Patents by Inventor Elizabeth A. Woods

Elizabeth A. Woods 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: 9388528
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass to produce aqueous and organic products using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: VIRENT, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright, Sean Connolly
  • Patent number: 9382185
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Held, Elizabeth Woods, Randy Cortright, Matthew Gray
  • Patent number: 9314778
    Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, methods, and reactor systems for converting oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenated compounds. The invention includes methods for producing cyclic ethers, monooxygenates, dioxygenates, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and alcohols from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like, using catalysts containing palladium, molybdenum, tin, and tungsten. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful in the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Blank, Randy Cortright, Taylor Beck, Elizabeth Woods, Mike Jehring
  • Publication number: 20160097108
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for catalytic deconstruction of biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20160096996
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to fuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the water insoluble components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to volatile C2+O1-2 oxygenates, such as alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof. In certain applications, the volatile C2+O1-2 oxygenates can be collected and used as a final chemical product, or used in downstream processes to produce liquid fuels, chemicals and other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright, John Kania
  • Publication number: 20160024711
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass to produce aqueous and organic products using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright, Sean Connolly
  • Patent number: 9212316
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using water. The method generally includes loading a reactor with biomass and water, heating the reactor to a first deconstruction temperature and establishing a first deconstruction pressure, maintaining the reactor at the first deconstruction temperature and a first deconstruction pressure for a first deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps one or more times after establishing a second deconstructing temperature and second deconstruction pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright
  • Patent number: 9212104
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for catalytic deconstruction of biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, Elizabeth Woods
  • Patent number: 9212315
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing and purifying biomass using water. The method includes the steps of loading a reactor with biomass and water, establishing and maintaining a deconstruction temperature and pressure for a deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps to produce a solid phase and a biomass hydrolysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright
  • Publication number: 20150302319
    Abstract: Systems and methods providing an application having one or more management modules, wherein at least one management module is configured to display a metric value, and wherein the metric value is obtained by the application based on a query of a database containing information about a fleet of assets. Embodiments of the present invention provide information to an end user in response to the end user's request regarding one or more assets from the fleet of assets. The requests may include aspects of fleet performance, and individual assets within the fleet, and may relate to energy consumption, asset health or repair status, or movement through a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael S. Elder, Timothy C. Weindorf, Ahmed M. Muaydh, Mitchell Scott Wills, Brandi Elizabeth Wood
  • Patent number: 9157030
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright
  • Patent number: 9157031
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass to produce aqueous and organic products using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright, Sean Connolly
  • Publication number: 20150224039
    Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion cosmetic composition comprising solid particulates of 2-hydroxystearic acid having a particle size distribution such that 99% or more by weight have a particle size of less than 125 microns and a method of manufacture of such a composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Peter Graham, Adam Jan Kowalski, Robert Edward Marriott, Sally Elizabeth Wood nee Taylor, Philip Christopher Waterfield, Emma Jayne Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20150183701
    Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, methods, and reactor systems for converting oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenated compounds. The invention includes methods for producing cyclic ethers, monooxygenates, dioxygenates, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and alcohols from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like, using catalysts containing Group VIII metals. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful in the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Blank, Randy Cortright, Taylor Beck, Elizabeth Woods, Mike Jehring
  • Patent number: 9045383
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to less complex oxygenated compounds for use in downstream processes to produce biofuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to water-soluble materials, including lignocellulosic derivatives, cellulosic derivatives, hemicellulosic derivatives, carbohydrates, starches, polysaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugars, sugar alcohols, alditols, polyols, diols, alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof, using hydrogen and a heterogeneous liquefaction catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, John Kania, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20150141667
    Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, methods, and reactor systems for converting oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenated compounds. The invention includes methods for producing cyclic ethers, monooxygenates, dioxygenates, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and alcohols from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like, using catalysts containing palladium, molybdenum, tin, and tungsten. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful in the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Blank, Randy Cortright, Taylor Beck, Elizabeth Woods, Mike Jehring
  • Patent number: 8946458
    Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, methods, and reactor systems for converting oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenated compounds. The invention includes methods for producing cyclic ethers, monooxygenates, dioxygenates, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and alcohols from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like, using catalysts containing palladium, molybdenum, tin, and tungsten. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful in the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Blank, Randy Cortright, Taylor Beck, Elizabeth Woods, Mike Jehring
  • Publication number: 20140275571
    Abstract: Methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing in high yield aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from a mixture of oxygenates comprising di- and polyoxygenates are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like; and methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing the mixture of oxygenates from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like. The disclosed catalysts for preparing the mixture of oxygenates comprise a Group VIII metal and a crystalline alumina support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Beck, Brian Blank, Casey Jones, Elizabeth Woods, Randy Cortright
  • Publication number: 20140275584
    Abstract: Methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing in high yield aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from a mixture of oxygenates comprising di- and polyoxygenates are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like; and methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing the mixture of oxygenates from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like. The disclosed catalysts for preparing the mixture of oxygenates comprise a NinSnm alloy and a crystalline alumina support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Beck, Brian Blank, Casey Jones, Elizabeth Woods, Randy Cortright
  • Publication number: 20140273118
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Held, Elizabeth Woods, Randy Cortright, Matthew Gray