SynGas
Technology, LLC (SGT) is a Minnesota limited liability company (LLC)
organized on February 1, 2010. We are a technology company that is
developing technology for use in the production of syngas from biomass.
SGT was created by Gradient Technology, a small technology company dedicated to the development of emerging technologies in basic sciences and engineering fields. Gradient Technologywas
formed in 1994 by a group of experienced chemical engineers who
previously developed successful gasifiers and Fischer-Tropsch liquid
fuel technologies.
LeRoy Clavenna, Ph.D.,
is a chemical engineer and entrepreneur and the owner of Fuels Research
Consulting, LLC. Clavenna worked for over 30 years with ExxonMobil
leading research teams in pioneering new gasification techniques and
discovering advanced alloys and ceramics that can endure the extreme
pressures and temperatures used in the gasification process. He has
received over 24 patents for his innovations.
Senior Engineering Leader (CO2 Management)
Lloyd White, Ph.D.,
is a chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and professor at the University
of Minnesota. He is one of the founders of Rational Energies, a company
devoted to producing liquid fuels from biomass. As an adjunct professor
at the University of Minnesota, he teaches Senior Design and Laboratory
courses in the Chemical Engineering department. During his work with the
3M Corporation, White was a process Development Leader and earned eight
patents and published over 20 publications.
Advisors
Chris Goralski, Ph.D. is currently the Director of Strategy
& Corporate Development at 3M Corporation. Dr. Goralski is an experienced
business development professional with a broad background in the automotive,
chemical, and materials industries with a track record of both developing and
extracting commercial value from new technology. Dr. Goralski was formerly the
CEO of SynGas Technology and had worked for 3M Corporation in a variety of
Strategy and Business Development roles. He also previously worked for the Ford
Motor Company in the development of advanced exhaust aftertreatment and
controls technologies. He has over 40 U.S. patents and numerous papers in the
areas of catalysis, automotive exhaust aftertreatment, and electronic controls.
Goralski received his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the
University of Michigan, and his Ph.D and MBA from the University of Minnesota.
Lanny Schmidt, Ph. D., is a Regents Professor of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota. Professor
Schmidt is a world renowned expert in the areas of reaction engineering and
catalysis and has particular expertise in the production of synthesis gas from
feed stocks ranging from natural gas to biomass. Professor Schmidt is a member
of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science.
Professor Schmidt
received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the Wheaton College
and his Doctorate in Physical Chemistry from the University of Chicago.
Professor Schmidt has been the advisor to over 100 Ph.D. and MS graduates, has
published over 350 refereed papers, and holds 15 United States Patents.
Patent Attorney
Henry (Hank) Naylor, Esq., serves as SynGas Technology’s patent
counsel. Naylor also serves as Special Counsel to Kean, Miller, Hawthorne,
D’Armond, McCowan, and Jarman LLP. He has over 25 years as an in-house patent
attorney for ExxonMobil Research and Engineering in the preparation and
prosecution of patent applications in fuels and chemical processes. Naylor is
knowledgeable and has written patents on the preparation of biofuels, chemicals,
catalysis, chemical and refinery processes. These processes include
hydrotreating, reforming, fluid catalytic cracking, fluid and delayed coking,
syngas to liquid fuel conversion, and chemical reactor technologies. Mr. Naylor
received his Juris Doctor (JD) from Seton Hall Law School in 1974 and
was admitted to the bar that year in the state of New Jersey. He is registered
to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is admitted before
the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.