A review of the patent publications from 2012 indicates that research is coalescing around several types of biofuel materials and precursors. In fact, many of the patent publications reviewed herein focus on increasing efficiency of the production process and producing better versions of starter materials. Whereas patent applications filed prior to the beginning of 2009 had a significant focus on new biofuel starter materials, along with new and streamlined processes, the publications that emerged in 2011 and 2012 shifted in the direction of working with known biofuel materials and either improving the material and/or improving the process. There are also groups of publications focused on fuel optimization through the addition of other components and/or better engine design.
This article will touch on several different categories of biofuel and biofuel-related patents and publications as a review of the publications from this past year. Specifically, the following topics are discussed: increasing the efficiency of the biofuel production process, algae-related applications, and fermenters used in the production of biofuels. This article will include several new patent publications from late 2012 and will also take another look at some of the publications mentioned in this column from earlier in the year.
Process Efficiency
This category regularly makes up the largest class of patents, patent publications, and journal articles year after year, and 2012 was no different. This is primarily because it is often easier to optimize the production of existing and known biofuels, as opposed to developing and testing potential new biofuels. There were several interesting patent publications this past year that addressed the processing side of the equation of biofuel production, rather than looking at starter materials or fermenters.
US Patent Publication 2012/0329116, Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass through removal of inhibitory compounds
(inventors: Frank A. Dottori, et al.; assignee: Greenfield Ethanol, Inc.; December 27, 2012), discloses processes for pretreating lignocellulosic biomass that “includes the steps of pretreating the lignocellulosic biomass to hydrolyze and solubilize hemicelluloses in the biomass; explosively decomposing the biomass into fibers; and extracting from the resulting solids fraction a liquefied portion of the lignocellulosic biomass before or after explosive decomposition. This removes compounds from the lignocellulosic biomass which are inhibitory to enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis and sugar fermentation to ethanol.” The inventors appear to appreciate the balance between striving for a complete removal of these inhibitory compounds and the seemingly prohibitive cost of doing so, which is a consideration not often voiced in scientific publications. This patent publication points out something that often is not considered in the field of scientific research: many patent applicants are eyeing patent coverage that goes hand-in-hand with commercialization, and to that end, a view of the practical economic aspects of the process is an important consideration.
Author's Note: In general, when patents and patent applications are reviewed, it is instructive to keep a few points in mind. There are two types of published patent applications—those that have issued and those that have published but are still pending and under examination. This article will primarily focus on patent publications, since those documents are indicative of more recent research and development of biofuels. In fact, the patent applications that were published in 2012 were first filed between mid-2010 and mid-2011, since new patent applications don't publish until 18 months after they are first filed.
An issued patent has a fixed set of claims at the end of that patent that define the invention regardless of what is included in the detailed description section. Anyone reviewing issued patents for an indication of the actual invention should turn to the claims section first. The detailed description section should primarily be used to provide context of the claims and/or definitions of some of the terms/phrases in the claims. Issued patents are in force 20 years from the filing date, and they give the patent owner the right to exclude others from making, using, and/or selling the claimed invention in the country where the patent issued. Published patent applications are useful to provide notice to the general public and/or competitors as to potential future patents and their scope. Between the filing date or priority date of the application and the publication date, the patent application is not published, and therefore, not readily available to the public for review.
Inventors use pending patent publications to put likely competitors on notice that they may have enforceable patent rights at some point in the future. Competitors use patent publications to scope out the technology landscape. It is important to note, however, that the existence of a patent publication does not necessarily mean that a patent will issue from that application or that the final issued set of claims will be the same or resemble the claims in the publication. These publications should primarily be used for notice and information purposes.
The content of this article is not intended as legal or financial advice. Views expressed are those of the author and should not be construed as necessarily representative of those of Buchalter Nemer, Industrial Biotechnology journal, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, or their affiliates. No endorsement of any entity or technology is implied.
