Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090013588 | IRON-CONTAINING FUEL ADDITIVE FOR REDUCING PARTICULATES GENERATED DURING COMBUSTION - The burn properties of hydrocarbon fuels are improved by incorporating bimetallic fuel additives. The fuel additives include oil-soluble iron as a primary metal component and an oil-soluble platinum-group metal as a secondary metal component. The concentration of the platinum-group metal in the fuel additive is significantly less (e.g., an order of magnitude less) than the concentration of iron. The minute amount of platinum-group metal in combination with 1 to 100 ppm iron synergistically improves smoke point and/or utilizes less iron to achieve the same improvement in smoke point as compared to iron-based fuel additives without a platinum-group metal. The additives can also include one or more oil-soluble metal compound including an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, lanthanide metal, actinide metal, or base transition metal such as manganese. | 01-15-2009 |
20090048467 | METHODS FOR MAKING IMMOBILIZED ARYL-CONTAINING LIGANDS - Organic ligands that contain at least one aryl group are immobilized on a solid support. The organic ligands are of the type used to form a catalyst complex suitable for carrying out a catalytic reaction, preferably an asymmetric reaction. To immobilize the organic ligands, a tethering group is bonded to the ligand using, for example, a Friedel-Crafts acylation or alkylation reaction. The immobilization of the organic ligand can be carried out using a single reaction with the organic ligand. | 02-19-2009 |
20090082474 | HIGHLY DISPERSIBLE CARBON NANOSPHERES IN A POLAR SOLVENT AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - The particle sizes of agglomerates of carbon nanospheres are reduced by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in a polar solvent. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow, graphitic structures with an average diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm, more preferably about 20 nm to about 100 nm. Spectral data shows that prior to being dispersed, the carbon nanospheres are agglomerated into clusters that range in size from 500 nm to 5 microns. The clusters of nanospheres are reduced in size by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in the polar solvent (e.g., water) using a surface modifying agent (e.g., glucose) and ultrasonication. The combination of polar solvent, surface modifying agent, and ultrasonication breaks up and disperses agglomerates of carbon nanospheres. | 03-26-2009 |
20090093554 | HIGHLY DISPERSIBLE CARBON NANOSPHERES IN AN ORGANIC SOLVENT AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - The particle sizes of agglomerates of carbon nanospheres are reduced by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in an organic solvent. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow, graphitic structures with an average diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm, more preferably about 20 nm to about 100 nm. Spectral data shows that prior to being dispersed, the carbon nanospheres are agglomerated into clusters that range in size from 500 nm to 5 microns. The clusters of nanospheres are reduced in size by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in an organic solvent containing at least one heteroatom (e.g., NMP) using ultrasonication. The combination of organic solvent and ultrasonication breaks up and disperses agglomerates of carbon nanospheres. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093582 | FUNCTIONALIZATION OF CARBON NANOSHPERES BY SEVERE OXIDATIVE TREATMENT - Carbon nanostructures are formed from a carbon precursor and catalytic templating nanoparticles and are treated with a severe oxidative agent to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups to the surface of the graphitic material. Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures generally include (1) forming a precursor mixture that includes a carbon precursor and a plurality of catalytic templating particles, (2) carbonizing the precursor mixture to form an intermediate carbon material including carbon nanostructures, amorphous carbon, and catalytic metal, (3) purifying the intermediate carbon material by removing at least a portion of the amorphous carbon and optionally at least a portion of the catalytic metal, and (4) treating the intermediate carbon material with a severe oxidative treatment to increase surface functionalization. Examples of oxidative treatments include (i) a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid, (ii) a solution of hydrogen peroxide, or (iii) a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. | 04-09-2009 |
20090108229 | MAGNETITE POWDER AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - Magnetite powders are manufactured by first forming a precursor mixture containing iron atoms bonded to organic control agent molecules. Thereafter, magnetite is formed by (i) causing or allowing the iron atoms in the precursor mixture to form iron particles and (ii) reducing the iron atoms using a reducing agent. The magnetite powders obtained using the methods of the invention are superparamagnetic and can have very low densities. In one embodiment, the magnetite powders include a carbon coating on the magnetite particles which makes the particles resistant to being oxidized. | 04-30-2009 |
