Patents by Inventor Mauno Miettinen

Mauno Miettinen 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: 20230279448
    Abstract: A method and a process arrangement for improving a solid-liquid separation of solids from a hydrolyzed material formed in an enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material, comprising following step: i) adding a flocculant additive to the hydrolyzed material or to a stream separated from the hydrolyzed material to form a mixture, and ii) separating a solid stream and a liquid stream from the mixture by means of a decantation or gravitational separation. Further is disclosed a solid product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Mauno Miettinen, Juha Tamper, Sami Turunen, Meri Ventola
  • Publication number: 20230257586
    Abstract: A wood-derived lignin composition is disclosed. The wood-derived lignin composition comprises: - acid-insoluble lignin in an amount of 80 - 90 weight-% based on the total dry matter content of the lignin composition, wherein the average molecular weight of the lignin is 5000 - 15000 Da; -carbohydrates in an amount of 1.5 - 15 weight-% based on the total dry matter content of the lignin composition; - nitrogen in an amount of 0.2 - 1.5 weight-% based on the total dry matter content of the lignin composition; and wherein weight ratio of oxygen to carbon is at least 0.5 Further is disclosed a method for producing the wood-derived lignin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Juha Tamper, Sami Turunen, Vilho Nissinen, Nina Heiming, Lisa Weigand, Mauno Miettinen, Moritz Leschinsky
  • Publication number: 20230212618
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10), in which lignocellulose material (3) formed by treating plant based raw material (1) is conducted into a separation stage (4). The method comprises at least one solid-liquid separation stage (4) for separating a soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10) and/or a washing filtrate (12) from lignocellulose material (3), and at least a part of the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10) and/or the washing filtrate (12) is recirculated to the lignocellulose material (3) for increasing concentration of the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction, and solids (11) and at least a part of the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10) are supplied out from the separation stage. Further, the invention relates to the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction and the solid fraction, and their uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Mauno Miettinen, Sami Turunen, Juha Tamper
  • Patent number: 11591624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating plant based raw material with an enzymatic hydrolysis, in which the plant based raw material (1) is treated to form lignocellulosic material (3a,3b) and the lignocellulosic material (3a,3b) or its fraction (10) is conducted into the enzymatic hydrolysis (4), wherein the method comprises at least one treatment stage (2a,2b,2c) in which the plant based raw material (1) is treated so that the lignocellulosic material (3a,3b) contains over 80% fine solid particles which are fiber-like or indefinable particles smaller than 0.2 mm, defined by an optical measurement device, the lignocellulosic material (3a,3b) or at least one fraction (10) of the lignocellulosic material is supplied into the enzymatic hydrolysis (4) for forming a lignin based material (5), and at least one solid-liquid separation stage (6) after the enzymatic hydrolysis (4) in which a lignin fraction (7) and a soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (8) are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mauno Miettinen, Sami Turunen, Juha Tamper
  • Patent number: 11407778
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for recovering chemicals from an alkaline lignin material, the alkaline lignin material (3) which comprises NaOH or KOH is precipitated in presence of an acid in a precipitation stage (6) for forming a precipitated lignin (7), the precipitated lignin (7) is supplied to a separation stage (8) in which a purified lignin (9) is recovered and from which at least one fraction (10) which comprises Na or K is supplied to a crystallization stage (11), and the fraction (10) which comprises Na or K is treated by crystallization in the crystallization stage (11) for forming a crystallized compound (12). Further, the invention relates to use of the purified lignin, and lignin and chemical products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mauno Miettinen, Sami Turunen, Meri Ventola, Juha Tamper
  • Patent number: 11230691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enzymatic hydrolysis where a plant based feed is hydrolysed using an enzyme to form a hydrolysed product. An additive for preventing enzyme adsorption is fed to an enzymatic hydrolysis stage, the plant based feed, the hydrolysed product, a starting material, and/or a plant based material formed from the starting material. The hydrolysed product is supplied from the enzymatic hydrolysis stage to a first solid-liquid separation stage where a lignin fraction comprising the additive and a liquid composition comprising the enzyme are separated. The liquid composition is mixed with the plant based material in a mixing stage, forming a mixture. A solid and liquid fraction are separated from the mixture in a second solid-liquid separation stage. At least part of the solid fraction comprising the enzyme is fed as the plant based feed to the enzymatic hydrolysis stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sami Turunen, Mauno Miettinen, Meri Ventola, Juha Tamper
