Patents by Inventor Paul J. Dauenhauer

Paul J. Dauenhauer 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: 11498062
    Abstract: Methods and phosphorus-containing solid catalysts for catalyzing dehydration of cyclic ethers (e.g., furans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol). The alcohols and cyclic ethers may be derived from biomass. One example includes a tandem Diels-Alder cycloaddition and dehydration of biomass-derived 2,5-dimethyl-furan and ethylene to renewable p-xylene. The phosphorus-containing solid catalysts are also active and selective for dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Delaware
    Inventors: Hong Je Cho, Wei Fan, Michael Tsapatsis, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Limin Ren, Raul Lobo
  • Publication number: 20220127153
    Abstract: A heterogeneous catalysis method for catalyzing the conversion of a first chemical species to a second chemical species includes varying a binding energy of the first chemical species, the second chemical species, or both over time and in the presence of a catalyst. Systems configured to catalyze the conversion of the first chemical species to the second chemical species by varying a binding energy of the first chemical species, the second chemical species, or both over time and in the presence of a catalyst include a sound wave generator, a pressure generator, a piezoelectric material, or a back gate device configured to facilitate the varying of the binding energy of the first chemical species, the second chemical species, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Carl Daniel Frisbie, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Matthew Alexander Ardagh
  • Patent number: 11236057
    Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the Formula 1 wherein A is an aromatic moiety; H is a hydrophobic group comprising a main alkyl chain having from about 3 to about 26 carbon atoms and comprising a C2 or greater alkyl chain branched from the main alkyl chain; and K is a hydrophilic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Christoph Krumm, Kristeen Joseph, Dae Sung Park, Mahesh Mahanthappa, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Patent number: 11208394
    Abstract: Synthesizing an alkyl-caprolactone includes hydrogenating an alkyl-phenol to yield a first mixture comprising an alkyl-cyclohexanone and an alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the first mixture to yield a first portion of a purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the first portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a second mixture comprising an alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the second mixture to yield a third mixture comprising the alkyl-cyclohexanone and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; combining the third mixture and the first mixture in to yield a fourth mixture; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the fourth mixture to yield a second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a fifth mixture comprising the alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Paul J. Dauenhauer, Daniel J. Lundberg, David J. Lundberg, Marc A. Hillmyer
  • Patent number: 10919030
    Abstract: Forming a diene includes contacting a reactant including at least one of a cyclic ether and a diol with a heterogeneous acid catalyst to yield a reaction mixture including a diene. The heterogeneous acid catalyst includes at least one of a Lewis acid catalyst, a supported Lewis-acid catalyst, a Brnsted acid catalyst, a solid acid catalyst, a supported phosphoric acid catalyst, and a sulfonated catalyst. The dehydration of cyclic ethers and diols with high selectivity to yield dienes completes pathways for the production of dienes, such as isoprene and butadiene, from biomass in high yields, thereby promoting economical production of dienes from renewable resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Omar A. Abdelrahman, Charles S. Spanjers, Dae Sung Park, Michael Tsapatsis, Limin Ren, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Patent number: 10618881
    Abstract: Methods that include acylating an aromatic containing compound by reacting the aromatic containing compound with an anhydride containing compound to form an acylated aromatic containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, University of Delaware
    Inventors: Dae Sung Park, Christoph Krumm, Maura Koehle, Kristeen Joseph, Dionisos G. Vlachos, Raul F. Lobo, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Publication number: 20200087276
    Abstract: Synthesizing an alkyl-caprolactone includes hydrogenating an alkyl-phenol to yield a first mixture comprising an alkyl-cyclohexanone and an alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the first mixture to yield a first portion of a purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the first portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a second mixture comprising an alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the second mixture to yield a third mixture comprising the alkyl-cyclohexanone and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; combining the third mixture and the first mixture in to yield a fourth mixture; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the fourth mixture to yield a second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a fifth mixture comprising the alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Paul J. Dauenhauer, Daniel J. Lundberg, David J. Lundberg, Marc A. Hillmyer
  • Publication number: 20190344252
    Abstract: Methods and phosphorus-containing solid catalysts for catalyzing dehydration of cyclic ethers (e.g., furans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol). The alcohols and cyclic ethers may be derived from biomass. One example includes a tandem Diels-Alder cycloaddition and dehydration of biomass-derived 2,5-dimethyl-furan and ethylene to renewable p-xylene. The phosphorus-containing solid catalysts are also active and selective for dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Hong Je Cho, Wei Fan, Michael Tsapatsis, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Limin Ren, Raul Lobo
