Patents by Inventor Patrick R. Gruber

Patrick R. Gruber 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).

  • Publication number: 20120107890
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20120107891
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20120064590
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GENO, INC.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20120040080
    Abstract: Methods for producing a biofuel precursor are provided. Also provided are biocatalysts that convert a feedstock to a biofuel precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Hawkins, David A. Glassner, Thomas Buelter, James Wade, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Patrick R. Gruber, William A. Evanko, Aristos A. Aristidou
  • Patent number: 8101808
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GEVO, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20090299109
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to renewable compositions derived from fermentation of biomass, and integrated methods of preparing such compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gruber, Matthew W. Peters, Josefa M. Griffith, Yassin Al Obaidi, Leo E. Manzer, Joshua D. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090246842
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the production of bio-based material precursors are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew C. HAWKINS, Matthew W. PETERS, Peter MEINHOLD, Thomas BUELTER, David A. GLASSNER, Patrick R. GRUBER, James WADE
  • Publication number: 20090226990
    Abstract: Methods for producing a biofuel are provided. Also provided are biocatalysts that convert a feedstock to a biofuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: GEVO, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Hawkins, David A. Glassner, Thomas Buelter, James Wade, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Patrick R. Gruber, William A. Evanko, Aristos A. Aristidou
  • Publication number: 20090215137
    Abstract: Methods for producing a biofuel precursor are provided. Also provided are biocatalysts that convert a feedstock to a biofuel precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Hawkins, David A. Glassner, Thomas Buelter, James Wade, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Patrick R. Gruber, William A. Evanko, Aristos A. Aristidou
  • Publication number: 20090171129
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7144977
    Abstract: The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Aharon M. Eyal, John N. Starr, Rod Fisher, Betty Hazan, Riki Canari, David R. Witzke, Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad, Xiangsheng Meng
  • Patent number: 7019170
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of lactic acid and products thereof from an aqueous solution containing free lactic acid and at least one lactate salt at a total concentration of at least 5%, the process comprising the steps of: extracting at least 70% of the free lactic acid from the aqueous solution by contacting the solution with a basic extractant, to form a lactic acid-containing extract and a lactic acid-depleted, lactate salt-containing aqueous solution; separating the lactic acid-containing extract from the depleted aqueous solution; and stripping the extracted lactic acid from the extract by methods known per se, to form a solution of lactic acid and a stripped extractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Aharon Meir Eyal, Patrick R. Gruber, Rod R. Fisher, Jeffrey J. Kolstad
  • Publication number: 20040210088
    Abstract: The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Aharon M. Eyal, John N. Starr, Rod Fisher, Betty Hazan, Riki Canari, David R. Witzke, Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad
  • Publication number: 20030187300
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of lactic acid and products thereof from an aqueous solution containing free lactic acid and at least one lactate salt at a total concentration of at least 5%, the process comprising the steps of: extracting at least 70% of the free lactic acid from the aqueous solution by contacting the solution with a basic extractant, to form a lactic acid-containing extract and a lactic acid-depleted, lactate salt-containing aqueous solution; separating the lactic acid-containing extract from the depleted aqueous solution; and stripping the extracted lactic acid from the extract by methods known per se, to form a solution of lactic acid and a stripped extractant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: AHARON MEIR EYAL, PATRICK R. GRUBER, ROD R. FISHER, JEFFREY J. KOLSTAD
  • Publication number: 20030176736
    Abstract: The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Aharon M. Eyal, John N. Starr, Rod Fisher, Betty Hazan, Riki Canari, David R. Witzke, Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad
  • Patent number: 6534679
    Abstract: The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Aharon M. Eyal, John N. Starr, Rod Fisher, Betty Hazan, Riki Canari, David R. Witzke, Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad
  • Patent number: 6355772
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprised of a lactide polymer. The lactide polymer comprises a plurality of poly(lactide) polymer chains, residual lactide in concentration of less than about 2 percent and water in concentration of less than about 2000 parts-per-million. A process for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric with the lactide polymer composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad, Christopher M. Ryan, Robin S. Eichen Conn, Eric S. Hall
  • Publication number: 20020004611
    Abstract: The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Aharon M. Eyal, John N. Starr, Rod Fisher, Betty Hazan, Riki Canari, David R. Witzke, Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad
  • Patent number: 6320077
    Abstract: The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Aharon M. Eyal, John N. Starr, Rod Fisher, Betty Hazan, Riki Canari, David R. Witzke, Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad
  • Patent number: 6229046
    Abstract: The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorported
    Inventors: Aharon M. Eyal, John N. Starr, Rod Fisher, Betty Hazan, Riki Canari, David R. Witzke, Patrick R. Gruber, Jeffrey J. Kolstad