  • Publication number: 20210323989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a lignin fraction from crude lignin which has been processed by means of a treatment step selected from enzymatic treatment, treatment with ionic liquid and their combinations. The method comprises treating the crude lignin (1) by a lignin liberation in at least one lignin liberation step (3), and separating a lignin fraction (6) in at least one separation step (5). Further, the invention relates to a lignin composition and its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventor: Mauno Miettinen
  • Publication number: 20210309809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating lignocellulose particle fraction (3) and lignin particle fraction (4), in which crude lignin (1) formed from starting material (6) comprises lignocellulose particles and lignin particles. According to the invention, the method comprises adding stabilizing chemical (11) and/or hydrophobic chemical (12) into the crude lignin (1) in at least one step, and treating the crude lignin by separating the lignin particle fraction (4) and lignocellulose particle fraction (3) from each other in at least one separation step (2,8,9,10). Further, the invention relates to a lignocellulose particle fraction and a lignin particle fraction and their uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: Mauno MIETTINEN
  • Patent number: 11078225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a lignin fraction from crude lignin which has been processed by means of a treatment step selected from enzymatic treatment, treatment with ionic liquid and their combinations. The method comprises treating the crude lignin (1) by a lignin liberation in at least one lignin liberation step (3), and separating a lignin fraction (6) in at least one separation step (5). Further, the invention relates to a lignin composition and its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mauno Miettinen
  • Patent number: 11066525
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating lignocellulose particle fraction (3) and lignin particle fraction (4), in which crude lignin (1) formed from starting material (6) comprises lignocellulose particles and lignin particles. The method comprises adding stabilizing chemical (11) and/or hydrophobic chemical (12) into the crude lignin (1) in at least one step, and treating the crude lignin by separating the lignin particle fraction (4) and lignocellulose particle fraction (3) from each other in at least one separation step (2,8,9,10). Further, a lignocellulose particle fraction and a lignin particle fraction and their uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mauno Miettinen
  • Patent number: 11040950
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus furfural is recovered from a steam stream (3) which is formed in a treatment of a pretreated wood based material (1). The pretreated wood based material (1) which comprises at least carbohydrates is treated in a steam treatment stage (2) in which the steam is released. The steam stream (3) which comprises furfural is supplied out from the steam treatment stage (2). A pretreated and steam-treated wood based material (4) which comprises carbohydrates is supplied out from the steam treatment stage (2), and the steam stream (3) is treated in a recovery stage (12a, 12b) for recovering a furfural based fraction (14a,14b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juha Tamper, Jere Salminen, Mauno Miettinen, Sami Turunen, Meri Ventola, Vilho Nissinen
  • Publication number: 20200123121
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus furfural is recovered from a steam stream (3) which is formed in a treatment of a pretreated wood based material (1). The pretreated wood based material (1) which comprises at least carbohydrates is treated in a steam treatment stage (2) in which the steam is released. The steam stream (3) which comprises furfural is supplied out from the steam treatment stage (2). A pretreated and steam-treated wood based material (4) which comprises carbohydrates is supplied out from the steam treatment stage (2), and the steam stream (3) is treated in a recovery stage (12a, 12b) for recovering a furfural based fraction (14a,14b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Juha Tamper, Jere Salminen, Mauno Miettinen, Sami Turunen, Meri Ventola, Vilho Nissinen
  • Patent number: 10526456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a lignin component from lignin material by an acid treatment, the method comprising: forming a lignin component of lignin material by treating the lignin material by means of an acid composition in at least one acid treatment stage, and the lignin component is washed and neutralized by a pH-buffer during a filtration after the acid treatment, and pH in pH-buffer is between 4-10. Further, the invention relates to a corresponding lignin component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: UPM-Kymmene Corporation
    Inventor: Mauno Miettinen
  • Publication number: 20190309002
