Patents by Inventor John A. Sofranko
John A. Sofranko 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: 20230331646Abstract: A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact a feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO2 to produce a stream enriched in CO2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Sawyer, C. Andrew Jones, John A. SOFRANKO
-
Patent number: 11767276Abstract: A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO2 to produce a stream enriched in CO2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Sawyer, C. Andrew Jones, John A. Sofranko
-
Publication number: 20230271170Abstract: An oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent is provided. A method of producing olefins from hydrocarbons with a concomitant production of water (oxidative dehydrogenation), using the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent is also provided. The sulfur oxygen transfer reagent can be used as an oxygen transfer reagent, and therefore acts as a non-metal carrier, for oxygen in a redox looping reactor for an oxidative dehydrogenation process such as the conversion of ethane to ethylene. The reduced forms of oxides of sulfur, formed in in this oxidative dehydrogenation process, can be re-oxidized with air and generate useful process heat. Also provided are methods of using the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent, and an apparatus for effecting the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed. Methods of producing the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventor: John A. SOFRANKO
-
Patent number: 11648328Abstract: A device for production and use of a disinfectant. The device may be used to disinfect materials or objects exposed to viruses and/or bacteria. In particular, the device is capable of converting at least one first reagent such as an alcohol and at least one second reagent including an oxidant into an active disinfectant agent. A catalytic system is incorporated into the reaction vessel to produce the active disinfectant as needed for the disinfection process.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: ECOCATALYTIC INC.Inventor: John A. Sofranko
-
Publication number: 20230118959Abstract: A device for production and use of a disinfectant. The device may be used to disinfect materials or objects exposed to viruses and/or bacteria. In particular, the device is capable of converting at least one first reagent such as an alcohol and at least one second reagent including an oxidant into an active disinfectant agent. A catalytic system is incorporated into the reaction vessel to produce the active disinfectant as needed for the disinfection process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventor: John A. Sofranko
-
Publication number: 20230089190Abstract: A process for oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon to produce an olefin and water may include contacting, in a fluidized bed, the hydrocarbon with a particulate material, which may include at least one oxygen transfer agent (OTA) and at least one fluidization enhancing additive. During at least a portion of contacting the hydrocarbon with the particulate material, the fluidized bed may be at a temperature at or above a melting point of one or more materials of the oxygen transfer agent. Further, during at least a portion of contacting the hydrocarbon with the particulate material, a surface of at least a portion of the OTA may comprise a molten layer. The fluidization enhancing additive may not undergo reduction in the fluidized bed during contacting the hydrocarbon with the particulate material and may be present in an amount that maintains sufficient fluidization of the particulate material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicants: Dow Global Technologies LLC, EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: Elena Y. Chung, John A. Sofranko, William K. Wang, Soumen Kundu, Hangyao Wang, Barry B. Fish, Matthew T. Pretz
-
Publication number: 20230043302Abstract: A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO2 to produce a stream enriched in CO2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Applicant: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Sawyer, C. Andrew Jones, John A. SOFRANKO
-
Patent number: 11447433Abstract: Enhanced oxygen transfer agent systems and methods of use thereof are provided. According to one aspect, a method for producing olefins from a hydrocarbon feed includes the step of contacting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes with an oxygen transfer agent at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000° C. The oxygen transfer agent includes an oxygen-donating chalcogen agent including at least one of S, Se, or Te and a reducible metal oxide. The chalcogen has an oxidation state greater than +2. A method for producing one or more olefins by partial combustion of a hydrocarbon feed is provided. The method includes partially combusting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with an oxygen transfer agent comprising CaSO4 at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000° C. to produce one or more olefins comprising ethylene and coproducing water.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Royce Macwan, Elena Y. Chung, C. Andrew Jones
-
Patent number: 11390573Abstract: The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher hydrocarbons is described using SO3 and sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite and metabifulfite salts as oxygen transfer agents in the presence of one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, optionally further in the presence of alkali or alkaline salts and/or sulfur-containing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Bio2Electric, LLCInventor: John A. Sofranko
-
Patent number: 11192092Abstract: An oxygen transfer agent comprising a metal-boron oxide is provided. The average oxidation state of the metal in the metal-boron oxide is about 3+, and has 10% or less of a stoichiometric excess in moles of Mn with respect to the boron. The oxygen transfer agent may further comprise a magnesia-phosphate cement. The oxygen transfer agent is capable of oxidatively dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feed at reaction conditions to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water. The oxidative dehydrogenation can take place under reaction conditions of less than 1000 ppm weight molecular oxygen, or in the presence of more than 1000 ppm weight of molecular oxygen. Also provided are methods of using the oxygen transfer agents, and an apparatus for effecting the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventor: John A. Sofranko
-
Patent number: 11123714Abstract: An oxygen transfer agent comprising a metal-boron oxide is provided. The average oxidation state of the metal in the metal-boron oxide is about 3+, and has 10% or less of a stoichiometric excess in moles of Mn with respect to the boron. The oxygen transfer agent may further comprise a magnesia-phosphate cement. The oxygen transfer agent is capable of oxidatively dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feed at reaction conditions to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water. The oxidative dehydrogenation can take place under reaction conditions of less than 1000 ppm weight molecular oxygen, or in the presence of more than 1000 ppm weight of molecular oxygen. Also provided are methods of using the oxygen transfer agents, and an apparatus for effecting the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: ECOCATALYTIC INC.Inventor: John A. Sofranko
-
