Location History:
- St. Louis, MO (US) (1976)
- Apollo, PA (US) (1998)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1976-1998
Title: Innovations of Thomas G Swansiger
Introduction
Thomas G Swansiger is an accomplished inventor based in Apollo, PA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the development of insulating refractory materials and processes for recovering sodium aluminate.
Latest Patents
Swansiger holds two patents that showcase his innovative work. The first patent is titled "Composition and process for making an insulating refractory material." This invention includes a composition that consists of calcined alumina powder, flash activated alumina powder, an organic polymeric binder, and a liquid vehicle, preferably water. The formulation is designed to produce an insulating refractory material with a density of about 2.4-2.6 g/cm³, which exhibits reduced thermal conductivity compared to tabular alumina. Additionally, it demonstrates good abrasion resistance and crush strength during commercial sintering processes.
The second patent is focused on the "Recovery of sodium aluminate from high-silica aluminous materials." This improved process involves crystallizing sodium aluminate from a digest of caustic and lime with high-silica aluminous materials. The digest solution is concentrated by evaporation and seeded with Na₂Al₂O₄·2.5H₂O crystals to facilitate the crystallization of alumina. The resulting crystals are separated from the mother liquor and washed to remove any residual solution, making them suitable for subsequent Bayer processing steps.
Career Highlights
Swansiger's career is marked by his work at the Aluminum Company of America, where he has applied his expertise in materials science to develop innovative solutions. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the industry, particularly in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of aluminum production processes.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Swansiger has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Alan Pearson and Lawrence Keith Hudson. These partnerships have fostered a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and the sharing of ideas.
Conclusion
Thomas G Swansiger is a notable inventor whose work in materials science has led to significant advancements in the field. His patents reflect a commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the complexities involved in material development.