Patents by Inventor James F. White

James F. White 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).

  • Publication number: 20130253227
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to facilities, systems, methods and/or catalysts for use in chemical production. In particular, the disclosure provides innovations relating to dehydration of multihydric compounds such as glycerol to form acrolein. Some of these innovations include continuous reaction systems as well as system parameters that allow for long term production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Battelle Momerial Institute
    Inventors: James J. Strohm, Alan H. Zacher, James F. White, Michel J. Gray, Vanessa Lebarbier
  • Publication number: 20130253231
    Abstract: Hydrogenolysis systems are provided that can include a reactor housing an Ru-comprising hydrogenolysis catalyst and wherein the contents of the reactor is maintained at a neutral or acidic pH. Reactant reservoirs within the system can include a polyhydric alcohol compound and a base, wherein a weight ratio of the base to the compound is less than 0.05. Systems also include the product reservoir comprising a hydrogenolyzed polyhydric alcohol compound and salts of organic acids, and wherein the moles of base are substantially equivalent to the moles of salts or organic acids. Processes are provided that can include an Ru-comprising catalyst within a mixture having a neutral or acidic pH. A weight ratio of the base to the compound can be between 0.01 and 0.05 during exposing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Johnathan E. Holladay, Danielle S. Muzatko, James F. White, Alan H. Zacher
  • Patent number: 8530703
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to facilities, systems, methods and/or catalysts for use in chemical production. In particular, the disclosure provides innovations relating to dehydration of multihydric compounds such as glycerol to form acrolein. Some of these innovations include continuous reaction systems as well as system parameters that allow for long term production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: James J. Strohm, Alan H. Zacher, James F. White, Michel J. Gray, Vanessa Lebarbier
  • Patent number: 8501963
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of processing an initial di-carbonyl compound by conversion to a cyclic compound. The cyclic compound is reacted with an alkylating agent to form a derivative having an alkylated ring nitrogen. The invention encompasses a method of producing an N-alkyl product. Ammonia content of a solution is adjusted to produce a ratio of ammonia to di-carboxylate compound of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. An alkylating agent is added and the initial compound is alkylated and cyclized. The invention includes methods of making N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP). Aqueous ammonia and succinate is introduced into a vessel and ammonia is adjusted to provide a ratio of ammonia to succinate of less than 2:1. A methylating agent is reacted with succinate at a temperature of from greater than 100° C. to about 400° C. to produce N-methyl succinimide which is purified and hydrogenated to form NMP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Todd A. Werpy, John G. Frye, Jr., James F. White, Johnathan E. Holladay, Alan H. Zacher
  • Patent number: 8388829
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt % Pt and 12 wt % WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt % Pt and b) 0.5 wt % Ge or 0.5 wt % Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Disclosed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 minutes to more than 350 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Richard T. Hallen, Karl O. Albrecht, Heather M. Brown, James F. White
  • Patent number: 8366907
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt % Pt and 12 wt % WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt % Pt and b) 0.5 wt % Ge or 0.5 wt % Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Disclosed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 minutes to more than 350 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Richard T. Hallen, Karl O. Albrecht, Heather M. Brown, James F. White
  • Patent number: 8367851
    Abstract: A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. H2 is provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. H2 and a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30° C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
  • Publication number: 20130018213
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt % Pt and 12 wt % WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt % Pt and b) 0.5 wt % Ge or 0.5 wt % Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Disclosed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 minutes to more than 350 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Richard T. Hallen, Karl O. Albrecht, Heather M. Brown, James F. White
  • Publication number: 20130008080
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt % Pt and 12 wt % WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt % Pt and b) 0.5 wt % Ge or 0.5 wt % Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Disclosed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 minutes to more than 350 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Richard T. Hallen, Karl O. Albrecht, Heather M. Brown, James F. White
  • Patent number: 8193381
