Kimberly G Nelson

US Patent:

20090305374, Dec 10, 2009

Filed:

May 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/474267

Inventors:

Theodora Retsina - Atlanta GA, US
Vesa Pylkkanen - Atlanta GA, US
Kimberly Nelson - Atlanta GA, US

International Classification:

C12P 7/10

US Classification:

435165

Abstract:

A method is presented for the production of cellulosic ethanol, acetic acid and derivatives from the extract containing fibers and hemicelluloses after steam cooking of biomass in a host plant. The process is integrated with the host plant process to minimize the effect of loss of heat value from the extracted hemicelluloses and eliminate the need for the waste water treatment plant.

US Patent:

20130130318, May 23, 2013

Filed:

May 15, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/471662

Inventors:

Theodora RETSINA - Atlanta GA, US
Vesa PYLKKANEN - Atlanta GA, US
Kimberly NELSON - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

API INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

C07C 51/47
C12P 7/16
C12P 7/10

US Classification:

435 72, 127 37, 435165, 435160, 562512

Abstract:

A method is presented for the production of cellulosic ethanol, acetic acid and derivatives from the extract containing fibers and hemicelluloses after steam cooking of biomass in a host plant. The process is integrated with the host plant process to minimize the effect of loss of heat value from the extracted hemicelluloses and eliminate the need for the waste water treatment plant.

US Patent:

20140034047, Feb 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 5, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/959705

Inventors:

Vesa PYLKKANEN - Atlanta GA, US
Kimberly NELSON - Atlanta GA, US
Mark SZCZEPANIK - Alpena MI, US

Assignee:

API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

C08B 1/00

US Classification:

127 37

Abstract:

The present invention generally provides methods of improving lignin separation during lignocellulosic biorefining, comprising the steps of (i) catalyzing fractionation or hydrolysis with an acid to release sugars into an acidified solution containing lignin, (ii) neutralizing the acidified solution with a base to form a salt in a neutralized solution; (iii) in a separation unit, separating the salt and the lignin, each in free or combined form, from the neutralized solution; and then (iv) recycling a portion of the salt and optionally a portion of the lignin to step (i) to combine, physically or chemically, with the lignin, to improve lignin separation in the separation unit. In certain embodiments, the acid is a sulfur-containing acid and the base is lime, forming gypsum which is then recycled, in part, to the hydrolysis reactor.

US Patent:

20140065682, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Sep 3, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/017286

Inventors:

Vesa PYLKKANEN - Atlanta GA, US
Kimberly NELSON - Atlanta GA, US
Mark SZCZEPANIK - Alpena MI, US
James Christian SAMP - Sugar Hill GA, US

Assignee:

API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

C13K 1/02
C12P 7/16
C12P 7/10

US Classification:

435160, 127 37, 435165

Abstract:

Variations of this invention reduce or avoid lignin precipitation during acidic hydrolysis of biomass hydrolysates (such as hemicellulose-containing liquid extracts). Net acid usage and byproduct salt formation are significantly reduced. In some embodiments, hemicellulosic oligomers are hydrolyzed, in the presence of sulfur dioxide, to produce fermentable hemicellulosic sugars; the process comprising recovering and recycling at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide, wherein at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide reacts with the lignin to produce hydrophilic sulfonated lignin that has less tendency to precipitate or stick. In other embodiments, hemicellulosic oligomers are hydrolyzed, in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, sulfur dioxide, and combinations thereof, and an additive selected from metal sulfites, metal bisulfites, and combinations thereof, to produce fermentable hemicellulosic sugars, wherein at least a portion of the additive reacts with the lignin to produce sulfonated lignin.

