Patents by Inventor Kimberly Ann Johnson
Kimberly Ann Johnson 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).
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Patent number: 10221362Abstract: A process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon useful as gasoline component from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for longer ZSM-5 condensation catalyst life by contacting the stable oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate containing diols produced from digestion and hydrodoxygenation of the solid biomass to an amorphous silica alumina catalyst to reduce the diols content, and optionally removing water, prior to contacting with the ZSM-5 condensation catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Kimberly Ann Johnson, Joseph Broun Powell
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Patent number: 10167243Abstract: An improved process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon from solid biomass is provided. Solid biomass that has been digested and hydrodeoxygenated in a liquid digestive solvent in the presence of a hydrothermal hydrocatalytic catalyst is separated to an organic rich phase and an aqueous rich phase containing diols. At least a portion of the aqueous rich phase is contacted with an acidic amorphous silica alumina catalyst producing monooxygenate-containing stream comprising water, organic monooxygenates, and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the monooxygenate-containing stream is contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream. At least a portion of the organic rich phase is also contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Kimberly Ann Johnson
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Patent number: 10150921Abstract: A process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon useful to produce diesel components from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for improved production of diesel components by contacting the stable oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate containing diols produced from digestion and hydrodoxygenation of the solid biomass to an amorphous silica alumina catalyst to reduce the diols content, and removing water prior to contacting with the condensation catalyst to produce the higher hydrocarbon.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Kimberly Ann Johnson, Joseph Broun Powell
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Publication number: 20180030358Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatics-rich hydrocarbons useful as gasoline component from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for longer condensation catalyst life by contacting the stable oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate produced from digestion and hydrodoxygenation of the solid biomass to a binder-free shaped ZSM-5 catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Kimberly Ann JOHNSON, Ruth Mary KOWALESKI
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Patent number: 9797022Abstract: Processing of a reaction product mixture containing at least one volatile organic compound as well as lignin, lignin derived compounds, and/or unextracted cellulose and hemicellulose using a recovery system comprising at least two flashers or at least one flasher and at least two reboilers. In a particular embodiment, the reaction product mixture comes from reactions involving deconstruction (or digestion) of biomass, particularly cellulosic biomass which contains various polysaccharides (e.g., carbohydrates) and lignin.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Molly Gilchrest, Lamar Lane Joffrion, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Juben Nemchand Chheda
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Patent number: 9758842Abstract: Processing of a reaction product mixture of cellulosic biomass material containing at least one volatile organic compound at least one of lignin, a lignin-derived compound, unextracted cellulose, unextracted hemicellulose, a caramelan, and any combination thereof by vaporizing the at least one volatile organic compound using at least thermal energy generated by combusting at least a portion of the reaction product mixture. In a particular embodiment, the reaction product mixture comes from reactions involving deconstruction (or digestion) of cellulosic biomass which contains various polysaccharides (e.g., carbohydrates) and lignin.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Molly Gilchrest, Lamar Lane Joffrion, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Thomas Lamar Flowers, Franklin Eugene Caputo, Todd Paul Peltier
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Patent number: 9644151Abstract: A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, one or more volatile organic compounds is also vaporized using heat generated in the gasification process. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Lamar Lane Joffrion, Todd Paul Peltier, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Thomas Lamar Flowers, Franklin Eugene Caputo, Hubert Willem Schenck, Andries Quinn Boon, Molly Gilchrest
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Patent number: 9644152Abstract: A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Andries Quirin Maria Boon, Joseph Broun Powell, Lamar Lane Joffrion, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Hubert Willem Schenck
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Methods and systems for processing lignin during hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids
Patent number: 9580602Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; wherein at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulates in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; and reducing the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Glenn Charles Komplin, Juben Nemchand Chheda -
Methods and systems for processing lignin during hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids
Patent number: 9562160Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion solvent; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; and separating the phenolics liquid phase from the aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Glenn Charles Komplin, Edward James Denton -
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING LIGNIN DURING HYDROTHERMAL DIGESTION OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS SOLIDS
Publication number: 20170029713Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion solvent; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; and separating the phenolics liquid phase from the aqueous phase, at least partially depolymerizing the lignin in the phenolics liquid phase, wherein at least partially depolymerizing the lignin generates hydrocarbons.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Joseph Broun POWELL, Kimberly Ann JOHNSON -
