Patents by Inventor Francesco Cherchi
Francesco Cherchi 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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Publication number: 20170369919Abstract: The process for the hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of A) Contacting a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, the feedstock comprised of biomass having a dry content and water with at least a portion of a solvent, the solvent comprised of water soluble hydrolyzed species; wherein at least some of the water soluble hydrolyzed species are the same as the water soluble hydrolyzed species obtainable from the hydrolysis of the biomass in the feedstock; B) maintaining the contact between the feedstock of the feedstock stream and the solvent at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 200° C. for a time in the range of 5 minutes to 72 hours to create a hydrolyzed product from the biomass in the feedstock.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Applicant: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Marco COTTI COMETTINI, Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Alberto Riva, Simone Ferrero, Piero Ottonello, Mirko Garbero
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Patent number: 9752169Abstract: The process for the hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of A) Contacting a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, the feedstock comprised of biomass having a dry content and water with at least a portion of a solvent, the solvent comprised of water soluble hydrolyzed species; wherein at least some of the water soluble hydrolyzed species are the same as the water soluble hydrolyzed species obtainable from the hydrolysis of the biomass in the feedstock; B) maintaining the contact between the feedstock of the feedstock stream and the solvent at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 200° C. for a time in the range of 5 minutes to 72 hours to create a hydrolyzed product from the biomass in the feedstock.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Beta Renewables, S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Cotti Comettini, Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Alberto Riva, Simone Ferrero, Piero Ottonello, Mirko Garbero
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Publication number: 20170107664Abstract: It is disclosed a continuous process for pre-treating a ligno-cellulosic feedstock. The ligno-cellulosic feedstock is introduced in a pressurized reactor vessel and subjected to a hydrothermal treatment with steam by inserting steam from at least a two steam streams having different temperatures. The ligno-cellulosic feedstock is then subjected to steam explosion. Preferably, at least a portion of the steam in the reactor is superheated steam and the superheated steam is located in a superheated zone which is in proximity of the outlet of the pressurized reactor vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Dario GIORDANO, Francesco Cherchi
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Publication number: 20170073718Abstract: The process for the hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of A) Contacting a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, the feedstock comprised of biomass having a dry content and water with at least a portion of a solvent, the solvent comprised of water soluble hydrolyzed species; wherein at least some of the water soluble hydrolyzed species are the same as the water soluble hydrolyzed species obtainable from the hydrolysis of the biomass in the feedstock; B) maintaining the contact between the feedstock of the feedstock stream and the solvent at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 200° C. for a time in the range of 5 minutes to 72 hours to create a hydrolyzed product from the biomass in the feedstock.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Marco COTTI COMETTINI, Paolo TORRE, Francesco CHERCHI, Alberto RIVA, Simone FERRERO, Piero OTTONELLO, Mirko GARBERO
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Patent number: 9528164Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a process for the improved hydrolysis of glucans to glucose wherein a portion of the glucose is removed from the process to improve the yield of glucose.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Paolo Torre, Simone Ferrero, Piero Ottonello, Liliane Tonet Rensi, Francesco Cherchi, Dario Giordano
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Patent number: 9506098Abstract: The process for the hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of A) Contacting a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, the feedstock comprised of biomass having a dry content and water with at least a portion of a solvent, the solvent comprised of water soluble hydrolyzed species; wherein at least some of the water soluble hydrolyzed species are the same as the water soluble hydrolyzed species obtainable from the hydrolysis of the biomass in the feedstock; B) maintaining the contact between the feedstock of the feedstock stream and the solvent at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 200° C. for a time in the range of 5 minutes to 72 hours to create a hydrolyzed product from the biomass in the feedstock.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Cotti Comettini, Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Alberto Riva, Simone Ferrero, Piero Ottonello, Mirko Garbero
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Patent number: 9376693Abstract: This invention is to a biomass composition of 5 and 6 carbon sugars, lignin, and cellulose which has been steam exploded and the composition has a very high enzyme accessibility at 24 hours for hydrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Piero Ottonello, Simone Ferrero
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Publication number: 20160115320Abstract: The process for the treatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of: A) Soaking a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock in vapor or liquid water or mixture thereof in the temperature range of 100 to 210° C. for 1 minute to 24 hours to create a soaked biomass containing a dry content and a first liquid; B) Separating at least a portion of the first liquid from the soaked biomass to create a first liquid stream and a first solid stream; wherein the first solid stream comprises the soaked biomass; and C) Steam exploding the first solid stream to create a steam exploded stream comprising solids and a second liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Mirko GARBERO, Piero OTTONELLO, Marco COTTI COMETTINI, Simone FERRERO, Paolo TORRE, Francesco CHERCHI, Andrea BONANNI
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Patent number: 9296830Abstract: This specification discloses an improved method for conducting the removal of C5 xylan based sugars from biomass. The improved method involves a series of soakings and washings of the biomass as opposed to conducting one soaking and washing step.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Beta Renewables, S.p.A.Inventors: Piero Ottonello, Simone Ferrero, Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Danilo Defaveri, Luis Oriani
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Publication number: 20160076067Abstract: The process for the hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of A) Contacting a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, the feedstock comprised of biomass having a dry content and water with at least a portion of a solvent, the solvent comprised of water soluble hydrolyzed species; wherein at least some of the water soluble hydrolyzed species are the same as the water soluble hydrolyzed species obtainable from the hydrolysis of the biomass in the feedstock; B) maintaining the contact between the feedstock of the feedstock stream and the solvent at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 200° C. for a time in the range of 5 minutes to 72 hours to create a hydrolyzed product from the biomass in the feedstock.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Marco COTTI COMETTINI, Paolo TORRE, Francesco CHERCHI, Alberto RIVA, Simone FERRERO, Piero OTTONELLO, Mirko GARBERO
