Butanol Patents (Class 435/160)
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Publication number: 20130309730Abstract: The present invention relates to novel enzymes and the uses thereof. The invention also relates to methods of producing such enzymes, coding nucleic acid molecules, recombinant cells and methods of modifying biomass from such materials. The invention is particularly suited to degrade biomass and/or to improve biomass degradation. The invention also relates to various applications of the enzymes of the invention for the production of bioenergy (such as bioethanol), as well as in the field of chemistry, paper industry, textile industry and beverage industry.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: DEINOVEInventors: Jean-Paul Leonetti, Jean-Michel Claverie, Nicolas Chabot
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Publication number: 20130309729Abstract: The invention relates to Mutant cellobiohydrolase, being a mutant of SEQ ID NO:1, having a substitution at position N247(I,F,H,W) of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the mutant cellobiohydrolase has at least 50% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, and wherein the mutant cellobiohydrolase has CBHI activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.Inventors: Jan Metske Van Der Laan, Margot Elisabeth Francoise Schooneveld-Bergmans, Denise Ilse Jacobs
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Publication number: 20130309738Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for recovering butanol produced in a fermentative process using, for example, an ethanol production plant which has been reversibly-retrofitted for butanol production, that is, the ethanol production plant may be converted for butanol production, but can also revert to an ethanol production. The present invention also relates to processes for recovering butanol produced in a fermentative process in a butanol production plant that may be converted to ethanol production plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventor: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
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Publication number: 20130309735Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material, particularly on a larger scale, such as on the commercialization or industrial scale. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises (a) generating at least about 10 tons of prepared biomass material by adding a microbe, optionally an acid, and optionally, an enzyme to a solid biomass; (b) storing the prepared biomass material for at least about 24 hours in a storage facility to allow production of at least one volatile organic compound from at least a portion of the sugar in the solid biomass; and (c) capturing the at least one volatile organic compound by using a solventless recovery system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Phillip Guy HAMILTON, Corey William Radtke, Keith Michael Kreitman
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Publication number: 20130298453Abstract: A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and/or other renewable chemicals is provided wherein the process utilises one or more of the group comprising by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as pot ale and/or spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process comprises treating a substrate to hydrolyse it and fermenting the treated. Also provided is a biofuel comprising butanol manufactured according to the process of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Jane Samantha White, Kenneth Alexander Leiper, Martin Tangney, Sandra Messenger
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Publication number: 20130302869Abstract: An optofluidic photobioreactor including an optical waveguide having an input, characterized by an evanescent optical field confined along an outer surface of the optical waveguide produced by radiation propagating in the optical waveguide, means for inputting light to the input of the optical waveguide, and a selected photosynthetic microorganism disposed substantially within the evanescent field. A method for optically exciting a photosynthetic microorganism for generating a biofuel, a biofuel precursor, or a biomass from the optically-excited photosynthetic microorganism involves irradiating the photosynthetic microorganism attached to the surface of the waveguide with an evanescent optical field from optical radiation propagating in the optical waveguide, and driving photosynthesis in the microorganism by the evanescent optical field.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: CORNELL UNIVERSITYInventors: David Erickson, David Sinton
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Publication number: 20130302868Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction in the expression and/or activity of an endogenous transporter protein. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces Glade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith, Piruz Nahreini, John Thevelein, Sofie Saerens
