Patents by Inventor Paul Alvin Sechrist
Paul Alvin Sechrist 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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Publication number: 20230407345Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and a process for injecting and uniformly distributing a liquid into a fermentation broth in a bioreactor for maintaining stable condition within the fermentation broth. The system includes a downcomer section which contains two or more circular pipe conduits extending from a wall of the downcomer to the center vertical axis line of the downcomer. Liquid injection apertures are arranged along the circular pipe conduit and are non-uniformly spaced apart from the center vertical axis of the downcomer to the wall of the downcomer. The apertures further alternate and are offset between the top and bottom surfaces of the circular pipe conduit. The process of the disclosure involves using the system described above for carrying out a fermentation process for converting a C1-substrate to at least one product such as ethanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Paul Alvin Sechrist, Bjorn Daniel Heijstra, Joshua Jeremy Conolly
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Publication number: 20230392107Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and a system for recovering at least one organic product from fermentation broth. The disclosure relates to the use of liquid-liquid extraction and/or distillation to recover at least one organic product from a fermentation broth. In an embodiment, the recovery of the product is completed in a manner that minimizes stress on the microbial biomass, such that it remains viable, at least in part, and may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, with minimal water extraction which results in increased efficiency in the fermentation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Paul Alvin Sechrist, Robert John Conrado, Elham Ebrahimiaqda
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Patent number: 11471786Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: LanzaTech, Inc.Inventors: Paul Alvin Sechrist, Nicholas Bourdakos, Robert John Conrado, Allan Haiming Gao, Jason Carl Bromley, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Michael Emerson Martin, Ignasi Palou-Rivera, Joseph Henry Tizard
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Publication number: 20220305399Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Paul Alvin Sechrist, Nicholas Bourdakos, Robert John Conrado, Allan Haiming Gao, Jason Carl Bromley, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Michael Emerson Martin, Ignasi Palou-Rivera, Joseph Henry Tizard
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Patent number: 10815502Abstract: The invention provides processes and methods for utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising hydrogen (H2) and CO2. In particular, the invention allows for the conversion of at least a portion of the CO2 in the gaseous substrate to one or more products, such as ethanol, acetate, and/or 2,3-butanediol.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITEDInventors: Joseph Henry Tizard, Paul Alvin Sechrist
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Publication number: 20200188809Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Paul Alvin Sechrist, Nicholas Bourdakos, Robert John Conrado, Allan Haiming Gao, Jason Carl Bromley, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Michael Emerson Martin, Ignasi Palou-Rivera, Joseph Henry Tizard
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Patent number: 10610802Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and associated method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: LANZATECH, INC.Inventors: Paul Alvin Sechrist, Nicholas Bourdakos, Robert John Conrado, Allan Ha Gao, Jason Carl Bromley, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Michael Emerson Martin, Ignasi Palou-Rivera, Joseph Henry Tizard
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Publication number: 20180264375Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and associated method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Paul Alvin Sechrist, Nicholas Bourdakos, Robert John Conrado, Allan Ha Gao, Jason Carl Bromley, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea
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Publication number: 20150152441Abstract: Processes, as well as associated systems, are disclosed for biological conversion of CO into desired end products such as ethanol and 2,3-butanediol. The pre-treatment of industrial gas streams comprising CO, such that the level of contaminants selected from the group comprising benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene, are maintained below a predetermined liquid level in the fermentation broth, has been shown to have positive effects on the fermentation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Michael Anthony Schultz, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Bjorn Daniel Heijstra
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Publication number: 20150111266Abstract: The invention provides processes and methods for utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising hydrogen (H2) and CO2. In particular, the invention allows for the conversion of at least a portion of the CO2 in the gaseous substrate to one or more products, such as ethanol, acetate, and/or 2,3-butanediol.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Joseph Henry Tizard, Paul Alvin Sechrist
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Patent number: 8499702Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Ensyn Renewables, Inc.Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Daniel N. Myers, Sid Kulprathipanja, Stanley Joseph Frey, Barry Freel
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Publication number: 20130152795Abstract: Adsorption vessels and systems utilizing adsorption vessels are provided herein. In one embodiment, an adsorption vessel for receiving a fluid mixture and for separating a component from therein includes a vessel wall extending from a bottom end to a top end and defining a vessel chamber. A bottom inlet is formed in the bottom end of the adsorption vessel for introducing the fluid mixture to the vessel chamber. Further, a support plate is positioned in the vessel chamber above the bottom end, and defines a bottom void volume between the support plate and the bottom end. A filler material having a total porosity of less than about 25% is positioned in the bottom void volume and defines a channel for flow of the fluid mixture from the bottom inlet to the support plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Kirit M. Patel, Bradley P. Russell, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Michael Jerome Vetter, Hua Chen, Pengfei Chen