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for recovering chemicals from an alkaline lignin material, the alkaline lignin material (3) which comprises NaOH or KOH is precipitated in presence of an acid in a precipitation stage (6) for forming a precipitated lignin (7), the precipitated lignin (7) is supplied to a separation stage (8) in which a purified lignin (9) is recovered and from which at least one fraction (10) which comprises Na or K is supplied to a crystallization stage (11), and the fraction (10) which comprises Na or K is treated by crystallization in the crystallization stage (11) for forming a crystallized compound (12). Further, the invention relates to use of the purified lignin, and lignin and chemical products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Mauno Miettinen, Sami Turunen, Meri Ventola, Juha Tamper
  • Publication number: 20190241862
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enzymatic hydrolysis where a plant based feed is hydrolysed using an enzyme to form a hydrolysed product. An additive for preventing enzyme adsorption is fed to an enzymatic hydrolysis stage, the plant based feed the hydrolysed product a starting material, and/or a plant based material formed from the starting material. The hydrolysed product is supplied from the enzymatic hydrolysis stage to a first solid-liquid separation stage where a lignin fraction comprising the additive and a liquid composition comprising the enzyme are separated. The liquid composition is mixed with the plant based material in a mixing stage, forming a mixture. A solid fraction and liquid fraction are separated from the mixture in a second solid-liquid separation stage. At least part of the solid which comprises comprising the enzyme is fed as the plant based feed to the enzymatic hydrolysis stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Sami Turunen, Mauno Miettinen, Meri Ventola, Juha Tamper
  • Publication number: 20180305502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a lignin component from lignin material by an acid treatment, the method comprising: forming a lignin component of lignin material by treating the lignin material by means of an acid composition in at least one acid treatment stage, and the lignin component is washed and neutralized by a pH-buffer during a filtration after the acid treatment, and pH in pH-buffer is between 4-10. Further, the invention relates to a corresponding lignin component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Mauno MIETTINEN
  • Patent number: 10100157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a lignin component from lignin material by an acid treatment, the method comprising: subjecting the lignin material to at least one acid treatment stage by mixing the lignin material with an acid composition to produce an acid treatment mixture, wherein at least one acid treatment stage has a retention time over 6 hours and wherein the acid treatment mixture is held at a temperature of over 60° C. and a pH of 0.5-4 for the retention time of the acid treatment in order to increase dry solids content of the lignin component and decrease ash and carbohydrates of the lignin component. Further, the invention relates to corresponding lignin components, a use of the lignin component and a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: UPM-Kymmene Corporation
    Inventor: Mauno Miettinen
  • Publication number: 20180265938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10), in which lignocellulose material (3) formed by treating plant based raw material (1) is conducted into a separation stage (4). The method comprises at least one solid-liquid separation stage (4) for separating a soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10) and/or a washing filtrate (12) from lignocellulose material (3), and at least a part of the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10) and/or the washing filtrate (12) is recirculated to the lignocellulose material (3) for increasing concentration of the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction, and solids (11) and at least a part of the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10) are supplied out from the separation stage. Further, the invention relates to the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction and the solid fraction, and their uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Mauno Miettinen, Sami Turunen, Juha Tamper
  • Publication number: 20180162891
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a lignin fraction from crude lignin which has been processed by means of a treatment step selected from enzymatic treatment, treatment with ionic liquid and their combinations. The method comprises treating the crude lignin (1) by a lignin liberation in at least one lignin liberation step (3), and separating a lignin fraction (6) in at least one separation step (5). Further, the invention relates to a lignin composition and its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: Mauno Miettinen
  • Publication number: 20170247514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a lignin component from lignin material by an acid treatment, the method comprising: subjecting the lignin material to at least one acid treatment stage by mixing the lignin material with an acid composition to produce an acid treatment mixture, wherein at least one acid treatment stage has a retention time over 6 hours and wherein the acid treatment mixture is held at a temperature of over 60° C. and a pH of 0.5-4 for the retention time of the acid treatment in order to increase dry solids content of the lignin component and decrease ash and carbohydrates of the lignin component. Further, the invention relates to corresponding lignin components, a use of the lignin component and a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventor: Mauno MIETTINEN