US Patent:

20230071816, Mar 9, 2023

Filed:

Feb 18, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/800243

Inventors:

- Marietta GA, US
- Thomaston GA, US
Lewis B. TUNNICLIFFE - Woodstock GA, US
Kimberly NELSON - Atlanta GA, US
Shaobo PAN - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

BIRLA CARBON U.S.A., INC. - Marietta GA
GRANBIO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC - Thomaston GA

International Classification:

C08K 9/08
C08K 3/04
B60C 1/00
C08L 91/06
C08L 7/00

Abstract:

Nanocellulose dispersion compositions containing a partitioning agent and a nanocellulose, and methods of making the nanocellulose dispersion compositions, are disclosed. These nanocellulose dispersion compositions can be used in tire formulations with carbon black and a suitable elastomer to produce articles of manufacture for use in tire and tread applications.

US Patent:

20230055478, Feb 23, 2023

Filed:

Sep 6, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/903232

Inventors:

- Minnetrista MN, US
Kimberly NELSON - Atlanta GA, US

International Classification:

C08L 1/02
C09D 101/02
C08J 9/00
C08J 9/36
D21C 3/04
C08B 37/00
C08H 8/00
C09D 197/00
D21C 9/00
D21C 11/00
D21H 11/08
D21H 19/34

Abstract:

An oleophilic and hydrophobic nanocellulose material is disclosed herein, for nanocellulose sponges and other applications. The oleophilic and hydrophobic nanocellulose material comprises lignin-coated cellulose nanofibrils and/or lignin-coated cellulose nanocrystals. In various embodiments, the nanocellulose material is in the form of a 2D coating or layer, or a 3D object (e.g., foam or aerogel). The nanocellulose material may be disposed onto a scaffold. A process is provided for producing an oleophilic and hydrophobic nanocellulose object, comprising fractionating a biomass feedstock with an acid, a solvent for lignin, and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a lignin-containing liquor; mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form cellulose fibrils and/or cellulose crystals; generating a nanocellulose object from the intermediate nanocellulose material; exposing the nanocellulose object to the lignin-containing liquor to allow lignin to deposit onto a surface of the nanocellulose object; and recovering the oleophilic and hydrophobic nanocellulose object.

US Patent:

20230002972, Jan 5, 2023

Filed:

Jun 10, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/837144

Inventors:

- Minnetrista MN, US
Kimberly NELSON - Atlanta GA, US
Lee HILL - Atlanta GA, US
Vesa PYLKKANEN - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy J. GALLIFORD - Newnan GA, US

International Classification:

D21H 11/16
D21C 1/02
D21C 3/04
D21C 3/20
D21C 9/00
D21H 11/18
D21H 27/40
D21H 11/02
D21H 11/08

Abstract:

The present invention provides a pulp product (e.g., paper) comprising cellulose and nanocellulose, wherein the nanocellulose is derived from the cellulose in a mechanical and/or chemical step that is separate from the main pulping process. The pulping process may be thermomechanical pulping or hydrothermal-mechanical pulping, for example. The pulp product is stronger and smoother with the presence of the nanocellulose. The nanocellulose further can function as a retention aid, for a step of forming the pulp product (e.g., in a paper machine). Other embodiments provide a corrugated medium pulp composition comprising cellulose pulp and nanocellulose, wherein the nanocellulose includes cellulose nanofibrils and/or cellulose nanocrystals and the nanocellulose may be hydrophobic. The nanocellulose improves the strength properties of the corrugated medium. In some embodiments, the cellulose pulp is a GreenBox+ pulp and the nanocellulose is derived from the AVAP process.

US Patent:

20210395493, Dec 23, 2021

Filed:

Oct 21, 2019

Appl. No.:

17/285600

Inventors:

- Marietta GA, US
- Thomaston GA, US
Lewis B. TUNNICLIFFE - Woodstock GA, US
Kimberly NELSON - Atlanta GA, US
Shaobo PAN - Atlanta GA, US

International Classification:

C08L 1/02
C08L 7/00
C08L 9/06
C08L 91/06
C08K 3/04
C08K 7/02
C08K 9/04
C08K 5/01

Abstract:

Nanocellulose dispersion compositions containing a partitioning agent and a nanocellulose, and methods of making the nanocellulose dispersion compositions, are disclosed. These compositions can promote improved dispersibility of the nanocellulose fibrils and nanocellulose crystals in polymer matrices, such as in elastomer formulations for use in tire production.