Patents by Inventor Stephan Kretz

Stephan Kretz 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: 9809535
    Abstract: An alkyl mercaptan is prepared by reacting an aliphatic alcohol with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst at varying temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Fonfe, Stephan Kretz, Harald Jakob
  • Publication number: 20160176808
    Abstract: An alkyl mercaptan is prepared by reacting an aliphatic alcohol with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst at varying temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin FONFE, Stephan KRETZ, Harald JAKOB
  • Patent number: 9206121
    Abstract: A method to produce D,L-Methionine from 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile by reaction with ammonia, optionally in the presence of carbon dioxide, is provided. The 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile is obtained by reaction of 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as catalyst in a main reaction zone of a multizone reactor. Residual gaseous hydrogen cyanide is removed from the main reaction zone to an absorption and post-reaction zone of the reactor which comprises a mixture of 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and the catalyst; and the gaseous hydrogen cyanide is further reacted with the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in the absorption and post reaction zone. A molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to 3-(methylthio)propanal in the main reaction zone is from 0.98 to 1.03.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Buss, Martin Steurenthaler, Michael R. Rinner, Stephan Kretz, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Martin Koerfer, Pablo Zacchi
  • Patent number: 9133113
    Abstract: A method for the production of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid by hydrolysis of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile is provided. 3-Methylmercaptopropionaldehyde is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as catalyst in a main reaction zone of the multizone reactor to form a reaction mixture comprising the 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile, unreacted 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, the catalyst and residual amounts of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The residual gaseous hydrogen cyanide is removed from the main reaction zone to an absorption and post-reaction zone of the reactor which comprises a mixture of 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and the catalyst; and the gaseous hydrogen cyanide is further reacted with the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in the absorption and post reaction zone. A molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to 3-(methylthio)propanal in the main reaction zone is from 0.98 to 1.03.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Buss, Martin Steurenthaler, Michael R. Rinner, Stephan Kretz, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Martin Koerfer, Pablo Zacchi
  • Publication number: 20150197489
    Abstract: A method to produce D,L-Methionine from 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile by reaction with ammonia, optionally in the presence of carbon dioxide, is provided. The 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile is obtained by reaction of 3-methylmercapto-propionaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as catalyst in a main reaction zone of a multizone reactor. Residual gaseous hydrogen cyanide is removed from the main reaction zone to an absorption and post-reaction zone of the reactor which comprises a mixture of 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and the catalyst; and the gaseous hydrogen cyanide is further reacted with the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in the absorption and post reaction zone. A molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to 3-(methylthio)propanal in the main reaction zone is from 0.98 to 1.03.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Buss, Martin Steurenthaler, Michael R. Rinner, Stephan Kretz, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Martin Koerfer, Pablo Zacchi
  • Publication number: 20140213819
    Abstract: A method for the production of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile having good storage stability in a multi-zone reactor, is provided. 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as catalyst in a main reaction zone of the multizone reactor to form a reaction mixture comprising the 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile, unreacted 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, the catalyst and residual amounts of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The residual gaseous hydrogen cyanide is removed from the main reaction zone to an absorption and post-reaction zone of the reactor which comprises a mixture of 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and the catalyst; and the gaseous hydrogen cyanide is further reacted with the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in the absorption and post reaction zone. A molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to 3-(methylthio)propanal in the main reaction zone is from 0.98 to 1.03.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter BUSS, Martin STEURENTHALER, Michael R. RINNER, Stephan KRETZ, Hans Joachim HASSELBACH, Caspar-Heinrich FINKELDEI, Martin KOERFER, Pablo ZACCHI
  • Patent number: 8759592
