Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Zaher

Joseph J. Zaher 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: 20140154167
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved process for preparing titanium tetrachloride comprising a first carbo-chlorination reaction comprising reacting ores comprising silica and/or zirconium with chlorine and a carbon compound at a temperature of about 900° C. to about 1300° C. to form an unscrubbed off gas comprising carbon monoxide, and using the unscrubbed off gas in a second carbo-chlorination reaction comprising titanium to form titanium tetrachloride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. BECNEL, Yung-Hsing Samson Hsu, Joseph J. Zaher, Charles David Musick
  • Publication number: 20140142352
    Abstract: Provided herein are processes for adjusting a fermentation medium to reduce the activity of one or more carboxylic acids. The processes comprise (a) providing a recombinant microorganism comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, (b) contacting the recombinant microorganism with a fermentation medium whereby butanol is produced and wherein the fermentation medium comprises one or more carboxylic acids, and (c) adjusting the fermentation medium to reduce the activity of the one or more carboxylic acids. Also provided are processes for reducing the activity of one or more carboxylic acids in a feed. The processes comprise (a) providing a feed from a fermentation vessel, wherein the feed comprises a composition produced by a recombinant microorganism comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, wherein the composition comprises butanol, water, and one or more carboxylic acids; and (b) adjusting the feed, wherein adjusting the feed reduces the activity of the one or more carboxylic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: MICHAEL DAUNER, Robert Dicosimo, Steven D. Doig, Adam David Henry, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20140106419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentation products such as alcohols. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing and productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Stephane Francois Bazzana, Adam Bernfeld, Keith H. Burlew, Duncan Coffey, James Timothy Cronin, Benjamin Fuchs, John W. Hallam, Adam Jones, David J. Lowe, Brian Michael Roesch, Mathias E. Stolarski, James Gregory Wood, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20140099688
    Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20140073820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fermentative production of alcohols including ethanol and butanol, and processes for improving alcohol fermentation employing in situ product removal methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: STEPHANE FRANCOIS BAZZANA, JAMES TIMOTHY CRONIN, MICHAEL CHARLES CRADY, DAVID J. LOWE, BRIAN MICHAEL ROESCH, JOSEPH J. ZAHER, RAYMOND RICHARD ZOLANDZ
  • Publication number: 20140073021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of fermentation products such as alcohols including ethanol and butanol, and processes employing in situ product removal methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: STEPHANE FRANCOIS BAZZANA, ADAM BERNFELD, KEITH H. BURLEW, JAMES TIMOTHY CRONIN, MICHAEL CHARLES GRADY, BRIAN MICHAEL ROESCH, JOSEPH J. ZAHER, RAYMOND RICHARD ZOLANDZ
  • Publication number: 20140024064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentative alcohols such as ethanol and butanol. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing and productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Keith H. Burlew, James Timothy Cronin, Benjamin Fuchs, John W. Hallam, David J. Lowe, Brian Michael Roesch, Mathias E. Stolarski, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20140018581
    Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8628643
    Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20130295661
    Abstract: A method and system for efficiently producing a fermentative product alcohol such as butanol utilizing in situ product extraction are provided. The efficiency is obtained through separating undissolved solids after liquefying a given feedstock to create a feedstock and prior to fermentation, for example, through centrifugation. Removal of the undissolved solids avoids problems associated with having the undissolved solids present during in situ production extraction, and thereby increases the efficiency of the alcohol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Michael Roesch, Keith H. Burlew, John W. Hallam, David J. Lowe, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8574406
    Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8569552
    Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. An overhead stream from a first distillation column is condensed to recover a mixed condensate. An entrainer is added to at least one appropriate process stream or vessel such that the mixed condensate comprises sufficient entrainer to provide phase separation of the organic and the aqueous phases to provide for recovery of the butanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D Parten, Bruce M Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J Zaher
  • Publication number: 20130276671
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vapor phase process for producing a substantially anatase-free titanium dioxide pigment comprising reacting a vaporous titanium dioxide precursor and an oxygen containing gas in a reactor; and introducing a mixture of liquid silicon halide and liquid titanium dioxide precursor into the reactor at a point downstream of the addition of the vaporous titanium dioxide precursor, and the oxygen containing gas, and at a process temperature of about 1200° C. to about 1600° C. to produce titanium dioxide particles that are substantially encapsulated in silicon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles David Musick, Robert A. Johns, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8563788
    Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. The extractant comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D Parten, Bruce M Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J Zaher
  • Patent number: 8557540
    Abstract: A method and system for efficiently producing a fermentative product alcohol such as butanol utilizing in situ product extraction are provided. The efficiency is obtained through separating undissolved solids after liquefying a given feedstock to create a feedstock and prior to fermentation, for example, through centrifugation. Removal of the undissolved solids avoids problems associated with having the undissolved solids present during in situ production extraction, and thereby increases the efficiency of the alcohol production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Butamax (TM) Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Keith H. Burlew, Michael Charles Grady, John W. Hallam, David J. Lowe, Brian Michael Roesch, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8373009
    Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. The extractant comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Butamax (TM) Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Bruce Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8373008
    Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. An overhead stream from a first distillation column is condensed to recover a mixed condensate. An entrainer is added to at least one appropriate process stream or vessel such that the mixed condensate comprises sufficient entrainer to provide phase separation of the organic and the aqueous phases to provide for recovery of the butanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Butamax (TM) Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Bruce Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20130001062
    Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. The extractant comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: MICHAEL CHARLES GRADY, William D. Parten, Bruce M. Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20130001061
    Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. An overhead stream from a first distillation column is condensed to recover a mixed condensate. An entrainer is added to at least one appropriate process stream or vessel such that the mixed condensate comprises sufficient entrainer to provide phase separation of the organic and the aqueous phases to provide for recovery of the butanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles GRADY, William D. PARTEN, Bruce M. VRANA, Yihui Tom XU, Joseph J. ZAHER
  • Publication number: 20120211348
    Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher