Patents by Inventor Kenneth Francis Butwell

Kenneth Francis Butwell 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: 4113837
    Abstract: Novel process for removing polymer from aqueous absorbent solutions used to contact organic gas-containing gas streams comprising the steps of adjusting the polymer-containing aqueous absorbent solutions to a pH of not more than about 8.5, preferably not more than about 7.5, for example, about 6.0 to about 8.5, preferably about 7.0 to about 7.5, and removing the polymer from the resulting solutions by decantation and/or filtration. The novel process is particularly applicable to the system of removing acid gas from hydrocarbon-containing feed gases which contain one or more polymerizable components wherein the feed gas is contacted with an aqueous absorbent solution which absorbs the acid gas and, thereafter, the absorbent solution is stripped to rid it of said acid gas. The adjustment of pH can be accomplished by increasing the acid gas loading in the aqueous absorbent or by adding an acid, preferably one which will not form a heat stable salt with the absorbent. The pH adjustment, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: John Edward Kendall, Kenneth Francis Butwell
  • Patent number: 4093701
    Abstract: A continuous process for the selective absorption of hydrogen sulfide from a feed gas comprising an acid gas mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide is provided which comprises counter-currently contacting the feed gas with an aqueous alkanolamine solution in an absorption zone having from two to ten separate stages, contacting the feed gas in each stage with lean aqueous alkanolamine solution and withdrawing rich aqueous alkanolamine solution from the bottom of each stage, in each stage maximizing the equilibrium approach between the hydrogen sulfide in the gas and liquid phases and minimizing the equilibrium approach between the carbon dioxide in the gas and liquid phases, and maintaining the rich solution loading in each stage within the range from about 0.1 to about 0.3 mole of acid gas per mole of alkanolamine. The absorption zone is operated in combination with a stripping zone to which rich aqueous alkanolamine solution is passed and in which lean solution is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Francis Butwell
  • Patent number: 4079117
    Abstract: A continuous process for acid gas removal such as the removal of carbon dioxide, from a feed mixture of process gas and acid gas which comprises introducing the gaseous feed mixture to an absorption zone at an absorption zone inlet temperature in the range of about 35.degree. C. to 150.degree. C., treating the gaseous feed mixture in the absorption zone with an aqueous solution of alkanolamine under specified conditions, the absorption zone inlet temperature for the solution being in the range of about 30.degree. C. to about 75.degree. C., passing the aqueous solution of alkanolamine having acid gas absorbed therein to a stripping zone at an inlet temperature essentially the same as the absorption zone outlet temperature for said solution, removing solution from the bottom of the stripping zone at a bottoms outlet temperature in the range of about 100.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Francis Butwell