Patents by Inventor Michel J. Gray
Michel J. Gray 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: 10745330Abstract: A method and catalyst for forming higher alcohols from lower alcohol feedstocks. In one application a highly selective and stable copper pseudo-single-atom supported on MgO—Al2O3 catalyst is provided which provides ethanol condensation to higher alcohols at ˜50% yields and ˜85% selectivity is demonstrated with stable catalyst lifetime over 500 hours in a continuous flow system. In some applications a Guerbet condensation process is further utilized to yield a higher alcohol at a selectivity of near ˜90%.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Karthikeyan K. Ramasamy, Mond F. Guo, Michel J. Gray, Senthil Subramaniam
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Patent number: 10221119Abstract: Methods, systems and catalysts for converting an alcohol containing feedstock to an upgraded material in a single catalyst bed wherein a feedstock is fed to a catalyst under preselected conditions to obtain an intermediate; and condensing the intermediate through an aldol condensation reaction to yield a product containing an upgraded material. In one instance the feedstock includes ethanol, the catalyst is a mixed metal oxide catalyst and the upgraded material is typically a C5+ ketone(s) or alcohol(s), such as 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, 4-heptanone and 2-nonanone.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Karthikeyan Kallupalayam Ramasamy, Michel J. Gray, Carlos A. Alvarez-Vasco, Mond F. Guo, Senthil Subramaniam
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Publication number: 20190031585Abstract: A method and catalyst for forming higher alcohols from lower alcohol feedstocks. In one application a highly selective and stable copper pseudo-single-atom supported on MgO—Al2O3 catalyst is provided which provides ethanol condensation to higher alcohols at ˜50% yields and ˜85% selectivity is demonstrated with stable catalyst lifetime over 500 hours in a continuous flow system. In some applications a Guerbet condensation process is further utilized to yield a higher alcohol at a selectivity of near ˜90%.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Karthikeyan K. Ramasamy, Mond F. Guo, Michel J. Gray, Senthil Subramaniam
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Publication number: 20180215692Abstract: Methods, systems and catalysts for converting an alcohol containing feedstock to an upgraded material in a single catalyst bed wherein a feedstock is fed to a catalyst under preselected conditions to obtain an intermediate; and condensing the intermediate through an aldol condensation reaction to yield a product containing an upgraded material. In one instance the feedstock includes ethanol, the catalyst is a mixed metal oxide catalyst and the upgraded material is typically a C5+ ketone(s) or alcohol(s), such as 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, 4-heptanone and 2-nonanone.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Karthikeyan Kallupalayam Ramasamy, Michel J. Gray, Carlos A. Alvarez-Vasco, Mond F. Guo, Senthil Subramaniam
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Patent number: 8907135Abstract: The present disclosure relates to facilities, systems, methods and/or catalysts for use in chemical production. In particular, the disclosure provides innovations relating to dehydration of multihydric compounds such as glycerol to form acrolein. Some of these innovations include continuous reaction systems as well as system parameters that allow for long term production.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: James J. Strohm, Alan H. Zacher, James F. White, Michel J. Gray, Vanessa Lebarbier
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Patent number: 8742144Abstract: A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. H2 is provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. H2 and a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30° C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
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Publication number: 20130253227Abstract: The present disclosure relates to facilities, systems, methods and/or catalysts for use in chemical production. In particular, the disclosure provides innovations relating to dehydration of multihydric compounds such as glycerol to form acrolein. Some of these innovations include continuous reaction systems as well as system parameters that allow for long term production.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Battelle Momerial InstituteInventors: James J. Strohm, Alan H. Zacher, James F. White, Michel J. Gray, Vanessa Lebarbier
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Patent number: 8530703Abstract: The present disclosure relates to facilities, systems, methods and/or catalysts for use in chemical production. In particular, the disclosure provides innovations relating to dehydration of multihydric compounds such as glycerol to form acrolein. Some of these innovations include continuous reaction systems as well as system parameters that allow for long term production.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: James J. Strohm, Alan H. Zacher, James F. White, Michel J. Gray, Vanessa Lebarbier
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Patent number: 8367851Abstract: A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. H2 is provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. H2 and a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30° C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
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Patent number: 8193381Abstract: A method of oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) includes providing a starting material which includes HMF in a solvent comprising water into a reactor. At least one of air and O2 is provided into the reactor. The starting material is contacted with the catalyst comprising Pt on a support material where the contacting is conducted at a reactor temperature of from about 50° C. to about 200° C. A method of producing an oxidation catalyst where ZrO2 is provided and is calcined. The ZrO2 is mixed with platinum (II) acetylacetonate to form a mixture. The mixture is subjected to rotary evaporation to form a product. The product is calcined and reduced under hydrogen to form an activated product. The activated product is passivated under a flow of 2% O2.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Jianli Hu, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
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Patent number: 8193382Abstract: A method of oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) includes providing a starting material which includes HMF in a solvent comprising water into a reactor. At least one of air and O2 is provided into the reactor. The starting material is contacted with the catalyst comprising Pt on a support material where the contacting is conducted at a reactor temperature of from about 50° C. to about 200° C. A method of producing an oxidation catalyst where ZrO2 is provided and is calcined. The ZrO2 is mixed with platinum (II) acetylacetonate to form a mixture. The mixture is subjected to rotary evaporation to form a product. The product is calcined and reduced under hydrogen to form an activated product. The activated product is passivated under a flow of 2% O2.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Jianli Hu, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
