Patents by Inventor Willem Jacob Groot
Willem Jacob Groot 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: 20220259549Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: PURAC Biochem BVInventors: Jeroen Bokhove, Andre Banier De Haan, Willem Jacob Groot
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Patent number: 11352600Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Inventors: Jeroen Bokhove, Andre Banier De Haan, Willem Jacob Groot
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Publication number: 20200248133Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2017Publication date: August 6, 2020Applicant: PURAC Biochem BVInventors: Jeroen Bokhove, Andre Banier De Haan, Willem Jacob Groot
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Patent number: 10266856Abstract: A method for preparing a fermentation product including lactic acid, the method including: a) treating lignocellulosic material with caustic magnesium salt in the presence of water to provide treated aqueous lignocellulosic material; b) saccharifying the treated aqueous lignocellulosic material in the presence of a hydrolytic enzyme to provide a saccharified aqueous lignocellulosic material comprising fermentable carbohydrate and a solid lignocellulosic fraction; c) simultaneously with step b), fermenting the saccharified aqueous lignocellulosic material in the presence of both a lactic acid forming microorganism and caustic magnesium salt to provide an aqueous fermentation broth comprising magnesium lactate and a solid lignocellulosic fraction; d) recovering magnesium lactate from the broth, wherein the saccharification and the fermentation are carried out simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: PURAC BIOCHEM BVInventors: Peter Johannes Marie Baets, David Sanchez Garcia, Willem Jacob Groot, André Banier De Haan
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Patent number: 10240171Abstract: A process for preparing lactic acid and/or a lactate salt via the fermentation of carbohydrates obtained from lignocellulosic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: PURAC BIOCHEM B.V.Inventors: Peter Johannes Marie Baets, David Sanchez Garcia, Willem Jacob Groot, André Banier De Haan
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Patent number: 9926578Abstract: A process for the preparation of butanediol includes providing an aqueous medium comprising magnesium succinate by fermentation of a carbohydrate source, in the presence of a magnesium base. The aqueous medium is processed wherein the magnesium succinate is treated with a monovalent base, prior to or after a crystallization step, to provide a magnesium base and an aqueous solution comprising a monovalent succinate salt. The concentration of the monovalent succinate salt is adusted to between 10 and 35 wt. %. The aqueous solution is subjected to water-splitting electrodialysis, to produce a first solution comprising monovalent base and a second solution comprising succinic acid and monovalent succinate salt, the electrodialysis causing conversion the monovalent succinate salt into succinic acid of 40 to 95 mole % calculated on a total molar amount of succinic acid and succinate present in solution. The second solution is separated into succinic acid and the monovalent succinate salt by crystallization.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Purac Biochem BVInventors: Willem Jacob Groot, Jan Van Breugel
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Publication number: 20170292133Abstract: A process for preparing lactic acid and/or a lactate salt via the fermentation of carbohydrates obtained from lignocellulosic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: PURAC BIOCHEM BVInventors: Peter Johannes Marie BAETS, David SANCHEZ GARCIA, Willem Jacob GROOT, André Banier DE HAAN
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Publication number: 20170218408Abstract: A method for preparing a fermentation product including lactic acid, the method including: a) treating lignocellulosic material with caustic magnesium salt in the presence of water to provide treated aqueous lignocellulosic material; b) saccharifying the treated aqueous lignocellulosic material in the presence of a hydrolytic enzyme to provide a saccharified aqueous lignocellulosic material comprising fermentable carbohydrate and a solid lignocellulosic fraction; c) simultaneously with step b), fermenting the saccharified aqueous lignocellulosic material in the presence of both a lactic acid forming microorganism and caustic magnesium salt to provide an aqueous fermentation broth comprising magnesium lactate and a solid lignocellulosic fraction; d) recovering magnesium lactate from the broth, wherein the saccharification and the fermentation are carried out simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: PURAC BIOCHEM BVInventors: Peter Johannes Marie BAETS, David SANCHEZ GARCIA, Willem Jacob GROOT, André Banier DE HAAN
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Publication number: 20160040194Abstract: A process for the preparation of succinic acid comprising the steps of: a) providing an aqueous medium comprising magnesium succinate by fermentation of a carbohydrate source, in the presence of a magnesium base; b) processing the aqueous medium wherein the magnesium succinate is treated with a monovalent base, prior to or after a crystallisation step, to provide a magnesium base and an aqueous solution comprising a monovalent succinate salt; c) adjusting the concentration of the monovalent succinate salt to between 10 and 35 wt. %; d) subjecting the aqueous solution to water-splitting electrodialysis, to produce a first solution comprising monovalent base and a second solution comprising succinic acid and monovalent succinate salt, the electrodialysis causing conversion of 40 to 95 mole %; e) separating the second solution into succinic acid and the monovalent succinate salt by crystallisation; f) recycling the monovalent succinate salt solution of step e) to step d).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Willem Jacob Groot, Jan Van Breugel
