Patents by Inventor Carl V. Wikstrom

Carl V. Wikstrom has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8764277
    Abstract: A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including a tank that is configured to hold the material and an inlet/outlet configured on the tank to allow the flow of the material therethrough. At least one inlet is arranged on the tank to allow the flow of the material into the tank to agitate the material in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: John P. Whitney, Carl V. Wikstrom
  • Patent number: 8647851
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ineos Bio Limited
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Patent number: 8328409
    Abstract: A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including holding materials having solids in a tank and allowing the materials to flow from the tank through an inlet/outlet configured with the tank, and agitating the materials by directing the materials into the tank through at least one inlet associated with the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Rineco Chemical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Whitney, Carl V. Wikstrom
  • Publication number: 20120122173
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INEOS BIO LIMITED
    Inventors: James L. GADDY, Dinesh K. ARORA, Ching-Whan KO, John Randall PHILLIPS, Rahul BASU, Carl V. WIKSTROM, Edgar C. CLAUSEN
  • Publication number: 20120094349
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: INEOS BIO LIMITED
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Publication number: 20120094346
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: INEOS BIO LIMITED
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Publication number: 20120088282
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from anaerobic fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: INEOS BIO LIMITED
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Publication number: 20120083022
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: INEOS BIO LIMITED
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Patent number: 7421959
    Abstract: A multi-step process is provided in which waste material is processed in two or more steps. Specifically, an earlier step of the process heats the waste material at a first temperature. This results in a release of vapors for materials having a boiling point that is lower than the first temperature. A subsequent step of the process heats some or all of the remaining waste material at a second temperature, which is preferably higher than the first temperature. The subsequent heating results in a release of additional vapors for those materials having a boiling point that is lower than the second temperature. A system configured to carry out the process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Rineco Chemical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Whitney, Carl V Wikstrom
  • Publication number: 20080213848
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Emmaus Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Publication number: 20070263481
    Abstract: A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including holding materials having solids in a tank and allowing the materials to flow from the tank through an inlet/outlet configured with the tank, and agitating the materials by directing the materials into the tank through at least one inlet associated with the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: John P. WHITNEY, Carl V. Wikstrom
  • Patent number: 7285402
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Emmaus Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Patent number: 7196218
    Abstract: A modified water-immiscible solvent useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous streams is a substantially pure mixture of isomers of highly branched di-alkyl amines. Solvent mixtures formed of such a modified solvent with a desired co-solvent, preferably a low boiling hydrocarbon, are useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous gaseous streams. An anaerobic microbial fermentation process for the production of acetic acid employs such solvents, under conditions which limit amide formation by the solvent and thus increase the efficiency of acetic acid recovery. Methods for the direct extraction of acetic acid and the extractive fermentation of acetic acid also employ the modified solvents and increase efficiency of acetic acid production. Such increases in efficiency are also obtained where the energy source for the microbial fermentation contains carbon dioxide and the method includes a carbon dioxide stripping step prior to extraction of acetic acid in solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: Celanese International Corporation, Bioengineering Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Edgar C. Clausen, Ching-Whan Ko, Leslie E. Wade, Carl V. Wikstrom
  • Publication number: 20040236149