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Patent number: 8580986Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the production of fatty acid lower alkyl esters according to formula (I) R1CO—OR2??(I) in which R1CO represents a linear or branched acyl moiety having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms and 0 to 6 double bonds and wherein R2 is a linear or branched alkyl moiety having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, by transesterification of triglycerides or fatty acid esters using C1-C6 aliphatic alcohols, which includes the steps of (a) providing an aqueous mixture of aliphatic C1-C6 alcohol by fermenting in a first reactor a carbon source comprising carbohydrates and/or glycerol produce a fermentation broth comprising said aliphatic C1-C6 alcohol, (b) providing in a second reactor a triglyceride and/or an ester of a fatty acid, together with a biocatalyst capable of effecting a transesterification reaction, (c) transferring said aqueous aliphatic C1-C6 alcohol mixture obtained from said first reactor into said second reactor to provide a two-phase system, and (d) effecting the transesteriType: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Cognis IP Management GmbHInventors: Eric Dubreucq, Albrecht Weiss, Bernhard Gutsche, Bernd Fabry, Guy Moulin
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Patent number: 8580038Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the purification and concentration of a partially water-soluble organic product from a source containing the same at concentration C0, which process comprises the steps of: (i) concentrating said product by means of a resin to form a first aqueous solution at concentration of C1; and (ii) fractionating an aqueous solution by temperature adjustment to form a second aqueous solution and a third aqueous solution with concentrations C2 and C3, respectively, wherein C2>C3 and C2>C1>C0.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Asher Vitner Ltd.Inventor: Asher Vitner
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Publication number: 20130295629Abstract: Fermentable sugar useful for the production of biofuels is produced from biomass in a continuous or semi-continuous manner by providing pumpable biomass.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Paul Richard WEIDER, Robert Lawrence BLACKBOURN, David Matthew BROWN
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Publication number: 20130295624Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman
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Publication number: 20130295628Abstract: This invention provides processes to convert biomass into energy-dense biomass for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. In some variations, biomass is extracted to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers and cellulose-rich solids; hemicellulosic oligomers are removed; and the cellulose-rich solids are torrefied to produce energy-dense biomass. In some embodiments, hydrotorrefaction is employed to produce hydrophobic, energy-dense biomass in an energy-efficient process that avoids intermediate drying between extraction/hydrolysis and torrefaction. The energy-dense biomass may be pelletized or directly combusted or gasified. The hemicellulosic oligomers may be hydrolyzed to fermentable sugars and then fermented to ethanol or other products, or further reacted to produce furfural or other products.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLCInventors: Theodora RETSINA, Vesa PYLKKANEN, Ryan O'CONNOR
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Publication number: 20130288300Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Novoozymes A/SInventors: Yu Zhang, Junxin Duan, Lan Tang, Wenping Wu
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Publication number: 20130288325Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically modified microorganisms characterized by having an increased keto-acid flux when compared with the wild-type organism and comprising at least one polynucleotide encoding an enzyme that when expressed results in the production of a greater quantity of a chemical product when compared with the wild-type organism. The recombinant microorganisms are useful for producing a large number of chemical compositions from various nitrogen containing biomass compositions and other carbon sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: James C. Liao, Kwang Myung Cho, Yajun Yan, Yixin Huo
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Publication number: 20130288296Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of degrading or converting a cellulosic material pretreated with a composition comprising one or more GH61 polypeptides.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Novozymes, Inc.Inventors: Jason Quinlan, Feng Xu
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Publication number: 20130283795Abstract: A method for the production of alcohol and other bioproducts from power boiler woody biomass extract containing hemicelluloses, with or without combining extract from wood prior to Kraft cooking. The process is integrated with the host Kraft pulp mill plant process to minimize the heat loss from extracting hemicelluloses and the energy used in the process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Theodora RETSINA, Vesa PYLKKANEN
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Publication number: 20130288318Abstract: The present invention relates to extracted lipid with high levels, for example 90% to 95% by weight, oleic acid. The present invention also provides genetically modified plants, particularly oilseeds such as safflower, which can used to produce the lipid. Furthermore, provided are methods for genotyping and selecting plants which can be used to produce the lipid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicants: Grains Research and Development Corporation, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationInventors: Craig Christopher WOOD, Qing LIU, Xue-Rong ZHOU, Allan GREEN, Surinder Pal SINGH, Shijiang CAO
