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Title: Confinement in Porous Material by Driving Out Water and Substituting Sealent
Creator: Bridges, Jack E.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1990-02-13
Description: To provide confinement in a porous medium in the earth, a limited region of the porous medium is heated to drive substantially all of the free...
Show moreTo provide confinement in a porous medium in the earth, a limited region of the porous medium is heated to drive substantially all of the free water from open spaces of the medium in the region. After heating, liquid material is introduced into the open spaces in the medium, which liquid material will set into a substantially solid structure. The liquid material is then set in the open spaces to form a substantially solid structure in the medium in the region.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Apparatus and Method for In Situ Controlled Heat Processing of Hydrocarbonaceous Formations with a Controlled Parameter Line
Creator: Bridges, Jack E.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1985-02-12
Description: A system and method provide for preferential in situ heating of earth formations. A plurality of elongated conductive electrodes are emplaced...
Show moreA system and method provide for preferential in situ heating of earth formations. A plurality of elongated conductive electrodes are emplaced in earth formations in respective spaced rows bounding a particular volume of the earth formations and forming a transmission line, preferably a triplate line, extending in the direction of the electrodes with the particular volume of the earth formations providing a dielectric medium between respective rows of electrodes. Electromagnetic energy is supplied to the transmission line at a frequency at which the spacing between respective rows is less than about twice the skin depth at the frequency of the applied energy. Reactance means are disposed along respective electrodes to provide predetermined effective transmission line characteristics to develop a predetermined heating pattern in the earth formations. The reactance means may be reactances disposed discretely between sections of respective electrodes. The reactance means may also be disposed between respective electrodes and the earth formation, as by a dielectric coating. A heating pattern may be developed to heat hydrocarbon rich deposits preferentially.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Optimum Antenna-Like Exciters for Heating Earth Media to Recover Thermally Responsive Constituents
Creator: Bridges, Jack E.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1994-03-15
Description: Optimum antenna-like exciters for heating earth media which may be used to recover hydrocarbons. A high frequency power supply is connected to...
Show moreOptimum antenna-like exciters for heating earth media which may be used to recover hydrocarbons. A high frequency power supply is connected to an exciter emplaced in the subsurface formation which radiates high frequency power. The exciters include one or more conducting cylinders which make up monopole and dipole antenna-like apparatus. Substantially uniform heating of the subsurface formation is provided thus suppressing excessive heating of edge and power input regions. The equal distribution of electric fields eliminates intense electric fields which would normally exist thus mitigating excessively heated regions and providing substantially uniform heating of the subsurface formation.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Energy-Efficient Electromagnetic Elimination of Noxious Biological Organisms
Creator: Bridges, Jack E.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1994-07-05
Description: An energy-efficient method for killing noxious biological organisms (bacteria, insects, etc.) in contaminated materials ranging from liquid,...
Show moreAn energy-efficient method for killing noxious biological organisms (bacteria, insects, etc.) in contaminated materials ranging from liquid, semi-liquid, and solid foods pharmaceuticals and hospital wastes comprises passing the contaminated material through an exposure chamber; screening, comminution, addition of fluid or foam, limited heating, or other pretreatment steps may be required. As it flows through the exposure chamber the contaminated material is subjected to a nonuniform, high-intensity electric field; in that chamber, excessive current flows, including arcing and current "streamers", are suppressed by limiting the current density. The amplitude of the applied current density and the electric field in the exposure chamber are controlled, in accordance with the conductivity and/or dielectric constant of the contaminated material, so that the electric field intensity is of the order of 3,000 volts/centimeter or more.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Method and Apparatus for Mitigation of Radio Frequency Electric Field Peaking in Controlled Heat Processing of Hydrocarbonaceous Formations In Situ
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Taflove, Allen
Date: 2009-05-08, 1984-10-16
Description: The effects of radio frequency electric field peaking in the earth formations surrounding a conductor excited by radio frequency energy in the...
