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: 20120164302
    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: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: BRIAN MICHAEL ROESCH, Keith H. Burlew, John W. Hallam, David J. Lowe, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8137647
    Abstract: Provided are processes for the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite. In these processes, ilmenite is digested with aqueous ammonium hydrogen oxalate. Iron from the ilmenite precipitates as a hydrated iron oxalate and is removed by filtering, leaving a titanium-rich solution. The titanium-rich solution can be further processed to form titanium dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David Richard Corbin, Thomas Paul Griffin, Keith W. Hutchenson, Sheng Li, Mark Brandon Shiflett, Carmine Torardi, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Publication number: 20120035398
    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: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8110382
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 8084238
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 8071343
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 8008052
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 7939303
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20100196253
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved process for preparing titanium tetrachloride comprising reacting ores comprising metal oxides with chlorine and a carbon compound at a temperature of about 900° C. to about 1300° C. to form the corresponding chlorides and off gas comprising carbon monoxide, wherein the metal in the metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicon, zircon and mixtures thereof, and wherein the carbon compound is selected from the group consisting of coke, charcoal, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof; and reacting titanium dioxide with a stream comprising off gases formed in the previous step to form titanium tetrachloride and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Becnel, Yung-Hsing Samson Hsu, Joseph J. Zaher, Charles David Musick
  • Patent number: 7741083
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 7732172
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffrey Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090011483
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemous And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jerrery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090011482
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004708
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004711
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004709
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.l. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004707
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004710
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 7445917
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 7405322
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of oxalic acid dihydrate in which an aqueous solution of sodium oxalate is contacted with hydrochloric acid and the resulting mixture then cooled to precipitate oxalic acid, followed by optional recovery and recycling of the sodium oxalate and hydrochloric acid into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Joseph J. Zaher, Bryan C. Fritzler, Scott N. Hutchison