Patents Assigned to Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130131411
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for increasing the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons produced while converting alkanols to hydrocarbons. The invention includes methods of using catalysts to increase the yield of benzene, toluene, and mixed xylenes in the hydrocarbon product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Blommel, Li Yuan, Matt Van Straten, Warren Lyman, Randy D. Cortright
  • Publication number: 20110306804
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: VIRENT ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Randy D. Cortright
  • Patent number: 8053615
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20110257416
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones, cyclic ethers and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4? hydrocarbons, cyclic ethers, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation and/or deoxygenation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: VIRENT ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20110245543
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20110245542
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 8017818
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 7989664
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycal and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy D. Cortright
  • Patent number: 7977517
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 7767867
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycal and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy D. Cortright