    Abstract: A process for preparing methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in a single reaction unit, is provided. According to the preferred embodiment, the process comprises, simultaneously contacting a gaseous mixture comprising acrolein with a liquid mixture comprising methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, a catalyst and methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal in the reactive absorber; absorbing the acrolein from the gaseous mixture into the liquid mixture; reacting the absorbed acrolein with the methyl mercaptan or the methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal to obtain methylmercapto-propionaldehyde; removing gaseous impurities and by-products from the liquid mixture; and separating the obtained methylmercaptopropionaldehyde product from the reactive absorber, directing a portion of the separated product to storage or further processing and recycling the remaining portion to the reactive absorber; wherein the methyl mercaptan optionally comprises dimethyl sulfide or dimethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Caspar Heinrich Finkeldei, Pablo Zacchi, Benjamin Fonfe, Stephan Kretz, Martin Koerfer, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Wolfgang Boeck
  • Patent number: 8729288
    Abstract: A method for the production of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile having good storage stability in a multi-zone reactor, is provided. 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as catalyst in a main reaction zone of the multizone reactor to form a reaction mixture comprising the 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile, unreacted 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, the catalyst and residual amounts of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The residual gaseous hydrogen cyanide is removed from the main reaction zone to an absorption and post-reaction zone of the reactor which comprises a mixture of 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and the catalyst; and the gaseous hydrogen cyanide is further reacted with the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in the absorption and post reaction zone. A molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to 3-(methylthio)propanal in the main reaction zone is from 0.98 to 1.03.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Buss, Martin Steurenthaler, Michael R. Rinner, Stephan Kretz, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Martin Koerfer, Pablo Zacchi
  • Publication number: 20140051890
    Abstract: A process for preparing methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in a single reaction unit, is provided. According to the preferred embodiment, the process comprises, simultaneously contacting a gaseous mixture comprising acrolein with a liquid mixture comprising methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, a catalyst and methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal in the reactive absorber; absorbing the acrolein from the gaseous mixture into the liquid mixture; reacting the absorbed acrolein with the methyl mercaptan or the methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal to obtain methylmercapto-propionaldehyde; removing gaseous impurities and by-products from the liquid mixture; and separating the obtained methylmercaptopropionaldehyde product from the reactive absorber, directing a portion of the separated product to storage or further processing and recycling the remaining portion to the reactive absorber; wherein the methyl mercaptan optionally comprises dimethyl sulfide or dimethyl ether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Caspar Heinrich FINKELDEI, Pablo Zacchi, Benjamin Fonfe, Stephan Kretz, Martin Koerfer, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Wolfgang Boeck
  • Patent number: 8624066
    Abstract: A process for preparing methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in a single reaction unit, is provided. According to the preferred embodiment, the process comprises, simultaneously contacting a gaseous mixture comprising acrolein with a liquid mixture comprising methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, a catalyst and methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal in the reactive absorber; absorbing the acrolein from the gaseous mixture into the liquid mixture; reacting the absorbed acrolein with the methyl mercaptan or the methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal to obtain methylmercapto-propionaldehyde; removing gaseous impurities and by-products from the liquid mixture; and separating the obtained methylmercaptopropionaldehyde product from the reactive absorber, directing a portion of the separated product to storage or further processing and recycling the remaining portion to the reactive absorber; wherein the methyl mercaptan optionally comprises dimethyl sulfide or dimethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Caspar Heinrich Finkeldei, Pablo Zacchi, Benjamin Fonfe, Stephan Kretz, Martin Koerfer, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Wolfgang Boeck
  • Patent number: 8546601
    Abstract: A storage stable mixture containing 86 to 97% by weight of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile, 2 to 14% by weight of water, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of HCN and having a pH of 1 to 4, measured using a pH electrode at 23° C. is provided. A method to produce the storage stable mixture and its use in manufacture of DL-methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Buss, Martin Steurenthaler, Joachim Hans Hasselbach, Michael R. Rinner, Benjamin Fonfe, Martin Koerfer, Stephan Kretz
  • Publication number: 20120215022
