Patents by Inventor Dennis Simpson

Dennis Simpson 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).

  • Fermentation process for controlling butanediol production
    Patent number: 8673603
    Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of 2,3-butanediol fermentations are disclosed. More specifically methods of increasing the butanediol productivity from the anaerobic fermentation of a substrate comprising carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide and hydrogen by one or more caboxydotrophic acetogenic bacteria are disclosed. The method includes supplying a hydrogen depleted substrate to increase butanediol productivity. The method includes producing butanediol at a volumetric productivity rate of at least 15 g/L/day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Joshua Jeremy Conolly, Guy William Waters
  • Methods of sustaining culture viability
    Patent number: 8658415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for sustaining a microbial culture during periods of limited substrate supply. In accordance with the methods of the invention, a microbial culture comprising carboxydotrophic bacteria can be sustained during periods of limited substrate supply by maintaining the temperature of the microbial culture at a temperature below an optimum operating temperature. Examples of periods of limited substrate supply include when the microbial culture is transported to a remote location or during time when it is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lanza Tech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Bakir Al-Sinawi
  • Process for production of alcohols by microbial fermentation
    Patent number: 8658408
    Abstract: The invention provides method for producing butanediol and specifically 2,3-butanediol by anaerobic fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO by a culture of at least one micro-organism. In accordance with particular methods of the invention, 2,3-butanediol is produced by anaerobic fermentation of substrates including carbohydrates and carbon monoxide. The invention further provides for the up-regulation of a native 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase gene in the at least one micro-organism. The 2,3-butanediol can be further converted to compounds such as butene(s), butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone. These compounds can be further converted to chemical products such as 2-butanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lanza Tech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Loan Phuong Tran, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Jennifer Mon Yee Fung, FungMin Liew, Shane Fleming
  • Carbon capture in fermentation
    Publication number: 20130316424
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO. The methods of the invention include converting CO to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for producing alcohols, particularly ethanol, from industrial waste streams, particularly steel mill off-gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Michael Cockrem, Simon David Oakley, Michael Koepke
  • Coating composition comprising an alkoxysilane, a polysiloxane, and a plurality of particles
    Patent number: 8563648
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating composition, such as a substantially clear coating composition, which comprises (1) an alkoxysilane, (2) a polysiloxane, (3) a plurality of particles, and (4) curing agent that is reactive with the polysiloxane. The coating composition of the present invention can exhibit increased physical properties, such as scratch resistance, when compared to similar coating compositions that lack the components disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schmeltzer, Susan Donaldson, Kevin C. Olson, Kurt G. Olson, John E. Schwendeman, Dennis A. Simpson, Frank C. Williams
  • Fermentation Process
    Publication number: 20130260429
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for increasing the efficiency of microbial growth and production of products, such as alcohols and acids by microbial fermentation of substrates containing carbon monoxide. More particularly the invention relates to the provision of an alternative sulphur source to a liquid nutrient medium, such that sulphur is available to one or more microorganisms of the fermentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Prana Haryanto, Sean Dennis Simpson
  • COMPOUND AIRFOIL
    Publication number: 20130224037
    Abstract: An airfoil is provided that has an arrangement that improves the lift of an airfoil and that include surface features that change the performance of the airfoil. Protrusions are provided on the top surface of the airfoil such that channels are formed between adjacent protrusions that affect the flow of air there through. In an additional respect, indentations can be provided on the bottom surface of the airfoil that affect the flow of air there through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Dennis Simpson, Jeffrey D. Hoyal
  • Methods and Systems for the Production of Hydrocarbon Products
    Publication number: 20130210096
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of hydrocarbon products, including providing a substrate comprising CO to a bioreactor containing a culture of one or more micro-organisms; and fermenting the culture in the bioreactor to produce one or more hydrocarbon products. The substrate comprising CO is derived from an industrial process selected from the group comprising steam reforming processes, refinery processes, steam cracking processes, and reverse water gas shift processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Schultz, James Obern, Sean Dennis Simpson
  • Carbon capture in fermentation
    Patent number: 8507228
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO. The methods of the invention include converting CO to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for producing alcohols, particularly ethanol, from industrial waste streams, particularly steel mill off-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Michael Charles Milner Cockrem, Simon David Oakley, Michael Kopke
  • PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ETHANOL AND ETHYLENE VIA FERMENTATION
    Publication number: 20130157322
    Abstract: A process for converting a substrate such as carbon monoxide to useful chemicals has been developed. The process involves providing a substrate comprising CO to a bioreactor which contains a culture of one or more micro-organisms and anaerobically fermenting the substrate to produce ethanol. The ethanol is next converted to one or more chemical products via the compound ethylene. The source of the CO can be an industrial process such as the ferrous metal products manufacturing. The microorganism can be Clostridium autoethanogenum, Clostridium ljundahlii or Clostridium ragsdalei.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea