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Publication number: 20130273613Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways and mechanisms to confer improved industrial fitness on engineered organisms. It also discloses engineered organisms having improved industrial fitness. Synthetic biologic engineering modules are disclosed that provide for light capture, carbon dioxide fixation, NADH production, NADPH production, thermotolerance, pH tolerance, flue gas tolerance, salt tolerance, nutrient independence and near infrared absorbance. The disclosed engineered organisms can include one or more of these modules. Also provided are methods of using the engineered organism to produce carbon-based products of interest, biomass or pharmaceutical agents.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Eric James Devroe, Sriram Kosuri, David Arthur Berry, Noubar Boghos Afeyan, Frank Anthony Skraly, Dan Eric Robertson, Brian Green, Christian Perry Ridley
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Publication number: 20130273601Abstract: The present invention relates to a yeast cell comprising one or more exogenous genes of a pentose metabolic pathway non-native to the yeast cell wherein the yeast cell has a disruption of the hxk1, hxk2 glk1 and gal1 native in the yeast cell. The invention further relates to pentose and glucose fermenting yeast cell that is capable of simultaneous pentose and glucose consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.Inventors: Hendrik Wouter Wisselink, Antonius Jeroen Adriaan Van Maris, Jacobus Thomas Pronk
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Publication number: 20130273612Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventor: Marshall Medoff
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Publication number: 20130273608Abstract: A method of producing a compound originating from a polysaccharide-based biomass includes at least one of a saccharification step that produces a sugar solution containing a monosaccharide and/or an oligosaccharide from a product obtainable by hydrolyzing the polysaccharide-based biomass; a fermentation step that ferments the sugar solution containing the monosaccharide and/or oligosaccharide originating from the polysaccharide-based biomass; and a treatment that removes a fermentation inhibitor with the use of a separation membrane having a glucose removal rate and an isopropyl alcohol removal rate which simultaneously satisfy the following relationships (I) and (II) when a 500 ppm aqueous glucose solution at pH 6.5 at 25° C. and a 500 ppm aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution at pH 6.5 at 25° C. are respectively permeated through the membrane at an operation pressure of 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Masayuki Hanakawa, Shinichi Minegishi, Hiroyuki Kurihara
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Patent number: 8557562Abstract: Increasing tolerance to butanol in yeast has been accomplished by increasing activity of the filamentous growth response. Yeast with increased expression of MSS11p, a transcriptional activator of the filamentous growth response pathway had increased tolerance to isobutanol. These yeast may be used for improved butanol production.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Butamax(TM) Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Robert A. Larossa, Manjari Singh
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Patent number: 8557540Abstract: A method and system for efficiently producing a fermentative product alcohol such as butanol utilizing in situ product extraction are provided. The efficiency is obtained through separating undissolved solids after liquefying a given feedstock to create a feedstock and prior to fermentation, for example, through centrifugation. Removal of the undissolved solids avoids problems associated with having the undissolved solids present during in situ production extraction, and thereby increases the efficiency of the alcohol production.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Butamax (TM) Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Keith H. Burlew, Michael Charles Grady, John W. Hallam, David J. Lowe, Brian Michael Roesch, Joseph J. Zaher
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Patent number: 8556999Abstract: The present invention provides non-petroleum high-octane fuel derived from biomass sources, and a method of producing same. The method of production involves reducing the biomass feedstocks to sugars, fermenting the sugars using microorganisms or mutagens thereof to produce ethanol or acetic acid, converting the acetic acid or ethanol to acetone, and converting the acetone to mesitylene and isopentane, the major components of the renewable engine fuel. Trimerization of acetone can be carried out in the presence of a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of niobium, iron and manganese. The ethanol can be converted to mesitylene in a dehydration reaction in the presence of a catalyst of zinc oxide/calcium oxide, and unreacted ethanol and water separated from mesitylene by distillation.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Swift Fuels, LLCInventors: John J Rusek, Mary-Louise Rusek, Jonathon D Ziulkowski, Justin D Zink
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Publication number: 20130269061Abstract: Genetically engineered plants having altered levels of one or more starch regulation enzymes and a polysaccharide degrading enzyme are provided. Methods of genetically engineering plants to express products altering expression of one or more starch regulation enzymes and polysaccharide degrading enzymes, and genetic constructs are provided. Methods of agricultural processing and animal feed using the genetically engineered plants are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventors: Philip A. Lessard, Michael Lanahan, Vladimir Samoylov, Oleg Bougri, Jonas Emery, R. Michael Raab, Dongcheng Zhang