    Abstract: A modified water-immiscible solvent useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous streams is a substantially pure mixture of isomers of highly branched di-alkyl amines. Solvent mixtures formed of such a modified solvent with a desired co-solvent, preferably a low boiling hydrocarbon, are useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous gaseous streams. An anaerobic microbial fermentation process for the production of acetic acid employs such solvents, under conditions which limit amide formation by the solvent and thus increase the efficiency of acetic acid recovery. Methods for the direct extraction of acetic acid and the extractive fermentation of acetic acid also employ the modified solvents and increase efficiency of acetic acid production. Such increases in efficiency are also obtained where the energy source for the microbial fermentation contains carbon dioxide and the method includes a carbon dioxide stripping step prior to extraction of acetic acid in solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicants: Bioengineering Resources, Inc., Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Edgar C. Clausen, Ching-Whan Ko, Leslie E. Wade, Carl V. Wikstrom
  • Patent number: 6753170
    Abstract: A modified water-immiscible solvent useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous streams is a substantially pure mixture of isomers of highly branched di-alkyl amines. Solvent mixtures formed of such a modified solvent with a desired co-solvent, preferably a low boiling hydrocarbon, are useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous gaseous streams. An anaerobic microbial fermentation process for the production of acetic acid employs such solvents, under conditions which limit amide formation by the solvent and thus increase the efficiency of acetic acid recovery. Methods for the direct extraction of acetic acid and the extractive fermentation of acetic acid also employ the modified solvents and increase efficiency of acetic acid production. Such increases in efficiency are also obtained where the energy source for the microbial fermentation contains carbon dioxide and the method includes a carbon dioxide stripping step prior to extraction of acetic acid in solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignees: Bioengineering Resources, Inc., Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Edgar C. Clausen, Ching-Whan Ko, Leslie E. Wade, Carl V. Wikstrom
  • Publication number: 20030211585
    Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Dinesh K. Arora, Ching-Whan Ko, John Randall Phillips, Rahul Basu, Carl V. Wikstrom, Edgar C. Clausen
  • Publication number: 20020086378
    Abstract: A modified water-immiscible solvent useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous streams is a substantially pure mixture of isomers of highly branched di-alkyl amines. Solvent mixtures formed of such a modified solvent with a desired co-solvent, preferably a low boiling hydrocarbon, are useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous gaseous streams. An anaerobic microbial fermentation process for the production of acetic acid employs such solvents, under conditions which limit amide formation by the solvent and thus increase the efficiency of acetic acid recovery. Methods for the direct extraction of acetic acid and the extractive fermentation of acetic acid also employ the modified solvents and increase efficiency of acetic acid production. Such increases in efficiency are also obtained where the energy source for the microbial fermentation contains carbon dioxide and the method includes a carbon dioxide stripping step prior to extraction of acetic acid in solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Edgar C. Clausen, Ching-Whan Ko, Leslie E. Wade, Carl V, Wikstrom
  • Patent number: 6368819
    Abstract: A modified water-immiscible solvent useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous streams is a substantially pure mixture of isomers of highly branched di-alkyl amines. This solvent is substantially devoid of mono-alkyl amines and alcohols. Solvent mixtures formed of such a modified solvent with a desired cosolvent, preferably a low boiling hydrocarbon which forms an azeotrope with water are useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous gaseous streams. An anaerobic microbial fermentation process for the production of acetic acid employs such solvents, under conditions which limit amide formation by the solvent and thus increase the efficiency of acetic acid recovery. Methods for the direct extraction of acetic acid and the extractive fermentation of acetic acid also employ the modified solvents and increase efficiency of acetic acid production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignees: Bioengineering Resources, Inc., Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Edgar C. Clausen, Ching-Whan Ko, Leslie E. Wade, Carl V. Wikstrom
  • Patent number: RE39175
    Abstract: A modified water-immiscible solvent useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous streams is a substantially pure mixture of isomers of highly branched di-alkyl amines. This solvent is substantially devoid of mono-alkyl amines and alcohols. Solvent mixtures formed of such a modified solvent with a desired cosolvent, preferably a low boiling hydrocarbon which forms an azeotrope with water are useful in the extraction of acetic acid from aqueous gaseous streams. An anaerobic microbial fermentation process for the production of acetic acid employs such solvents, under conditions which limit amide formation by the solvent and thus increase the efficiency of acetic acid recovery. Methods for the direct extraction of acetic acid and the extractive fermentation of acetic acid also employ the modified solvents and increase efficiency of acetic acid production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignees: Bioengineering Resources, Inc., Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Edgar C. Clausen, Ching-Whan Ko, Leslie E. Wade, Carl V. Wikstrom