Patents by Inventor Kelsey M. McNEELY

Kelsey M. McNEELY 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: 20230279447
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Arsam Behkish, Giovanni Pilloni, Kelsey M. McNeely
  • Patent number: 11649470
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Arsam Behkish, Giovanni Pilloni, Kelsey M. McNeely
  • Publication number: 20210017548
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Arsam Behkish, Giovanni Pilloni, Kelsey M. McNeely
  • Publication number: 20200181664
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for converting biomass into biofuels and biochemicals. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for converting biomass comprising lignocellulosic material into biofuels and biochemicals, such as those comprising fatty acid esters, that contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Arsam Behkish, C. Rebecca Locker, Giovanni Pilloni, Kelsey M. McNeely, Changyub Paek, Ashish B. Mhadeshwar, Eric B. Shen
  • Publication number: 20170267984
    Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms and methods for using the same are disclosed herein for producing biomass or at least one biomolecule. These methods comprise culturing a photosynthetic microorganism that can overexpress a chlorophyllase, and optionally isolating biomass and/or at least one biomolecule from the culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kelsey M. McNeely, Joseph C. Weissman
  • Publication number: 20170267993
    Abstract: Methods are provided to select strains of photosynthetic microorganisms for enhanced photosynthetic efficiency or biomass accumulation. Strains are mutagenized, and then grown under high light in a turbidostat. Microorganisms created by this process are also described, as well as methods of using such isolated microorganisms for biomass production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph C. Weissman, Kelsey M. McNeely
  • Publication number: 20170175152
    Abstract: Methods are provided for biological conversion of anhydrosugars, such as anhydrosugars found in a pyrolysis oil, to fatty acid alkyl esters. The methods can include use of a genetically modified Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria that can convert levoglucosan and/or other anhydrosugars into fatty acid alkyl esters without requiring formation and conversion of an intermediate compound external to the bacteria. Optionally, the methods can be used in combination with methods for production and/or separation of increased amounts of levoglucosan from pyrolysis of biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Kelsey M. McNEELY, Virginia M. REINER