DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
The amendment to claim 1, the cancellation of claims 11-14 and 19-28, the amendment to claim 3, and the addition of claim 29 are acknowledged. Applicant's arguments filed June 10, 2026 have been fully considered and are persuasive as to the rejection based on Zadmajid.
Applicant further argues that Zadmajid is directed to combustion for heat production and does not disclose that the reactor effluent is a raw synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides. Applicant also correctly distinguishes Zadmajid's atomizing air from the presently claimed moderator comprising CO2 and/or steam. Accordingly, the rejection of claims 1-2, 6-10, 19, and 24-28 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) over Zadmajid is withdrawn. The 103 rejections based on Zadmajid are also withdrawn. See updated rejection below.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-10 and 29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claims 1-10 and 29, the phrase "common noncatalytic partial oxidation reactor" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitation(s) following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STARFARI TESHAWN MCCLAIN whose telephone number is (571)272-0169. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 AM- 5 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Anthony Zimmer can be reached at (571) 270-3591. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/STARFARI TESHAWN MCCLAIN/Examiner, Art Unit 1736
/ANTHONY J ZIMMER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1736