  • Publication number: 20190345078
    Abstract: Forming a diene includes contacting a reactant including at least one of a cyclic ether and a diol with a heterogeneous acid catalyst to yield a reaction mixture including a diene. The heterogeneous acid catalyst includes at least one of a Lewis acid catalyst, a supported Lewis-acid catalyst, a Brnsted acid catalyst, a solid acid catalyst, a supported phosphoric acid catalyst, and a sulfonated catalyst. The dehydration of cyclic ethers and diols with high selectivity to yield dienes completes pathways for the production of dienes, such as isoprene and butadiene, from biomass in high yields, thereby promoting economical production of dienes from renewable resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Omar A. Abdelrahman, Charles S. Spanjers, Dae Sung Park, Michael Tsapatsis, Limin Ren, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Patent number: 10414858
    Abstract: Methods of forming a C4 to C7 diol compound, the methods including a first step of reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a C4 to C7 lactone; and a subsequent step of reacting the lactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Also disclosed are methods of forming a solvent, the methods including reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a solvent. Further disclosed herein are methods that include reacting mevalonolactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure to form a diol compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Paul J. Dauenhauer, Charles Spanjers, Kechun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180327376
    Abstract: Methods that include acylating an aromatic containing compound by reacting the aromatic containing compound with an anhydride containing compound to form an acylated aromatic containing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Dae Sung Park, Christoph Krumm, Maura Koehle, Kristeen Joseph, Dionisos G. Vlachos, Raul F. Lobo, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Publication number: 20180327375
    Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the Formula 1 wherein A is an aromatic moiety; H is a hydrophobic group comprising a main alkyl chain having from about 3 to about 26 carbon atoms and comprising a C2 or greater alkyl chain branched from the main alkyl chain; and K is a hydrophilic group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Christoph Krumm, Kristeen Joseph, Dae Sung Park, Mahesh Mahanthappa, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Publication number: 20170297983
    Abstract: Methods of forming a C4 to C7 diol compound, the methods including a first step of reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a C4 to C7 lactone; and a subsequent step of reacting the lactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Also disclosed are methods of forming a solvent, the methods including reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a solvent. Further disclosed herein are methods that include reacting mevalonolactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure to form a diol compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Paul J. Dauenhauer, Charles Spanjers, Kechun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8790546
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a carbon and hydrogen-containing solid fuel and a metal-based catalyst in the presence of oxygen to produce hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas, wherein the contacting occurs at a temperature sufficiently high to prevent char formation in an amount capable of stopping production of the hydrogen gas and the carbon monoxide gas is provided. In one embodiment, the metal-based catalyst comprises a rhodium-cerium catalyst. Embodiments further include a system for producing syngas. The systems and methods described herein provide shorter residence time and high selectivity for hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Nick J. Degenstein, Bradon J. Dreyer, Joshua L. Colby
  • Patent number: 8702822
    Abstract: Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Aditya Bhan, Michael Tsapatsis, Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Patent number: 8349289
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for the production of synthesis gas. More particularly, various embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for volatilizing fluid fuel to produce synthesis gas by using a metal catalyst on a solid support matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Bradon J. Dreyer, James R. Salge
  • Publication number: 20110047864
    Abstract: Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Aditya Bhan, Michael Tsapatsis, Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Publication number: 20100200810
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a carbon and hydrogen-containing solid fuel and a metal-based catalyst in the presence of oxygen to produce hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas, wherein the contacting occurs at a temperature sufficiently high to prevent char formation in an amount capable of stopping production of the hydrogen gas and the carbon monoxide gas is provided. In one embodiment, the metal-based catalyst comprises a rhodium-cerium catalyst. Embodiments further include a system for producing syngas. The systems and methods described herein provide shorter residence time and high selectivity for hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Nick J. Degenstein, Bradon J. Dreyer, Joshua L. Colby
  • Publication number: 20080237542
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for the production of synthesis gas. More particularly, various embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for volatilizing fluid fuel to produce synthesis gas by using a metal catalyst on a solid support matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Bradon J. Dreyer, James R. Salge, David Rennard