Patents Assigned to Catalytica
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Patent number: 7181906Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for generating H2 and CO in an O2 containing gas stream. The invention also provides devices and methods for removal of NOX from an O2 containing gas stream, particularly the oxygen-rich exhaust stream from a lean-burning engine, such as a diesel engine. The invention includes a fuel processor that efficiently converts added hydrocarbon fuel to a reducing mixture of H2 and CO. The added fuel may be a portion of the onboard fuel on a vehicle. The H2 and CO are incorporated into the exhaust stream and reacted over a selective lean NOX catalyst to convert NOX to N2. thereby providing an efficient means of NOX emission control.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Dalla Betta, Joel Cizeron, David R. Sheridan
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Patent number: 7165393Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to improve the performance and emission control of internal combustion engines equipped with nitrogen oxides storage-reduction (“NSR”) emission control systems. The system generally includes a NSR catalyst, a fuel processor located upstream of the NSR catalyst, and at least one fuel injection port. The fuel processor converts a fuel into a reducing gas mixture comprising CO and H2. The reducing gas mixture is then fed into the NSR catalyst, where it regenerates the NSR adsorbent, reduces the NOx to nitrogen, and optionally periodically desulfates the NSR catalyst. The fuel processor generally includes one or more catalysts, which facilitate reactions such as combustion, partial oxidation, and/or reforming and help consume excess oxygen present in an engine exhaust stream. The methods of the present invention provide for NSR catalyst adsorbent regeneration. Control strategies are provided to control the system and methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Dalla Betta, Joel Cizeron
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Publication number: 20060230748Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to improve the performance and emission control of internal combustion engines equipped with nitrogen oxides storage-reduction (“NSR”) emission control systems. The system generally includes a NSR catalyst, a fuel processor located upstream of the NSR catalyst, and at least one fuel injection port. The fuel processor converts a fuel into a reducing gas mixture comprising CO and H2. The reducing gas mixture is then fed into the NSR catalyst, where it regenerates the NSR adsorbent, reduces the NOx to nitrogen, and optionally periodically desulfates the NSR catalyst. The fuel processor generally includes one or more catalysts, which facilitate reactions such as combustion, partial oxidation, and/or reforming and help consume excess oxygen present in an engine exhaust stream. The methods of the present invention provide for NSR catalyst adsorbent regeneration using pulsed fuel flow. Control strategies are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Dalla Betta, Joel Cizeron
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Patent number: 7121097Abstract: A control system for a catalytic combustion system on a gas turbine includes a flame preburner, a fuel injector positioned downstream of the preburner and a catalyst positioned downstream of the fuel injector. In such systems, a portion of the fuel combusts within the catalyst itself and the remainder of the fuel combusts in a homogeneous combustion process wave downstream of the catalyst. A sensor in communication with the control system monitors the homogeneous combustion process wave and adjusts the gas temperature at the catalyst inlet to a preferred value based on a predetermined schedule that relates the catalyst inlet gas temperature to operating fundamentals such as adiabatic combustion temperature or the gas turbine's exhaust gas temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: David K. Yee, Marco A. Velasco, Sarento G. Nickolas, Ralph A. Dalla Betta
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Patent number: 7093445Abstract: Disclosed is a unique fuel and air premixing system for a gas turbine catalytic combustion system. The mixer utilizes a multi-channel counter-rotating swirler with aerodynamically shaped fuel pegs located upstream of the swirler. The premixing system provides the downstream catalyst with a fuel-air mixture sufficiently uniform for proper catalyst operation and wide operating limits. Features have been incorporated in the system to make it resistant to flameholding.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Anthony Corr, II, Tim Caron, John Barnes
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Patent number: 7082753Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to improve the performance and emission control of internal combustion engines equipped with nitrogen oxides storage-reduction (“NSR”) emission control systems. The system generally includes a NSR catalyst, a fuel processor located upstream of the NSR catalyst, and at least one fuel injection port. The fuel processor converts a fuel into a reducing gas mixture comprising CO and H2. The reducing gas mixture is then fed into the NSR catalyst, where it regenerates the NSR adsorbent, reduces the NOx to nitrogen, and optionally periodically desulfates the NSR catalyst. The fuel processor generally includes one or more catalysts, which facilitate reactions such as combustion, partial oxidation, and/or reforming and help consume excess oxygen present in an engine exhaust stream. The methods of the present invention provide for NSR catalyst adsorbent regeneration using pulsed fuel flow. Control strategies are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Dalla Betta, Joel Cizeron
