Michael Lee Cloud

US Patent:

7588634, Sep 15, 2009

Filed:

Sep 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/533604

Inventors:

Michael R. Lynn - Arlington Heights IL, US
W. David Song - Gurnee IL, US
Qingxia Liu - Vernon Hills IL, US
Qiang Yu - Grayslake IL, US
Michael L. Cloud - Canton OK, US

Assignee:

United States Gypsum Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C04B 11/00

US Classification:

106772, 423555

Abstract:

A process is disclosed for making a blend of alpha- and beta-stucco including a slurry calcination step to produce alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate followed by a fluidized bed calcination step to produce beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The process starts with 50-75% gypsum-containing solids slurry, and then steam calcines the slurry in a first reactor to form partially calcined gypsum slurry which contains calcium sulfate dihydrate and alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The partially calcined slurry is then dewatered. Then the filter cake is fed into a kettle to complete the calcination process by converting the calcium sulfate dihydrate of the filter cake material into beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate.

US Patent:

8343273, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Mar 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/435781

Inventors:

Dennis M. Lettkeman - Watonga OK, US
Michael L. Cloud - Canton OK, US
John W. Wilson - Fairview OK, US

Assignee:

United States Gypsum Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C04B 11/00

US Classification:

106778, 4273722, 427384

Abstract:

A method for preparing a modified beta-stucco from calcined natural rock gypsum that includes preparing a solution of liquid diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid in water, applying the solution onto beta-stucco while hot from the calciner, forming a wetted beta-stucco, and allowing the wetted stucco to dry and heal, forming the modified beta-stucco.

US Patent:

57439540, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

Feb 2, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/382612

Inventors:

George E. Rowland - Naperville IL
Michael L. Cloud - Canton OK
Daniel J. Milligan - Watonga OK

Assignee:

United States Gypsum Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C04B 1100

US Classification:

106783

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is disclosed for the continuous calcining of gypsum material in a high-efficiency, refractoryless kettle preferably heated by a multiple series of separate immersion tube burner coils, each coil operating within a specific calcining zone inside the kettle. The lowest, i. e. , initial, burner tube coil is formed with a low profile to permit use of a small initial gypsum charge, and hence, a quick kettle start-up cycle. That low profile initial burner design also helps keep the agitator motor's load at a minimum during cycle start-up. Due to the immersion tube burner coil construction, no refractory structure for the kettle is required. Also, no separate hot pit structure is required, as the kettle is used to merely hold the material being calcined and no residual heat is present. A relatively thin kettle can be constructed, as it need only withstand relatively low operating temperatures. The kettle's staged, interiorly-disposed burner tube coils act to directly transfer burner tube heat to the kettle's contents, and the coils exhaust exteriorly of the kettle.

US Patent:

59279680, Jul 27, 1999

Filed:

Dec 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/997205

Inventors:

George E. Rowland - Naperville IL
Michael L. Cloud - Canton OK
Daniel J. Milligan - Watonga OK

Assignee:

United States Gypsum Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F27B 514

US Classification:

432102

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is disclosed for the continuous calcining of gypsum material in a high-efficiency, refractoryless kettle preferably heated by a multiple series of separate immersion tube burner coils, each coil operating within a specific calcining zone inside the kettle. The lowest, i. e. , initial, burner tube coil is formed with a low profile to permit use of a small initial gypsum charge, and hence, a quick kettle start-up cycle. That low profile initial burner design also helps keep the agitator motor's load at a minimum during cycle start-up. Due to the immersion tube burner coil construction, no refractory structure for the kettle is required. Also, no separate hot pit structure is required, as the kettle is used to merely hold the material being calcined and no residual heat is present. A relatively thin kettle can be constructed, as it need only withstand relatively low operating temperatures. The kettle's staged, interiorly-disposed burner tube coils act to directly transfer burner tube heat to the kettle's contents, and the coils exhaust exteriorly of the kettle.

US Patent:

57437289, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

Aug 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/515265

Inventors:

Michael L. Cloud - Canton OK
Kirk S. Moore - Okeene OK

Assignee:

USG Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F27B 1400

US Classification:

432151

Abstract:

A method and system for calcining gypsum to recover gypsum in a form consisting essentially of calcium sulfate anhydrite is disclosed. The method includes the steps of feeding the ground gypsum material into a first kettle and heating the ground gypsum in the first kettle to the first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature is preferably below 400. degree. F. so that the gypsum will still contain a sufficient amount of chemically-combined water so that it will self-fluidize by release of water vapor so that it will flow through the apparatus. The ground gypsum is then overflowed through at least one subsequent stage and heated to a final predetermined temperature to produce an anhydrite product. To produce insoluble calcium anhydrite or dead burn material, the final predetermined temperature is greater than 900. degree. F. and preferably within the range of about 900. degree. F. -1300. degree. F.

US Patent:

59544970, Sep 21, 1999

Filed:

Jan 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/005323

Inventors:

Michael L. Cloud - Canton OK
Kirk S. Moore - Okeene OK

Assignee:

USG Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F27B 1408

US Classification:

432 13

Abstract:

A method and system for calcining gypsum to recover gypsum in a form consisting essentially of calcium sulfate anhydrite is disclosed. The method includes the steps of feeding the ground gypsum material into a first kettle and heating the ground gypsum in the first kettle to the first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature is preferably below 400. degree. F. so that the gypsum will still contain a sufficient amount of chemically-combined water so that it will self-fluidize by release of water vapor so that it will flow through the apparatus. The ground gypsum is then overflowed through at least one subsequent stage and heated to a final predetermined temperature to produce an anhydrite product. To produce insoluble calcium anhydrite or dead burn material, the final predetermined temperature is greater than 900. degree. F. and preferably within the range of about 900. degree. F. -1300. degree. F.