Ceramatec, Inc.

Field Upgrading Limited

Field Upgrading Usa, Inc.

Enlighten Innovations Inc.

Javier Alvare

John Howard Gordon

Jeff Killpack

Dennis Larsen

A rechargeable galvanic cell that has a negative electrode material made of a molten alkali metal (such as sodium or lithium). The galvanic cell also includes a positive electrode active material that may be sulfur or iodine. The positive electrode active material may be used in conjunction with a polar solvent. An ion-conductive separator is disposed between the polar solvent and the negative electrode material. The positive electrode active material has a specific gravity that is greater than the specific gravity of the polar solvent. Thus, the positive electrode active material is proximate the bottom of the positive electrode compartment while the polar solvent is above the positive electrode active material. The cell is designed to be operated at temperatures above the melting point of the alkali metal, but at temperatures that are lower than about 250&#xb0; C.

Moderate temperature sodium battery

A process to facilitate gravimetric separation of alkali metal salts, such as alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides, from alkali metal reacted hydrocarbons. The disclosed process is part of a method of upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock by removing heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals from the hydrocarbon feedstock composition. This method reacts the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and an upgradant hydrocarbon. The alkali metal reacts with a portion of the heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals to form an inorganic phase containing alkali metal salts and reduced heavy metals, and an upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock. The inorganic phase may be gravimetrically separated from the upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock after mixing at a temperature between about 350&#xb0; C. to 400&#xb0; C. for a time period between about 15 minutes and 2 hours.

Process to separate alkali metal salts from alkali metal reacted hydrocarbons

Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte solution and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.

Process for recovering alkali metals and sulfur from alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides

A reactor has two chambers, namely an oil feedstock chamber and a source chamber. An ion separator separates the oil feedstock chamber from the source chamber, wherein the ion separator allows alkali metal ions to pass from the source chamber, through the ion separator, and into the oil feedstock chamber. A cathode is at least partially housed within the oil feedstock chamber and an anode is at least partially housed within the source chamber. A quantity of an oil feedstock is within the oil feedstock chamber, the oil feedstock comprising at least one carbon atom and a heteroatom and/or one or more heavy metals, the oil feedstock further comprising naphthenic acid. When the alkali metal ion enters the oil feedstock chamber, the alkali metal reacts with the heteroatom, the heavy metals and/or the naphthenic acid, wherein the reaction with the alkali metal forms inorganic products.

Device and method for upgrading petroleum feedstocks and petroleum refinery streams using an alkali metal conductive membrane

A process for upgrading an oil feedstock includes reacting the oil feedstock with a quantity of an alkali metal, wherein the reaction produces solid materials and liquid materials. The solid materials are separated from the liquid materials. The solid materials may be washed and heat treated by heating the materials to a temperature above 400&#xb0; C. The heat treating occurs in an atmosphere that has low oxygen and water content. Once heat treated, the solid materials are added to a solution comprising a polar solvent, where sulfide, hydrogen sulfide or polysulfide anions dissolve. The solution comprising polar solvent is then added to an electrolytic cell, which during operation, produces alkali metal and sulfur.

Growing community of inventors

Cottonwood Heights, UT, United States of America

Javier Alvare