The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 02, 2005
Filed:
Aug. 21, 2003
Konstantinos P. Giapis, Pasadena, CA (US);
R. Mohan Sankaran, Pasadena, CA (US);
Sean Mchugh, San Antonio, TX (US);
Konstantinos P. Giapis, Pasadena, CA (US);
R. Mohan Sankaran, Pasadena, CA (US);
Sean McHugh, San Antonio, TX (US);
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for converting methane to methanol by partial oxidation comprises a source of methane, a source of oxygen, and a capillary tube having an outflow end and an inflow end communicating with the sources of methane and oxygen. An anode is positioned proximate to but spaced from the capillary tube. A voltage source negatively biases the capillary tube relative to the anode. A plasma jet flows from the outflow end of the capillary tube. The methane partially oxidizes into methanol in a reaction zone in the plasma jet. A collector receives the methanol in the plasma jet for subsequent condensation, separation and purification.