20090114568 | REFORMING NANOCATALYSTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SUCH CATALYSTS - Catalysts suitable for use in reforming hydrocarbons have a halogen promoter and a plurality of dispersed nanocatalyst particles supported on a solid support. The dispersed nanocatalyst particles are manufactured using a dispersing agent to control the size and/or crystal face exposure of the particles. The controlled size and dispersion of the nanocatalyst particles allows the reforming catalyst to be loaded with significantly less halogen promoter while still maintaining or increasing the catalyst's reforming performance. The catalysts of the present invention have shown improved C | 05-07-2009 |
20090149316 | METHODS FOR MAKING IMMOBILIZED ARYL-CONTAINING LIGANDS - Organic ligands that contain at least one aryl group are immobilized on a solid support. The organic ligands are of the type used to form a catalyst complex suitable for carrying out a catalytic reaction, preferably an asymmetric reaction. To immobilize the organic ligands, a tethering group is bonded to the ligand using, for exarnple, a Friedel-Crafts acylation or alkylation reaction. The immobilization of the organic ligand can be carried out using a single reaction with the organic ligand. | 06-11-2009 |
20090173665 | CATALYST FOR HYDROCRACKING HYDROCARBONS CONTAINING POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC COMPOUNDS - Oil soluble catalysts are used to convert polynuclear aromatic compounds in a hydrocarbon feedstock to higher value mono-aromatic compounds. The catalyst complex includes a catalytic metal center that is bonded to a plurality of organic ligands that make the catalyst complex oil-soluble. The ligands include an aromatic ring and a ligand spacer group. The ligand spacer group provides spacing of 2-6 atoms between the metal center and the aromatic ring. The spacing between the aromatic group and the catalytic metal center advantageously allows the catalyst to selectively crack polynuclear aromatic rings while preserving one of the aromatic rings, thereby increasing the content of mono-aromatic compounds in the hydrocarbon feedstock. | 07-09-2009 |
20090173666 | PROCESS FOR INCREASING THE MONO-AROMATIC CONTENT OF POLYNUCLEAR-AROMATIC-CONTAINING FEEDSTOCKS - Hydrocarbons containing polynuclear aromatics, such as cycle oil and pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO), are upgraded using an catalyst complex that selectively cracks the polynuclear aromatic compounds to form higher value mono-aromatic compounds, such as benzene toluene, xylenes and ethyl benzene (i.e., BTX). The catalyst complexes include a catalytic metal center and a plurality of organic ligands. During the hydrocracking procedure, the organic ligand preserves one of the aromatic rings of the polynuclear aromatic compounds while the catalytic metal breaks the other aromatic rings thereby yielding a monoaromatic compound. | 07-09-2009 |
20090247652 | METAL COLLOIDS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Colloidal suspensions of metallic particles are manufactured by providing a precursor mixture containing metallic particles having a first size, at least one solvent, and at least one stabilizing agent. The precursor mixture is sonicated to breakdown the metallic particles and suspend the particles in the solvent to form a colloid. The colloidal suspensions of metallic particles obtained with the present invention are highly concentrated and stable. | 10-01-2009 |
20090298684 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MULTICOMPONENT NANOPARTICLES - Multicomponent nanoparticles include two or more dissimilar components selected from different members of the group of noble metals, base transition metals, alkali earth metals, and rare earth metals and/or different groups of the periodic table of elements. The two or more dissimilar components are dispersed using a polyfunctional dispersing agent such that the multicomponent nanoparticles have a substantially uniform distribution of the two or more dissimilar components. The polyfunctional dispersing agent may include organic molecules, polymers, oligomers, or salts of these. The molecules of the dispersing agent bind to the dissimilar components to overcome same-component attraction, thereby allowing the dissimilar components to form multicomponent nanoparticles. Dissimilar components such as iron and platinum can be alloyed together using the dispersing agent to form substantially uniform multicomponent nanoparticles, which can be used alone or with a support. At least a portion of the dispersing agent is removed by reduction and/or oxidation. | 12-03-2009 |
20090308792 | CATALYST AND METHOD FOR HYDRODESULFURIZATION OF HYDROCARBONS - Oil soluble catalysts are used in a process to hydrodesulfurize petroleum feedstock having a high concentration of sulfur-containing compounds and convert the feedstock to a higher value product. The catalyst complex includes at least one attractor species and at least one catalytic metal that are bonded to a plurality of organic ligands that make the catalyst complex oil-soluble. The attractor species selectively attracts the catalyst to sulfur sites in sulfur-containing compounds in the feedstock where the catalytic metal can catalyze the removal of sulfur. Because the attractor species selectively attracts the catalysts to sulfur sites, non-productive, hydrogen consuming side reactions are reduced and greater rates of hydrodesulfurization are achieved while consuming less hydrogen per unit sulfur removed. | 12-17-2009 |