US Patent Publication 2012/0289750, Process and apparatus for coupling separation and purification of ethyl tert-butyl ether
(inventors: Wuping Zhang, et al.; November 15, 2012), discloses a method and related device that apparently streamlines separation and purification steps in ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) production and makes the effort to reduce the percentage of water in the product more efficient and effective. According to the inventors, the cost of producing ETBE and ethanol is more expensive in China than the production of gasoline, which leads to a preference of gasoline. This process will bring the cost of the production of ethanol more in line with, if not lower, than the production of gasoline. As part of this invention, separation and purification are coupled via a distillation-extraction coupling zone that comprises a distillation column and an extraction column. There are several patent publications from 2010 and 2011, especially coming out of Japan and Korea, that address the issue of efficiently reducing the percentage of water in the resulting biofuel product.
US Patent Publication 2012/0115192, Method for production of fermentable sugars from biomass
(inventors: Arvind Mallinath Lali, et al.; May 10, 2012), discloses a multi-enzyme, multi-step system to produce fermentable sugars from biomass. The inventors state that the process results in “higher efficiency and better economics” than conventional processes. Contemplated processes involve two enzyme treatments where a hemicellulose and/or cellulose is treated with at least one enzyme from a first group and the product of that treatment is then treated with at least one enzyme from a second group of enzymes to obtain the fermentable sugars. The inventors state that when parameters such as temperature, pressure, pH, solvent used, and time of contact are optimized, more than 90% conversion is obtained within a few hours. This process innovation is likely to result in the practical aspect of cross-licensing of patentable subject matter and patents. As mentioned earlier, patents provide the patent owner with the ability to exclude others from practicing the claimed invention, but do not necessarily give the patent owner the right to practice the invention itself. When patent applications pull together several pieces of technology to produce a potentially novel process, it is likely that the patent holders are going to need to enter into joint development agreements or a licensing program with one or more other patent holders. These types of agreements and programs can foster a more collaborative environment in the field.
US Patent Publication 2012/0107888, Modulation of fermentation products through vitamin supplementation
(inventors: Matthias Schmalisch, et al.; assignee: Qteros, Inc.; May 3, 2012), teaches a method of improving the yield of a biofuel by vitamin supplementation during the process. As part of the process, a genetically modified microorganism is claimed that is adapted for decreased vitamin dependency that “ferments a biomass to produce one or more fermentation end-products.” In another embodiment, a method of producing one or more fermentation end-products is described that includes: “(a) providing a biomass in a medium; (b) contacting the medium with a genetically modified microorganism adapted for decreased vitamin dependency, wherein said microorganism comprises a genetic modification that decreases vitamin dependency; and; (c) allowing sufficient time for the microorganism to produce the fermentation end-products from the biomass.” The contemplated “genetic modification comprises one or more heterologous polynucleotides that encode for enzymes in one or more metabolic pathways, wherein the metabolic pathways comprise a thiamine metabolic pathway, a nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolic pathway, a vitamin B6 metabolic pathway, a one carbon pool by folate pathway, or a combination thereof.”
Algae-Related Applications
At one time, patent publications that disclosed biofuels produced from algae appeared to be not only dwindling, but also disclosing processes and methods that were interesting, but not necessarily commercial. In the past two years, algae-related patent publications have not only focused on potentially novel inventions, but also those that could be commercial, as opposed to those that would only seek to advance knowledge in the area.
US Patent Publication 2012/0329099, Modified algae for improved biofuel productivity
(inventors: Matthew C. Posewitz, et al.; assignee: Colorado School of Mines; December 27, 2012), discloses methods and processes for producing lipids and starch from modified algae where “the modified algae over-expresses isoamylase and accumulates much higher amounts of starch than unmodified algae. In some embodiments, the modified algae comprises one or more copies of an isoamylase expression construct. In one embodiment, the modified algae is a sta7 Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant with a starchless phenotype that has been complemented with one or more copies of the wild-type genomic STA7 isoamylase gene construct. The complemented, modified algae accumulates much greater amount of starch than an unmodified algae and may be used to produce large amounts of starch and/or lipids.” This patent publication is clearly trying to maximize yield without adding underlying costs to the process, which is the direction many of the newer algae-related patent publications are headed.