    Abstract: A method of oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) includes providing a starting material which includes HMF in a solvent comprising water into a reactor. At least one of air and O2 is provided into the reactor. The starting material is contacted with the catalyst comprising Pt on a support material where the contacting is conducted at a reactor temperature of from about 50° C. to about 200° C. A method of producing an oxidation catalyst where ZrO2 is provided and is calcined. The ZrO2 is mixed with platinum (II) acetylacetonate to form a mixture. The mixture is subjected to rotary evaporation to form a product. The product is calcined and reduced under hydrogen to form an activated product. The activated product is passivated under a flow of 2% O2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Jianli Hu, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
  • Patent number: 8193382
    Abstract: A method of oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) includes providing a starting material which includes HMF in a solvent comprising water into a reactor. At least one of air and O2 is provided into the reactor. The starting material is contacted with the catalyst comprising Pt on a support material where the contacting is conducted at a reactor temperature of from about 50° C. to about 200° C. A method of producing an oxidation catalyst where ZrO2 is provided and is calcined. The ZrO2 is mixed with platinum (II) acetylacetonate to form a mixture. The mixture is subjected to rotary evaporation to form a product. The product is calcined and reduced under hydrogen to form an activated product. The activated product is passivated under a flow of 2% O2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Jianli Hu, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
  • Patent number: 8129410
    Abstract: The invention includes benzisoxazole piperidine compositions and methods of using them for modulating sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hypnion, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Coughlin, James F. White, Kazumi Shiosaki, David G. Hangauer, Michael Solomon, Dale M. Edgar
  • Publication number: 20120029250
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt % Pt and 12 wt % WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt % Pt and b) 0.5 wt % Ge or 0.5 wt % Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Disclosed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 minutes to more than 350 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Richard T. Hallen, Karl O. Albrecht, Heather M. Brown, James F. White
  • Patent number: 8101782
    Abstract: Compounds that inhibit cholinesterase activity and, upon hydrolysis release a pharmacologically active agent. The compounds of the invention are employed in methods to treat an individual. The pharmacologically active agent obtained by hydrolysis of the compound can treat, for example, a nervous system condition, a cholinergic deficiency and conditions or diseases associated with a deficiency in a pharmacologically active agent, such as acetylcholine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Colucid Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadia M. J. Rupniak, James F. White, Kazumi Shiosaki, J. David Leander, Shoucheng Du, Daniel J. Coughlin
  • Patent number: 8088778
    Abstract: The invention includes benzisoxazole piperazine compositions and methods of using them for modulating sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hypnion, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Coughlin, James F. White, Kazumi Shiosaki, David G. Hangauer, Michael Solomon, Dale M. Edgar
  • Publication number: 20110306780
    Abstract: A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. H2 is provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. H2 and a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30° C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Todd A. Werpy, James F. White, Johnathan E. Holladay, John G. Frye, JR., Alan H. Zacher
  • Publication number: 20110263874
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of processing an initial di-carbonyl compound by conversion to a cyclic compound. The cyclic compound is reacted with an alkylating agent to form a derivative having an alkylated ring nitrogen. The invention encompasses a method of producing an N-alkyl product. Ammonia content of a solution is adjusted to produce a ratio of ammonia to di-carboxylate compound of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. An alkylating agent is added and the initial compound is alkylated and cyclized. The invention includes methods of making N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP). Aqueous ammonia and succinate is introduced into a vessel and ammonia is adjusted to provide a ratio of ammonia to succinate of less than 2:1. A methylating agent is reacted with succinate at a temperature of from greater than 100° C. to about 400° C. to produce N-methyl succinimide which is purified and hydrogenated to form NMP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Todd A. Werpy, John G. Frye, JR., James F. White, Johnathan E. Holladay, Alan H. Zacher
  • Publication number: 20110257419
    Abstract: A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. H2 is provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. H2 and a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30° C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Todd A. Werpy, James F. White, Johnathan E. Holladay, John G. Frye, JR., Alan H. Zacher
  • Publication number: 20110251175
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the treatment or prevention of substance use disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Nadia Rupniak, James F. White
  • Patent number: 7994347
    Abstract: A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. H2 is provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. H2 and a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30° C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Todd A. Werpy, James F. White, Johnathan E. Holladay, John G. Frye, Jr., Alan H. Zacher