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Patent number: 9234214Abstract: A fermentation process includes contacting a carbohydrate source with a microorganism in an aqueous fermentation broth to form a fermentation product which is a salt or a product with a boiling point above the boiling point of water. The fermentation process is carried out at a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure and at least at the value where the reaction medium is at its boiling point at the fermentation temperature. Water is evaporated and removed from the reactor during the fermentation in an amount which is at least 20% of the volume of liquid present in the reactor at the start of the fermentation. A fermentation process at reduced pressure while removing a substantial amount of water removes a surplus of water in the system, ensures removal of reaction heat, and may lead to improved fermentation quality.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Purac Biochem BVInventors: Jan Van Breugel, Willem Jacob Groot, Peter Paul Jansen
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Patent number: 9162961Abstract: A process for the preparation of succinic acid comprising the steps of: a) providing an aqueous medium comprising magnesium succinate by fermentation of a carbohydrate source, in the presence of a magnesium base; b) processing the aqueous medium wherein the magnesium succinate is treated with a monovalent base, prior to or after a crystallization step, to provide a magnesium base and an aqueous solution comprising a monovalent succinate salt; c) adjusting the concentration of the monovalent succinate salt to between 10 and 35 wt. %; d) subjecting the aqueous solution to water-splitting electrodialysis, to produce a first solution comprising monovalent base and a second solution comprising succinic acid and monovalent succinate salt, the electrodialysis causing conversion of 40 to 95 mole %; e) separating the second solution into succinic acid and the monovalent succinate salt by crystallization; f) recycling the monovalent succinate salt solution of step e) to step d).Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Purac Biochem BVInventors: Willem Jacob Groot, Jan Van Breugel
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Patent number: 9090548Abstract: A method for preparing a carboxylic acid by acidification of a liquid feed including a carboxylate salt, which method includes the steps of providing a liquid feed including magnesium carboxylate; providing a gas feed including gaseous hydrogen chloride; and acidifying the carboxylate to carboxylic acid by bringing the liquid feed into contact with the gas feed, thereby forming a liquid effluent including carboxylic acid and magnesium chloride, wherein the gas feed including gaseous hydrogen chloride is derived from a thermal decomposition step wherein an aqueous liquid including magnesium chloride is subjected to a temperature of at least 300° C., thereby decomposing magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and hydrogen chloride, thus obtaining a solid including magnesium oxide and a gas comprising gaseous hydrogen chloride.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: PURAC BIOCHEM B.V.Inventors: Agustin Cerdà Baró, Jan Van Breugel, Willem Jacob Groot, André Banier De Haan, Peter Paul Jansen
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Publication number: 20150044741Abstract: A method for preparing a carboxylic acid by acidification of a liquid feed including a carboxylate salt, which method includes the steps of providing a liquid feed including magnesium carboxylate; providing a gas feed including gaseous hydrogen chloride; and acidifying the carboxylate to carboxylic acid by bringing the liquid feed into contact with the gas feed, thereby forming a liquid effluent including carboxylic acid and magnesium chloride, wherein the gas feed including gaseous hydrogen chloride is derived from a thermal decomposition step wherein an aqueous liquid including magnesium chloride is subjected to a temperature of at least 300° C., thereby decomposing magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and hydrogen chloride, thus obtaining a solid including magnesium oxide and a gas comprising gaseous hydrogen chloride.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Agustín Cerdà Baró, Jan Van Breugel, Willem Jacob Groot, André Banier De Haan, Peter Paul Jansen
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Patent number: 8772440Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactic acid includes: a) providing an aqueous medium comprising magnesium lactate; b) adding to the aqueous medium a monovalent base to form an aqueous medium comprising a water soluble monovalent lactate salt and a solid magnesium base; c) separating the magnesium base from the aqueous medium; d) adjusting the concentration of the monovalent lactate salt in the aqueous medium, e) subjecting the aqueous medium to water-splitting electrodialysis, to produce a first solution comprising monovalent base and a second solution comprising lactic acid and monovalent lactate salt, the electrodialysis being carried out to a partial conversion of 40 to 98 mole %; f) separating the second solution into lactic acid and a solution comprising the monovalent lactate salt by vapour-liquid separation; g) recycling the solution of step f) comprising the monovalent lactate salt to step d).Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.Inventors: Peter Johannes Marie Baets, Willem Jacob Groot