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Publication number: 20130266997Abstract: Integrated processes are provided for syngas refining and bioconversion of syngas to oxygenated organic compound. In the integrated processes ammonia contained in the syngas is recovered and used as a source of nitrogen and water for the fermentation. The integrated processes first remove tars from syngas by scrubbing using a first aqueous medium under conditions that ammonium bicarbonate is unstable. With tars removed, contact between the syngas and a second aqueous medium enables ammonia and carbon dioxide to be removed from the syngas without undue removal of components adverse to the fermentation, processing or oxygenated product such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylene, acetylene, and hydrogen cyanide. At least a portion of the second aqueous medium is supplied as a source of water and ammonia for the fermentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventors: Robert Hickey, Jianxin Du
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Publication number: 20130260423Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of saccharifying the trash (leaf) fraction of sugar cane using enzymes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2011Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicants: NOVOZYMES NORTH AMERICA, INC., NOVOZYMES A/SInventors: Benjamin Knudsen, Armindo Ribeiro Gaspar
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Publication number: 20130260420Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Marc D. Morant, Paul Harris
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Patent number: 8546625Abstract: A process for the conversion of sugars and/or other biomass to produce hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other related compounds is described. In one aspect, the process includes fermenting biomass to produce one or more organic intermediates, for example, a carboxylic acid, and optionally, hydrogen. The carboxylic acids may then be decarboxylated to produce carbon dioxide and one or more hydrocarbon compounds. Also described are steps to further react the hydrocarbon compounds to form polymers, hydrocarbon compounds having at least 4 carbon atoms, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Andrew A. Peterson, Curt R. Fischer
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Publication number: 20130252297Abstract: The present invention relates to a two stage process to control the butanol concentration from fermentation broth.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventor: William D. Parten
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Publication number: 20130252277Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of gaseous substrate fermentation comprising: adding gaseous substrate into an aqueous medium in a bioreactor. The methods of the present disclosure comprise: measuring cell density; adjusting input of gaseous substrate to increase cell density; changing specific CO uptake in predetermined amounts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: Ryan Senaratne, Brandon Beard
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Publication number: 20130252298Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: GEVO, INC.Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
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Publication number: 20130252296Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of industrial microbiology and alcohol production. More specifically, the invention relates to improved production of butanol isomers by recombinant microorganisms containing an engineered butanol pathway and disrupted activity of the genes in pathways for the production of by-products during the fermentation when the microorganisms are grown in a fermentation medium containing acetate. In embodiments, recombinant microorganisms have an increased growth rate in a fermentation medium containing acetate as a C2 supplement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventor: LORI ANN MAGGIO-HALL
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Publication number: 20130244299Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing butanol by fermentation of carbohydrates using mixed populations of acidogenic-phase cells and solventogenic-phase cells of Clostridium in a solitary vessel. The present system as described does not require intermittent adjustment of pH or venting of headspace gases. The method provides a process for removal of the butanol product which does not irreversibly harm the cells and conditions are described where such cells may resume butanol synthesis in the same solitary vessel. The invention also describes compositions and biologically pure cultures which comprise the Clostridium cells as disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Inventor: Eugene Butler, III
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Publication number: 20130244295Abstract: The invention relates to the combination of the TLG1 glucoamylase from Thermomyces lanuginoses with: (i) the SFA1 alpha-amylase from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera; and/or (ii) the LKA alpha-amylase. The enzyme combinations may be expressed in a host cell (e.g. in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or provided as an enzyme composition. Methods for making the enzyme combinations of the invention are provided. The invention also relates to a yeast strain which exhibits amylolytic activity and promising fermentative abilities. Processes for producing a fermentation product (in particular alcohol) from starch-containing material are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicants: Universita Degli Studi Di Padova, Stellenbosch UniversityInventors: Willem Heber Van Zyl, Tania Jooste, Johann Ferdinand Gorgens, Maryna Saayman, Lorenzo Favaro, Marina Basaglia, Sergio Casella