Show moreThe effects of radio frequency electric field peaking in the earth formations surrounding a conductor excited by radio frequency energy in the controlled in situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous earth formations are mitigated by providing an inert buffer region around the conductor to which radio frequency electromagnetic energy is supplied to produce an electric field within the earth formations. A portion of the earth formations is removed to accommodate insertion of the conductor at a desired location in the earth formations and to provide a buffer region between the conductor and the surrounding earth formations. The conductor is supported at the desired location in spaced relationship to the surrounding earth formations, the buffer region encompassing the principal region of the electric field enhancement region around the conductor where the probability of breakdown in the earth formations over the period of application of the radio frequency energy would be above a tolerable level. The buffer region is filled with dielectric material having an electric field breakdown level greater than that of the surrounding earth formation medium such that the probability of breakdown in the buffer region over the period of application of the radio frequency energy is tolerable. Preferably the filler medium has a power dissipation characteristic less than that of the surrounding earth formations.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Apparatus and Method for In Situ Controlled Heat Processing of Hydrocarbonaceous Formations
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Taflove, Allen
Date: 2009-05-08, 1984-05-22
Description: A system and method for the controlled in situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous earth formations involves the application of...
Show moreA system and method for the controlled in situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous earth formations involves the application of electromagnetic energy at a selected frequency or at selected frequencies to a waveguide structure formed by electrodes bounding a particular volume of hydrocarbonaceous material. Terminating one end of the structure with different impedances at different times produces electric field standing waves of different respective phase at that end at a selected frequency. Two standing waves substantially 90.degree. out of phase in formations having relatively uniform dielectric properties result in substantially uniform application of heating power if the product of the amplitude-squared of the electric field standing wave and dwell time is substantially the same in each of the two modes. Feeding the line at both ends provides partial offset for attenuation. Various desired controlled heating patterns other than uniform may be effected by utilizing different dwell times or applied fields. Different frequencies provide further flexibility, particularly where the line is terminated differently at the respective frequencies. Energy at the different frequencies may be applied simultaneously.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Conduction Heating of Hydrocarbonaceous Formations
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Taflove, Allen
Date: 2009-05-08, 1985-10-08
Description: A waveguide structure is emplanted in the earth to bound a particular volume of an earth formation with a waveguide structure formed of...
Show moreA waveguide structure is emplanted in the earth to bound a particular volume of an earth formation with a waveguide structure formed of respective rows of discrete elongated electrodes wherein the spacing between rows is greater than the distance between electrodes in a respective row and in the case of vertical electrodes substantially less than the thickness of the hydrocarbonaceous earth formation. Electrical power at no more than a relatively low frequency is applied between respective rows of the electrodes to deliver power to the formation while producing relatively uniform heating thereof and limiting the relative loss of heat to adjacent barren regions to less than a tolerable amount. At the same time the temperature of the electrodes is controlled near the vaporization point of water thereat to maintain an electrically conductive path between the electrodes and the formation.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Apparatus for Electrode Heating of Earth for Recovery of Subsurface Volatiles and Semi-Volatiles
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Sresty, Guggilam C.
Date: 2009-05-11, 1997-04-15
Description: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for confining ohmic heating currents to a subsurface formation in the use of in situ ohmic...
Show moreImproved methods and apparatus are disclosed for confining ohmic heating currents to a subsurface formation in the use of in situ ohmic heating for recovery of volatile and semi-volatile materials, such as hazardous waste, hydrocarbon-like materials, and valuable minerals having thermally responsive properties. Spacing between emplaced electrodes and the number of electrodes employed are controlled to cause coupling between electrodes for more uniform and higher temperature heating. Electrode designs are disclosed which suppress spurious earth currents which would heat other formations not of interest. Suppression of electrode end currents is accomplished by the use of distinct rings of insulation, control of the applied potential along the electrode, and injection or withdrawal of fluids at distinct locations along the electrode.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Method for Treating Radioactive Waste
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Sresty, Guggilam C.
Date: 2009-05-11, 1998-11-10
Description: Ion exchange resins contaminated with a radioactive component are treated by exposing the contaminated ion exchange resins to a bound radio...
Show moreIon exchange resins contaminated with a radioactive component are treated by exposing the contaminated ion exchange resins to a bound radio frequency electric field for uniformly heating them to drive off water. The dried ion exchange resins are then uniformly heated by a transversely uniform bound radio frequency electric field to a second higher temperature which chemically inactivates the functional groups of the ion exchange resins to destroy their hydrophilic property and convert them to a stabilized product for long-term safe storage.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Method and Apparatus for Detecting Damage in Turbine Blades by their Magnetic Characteristics
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Hegner, Henry R.
Date: 4/24/2009, 1970-12-01
Description: Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent

Title: Method and Apparatus to Confine Earth Currents for Recovery of Subsurface Volatiles and Semi-Volatiles
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Sresty, Guggilam C.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1995-05-30
Description: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for confining ohmic heating currents to a subsurface formation in the use of in situ ohmic...