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Publication number: 20120330076Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for alkylating. The process can include providing a first effluent from a first alkylation zone, and providing a second effluent from a second alkylation zone. Generally, the first and second effluents are provided to an exchanger for reboiling a fractionation zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: UOP, LLCInventors: Michael Roy Smith, Russell Clarence Schulz, Phillip F. Daly, Paul Alvin Sechrist
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Publication number: 20120272822Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a process for pressure swing adsorption. Generally, the process includes passing a fluid through a first channel for adsorbing at least one component while simultaneously passing a stream desorbing a component through a second channel. The first and second channels may be in thermal communication for transferring heat from the first channel undergoing adsorption to the second channel undergoing desorption.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: UOP, LLCInventor: Paul Alvin Sechrist
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Publication number: 20120271071Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. Representative methods comprise (a) fractionating an aromatic hydrocarbon containing feed stream (e.g., a feed stream comprising C9 and/or C10 aromatic hydrocarbons), to provide at least one methylated aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction; and (b) reacting at least a portion of the at least one methylated aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction in a transalkylation reaction zone to provide a transalkylation effluent comprising the C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The presence of a methylated aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction in the inlet stream to the transalkylation reaction zone provides a number of advantages as described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: ROBERT HAIZMANN, PAUL ALVIN SECHRIST
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Publication number: 20120271084Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. Representative methods comprise fractionating a transalkylation effluent, exiting a transalkylation reaction zone and comprising C8 and C9 aromatic hydrocarbons, to provide a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction and a C9 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction. The methods may further comprise (i) recycling the C9 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction to the transalkylation reaction zone and/or (ii) separating, in a xylene separation zone, isomers of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons in the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction, into a para-xylene-enriched extract and a para-xylene-depleted raffinate. Performance in the transalkylation reaction zone is improved and/or downstream processing requirements in an aromatics complex are mitigated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: ROBERT HAIZMANN, PAUL ALVIN SECHRIST
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Publication number: 20120012039Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Daniel N. Myers, Sid Kulprathipanja, Stanley Joseph Frey, Barry Freel
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Publication number: 20110243807Abstract: Catalyst regeneration vessels including a chlorination zone that includes an outer mixing chamber, an inner mixing chamber, and a catalyst bed. The outer mixing chamber can include a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the outer mixing chamber including at least one air nozzle that injects a drying air stream into the outer mixing chamber, at least one chlorine input nozzle that injects a chlorine input stream into the outer mixing chamber, and at least a first baffle. The chlorination zone can also contain a second baffle that directs the mixed drying air stream and chlorine input stream from the outer mixing chamber to the inner mixing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Bing Sun, Paul Alvin Sechrist
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Patent number: 7985381Abstract: Catalyst regeneration vessels including a chlorination zone that includes an outer mixing chamber, an inner mixing chamber, and a catalyst bed. The outer mixing chamber can include a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the outer mixing chamber including at least one air nozzle that injects a drying air stream into the outer mixing chamber, at least one chlorine input nozzle that injects a chlorine input stream into the outer mixing chamber, and at least a first baffle. The chlorination zone can also contain a second baffle that directs the mixed drying air stream and chlorine input stream from the outer mixing chamber to the inner mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Bing Sun, Paul Alvin Sechrist
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Publication number: 20100202940Abstract: Catalyst regeneration vessels including a chlorination zone that includes an outer mixing chamber, an inner mixing chamber, and a catalyst bed. The outer mixing chamber can include a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the outer mixing chamber including at least one air nozzle that injects a drying air stream into the outer mixing chamber, at least one chlorine input nozzle that injects a chlorine input stream into the outer mixing chamber, and at least a first baffle. The chlorination zone can also contain a second baffle that directs the mixed drying air stream and chlorine input stream from the outer mixing chamber to the inner mixing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Bing Sun, Paul Alvin Sechrist