Publication number: 20170022422Abstract: A process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon useful to produce diesel components from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for improved production of diesel components by contacting the stable oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate containing diols produced from digestion and hydrodoxygenation of the solid biomass to an amorphous silica alumina catalyst to reduce the diols content, and removing water prior to contacting with the condensation catalyst to produce the higher hydrocarbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Kimberly Ann JOHNSON, Joseph Broun POWELL
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Publication number: 20170021327Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Systems for processing a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer may comprise: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a viscosity measurement device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; a temperature control device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a processing device communicatively coupled to the viscosity measurement device and the temperature control device, the processing device being configured to actuate the temperature control device if the viscosity of a fluid phase comprising lignin exceeds a threshold value in the biomass conversion system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Joseph Broun POWELL, Juben Nemchand CHHEDA, Kimberly Ann JOHNSON, Glenn Charles KOMPLIN
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Publication number: 20170001933Abstract: A process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for ready separation of organic phase from aqueous phase which organic phase maybe recycled as a digestive solvent in a digestion and/or deoxygenation of solid biomass. By contacting the oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate containing diols produced from the digestion and deoxygenation of solid biomass with an amorphous silica alumina catalyst reduces the diols content and product stream readily separates into organic phase and aqueous phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Kimberly Ann JOHNSON, Joseph Broun POWELL
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Publication number: 20170002272Abstract: A process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon useful as gasoline component from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for longer ZSM-5 condensation catalyst life by contacting the stable oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate containing diols produced from digestion and hydrodoxygenation of the solid biomass to an amorphous silica alumina catalyst to reduce the diols content, and optionally removing water, prior to contacting with the ZSM-5 condensation catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Kimberly Ann JOHNSON, Joseph Broun POWELL
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Publication number: 20170001934Abstract: An improved process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon from solid biomass is provided. Solid biomass that has been digested and hydrodeoxygenated in a liquid digestive solvent in the presence of a hydrothermal hydrocatalytic catalyst is separated to an organic rich phase and an aqueous rich phase containing diols. At least a portion of the aqueous rich phase is contacted with an acidic amorphous silica alumina catalyst producing monooxygenate-containing stream comprising water, organic monooxygenates, and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the monooxygenate-containing stream is contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream. At least a portion of the organic rich phase is also contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Joseph Broun POWELL, Kimberly Ann JOHNSON
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Patent number: 9493719Abstract: A method comprises providing a carbohydrate; reacting the carbohydrate with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce reaction products comprising an alcohol, a polyol, and a higher polyol; recycling the higher polyol through the hydrogenolysis reaction to produce reaction products comprising an alcohol and a polyol and a higher polyol; processing at least a portion of the reaction products to form a fuel blend.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Juben Nemchand Chheda, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Joseph Broun Powell
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Patent number: 9469822Abstract: A method of hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treating biomass is provided. Lignocellulosic biomass solids is provided to a hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of a digestive solvent, and a supported hydrogenolysis catalyst containing (a) sulfur, (b) Mo or W, and (c) Co, Ni or mixture thereof, incorporated into an alumina support, which support is predominantly alpha alumina; (ii) heating the lignocellulosic biomass solids and digestive solvent in the presence of hydrogen, and supported hydrogenolysis catalyst thereby forming a product solution containing plurality of oxygenated hydrocarbons, said alumina support having a specific surface area of up to about 30 m2/g and said catalyst retaining a crush strength of at least 50% after being subjected to an aqueous phase stability test compared with before the aqueous phase stability test or a crush strength of at least 0.25 kg after being subjected to an aqueous phase stability test.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Glenn Charles Komplin, John Anthony Smegal, Kimberly Ann Johnson
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Patent number: 9447347Abstract: A method comprises a providing a carbohydrate; reacting the carbohydrate directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising a polyol; and then processing at least a portion of the reaction product to form a fuel blend.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Juben Nemchand Chheda, Kimberly Ann Johnson, Joseph Broun Powell
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Patent number: 9376355Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising a glycol derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; wherein at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulates in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; combining the glycol with the phenolics liquid phase, thereby forming a combined phase; and heating the combined phase in the presence of molecular hydrogen; wherein heating the combined phase reduces the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase and transforms at least a portion of the glycol into a monohydric alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Kimberly Ann Johnson