Patents by Inventor Leroy D. Holmes

Leroy D. Holmes 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).

  • Soak vessels and methods for impregnating biomass with liquid
    Patent number: 9333468
    Abstract: Soak vessels for impregnating biomass with a liquid such as a dilute acid and methods for impregnating biomass are disclosed. In some embodiments, the soak vessel includes an impeller assembly with impellers that create a vortex to submerge the biomass, that agitate and separate contaminants from the biomass and that direct biomass and contaminants to separate vessel outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Abengoa Bioenergy New Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Quang A. Nguyen, Weidong He, Leroy D. Holmes
  • Methods for controlling pretreatment of biomass
    Patent number: 9115214
    Abstract: Methods for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass and, in particular, methods for controlling steam explosion pretreatment operations are disclosed. In some particular embodiments, the total solids content of biomass entering a pretreatment digester is calculated to provide operational data and feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Abengoa Bioenergy New Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Quang A. Nguyen, Weidong He, Leroy D. Holmes
  • METHODS FOR CONTROLLING PRETREATMENT OF BIOMASS
    Publication number: 20140083939
    Abstract: Methods for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass and, in particular, methods for controlling steam explosion pretreatment operations are disclosed. In some particular embodiments, the total solids content of biomass entering a pretreatment digester is calculated to provide operational data and feedback control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ABENGOA BIOENERGY NEW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Quang A. Nguyen, Weidong He, Leroy D. Holmes
  • SOAK VESSELS AND METHODS FOR IMPREGNATING BIOMASS WITH LIQUID
    Publication number: 20140083918
    Abstract: Soak vessels for impregnating biomass with a liquid such as a dilute acid and methods for impregnating biomass are disclosed. In some embodiments, the soak vessel includes an impeller assembly with impellers that create a vortex to submerge the biomass, that agitate and separate contaminants from the biomass and that direct biomass and contaminants to separate vessel outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ABENGOA BIOENERGY
    Inventors: Quang A. Nguyen, Weidong He, Leroy D. Holmes
  • METHODS FOR CONDITIONING PRETREATED BIOMASS
    Publication number: 20140087432
    Abstract: Methods for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass and, in particular, methods for conditioning pretreated biomass are disclosed. In some embodiments, pretreated biomass is contacted with a cooling fluid in a flash vessel to cool the biomass. The amount of alkaline solution contacted with the biomass may be based on the pH of partially hydrolyzed pretreated biomass in a liquefaction bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ABENGOA BIOENERGY
    Inventors: Quang A. Nguyen, Leroy D. Holmes, James F. Schelert, Mark A. Borchers