Patents by Inventor Simo Laakso

Simo Laakso 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: 10787687
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for obtaining sugar and lignin fractions from lignocellulosic materials and to a method for producing fermentation products using the sugars obtained from the lignocellulose. The present disclosure also relates to a method for improving the sugar yield in the enzymatic hydrolysate by introducing a pre-treatment step of hydrothermal hydrolysis with a delignification step using a cationic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: NESTE OYJ
    Inventors: Heidi Vainio, Olavi Myllymaki, Ville Pihlajaniemi, Mika Sipponen, Simo Laakso, Ilkka Lehtomaki, Ossi Pastinen, Perttu Koskinen
  • Patent number: 10604777
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for obtaining sugar and lignin fractions from lignocellulosic materials and to a method for producing fermentation products using the sugars obtained from the lignocellulose. The present disclosure relates to a method for improving the sugar yield in the enzymatic hydrolysate by introducing a pre-treatment step of hydrothermal hydrolysis and an alkaline delignification step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NESTE OYJ
    Inventors: Heidi Vainio, Ville Pihlajaniemi, Mika Sipponen, Ossi Pastinen, Ilkka Lehtomäki, Simo Laakso, Olavi Myllymäki, Perttu Koskinen
  • Patent number: 9890403
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing microbial lipids. The present disclosure also relates to methods for producing microbial lipids using inhibitors obtainable from lignocellulosic materials to suppress the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms in the fermentation broth. The method can therefore reduce the risk of having contaminating microbes establish in the system and the cultivation and thus higher yields of microbial lipids may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NESTE OYJ
    Inventors: Heidi Vainio, Mika Sipponen, Simo Laakso, Ossi Pastinen, Ilkka Lehtomäki, Perttu Koskinen, Miia Laamanen
  • Publication number: 20160319310
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for obtaining sugar and lignin fractions from lignocellulosic materials and to a method for producing fermentation products using the sugars obtained from the lignocellulose. The present disclosure also relates to a method for improving the sugar yield in the enzymatic hydrolysate by introducing a pre-treatment step of hydrothermal hydrolysis with a delignification step using a cationic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: NESTE OYJ
    Inventors: Heidi VAINIO, Olavi MYLLYMAKI, Ville PIHLAJANIEMI, Mika SIPPONEN, Simo LAAKSO, Ilkka LEHTOMAKI, Ossi PASTINEN, Perttu KOSKINEN
  • Publication number: 20160312259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining sugar and lignin fractions from lignocellulosic materials and to a method for producing fermentation products using the sugars obtained from the lignocellulose. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for improving the sugar yield in the enzymatic hydrolysate by introducing a pre-treatment step of hydrothermal hydrolysis and an alkaline delignification step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: NESTE OYJ
    Inventors: Heidi VAINIO, Ville PIHLAJANIEMI, Mika SIPPONEN, Ossi PASTINEN, Ilkka LEHTOMÄKI, Simo LAAKSO, Olavi MYLLYMÄKI, Perttu KOSKINEN
  • Publication number: 20160304914
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing microbial lipids. The present disclosure also relates to methods for producing microbial lipids using inhibitors obtainable from lignocellulosic materials to supress the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms in the fermentation broth. The method can therefore reduce the risk of having contaminating microbes establish in the system and the cultivation and thus higher yields of microbial lipids may be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: NESTE OYJ
    Inventors: Heidi VAINIO, Mika SIPPONEN, Simo LAAKSO, Ossi PASTINEN, Ilkka LEHTOMÄKI, Heidi KAHELIN, Perttu KOSKINEN, Miia LAAMANEN
  • Patent number: 9115317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recovery of oil from an aqueous solution containing oil and solids, as well as to the use of products obtained by this method. The method of the invention comprises at least the following steps of: Adjusting the oil- and solids-containing aqueous solution to a pH which is acidic, separating an oil- and solids-containing fraction from the acidic aqueous solution with an separation agent which is hydrophilic or assumes a hydrophilic character in response to water, recovering the oil- and solids-containing fraction separated by means of said separation agent, extracting oil away from the solids with a water-insoluble extraction agent, and recovering the oil-containing water-insoluble extraction agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Miia Mujunen, Ossi Pastinen, Ilkka Lehtomaki, Simo Laakso, Perttu Koskinen
  • Patent number: 8900832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of fat with a principal application as transportation biofuel or a component or raw material therefor. According to the method, cell masses, cell suspensions and/or liquid phases formed in the production of single cell oil, and/or biomass-containing side streams or microorganism cell masses for another purpose and/or originating from other sources, are contacted with a fat-production capable microorganism and the organism is allowed to produce fat. The resulting fat is recovered or the microorganism mass is passed to a single-cell oil production process. By means of the invention, the organic matter present in the cell mass and side streams of single-cell oil can be re-utilized for the production of the single-cell oil, thereby improving a total fat yield, as well as reducing an organic load of the side streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Heidi Kahelin, Simo Laakso, Ossi Pastinen, Miia Mujunen, Tarja Suomalainen
