Patents by Inventor Thomas Paul Griffin

Thomas Paul Griffin 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: 8137647
    Abstract: Provided are processes for the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite. In these processes, ilmenite is digested with aqueous ammonium hydrogen oxalate. Iron from the ilmenite precipitates as a hydrated iron oxalate and is removed by filtering, leaving a titanium-rich solution. The titanium-rich solution can be further processed to form titanium dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David Richard Corbin, Thomas Paul Griffin, Keith W. Hutchenson, Sheng Li, Mark Brandon Shiflett, Carmine Torardi, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 7932297
    Abstract: A method and system for the production of valuable chemicals or alternative liquid fuels via an integrated biomass conversion and upgrading process is disclosed. The process integrates three subcomponent processes, capturing the desirable attributes of each: zoned partial oxidation, alcohol production, and gas-to-liquids reformation. The method and system may include reacting gasification intermediates—e.g., syngas from zoned partial oxidation, with bioprocessing intermediates—e.g., aqueous ethanol from alcohol production in a reactive separation to produce a product(s) of higher alcohols, liquid hydrocarbons, or a combination of these. The product(s) can be split into two (or more) boiling point fractions by the same reactive separations unit operation. The resulting product(s) are valuable for a variety of applications, including potentially as alternative (non-fossil-based) liquid transportation fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Sustainable Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Griffin
  • Publication number: 20090182064
    Abstract: The process and system of the embodiments utilize a reactive separation unit to upgrade a bioprocess intermediate stream to higher value liquid fuels or chemicals. The reactive separation unit simultaneously enables molecular weight and density increases, oxygen content reduction, efficient process energy integration, optional water separation for potential reuse, and incorporation of additional hydrocarbons or oxygenated hydrocarbons as co-feed(s). The use and selection of particular co-feed(s) for this purpose enables tailoring of the intended product composition. The process and system yields a product of higher alcohols, liquid hydrocarbons, or a combination of these. These can be split into two (or more) boiling point fractions by the same reactive separations unit operation resulting in product(s) that can be used as chemicals, chemical intermediates, or alternative (non-fossil-based) liquid transportation fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Griffin
  • Publication number: 20090182176
    Abstract: A method and system for the production of valuable chemicals or alternative liquid fuels via an integrated biomass conversion and upgrading process is disclosed. The process integrates three subcomponent processes, capturing the desirable attributes of each: zoned partial oxidation, alcohol production, and gas-to-liquids reformation. The method and system may include reacting gasification intermediates—e.g., syngas from zoned partial oxidation, with bioprocessing intermediates—e.g., aqueous ethanol from alcohol production in a reactive separation to produce a product(s) of higher alcohols, liquid hydrocarbons, or a combination of these. The product(s) can be split into two (or more) boiling point fractions by the same reactive separations unit operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Griffin
  • Publication number: 20080159933
    Abstract: Provided are processes for the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite. In these processes, ilmenite is digested with aqueous ammonium hydrogen oxalate. Iron from the ilmenite precipitates as a hydrated iron oxalate and is removed by filtering, leaving a titanium-rich solution. The titanium-rich solution can be further processed to form titanium dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: DAVID RICHARD CORBIN, THOMAS PAUL GRIFFIN, KEITH W. HUTCHENSON, SHENG LI, MARK BRANDON SHIFLETT, CARMINE TORARDI, JOSEPH J. ZAHER