Show moreImproved methods and apparatus are disclosed for confining ohmic heating currents to a subsurface formation in the use of in situ ohmic heating for recovery of volatile and semi-volatile materials, such as hazardous waste, hydrocarbon-like materials, and valuable minerals having thermally responsive properties. Spacing between emplaced electrodes and the number of electrodes employed are controlled to cause coupling between electrodes for more uniform and higher temperature heating. Electrode designs are disclosed which suppress spurious earth currents which would heat other formations not of interest. Suppression of electrode end currents is accomplished by the use of distinct rings of insulation, control of the applied potential along the electrode, and injection or withdrawal of fluids at distinct locations along the electrode.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: System for Detecting Twist and Bend in Turbine Blades
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Hehn, Anton N., Schwab, Ronald R.
Date: 4/24/2009, 1970-03-24
Description: Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent

Title: Ionic Contact Media for Electrodes and Soil in Conduction Heating
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Sresty, Guggilam C., Dev, Harsh, Jambor, Richard
Date: 2009-05-11, 1996-12-17
Description: Ionic contact is established and maintained between electrodes and soil in ohmic heating of a subsurface formation for recovery of volatile...
Show moreIonic contact is established and maintained between electrodes and soil in ohmic heating of a subsurface formation for recovery of volatile and semi-volatile materials, such as hazardous waste, hydrocarbon-like materials, and valuable minerals having thermally responsive properties. A compressed, dry sponge is wrapped around an electrode, which is then inserted into a bore hole. A conductive liquid is added to the bore hole, causing the sponge to swell, creating a stable and substantial interface for the flow of heating currents.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Recovery of Liquid Hydrocarbons from Oil Shale by Electromagnetic Heating In Situ
Creator: Sresty, Guggilam C., Snow, Richard H., Bridges, Jack E.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1984-12-04
Description: A method of electromagnetic heating in situ recovers liquid hydrocarbons from an oil shale formation containing kerogen in an inorganic matrix...
Show moreA method of electromagnetic heating in situ recovers liquid hydrocarbons from an oil shale formation containing kerogen in an inorganic matrix where the formation is substantially impermeable to fluids under native conditions. A block of the oil shale formation is substantially uniformly heated in situ with electromagnetic power to a temperature of about 275.degree. C. where there is pyrolysis of a portion of the kerogen to gas and shale oil at a pressure sufficient to overcome the capillary pressure of the shale oil in the matrix, thereby providing substantial fluid permeability to the formation. The gas thereupon escaping from said block and the shale oil driven thereby are recovered, thereby further increasing the permeability of the formation. The magnitude of the electromagnetic power is controlled to raise the temperature of the block relatively slowly to increase the rate of pyrolysis of the kerogen as the permeability of the formation increases to produce gas at pressures above the necessary to overcome the capillary pressure and below that at which there is substantial escape of the gas bypassing shale oil within the formation rather than driving the oil before it.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: In Situ Decontamination of Spills and Landiflls by Radio Frequency Heating
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Dev, Harsh, Snow, Richard H., Taflove, Allen
Date: 2009-05-08, 1987-06-02
Description: A water-containing region at or near the surface of the earth, such as a landfill, that is contaminated with hazardous materials is...
Show moreA water-containing region at or near the surface of the earth, such as a landfill, that is contaminated with hazardous materials is decontaminated by heating the region with bound radio frequency energy from a bound-wave transmission line excitor array disposed outside the region to a temperature to boil water and thereby increase the permeability of the region. The heating is continued by dielectric heating after water has boiled from at least a portion of the region to heat the portion to elevated temperatures substantially above the boiling point of water. The materials may then be rendered innocuous in situ in a number of ways, as by pyrolysis, thermally assisted decomposition, or reaction with an introduced reagent, such as oxygen. The materials may also be driven from the region, as by distillation or by evaporation and steam drive and then collected and disposed of, as by incineration.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Method and Apparatus for In Situ Decontamination of a Site Contaminated with a Volatile Material
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Sresty, Guggilam C., Dev, Harsh
Date: 2009-05-11, 1997-09-09
Description: A method for removing a contaminant from a treatment region of a contaminated region of a site in the earth having water therein and being...