  • Patent number: 8870980
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing enzymes and single cell oil. The process comprises that microorganisms capable of producing both single cell oil and enzymes are cultivated under conditions suitable for single cell oil production and enzyme production in a single cell oil production process. A microorganism culture comprising single cell oil and enzymes is obtained and at least part of the microorganism culture, of the supernatant and/or microorganism cells separated from the microorganism culture, of protein fraction enriched from the supernatant, and/or of protein fraction obtained from the cells is used as an enzyme preparation or as a source of enzymes. Single cell oil is recovered from the microorganism cells and used as biofuel, component of biofuel or as a starting material for biofuel production. Enzymes produced according to the process are used in the same or in another industrial process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Annika Malm, Simo Laakso, Ossi Pastinen, Heidi Kahelin, Miia Mujunen
  • Publication number: 20120220509
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recovery of oil from an aqueous solution containing oil and solids, as well as to the use of products obtained by this method. The method of the invention comprises at least the following steps of: Adjusting the oil- and solids-containing aqueous solution to a pH which is acidic, separating an oil- and solids-containing fraction from the acidic aqueous solution with an separation agent which is hydrophilic or assumes a hydrophilic character in response to water, recovering the oil- and solids-containing fraction separated by means of said separation agent, extracting oil away from the solids with a water-insoluble extraction agent, and recovering the oil-containing water-insoluble extraction agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: NESTE OIL OYJ
    Inventors: Miia Mujunen, Ossi Pastinen, Ilkka Lehtomaki, Simo Laakso, Perttu Koskinen
  • Publication number: 20120159838
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing enzymes and single cell oil. The process comprises that microorganisms capable of producing both single cell oil and enzymes are cultivated under conditions suitable for single cell oil production and enzyme production in a single cell oil production process. A microorganism culture comprising single cell oil and enzymes is obtained and at least part of the microorganism culture, of the supernatant and/or microorganism cells separated from the microorganism culture, of protein fraction enriched from the supernatant, and/or of protein fraction obtained from the cells is used as an enzyme preparation or as a source of enzymes. Single cell oil is recovered from the microorganism cells and used as biofuel, component of biofuel or as a starting material for biofuel production. Enzymes produced according to the process are used in the same or in another industrial process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: NESTE OIL OYJ
    Inventors: Annika Malm, Simo Laakso, Ossi Pastinen, Heidi Kahelin, Miia Mujunen
  • Patent number: 8178706
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for forming a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester or a mixture thereof from a soap-comprising starting material, in which process a metal-ion forming agent is added to the starting material, whereby a mixture is formed, which contains an insoluble phase and a liquid phase, the insoluble phase is separated from the liquid phase, and an acid is added into the insoluble phase to form a fatty acid, or a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added to form a fatty acid ester, whereby two phases are formed, an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or, first, an acid is added and then a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added into at least a portion of the formed fatty acid to esterify the fatty acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Ossi Pastinen, Simo Laakso, Sanna Hokkanen, Marjatta Vahvaselkä
  • Publication number: 20110065940
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of fat with a principal application as transportation biofuel or a component or raw material therefor. According to the method, cell masses, cell suspensions and/or liquid phases formed in the production of single cell oil, and/or biomass-containing side streams or microorganism cell masses for another purpose and/or originating from other sources, are contacted with a fat-production capable microorganism and the organism is allowed to produce fat. The resulting fat is recovered or the microorganism mass is passed to a single-cell oil production process. By means of the invention, the organic matter present in the cell mass and side streams of single-cell oil can be re-utilized for the production of the single-cell oil, thereby improving a total fat yield, as well as reducing an organic load of the side streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Neste Oil OYJ
    Inventors: Heidi Kahelin, Simo Laakso, Ossi Pastinen, Miia Mujunen, Tarja Suomalainen
