Patents Assigned to Kior Inc.
  • BIOMASS FEED SYSTEM INCLUDING GAS ASSIST
    Publication number: 20140044602
    Abstract: An improved biomass feed system and processes for transporting biomass to downstream processing locations are disclosed. The system uses a pressurized gas to assist in the transporting of the biomass to the conversion reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: KIOR, INC.
    Inventor: Edward J. Smith
  • Production of renewable biofuels
    Patent number: 8647398
    Abstract: A process and system for separating and upgrading bio-oil into renewable fuels is provided. The process comprises separating bio-oil into a light fraction and heavy fraction based on their boiling points. The heavy fraction is then subjected to hydrotreatment, while the light fraction is not subjected to hydrotreatment. At least a portion of the un-hydrotreated light fraction and at least a portion of the hydrotreated heavy fraction are blended with petroleum-derived gasoline to thereby provide a renewable gasoline, and at least a portion of the hydrotreated heavy fraction is blended with petroleum-derived diesel to thereby provide a renewable diesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Magdalena Ramirez Corredores, Vicente Sanchez Iglesias
  • Polymeric material of photosynthetic origin comprising particulate inorganic material
    Patent number: 8648138
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new composition of matter comprising a polymeric material of photosynthetic origin having embedded therein small particles of an inorganic material. The composition of matter is particularly suitable for use in processes whereby the polymeric material is converted to fuels in liquid or gas form, and/or to the valuable specialty chemicals. The polymeric material comprises biomass. More specifically, the polymeric material comprises cellulose and at least one of hemicellulose and lignin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul O'Connor
  • Process for improving the separation of oil/water mixtures
    Patent number: 8636888
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reduction of the electrical conductivity of a product mixture containing the oil and water phases resulting from the conversion of biomass to liquid products, including the at least partial breaking of any oil/water emulsion, which aids in the separation of the oil and water phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: KIOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Trewella, Royce Roemisch
  • Catalysts for Thermo-Catalytic Conversion of Biomass, and Methods of Making and Using
    Publication number: 20140024866
    Abstract: Disclosed are catalyst compositions including zeolite and silica components, methods of making, and processes of using in the thermo-catalytic conversion of biomass. Such disclosed methods of making include: i) spray drying of the catalyst precursor slurry at a pH below 1, or ii) the removal of ions such as sodium from the binder material prior to spray drying the catalyst precursor slurry at a pH below 2.7, or iii) spray drying the catalyst precursor including a pore regulating agent followed by steam treating, or iv) some combination of i), ii) and iii).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Jon Springs, Bruce Adkins, Stephen Schuyten, Gopal Juttu, Christine M. Henry, Kelsey Shogren
  • Renewable heating oil
    Patent number: 8628589
    Abstract: More stable and valuable bio-oil produced from biomasses are provided. More specifically, more stable and valuable bio-oil useful as heating oil is provided. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide for a bio-oil having sufficient heating value and stability to be useful as heating oil without the need to hydrotreat the bio-oil or use a similar deoxygenating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Magdalena Ramirez Corredores, Vicente Sanchez
  • HYBRID SILICA AND ALUMINA AS CATALYST MATRIX AND/OR BINDER IN BIOMASS CONVERSION CATALYSTS AND BIO-OIL UPGRADING
    Publication number: 20140007493
    Abstract: The invention relates to catalyst compositions and components thereof for use in a catalytic process, and more particularly in a catalytic pyrolysis process or gasification of solid biomass material. In one aspect, a catalyst component is provided. The catalyst component includes a hybrid silica-alumina having a controlled Lewis acidity, and having a controlled porosity providing optimized accessibility for reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine M. Henry, Stephen Schuylen, Jerry J. Springs, Dennis Stamires, Zongchao Zhang, Ling Zhou
  • PRETREATMENT OF BIOMASS WITH CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20140007499
    Abstract: A composition of matter is disclosed comprising an intimate mixture of a particulate solid biomass material and a carbonaceous material. The composition is suitable for conversion to a bio-oil in a pyrolysis reaction. The carbonaceous material acts as a reducing agent during the pyrolysis reaction. The composition of matter produces bio-oil in a greater yield than prior art processes. The bio-oil is of improved quality, as evidenced by its low TAN value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Stamires, Paul O'Connor
  • Growing aquatic biomass, and producing biomass feedstock and biocrude therefrom
    Patent number: 8623634
    Abstract: A method for producing biomass and sequestering greenhouse gas includes providing a greenhouse gas, providing light energy, and growing algae in a growth container with the greenhouse gas and the light energy. The algae can be processed into a biomass feedstock. The biomass feedstock can be converted into a fuel or specialty chemical. At least a portion of the algae can be used as a fertilizer for a biomass growth source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yanik, Robert Bartek
  • Liquid fuel from aquatic biomass
    Patent number: 8617261
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting aquatic biomass to a bio-oil. The process comprises mixing the aquatic biomass with a particulate catalytic material; subjecting the aquatic biomass to a catalytic cracking reaction to form a reaction mixture comprising a bio-oil; and isolating the bio-oil from the reaction mixture. Preferably the process is integrated with a plant for producing aquatic biomass, so that heat and CO2 generated during the process may be used in the production of aquatic biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul O'Connor
