Patents by Inventor James H. McCain

James H. McCain 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).

  • Patent number: 8476464
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide processes, columns, and systems for removing acetaldehyde from alkylene oxide in a feed stream and for providing an alkylene oxide-water stream that can be directly transferred to a glycol reaction process. The alkylene oxide purification column includes a first section to convert a feed stream into a gas phase portion and a liquid phase portion and a second section located in the column above the first section to separate alkylene oxide from the acetaldehyde, water, and other impurities that enter the second section from the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Technology Investments LLC
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. McCain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Publication number: 20120302776
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide processes, columns, and systems for removing acetaldehyde from alkylene oxide in a feed stream and for providing an alkylene oxide-water stream that can be directly transferred to a glycol reaction process. The alkylene oxide purification column includes a first section to convert a feed stream into a gas phase portion and a liquid phase portion and a second section located in the column above the first section to separate alkylene oxide from the acetaldehyde, water, and other impurities that enter the second section from the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: DOW TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS LLC
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. McCain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Patent number: 8257558
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide processes, columns, and systems for removing acetaldehyde from alkylene oxide in a feed stream and for providing an alkylene oxide-water stream that can be directly transferred to a glycol reaction process. The alkylene oxide purification column includes a first section to convert a feed stream into a gas phase portion and a liquid phase portion and a second section located in the column above the first section to separate alkylene oxide from the acetaldehyde, water, and other impurities that enter the second section from the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Technology Investments LLC
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. Mccain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Patent number: 8183400
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include processes and systems for recovering alkylene oxide. System embodiments include a stripping section located in an alkylene oxide recovery column to convert a feed stream comprising to a first gas phase portion comprising alkylene oxide, a condensing zone comprising at least a first condenser and a second condenser configured in series, and a reabsorption region located in the alkylene oxide recovery column above the last of the at least two condensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Technology Investments LLC
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. Mccain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Patent number: 8129551
    Abstract: The invention relates to improved systems for recovery of alkylene oxide from feed streams containing the same in an alkylene oxide recovery column. The invention also relates to improved processes for recovery of alkylene oxide from feed streams containing the same in an alkylene oxide recovery column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Technology Investments LLC
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. Mccain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Publication number: 20100029964
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include processes and systems for recovering alkylene oxide. System embodiments include a stripping section located in an alkylene oxide recovery column to convert a feed stream comprising to a first gas phase portion comprising alkylene oxide, a condensing zone comprising at least a first condenser and a second condenser configured in series, and a reabsorption region located in the alkylene oxide recovery column above the last of the at least two condensers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. Mccain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Publication number: 20100029963
    Abstract: The invention relates to improved systems for recovery of alkylene oxide from feed streams containing the same in an alkylene oxide recovery column. The invention also relates to improved processes for recovery of alkylene oxide from feed streams containing the same in an alkylene oxide recovery column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. McCain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Publication number: 20100029962
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide processes, columns, and systems for removing acetaldehyde from alkylene oxide in a feed stream and for providing an alkylene oxide-water stream that can be directly transferred to a glycol reaction process. The alkylene oxide purification column includes a first section to convert a feed stream into a gas phase portion and a liquid phase portion and a second section located in the column above the first section to separate alkylene oxide from the acetaldehyde, water, and other impurities that enter the second section from the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. Mccain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Patent number: 5563282