  • Publication number: 20090217569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a lipid or a lipid mixture from an organic source material comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, non-starch polysaccharide, any mixture thereof or degradation products thereof. According to the method, the source material is treated one or more times with water, an aqueous solution of acid or alkali, and the precipitate and the filtrate are separated. The precipitate obtained from the treatments mentioned above can be subjected to mechanical or thermo-mechanical grinding, or the precipitate can be treated with a strong acid, or the precipitate can be acidified and ground mechanically or thermo-mechanically. After the treatments, the precipitate and the filtrate are separated. A lipid-producing microorganism is contacted with the source material or the obtained filtrate(s) in a culture medium, whereby the microorganism cells begin to produce lipid, and the lipids are recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Helsinki University of Technology
    Inventors: Ossi Pastinen, Simo Laakso, Sanna Hokkanen, Miia Mujunen
  • Publication number: 20090197312
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for forming a lipid or a mixture of lipids from a starting material, which comprises at least one alcohol and a soap or a soap precursor, the process comprising adding a metal-ion forming agent to the starting material, whereby a mixture is formed, which contains an insoluble phase and a liquid phase, separating the insoluble phase from the liquid phase, contacting the lipid-producing microorganism with the liquid phase on a culturing substrate, whereby the microorganism cells begin producing lipid, and collecting the lipids. The present invention also concerns a process for forming a lipid or a mixture of lipids from an alcohol-containing liquid phase, which comprises at least one alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Helsinki University of Technology
    Inventors: Ossi Pastinen, Simo Laakso, Sanna Hokkanen, Marjatta Vahvaselka
  • Publication number: 20090131700
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for forming a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester or a mixture thereof from a soap-comprising starting material, in which process a metal-ion forming agent is added to the starting material, whereby a mixture is formed, which contains an insoluble phase and a liquid phase, the insoluble phase is separated from the liquid phase, and an acid is added into the insoluble phase to form a fatty acid, or a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added to form a fatty acid ester, whereby two phases are formed, an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or, first, an acid is added and then a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added into at least a portion of the formed fatty acid to esterify the fatty acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Helsinki University of Technology
    Inventors: Ossi Pastinen, Simo Laakso, Sanna Hokkanen, Marjatta Vahvaselka
  • Publication number: 20070128322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the solubility of non-starch polysaccharides of a vegetable material. The products prepared by the method and the use of the products are also included in the scope of the invention. The method comprises crushing of the material by mechanical energy to form particles, with at least a major portion of the cells containing non-starch polysaccharides in the material being damaged. Preferably, the non-starch polysaccharides end up in particles as produced by crushing to form particles smaller than that of the initial cell containing these polysaccharides in the material. Disruption of the cells allows effective interaction between the dissolving medium and the polysaccharides to be dissolved, appearing as increased solubility. The material crushing can be performed under the joint effect of pressure, heat and shearing forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Suomen Viljava Oy
    Inventors: Jenni Haapiainen, Olavi Myllymaki, Pekka Lehtinen, Ilkka Lehtomaki, Simo Laakso, Markku Patajoki
  • Patent number: 6960456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing conjugated linoleic acid and particularly its cis-9,trans-11 isomer from linoleic acid by fermentation. The invention also relates to products prepared by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Simo Laakso, Auli Rainio, Marjatta Vahvaselka, Annika Mäyrä-Mäkinen, Soile Tynkkynen, Tarja Suomalainen
  • Publication number: 20050170477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing conjugated linoleic acid. In particular, the invention discloses a process for preparing conjugated linoleic acid, particularly the cis-9,trans-11 isomer thereof from grain by means of beneficial bacteria. The invention also relates to the products prepared by the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Marjatta Vahvaselka, Pekka Lethnen, Simo Laakso
  • Patent number: 4897472
    Abstract: This invention provides a simple and efficient technique for isolating and purifying alpha-, beta- and especially gamma-cyclodextrins, and also their chemical derivatives. The isolation of different cyclodextrin subforms is based on the use of specially designed macromolecular adsorbents. These adsorbents contain covalently bound ligands which are of suitable size to penetrate the internal cavity of the cyclodextrin molecules and form specific inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins. By means of this invention it is also possible to increase the proportion of any of the cyclodextrin subforms or its chemical derivative by removing the corresponding cyclodextrin subform with a specific sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Oy Alko Ab
    Inventors: Timo Korpela, Simo Laakso, Mauri Makela