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Publication number: 20060016195Abstract: A bypass air injection scheme for a combustor of a gas turbine. Combustor includes a body with an inner liner and a casing enclosing the body with a passageway defined therebetween. A predetermined amount of the compressor discharge air passing through the passageway is extracted through a manifold. A conduit feeds the extracted air into an injection manifold having a plurality of injection tubes for injecting the extracted air into the combustor bypassing the reactor. The injection tubes and the injection manifold are disposed in a substantially common radial plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Applicant: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Dalla Betta, Kare Lundberg, Timothy Caron, Suresh Vilayanur
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Patent number: 6796129Abstract: The present additional control strategy has been developed to allow the gas turbine to operate at lower load or at other conditions where the total fuel required by the gas turbine is not optimum for full combustion of the fuel. The present invention manages air that bypasses the catalytic combustor and air that bleeds off of the compressor discharge. The bypass system changes the fuel air ratio of the catalytic combustor without affecting the overall gas turbine power output. The bleed system also changes the fuel air ratio of the catalytic combustor but at the cost of reducing the overall gas turbine efficiency. The key advantage of a catalytic combustor with a bypass and bleed system and the inventive control strategy is that it can maintain the catalyst at optimum low emissions operating conditions over a wider load range than a catalytic combustor without such a system.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: David K. Yee, Robert Anthony Corr, II, Sarento George Nickolas
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Patent number: 6743921Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a nonracemic diastereomer of 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanol by hydrogenation of a corresponding nonracemic 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanone using a catalyst system comprising ruthenium, a nonracemic diphosphine ligand, a bidentate amine ligand selected from amino-thioethers and achiral diamines, and a base.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignees: DSM Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pfizer, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Tucker, Qiongzhong Jiang
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Patent number: 6718772Abstract: Methods and apparatus, both devices and systems, for control of Zeldovich (thermal) NOx production in catalytic combustion systems during combustion of liquid or gaseous fuels in the post catalytic sections of gas turbines by reducing combustion residence time in the HC zone through control of the HC Wave, principally by adjusting the catalyst inlet temperature. As the fuel/air mixture inlet temperature (to the catalyst) is reduced, the HC Wave moves downstream (longer ignition delay time), shortens the residence time at high temperature, thereby reducing thermal NOx production. The countervailing increase in CO production by longer ignition delay times can be limited by selectively locating the HC Wave so that thermal NOx is reduced while power output and low CO production is maintained. NOx is reduced to on the order of <3 ppm, and preferably <2 ppm, while CO is maintained <100 ppm, typically <50 ppm, and preferably <5-10 ppm.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Dalla Betta, Marco A. Velasco, David K. Yee, Sarento G. Nickolas
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Patent number: 6698412Abstract: Catalyst structure, engine, and fuel injection system are disclosed, in which a catalyst structure is positioned between a fuel injector and a combustion chamber in which most or all combustion occurs. The catalyst structure typically promotes some combustion of the fuel, reforming of fuel to generate hydrogen and other reduced species of fuel molecules, or both. The catalyst structure may instead or additionally promote evaporation of fuel droplets. Benefits include reduced emissions of pollutants.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventor: Ralph Dalla Betta
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Publication number: 20040021235Abstract: Disclosed is a unique fuel and air premixing system for a gas turbine catalytic combustion system. The mixer utilizes a multi-channel counter-rotating swirler with aerodynamically shaped fuel pegs located upstream of the swirler. The premixing system provides the downstream catalyst with a fuel-air mixture sufficiently uniform for proper catalyst operation and wide operating limits. Features have been incorporated in the system to make it resistant to flameholding.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Anthony Corr, Tim Caron, John Barnes
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Publication number: 20030144521Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a nonracemic diastereomer of 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanol by hydrogenation of a corresponding nonracemic 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanone using a catalyst system comprising ruthenium, a nonracemic diphosphine ligand, a bidentate amine ligand selected from amino-thioethers and achiral diamines, and a base.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: DSM CATALYTICA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.Inventors: Charles E. Tucker, Qiongzhong Jiang