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Publication number: 20130225787Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactic acid includes: a) providing an aqueous medium comprising magnesium lactate; b) adding to the aqueous medium a monovalent base to form an aqueous medium comprising a water soluble monovalent lactate salt and a solid magnesium base; c) separating the magnesium base from the aqueous medium; d) adjusting the concentration of the monovalent lactate salt in the aqueous medium, e) subjecting the aqueous medium to water-splitting electrodialysis, to produce a first solution comprising monovalent base and a second solution comprising lactic acid and monovalent lactate salt, the electrodialysis being carried out to a partial conversion of 40 to 98 mole %; f) separating the second solution into lactic acid and a solution comprising the monovalent lactate salt by vapour-liquid separation; g) recycling the solution of step f) comprising the monovalent lactate salt to step d).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Purac Biochem BVInventors: Peter Johannes Marie Baets, Willem Jacob Groot
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Publication number: 20120316368Abstract: A process for the preparation of succinic acid comprising the steps of: a) providing an aqueous medium comprising magnesium succinate by fermentation of a carbohydrate source, in the presence of a magnesium base; b) processing the aqueous medium wherein the magnesium succinate is treated with a monovalent base, prior to or after a crystallisation step, to provide a magnesium base and an aqueous solution comprising a monovalent succinate salt; c) adjusting the concentration of the monovalent succinate salt to between 10 and 35 wt. %; d) subjecting the aqueous solution to water-splitting electrodialysis, to produce a first solution comprising monovalent base and a second solution comprising succinic acid and monovalent succinate salt, the electrodialysis causing conversion of 40 to 95 mole %; e) separating the second solution into succinic acid and the monovalent succinate salt by crystallisation; f) recycling the monovalent succinate salt solution of step e) to step d).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Willem Jacob Groot, Jan Van Breugel
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Publication number: 20120244587Abstract: A fermentation process includes contacting a carbohydrate source with a microorganism in an aqueous fermentation broth to form a fermentation product which is a salt or a product with a boiling point above the boiling point of water. The fermentation process is carried out at a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure and at least at the value where the reaction medium is at its boiling point at the fermentation temperature. Water is evaporated and removed from the reactor during the fermentation in an amount which is at least 20% of the volume of liquid present in the reactor at the start of the fermentation. A fermentation process at reduced pressure while removing a substantial amount of water removes a surplus of water in the system, ensures removal of reaction heat, and may lead to improved fermentation quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Purac Biochem BVInventors: Jan Van Breugel, Willem Jacob Groot, Peter Paul Jansen
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Patent number: 7217349Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of separating multivalent ions and lactate ions from a fermentation broth comprising a multivalent ion lactate salt by using an electrodialysis or electrolysis apparatus, comprising the steps of introducing the broth wherein the multivalent ion concentration is at least 0.1 mole/l, the lactate ion concentration is less than 300 g/l, and less than 10 mole % of the lactate ion are other negatively charged ions, into a first compartment of the electrodialysis or electrolysis apparatus, which compartment is limited by an anion-selective or non-selective membrane and a cathode, and wherein the multivalent ion is converted to obtain a residual stream comprising the hydroxide of the multivalent ion, and the lactate ion is transported through the anion-selective or non-selective membrane into a second compartment limited by the anion-selective or non-selective membrane and an anode, after which the lactate ion is neutralized to lactic acid.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.Inventors: Peter Baets, Willem Jacob Groot
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Publication number: 20040137587Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of separating multivalent ions and lactate ions from a fermentation broth comprising a multivalent ion lactate salt by using an electrodialysis or electrolysis apparatus, comprising the steps of introducing the broth wherein the multivalent ion concentration is at least 0.1 mole/l, the lactate ion concentration is less than 300 g/l, and less than 10 mole % of the lactate ion are other negatively charged ions, into a first compartment of the electrodialysis or electrolysis apparatus, which compartment is limited by an anion-selective or non-selective membrane and a cathode, and wherein the multivalent ion is converted to obtain a residual stream comprising the hydroxide of the multivalent ion, and the lactate ion is transported through the anion-selective or non-selective membrane into a second compartment limited by the anion-selective or non-selective membrane and an anode, after which the lactate ion is neutralized to lactic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Applicant: PURAC BIOCHEM B.V.Inventors: Peter Baets, Willem Jacob Groot