Patents by Inventor Daniel Thomas Nowlan
Daniel Thomas Nowlan 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).
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Patent number: 10144879Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: SarTec CorporationInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Publication number: 20170029711Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Patent number: 9388345Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: SarTec CorporationInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Patent number: 9382491Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: SarTec CorporationInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Publication number: 20140115955Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Patent number: 8686171Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Arlin E. Gyberg, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Brian Krohn
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Patent number: 8663564Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to carbon dioxide sequestration systems and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of sequestering carbon dioxide. The method can include mixing carbon dioxide with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate as a reaction product. In an embodiment, the invention includes a carbon dioxide sequestration system. The system can include a carbon dioxide supply source, an alcohol supply source, and a reaction vessel. A metal oxide catalyst can be disposed within the reaction vessel. The system can be configured to mix carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide supply source with an alcohol from the alcohol supply source to form a reaction mixture and contact the reaction mixture with the metal oxide catalyst. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Clayton V. McNeff
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Publication number: 20140046104Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Patent number: 8445709Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan
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Patent number: 8361174Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, systems, and methods for producing products such as fuels and fuel additives from polyols. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a fuel additive, including combining a polyol and a component selected from the group consisting of alcohols and organic acids to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 150 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan
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Publication number: 20120264955Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock comprising combining triglycerides from the lipid feedstock with water to form a first reaction mixture, contacting the first reaction mixture with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a first product mixture including free fatty acids and glycerin, combining the free fatty acids with a diol to form a second reaction mixture, and contacting the second reaction mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a second product mixture. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: SARTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Larry C. McNeff, Peter G. Greuel, Bingwen Yan
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Publication number: 20120190891Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock including combining the lipid feedstock with water to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst, the catalyst including a metal oxide. Methods can be used to form polyols, diols, and carboxylic acids, amongst others. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan
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Publication number: 20110288309Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to carbon dioxide sequestration systems and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of sequestering carbon dioxide. The method can include mixing carbon dioxide with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate as a reaction product. In an embodiment, the invention includes a carbon dioxide sequestration system. The system can include a carbon dioxide supply source, an alcohol supply source, and a reaction vessel. A metal oxide catalyst can be disposed within the reaction vessel. The system can be configured to mix carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide supply source with an alcohol from the alcohol supply source to form a reaction mixture and contact the reaction mixture with the metal oxide catalyst. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Clayton V. McNeff
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Publication number: 20110172450Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Arlin E. Gyberg, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Brian Krohn
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Publication number: 20110060153Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: MCNEFF RESEARCH CONSULTANTS, INC.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan
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Patent number: 7897798Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Arlin E. Gyberg, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Brian Krohn
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Publication number: 20100170143Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, systems, and methods for producing products such as fuels and fuel additives from polyols. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a fuel additive, including combining a polyol and a component selected from the group consisting of alcohols and organic acids to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 150 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: SARTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan