Patents by Inventor Richard Davison
Richard Davison 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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Publication number: 20130231467Abstract: A method of solubilizing protein that includes applying an alkali to a protein source to form a slurry; heating the slurry to a temperature sufficient to allow hydrolysis of protein in the protein source to obtain a reaction liquid comprising solubilized proteins, prions, and reactive solids; separating reactive solids from the reaction liquid to produce a separated reaction liquid, wherein the reactive solids comprise unsolubilized proteins; further heating the separated reaction liquid to an elevated temperature and holding for a time period sufficient to destroy prions in the separated reaction liquid, wherein the elevated temperature is between 75° C. and 250° C. and the time period is between 1 second and 5 hours; and neutralizing the reaction liquid with acid or an acid source to produce a neutralized liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: EE-TERRABON, LLCInventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Gary P. Noyes, Richard Davison, Cesar B. Granda
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Patent number: 8283141Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Richard Davison
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Publication number: 20120225460Abstract: A method for processing biomass that includes forming a first pile comprising biomass; inoculating said first pile comprising biomass; circulating a liquid in said first pile; fermenting the biomass in said first pile to produce a carboxylate salt; and extracting at least a portion of the liquid in the first pile and passing said portion of liquid to a second pile comprising biomass, wherein said second pile is operating at a higher carboxylate salt concentration than said first pile.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Cesar Granda, Gary P. Noyes, Edward Darlington, III
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Patent number: 8124386Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Richard Davison
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Publication number: 20120034663Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark Thomas HOLTZAPPLE, Richard Davison
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Publication number: 20110039315Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEMInventors: Mark Thomas HOLTZAPPLE, Richard DAVISON
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Patent number: 7820417Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Richard Davison
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Publication number: 20100202936Abstract: A process for solubilization of protein including application of an alkali, such as lime, and heating. The process may also involve lime recovery and may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages to separate protein solubilized from labile and recalcitrant sources. Systems and devices for use in such process, including a continuous stirred tank reactor and a plug flow reactor are also involved.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicants: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, TERRABON TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Gary P. Noyes, Richard Davison, Cesar B. Granda
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Publication number: 20100203625Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for processing biomass comprises a chamber, a biomass input device, a fluid input device, and a retrieval device. The chamber is defined by at least a bottom, at least one wall, and a cover supported by the at least one wall. The biomass input device operable to deliver biomass into the chamber to form a biomass pile. The fluid input device is operable to deliver fluid into the chamber to the biomass pile. The retrieval device operable to receive fluid from the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEMInventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Cesar Granda, Gary P. Noyes, Edward Darlington, III
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Patent number: 7705116Abstract: A process for solubilization of protein including application of an alkali, such as lime, and heating. The process may also involve lime recovery and may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages to separate protein solubilized from labile and recalcitrant sources. Systems and devices for use in such process, including a continuous stirred tank reactor and a plug flow reactor are also involved.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignees: Texas A&M University System, Terrabon Technology Corp.Inventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Gary P. Noyes, Richard Davison, Cesar B. Granda
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Publication number: 20090325251Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: The Texas A&M university SystemInventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Richard Davison
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Publication number: 20070014895Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method converting biomass into useful chemicals are provided. In a particular embodiment, the method includes fermenting biomass in one or more fermentors to produce a fermentation broth comprising ammonium carboxylate salts, the fermentors containing an ammonium carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate buffer. The method further includes reacting the ammonium carboxylate salts from the fermentors with a high-molecular-weight amine to produce amine carboxylate salt, and thermally cracking the amine carboxylate salt to produce carboxylic acid. In another embodiment, the ammonium carboxylate salts from the fermentors may be reacted with a low-molecular-weight amine to produce a low-molecular-weight-amine carboxylate salt.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventors: Mark Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Cesar Granda, Frank Agbogbo, Zhihong Fu
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Publication number: 20060222522Abstract: Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2005Publication date: October 5, 2006Applicant: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark Holtzapple, Richard Davison, G. Rabroker
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Publication number: 20060188980Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for processing biomass comprises a chamber, a biomass input device, a fluid input device, and a retrieval device. The chamber is defined by at least a bottom, at least one wall, and a cover supported by the at least one wall. The biomass input device operable to deliver biomass into the chamber to form a biomass pile. The fluid input device is operable to deliver fluid into the chamber to the biomass pile. The retrieval device operable to receive fluid from the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2005Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventors: Mark Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Cesar Granda, Gary Noyes, Edward Darlington
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Patent number: 7093455Abstract: Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Richard Davison, G. Andrew Rabroker
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Publication number: 20060069244Abstract: A process for solubilization of protein including application of an alkali, such as lime, and heating. The process may also involve lime recovery and may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages to separate protein solubilized from labile and recalcitrant sources. Systems and devices for use in such process, including a continuous stirred tank reactor and a plug flow reactor are also involved.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Mark Holtzapple, Gary Noyes, Richard Davison, Cesar Granda
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Publication number: 20060024801Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2005Publication date: February 2, 2006Inventors: Mark Holtzapple, Richard Davison
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Publication number: 20040171136Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for processing biomass includes a water-impermeable bottom liner, a gravel layer supported by the bottom liner, a drain pipe disposed within the gravel layer, a biomass input device operable to deliver biomass over the gravel layer to form a biomass pile, a lime input device operable to deliver lime to the biomass for pretreating the biomass, a distribution pipe elevated above the gravel layer, and a pump operable to circulate water through the biomass pile by delivering water to the distribution pipe and receiving water from the drain pipe after it has traveled through the biomass pile.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Lee Lowery, Cesar Granda
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Publication number: 20040154328Abstract: Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Richard Davison, G. Andrew Rabroker
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Publication number: 20040152881Abstract: A process for solubilization of protein including application of an alkali, such as lime, and heating. The process may also involve lime recovery and may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages to separate protein solubilized from labile and recalcitrant sources. Systems and devices for use in such process, including a continuous stirred tank reactor and a plug flow reactor are also involved.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark Thomas Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Guillermo Coward Kelly