Patents by Inventor Tiina Liitiä

Tiina Liitiä 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: 20230023359
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of removing volatile compounds from a lignin-containing material, the method comprising: providing a material comprising lignin and volatile compounds; treating the material by a distillation method in order to vaporize at least a part of the volatile compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Outi Poukka, Katja Salmenkivi, Lauri Pehu-Lehtonen, Pauliina Sjögård, Tarja Tamminen, Tiina Liitiä, Taina Ohra-aho
  • Publication number: 20220120035
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing an oxidised lignin based high performance surface active agent in techno-economically feasible manner within kraft pulp mill without interfering the main process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Lauri Pehu-Lehtonen, Pauliina Sjögård, Outi Poukka, Katariina Kemppainen, Anna Kalliola, Tiina Liitiä, Tapio Vehmas
  • Patent number: 10894866
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing reactive lignin from an alkaline lignin containing stream, such as black liquor, e.g. kraft lignin, by using thermal treatment with temperatures between 200 and 250° C. for simultaneous activation (for example by demethylation and/or demethoxylation) and precipitation of the lignin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Hanne Wikberg, Taina Ohra-Aho, Juha Leppävuori, Tiina Liitiä
  • Publication number: 20200011012
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing reactive lignin from an alkaline lignin containing stream, such as black liquor, e.g. kraft lignin, by using thermal treatment with temperatures between 200 and 300° C., and a retention time of 1 h or less, for activation of the lignin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Hanne Wikberg, Taina Ohra-Aho, Juha Leppävuori, Tiina Liitiä, Heimo Kanerva
  • Publication number: 20190338168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive mixture, containing one or more cohesive polymers, one or more tackifiers and optionally one or more separate plasticizer, wherein at least one tackifier is selected from lignin or derivatized lignin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Christiane Laine, Tiina Liitiä, Jarmo Ropponen, Pia Willberg-Keyriläinen, Riku Talja
  • Publication number: 20180327311
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispersant comprising alkaline-O2 oxidized lignin. Such dispersant may be used for example in inorganic pigments to reduce interactions between pigment particles and lower the viscosity of pigment mixtures, and thereby positively affect for example to the loading of fillers and pigments in paints and coatings, paper and board, constructions materials, printing inks and plastics. Dispersants may also be used in aiding the inorganic pigment grinding in the pigment mine. Another suitable use is as a plasticizer or as a retardant agent for construction materials, such as gypsum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Anna Kalliola, Tiina Liitiä, Tarja Tamminen, Tapio Vehmas
  • Publication number: 20180179339
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing reactive lignin from an alkaline lignin containing stream, such as black liquor, e.g. kraft lignin, by using thermal treatment with temperatures between 200 and 250° C. for simultaneous activation (for example by demethylation and/or demethoxylation) and precipitation of the lignin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Hanne Wikberg, Taina Ohra-Aho, Juha Leppävuori, Tiina Liitiä
  • Patent number: 9758757
    Abstract: Provided are biomass-based materials and valuable uses of microalgal biomass including: (i) acetylation of microalgal biomass to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (ii) use of triglyceride containing microalgal biomass for production of thermoplastics; (iii) combination of microalgal biomass and at least one type of plant polymer to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (iv) anionization of microalgal biomass to form a water absorbant material; (v) cationization of microalgal biomass, and optional flocculation, to form a water absorbant material; (vi) crosslinking of anionized microalgal biomass; (vii) carbonization of microalgal biomass; and (viii) use of microalgal biomass in the making of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TERRAVIA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Anna-stiina Jääskeläinen, Jani Kiuru, Christiane Laine, Tiina Liitiä, Kalle Nättinen, Jaakko Pere, Sonia Sousa, John Piechocki, Adrienne McKee, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Adam R. Pawloski
  • Patent number: 9676667
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for oxidizing lignin at alkaline conditions. This oxidized lignin can be used as a dispersant in various end-products, for example as a renewable plasticizer in cement-containing products, such as concrete, where the ability of the oxidized lignin to endure alkaline conditions is an advantage. Further, the invention concerns a concrete mixture containing aggregate, cement, water and a plasticizer formed of oxidized lignin, and a process for producing such a concrete mixture. The oxidized lignin can be manufactured using a process, where the lignin starting material is reacted with an oxidizing agent in solution in alkaline conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Anna Kalliola, Tiina Liitiä, Tarja Tamminen, Tapio Vehmas
  • Publication number: 20170009197
    Abstract: Provided are biomass-based materials and valuable uses of microalgal biomass including: (i) acetylation of microalgal biomass to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (ii) use of triglyceride containing microalgal biomass for production of thermoplastics; (iii) combination of microalgal biomass and at least one type of plant polymer to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (iv) anionization of microalgal biomass to form a water absorbant material; (v) cationization of microalgal biomass, and optional flocculation, to form a water absorbant material; (vi) crosslinking of anionized microalgal biomass; (vii) carbonization of microalgal biomass; and (viii) use of microalgal biomass in the making of paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: TERRAVIA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Anna-stiina Jääskeläinen, Jani Kiuru, Christiane Laine, Tiina Liitiä, Kalle Nättinen, Jaakko Pere, Sonia Sousa, John Piechocki, Adrienne McKee, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Adam R. Pawloski
  • Publication number: 20160244364
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for oxidizing lignin at alkaline conditions. This oxidized lignin can be used as a dispersant in various end-products, for example as a renewable plasticizer in cement-containing products, such as concrete, where the ability of the oxidized lignin to endure alkaline conditions is an advantage. Further, the invention concerns a concrete mixture containing aggregate, cement, water and a plasticizer formed of oxidized lignin, and a process for producing such a concrete mixture. The oxidized lignin can be manufactured using a process, where the lignin starting material is reacted with an oxidizing agent in solution in alkaline conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Anna Kalliola, Tiina Liitiä, Tarja Tamminen, Tapio Vehmas
  • Patent number: 9375703
    Abstract: Provided are biomass-based materials and valuable uses of microalgal biomass including: (i) acetylation of microalgal biomass to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (ii) use of triglyceride containing microalgal biomass for production of thermoplastics; (iii) combination of microalgal biomass and at least one type of plant polymer to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (iv) anionization of microalgal biomass to form a water absorbant material; (v) cationization of microalgal biomass, and optional flocculation, to form a water absorbant material; (vi) crosslinking of anionized microalgal biomass; (vii) carbonization of microalgal biomass; and (viii) use of microalgal biomass in the making of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Anna-stiina Jääskeläinen, Jani Kiuru, Christiane Laine, Tiina Liitiä, Kalle Nättinen, Jaakko Pere, Sonia Sousa, John Piechocki, Adrienne McKee, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Adam R. Pawloski
  • Publication number: 20130236937
    Abstract: Provided are biomass-based materials and valuable uses of microalgal biomass including: (i) acetylation of microalgal biomass to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (ii) use of triglyceride containing microalgal biomass for production of thermoplastics; (iii) combination of microalgal biomass and at least one type of plant polymer to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (iv) anionization of microalgal biomass to form a water absorbant material; (v) cationization of microalgal biomass, and optional flocculation, to form a water absorbant material; (vi) crosslinking of anionized microalgal biomass; (vii) carbonization of microalgal biomass; and (viii) use of microalgal biomass in the making of paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SOLAZYME, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Anna-stiina Jääskeläinen, Jani Kiuru, Christiane Laine, Tiina Liitiä, Kalle Nättinen, Jaakko Pere, Sonia Sousa, John Piechocki, Adrienne McKee, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Adam R. Pawloski