20100038263 | HYDROGEN STORAGE APPARATUS USING POROUS CARBON NANOSPHERES - Hydrogen is stored by adsorbing the hydrogen to a carbon nanomaterial that includes carbon nanospheres. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow carbon nanostructures with a maximum diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The nanospheres have an irregular outer surface with graphitic defects and an aspect ratio of less than 3:1. The carbon nanospheres can store hydrogen in quantities of at least 1.0% by weight. | 02-18-2010 |
20100043529 | NANOFIBERS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME AND USING SAME IN HUMIDITY SENSORS - A new type of highly efficient and self-cleaning humidity sensor based on Mg | 02-25-2010 |
20100051507 | HYDROCARBON-SOLUBLE MOLYBDENUM CATALYST PRECURSORS AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - Hydrocarbon-soluble molybdenum catalyst precursors include a plurality of molybdenum cations that are each bonded with a plurality of organic anions to form an oil soluble molybdenum salt. A portion of the molybdenum atoms are in the 3+ oxidation state such that the plurality of molybdenum atoms has an average oxidation state of less than 4+, e.g., less than about 3.8+, especially less than about 3.5+. The catalyst precursors can form a hydroprocessing molybdenum sulfide catalyst in heavy oil feedstocks. The oil soluble molybdenum salts are manufactured in the presence of a reducing agent, such as hydrogen gas, to obtain the molybdenum in the desired oxidation state. Preferably the reaction is performed with hydrogen or an organic reducing agent and at a temperature such that the molybdenum atoms are reduced to eliminate substantially all molybdenum oxide species. | 03-04-2010 |
20100092370 | PREPARATION OF A CARBON NANOMATERIAL USING A REVERSE MICROEMULSION - Powdered, amorphous carbon nanomaterials are formed from a carbon precursor in reverse microemulsion that includes organic solvent, surfactant and water. Methods for manufacturing amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterials generally include steps of (1) forming a reverse microemulsion including at least one non-polar solvent, at least one surfactant, and at least one polar solvent, (2) adding at least one carbon precursor substance to the reverse microemulsion, (3) reacting the at least one carbon precursor substance so as to form an intermediate carbon nanomaterial, (4) separating the intermediate amorphous carbon nanomaterial from the reverse microemulsion, and (5) heating the intermediate amorphous carbon nanomaterial for a period of time so as to yield an amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterial. Amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterials manufactured according to the present disclosure typically have a surface area of at least 500 m | 04-15-2010 |
20100094070 | ETHYLENE TRIMERIZATION USING A SUPPORTED CHROMIUM-TANTALUM CATALYST - Bimetallic, supported catalysts for production of 1-hexene from ethylene are manufactured by impregnating a porous, solid support material with at least one catalytic chromium compound and at least one catalytic tantalum compound. The bimetallic, supported catalysts have high catalytic turnover, high selectivity for 1-hexene production, a low tendency for metals to leach from the catalysts during manufacturing and use compared to catalysts manufactured using known techniques. Moreover, the catalysts can be reused in multiple synthesis runs. High turnover, high selectivity, and reusability improve yields and reduce the costs associated with producing 1-hexene from ethylene, while the absence of metal leaching reduces the potential environmental impacts of using toxic metal catalysts (e.g., chromium). | 04-15-2010 |
20100125035 | CARBON NANOSTRUCTURES MANUFACTURED FROM CATALYTIC TEMPLATING NANOPARTICLES - Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include: 1) forming a plurality of catalytic templating particles using a plurality of dispersing agent molecules; 2) forming an intermediate carbon nanostructure by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of the plurality of templating nanoparticles; 3) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructure to form a composite nanostructure; and 4) removing the templating nanoparticles from the composite nanostructure to yield the carbon nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, and high graphitization. Carbon nanostructures according to the invention can be used as a substitute for more expensive and likely more fragile carbon nanotubes. | 05-20-2010 |