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Patent number: 6600062Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enantioselectively producing a nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound from a geranyloxy compound. In particular, methods of the present invention involve enantioselectively epoxidizing the geranyloxy compound and hydrolyzing the epoxide moiety under conditions sufficient to produce the nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignees: DSM Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Colorado State University Research FoundationInventors: Robert Seemayer, Yian Shi
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Patent number: 6521566Abstract: The present invention is a mixed oxide solid solution containing a tetravalent and a pentavalent cation that can be used as a support for a metal combustion catalyst. The invention is furthermore a combustion catalyst containing the mixed oxide solid solution and a method of making the mixed oxide solid solution. The tetravalent cation is zirconium(+4), hafnium(+4) or thorium(+4). In one embodiment, the pentavalent cation is tantalum(+5), niobium(+5) or bismuth(+5). Mixed oxide solid solutions of the present invention exhibit enhanced thermal stability, maintaining relatively high surface areas at high temperatures in the presence of water vapor.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Scott Magno, Ruiping Wang, Eric Derouane
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Patent number: 6469181Abstract: The present invention provides a processes, having practical utility, for preparing 2-oxindoles, N-hydroxy-2-oxindoles, or mixtures thereof comprising: catalytically hydrogenating a 2-nitroarylmalonate diester to produce a 2-(N-hydroxyamino)arylmalonate diester, a 2-aminoarylmalonate diester, or mixtures thereof as a first reaction intermediate; cyclizing, by intramolecular aminolysis of one ester group, the first reaction intermediate to produce a N-hydroxy-2-oxindole-3-carboxylate ester, 2-oxindole-3-carboxylate ester, or mixtures thereof as a second reaction intermediate; and hydrolyzing and decarboxylating the remaining ester group of the second reaction intermediate to produce the N-hydroxy-2-oxindole, the 2-oxindole, or mixtures thereof, wherein the cyclization reaction and the hydrolysis and decarboxylation reaction are conducted in situ with the catalytic hydrogenation reaction without isolation of said reaction intermediates.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Catalytica, Inc.Inventors: John M. Gruber, A. Ray Bulls, John H. Grate
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Publication number: 20020095061Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enantioselectively producing a nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound from a geranyloxy compound. In particular, methods of the present invention involve enantioselectively epoxidizing the geranyloxy compound and hydrolyzing the epoxide moiety under conditions sufficient to produce the nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Applicant: DSM CATALYTICA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.Inventors: Robert Seemayer, Yian Shi
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Patent number: 6225499Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing aminoarylacetylenes comprising reacting a N-arylmethylidene aminoarylhalide with a terminal acetylene in the presence of a base and a catalyst system comprising a palladium catalyst and a cuprous salt to produce a novel N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene, and hydrolyzing the N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene to the aminoarylacetylene. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing aminophenylacetylenes comprising reacting a N-benzylidene aminophenylhalide with a terminal acetylene in the presence of a base and the catalyst system to produce a novel N-benzylidene aminophenylacetylene, and hydrolyzing the N-benzylidene aminophenylacetylene to the aminophenylacetylene.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventor: John M. Gruber
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Patent number: 6217832Abstract: An improved catalytic reactor for high temperature reactions having a reaction chamber and a monolithic catalyst structure disposed in the reaction chamber is disclosed wherein the catalyst structure has a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels formed by thin metal substrate walls which expand on exposure to the heat generated in high temperature reactions and reactor also includes a monolithic open cellular support structure disposed in the reaction chamber having a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed passageways formed by strips of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic material with the support structure being secured on its outer periphery to the wall of the reaction chamber to limit movement along the longitudinal axis, and being positioned at and abutting against the outlet end of the catalyst structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Catalytica, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Dalla Betta, James Cameron Schlatter, Sarento George Nickolas, Walter Wiley
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Patent number: 6194599Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing biaryl compounds comprising reacting an arylzinc reagent with an arylchloride in the presence of a nickel catalyst or a palladium catalyst. The present invention specifically provides a process for the preparation of 2-(4′-methylphenyl)benzonitrile comprising reacting a 4-methylphenylzinc reagent with 2-chlorobenzonitrile in the presence of a nickel catalyst or a palladium catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1997Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Catalytica, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Miller, Robert P. Farrell