Patents Examined by Douglas B Call
  • Patent number: 9587285
    Abstract: This invention refers to a method for reducing the color of any intermediate of a process for obtaining sugar, and sugar and a process for the production of low color sugar. This invention also refers to the use of components and combinations thereof for reducing the color of sugar and/or any intermediate of a process for obtaining sugar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: José Raimundo Filho
  • Patent number: 9566566
    Abstract: A hydrogen production catalyst used for generating hydrogen by splitting water, the catalyst comprising a composite metal oxide of cerium oxide and praseodymium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9566571
    Abstract: A hexaaluminate-containing catalyst for reforming hydrocarbons. The catalyst consists of a hexaaluminate-containing phase, which consists of cobalt and at least one further element from the group consisting of La, Ba, and Sr, and an oxidic secondary phase. To prepare the catalyst, an aluminum source is brought into contact with a cobalt-containing metal salt solution, dried, and calcined. The metal salt solution additionally contains the at least one further element. The reforming of methane and carbon dioxide is great economic interest since synthesis gas produced during this process can form a raw material for the preparation of basic chemicals. In addition, the use of carbon dioxide as a starting material is important in the chemical syntheses in order to bind carbon dioxide obtained as waste product in numerous processes by a chemical route and thereby avoid emission into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Stephan Schunk, Andrian Milanov, Andreas Strasser, Guido Wasserschaff, Thomas Roussiere
  • Patent number: 9556496
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for processing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials into useful intermediates and products, such as energy and fuels. For example, conveying systems and methods, such as highly efficient vibratory conveyors, are described for the processing of the cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: XYLECO, INC.
    Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman, Robert Paradis
  • Patent number: 9551043
    Abstract: Methods are described for producing sugar from sugar-containing plant material with microbiological control, which includes treating a sugar-containing plant raw material and/or a component derived therefrom, and/or a medium containing the plant raw material and/or the component, with monochloramine. Monochloramine usage in the method can reduce loss of sugar from bacterial consumptions in the processing of sugar-containing plant materials, such as sugar beets, without causing adverse effects on the sugar product, such as the brightness of white sugar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie Van Haute, Jean Michel Chauwin, Marco Ulisse Mascia
  • Patent number: 9540703
    Abstract: A method for improving the yield of the production of crystalline alpha-lactose is suggested, wherein (a) an aqueous lactose solution is gradually cooled down to about 10° C., (b) a first amount of precipitated alpha-lactose crystals is separated from the mother liquor, (c) an amount of a carbohydrate compound is added to the mother liquor such that the solubility product of the lactose is exceeded at the given temperature, (d) a second amount of precipitated alpha-lactose crystals is separated from the mother liquor, and (e) both amounts of alpha-lactose crystals are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH
    Inventor: Sven-Rainer Döring
  • Patent number: 9499839
    Abstract: A method for fermenting carbohydrate-rich crops is provided. Sugar beet, sugar cane, sweet sorghum, tropical maize hybrids and fruits are rich in simple sugars; potato, sweet potato, cassava and yam are rich in starch; and Jerusalem artichoke is rich in inulin. This method uses vacuum infusion to infuse yeast into the intercellular space (apoplast) of the parenchyma tissue. The simple sugars diffuse into the apoplast, come into contact with the yeast and produce ethanol. Ethanol can be extracted from the crop by vacuum stripping or crushing or can be left inside the starchy crop to preserve it. In some variants, pectinase enzymes degrade the parenchyma cell walls to speed up diffusion of simple sugars to the yeast, speed up diffusion of amylase to starch granules or speed up diffusion of inulinase to insoluble inulin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Edward Brian Hamrick
  • Patent number: 9480970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a carrier for supporting a catalyst for a spacecraft thruster and to a method for preparing the same, and more particularly, to a catalyst carrier for a spacecraft thruster and method for preparing the same, in which the diameter and distribution of pores of the carrier are controlled using a pore inducing material to lengthen the life of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventors: Su Kyum Kim, Myoung Jong Yu, Sung June Cho, Sang Ryool Lee