20100133481 | POLYMERIC MATERIALS INCORPORATING CARBON NANOSTRUCTURES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - The present invention relates to novel composites that incorporate carbon nanospheres into a polymeric material. The polymeric material can be any polymer or polymerizable material compatible with graphitic materials. The carbon nanospheres are hollow, graphitic nanoparticles. The carbon nanospheres can be manufactured from a carbon precursor using templating catalytic nanoparticles. The unique size, shape, and electrical properties of the carbon nanospheres impart beneficial properties to the composites incorporating these nanomaterials. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135893 | CARBON NANORINGS MANUFACTURED FROM TEMPLATING NANOPARTICLES - Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include 1) forming intermediate carbon nanostructures by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of templating nanoparticles, 2) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructures to form an intermediate composite nanostructure, and 3) removing the templating nanoparticles from the intermediate composite nanostructure to form carbon nanorings. The carbon nanorings manufactured using the foregoing steps have one or more carbon layers forming a wall that defines a generally annular nanostructure having a hole. The length of the nanoring is less than or about equal to the outer diameter thereof. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a fuel cell catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, high graphitization, and facilitate mass transfer and electron transfer in fuel cell reactions. Carbon nanorings manufactured according to the present invention can be used as a substitute for more expensive and likely more fragile carbon nanotubes. | 06-03-2010 |
20100196246 | METHODS FOR MITIGATING AGGLOMERATION OF CARBON NANOSPHERES USING A CRYSTALLIZING DISPERSANT - Novel methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanospheres) that are highly dispersed include forming a precursor composition, polymerizing the precursor composition, and carbonizing the polymerized material (e.g., through pyrolysis) to form the carbon nanostructures. The precursor composition includes catalytic metals and a crystallizing dispersant. The crystallizing dispersant forms a crystalline phase in the polymerized precursor material which facilitates the formation of dispersed carbon nanostructures during the carbonation step. | 08-05-2010 |
20100240900 | DISPERSIBLE CARBON NANOSPHERES AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - The carbon nanomaterials and methods relate to methods for causing carbon nanospheres to be readily dispersible in a material. The carbon nanospheres are rendered dispersible using a cationic surfactant. The surfactant includes one or more cationic group that can bond to the surface of the carbon nanospheres, without detrimentally affecting the unique properties of carbon nanospheres. The dispersible carbon nanospheres can be dried (i.e., solvent is driven off) while maintaining their dispersibility in solvents and other materials. | 09-23-2010 |
20100270239 | ZEOLITE MEMBRANE AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME FOR WATER DESALINATION - A novel zeolite membrane is manufactured using zeolite seeds that are deposited on a support material. The seeds are then further grown in a secondary growth step to form a membrane with inter-grown particles. The pore size of the zeolite membrane is in a range between 3 angstrom and 8 angstrom, which allows water to flow through the membrane at a relatively high flux rate while excluding dissolved ions. The novel zeolite membrane is surprisingly efficient for desalinating sea water using reverse osmosis. The zeolite membrane is capable of high rates of water flux rate and high percentage of ion rejection. | 10-28-2010 |
20110095238 | POLYMERIC MATERIALS INCORPORATING CARBON NANOMATERIALS - The present invention relates to novel composites that incorporate carbon nanospheres into a polymeric material. The polymeric material can be any polymer or polymerizable material compatible with graphitic materials. The carbon nanospheres are hollow, graphitic nanoparticles. The carbon nanospheres can be manufactured from a carbon precursor using templating catalytic nanoparticles. The unique size, shape, and electrical properties of the carbon nanospheres impart beneficial properties to the composites incorporating these nanomaterials. | 04-28-2011 |
20120132591 | METHOD FOR DESALINATING WATER USING ZEOLITE MEMBRANE - A novel zeolite membrane is manufactured using zeolite seeds that are deposited on a support material. The seeds are then further grown in a secondary growth step to form a membrane with inter-grown particles. The pore size of the zeolite membrane is in a range between 3 angstrom and 8 angstrom, which allows water to flow through the membrane at a relatively high flux rate while excluding dissolved ions. The novel zeolite membrane is surprisingly efficient for desalinating sea water using reverse osmosis. The zeolite membrane is capable of high rates of water flux rate and high percentage of ion rejection. | 05-31-2012 |
20130248422 | HIGHLY STABLE HYDROCARBON-SOLUBLE MOLYBDENUM CATALYST PRECURSORS AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - Hydrocarbon-soluble molybdenum catalyst precursors include a plurality of molybdenum cations and a plurality of carboxylate anions having at least 8 carbon atoms. The carboxylate anions are alicyclic, aromatic, or branched, unsaturated and aliphatic, and can derived from carboxylic acids selected from 3-cyclopentylpropionic acid, cyclohexanebutyric acid, biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid, 4-heptylbenzoic acid, 5-phenylvaleric acid, geranic acid, 10-undecenoic acid, dodecanoic acid, and combinations thereof. The molybdenum salts have decomposition temperatures higher than 210° C. The catalyst precursors can form a hydroprocessing molybdenum sulfide catalyst in heavy oil feedstocks. Also disclosed are methods for making catalyst precursors and hydrocracking heavy oil using active catalysts. | 09-26-2013 |