000

Filed:

Dec 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/206875

Inventors:

Luke David Bond - Etobicoke, CA
Charles Cheslay Mills - Mississauga, CA
Philip Whiting - Milton, CA
Stanley Lee Koutz - San Diego CA
David Alan Hazlebeck - El' Cajon CA
Kevin William Downey - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Abitibi Consolidated Inc. - Montreal

International Classification:

C02F 174

US Classification:

210721

Abstract:

A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.

US Patent:

60540575, Apr 25, 2000

Filed:

Sep 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/938899

Inventors:

David A. Hazlebeck - El Cajon CA
Kevin W. Downey - San Diego CA
Michael H. Spritzer - San Diego CA

Assignee:

General Atomics - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C02F 168
A61B 130

US Classification:

210761

Abstract:

A system and method for treatment of a feed material includes a reactor chamber in a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel has a longitudinal axis which is vertically oriented so that gravitational forces act generally in a direction along the axis between a top and a bottom of the vessel. A feed material is introduced by a nozzle into the reactor chamber as a jet stream through the top end of the vessel. This jet stream causes back-mixing in the reactor chamber, contributing to rapid initiation of reaction and general down flow of material through the reactor chamber. The material in the reactor chamber can be quenched to dissolve sticky solids in the effluent before the effluent is discharged from the lower end of the vessel. Further, the reactor vessel can include a plug flow section to carry out additional reaction of the feed material.

US Patent:

55608221, Oct 1, 1996

Filed:

May 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/455713

Inventors:

Luke D. Bond - Etobicoke, Ontario, M9C 4G5, CA
Charles C. Mills - Mississauga, Ontario, L5M 6G4, CA
Philip Whiting - Milton, Ontario, L9T 2X7, CA
Stanley L. Koutz - San Diego CA
David A. Hazlebeck - El Cajon CA
Kevin W. Downey - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C02F 172

US Classification:

210181

Abstract:

A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.

US Patent:

20180345241, Dec 6, 2018

Filed:

Jun 5, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/613616

Inventors:

- San Diego CA, US
Kevin William Downey - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

B01J 19/02
B01J 3/00
C02F 1/02
C10G 1/00
C02F 1/72
B01J 3/04
C02F 11/08

Abstract:

The disclosed technology relates to methods of inhibiting corrosion in reaction chambers configured for hydrothermal reaction of feeds containing a heteroatom. An embodiment of such a method comprises providing a feed stream comprising a phosphorus-containing material, an alkali metal compound, water, and a corrosion-inhibitor. The embodiment additionally includes introducing the feed stream and oxidant into a reactor chamber and oxidizing the phosphorus-containing material at an oxidation temperature greater than about 374 C. and an oxidation pressure exceeding about 25 bar, wherein the reactor chamber has inner surfaces comprising a material that corrodes when in contact with a phosphorus compound within the reactor. The embodiment additionally includes selectively reacting the corrosion-inhibitor with phosphorus within the reactor, thereby precipitating in the reactor chamber a phosphorus-containing solid inorganic compound. The embodiment further includes forming in the reactor chamber an alkali salt melt and carrying away from the reactor chamber a mixture comprising the solid phosphorus-containing inorganic compound and the alkali salt melt.

US Patent:

20160251608, Sep 1, 2016

Filed:

May 9, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/149717

Inventors:

- San Diego CA, US
Jiping Zhang - San Diego CA, US
Kevin W. Downey - San Diego CA, US
Xiaoxi Wu - Encinitas CA, US

International Classification:

C12M 1/00
A01G 33/00
C12M 1/36
C12N 1/12
C12M 1/34
C12M 1/06

Abstract:

A device for generating a pulsed flow in a channel containing a circulating algal culture can include a plate that is pivotably mounted on the channel and an activator. A pulsed flow is generated in the channel by first positioning the plate to impede the flow of circulating algal culture and then rotating the plate to a submerged position. The pulsed flow can be employed to counteract the negative effects of bio-fouling on algae cultivation equipment. In another arrangement, a device for generating a pulsed flow in a sloped raceway that is in fluid communication with a sump can include a gate. In different embodiments, the gate can operate as a so-called “pinch gate” or as a so-called “overflow gate.” In another aspect, a variable rate pump, such as a centrifugal pump, a screw pump or an airlift pump, is described for establishing a pulsed flow in a channel.

US Patent:

20140322805, Oct 30, 2014

Filed:

May 6, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/270800

Inventors:

- SAN DIEGO CA, US
Jiping Zhang - San Diego CA, US
Kevin W. Downey - San Diego CA, US
Xiaoxi Wu - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ATOMICS - SAN DIEGO CA

International Classification:

C12M 1/00

US Classification:

4352921

Abstract:

A device for generating a pulsed flow in a channel containing a circulating algal culture can include a plate that is pivotably mounted on the channel and an activator. A pulsed flow is generated in the channel by first positioning the plate to impede the flow of circulating algal culture and then rotating the plate to a submerged position. The pulsed flow can be employed to counteract the negative effects of bio-fouling on algae cultivation equipment. In another arrangement, a device for generating a pulsed flow in a sloped raceway that is in fluid communication with a sump can include a gate. In different embodiments, the gate can operate as a so-called “pinch gate” or as a so-called “overflow gate.” In another aspect, a variable rate pump, such as a centrifugal pump, a screw pump or an airlift pump, is described for establishing a pulsed flow in a channel.