Cesar N Torres

US Patent:

20080217242, Sep 11, 2008

Filed:

May 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/121036

Inventors:

Bruce E. Rittmann - Tempe AZ, US
Cesar Torres - Chicago IL, US
Jennifer Cowman - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

C02F 3/30

US Classification:

210630

Abstract:

A method and related apparatus for oxidation and reduction of a reduced aqueous nitrogen contaminant.

US Patent:

20110143224, Jun 16, 2011

Filed:

Jun 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/999903

Inventors:

Bruce E. Rittmann - Tempe AZ, US
Cesar I. Torres - Tempe AZ, US
Hyung-Sool Lee - Waterloo, CA

International Classification:

H01M 8/16
H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429401, 429428

Abstract:

The present invention relates generally to a process that helps alleviate the pH gradient between anode and cathode compartments in any biological fuel cell or electrolytic cell configuration in which a pH gradient between anode and cathode is limiting the voltage efficiency. By providing acid to the cathode compartment in the form of CO, the pH gradient is reduced and voltage efficiency and power output are increased. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide produced in the anode chamber is recycled to the cathode chamber.

US Patent:

20120082869, Apr 5, 2012

Filed:

Apr 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/259523

Inventors:

Bruce E. Rittmann - Tempe AZ, US
Hyung-sool Lee - Waterloo, CA
Cesar I. Torres - Tempe AZ, US

Assignee:

Arizona Board of Regents - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

H01M 8/16
C25B 1/02

US Classification:

429 2

Abstract:

System and methods for efficiently capturing hydrogen gas from a microbial electrolytic cell. Certain aspects of the invention describe microbial electrolytic cells in which the cathode is located above the anode and proximal to a fluid level and a gas headspace in the single-chamber microbial electrolytic cell. In other aspects, the invention relates to improved and high volumetric production rate of hydrogen gas effected by increasing the geometric surface area of the electrodes. Combinations of these aspects also are contemplated.

US Patent:

20130115684, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Mar 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/583322

Inventors:

Bruce E. Rittmann - Tempe AZ, US
Hyung-Sool Lee - Waterloo, CA
Cesar I. Torres - Tempe AZ, US
Anca G. Delgado - Phoenix AZ, US
Rolf U. Halden - Phoenix AZ, US
Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown - Chandler AZ, US

International Classification:

C25B 1/02

US Classification:

4352625, 4352831

Abstract:

Methods and systems for dehalogenating organohalides are disclosed. In one respect, the systems can generate hydrogen in an electrolysis cell and supply the hydrogen to anaerobic dehalogenating bacteria to decontaminate organohalides at a contamination site.

US Patent:

20130256149, Oct 3, 2013

Filed:

Mar 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/839154

Inventors:

Prathap Parameswaran - Tempe AZ, US
Cesar Torres - Tempe AZ, US
Bruce Rittmann - Tempe AZ, US

Assignee:

Arizona Science and Technology Enterprises LLC - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

C02F 3/00
C25B 1/10

US Classification:

205347, 204260, 204253, 205637, 205351, 205638, 205510

Abstract:

A microbial electrolysis cell having a brush anode is described. A method of producing products, such as hydrogen, at the cathode of the microbial electrolysis cell is also provided. The microbial electrolysis cell is configured in a cylindrical shape having an anode, cathode and anion exchange membrane all disposed concentrically. A brush anode spirally wound around the outside of the cylindrical microbial electrolysis cell is described. The method may include sparging the anode and/or cathode with air in some cases. In addition, CO-containing gas may be injected into a cathode chamber to reduce pH is some cases.

US Patent:

20050269263, Dec 8, 2005

Filed:

May 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/129133

Inventors:

Bruce Rittmann - Tempe AZ, US
Cesar Torres - Chicago IL, US
Jennifer Cowman - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

C02F003/30

US Classification:

210630000, 210903000

Abstract:

A method and related apparatus for oxidation and reduction of a reduced aqueous nitrogen contaminant.

US Patent:

20200048596, Feb 13, 2020

Filed:

Oct 7, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/594944

Inventors:

- Scottsdale AZ, US
Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown - Chandler AZ, US
Sudeep Popat - Chandler AZ, US
Bruce Rittmann - Tempe AZ, US
Cesar Torres - Tempe AZ, US

International Classification:

C12M 1/12
C02F 1/66
C02F 1/02
B01D 3/10
B01D 63/04
C02F 3/34
C02F 3/20
C02F 3/10
B01D 61/18

Abstract:

The present disclosure is directed toward membrane biofilm reactors primarily comprising microorganisms that produce chemical fuel products or precursors thereof. Reactors of the present disclosure can primarily comprise acetogens, a methanotrophs, and/or

US Patent:

20190376018, Dec 12, 2019

Filed:

Aug 13, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/539961

Inventors:

- Scottsdale AZ, US
Petra Fromme - Mesa AZ, US
Willem Vermaas - Tempe AZ, US
Bruce Rittman - Tempe AZ, US
Cesar Torres - Tempe AZ, US
Thomas Moore - Scottsdale AZ, US
Ana Moore - Scottsdale AZ, US

International Classification:

C12M 1/42
C12N 13/00
C12M 1/00
C12N 1/12

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for growing photosynthetic organisms lacking Photosystem II (PSII) function using externally supplied electrons shuttled into the organism using redox mediators to improve photosynthetic output and to produce and recover chemicals of interest. By removing PSII, all PAR photons are funneled toward Photosystem I, thereby significantly increasing the theoretical photon utilization efficiency for COfixation, energy storage and the capacity to synthesize valuable chemicals. Additional genetic modification can be performed to insert or enhance specific metabolic pathways to generate products of commercial interest.