  • RENEWABLE FUEL COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20130333652
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alternative fuel composition derived from the conversion of biomass at an elevated temperature, with conversion optionally in the presence of a catalyst, which is capable of reducing, and thereby improving, a low temperature property of a distillate. A process is also disclosed for mixing such renewable composition with the distillate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KIOR, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Trewella, Daniel J. Strope, John Kasbaum, Stephen J. McGovern, Vicente Sanchez
  • Production of Renewable Bio-Distillate
    Publication number: 20130326936
    Abstract: A process and system for separating a light fraction, a bio-distillate fraction, and a heavy fraction from a bio-oil, and for producing a renewable distillate including at least in part the bio-distillate fraction and a stabilizing additive, is provided. In addition, a process and system is provided for upgrading a bio-oil by use of a diluent and/or a recycle stream from the upgrading process to reduce fouling in upgrading equipment, such as a preheater and a hydrodeoxygenation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Magdalena Ramirez-Corredores, Changan Zhang
  • Biomass pyrolysis conversion process with high olefin production and upgrade
    Patent number: 8604260
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for biomass conversion in a catalytic pyrolysis reactor to convert such to liquid hydrocarbons which includes conditions which favor increased olefin production; wherein the olefins are then upgraded alone or with the produced bio-oil to fuel range hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Ditsch
  • Process for reducing the oxygen content of high-oxygen feedstocks
    Patent number: 8598393
    Abstract: A process is described for reducing the oxygen content of a high-oxygen feedstock. The process is particularly suitable for biomass-based feedstocks. The process comprises contacting the feedstock with carbon monoxide and/or coke in the presence of a catalyst. Conveniently, the coke may be present in the form of a deposit on the catalyst. Carbon monoxide may be generated in a regeneration step of the catalyst. The process may be carried out in conventional refinery equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul O'Connor
  • Process for Upgrading Biomass Derived Products Using Liquid-Liquid Extraction
    Publication number: 20130306557
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the alteration of the ratio of the specific gravities of the oil and water phases resulting from the conversion of biomass to liquid products, the reduction of the conductivity and of metals of the product mixture, which each can aid in the removal of solids contained in the oil phase; and a liquid-liquid extraction method for partitioning desirable carbon containing compounds into the oil phase and undesirable carbon containing compounds into the water phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Moore, Vicente Sanchez, Ed Smith
  • Processing of biomass-derived oxygenates with particles comprising a coke deposit
    Patent number: 8574460
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a mixture of CO and H2 (syn-gas). The method comprises contacting particles containing a coke deposit with oxygenated molecules derived from biomass. In a preferred embodiment the particles are catalyst particles. The method may be carried out in the regenerator of a conventional fluid catalyst cracking (FCC) unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Avelino Corma Camos, George W. Huber
  • Modular biomass treatment unit
    Patent number: 8558043
    Abstract: A modular biomass treatment unit includes a first module having a pretreater and a first frame for transportation to and operation at a site adjacent to a solid biomass growth source. The pretreater is operable to process solid biomass to produce a plurality of solid biomass particles for conversion into a fuel or specialty chemical. The first frame supports the pretreater during transportation to and operation at the site adjacent to the solid biomass growth source. The modular biomass treatment unit can also include additional modules each comprising a reactor, a separator, and a frame for transportation to and operation at a site such as the site adjacent to the solid biomass growth source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yanik, Paul O'Connor, Robert Bartek
  • Method and apparatus for pyrolysis of a biomass
    Patent number: 8557193
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for effective pyrolysis of a biomass utilizing rapid heat transfer from a solid heat carrier or catalyst. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses which incorporate progressive temperature quenching and rapid disengagement of the heat carrier material and reaction product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bartek, Ronald Lee Cordle
  • TAN UPGRADING OF BIO-OIL
    Publication number: 20130267753
    Abstract: A process to improve the processability of a bio-oil is provided. The disclosed process involves removing at least a portion of the carboxylic acids originally present in a bio-oil using a weak base anion exchange resin. Upon removing at least a portion of these carboxylic acids, the treated bio-oil contains a lower TAN value and is better suited for processing in existing refinery equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: KIOR, INC.
    Inventors: Maria Magdalena Ramirez Corredores, Xiaowei Tong, Jennifer Sorrells
  • Pretreatment of biomass with carbonaceous material
    Patent number: 8552233
    Abstract: A composition of matter is described herein that can be subjected to pyrolysis and converted into a bio-oil. The composition comprises an intimate mixture of a particulate solid biomass material and a carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material acts as a reducing agent during the pyrolysis reaction. The composition of matter produces bio-oil in a greater yield than prior art processes. The bio-oil is of improved quality, as evidenced by its low TAN value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Stamires, Paul O'Connor