Novel feeder design for biomass and other difficult materials processing

Added: Oct 10, 2016 3:37 pm

LICENSING OPPORTUNITY:
A potential licensing opportunity exists with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805, the Management and Operating Contractor for the Department of Energy (DOE) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).  BEA is seeking parties interested in potentially entering into a license agreement for the purpose of commercializing the technology described below.  BEA does not make any representations, provide any warranties, or otherwise endorse or guarantee the suitability of this intellectual property to a licensee's specific needs. 

INVENTION SUMMARY:
Many materials such as biomass are notoriously difficult to reliably feed. Auger systems tend to form "rat holes" where biomass material is removed in the vicinity of the auger, but bridges above it, preventing feeding. Bin systems tend to bridge at the outlet of the bin, preventing m from feeding out of the bottom of the bin.

This INL developed material handling technology includes a conical bin combined with an auger to ensure constant output from the conical bin into the subsequent process. The feeder design is currently used on a biomass analytical sample grinding unit. This enables automated grinding of biomass analytical samples. This feeder could be scaled up to feed larger biomass processing operations, including cellulosic ethanol production, pellet production, etc. This feeder could also be used in multiple other applications where controlled, continuous feed of material is necessary for downstream processing.

This invention has associated intellectual property filing Patent Application No.  62/339,568, "Feeder For Biomass Materials" which was submitted to the USPTO by BEA on May 20, 2016 and currently unpublished.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS:

This technology has been tested and validated at the bench scale. Additional development will be required to demonstrate a pilot scale process. BEA may be in a position to support additional research and development of this technology under a mutually acceptable Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA), Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP), or similar agreement subject to prior approval by DOE.

SELECTION PROCESS:
BEA seeks to license this intellectual property to the best qualified candidate to ensure its successful commercialization. If multiple parties are interested in licensing this intellectual property, BEA may select an exclusive licensing arrangement with a single candidate or choose alternative licensing strategies (e.g., non-exclusive or exclusive field of use licenses) to increase the probability of successful commercialization. BEA reserves the right to defer any licensing decision if, in BEA's sole opinion, the submitted business plans are unacceptable to BEA. BEA may consider inquiries made prior to the release of this notice and inquiries made through other channels. Although interested parties are encouraged to respond before the date provided to ensure consideration, all inquiries may be considered prior to a formal selection unless this notice specifically states otherwise. 

This is not an opportunity to provide goods or services to BEA or DOE.  

REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered for a possible license, interested parties may be required to submit a business plan for the development and commercialization of Patent Application No. 62/339,568, "Feeder For Biomass Materials," prior to October 28, 2016.  The business plan must contain detailed information on the following topics in relation to commercialization of the licensed intellectual property:

Executive Summary - 2 pages

Description of the Business Model

Description of the Products or Services to be Offered

            Marketing Plan

            Competitive Matrix - address competitor's strengths and weaknesses

            Company Goals and Business Strategy

            Quality Assurance Plan

Financial Plan - include pro-forma Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Source      and Use           of Funds Statement

Management Structure - include brief biographies

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Concerns or complaints regarding BEA's technology transfer process, if not resolvable with BEA's technology deployment office, may be raised with BEA's Technology Transfer Ombudsman whose contact information can be found at: 

https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/technology_transfer/269/ombuds_program

For additional information please contact the individual listed below.

Ryan Bills
Sr. Commercialization Manager
Technology Deployment
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
P. O. Box 1625, MS3805
Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805 

Ryan.bills@inl.gov