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Patent number: 9234224Abstract: The process for the treatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of: A) Soaking a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock in vapor or liquid water or mixture thereof in the temperature range of 100 to 210° C. for 1 minute to 24 hours to create a soaked biomass containing a dry content and a first liquid; B) Separating at least a portion of the first liquid from the soaked biomass to create a first liquid stream and a first solid stream; wherein the first solid stream comprises the soaked biomass; and C) Steam exploding the first solid stream to create a steam exploded stream comprising solids and a second liquid.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Beta Renewables, S.p.A.Inventors: Mirko Garbero, Piero Ottonello, Marco Cotti Comettini, Simone Ferrero, Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Andrea Bonanni
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Patent number: 9200302Abstract: The process for the hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of A) Contacting a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, the feedstock comprised of biomass having a dry content and water with at least a portion of a solvent, the solvent comprised of water soluble hydrolyzed species; wherein at least some of the water soluble hydrolyzed species are the same as the water soluble hydrolyzed species obtainable from the hydrolysis of the biomass in the feedstock; B) maintaining the contact between the feedstock of the feedstock stream and the solvent at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 200° C. for a time in the range of 5 minutes to 72 hours to create a hydrolyzed product from the biomass in the feedstock.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Cotti Comettini, Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Alberto Riva, Simone Ferrero, Piero Ottonello, Mirko Garbero
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Patent number: 9102856Abstract: An improved method of conducting the pre-soaking step involving pre-soaking the ligno-cellulosic biomass in a liquid (water) at a temperature in the range of between 100° C. to 150° C. prior to soaking at higher temperatures. This material can then be soaked and soaked liquid filtered by nano-filtration. When nano-filtration is used, the pre-soak temperature can be in the range of 10° C. to 150° C.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Beta Renewables, S.p.A.Inventors: Francesco Cherchi, Piero Ottonello, Simone Ferrero, Paolo Torre, Danilo De Faveri, Beatriz Rivas Torres, Liliane Tonte Rensi, Daniele Riva, Federica Bosio
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Publication number: 20150175984Abstract: A process produces at least a first enzyme from a host cell, wherein the first enzyme is capable of hydrolyzing a first pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass. The process comprises the step of cultivating the host cell to produce at least the first enzyme for a cultivation time, wherein the cultivation of the host cell occurs in a sugar depleted cultivation environment comprising the host cell, water and a solid composition comprising a complex sugar of the solid composition and a lignin of the solid composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Biochemtex S.p.AInventors: Stefano Paravisi, Laura Volpati, Chiara Giorcelli, Elisa Raccagni, Piero Ottonello, Francesco Cherchi
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Publication number: 20150136120Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a process for the improved hydrolysis of glucans to glucose wherein a portion of the glucose is removed from the process to improve the yield of glucose.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Paolo Torre, Simone Ferrero, Piero Ottonello, Liliane Tonet Rensi, Francesco Cherchi, Dario Giordano
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Publication number: 20140363856Abstract: An improved pre-hydrolysis step involving exposing water insoluble pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, with and without enzymes is disclosed. After exposing the water insoluble pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted on the pre-treated material. The result is an increased yield of glucose and often xylose after the enzymatic hydrolysis when compared to a composition which has not been exposed to vacuum conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Beta Renewables S.p.A.Inventors: Edwin Andrew Sisson, Simone Ferrero, Paolo Torre, Piero Ottonello, Francesco Cherchi, Giuseppe Grassano, Luis Oriani, Dario Giordano
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Publication number: 20140339467Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a lignin composition having unique characteristics relative to its characteristics as found in its natural environment. The lignin has been modified so that more lignin decomposes at the lower lignin decomposition temperature than decomposes at the higher lignin decomposition temperature and the lignin composition has a very high surface area relative to naturally occurring lignin compositions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Guliz Arf Elliott, Danilo De Faveri, Francesco Cherchi, Simone Ferrero, Paolo Torre
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Patent number: 8771426Abstract: The process is for pretreating a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock and comprises: soaking a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock wherein the soaked biomass is present as a mixture with a free liquid and wherein the free liquid comprises at least one dissolved compound selected from the group consisting of glucose, xylose and respective oligomers thereof, washing the mixture of the soaked biomass and the free liquid, wherein at least a portion of the free liquid containing at least one dissolved compound selected from the group consisting of glucose, xylose and respective oligomers thereof is separated from the soaked biomass to create a soaked washed biomass and at least one free liquid stream, compressing the soaked biomass to create a released liquid, separating the released liquid from the soaked biomass, and keeping at least a portion of the released liquid separate from any free liquid.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Beta Renewables, S.p.A.Inventors: Piero Ottonello, Simone Ferrero, Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Danilo Defaveri
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Publication number: 20130313472Abstract: This invention is to a biomass composition of 5 and 6 carbon sugars, lignin, and cellulose which has been steam exploded and the composition has a very high enzyme accessibility at 24 hours for hydrolysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: BETA RENEWABLES, S.P.A.Inventors: Paolo Torre, Francesco Cherchi, Piero Ottonello, Simone Ferrero
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Publication number: 20130168602Abstract: An improved method of conducting the pre-soaking step involving pre-soaking the ligno-cellulosic biomass in a liquid (water) at a temperature in the range of between 100° C. to 150° C. prior to soaking at higher temperatures. This material can then be soaked and soaked liquid filtered by nano-filtration. When nano-filtration is used, the pre-soak temperature can be in the range of 10° C. to 150° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: Beta Renewables, S.p.A.Inventors: Francesco Cherchi, Piero Ottonello, Simone Ferrero, Paolo Torre, Danilo De Faveri, Beatriz Rivas Torres, Liliane Tonte Rensi, Daniele Riva, Federica Bosio