Show moreA method for removing a contaminant from a treatment region of a contaminated region of a site in the earth having water therein and being contaminated with the contaminant includes heating the earth by establishing an electric field through the treatment region. The electric field gives rise to an electric conduction or displacement current through the treatment region. The electric current electrically heats at least a portion of the treatment region to a temperature below the boiling point of water to evaporate the water. A vacuum is drawn in a nether region of the site to collect water vapor evolved from the water and contaminant vapor evolved from the contaminant by movement of air from the surface of the earth, while the water vapor strips the contaminant from the earth. The contaminant vapor is disposed of in an innocuous manner.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Single Well Stimulation for the Recovery of Liquid Hydrocarbons from Subsurface Formations
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Taflove, Allen, Sresty, Guggilam C.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1985-06-25
Description: Water is vaporized in an annular upper region of a subsurface formation into which borehole extends from the surface. This creates a...
Show moreWater is vaporized in an annular upper region of a subsurface formation into which borehole extends from the surface. This creates a substantially nonconducting dielectric in such region extending outwardly from the borehole. Such vaporization is preferably achieved by the application of electrical power to an electrode disposed in the borehole. Liquid is produced through the borehole from a lower region of the formation to cool the lower region near the borehole and maintain an electrically conductive path between the formation and the electrode in such lower region through which electrical power is applied to the formation.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Method and Apparatus for Treating Hazardous Waste or Other Hydrocarbonaceous Material
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Sresty, Guggilam C., Taflove, Allen
Date: 2009-05-11, 1996-01-30
Description: Methods and apparatus for treating waste with radio frequency include a wall defining a radio frequency treatment chamber through which waste...
Show moreMethods and apparatus for treating waste with radio frequency include a wall defining a radio frequency treatment chamber through which waste may be passed. A source of radio frequency energy energizes the radio frequency treatment chamber to heat the waste and drive off vapors therefrom leaving solid residue to be disposed of. A guard heater and/or insulation maintains the wall at substantially the same temperature as the waste being heated by the radio frequency to prevent vapors from condensing on the waste.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Electro-Osmotic Production of Hydrocarbons Utilizing Conduction Heating of Hydrocarbonaceous Formations
Creator: Bridges, Jack E., Taflove, Allen, Sresty, Guggilam C.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1987-02-24
Description: An electro-osmotic method for the production of hydrocarbons utilizes in situ heating of earth formations having substantial electrical...
Show moreAn electro-osmotic method for the production of hydrocarbons utilizes in situ heating of earth formations having substantial electrical conductivity. A particular volume of an earth formation is bounded with a waveguide structure formed of respective rows of discrete elongated electrodes in a dense array wherein the active electrode area and the row separation are chosen in reference to the deposit thickness to avoid heating barren layers. Electrical power is applied at no more than a relatively low frequency between respective rows of electrodes to deliver power to the formation while producing relatively uniform heating thereof and limiting the relative loss of heat to adjacent regions to less than a predetermined amount. At the same time the temperature of the electrodes is controlled near the vaporization point of water to maintain an electrically conductive path between the electrodes and the formation. A heat sink is provided by supplying aqueous liquid electrolyte to space between the electrodes and the adjacent formation, thereby maintaining the temperature thereat no greater than about the boiling point of water and maintaining a conductive path between said formation. A d.c. polarized potential is applied to enhance flow of reservoir fluid into a preselected row of electrodes, and collected reservoir fluids are removed from the electrodes in the preselected row.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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Title: Method for Recovery of Viscous Hydrocarbons by Electromagnetic Heating In Situ
Creator: Sresty, Guggilam C., Dev, Harsh, Snow, Richard H., Bridges, Jack E.
Date: 2009-05-08, 1984-12-04
Description: A method of electromagnetic heating in situ recovers liquid hydrocarbons from an earth formation containing viscous hydrocarbonaceous liquid...
Show moreA method of electromagnetic heating in situ recovers liquid hydrocarbons from an earth formation containing viscous hydrocarbonaceous liquid and water in an inorganic matrix where the formation is substantially impermeable to fluids under native conditions. A block of the earth formation is substantially uniformly heated with electromagnetic power to a temperature at which the viscous hydrocarbonaceous liquid is relatively fluid and a portion of the water vaporizes to water vapor at a pressure sufficient to overcome the capillary pressure of the liquid in the matrix. Water vapor thereupon escaping from the block under such pressure is recovered with hydrocarbonaceous liquid driven thereby. The magnitude of the electromagnetic power is controlled to limit the current recovery ratio of water vapor to hydrocarbonaceous liquid below a predetermined limit assuring substantial recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous liquid prior to the driving off of substantially all the water.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent
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