Patents by Inventor Paul G. Blommel

Paul G. Blommel 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).

  • Patent number: 8362307
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 8350108
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to paraffins useful as liquid fuels. The process involves the conversion of water soluble oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenates, such as alcohols, furans, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, followed by the subsequent conversion of the oxygenates to paraffins by dehydration and alkylation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel, Michael J. Werner, Matthew R. Vanstraten
  • Patent number: 8053615
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20110257416
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones, cyclic ethers and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4? hydrocarbons, cyclic ethers, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation and/or deoxygenation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: VIRENT ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20110257448
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons to aromatics and gasonline range hydrocarbons where the oxygenated hydrocarbons are derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20110245543
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20110245542
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 8017818
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 7977517
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20100076233
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to paraffins useful as liquid fuels. The process involves the conversion of water soluble oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenates, such as alcohols, furans, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, followed by the subsequent conversion of the oxygenates to paraffins by dehydration and alkylation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel, Michael J. Werner, Matthew R. Vanstraten
  • Patent number: 7531317
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of determining protease activity, in real time, using fluorescence polarization technology. In particular, the invention provides vectors and a method for their use, which expresses uncharacterized proteins conjugated to a fluorescence tag, which binds specifically to a fluorescent ligand. Cleavage of the recombinant protein results in a fragment of the expressed peptide and results in a change in fluorescence polarization of the fluorophore. The rate of change in fluorescence polarization can be measured in real time and is equivalent to the rate of protease cleavage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Brian G. Fox, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20080300434
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20080300435
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20080286749
    Abstract: Methods for refining the compositions of bacterial growth media to improve heterologous expression of desired recombinant target genes are provided. Also provided are compositions and culture media obtained using the above methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Brian G. Fox, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 7452391
    Abstract: Hydrogen generators and integrated hydrogen generator/fuel cells systems are operated by determining the condition of the hydrogen generator and the condition of the fuel to the hydrogen generator for selection of predetermined flow rates for each of the externally-provided raw materials. The processes of the invention can provide rapid transitions between hydrogen production rates while enabling enhanced efficiency and stability during transient operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: HyRadix Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Russell, John R. Harness, Paul G. Blommel, Daniel R. Sioui, Suheil F. Abdo, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Robert J. Sanger
  • Publication number: 20080216391
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Publication number: 20040020124
    Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining low concentration of carbon monoxide in a fuel processor product hydrogen stream during transient operation with a residential fuel cell, particularly during increases in load demand (turn-up). Algorithms have been developed for controlling the air flow to a preferential oxidation reactor and for controlling the rate of direct water injection for rapid steam generation in a water gas shift reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Bradley P. Russell, John R. Harness, Paul G. Blommel, Daniel R. Sioui, Suheil F. Abdo, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Robert J. Sanger
  • Publication number: 20030211025
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process of selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide in a reformate stream comprising the steps of passing a fuel stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide into a reaction chamber wherein the reaction chamber contains an effective amount of at least one catalyst to promote oxidation of said carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide; supplying an oxygen-containing stream into said reaction chamber; and periodically interrupting the flow of said oxygen-containing stream into said reaction chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, the oxygen-containing stream is interrupted for a predetermined duration of time. In general, it was found that more frequent short interruptions of the oxygen flow produced a consistently lower carbon monoxide level than less frequent longer interruptions. The interruption in oxygen flow may also be triggered upon an increase in carbon monoxide concentration within the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Paul G. Blommel, Gavin P. Towler, Suheil F. Abdo, Daniel R. Sioui, Kenneth J. Stippich, John R. Harness, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 5837641
    Abstract: A method of continuously promoting the activity of solid strong acid catalysts used in acid catalyzed reactions by adding or generating water in the reaction mixture has been developed. The solid strong acid catalyst may be a sulfated metal oxide, a tungstated metal oxide, or a molybdated metal oxide. The metal oxides are oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, or oxide-hydrates of Group IV-A, Group III-A, Group III-B, and Group V-A metals. The catalyst may also contain a Group VIII metal, or when the metal oxide is a hydroxide, oxide, oxyhydroxide, or oxide-hydrate of the Group IV-A, Group III-A, or Group III-B metals, the catalyst may also contain an oxide, hydroxide, oxyhydroxide or oxide-hydrate of a Group V-A, Group V-B, Group VI-B, or Group VII-B metal as a promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Gosling, Paul G. Blommel, Michelle J. Cohn, Ralph D. Gillespie, Jennifer S. Holmgren