    Abstract: A method of controlling the build-up of organic and/or inorganic contaminants (e.g., carbonates, nitrates, nitrites, and the like) in an aqueous process stream, comprising directing at least some of the contaminated stream to a heating means wherein at least some of the contaminants are decomposed. Thereafter, the decomposition products are removed and the purified stream is returned to the process. In a preferred embodiment, the process is an alkylene oxide manufacturing process, and the contaminated aqueous stream is the effluent from a catalyzed scrubbing system for removal of carbon dioxide. Organic contaminants are decomposed to carbon dioxide, which is flashed off; inorganic salts which are decomposed to gases are flashed off; inorganic salts which are not converted to gases are scrubbed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James H. McCain, Alfred W. Naumann, Wei-Yeong Wang
  • Patent number: 5162578
    Abstract: A process for the higher selective production of acetic acid by the catalytic oxidation with oxygen of ethane, or ethylene, or mixtures thereof, in contact with a mixed catalyst composition containing (A) a calcined mixed oxides catalyst of the formula:Mo.sub.x V.sub.y Z.sub.zwherein Z represents nothing or a metal from a group of metals as hereinafter defined and (B) is an ethylene hydration catalyst and/or an ethylene oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James H. McCain, Jr., Steven W. Kaiser, George L. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5112789
    Abstract: This invention relates to modified bimetallic or polymetallic (other than Groups IA, IIA and IIB metals) catalysts and the use thereof in the preparation of alkoxylation products, i.e., condensation reaction products of alkylene oxides and organic compounds having at least one active hydrogen. In another aspect of this invention, processes are provided for preparing the modified bimetallic or polymetallic catalysts for alkoxylation using a divalent or polyvalent metal or a divalent or polyvalent metal-containing compound as sources for the catalytically-active metal. In a further aspect of this invention, processes are provided for preparing alkoxylation products that have beneficial, narrow molecular weight ranges using the modified bimetallic or polymetallic catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James H. McCain, Stephen W. King, Robert J. Knopf, Charles A. Smith, Charles F. Hauser
  • Patent number: 4734538
    Abstract: Aldehydes can be converted to dienes by contacting the aldehydes with a non-zeolitic molecular sieve. Preferably the non-zeolitic molecular sieve has, in its calcined form, an adsorption of isobutane of at least about 2 percent by weight of the non-zeolitic molecular sieve at a partial pressure of 500 torr and a temperature of 20.degree. C. The non-zeolitic molecular sieves can achieve good conversion rates and selectivities for the reaction. The reaction is especially useful for the conversion of 2-methylbutyraldehyde to isoprene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: George L. O'Connor, Steven W. Kaiser, James H. McCain
  • Patent number: 4596787
    Abstract: A process for low temperature oxydehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene uses an improved supported catalyst produced by impregnating the support with the soluble portion of a precursor catalyst solution and then activating the impregnated support. The activated impregnated support provides good selectivity to ethylene and avoids the problems which can arise from impregnation of the support with the soluble and insoluble portions of a precursor catalyst solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Manyik, James H. McCain
  • Patent number: 4568790
    Abstract: A process for the low temperature oxydehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene uses a calcined oxide catalyst containing Mo, V, Nb, and Sb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: James H. McCain
  • Patent number: 4524236
    Abstract: A process for the low temperature oxydehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene uses a calcined oxide catalyst containing Mo, V, Nb, Sb, and at least one metal from a given group of metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: James H. McCain
  • Patent number: 4453023
    Abstract: The process for preparing nonionic surfactants wherein a narrower molecular weight distribution is obtained by the use of a barium catalyst which comprises reacting a reactive hydrogen compound selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols having from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms and a difunctional polypropylene oxide polymer having an average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 5000 with an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms at a temperature at which the reaction proceeds in the presence of at least a catalytic amount of a barium salt selected from the group consisting of barium hydroxide, barium alkoxides, barium phenoxides, hydrates thereof or mixtures thereof and a catalytic amount of an oxyalkylation catalyst promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: James H. McCain, Louis F. Theiling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4453022
    Abstract: The process for preparing nonionic surfactants wherein a narrower molecular weight distribution is obtained by the use of a calcium and/or strontium catalyst which comprises reacting a reactive hydrogen compound selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols having from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms and a difunctional polypropylene oxide polymer having an average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 5000 with an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms at a temperature at which the reaction proceeds in the presence of at least a catalytic amount of a basic salt of calcium and/or strontium selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, alkoxide and phenoxides and a catalytic amount of an oxyalkylation catalyst promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: James H. McCain, Louis F. Theiling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4304732
    Abstract: A nonionic composition that exhibits activity as a surface active agent is provided which comprises the alkylene oxide-sulfur dioxide copolymer adducts of a water soluble alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: James H. McCain, Jr.