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Publication number: 20130244291Abstract: This invention provides processes to convert biomass into energy-dense biomass for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing fermentable sugars and energy-dense biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising extracting the feedstock with steam and/or hot water to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; separating the extract liquor, to produce dewatered cellulose-rich solids; hydrolyzing the dewatered cellulose-rich solids, thereby removing a portion of the cellulose, to produce intermediate solids (with higher energy density) and a hydrolysate; drying the intermediate solids to produce energy-dense biomass; and recovering fermentable sugars from the hydrolysate. The energy-dense biomass may be pelletized into biomass pellets, which may have a similar energy density as torrefied pellets from wood.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLCInventors: Theodora RETSINA, Vesa PYLKKANEN
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Publication number: 20130244294Abstract: Methods of manufacturing fuels are provided. These methods use often difficult to process lignocellulosic materials, for example crop residues and grasses. The methods can be readily practiced on a commercial scale in an economically viable manner, in some cases using as feedstocks materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: XYLECO, INC.Inventors: Marshall MEDOFF, Thomas Craig MASTERMAN
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Publication number: 20130244290Abstract: This invention provides processes and apparatus to convert biomass, including wood and agricultural residues, into low-ash biomass pellets for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing hemicellulosic sugars and low-ash biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising providing an aqueous extraction solution with acetic acid; extracting the feedstock to produce an extract liquor containing soluble ash, hemicellulosic oligomers, acetic acid, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; dewatering and drying the cellulose-rich, lignin-rich solids to produce a low-ash biomass; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers to produce fermentable hemicellulosic sugars, wherein additional acetic acid is generated; removing a vapor stream comprising vaporized acetic acid from the extract; recycling the vapor or its condensate to provide some starting acetic acid for the extraction solution; and recovering fermentable hemicellulosic sugars.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLCInventors: Theodora Retsina, Vesa Pylkkanen
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Patent number: 8535919Abstract: A process converts a gas input stream comprising CO, CO2, and H2 by contact with fermentation liquid into a liquid product that controls the concentration of CO and CO2 in the fermentation vessel. The process charges the feed gas stream and a recycle gas stream to the fermentation vessel and an off-gas stream collects above the fermentation liquid. The off-gas stream flows to a gas injector that uses a recycle liquid as the motive fluid to mix the off-gas with the recycle liquid into a gas-liquid dispersion. Contact of the recycle liquid with the off-gas absorbs CO2 to provide the recycle stream. A gas separation vessel separates the remainder of the off-gas into the recycle gas. Mixing the recycle gas with the gas input stream dilutes the concentration of CO to lower the CO concentration in the fermentation vessel. Separated recycle liquid flows to a CO2 stripper for removal of CO2.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Coskata, Inc.Inventor: Robert Hickey
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Patent number: 8535921Abstract: At least one isolated microorganism and a fermentation method to convert hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and/or carbon monoxide gas to a lower alkyl alcohol and/or carboxylic acid and to produce at least 2% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol or carboxylic acid in an aqueous-based medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventors: Richard Allen Kohn, Seon-Woo Kim
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Publication number: 20130236940Abstract: A method is described for the oxidation of organic compounds in which the organic compound that is to be oxidized is brought to reaction in an aqueous solution in the presence of cytochrome P 450, and wherein perfluorinated organic compound is added to the aqueous reaction mixture as activator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Manfred T. Reetz, Felipe Emilio Zilly Claude
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Publication number: 20130236941Abstract: Systems and methods for producing bioproducts are shown. The systems and methods herein can be configured and used in an integrated biorefinery. The integrated biorefinery may comprise a sugar production facility such as a sugar mill, a production facility for one or more bioproduct(s) such as butanol, and optionally an ethanol production facility employing the system and method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: COBALT TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Stacy M. Burns-Guydish, Anthony F. Cann, Dhruti Dalal, Lawrence W. Fry, Michael S. Hershkowitz, William F. McDonald, Andrew D. Meyer, Victor O. Nava-Salgado, Brandon T. Olson, Ishmael M. Sonico, David C. Walther, Yongming Zhu
