Patents by Inventor Pekka Jokela

Pekka Jokela 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: 20230203383
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the thermal liquefaction of lignin, and more particularly to lignin solvolysis of a lignin feedstock chosen based on its molecular weight. The process comprises subjecting a feed mixture (30) of lignin feedstock (10) and solvent (20) to a thermal liquefaction step by heating (110) the feed mixture (30) at a temperature between 360 and 420 ° C., separating (120) a liquid product mix (50) from a product mix (40); and recirculating at least part of said liquid product mix (50) as an oil fraction of said solvent (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Andrea GUTIERREZ, Roel WESTERHOF, Sascha KERSTEN, Bert HEESINK, Pekka JOKELA
  • Publication number: 20230203381
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for converting lignin (10) to renewable product (80), wherein the process comprises the following steps; mixing (100) lignin (10) with aqueous solution (20) to obtain a mixture (30); heating (110) the mixture (30) of step (a) to a temperature between 290 and 350° C., under a pressure from 70 to 165 bar, to obtain a first product mix (40); separating aqueous phase (53) and oil phase (50), and optionally gas (51) and solids (52), of the first product mix (40) of step (b); and heating (130) the oil phase (50) of step (c) and solvent (60) to obtain a second product mix (70). The second product mix (70) can be used as such, it can be directed to separation (140) or it can be upgraded. The obtained liquid renewable product is suitable as chemicals, fuel, fuel components or feedstock for fuel production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Andrea GUTIERREZ, Roel WESTERHOF, Sascha KERSTEN, Bert HEESINK, Pekka JOKELA
  • Publication number: 20230203380
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for converting a combined feedstock to renewable liquid product(s), wherein the ash content of the combined feedstock of lignin feedstock and a second renewable feedstock is low. The combined feedstock is mixed with solvent, followed by solvolysis to obtain a product mix. At least part of the product mix is recirculated as the oil fraction of said solvent. The present disclosure further concerns the use of the product mix as a renewable product or use of hydroprocessed oil obtained by the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Pekka JOKELA, Andrea GUTIERREZ, Roel WESTERHOF, Sascha KERSTEN, Bert HEESINK
  • Patent number: 11634645
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling product slate of hydrothermal liquefaction by adjusting pH of hydrothermal liquefaction product aqueous phase. The pH of the hydrothermal liquefaction product aqueous phase can be adjusted by heating during hydrothermal liquefaction (110) a mix (30) comprising lignocellulosic feedstock (10) together with acids, alkalis and/or buffers (20) added under aqueous conditions. The method typically comprises separating (120) aqueous phase (53) and oil phase (50), and optionally gas (51) and/or char (52), of the obtained hydrothermal liquefaction product (40). Preferably the separated aqueous phase (53) is recirculated to be mixed 100 with lignocellulosic feedstock (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pekka Jokela, Andrea Gutierrez, Teemu Lindberg, Bert Heesink, Sascha Kersten, Roel Westerhof
  • Publication number: 20230027439
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic feedstock (10) to renewable product (80), wherein the process comprises the following steps; treating (100) lignocellulosic feedstock (10) with aqueous solution (20) to obtain a mixture (30); heating (110) the mixture (30) of step (a) to a temperature between 290 and 340° C., under a pressure from 90 to 120 bar, to obtain a first product mix (40); separating aqueous phase (53) and oil phase (50), and optionally gas (51) and solids (52), of the first product mix (40) of step (b); and heating (130) the oil phase (50) of step (c) and solvent (60). The heating (130) is optionally followed by fractionation (200) to obtain a light fraction (90) and a heavy fraction (91) and optionally a bottom residue fraction (92) and/or a gaseous fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Andrea GUTIERREZ, Pekka JOKELA, Roel WESTERHOF, Sascha KERSTEN, Bert HEESINK
  • Patent number: 11485913
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic feedstock (10) to renewable product (80), wherein the process comprises the following steps; treating (100) lignocellulosic feedstock (10) with aqueous solution (20) to obtain a mixture (30); heating (110) the mixture (30) of step (a) to a temperature between 290 and 340° C., under a pressure from 90 to 120 bar, to obtain a first product mix (40); separating aqueous phase (53) and oil phase (50), and optionally gas (51) and solids (52), of the first product mix (40) of step (b); and heating (130) the oil phase (50) of step (c) and solvent (60). The heating (130) is optionally followed by fractionation (200) to obtain a light fraction (90) and a heavy fraction (91) and optionally a bottom residue fraction (92) and/or a gaseous fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrea Gutierrez, Pekka Jokela, Roel Westerhof, Sascha Kersten, Bert Heesink
  • Publication number: 20210403812
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling product slate of hydrothermal liquefaction by adjusting pH of hydrothermal liquefaction product aqueous phase. The pH of the hydrothermal liquefaction product aqueous phase can be adjusted by heating during hydrothermal liquefaction (110) a mix (30) comprising lignocellulosic feedstock (10) together with acids, alkalis and/or buffers (20) added under aqueous conditions. The method typically comprises separating (120) aqueous phase (53) and oil phase (50), and optionally gas (51) and/or char (52), of the obtained hydrothermal liquefaction product (40). Preferably the separated aqueous phase (53) is recirculated to be mixed 100 with lignocellulosic feedstock (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Pekka JOKELA, Andrea GUTIERREZ, Teemu LINDBERG, Bert HEESINK, Sascha KERSTEN, Roel WESTERHOF
