John R Hellmann

US Patent:

7828998, Nov 9, 2010

Filed:

Jul 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/775671

Inventors:

Walter G. Luscher - Jenison MI, US
John R. Hellmann - State College PA, US
Barry E. Scheetz - Lemont PA, US
Brett A. Wilson - Lafayette LA, US

Assignee:

Carbo Ceramics, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B29C 65/02
B29C 67/20

US Classification:

264 41, 264 42, 264 43, 264 466, 264 49

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method for making a material having a controlled microstructure, the method including providing particles of a ceramic mineral material, the particles having a metal oxide dopant therein. The particles of the ceramic mineral material are consolidated into larger aggregates of a size relevant to the desired application using standard industrial mixing and pelletizing technology. The aggregates are heated under reducing conditions so that at least part of the dopant is reduced to form a transient, metastable liquid phase among the particles. The liquid phase includes at least part of the reduced dopant and promotes sintering of the particles and forms islands of reduced metal within the material and on the surface of the aggregates. Following heating of the aggregates under reducing conditions, the aggregates are heated under oxidizing conditions such that the islands of reduced metal are oxidized and/or go into solid solution within the particles, thereby creating voids within and form a shell thereon the particles.

US Patent:

8193128, Jun 5, 2012

Filed:

Jun 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/801579

Inventors:

John R. Hellmann - State College PA, US
Barry E. Sheetz - Lemont PA, US
Ryan P. Koseski - Bethesda MD, US

Assignee:

The Penn State Research Foundation - University Park PA

International Classification:

C09K 8/60
C03C 15/00
E21B 43/267

US Classification:

507269, 65 301, 65 3013, 65 3014, 1662802, 1663081

Abstract:

The disclosed invention relates to a process of using molten salt ion exchange to treat particles such as spherically shaped soda-lime-silica glass particles. The treated particles may be used as proppants in hydrofractured oil and natural gas wells.

US Patent:

8359886, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Aug 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/534548

Inventors:

Ryan P. Koseski - State College PA, US
John R. Hellmann - State College PA, US
Barry E. Scheetz - Lemont PA, US

Assignee:

The Penn State Research Foundation - University Park PA

International Classification:

C03C 10/10

US Classification:

65 337, 65 331

Abstract:

A process for increasing toughness of glass particulates is provided. The process includes providing an aluminosilicate glass particulate, the glass particulate generally having the form of a sphere, and heating the glass particulate to a temperature greater than 600 C. for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the glass particulate can be cooled to ambient temperature and the heating step can alter the failure mechanism of the glass particulate from a high energy failure that produces generally fine powder to a lower energy failure that produces generally large fragments. The glass particulate can be an amorphous glass particulate and may or may not have a nominal composition that corresponds to rhyolite, basalt, tholeiite, olivine and/or andesite.

US Patent:

20090118145, May 7, 2009

Filed:

Oct 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/253681

Inventors:

Brett Allen Wilson - Lafayette LA, US
Walter G. Luscher - Kennewick WA, US
John R. Hellmann - State College PA, US
Barry E. Scheetz - Lemont PA, US

Assignee:

CARBO CERAMICS INC. - Irving TX
The Penn State Research Foundation - University Park PA

International Classification:

C09K 8/80

US Classification:

507276

Abstract:

A method for producing sintered pellets and sintered pellets produced therefrom including mixing a dopant with water and kaolin clay to form substantially round and spherical green pellets and sintering the pellets to form a proppant. The dopant is selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, mica, kalsilite, and combinations thereof.

US Patent:

20130125586, May 23, 2013

Filed:

Jan 17, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/743488

Inventors:

THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION - University Park PA, US
John R. Hellmann - State College PA, US
Barry E. Scheetz - Lemont PA, US

Assignee:

THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION - University Park PA

International Classification:

C03C 1/00

US Classification:

65 213

Abstract:

A process for producing proppants from waste mineralogical material. The process can include providing the waste mineralogical material in a form such as particles, fines, dust, powders, and the like, and forming a plurality of “green” pellets from the waste mineralogical material. Thereafter, the plurality of green pellets are fed into a provided flame drop tower that has a combustion flame, a hot zone, and a collection basin located downstream from the hot zone. The plurality of green pellets pass through the hot zone, are melted and subsequently solidified in the shape of a sphere downstream from the hot zone to form vitrified glass spheres. In some instances, the vitrified glass spheres are subjected to a devitrification step.

US Patent:

52208249, Jun 22, 1993

Filed:

Aug 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/748174

Inventors:

David L. Shelleman - State College PA
Darryl P. Butt - Los Alamos NM
John R. Hellmann - State College PA
Richard E. Tressler - Boalsburg PA
John J. Mecholsky - Gainesville FL

Assignee:

The Pennsylvania Research Corporation - University Park PA

International Classification:

G01M 300

US Classification:

73 495

Abstract:

A testing apparatus is described that enables both single and double-ended tubular members to be tested under pressure and at elevated temperatures. For double-ended tubular members, the apparatus comprises first and second pressure seals at either end of the tubular member under test, both seals including annular compliant members that bear upon the internal surface of the tubular member. A heater is positioned within the tubular member and one of the pressure seals has an orifice through which the heater is connected to a power source. Pressurization occurs through an orifice in the other pressure seal and cooling apparatus surrounds the first and second ends of the tubular member to cool the pressure seals, thereby enabling the annular compliant members to retain their compliancy when the tubular member is heated to test temperature. For single-ended tubular members, a single pressure seal is used having pathways for both electrical and pressurization connections to the interior of the tubular member.