Patents by Inventor Laura J. Silva

Laura J. Silva 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: 7744829
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Matthew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 7722854
    Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, reactors, and methods of steam reforming over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described. For example, a coated catalyst was demonstrated to be highly stable under steam reforming conditions (high temperature and high pressure of steam). Methods of making steam reforming catalysts are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Velocy's
    Inventors: Junko M. Watson, Francis P. Daly, Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Steven T. Perry, Laura J. Silva, Rachid Taha, Enrique Aceves de Alba, Ya-Huei Chin, Robert Rozmiarek, XiaoHong Li
  • Publication number: 20100071410
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a distillation process for separating two or more components having different volatilities from a liquid mixture containing the components. The process employs microchannel technology for effecting the distillation and is particularly suitable for conducting difficult separations, such as the separation of ethane from ethylene, wherein the individual components are characterized by having volatilities that are very close to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Wayne W. Simmons, Laura J. Silva, Dongming Qiu, Steven J. Perry, Thomas Yuschak, Thomas P. Hickey, Ravi Arora, Amanda Smith, Robert Dwayne Litt, Paul Neagle
  • Publication number: 20100068366
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, David John Hesse, Michael Alan Marchiando, Micheal Jay Lamont, Dongming Qiu, Terrence Andrew Dritz, Kristina M. Pagnotto, Richard Stevenson, Steven T. Perry, Maddalena Fanelli, Ravi Arora, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Timothy J. Sullivan, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Thomas Yuschak
  • Publication number: 20100024645
    Abstract: Methods of using microchannel separation systems including absorbents to improve thermal efficiency and reduce parasitic power loss. Energy is typically added to desorb a solute and then energy or heat is removed to absorb a solute using a working solution. The working solution or absorbent may comprise an ionic liquid, or other fluids that demonstrate a difference in affinity between a solute and other gases in a solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Ravi Arora, Qiu Dongming, Micheal Jay Lamont, Maddalena Fanelli, Wayne W. Simmons, Laura J. Silva, Steven Perry
  • Publication number: 20090293359
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting a carbonaceous material to a desired product comprising one or more hydrocarbons or one or more alcohols, the process comprising: (A) gasifying the carbonaceous material at a temperature in excess of about 700° C. to form synthesis gas; and (B) flowing the synthesis gas in a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to convert the synthesis gas to the desired product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Wayne W. Simmons, Robert Dwayne Litt, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, Daniel Francis Ryan, Bruce Stangeland, John Brophy, Jeffrey S. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7622509
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, David John Hesse, Michael Alan Marchiando, Michael Jay Lamont, Dongming Qiu, Terence Andrew Dritz, Kristina M. Pagnotto, Richard Stevenson, Steven T. Perry, Maddalena Fanelli, Ravi Arora, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Timothy J. Sullivan, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Thomas Yuschak
  • Patent number: 7610775
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a distillation process for separating two or more components having different volatilities from a liquid mixture containing the components. The process employs microchannel technology for effecting the distillation and is particularly suitable for conducting difficult separations, such as the separation of ethane from ethylene, wherein the individual components are characterized by having volatilities that are very close to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Wayne W. Simmons, Laura J. Silva, Dongming Qiu, Steven T. Perry, Thomas Yuschak, Thomas P. Hickey, Ravi Arora, Amanda Smith, Robert Dwayne Litt, Paul Neagle
  • Patent number: 7552642
    Abstract: A method for determining the maximum allowable working pressure of a microchannel device, particularly a diffusion-bonded, shim-based microchannel device operating at a temperature greater to or equal to a base material threshold temperature where significant creep may predominate, and when employing non-traditional materials of construction, when non-traditional fabrication or joining methods are used, or when spurious artifacts arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Neagle, Laura J. Silva, Eric A. Daymo, David J Kuhlmann, Marc Wagner
  • Publication number: 20090131612
    Abstract: A microchannel polymerization reactor comprising: (a) a first microchannel adapted to carry a reactant stream; (b) a fluid conduit adapted to carry a fluid in thermal communication with the first microchannel; and (c) a static mixer in fluid communication with the first microchannel adapted to provide a mixing zone operative to change the cross-sectional fluid flow profile at a predetermined point along the first microchannel without changing the primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva
  • Patent number: 7507274
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture comprising the first fluid. The process comprises: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator in contact with a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the first fluid is sorbed by the sorption medium, removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing first fluid from the sorption medium and removing desorbed first fluid from the microchannel separator. The process and apparatus are suitable for separating nitrogen or methane from a fluid mixture comprising nitrogen and methane. The process and apparatus may be used for rejecting nitrogen in the upgrading of sub-quality methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Michael Jay Lamont, Deanna Burwell, Terence Andrew Dritz, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, William A. Rogers, Jr., Laura J. Silva, Daniel J. Weidert, Wayne W. Simmons, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20090071257
    Abstract: A method for determining the maximum allowable working pressure of a microchannel device, particularly a diffusion-bonded, shim-based microchannel device operating at a temperature greater to or equal to a base material threshold temperature where significant creep may predominate, and when employing non-traditional materials of construction, when non-traditional fabrication or joining methods are used, or when spurious artifacts arise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Paul W. Neagle, Laura J. Silva, Eric A. Daymo
  • Publication number: 20090074627
    Abstract: Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Thomas D. Yuschak, Laura J. Silva, Wm. Allen Rogers, Kai Jarosch, Matthew B. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090071335
    Abstract: Methods of using microchannel separation systems including absorbents to improve thermal efficiency and reduce parasitic power loss. Energy is typically added to desorb methane and then energy or heat is removed to absorb methane using a working solution. The working solution or absorbent may comprise an ionic liquid, or other fluids that demonstrate a difference in affinity between methane and nitrogen in a solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Qiu Dongming, Laura J. Silva, Micheal Jay Lamont, Maddalena Fanelli, Wayne W. Simmons, Steven Perry
  • Publication number: 20090043141
    Abstract: A microchannel apparatus comprising a conduit including a microchannel mixing section, a microchannel reaction section, a microchannel heat transfer section, and a separation section, where the microchannel mixing section includes direct injection inlets, where the microchannel mixing section is downstream from the reaction section, and where the separation section is downstream from the reaction section. Further exemplary embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Terry Mazanec, Wayne Simmons, John Brophy, Fred Pesa, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Dongming Qiu, Laura J. Silva, Micheal J. Lamont, Maddalena Fanelli
  • Publication number: 20090010823
    Abstract: The present invention provides new microreactor systems, catalysts, and chemical processes. Methods of making novel catalysts and reaction apparatus are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Corp.
    Inventors: Terry J. Mazanec, Yong Wang, Laura J. Silva, David P. Vanderwiel
  • Publication number: 20090004076
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Mathew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 7459508
    Abstract: A microchannel polymerization reactor comprising: (a) a first microchannel adapted to carry a reactant stream; (b) a fluid conduit adapted to carry a fluid in thermal communication with the first microchannel; and (c) a static mixer in fluid communication with the first microchannel adapted to provide a mixing zone operative to change the cross-sectional fluid flow profile at a predetermined point along the first microchannel without changing the primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva
  • Patent number: 7422910
    Abstract: Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Thomas D. Yuschak, Laura J. Silva, Wm. Allen Rogers, Kai Jarosch, Matthew B. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7404936
    Abstract: The present invention provides new microreactor systems, catalysts, and chemical processes. Methods of making novel catalysts and reaction apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Terry J. Mazanec, Yong Wang, Laura J. Silva, David P. VanderWiel