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 .
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The following title is suggested: METHOD FOR ACCELERATED DISSOLUTION OF CARBONATES WITH BUFFERED PH.
Claim Objections
Claim 14 is objected to because of the following informalities: Ca(HCQ3)2 appears to be a typographical error for Ca(HCO3)2. Support for this interpretation is in the Specification as filed at Page 9 where the reaction in the pH correction reactor is Ca(OH)2 + 2CO2 [Wingdings font/0xE0] Ca(HCO3). Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 16 is objected to because of the following informalities:
In line 2, “2000m3” should be amended to “2000 m3”
In line 2, “1000kg” should be amended to “1000 kg”
In line 5, “100,000s” should be amended to “100,000 s”
In line 23, “the ionic mixture with the desired pH” should be amended to “the ionic mixture having the desired pH”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 17 is objected to because of the following informalities: “PCC” should be “(PCC)”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 14-18 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.
A broad range or limitation together with a narrow range or limitation that falls within the broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim does not clearly set forth the metes and bounds of the patent protection desired. See MPEP § 2173.05(c). In the present instance, claim 14 recites the broad recitation carbonates at lines 4 and 10 and carbonate at line 7, and the claim also recites CaCO3 at line 11 which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation. The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
Claim 14 also recites the broad recitation hydroxide in lines 19 and 20, and the claim also recites Ca(OH)2(aq) in line 22 which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation. The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "the buffered ionic mixture" in line 17. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "the sea" in lines 17. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 15-18 depend on claim 14 and therefore are indefinite for the same reasons as claim 14 above.
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the measurement from the meter" in line 4-5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. For compact prosecution this limitation is interpreted as “one or more measurements from the pH and/or alkalinity and/or hardness meter”
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the measurements received" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. For compact prosecution this limitation is interpreted as “the one or more measurements received from the pH and/or alkalinity and/or hardness meter”.
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the hydroxide supply means" in line 5-6. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the correct flow of hydroxide " in line 9. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the broad recitation carbonate in line 2 and carbonates at line 5, and the claim also recites CaCO3 at line 7 which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation. The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
Citation of Pertinent Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Alamoudi et al (US 2021/0039044) discloses a method for carbon dioxide sequestration comprising chemically reacting carbon dioxide dissolved in water with calcium rich solutions and/or compounds such as calcite (i.e., calcium carbonate CaCO3), dolomite, or calcium hydroxide (i.e., Ca(OH)2) with the reactions forming calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO3)2) (see [0012]). Alamoudi teaches that the calcium bicarbonate is permanently dissolved in water as long as the pH of the water is maintained in a range of 7.5 to 9.0 (see [0012]). Alamoudi teaches a method where the calcium bicarbonate is sequestered permanently in ocean water (see [0013]). Alamoudi further discloses a method where the carbon dioxide-sequestering water is adjusted in pH to meet necessary environmental regulatory requirements when releasing into seawater (see [0040]). Alamoudi does not disclose a method according to claim 14 comprising dissolving carbonates in a lean mixture of water, CO2 gas, and the calcium carbonates according to the claimed reaction at a design flow rate, keeping the mixture in a turbulent regime with a Re ≥ 4000; producing a buffered ionic mixture having a desired pH by adding a predetermined amount of Ca(OH)2 by the claimed reaction; and releasing the buffered ionic mixture with the desired pH into the sea.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL FORREST whose telephone number is (571)270-5833. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday (10AM-6PM).
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/MICHAEL FORREST/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1738