  • Publication number: 20210403813
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic feedstock (10) to renewable product (80), wherein the process comprises the following steps; treating (100) lignocellulosic feedstock (10) with aqueous solution (20) to obtain a mixture (30); heating (110) the mixture (30) of step (a) to a temperature between 290 and 340° C., under a pressure from 90 to 120 bar, to obtain a first product mix (40); separating aqueous phase (53) and oil phase (50), and optionally gas (51) and solids (52), of the first product mix (40) of step (b); and heating (130) the oil phase (50) of step (c) and solvent (60). The heating (130) is optionally followed by fractionation (200) to obtain a light fraction (90) and a heavy fraction (91) and optionally a bottom residue fraction (92) and/or a gaseous fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Andrea GUTIERREZ, Pekka JOKELA, Roel WESTERHOF, Sascha KERSTEN, Bert HEESINK
  • Patent number: 11046905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to production of renewable fuels and fuel components from plant oil originating from at least one Brassica species, where said Brassica species, doped with at least one nitrogen-fixing bacteria, is cultivated to obtain Brassica seed oil, and feedstock comprising the Brassica seed oil is converted in a converting step, whereby renewable fuel or renewable fuel components are obtained. The invention also relates to a method for reducing nitrate release in renewable fuel production. Further, the invention relates to a method for reducing greenhouse gases in renewable fuel production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pekka Jokela, Liisa Ranta, Timo Lehesvirta
  • Patent number: 10711198
    Abstract: A method for forming catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product from pyrolyzable material, the method comprising burning fuel in a fluidized bed boiler, thereby heating some particulate material; transferring at least some of the heated particulate material or some other heated particulate material to a pyrolysis reactor to pyrolyze some pyrolyzable material in the pyrolysis reactor; and conveying at least some pyrolytic vapor through a catalyst bed comprising catalyst material; and conveying at least part of the formed side products upstream back to the process; thereby producing the catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product in an resource efficient manner. In addition, a system configured to produce catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product from pyrolyzable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Heiskanen, Sara Kaerki, Erkki Vaelimaeki, Reyhaneh Shenassa, Jussi Maentyniemi, Pekka Jokela, Andrea Gutierrez, Joakim Autio, Janne Asikkala
  • Publication number: 20190338208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to production of renewable fuels and fuel components from plant oil originating from at least one Brassica species, where said Brassica species, doped with at least one nitrogen-fixing bacteria, is cultivated to obtain Brassica seed oil, and feedstock comprising the Brassica seed oil is converted in a converting step, whereby renewable fuel or renewable fuel components are obtained. The invention also relates to a method for reducing nitrate release in renewable fuel production. Further, the invention relates to a method for reducing greenhouse gases in renewable fuel production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Pekka JOKELA, Liisa RANTA, Timo LEHESVIRTA
  • Publication number: 20190335693
    Abstract: The present invention relates to production of renewable fuels and fuel components from plant oil originating from at least one Brassica species, where said Brassica species, doped with at least one nitrogen-fixing bacteria is cultivated, in a rotating manner by alternating with at least one nitrogen-fixing plant species, plant oil is obtained from the Brassica species, and converted to renewable fuel or renewable fuel components. The invention also relates to a method for reducing nitrate release in renewable fuel production. Further, the invention relates to a method for reducing greenhouse gases in renewable fuel production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Pekka JOKELA, Liisa RANTA, Timo LEHESVIRTA
  • Patent number: 10407304
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of biomethanol from the pulp industry in the production of biohydrogen. The preferred biomethanol comprises purified biomethanol derived from black liquor. The invention also relates to a process for the production of biohydrogen from crude biomethanol recovered from black liquor and to a process for producing hydrocarbon biofuel using such biohydrogen as a hydrogen source. The invention further relates to a biofuel production facility for producing fuel from biohydrogen and biohydrocarbon, and to biofuel so produced. The invention makes it possible to produce a biofuel, wherein 100% of the raw material stems from non-fossil sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE OYJ
    Inventors: Petri Kukkonen, Pekka Knuuttila, Pekka Jokela
  • Patent number: 10106750
