Patents by Inventor Jonathan O. Smith

Jonathan O. Smith 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).

  • Patent number: 11078433
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and materials for oligomerization of lower olefins (e.g., C2-C8) to transportations fuels including diesel and/or jet fuel. The oligomerization employs, in certain embodiments, tungstated zirconium catalysts. Surprisingly, the oligomerizations proceed smoothly in high yields and exhibit little to no sensitivity to the presence of significant amounts of oxygenates (e.g., water, lower alcohols such as C2-C8 alcohols) in the feed stream. Accordingly, the present disclosure is uniquely suited to the production of fuels derived from bio-based alcohols, wherein olefins produced from such bio-based alcohols typically contain high levels of oxygenates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan O. Smith, Madeline Sjodin, Austin Vaillancourt, Paul Starkey, Steve Donen, Michelle Shebowich
  • Patent number: 10633320
    Abstract: This present disclosure relates to catalytic processes for upgrading crude and/or refined fusel oil mixtures to higher value renewable chemicals, via mixed metal oxide or zeolite catalysts. Disclosed herein are processes passing a vaporized stream of crude and/or refined fusel oils over various mixed metal oxide catalysts, metal doped zeolites, or non-metal doped zeolites and/or metal oxides providing options to valorize fusel oil mixtures to higher value products. Renewable chemicals formed, via these upgrading catalyst platforms, are comprised of, but not limited to, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), di-isobutyl ketone (DIBK), isoamylene, and isoprene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan O. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200010767
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and materials for oligomerization of lower olefins (e.g., C2-C8) to transportations fuels including diesel and/or jet fuel. The oligomerization employs, in certain embodiments, tungstated zirconium catalysts. Surprisingly, the oligomerizations proceed smoothly in high yields and exhibit little to no sensitivity to the presence of significant amounts of oxygenates (e.g., water, lower alcohols such as C2-C8 alcohols) in the feed stream. Accordingly, the present disclosure is uniquely suited to the production of fuels derived from bio-based alcohols, wherein olefins produced from such bio-based alcohols typically contain high levels of oxygenates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan O. SMITH, Madeline SJODIN, Austin Vaillancourt, Paul Starkey, Steve Donen, Michelle Shebowich
  • Publication number: 20190308922
    Abstract: This present disclosure relates to catalytic processes for upgrading crude and/or refined fusel oil mixtures to higher value renewable chemicals, via mixed metal oxide or zeolite catalysts. Disclosed herein are processes passing a vaporized stream of crude and/or refined fusel oils over various mixed metal oxide catalysts, metal doped zeolites, or non-metal doped zeolites and/or metal oxides providing options to valorize fusel oil mixtures to higher value products. Renewable chemicals formed, via these upgrading catalyst platforms, are comprised of, but not limited to, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), di-isobutyl ketone (DIBK), isoamylene, and isoprene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventor: Jonathan O. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10351487
    Abstract: This application relates to the production of functionalized lower hydrocarbons and more particularly to the process of converting ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbons. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbon conversion is catalyzed by a ZnxZryAvQsMnwOz mixed oxide catalyst or a bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to be converted is present at molar concentrations in the reactor feed equal to or exceeding 14%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GEVO, INC
    Inventors: Jonathan O. Smith, Nicholas McGuire, Leo E. Manzer, Madeline Sjodin, Paul Starkey, Carolina Salazar
  • Publication number: 20170226028
    Abstract: This application relates to the production of functionalized lower hydrocarbons and more particularly to the process of converting ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbons. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbon conversion is catalyzed by a ZnxZryAvQsMnwOz mixed oxide catalyst or a bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to be converted is present at molar concentrations in the reactor feed equal to or exceeding 14%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan O. SMITH, Nicholas MCGUIRE, Leo E. MANZER, Madeline SJODIN, Paul STARKEY, Caroline SALAZAR
  • Patent number: 8575366
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing 2-halogenomethylphenyl acetic acid derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Alexander Korte, Mark Alan Kearns, Jonathan O. Smith, Gunter Lipowsky, Willi Bieche
  • Publication number: 20110295022
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing 2-halogenomethylphenyl acetic acid derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: BASE SE
    Inventors: Alexander Korte, Mark Alan Kearns, Jonathan O. Smith, Gunter Lipowsky, Willi Bieche
  • Patent number: 7176334
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of substituted halogenated anilines from substituted halogenated 1-chlorobenzenes which comprises a) reacting a substituted halogenated 1-chlorobenzene selectively with an imine in the presence of a transition metal catalyst complex and a base to form an N-aryl imine; b) hydrolyzing the N-aryl imine; and c) isolating the substituted halogenated aniline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jonathan O. Smith, Melissa A. Petruska, Jon J. Longlet