Patents Assigned to Bio2Electric, LLC
  • Patent number: 11390573
    Abstract: The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher hydrocarbons is described using SO3 and sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite and metabifulfite salts as oxygen transfer agents in the presence of one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, optionally further in the presence of alkali or alkaline salts and/or sulfur-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Bio2Electric, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Sofranko
  • Patent number: 11104625
    Abstract: The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher hydrocarbons is described using SO3 and sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite and metabifulfite salts as oxygen transfer agents in the presence of one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, optionally further in the presence of alkali or alkaline salts and/or sulfur-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Bio2Electric, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Sofranko
  • Patent number: 11021420
    Abstract: Improvements in the commercial viability of oxygen transfer agents (OTAs) and/or catalysts associated with the OCM and the ODH of hydrocarbons to olefins through enhancement of one or more of the selectivity, yield, rate and lifetime of the OTA and/or catalyst is described by one or more of (i) exposing the OTA or the catalyst to a sulfur-containing compound at a site or at a time that is different from where and when the saturated hydrocarbon is converted by the OTA or the catalyst to an unsaturated hydrocarbon; (ii) increasing the particle density of the OTA or the catalyst by treating the OTA or the catalyst with a reducing agent at a site different from where the saturated hydrocarbon is converted by the OTA or by the catalyst to an unsaturated hydrocarbon; and (iii) removing non-selective redox oxygen (NSRO) present on the OTA by subjecting the OTA to a gas that is substantially free of any molecular oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Bio2Electric, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Sofranko
  • Patent number: 10322392
    Abstract: A system for promoting endothermic conversions includes a first and a second portion, a first and second supply, a first outlet and a heat exchanger. The first portion defines a first inner volume containing an oxygen transfer agent. The first supply contains one or more of hydrogen and a saturated hydrocarbon and is fluidly connected to the first inner volume. The first outlet conveys one or more of carbon dioxide, water, and an unsaturated hydrocarbon from the first inner volume. The second portion and the heat exchanger positioned within the second portion define a second inner volume containing reduced oxygen transfer agent. The second supply contains an oxidizing agent fluidly connected to the second inner volume. The heat exchanger also defines a third inner volume segregated from the second inner volume, and the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat resulting from the oxidation of the reduced oxygen transfer agent to the third inner volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Bio2Electric, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Sofranko
  • Patent number: 10138182
    Abstract: A oxygen transfer agent useful for the oxidative dehydrogenation of saturated hydrocarbons includes at least one mixed oxide derived from manganese or compounds thereof, as well as a promoter, such as tungsten and/or phosphorus. The oxygen transfer agent may also include an alkali metal or compounds thereof, boron or compounds thereof, an oxide of an alkaline earth metal, and an oxide containing one or more of one or more of manganese, lithium, boron, and magnesium. A reactor is at least partially filled with the oxygen transfer agent in the form of a fixed or circulating bed and provides an unsaturated hydrocarbon product, such as ethylene and/or propylene. The oxygen transfer agent may be regenerated using oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: Bio2Electric, LLC, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Fanxing Li, Luke Neal
  • Publication number: 20180185806
    Abstract: A system for promoting endothermic conversions includes a first and a second portion, a first and second supply, a first outlet and a heat exchanger. The first portion defines a first inner volume containing an oxygen transfer agent. The first supply contains one or more of hydrogen and a saturated hydrocarbon and is fluidly connected to the first inner volume. The first outlet conveys one or more of carbon dioxide, water, and an unsaturated hydrocarbon from the first inner volume. The second portion and the heat exchanger positioned within the second portion define a second inner volume containing reduced oxygen transfer agent. The second supply contains an oxidizing agent fluidly connected to the second inner volume. The heat exchanger also defines a third inner volume segregated from the second inner volume, and the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat resulting from the oxidation of the reduced oxygen transfer agent to the third inner volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Bio2Electric, LLC d/b/a EcoCatalytic Technologies
    Inventor: John A. Sofranko
  • Publication number: 20170313637
    Abstract: A oxygen transfer agent useful for the oxidative dehydrogenation of saturated hydrocarbons includes at least one mixed oxide derived from manganese or compounds thereof, as well as a promoter, such as tungsten and/or phosphorus. The oxygen transfer agent may also include an alkali metal or compounds thereof, boron or compounds thereof, an oxide of an alkaline earth metal, and an oxide containing one or more of one or more of manganese, lithium, boron, and magnesium. A reactor is at least partially filled with the oxygen transfer agent in the form of a fixed or circulating bed and provides an unsaturated hydrocarbon product, such as ethylene and/or propylene. The oxygen transfer agent may be regenerated using oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicants: Bio2Electric, LLC, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John A. SOFRANKO, Fanxing LI, Luke NEAL
  • Publication number: 20170247803
    Abstract: A reactor and process capable of concurrently producing electric power and selectively oxidizing gaseous components in a feed stream, such as hydrocarbons to unsaturated products, which are useful intermediates in the production of liquid fuels. The reactor includes an oxidation membrane, a reduction membrane, an electron barrier, and a conductor. The oxidation membrane and reduction membrane include an MIEC oxide. The electron barrier, located between the oxidation membrane and the reduction membrane, is configured to allow transmission of oxygen anions from the reduction membrane to the oxidation membrane and resist transmission of electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane. The conductor conducts electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Bio2Electric, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Sofranko
  • Publication number: 20140275679
    Abstract: A reactor and process capable of concurrently producing electric power and selectively oxidizing gaseous components in a feed stream, such as hydrocarbons to unsaturated products, which are useful intermediates in the production of liquid fuels. The reactor includes an oxidation membrane, a reduction membrane, an electron barrier, and a conductor. The oxidation membrane and reduction membrane include an MIEC oxide. The electron barrier, located between the oxidation membrane and the reduction membrane, is configured to allow transmission of oxygen anions from the reduction membrane to the oxidation membrane and resist transmission of electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane. The conductor conducts electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bio2Electric, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Sofranko