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Publication number: 20110152582Abstract: The present disclosure relates to facilities, systems, methods and/or catalysts for use in chemical production. In particular, the disclosure provides innovations relating to dehydration of multihydric compounds such as glycerol to form acrolein. Some of these innovations include continuous reaction systems as well as system parameters that allow for long term production.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: James J. Strohm, Alan H. Zacher, James F. White, Michel J. Gray, Vanessa Lebarbier
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Patent number: 7872158Abstract: Chemical production processes are provided that can include exposing a reactant composition to a catalyst composition to form a product composition. The reactant composition can include a multihydric alcohol compound and the product composition can include a carbonyl compound. The catalyst composition can include a metal effective to facilitate catalyst activation. Processes disclosed also include supplementing a dehydration catalyst with a promoter, and activating the supplemented catalyst in the presence of oxygen. Processes also include providing a supplemented dehydration catalyst to within a reactor, and exposing a multihydric alcohol compound to the dehydration catalyst, with the exposing forming coke within the reactor. Oxygen can be provided to the reactor to remove at least a portion of the coke.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Thomas H. Peterson, Alan H. Zacher, Michel J. Gray, James F. White, Todd A. Werpy
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Patent number: 7872159Abstract: Chemical production processes are provided that can include exposing a reactant composition to a catalyst composition to form a product composition. Catalyst compositions are also provided that can include metal phosphate compositions, metal phosphorous compositions, and/or solid support compositions with the solid support compositions including one or more of F—Al2O3, ZrO2—CO2, SiO2—Al2O3—CO2, SiO2 Al2O3, Alundum, and Silica such as Ludox AS-30.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Thomas H. Peterson, Alan H. Zacher, Michel J. Gray, James F. White, Todd A. Werpy
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Publication number: 20100152470Abstract: A method of oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) includes providing a starting material which includes HMF in a solvent comprising water into a reactor. At least one of air and O2 is provided into the reactor. The starting material is contacted with the catalyst comprising Pt on a support material where the contacting is conducted at a reactor temperature of from about 50° C. to about 200° C. A method of producing an oxidation catalyst where ZrO2 is provided and is calcined. The ZrO2 is mixed with platinum (II) acetylacetonate to form a mixture. The mixture is subjected to rotary evaporation to form a product. The product is calcined and reduced under hydrogen to form an activated product. The activated product is passivated under a flow of 2% O2.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Jianli Hu, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
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Publication number: 20100152469Abstract: A method of oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) includes providing a starting material which includes HMF in a solvent comprising water into a reactor. At least one of air and O2 is provided into the reactor. The starting material is contacted with the catalyst comprising Pt on a support material where the contacting is conducted at a reactor temperature of from about 50° C. to about 200° C. A method of producing an oxidation catalyst where ZrO2 is provided and is calcined. The ZrO2 is mixed with platinum (II) acetylacetonate to form a mixture. The mixture is subjected to rotary evaporation to form a product. The product is calcined and reduced under hydrogen to form an activated product. The activated product is passivated under a flow of 2% O2.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Jianli Hu, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
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Patent number: 7700788Abstract: A method of oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) includes providing a starting material which includes HMF in a solvent comprising water into a reactor. At least one of air and O2 is provided into the reactor. The starting material is contacted with the catalyst comprising Pt on a support material where the contacting is conducted at a reactor temperature of from about 50° C. to about 200° C. A method of producing an oxidation catalyst where ZrO2 is provided and is calcined. The ZrO2 is mixed with platinum (II) acetylacetonate to form a mixture. The mixture is subjected to rotary evaporation to form a product. The product is calcined and reduced under hydrogen to form an activated product. The activated product is passivated under a flow of 2% O2.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen, Jianli Hu, James F. White, Michel J. Gray
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Publication number: 20090054694Abstract: Chemical production processes are provided that include exposing a reactant composition to a catalyst composition to form a product composition, with the reactant composition including a multihydric alcohol compound and the catalyst composition being effective to dehydrate at least a portion of the multihydric alcohol compound. Embodiments of the process provide that the reactant composition is exposed to the catalyst composition for less than about 0.25 seconds and/or that the catalyst is maintained at a temperature of from about 280° C. to about 320° C. Processes utilizing a reactant composition including a multihydric alcohol compound and an inert compound are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Thomas H. Peterson, Johnathan E. Holladay, Alan H. Zacher, Michel J. Gray, Todd A. Werpy, James F. White
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Publication number: 20090054538Abstract: Chemical production processes are provided than can include exposing a reactant composition to a catalyst composition to form a product composition, with the reactant composition including a multihydric alcohol compound and product composition including a carbonyl compound. The catalyst composition can include one or more elements of groups 5 and 6 of the periodic table of elements. Catalyst compositions are provided that can include one or more of niobia, hydrated niobia, tungstic acid, phosphotungstic acid, and phosphomolybdic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Thomas H. Peterson, Alan H. Zacher, Michel J. Gray, James F. White, Johnathon E. Holladay, Todd A. Werpy
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Publication number: 20090054695Abstract: Chemical production processes are provided that can include exposing a reactant composition to a catalyst composition to form a product composition. The reactant composition can include a multihydric alcohol compound and the product composition can include a carbonyl compound. The catalyst composition can include a metal effective to facilitate catalyst activation. Processes disclosed also include supplementing a dehydration catalyst with a promoter, and activating the supplemented catalyst in the presence of oxygen. Processes also include providing a supplemented dehydration catalyst to within a reactor, and exposing a multihydric alcohol compound to the dehydration catalyst, with the exposing forming coke within the reactor. Oxygen can be provided to the reactor to remove at least a portion of the coke.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Thomas H. Peterson, Alan H. Zacher, Michel J. Gray, James F. White, Todd A. Werpy