  • Fermentation Process
    Publication number: 20130065282
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of one or more lipid products from a gaseous substrate using a two stage fermentation process are provided. The method comprises providing a gaseous substrate comprising CO2 and H2 to a primary bioreactor containing a culture or one or more microorganisms, and fermenting the substrate to produce an acid such as acetate. The acid, e.g. acetate from the primary bioreactor is then provided to a secondary bioreactor, where it is used as a substrate for fermentation to lipids by one or more yeasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Loan Phuong Tran, Sean Dennis Simpson
  • Carbon capture in fermentation
    Patent number: 8383376
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for converting CO by microbial fermentation to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. More particularly the invention relates to a method for producing one or more products from a CO comprising substrate, the method comprising a natural gas reforming step for producing a syngas stream, and converting at least a portion of CO from the syngas stream to one or more products including ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Simon David Oakley, Michael Charles Milner Cockrem, Michael Koepke
  • FERMENTATION OF WASTE GASES
    Publication number: 20130045517
    Abstract: The invention relates to the microbial fermentation of gaseous substrates to produce one or more products. The invention relates to the microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate derived from the conversion of a biogas stream. The invention relates to the conversion of a biogas stream comprising methane to a gaseous substrate comprising CO and/or H2, and the production of one or more products from the microbial fermentation of said gaseous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon David Oakley, Joss Anton Coombes, Sean Dennis Simpson, Bjorn Daniel Heijstra, Michael Anthony Schultz, Sean Molloy
  • Carbon capture in fermentation
    Patent number: 8376736
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO. The methods of the invention include converting CO to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for producing alcohols, particularly ethanol, from industrial waste streams, particularly steel mill off-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Michael Charles Milner Cockrem, Simon David Oakley
  • Optimised media containing nickel for fermentation of carbonmonoxide
    Patent number: 8354269
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to the provision of an improved fermentation media, comprising nickel, to a fermentation system such that one or more micro-organisms convert a substrate comprising CO to one or more alcohols, such as ethanol. In particular embodiments, a microbial culture is provided with at least 10 ?M nickel, such that CO uptake by the microbial culture increases and ethanol productivity improves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Ian Lindstrand Warner, Jennifer Mon Yee Eung, Michael Kopke
  • Carbon Capture in Fermentation
    Publication number: 20120309066
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for converting CO by microbial fermentation to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. More particularly the invention relates to a method for producing one or more products from a CO comprising substrate, the method comprising a natural gas reforming step for producing a syngas stream, and converting at least a portion of CO from the syngas stream to one or more products including ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Dennis SIMPSON, Richard Llewellyn Sydney FORSTER, Simon David OAKLEY, Michael Charles Milner COCKREM, Michael KOEPKE
  • Novel Bacteria and Methods of Use thereof
    Publication number: 20120309075
    Abstract: A biologically pure isolate of a selected bacterium derived from Clostridium autoethanogenum is described which has improved efficiency in the production of ethanol by anaerobic fermentation of substrates comprising carbon monoxide. The bacterium can produce ethanol and acetate at an ethanol to acetate ratio of at least 1.0 and has a productivity of at least 1.2 g of ethanol/l of fermentation broth per day. The bacterium is also characterized in that it has substantially no ability to sporulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Phuong Loan Tran, Matthew James Rowe, Ian Linstrand Warner
  • Alcohol production process
    Patent number: 8293509
    Abstract: The invention relates to biological processes for producing one or more desired products, including alcohols such as ethanol and butanol. The processes comprise carrying out first and second fermentations of substrates in first and second bioreactors, wherein each fermentation produces one or more desired products and/or one or more by-products that can be utilized in the other fermentation. A product and/or by-product of the first fermentation is introduced to the second bioreactor during the fermentation, and a product and/or by-product of the second fermentation is introduced to the first bioreactor during the fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Matthew James Rowe, Phuong Loan Tran, Christophe Collet
  • Fermentation Process For Controlling Butanediol Production
    Publication number: 20120252082
    Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of 2,3-butanediol fermentations are disclosed. More specifically methods of increasing the butanediol productivity from the anaerobic fermentation of a substrate comprising carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide and hydrogen by one or more caboxydotrophic acetogenic bacteria are disclosed. The method includes supplying a hydrogen depleted substrate to increase butanediol productivity. The method includes producing butanediol at a volumetric productivity rate of at least 15 g/L/day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Joshua Jeremy Conolly, Guy William Waters
  • Bacteria and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8222013
    Abstract: A novel class of bacteria is described which has improved efficiency in the production of thanol by anaerobic fermentation of substrates containing carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Phuong Loan Tran, Matthew James Rowe, Ian Linstrand Warner