US Patent Publication 2012/0288917, Algae growth system
(inventors: David Dean Krenbrink, et al.; November 15, 2012), is an older application, in that the current publication is based on two Patent Cooperation Treaty applications filed in 2008 and 2009. The inventors are trying to merge the success of the open pond model of algae growth with the process efficiency of a closed loop system. By having a system that looks more like an open pond, while at the same time having a light system and harvesting system that is more automated and controlled, the inventors state that they can improve the growth and harvesting system. Claim 1 of the application discloses the broad scope of the application: “A photo bioreactor system for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture, the photo bioreactor system comprising: A. a vessel arranged to contain the aqueous liquid; B. a lighting system, arranged to be at least partially submerged in the aqueous liquid, and arranged to irradiate the photosynthetic culture below the surface of the aqueous liquid; and C. a harvester system comprising a scoop construction comprising a scoop, arranged to scoop at least part of the photosynthetic culture from the aqueous liquid, and a collector system, arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture.”
US Patent Publication 2012/0283496, Methods of extracting neutral lipids and producing biofuels
(inventor: Aniket Kale; assignee: Heliae Development, LLC; November 8, 2012), discloses the selective extraction and fractionation of algal lipids and algal products from an algal biomass. The inventors claim that the extraction process is both single and multistep by using step extraction and fractionation with nonpolar solvents to process wet algal biomass. This same company has another patent application, US Patent Publication 2012/0282679, Methods of and systems for dewatering algae and recycling water therefrom
(inventor: Aniket Kale; assignee: Heliae Development, LLC; November 8, 2012), which discloses dewatering algae and then recycling the recovered water for use in other algal cell cultures. According to the application, “…the method includes adding a water miscible solvent set to the wet algal biomass and waiting an amount of time to permit algal cells of the algal biomass to gather and isolating at least a portion of the gathered algal cells from at least a portion of the solvent set and liquid of the wet algal biomass so that a dewatered algal biomass is generated. The dewatered algal biomass can be used to generated [sic] algal products such as biofuels and nutraceuticals.” It is likely that both of these processes would require cross-licensing from other patent holders, as outlined earlier.
US Patent Publication 2012/0282651, System and method of co-cultivating microalgae with fungus
(inventors: Joshua Yuan, et al.; assignee: Renewuel LLC; November 8, 2012), discloses systems and methods for pelletizing single cell microalgae by co-cultivating the microalgae with filamentous fungi. The inventors state that this co-cultivation enables a low cost separation of microalgae from the liquid medium and significantly increases both the biomass and the lipid yield. The algae claimed are from a class selected from the group consisting of Actinocluysophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Bryopsidophyceae, Bolidophyceae, Chlorarachnea, Chlorophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Cryptophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Diatomophyceae, Dinophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae, Glaucophyceae, Haptophyceae, Noctiluciphyceae, Pedinophyeeae, Picophagophyceae, Pleurastrophyceae, Prasinophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae, Raphidophyceae, Synchromophyceae, Syndiniophyceae, Synurophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae, Ulvophyceae, Xanthophyceae, and combinations thereof. The fungi claimed are from a genus selected from the group consisting of Arthoniomycetes, Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Blastocladiomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Dacrymycetes, Dothideomycetes, Geoglossomycetes, Glomeromycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Lecanoromycetes, Leotiomycetes, Lichinamycetes, Monoblepharidomycetes, Orbiliomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Tremellomycetes, Pezizomycetes, Zygomycetes, Mortierellales, Mucorales and combinations thereof. This publication is one of many attempting to commercialize algae production beyond small-scale installations and systems.
US Patent Publication 2012/107792, Systems and methods for delivery of gases to algal cultures
(inventors: Guy Robert Babbitt, et al.; May 3, 2012), discloses photobioreactors and related processes that are designed to deliver “nutrient gas” intermittently to the target media. These gases can be delivered in a selected pattern or cycle. One example is that algae are grown in a photobioreactor using a targeted and directed introduction of carbon dioxide. The inventors state that one or more different gases may be used with target cultures and one of the important factors is the pattern and/or cycle of the introduction of gases, along with the duration of gas introduction.