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Publication number: 20130236935Abstract: In an alcohol fermentation process, oil derived from biomass is hydrolyzed into an extractant available for in situ removal of a product alcohol such as butanol from a fermentation broth. The glycerides in the oil can be catalytically (e.g., enzymatically) hydrolyzed into free fatty acids, which form a fermentation product extractant having a partition coefficient for a product alcohol greater than a partition coefficient of the oil of the biomass for the product alcohol. Oil derived from a feedstock of an alcohol fermentation process can be hydrolyzed by contacting the feedstock including the oil with one or more enzymes whereby at least a portion of the oil is hydrolyzed into free fatty acids forming a fermentation product extractant, or the oil can be separated from the feedstock prior to the feedstock being fed to a fermentation vessel, and the separated oil can be contacted with the enzymes to form the fermentation product extractant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Butamax(TM) Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Keith H. Burlew, Robert Dicosimo, Michael Charles Grady
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Publication number: 20130236932Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide having a mutation at one or more position corresponding to T219 of SEQ ID NO: 55, wherein the polypeptide has at least 50% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 55, and wherein the polypeptide has permease activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.Inventors: Hendrik Wouter Wisselink, Antonius Jeroen Adriaan Van Maris, Jacobus Thomas Pronk, Paul Klaassen, Rene Marcel De Jong
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Patent number: 8530226Abstract: The invention relates to a yeast cell producing isobutanol, characterized in that the cell has an increased metabolic flow of material from pyruvate and acetolactate, 2,3-dihydroxy isovalerate, 2-ketoisovalerate, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, in that at least one of the genes coding the enzymes, which are involved in this conversion, is over-expressed, and without any of said genes being heterologous to said yeast cell, and to a method for the production of isobutanol using yeast cells, comprising the provision of the yeast cells according to the invention, and bringing the yeast cell into contact with a fermentable carbon source.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Butalco GmbHInventors: Gunter Festel, Eckhard Boles, Christian Weber, Dawid Brat
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Patent number: 8524472Abstract: This invention is intended to produce 2-butanol with excellent productivity via a fermentation process. Recombinant microorganisms into which the acetoacetyl-CoA synthase gene and a group of genes (i.e., genes involved in 2-propanol synthesis) encoding a set of enzymes synthesizing 2-propanol from acetoacetyl-CoA have been introduced are cultured, so that, in addition to 2-propanol, 2-butanol is produced at a high level in a medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masayoshi Muramatsu, Kazuyo Suzuki
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Publication number: 20130227748Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Novozymes, Inc.Inventors: Matt Sweeney, Mark Wogulis
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Publication number: 20130219776Abstract: A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and/or other renewable chemicals is provided wherein the process utilises one or more of the group comprising by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as draff, pot ale and/or spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process comprises treating a substrate to hydrolyse it and fermenting the treated substrate at an initial pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.0. Also provided is a biofuel comprising butanol manufactured according to the process of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Jane Samantha White, Kenneth Alexander Leiper, Martin Tangney, Sandra Messenger
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Publication number: 20130227724Abstract: A method of engineering a plant having reduced acetylation in a cell wall is disclosed. The method comprising expressing in the plant cell wall at least one isolated heterologous polynucleotide encoding an acetylxylan esterase (AXE) enzyme under the transcriptional control of a developmentally regulated promoter specifically active in the plant cell wall upon secondary cell wall deposit, thereby engineering the plant having reduced acetylation in the cell wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.Inventors: Miron Abramson, Ziv Shani, Oded Shoseyov
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Patent number: 8518678Abstract: Screening of fatty acid fed bacteria which are not natural butanol producers identified increased membrane cyclopropane fatty acid as providing improved butanol tolerance. Increasing expression of cyclopropane fatty acid synthase in the presence of the enzyme substrate that is either endogenous to the cell or fed to the cell, increased butanol tolerance. Bacterial strains with increased cyclopropane fatty acid synthase and having a butanol biosynthetic pathway are useful for production of butanol.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Butamax(TM) Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Dennis Flint, Robert A. Larossa, Vasantha Nagarajan, Tina K. Van Dyk, Rick W. Ye