Patents by Inventor Bonnie R. Hames

Bonnie R. Hames has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Process for the conversion of and aqueous biomass hydrolyzate into fuels or chemicals by the selective removal of fermentation inhibitors
    Patent number: 6737258
    Abstract: A process of making a fuel or chemical from a biomass hydrolyzate is provided which comprises the steps of providing a biomass hydrolyzate, adjusting the pH of the hydrolyzate, contacting a metal oxide having an affinity for guaiacyl or syringyl functional groups, or both and the hydrolyzate for a time sufficient to form an adsorption complex; removing the complex wherein a sugar fraction is provided, and converting the sugar fraction to fuels or chemicals using a microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Bonnie R. Hames, Amie D. Sluiter, Tammy K. Hayward, Nicholas J. Nagle
  • Phenol removal pretreatment process
    Patent number: 6719908
    Abstract: A process for removing phenols from an aqueous solution is provided, which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture comprising the solution and a metal oxide, forming a phenol metal oxide complex, and removing the complex from the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Bonnie R. Hames
  • Phenol removal pretreatment process
    Publication number: 20020190003
    Abstract: A process for removing phenols from an aqueous solution is provided, which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture comprising the solution and a metal oxide, forming a phenol metal oxide complex, and removing the complex from the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Bonnie R. Hames
  • Process for the conversion of and aqueous biomass hydrolyzate into fuels or chemicals by the selective removal of fermentation inhibitors
    Publication number: 20020177199
    Abstract: A process of making a fuel or chemical from a biomass hydrolyzate is provided which comprises the steps of providing a biomass hydrolyzate, adjusting the pH of the hydrolyzate, contacting a metal oxide having an affinity for guaiacyl or syringyl functional groups, or both and the hydrolyzate for a time sufficient to form an adsorption complex; removing the complex wherein a sugar fraction is provided, and converting the sugar fraction to fuels or chemicals using a microorganism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Bonnie R. Hames, Amie D. Sluiter, Tammy K. Hayward, Nicholas J. Nagle
  • Method of separating lignocellulosic material into lignin, cellulose and dissolved sugars
    Patent number: 5730837
    Abstract: A method for separating lignocellulosic material into (a) lignin, (b) cellulose, and (c) hemicellulose and dissolved sugars. Wood or herbaceous biomass is digested at elevated temperature in a single-phase mixture of alcohol, water and a water-immiscible organic solvent (e.g., a ketone). After digestion, the amount of water or organic solvent is adjusted so that there is phase separation. The lignin is present in the organic solvent, the cellulose is present in a solid pulp phase, and the aqueous phase includes hemicellulose and any dissolved sugars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stuart K. Black, Bonnie R. Hames, Michele D. Myers