New and/or Improved Fermenters
The number of patent publications from 2012 indicates that research on starter material fermentation and fermenters is increasing. Previous articles in this series have focused on 2011 patent publications related to fermenters, and there have been several publications in 2012.
US Patent Publication 2012/0288910, Methods of increasing dihydroxy acid dehydratase activity to improve production of fuels, chemicals, and amino acids
(inventors: Jun Urano, et al.; November 15, 2012), discloses recombinant microorganisms that comprise one or more dihydroxyacid dehydratase, or DHAD, that work as a part of DHAD-requiring biosynthetic pathways. The inventors also state that the recombinant microorganisms may also comprise mitochrondrially localized DHAD enzyme, and as pointed out in the application, these engineered microorganisms are a key component. Further, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-whole genome duplication (WGD) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
US Patent Publication 2012/0288909, Microbial production of pentanol from glucose or glycerol
(inventors: Hsien-Chung Tseng, et al.; assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology; November 15, 2012), teaches the production of pentanol through recombinant gene expression and metabolic engineering. The inventors have recognized that the pathway to the production of butanol can be modified to produce pentanol. The independent claims are as follows: “A cell that recombinantly expresses one or more genes of the butanol biosynthetic pathway and a gene encoding a thiolase that condenses one acetyl-CoA with one propionyl-CoA to form a ketone”; “A method, comprising recombinantly expressing in a cell one or more genes of the butanol biosynthetic pathway and a thiolase that condenses one acetyl-CoA with one propionyl-CoA to form a ketone”; and “A cell that recombinantly expresses: (a) a gene encoding an acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase that condenses one acetyl-CoA with one propionyl-CoA to form 3-ketovaleryl-CoA; (b) genes encoding 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase, an enoyl-CoA hydratase, and a trans-enoyl-CoA reductase; and (c) a gene encoding a bi-functional aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase.”
US Patent Publication 2012/0117694, Novel monolignol 4-o-methyltransferases and uses thereof
(inventors: Chang-Jun Liu, et al.; assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC, and made with Government support (Department of Energy); May 10, 2012), teaches modified (iso)eugenol 4-O-methyltransferase enzymes that can be utilized to manage plant lignification for potential improvement of the feedstock for liquid transportation fuel. These enzymes are characterized by the inventors as “non-natural lignin monomers that diminish lignin cross-linking and polymerization” by ultimately reducing lignin content in the cell wall. This type of work is seen in both the fermenters field and the algae field as attempting to reach the full feedstock production potential of a starter material.
US Patent Publication 2012/0094362, Production of branched-chain alcohols by photosynthetic microorganisms
(inventors: Paul Gordon Roessler, et al.; assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.; April 19, 2012) discloses “genes, polypeptides and expression constructs therefor, recombinant photosynthetic microorganisms, and method of use thereof, such as for the production of branched-chain alcohols (including 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and isobutanol) and derivatives thereof” for the production of biofuels. The claims of the application recite that a recombinant photosynthetic microorganism comprises at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence that encodes a branched-chain 2-ketoacid decarboxylase that is selected from the group consisting of a Saccharomyces cerevisae PDC1 gene product, a Pichia stipitis PDC1 gene product, a Saccharomyces cerevisae PDC5 gene product, a Saccharomyces cerevisae PDC6 gene product, a Saccharomyces cerevisae AR010 gene product, a Saccharomyces cerevisae THIS gene product, a Pichia stipitis PDC3-6 Kivd gene product, a Pichia stipitis PDC2 gene product, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis KDC gene product, a Lactococcus lactis KDCa gene product, and a variant or homolog of any thereof.
Conclusion
Over the last three years, it is clear that a majority of the biofuel-related patent applications being filed are directed to new production processes or making the current conventional processes more efficient and/or productive. The other group of applications that are increasing are related to fermenters. There is no apparent decrease in the number of biofuels-related patent applications, and it is highly likely that this trend with continue into 2013.
