Patents by Inventor James Hillier

James Hillier 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: 20230183390
    Abstract: Processes for producing ethylene-based polymers and oligomers from ethanol include the steps of contacting the ethanol and a catalyst to produce a reaction mixture containing ethylene, wherein a first portion of the ethanol is derived from a biomass and a second portion of the ethanol is derived from a plastic, a mixed solid waste stream, or a combination thereof, separating at least a portion of the ethylene from the reaction mixture, and contacting ethylene with a suitable polymerization or oligomerization catalyst composition to produce the ethylene polymer or ethylene oligomers. A related process for producing ethylene-based polymers and oligomers uses a first ethylene feed derived from ethanol and a second ethylene feed derived from a plastic, a mixed solid waste stream, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: James Hillier, Michael S. Webster-Gardiner
  • Publication number: 20230101033
    Abstract: A process to produce 1-octene and 1-decene includes (a) separating a composition containing an oligomer product—which contains 15 to 80 mol % C6 olefins, 20 to 80 mol % C8 olefins, and 5 to 20 mol % C10+ olefins—into a first oligomer composition containing C6 alkanes and at least 85 mol % C6 olefins (e.g., 1-hexene), a second oligomer composition containing at least 20 mol % C8 olefins (e.g., 1-octene), and a heavies stream containing C10+ olefins, then (b) contacting a metathesis catalyst system with the first oligomer composition to form a first composition comprising C10 linear internal olefins, (c) contacting the C10 linear internal olefins with a catalytic isomerization catalyst system in the presence of photochemical irradiation to form a second composition comprising 1-decene, and (d) purifying the second composition to isolate a third composition comprising at least 90 mol % 1-decene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Michael S. Webster-Gardiner, Steven M. Bischof, James Hillier
  • Publication number: 20230081124
    Abstract: Methods for determining ethylene concentration in an ethylene oligomerization reactor using an ultrasonic flow meter are described, and these methods are integrated into ethylene oligomerization processes and related oligomerization reactor systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Bruce E. Kreischer, Kendall M. Hurst, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Steven M. Bischof, Jared Fern, Kent E. Mitchell, James Hillier
  • Patent number: 11572324
    Abstract: Methods for determining ethylene concentration in an ethylene oligomerization reactor using an ultrasonic flow meter are described, and these methods are integrated into ethylene oligomerization processes and related oligomerization reactor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: Bruce E. Kreischer, Kendall M. Hurst, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Steven M. Bischof, Jared Fern, Kent E. Mitchell, James Hillier
  • Patent number: 11498889
    Abstract: A process to produce 1-octene and 1-decene includes (a) separating a composition containing an oligomer product—which contains from 15 to 80 mol % C6 olefins, from 20 to 80 mol % C8 olefins, and from 5 to 20 mol % C10+ olefins—into a first oligomer composition containing C6 alkanes and at least 85 mol % C6 olefins (e.g., 1-hexene), a second oligomer composition containing at least 85 mol % C8 olefins (e.g., 1-octene), and a heavies stream containing C10+ olefins, then (b) contacting a metathesis catalyst system with the first oligomer composition to form a first composition comprising C10 linear internal olefins, (c) contacting the C10 linear internal olefins with an isomerization hydrofunctionalization catalyst system to form a second composition containing a functionalized alkane, (d) retro-hydrofunctionalizing the functionalized alkane to form a third composition containing 1-decene, and (e) purifying the third composition to isolate a fourth composition containing at least 90 mol % 1-decene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Steven M. Bischof, James Hillier
  • Patent number: 9909067
    Abstract: Various biomass reactors systems and methods of pyrolyzing biomass are disclosed. One type of biomass reactor system comprises a plurality of biomass processing stations configured in series, each station comprising an auger reactor including an auger inlet for receiving biomass and a transfer screw for conveying the biomass through the auger reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: COOL PLANET ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Daren Daugaard, Davy Tong, Vern S. Traxler, Vital Aelion, Gary Podrebarac, James Hillier, Michael C. Cheiky
  • Patent number: 9478144
    Abstract: A method of capturing student performance can be provided that includes enabling a course creator to generate assessment data related to learning assessments for an online course and to generate learning outcomes for the online course, associating the assessment data with the learning outcomes, such that at least some of the learning assessments correspond to at least some of the learning outcomes, and generating an online classroom. The method may further include providing the learning assessments to students enrolled in the online course using the online classroom, wherein the students can generate completed learning assessments, and determining, for each of the completed learning assessments, whether one or more of the learning outcomes were met by each of the students.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Distance EDU Learning, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hillier, James Pulliam, Kevin Pulliam
  • Publication number: 20160063882
    Abstract: A method of capturing student performance can be provided that includes enabling a course creator to generate assessment data related to learning assessments for an online course and to generate learning outcomes for the online course, associating the assessment data with the learning outcomes, such that at least some of the learning assessments correspond to at least some of the learning outcomes, and generating an online classroom. The method may further include providing the learning assessments to students enrolled in the online course using the online classroom, wherein the students can generate completed learning assessments, and determining, for each of the completed learning assessments, whether one or more of the learning outcomes were met by each of the students.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: James Hillier, James Pulliam, Kevin Pulliam
  • Patent number: 9214090
