Patents by Inventor Yasmin Avila

Yasmin Avila 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).

  • Production of Ethanol From Methanol
    Publication number: 20130217925
    Abstract: A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Yasmin Avila, Betty Nguyen, Jean-Michel Lavoie
  • Production of ethanol from methanol
    Patent number: 8436215
    Abstract: A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Enerkem, Inc.
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Yasmin Avila, Betty Nguyen, Jean-Michel Lavoie
  • PRODUCTION OF ETHANOL FROM METHANOL
    Publication number: 20120071698
    Abstract: A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Yasmin Avila, Betty Nguyen, Jean-Michel Lavoie
  • Production of ethanol from methanol
    Patent number: 8080693
    Abstract: A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Enerkem, Inc.
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Yasmin Avila, Betty Nguyen, Jean-Michel Lavoie
  • Production of ethanol from methanol
    Publication number: 20090326080
    Abstract: A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Yasmin Avila, Betty Nguyen, Jean-Michel Lavoie
  • Production of ethanol from methanol
    Publication number: 20090221725
    Abstract: A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Yasmin Avila, Betty Nguyen, Jean-Michel Lavoie