Patents Assigned to POET Research, Inc.
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Patent number: 10213704Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for remediating one or more impurities (e.g., diacetyl) that are present in manufacturing an alcohol (e.g., ethanol) from cellulosic biomass. The methods and systems include reacting the one or more impurities with at least one treatment compound (e.g., an oxidizing agent, an alkali compound, or a mixture thereof) to form a reaction product that can be separated from the alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Poet Research, Inc.Inventors: David Charles Carlson, Blake J. Gomer, Casey C. Jenks, Sharil Kirschman-Rollag, Kristine Nicole Plack, Melissa R. Tille
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Patent number: 10190086Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems of pitching yeast to fermentation reactors. More particularly, the present invention involves pitching yeast from one fermentation tank to at least one additional fermentation tank. Advantageously, yeast can be continuously pitched from fermentor to fermentor for as long as practically desirable.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventors: Neelakantam V. Narendranath, Stephen M. Lewis, Neil D. Anderson
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Patent number: 10113187Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for injecting a gas (e.g., air) into a grain oil recovered from a grain process so as to remove an amount of one or more materials (e.g., moisture, unsaponifiables, insolubles, free fatty acids, and the like) from the grain oil.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Poet Research, Inc.Inventors: David D. Bushong, Casey C. Jenks
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Publication number: 20180235167Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include fractionating the plant material. The present invention also relates to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The method can include drying a co-product by ring drying, flash drying, or fluid bed drying. The present invention further relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Poet Research, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Lewis, Shon Erron Van Hulzen
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Patent number: 10021897Abstract: Protein feed compositions and methods of making the protein feed compositions are disclosed herein. The protein feed compositions may comprise zein and are derived from a starch-based feedstock-to-ethanol fermentation conversion process such as a corn-to-ethanol conversion process. Methods of making the compositions include performing a starch-based feedstock-to-ethanol fermentation process in a manner that reduces the total heat exposure of the components of the protein composition as compared to a similar process which uses a cooking process to saccharify starch and/or a distillation process to separate the fermentation beer into ethanol and whole stillage. The process may include centrifugation of the fermentation beer resulting in a bulk solids mixture, extraction of a protein composition from the resulting bulk solids mixture, and desolventizing the extracted protein composition.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventor: Steven G Redford
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Patent number: 9982317Abstract: Methods and systems for pretreating lignocellulosic biomass are disclosed. An acid solution between 1% to 1.6% sulfuric acid is applied to the biomass. The biomass is subjected to an elevated temperature to cause the production of xylose, glucose, and furfural. Adjustments to temperature, acid concentration, and time can generate at least 80% or 90% of theoretical xylose, 45% or 50% of the theoretical glucose, and less than 4000 ppm of furfural in the xylose liquor. A portion of the resulting xylose liquor may be separated from the glucan solids. The xylose liquor, still highly acidic, can be recycled to reduce subsequent acid loading requirements. Makeup acid solution is added to the xylose liquor and subsequent biomass to ensure a proper solids to liquids ratio. The biomass is again treated to higher temperatures to yield sugars. The process may be repeated for each subsequent cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Poet Research, Inc.Inventors: William F. McDonald, Shannon Scott Urban, Jason L. Martin
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Patent number: 9963823Abstract: The present disclosure includes embodiments of methods and systems for reducing the size of lignocellulosic feedstock. The present disclosure also includes embodiments of methods and systems for separating oversized, in process lignocellulosic material, reducing the size of the oversized lignocellulosic material offline, and the reintroducing the lignocellulosic material back into the main process flow after size reduction.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Scott Radigan, II, James M. Geraets, Jeffrey R. Heikes, Rodney Duane Pierson, David Charles Carlson
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Patent number: 9896643Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering a desired co-product from a feedstock to ethanol production process are provided. The methods involve a multi-step separation of a fermentation-derived feedstock, in which an initial separation produces a discharge stream and an output feed stream including the co-product, and a final separation further purifies the output feed stream while also producing a recycle stream that is reintroduced into the separation process. The systems include at least an initial and at least a final separation device which are in fluid communication in both upstream and downstream directions. The initial separation device separates at least a portion of a non-co-product containing phase from a feed stream comprising the non-co-product containing phase and a co-product containing phase, and the final separation device separates at least a portion of the co-product containing phase from a stream comprising the co-product containing phase and a non-co-product containing phase.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: POET RESEARCH, INC.Inventor: Steven Redford
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Publication number: 20170283838Abstract: The present invention generally relates to oil compositions and methods of producing such oil compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oil composition recovered from a fermentation product as well as methods of recovering such oil compositions for use in various processes such as bio-diesel production as well as in various edible applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: Poet Research, Inc.Inventor: Jason Bootsma
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Patent number: 9663807Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for treating lignocellulosic biomass to be supplied to a fermentation system for production of a fermentation product. The systems and methods comprise pre-treating the biomass into pre-treated biomass and separating the pre-treated biomass into a liquid component comprising sugars and a solids component comprising cellulose and lignin. The systems and methods also comprise treating the solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a treated component. The biomass comprises lignocellulosic material. Treating the solids component comprises application of an enzyme formulation and makeup water to form a slurry. The enzyme formulation comprises a cellulase enzyme. The makeup water includes a clarified thin stillage composition and/or an anaerobic membrane digester effluent composition.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: POET RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Neelakantam V. Narendranath, William F. McDonald
