Patents by Inventor Gerald L. Curnutt

Gerald L. Curnutt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for reactivating catalysts used in catalytic vapor phase process for producing dihydrocarbyl carbonates
    Patent number: 5132259
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of dihydrocarbyl carbonates comprising contacting an alkanol such as methanol, carbon monoxide and oxygen with a heterogeneous catalyst which comprises a metal halide such as cupric chloride or a mixed metal halide such as cupric chloride/potassium chloride impregnated on an appropriate support such as activated carbon; and a process for reactivating metal halide catalysts supported on porous carrier materials comprising drying and then contacting the supported catalysts with a gaseous stream of hydrogen halide for a period of time which is sufficient to convert all of the metal present in whatever form to the corresponding metal halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Gerald L. Curnutt
  • Catalytic vapor phase process for producing dihydrocarbyl carbonates
    Patent number: 5004827
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of dihydrocarbyl carbonates comprising contacting an alkanol such as methanol, carbon monoxide and oxygen with a heterogeneous catalyst which comprises a metal halide such as cupric chloride or a mixed metal halide such as cupric chloride/potassium chloride impregnated on an appropriate support such as activated carbon; and a process for reactivating metal halide catalysts supported on porous carrier materials comprising drying and then contacting the supported catalysts with a gaseous stream of hydrogen halide for a period of time which is sufficient to convert all of the metal present in whatever form to the corresponding metal halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Gerald L. Curnutt
  • Oxydehydrogenation of saturated aliphatic nitriles over a carbon catalyst
    Patent number: 4948910
    Abstract: A process for preparing an unsaturated aliphatic nitrile comprising contacting a saturated aliphatic nitrile with oxygen in the presence of a carbon catalyst under conditions such that the unsaturated aliphatic nitrile is formed. A preferred form of the catalyst is a carbon prepared by the pyrolysis of a synthetic polymer. Unsaturated aliphatic nitriles, such as acrylonitrile, fumaronitrile and maleonitrile, are prepared in high selectivity by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventors: Harold W. Young, Jr., Gerald L. Curnutt
  • Process of preparing dihydrocarbyl carbonates using a nitrogen-containing coordination compound supported on activated carbon
    Patent number: 4625044
    Abstract: The invention is a composition which comprises a nitrogen-containing coordination compound copper hydrocarbyloxy halide complex supported on activated carbon. This composition is useful as a catalyst for the preparation of dihydrocarbyl carbonates from alcohols, carbon monoxide and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Gerald L. Curnutt