Montana Inventions Illustrated | October 20, 2015

This week's featured invention patented by Montana inventors is within CPC Section H: Electricity.

Pump/generator over-unity apparatus and method
US9166458     

Inventor(s): Gordon Charles Burns, III, Helena

Assignee(s): There were no assignees named on this patent as of the issue date.

Abstract: The pump/generator apparatus and method provides a series of pump/generator devices, having magnets in place of conventional bearings, to generate electrical energy, creating a pump/generator for flowing liquids or gases. Stator coils on the outside of the housing gather electric current. The apparatus requires initial input power from an external power source to start the pumping and provides an initial external reservoir of liquid or gas flowing into the apparatus. A hollow turbine housing receiving flowing gas or liquid, encloses a freely spinning hollow drive cylinder. A helicoidal impeller gives the drive cylinder thrust to spin. Ring magnets vertically support the helicoidal impeller allowing the drive cylinder to float freely in the pipeline. Stator coils wind around and ring the exterior side of the housing to generate electric current.

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This week's featured invention patented by a Montana organization is within CPC Section C: Chemistry & Metallurgy.

Method of oxidation using nitric acid
US9162959     

Inventor(s): Donald E. Kiely, Missoula; Kirk R. Hash, Sr., Drummond

Assignee(s): The University of Montana, Missoula

Abstract: A controlled nitric acid process employing oxygen and nitric acid as co-oxidants is used to oxidize organic compounds subject to nitric acid oxidation, to their corresponding carboxylic acids. Oxidation of some carbohydrates by this process can produce one or more of their corresponding acid forms. The process is carried out at moderate temperatures, typically in the range of 20° C. to 45° C. in a closed reactor, with oxygen gas being introduced into the reaction chamber as needed in order to sustain the reaction. Computer controlled reactors allow for careful and reproducible control of reaction parameters. Nitric acid can be recovered by a distillation/evaporation process, or by diffusion dialysis, the aqueous solution made basic with inorganic hydroxide, and the residual inorganic nitrate removed using a filtration (nanofiltration) device. The method eliminates issues of thermal control of the oxidation, release of nitrogen into the atmosphere, and post-reaction difficulties in the removal of nitric acid and inorganic nitrates.

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