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Patent number: 9655300Abstract: A system for collecting biomass for the production of ethanol is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for collecting biomass. The method comprising: harvesting biomass with a combine, wherein a first portion of the biomass is substantially forced against the ground and a second portion of the biomass passes through the combine and forming bales comprising the second portion of the biomass. According to an aspect, the bales comprise a majority of the second portion of the biomass and a small part of the first portion of the biomass.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventors: William J. Schany, Scott A. Weishaar
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Patent number: 9593849Abstract: A system for the combustion of high solids liquid to produce steam for the production of ethanol is disclosed. The system comprises a method for combusting high solids liquid. The method comprises supplying a stream of high solids liquid to a furnace; atomizing the stream of high solids liquid into the furnace; and distributing biomass fuel into the furnace. The stream of high solids liquid are combusted with the biomass fuel in the furnace.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventor: James M. Geraets
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Patent number: 9567366Abstract: The invention relates to water-based prolamin (e.g., zein) compositions and to methods of making water-based prolamin compositions. The compositions may be used in paints, printing inks, varnishes, adhesives, glues, binders (e.g., for paper), food coatings, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: POET RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Leif Sedgewick Freeman, John Warren Lawton, Jr., Marvin Lynn Mitchell, Melvin Glenn Mitchell
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Patent number: 9550597Abstract: A material removal method for removing net wrap or twine from the outer surface of a bale of material. The method comprises the steps of cutting the net wrap or twine material along a length of the bale, placing a first spear (62, 162) of a material wind-up system (60, 160) between the bale and the material, rotating the material wind-up system to wind the net wrap or twine material around the first (62, 162) and a second spear (64, 164) and stripping the material from the first and second spears.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventors: Brandon L. McLellan, Todd L. Peterson
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Patent number: 9540664Abstract: Systems and methods for improving ethanol yield are provided. A feedstock is ground suitably fine for use in fermentation. The feedstock may include corn or any other suitable material. In some cases, the feedstock undergoes a fractionation prior to grinding. The ground feedstock may be slurried with water and enzymes to facilitate conversion of the starch in the feedstock to sugars. The slurry may be about 35% solids. After being slurried, an ethanologen may be added. Additionally, the pH of the slurry may be adjusted to between 4.2 and 5.2 to facilitate the priming A primer is added to the slurry. The primer may include any weak acid, and in some embodiments includes acetic acid. Acetic acid, when used as a primer, may be added at a concentration of between 1200 and 3600 parts per million. The slurry is fermented to produce improved yields of ethanol.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: POET Research, IncInventors: Stephen M. Lewis, Neelakantam V. Narendranath
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Publication number: 20160369304Abstract: A method for treating fermented lignocellulosic biomass to be supplied to a distillation system for production of ethanol is provided. The method includes pre-treating lignocellulosic biomass into pre-treated biomass and separating the pre-treated biomass into a liquid component comprising sugars and a solids component comprising cellulose and lignin. The method also includes hydrolysing the solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a hydrolysed biomass comprising sugars and lignin and fermenting the hydrolysed solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a fermentation product comprising ethanol and lignin. The method also includes treating the fermentation product and distilling the treated fermentation product to recover the ethanol. The lignocellulosic biomass comprises cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: POET Research, Inc.Inventors: William F. McDonald, Nicholas Paul Stutzman, David Charles Carlson
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Patent number: 9523652Abstract: An apparatus for measuring moisture content of biomass is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a probe apparatus and a mechanism that inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass. The probe apparatus measures a capacitance of the biomass. In accordance with an embodiment, the probe apparatus is mounted on the mechanism. In an embodiment, the mechanism positions the probe apparatus over the biomass. According to an embodiment, the mechanism inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass as the biomass is being transported in a trailer.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventors: Julie A. Kluin, Brandon L. McLellan
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Patent number: 9487565Abstract: A high cysteine content zein composition is provided. A method and system for the manufacture of the bioproduct is likewise disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Poet Research, Inc.Inventor: John W. Lawton, Jr.
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Patent number: 9487817Abstract: Assessing quality of feedstock is provided and may be useful for determining quality of feed (such as corn kernels). The assessment determines endogenous enzyme activity within the feedstock, which correlates with total ethanol yields in raw starch hydrolysis (non-cooked) systems. In some embodiments, a sample containing flour (ground feedstock) is provided. In some cases, flour is diluted in water and buffered with a phosphate buffered solution. The buffered flour solution is contacted with a molecule, or fluorescent dye, such as fluorescein diacetate and/or difluorofluorescein that is altered by enzymatic (esterase) activity in a detectable fashion. Enzyme activity may be facilitated using an incubator. The detectible alteration may be measured using a fluorometer. In some embodiments, two incubations and fluorescence measurements can be performed.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: POET Research, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Lewis, Neelakantam V. Narendranath
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Patent number: 9469859Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to a method for producing a fermentation product from biomass that has been pre-treated in a pre-treatment system and separated into a liquid component and a first solids component. The method comprises: (a) treating the liquid component in a filtration system comprising at least one nano-filter to produce a treated liquid component, and to remove an acid from the liquid component; (b) supplying the treated liquid component, a fermenting organism, and agents to a fermentation system; (c) recovering the fermentation product from the fermentation system; and (d) supplying the acid for re-use in the pre-treatment system. In many embodiments, the biomass comprises lignocellulosic material and the liquid component comprises pentose (e.g., xylose).Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: POET RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Steven T. Bly, David Charles Carlson, Jason Richard Kwiatkowski