    Abstract: A method of capturing student performance can be provided that includes enabling a course creator to generate assessment data related to learning assessments for an online course and to generate learning outcomes for the online course, associating the assessment data with the learning outcomes, such that at least some of the learning assessments correspond to at least some of the learning outcomes, and generating an online classroom. The method may further include providing the learning assessments to students enrolled in the online course using the online classroom, wherein the students can generate completed learning assessments, and determining, for each of the completed learning assessments, whether one or more of the learning outcomes were met by each of the students.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Distance EDU Learning, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hillier, James Pulliam, Kevin Pulliam
  • Patent number: 8835517
    Abstract: A method for the production of dimethyl ether is disclosed which utilizes: a dimethyl ether synthesis catalyst that converts synthesis gas to a dimethyl ether containing stream, wherein the dimethyl ether containing stream is directed to an absorption column containing water as a scrubbing agent and operating in a temperature range from 1° C.-20° C. and pressure range from 20 psig to 500 psig, and wherein the scrubbing liquid resulting from the exposure of the dimethyl ether containing stream to the absorption column is directed to a flash evaporation unit operating at 25° C.-100° C. and pressure range ?15 psig to 15 psig to produce a product stream rich in dimethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, James Hillier
  • Publication number: 20140183022
    Abstract: Various biomass reactors systems and methods of pyrolyzing biomass are disclosed. One type of biomass reactor system comprises a plurality of biomass processing stations configured in series, each station comprising an auger reactor including an auger inlet for receiving biomass and a transfer screw for conveying the biomass through the auger reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: COOL PLANET ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Daren DAUGAARD, Davy TONG, Vern S. TRAXLER, Vital AELION, Gary PODREBARAC, James HILLIER, Michael C. CHEIKY
  • Publication number: 20140087352
    Abstract: A method of capturing student performance can be provided that includes enabling a course creator to generate assessment data related to learning assessments for an online course and to generate learning outcomes for the online course, associating the assessment data with the learning outcomes, such that at least some of the learning assessments correspond to at least some of the learning outcomes, and generating an online classroom. The method may further include providing the learning assessments to students enrolled in the online course using the online classroom, wherein the students can generate completed learning assessments, and determining, for each of the completed learning assessments, whether one or more of the learning outcomes were met by each of the students.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: James Hillier, James Pulliam, Kevin Pulliam, Kathy Becker, Will Richards
  • Publication number: 20130324622
    Abstract: A method for the production of dimethyl ether is disclosed which utilizes: a dimethyl ether synthesis catalyst that converts synthesis gas to a dimethyl ether containing stream, wherein the dimethyl ether containing stream is directed to an absorption column containing water as a scrubbing agent and operating in a temperature range from 1° C.-20° C. and pressure range from 20 psig to 500 psig, and wherein the scrubbing liquid resulting from the exposure of the dimethyl ether containing stream to the absorption column is directed to a flash evaporation unit operating at 25° C.-100° C. and pressure range ?15 psig to 15 psig to produce a product stream rich in dimethyl ether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Cool Planet Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, James Hillier
  • Patent number: 8600289
    Abstract: A method of capturing student performance can be provided that includes enabling a course creator to generate assessment data related to learning assessments for an online course and to generate learning outcomes for the online course, associating the assessment data with the learning outcomes, such that at least some of the learning assessments correspond to at least some of the learning outcomes, and generating an online classroom. The method may further include providing the learning assessments to students enrolled in the online course using the online classroom, wherein the students can generate completed learning assessments, and determining, for each of the completed learning assessments, whether one or more of the learning outcomes were met by each of the students.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Distance EDU Learning, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hillier, James Pulliam, Kathy Becker, Will Richards
  • Patent number: 8326211
    Abstract: A method of capturing student performance can be provided that includes enabling a course creator to generate assessment data related to learning assessments for an online course and to generate learning outcomes for the online course, associating the assessment data with the learning outcomes, such that at least some of the learning assessments correspond to at least some of the learning outcomes, and generating an online classroom. The method may further include providing the learning assessments to students enrolled in the online course using the online classroom, wherein the students can generate completed learning assessments, and determining, for each of the completed learning assessments, whether one or more of the learning outcomes were met by each of the students.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Distance EDU Learning, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hillier, James Pulliam, Kathy Becker, Will Richards
  • Publication number: 20060132762
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing liquid samples employs first and second bidirectional ports that permit liquids to be introduced to first and second liquid waveguide capillary cells at the same time. The direction of liquid flow through the apparatus and roles of components may be reversed to prevent or overcome obstruction by particulates and other debris. The apparatus and method can detect and map colored dissolved organic matter and can detect, discriminate and map algal species or algal blooms including red tide in an automated, unattended manner within large aquatic systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Kirkpatrick, James Hillier
  • Patent number: 6054163
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bacteriocin having a molecular weight of about 4.4 kDa and methods involving the use of this bacteriocin. The bacteriocin preferably has an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:5 (FIG. 3). The present invention also provides a DNA molecule encoding this bacteriocin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignees: The University of Melbourne, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Daratech Pty Limited
    Inventors: Richard Edward Hugh Wettenhall, Barrie Ernest Davidson, Alan James Hillier, Kim Harmark, Ralph Wilson Jack, Malcolm Wayne Hickey, John Coventry, Jason Wan