Patent Number(s), Dates Issued, Patent Holder's Name

• Patent 6,574,971: This invention is a method for producing phase change material (PCM) chemicals containing fatty acids or fatty-acid derivatives. These derivatives (1) are renewable, being produced by biomass or livestock such as cattle, (2) can be manufactured at low to moderate prices, and (3) can be manufactured in a variety of ways to produce PCM chemicals effective at several temperatures of interest in climate control and food maintenance. Unlike paraffin PCM chemicals that are largely limited to fractions available in either crude oil or irreversible chemical synthesis processes, the ester bond chemistry of triglycerides (fats and oils) is reversible allowing repeated reaction until the desired PCM chemicals combinations are synthesized and isolated. This method in a process based on contacting of reactants, reversible ester bond chemistry, separation of fractions with the desired latent heat properties, and recycle of those fractions that do not have the desired latent heat properties.
• Provisional Dates: Provisional patent application dates - July 3, 2000, September 22, 2000, January 19, 2001 and March 28, 2001.
• Filed: September 5, 2001
• Inventor: Dr. Galen J. Suppes
• Assignee: None
• Commercial Name: N/A

• Patent 6,056,973: This invention is a composition of matter useful as a compression-ignition fuel. The composition has from about 30 to about 95 mass % of a light synthetic crude or syncrude, preferably from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis or related processes, and from about 5 to about 70 mass % of a blending stock that improves one or more desirable fuel property(s) including but not limited to pour point temperature, viscosity and emissions generated during combustion in a diesel engine. The blend stock preferably has an average molecular weight less than the average molecular weight of the light syncrude. Preferred blending stocks include hydrocarbons and oxygenates, such as alcohols, and ethers, having average molecular weights less than 200, preferably less than 160. The composition may optionally also contain pour point depressants, cetane improvers, carbon-containing compounds which react with water, and/or emulsifiers.
• Filed: October 26, 1998
• Inventor: Dr. Galen J. Suppes
• Assignee: University of Kansas Center for Research
• Commercial Name: N/A

• Patent 5,468,839: A method of preparing a hydroxy-functional polyether comprising contacting (a) a hydroxy-functional polyether containing less than or equal to about 200 ppm of a Group IA or Group IIA metal ion, and (b) an acid. Preferably the contact is carried out under reaction conditions such that a salt, which is not suitable to significantly promote trimerization reactions if the hydroxy-functional polyether is reacted with an isocyanate compound, is formed. The amount of acid is sufficient to essentially neutralize residual basic catalyst without requiring additional solids removal steps prior to use of the hydroxy-functional polyether in various applications, such as production of polyurethanes and related products, in which enhanced trimerization may not be desirable. Additional acid may also be added to convert propenyl ether units present in the polyether's backbone to propionaldehyde and the corresponding diol.
• Filed: June 22, 1993
• Inventor: Dr. Galen J. Suppes, Dr. Hans R. Friedli
• Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
• Commercial Name: N/A

• Patent 5,398,497: A method for burning slurry, liquid, or gaseous fuels at elevated pressures allows lower quality fuels to yield more energy and higher quality energy due to increased dew point temperatures in flue gases and high temperature heat exchange. The combination of elevated pressures and oxygen rich oxidant allows increased waste heat recovery, higher quality heat recovery, and substantially reduced air pollution. Turbochargers operated by flue gas and pressurized air, force the oxygen into the combustion chamber at increased pressures. Oxygen permeable membranes lower levels of nitrogen and reduce pollution by enhancing the stripping of pollutants from the flue gas and by the absolute reduction of flue gas exhaust. Latent heat recovery and water dilution of combustion mixtures are important aspects of the embodiments of this invention; both are enhanced by the vaporization of influent liquids while contacting influent gasses. High temperature heat exchange is facilitated by direct contact heat exchange means. Substantially reduced pollution levels allow operation in residential and downtown areas where cogenerated heat and coolant can be utilized. This method is particularly useful for converting garbage or sewage into electricity and for increased biomass combustion efficiency; however, advantages of this method can also be realized for most conventional fuels.
• Filed: May 7, 1993
• Inventor: Dr. Galen J. Suppes
• Assignee: None
• Commercial Name: N/A

Patent Applications

Suppes also has numerous current and abandoned patent applications, only some of which have been supported by the University of Missouri, although all have been assigned to it. Some were financed by the Mid-America Research and Development Foundation under a contract with the University of Missouri, less than half by the University and a fourth by Suppes himself, without benefit of reimbursement from the school.