    Abstract: A process for upgrading pyrolysis oil that includes heating pyrolysis oil in the absence of added catalyst at 100° C. to 200° C. temperature and 50 bar to 250 bar pressure, and heating the product of the first heating in the absence of added catalyst at 200° C. to 400° C. temperature and 50 bar to 250 bar pressure. Also, the product obtained by this process and the use of treated pyrolysis oil. Further, methods where the treated pyrolysis oil is fed to a power plant for producing electricity; is burned in a boiler for producing heating oil and/or is used as transportation fuel or as a blending component in transportation fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrea Gutierrez, Pekka Jokela, Jaakko Nousiainen
  • Publication number: 20180057753
    Abstract: A method for forming catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product from pyrolyzable material, the method comprising burning fuel in a fluidized bed boiler, thereby heating some particulate material; transferring at least some of the heated particulate material or some other heated particulate material to a pyrolysis reactor to pyrolyze some pyrolyzable material in the pyrolysis reactor; and conveying at least some pyrolytic vapor through a catalyst bed comprising catalyst material; and conveying at least part of the formed side products upstream back to the process; thereby producing the catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product in an resource efficient manner. In addition, a system configured to produce catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product from pyrolyzable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jukka Heiskanen, Sara Kaerki, Erkki Vaelimaeki, Reyhaneh Sheenassa, Jussi Maentyniemi, Pekka Jokela, Andrea Gutierrez, Juakim Autio, Janne Asikkala
  • Patent number: 9434615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1) such as biofuel from solid biomass (2). The method comprises a gasifying step for gasifying solid biomass (2) in a gasifier (6) to produce raw synthesis gas (3), conditioning of the raw synthesis gas (3) to purify the raw synthesis gas (3) to obtain purified synthesis gas (4) having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide between 2.5 to 1 and 0.5 to 1, preferably to between 2.1 to 1 and 1.8 to 1, more preferably about 2 to 1, and subjecting purified synthesis gas (4) to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (5) to produce liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE OYJ
    Inventors: Petri Kukkonen, Pekka Knuuttila, Pekka Jokela
  • Publication number: 20160083252
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of biomethanol from the pulp industry in the production of biohydrogen. The preferred biomethanol comprises purified biomethanol derived from black liquor. The invention also relates to a process for the production of biohydrogen from crude biomethanol recovered from black liquor and to a process for producing hydrocarbon biofuel using such biohydrogen as a hydrogen source. The invention further relates to a biofuel production facility for producing fuel from biohydrogen and biohydrocarbon, and to biofuel so produced. The invention makes it possible to produce a biofuel, wherein 100% of the raw material stems from non-fossil sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Petri Kukkonen, Pekka Knuuttila, Pekka Jokela
  • Patent number: 9133027
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing synthesis gas (7) from biomass (2). The method comprises a step for producing raw product gas (3), and a purifying step comprising several processing steps performed in gas processing means (10, 12, 13, 14) for converting the raw product gas (3) to synthesis gas (7). One processing step is a carbon dioxide removal step for separating carbon dioxide from the stream of raw product gas (3) in a gas processing means comprising a gas purificator (10). The method comprises a step for feeding a stream of the carbon dioxide (9) from the gas purificator (10) to at least one part of the apparatus, said at least one part of the apparatus being selected from: the biomass supply system (4), the gasifier (6) and at least one of the gas processing means (10, 12, 13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Petri Kukkonen, Pekka Knuuttila, Pekka Jokela
  • Publication number: 20150191655
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a pyrolysis product, the apparatus comprising a pyrolysis reactor for forming pyrolysis product fractions from raw material by fast pyrolysis, a condensing device for condensing gaseous pyrolysis product fractions to mainly liquid pyrolysis product fractions, a combustion boiler arranged in conjunction with the pyrolysis reactor for forming energy fractions, and feeding devices for feeding raw materials to the pyrolysis reactor and the combustion boiler. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises a separating device arranged substantially in conjunction with the pyrolysis reactor for separating other fractions from the gaseous pyrolysis product fractions after the pyrolysis and means for conducting other fractions than the gaseous pyrolysis product fractions from the separator to the combustion boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kai SIPILÄ, Yrjö SOLANTAUSTA, Pekka JOKELA, Markku RAIKO
  • Patent number: 9045694
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of carrying out pyrolysis process in a pyrolysis reactor for solid fuel to produce pyrolysis oil. The method comprises supplying solid fuel into a drying zone in the pyrolysis reactor for removing moisture containing gases, drying the solid fuel in the drying zone and extracting the moisture containing gases removed from the solid fuel out of the pyrolysis reactor, passing the dried solid fuel from the drying zone to the pyrolysis zone of the pyrolysis reactor, pyrolyzing the dried solid fuel for separating pyrolysis gases from the dried solid fuel and conducting the pyrolysis gases from the pyrolysis reactor to a condenser for producing pyrolysis oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: VALMET TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Pekka Jokela, Jani Lehto