Publication number: 20210284588Abstract: A method is provided for producing at least one olefin by oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon feed. The method includes the steps of contacting a hydrocarbon feed, which includes at least one alkane, and a steam feed with an oxygen transfer agent under a pressure of 1.1 bar to 800 bar to produce at least one olefin. The oxygen transfer agent contains a metal oxide that acts as an oxidizing agent to oxidize the at least one alkane. Additionally, the method includes the step of collecting a product stream containing the at least one olefin.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: John A. SOFRANKO, Elena Y. CHUNG
-
Patent number: 11104625Abstract: The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher hydrocarbons is described using SO3 and sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite and metabifulfite salts as oxygen transfer agents in the presence of one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, optionally further in the presence of alkali or alkaline salts and/or sulfur-containing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Bio2Electric, LLCInventor: John A. Sofranko
-
Publication number: 20210213424Abstract: Redox catalysts having surface medication, methods of making redox catalysts with surface modification, and uses of the surface modified redox catalysts are provided. In some aspects, the redox catalysts include a core oxygen carrier region and an outer shell having an average thickness of about 1-100 monolayers surrounding the outer surface of the core region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Fanxing Li, Luke Michael Neal, Yunfei Gao, Seif Yusuf, Ryan Dudek
-
Patent number: 11046892Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to producing olefins and other products by oxidative dehydrogenation cracking of a hydrocarbon feed. In one embodiment, the method includes oxidative cracking a hydrocarbon feed comprised of plastic waste. Methods of the present invention employ dual functional catalyst comprising solid acids and metal oxides, which are capable of selectively oxidizing hydrogen to water rather than combustion of the hydrocarbon feeds or products. Additional aspects of the invention demonstrate catalyst synthetic methods for encapsulating metal oxides in the internal channels and cages of solid acids, thereby improving the selective oxidation of hydrogen to water and decreasing feed and product oxidation. The re-oxidation of the thus reduced metal oxide transfer agents supplies heat to drive the endothermic cracking of the feed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Elena Y. Chung, William K. Wang, C. Andrew Jones
-
Patent number: 11046626Abstract: A method is provided for producing at least one olefin by oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon feed. The method includes the steps of contacting a hydrocarbon feed, which includes at least one alkane, and a steam feed with an oxygen transfer agent under a pressure of 1.1 bar to 800 bar to produce at least one olefin. The oxygen transfer agent contains a metal oxide that acts as an oxidizing agent to oxidize the at least one alkane. Additionally, the method includes the step of collecting a product stream containing the at least one olefin.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Elena Y. Chung
-
Patent number: 11046625Abstract: A system for oxidative conversion of a mixed hydrocarbon feed stream to a product stream containing at least one olefin is provided. The system includes a plurality of reactors each capable of oxidatively dehydrogenating at least a portion of a hydrocarbon in the mixed hydrocarbon feed, and each reactor able to operate at different set of reaction conditions from other reactors in the plurality of reactors. All of the reactors use the same oxygen transfer agent to produce at least one olefin. In some embodiments, at least one reactor is optimized to oxidatively couple methane to produce ethylene, while other reactors are optimized to oxidatively dehydrogenate ethane to ethylene or to oxidatively dehydrogenate propane to ethylene and/or propylene. All of the reactors feed into a single regeneration unit for the oxygen transfer agent. A method of oxidatively converting the mixed hydrocarbon feed to an olefin is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Elena Y. Chung, William K. Wang
-
Patent number: 11021420Abstract: Improvements in the commercial viability of oxygen transfer agents (OTAs) and/or catalysts associated with the OCM and the ODH of hydrocarbons to olefins through enhancement of one or more of the selectivity, yield, rate and lifetime of the OTA and/or catalyst is described by one or more of (i) exposing the OTA or the catalyst to a sulfur-containing compound at a site or at a time that is different from where and when the saturated hydrocarbon is converted by the OTA or the catalyst to an unsaturated hydrocarbon; (ii) increasing the particle density of the OTA or the catalyst by treating the OTA or the catalyst with a reducing agent at a site different from where the saturated hydrocarbon is converted by the OTA or by the catalyst to an unsaturated hydrocarbon; and (iii) removing non-selective redox oxygen (NSRO) present on the OTA by subjecting the OTA to a gas that is substantially free of any molecular oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Bio2Electric, LLCInventor: John A. Sofranko
-
Publication number: 20210147322Abstract: Enhanced oxygen transfer agent systems and methods of use thereof are provided. According to one aspect, a method for producing olefins from a hydrocarbon feed includes the step of contacting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes with an oxygen transfer agent at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000° C. The oxygen transfer agent includes an oxygen-donating chalcogen agent including at least one of S, Se, or Te and a reducible metal oxide. The chalcogen has an oxidation state greater than +2. A method for producing one or more olefins by partial combustion of a hydrocarbon feed is provided. The method includes partially combusting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with an oxygen transfer agent comprising CaSO4 at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000° C. to produce one or more olefins comprising ethylene and coproducing water.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: John A. SOFRANKO, Royce MACWAN, Elena Y. CHUNG, C. Andrew Jones
-
Patent number: 10968149Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to enhanced oxygen transfer agent systems and methods of use thereof. According to one aspect, a method for producing olefins from a hydrocarbon feed includes the step of contacting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes with an oxygen transfer agent at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000° C. The oxygen transfer agent comprising an oxygen-donating chalcogen agent comprised of at least one of S, Se, or Te and a reducible metal oxide. The chalcogen having an oxidation state greater than +2. According to another aspect, a method for producing one or more olefins by partial combustion of a hydrocarbon feed includes partially combusting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with an oxygen transfer agent comprising CaS04 at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000° C. to produce one or more olefins comprising ethylene and coproducing water.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: EcoCatalytic Inc.Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Royce Macwan, Elena Y. Chung, C. Andrew Jones