Patents by Inventor James F. Bartee
James F. Bartee 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: 10545494Abstract: A method for determining performance characteristics of a fermenter batch in a biofuel production plant based on stoichiometry of fermentation reactions, comprising determining a cell mass of a sample of the fermenter batch; a glucose equivalent total (GET) based at least on the cell mass of the sample of the fermenter batch, and a starch to glucose conversion factor (SGCF) based at least on the GET; a total amount of glucose based at least on the SGCF, a volume of ethanol based at least on the total amount of glucose and the GET; at least one of a fermenter yield based at least on the volume of ethanol, and a fermenter efficiency based on the fermenter yield or the volume of ethanol; and generating an output based on the fermenter yield and/or the fermenter efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, James F. Bartee
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Patent number: 10221386Abstract: A method for controlling a fermentation process includes injecting a mash into a fermenter and injecting a liquid ammonia additive into the fermenter. The liquid ammonia additive is injected in a closed-loop manner. The method may be used to control the fermentation processes of one or more fermenters operating in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, James F. Bartee
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Patent number: 9593348Abstract: A method for controlling a fermentation process includes injecting a mash into a fermenter and injecting an enzymatic additive into the fermenter on a continuous basis. The enzymatic additive is injected on a continuous basis during at least two time periods: during a batch fill and after the batch fill. The method may be used to control the fermentation processes of one or more fermenters operating in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20150291982Abstract: A method for controlling a fermentation process includes injecting a mash into a fermenter and injecting an enzymatic additive into the fermenter on a continuous basis. The enzymatic additive is injected on a continuous basis during at least two time periods: during a batch fill and after the batch fill. The method may be used to control the fermentation processes of one or more fermenters operating in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, James F. Bartee
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Patent number: 8755939Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for optimizing throughput and yield using model predictive control techniques. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the trade off between yields of biofuel production and overall system throughput may be optimized. However, the present techniques may also be applied to any other suitable applications where a batch process of the system may affect a change in a property of the produced product, such as liquor processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay, Patrick D. Noll, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20140039682Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 8571690Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 8527102Abstract: According to various embodiments, a biofuel production system includes a plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, a cooling tower water system configured to supply cooling water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, a chiller water system configured to supply chiller water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, and a cooling system coupled to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, the cooling tower water system, and the chiller water system. The cooling system controls the flow rates of the cooling water and the chiller water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters based upon temperatures of fermentation products of the fermenters.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Patrick D. Noll, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20120077232Abstract: A method for controlling a fermentation process includes injecting a mash into a fermenter and injecting a liquid yeast additive into the fermenter. The liquid yeast additive is injected in a closed-loop manner. The method may be used to control the fermentation processes of one or more fermenters operating in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20120077244Abstract: A method for controlling a fermentation process includes injecting a mash into a fermenter and injecting a liquid ammonia additive into the fermenter. The liquid ammonia additive is injected in a closed-loop manner. The method may be used to control the fermentation processes of one or more fermenters operating in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20120004755Abstract: According to various embodiments, a biofuel production system includes a plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, a cooling tower water system configured to supply cooling water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, a chiller water system configured to supply chiller water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, and a cooling system coupled to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, the cooling tower water system, and the chiller water system. The cooling system controls the flow rates of the cooling water and the chiller water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters based upon temperatures of fermentation products of the fermenters.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Patrick D. Noll, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20110312003Abstract: A method for determining performance characteristics of a fermenter batch in a biofuel production plant based on stoichiometry of fermentation reactions, comprising determining a cell mass of a sample of the fermenter batch; a glucose equivalent total (GET) based at least on the cell mass of the sample of the fermenter batch, and a starch to glucose conversion factor (SGCF) based at least on the GET; a total amount of glucose based at least on the SGCF, a volume of ethanol based at least on the total amount of glucose and the GET; at least one of a fermenter yield based at least on the volume of ethanol, and a fermenter efficiency based on the fermenter yield or the volume of ethanol; and generating an output based on the fermenter yield and/or the fermenter efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, James F. Bartee
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Patent number: 7933849Abstract: System and method for managing a biofuel production process. An integrated dynamic multivariate predictive model is provided that includes a continuous process model representing a continuous process of the biofuel production process, a batch process model representing a batch process of the biofuel production process, and a continuous simulation framework. The batch process model interacts with the continuous process model as a nonlinear continuous process via the framework using bridging equations. An objective is received, as is constraint information specifying constraints for the biofuel production process, where the constraints are in terms of the framework, and process information related to the batch and continuous processes.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 7831318Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling temperature of a batch fermenter in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear predictive integrating temperature model for a batch fermentation process is provided that is a function of fermenter level. An objective for the batch fermentation process specifying a target fermenter temperature for the batch fermentation process is received, as is process information for the batch fermentation process, including fermenter level and fermenter temperature. The nonlinear predictive integrating temperature model is executed in accordance with the objective using the process information as input to determine target values for manipulated variables for controlling fermenter temperature of the batch fermentation process. The fermenter temperature for the batch fermentation process is controlled in accordance with the target values to produce biofuel in accordance with the objective, to substantially optimize the end of batch biofuel yield.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20090326695Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for optimizing throughput and yield using model predictive control techniques. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the trade off between yields of biofuel production and overall system throughput may be optimized. However, the present techniques may also be applied to any other suitable applications where a batch process of the system may affect a change in a property of the produced product, such as liquor processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay, Patrick D. Noll, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20080167852Abstract: System and method for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay