Patents by Inventor Michael E. Tay
Michael E. Tay 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).
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Patent number: 9046882Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling batch reaction processes. In particular, a parametric hybrid model may be used to parameterize inputs and outputs of batch reaction processes. The parametric hybrid model may include an empirical model, a parameter model, and a dynamic model. Critical quality parameters, which are correlated with, but not the same as, end-of-batch quality values for the batch reaction processes may be monitored during cycles of the batch reaction processes. The quality parameters may be used to generate desired batch trajectories, which may be used to control the batch reaction processes during the cycles of the batch reaction processes.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: James Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Bijan Sayyar-Rodsari, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 9037298Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling the output of a distillation sub-process by controlling, using model predictive control, the temperature of steam used in the distillation sub-process, wherein the steam is generated in a milling and cooking sub-process. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the temperature of a cook tube generated in a milling and cooking sub-process may be controlled to optimize the energy utilization in the ethanol/water separation of a side stripper column, which uses the cook flash steam as an energy source. However, the present techniques may also be applied to other suitable applications, such as liquor processing, where steam generated in a different process may be used in a distillation process to help separate water from the liquor.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20140259886Abstract: A system includes a biodiesel production system and an advanced process controller configured to implement a model predictive control algorithm to control one or more aspects of the biodiesel production system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Srinivas Budaraju, Timothy Morrison, Michael Sugars, Michael E. Tay, Kiew Kam
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Patent number: 8755939Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for optimizing throughput and yield using model predictive control techniques. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the trade off between yields of biofuel production and overall system throughput may be optimized. However, the present techniques may also be applied to any other suitable applications where a batch process of the system may affect a change in a property of the produced product, such as liquor processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay, Patrick D. Noll, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20140134599Abstract: System and method for managing fermentation feed in a biofuel production process, comprising a dynamic multivariate predictive model-based controller coupled to a dynamic multivariate predictive model. The model is executable to: receive process information, including water inventory and biomass information, from the biofuel production process; receive a specified objective for the fermentation feed specifying a target biomass concentration; and generate model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables of the biofuel production process, including target flow rates of water and/or biomass contributing to the fermentation feed in accordance with the specified objective.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20140039682Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 8634940Abstract: System and method for managing fermentation feed in a biofuel production process, comprising a dynamic multivariate predictive model-based controller coupled to a dynamic multivariate predictive model. The model is executable to: receive process information, including water inventory and biomass information, from the biofuel production process; receive a specified objective for the fermentation feed specifying a target biomass concentration; and generate model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables of the biofuel production process, including target flow rates of water and/or biomass contributing to the fermentation feed in accordance with the specified objective.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 8571690Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 8571689Abstract: System and method for managing batch fermentation in biofuel production. An optimizer executes a nonlinear multivariate predictive model of a batch fermentation process in accordance with an end of batch objective specifying a target end of batch biofuel concentration to determine an optimal batch trajectory over a temporal control horizon specifying a biofuel and/or sugar concentration trajectory over the batch fermentation process. A nonlinear control model for the batch fermentation process that includes the temporal control horizon driven by biofuel concentration during the batch fermentation process is executed per the determined optimal batch trajectory using received process information as input, thereby generating model output including target values for manipulated variables for the batch fermentation process, including batch fermentation temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 8521310Abstract: A system and method are provided for integrated management of a biofuel distillation process and a biofuel dehydration process of a biofuel production process, comprising a dynamic multivariate model-based controller coupled to a dynamic multivariate predictive model. The model is executable to: receive distillation and dehydration process information including biofuel compositions, receive an objective for biofuel production output from the distillation and dehydration processes, e.g., target product composition, production rate, and/or feed rate, and generate model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables related to the distillation and dehydration processes in accordance with the objective. The controller is operable to dynamically control the biofuel production process by adjusting the plurality of manipulated variables to the model-determined target values in accordance with the objective for biofuel production.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Celso Axelrud, Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20120003623Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling batch reaction processes. In particular, a parametric hybrid model may be used to parameterize inputs and outputs of batch reaction processes. The parametric hybrid model may include an empirical model, a parameter model, and a dynamic model. Critical quality parameters, which are correlated with, but not the same as, end-of-batch quality values for the batch reaction processes may be monitored during cycles of the batch reaction processes. The quality parameters may be used to generate desired batch trajectories, which may be used to control the batch reaction processes during the cycles of the batch reaction processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: James Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Bijan Sayyar-Rodsari, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 7933849Abstract: System and method for managing a biofuel production process. An integrated dynamic multivariate predictive model is provided that includes a continuous process model representing a continuous process of the biofuel production process, a batch process model representing a batch process of the biofuel production process, and a continuous simulation framework. The batch process model interacts with the continuous process model as a nonlinear continuous process via the framework using bridging equations. An objective is received, as is constraint information specifying constraints for the biofuel production process, where the constraints are in terms of the framework, and process information related to the batch and continuous processes.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Patent number: 7831318Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling temperature of a batch fermenter in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear predictive integrating temperature model for a batch fermentation process is provided that is a function of fermenter level. An objective for the batch fermentation process specifying a target fermenter temperature for the batch fermentation process is received, as is process information for the batch fermentation process, including fermenter level and fermenter temperature. The nonlinear predictive integrating temperature model is executed in accordance with the objective using the process information as input to determine target values for manipulated variables for controlling fermenter temperature of the batch fermentation process. The fermenter temperature for the batch fermentation process is controlled in accordance with the target values to produce biofuel in accordance with the objective, to substantially optimize the end of batch biofuel yield.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20100082166Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling the output of a distillation sub-process by controlling, using model predictive control, the temperature of steam used in the distillation sub-process, wherein the steam is generated in a milling and cooking sub-process. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the temperature of a cook tube generated in a milling and cooking sub-process may be controlled to optimize the energy utilization in the ethanol/water separation of a side stripper column, which uses the cook flash steam as an energy source. However, the present techniques may also be applied to other suitable applications, such as liquor processing, where steam generated in a different process may be used in a distillation process to help separate water from the liquor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20090326695Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for optimizing throughput and yield using model predictive control techniques. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the trade off between yields of biofuel production and overall system throughput may be optimized. However, the present techniques may also be applied to any other suitable applications where a batch process of the system may affect a change in a property of the produced product, such as liquor processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay, Patrick D. Noll, James F. Bartee
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Publication number: 20080167852Abstract: System and method for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: James F. Bartee, Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20080103748Abstract: System and method for integrated management of a biofuel distillation process and a biofuel dehydration process of a biofuel production process, comprising a dynamic multivariate model-based controller coupled to a dynamic multivariate predictive model. The model is executable to: receive distillation and dehydration process information including biofuel compositions, receive an objective for biofuel production output from the distillation and dehydration processes, e.g., target product composition, production rate, and/or feed rate, and generate model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables related to the distillation and dehydration processes in accordance with the objective. The controller is operable to dynamically control the biofuel production process by adjusting the plurality of manipulated variables to the model-determined target values in accordance with the objective for biofuel production.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Celso Axelrud, Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20080104003Abstract: System and method for managing fermentation feed in a biofuel production process, comprising a dynamic multivariate predictive model-based controller coupled to a dynamic multivariate predictive model. The model is executable to: receive process information, including water inventory and biomass information, from the biofuel production process; receive a specified objective for the fermentation feed specifying a target biomass concentration; and generate model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables of the biofuel production process, including target flow rates of water and/or biomass contributing to the fermentation feed in accordance with the specified objective.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Patrick D. Noll, Michael E. Tay
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Publication number: 20080103747Abstract: System and method for managing a biofuel stillage sub-process of a biofuel production process using a dynamic multivariate predictive model of the stillage sub-process. An objective for the stillage sub-process is received specifying target production of output of the stillage sub-process, including a target value for moisture content of one or more of: dry distillers grain, wet distillers grain, or evaporator syrup. Process information comprising stillage sub-process information is received from the biofuel production process. The dynamic multivariate predictive model is executed in accordance with the objective using the process information as input, to generate model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables related to the stillage sub-process, in accordance with the objective.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Maina A. Macharia, Michael E. Tay