    Abstract: A method for the production of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile having good storage stability in a multi-zone reactor, is provided. 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as catalyst in a main reaction zone of the multizone reactor to form a reaction mixture comprising the 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile, unreacted 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, the catalyst and residual amounts of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The residual gaseous hydrogen cyanide is removed from the main reaction zone to an absorption and post-reaction zone of the reactor which comprises a mixture of 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and the catalyst; and the gaseous hydrogen cyanide is further reacted with the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in the absorption and post reaction zone. A molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to 3-(methylthio)propanal in the main reaction zone is from 0.98 to 1.03.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Buss, Martin Steurenthaler, Michael R. Rinner, Stephan Kretz, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Martin Koerfer, Pablo Zacchi
  • Publication number: 20120215021
    Abstract: A storage stable mixture containing 86 to 97% by weight of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile, 2 to 14% by weight of water, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of HCN and having a pH of 1 to 4, measured using a pH electrode at 23° C. is provided. A method to produce the storage stable mixture and its use in manufacture of DL-methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Buss, Martin Steurenthaler, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Michael R. Rinner, Benjamin Fonfe, Martin Koerfer, Stephan Kretz
  • Publication number: 20120165573
    Abstract: A process for preparing methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in a single reaction unit, is provided. According to the preferred embodiment, the process comprises, simultaneously contacting a gaseous mixture comprising acrolein with a liquid mixture comprising methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, a catalyst and methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal in the reactive absorber; absorbing the acrolein from the gaseous mixture into the liquid mixture; reacting the absorbed acrolein with the methyl mercaptan or the methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal to obtain methylmercapto-propionaldehyde; removing gaseous impurities and by-products from the liquid mixture; and separating the obtained methylmercaptopropionaldehyde product from the reactive absorber, directing a portion of the separated product to storage or further processing and recycling the remaining portion to the reactive absorber; wherein the methyl mercaptan optionally comprises dimethyl sulfide or dimethyl ether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Caspar Heinrich FINKELDEI, Pablo Zacchi, Benjamin Fonfe, Stephan Kretz, Martin Koerfer, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Wolfgang Boeck
  • Patent number: 8008530
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuously preparing methyl mercaptan from hydrogen sulphide and methanol in a direct connection with the preparation of hydrogen sulphide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Redlingshöfer, Stephan Kretz, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Christoph Weckbecker, Wolfgang Böck, Klaus Huthmacher
  • Patent number: 7833508
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction vessel in which hydrogen sulphide is prepared from sulphur and hydrogen, wherein the reaction vessel consists partly or entirely of a material which is resistant to the reaction mixture, its compounds or elements and retains its resistance even at high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Redlingshöfer, Jan-Olaf Barth, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Stephan Kretz, Harald Heinzel, Christoph Weckbecker
  • Publication number: 20100015037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction vessel in which hydrogen sulphide is prepared from sulphur and hydrogen, wherein the reaction vessel consists partly or entirely of a material which is resistant to the reaction mixture, its compounds or elements and retains its resistance even at high temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Hurbert Redlingshöfer, Jan-Olaf Barth, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Hans Joachim Hasselbach, Stephan Kretz, Harald Heinzel, Christoph Weckbecker
  • Publication number: 20090054691
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuously preparing methyl mercaptan from hydrogen sulphide and methanol in a direct connection with the preparation of hydrogen sulphide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Hubert Redlingshofer, Stephan Kretz, Caspar-Heinrich Finkeldei, Christoph Weckbecker, Wolfgang Bock, Klaus Huthmacher
  • Patent number: 6605746
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of methylheptanone and corresponding homologous methyl ketones involves the cross-aldolization of acetone with the corresponding aldehyde. The polar catalyst phase is introduced with acetone and an organic auxiliary solvent phase to form a two phase mixture in the presence of hydrogen. The corresponding aldehyde is then added at temperatures between 40° C. and 200° C. The process can be run in a continuous manner with the polar catalyst phase being recyled after regeneration. The use of the non-polar auxiliary solvent(s) increase yield and selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Steffen Krill, Stephan Kretz, Achim Schneider
  • Patent number: 6566559
    Abstract: Process for the production of unsaturated ethers, in particular isopropenyl methyl ether (IPM), by pyrolysis of a ketal-containing or acetal-containing mixture, in particular dimethoxypropane (DMP), in the liquid phase in the presence of an organic carboxylic acid, according to the following reaction scheme: wherein R1=H or alkyl with 1-8 C atoms; R2=H, CH3—, C2H5—, or Cl—; R3=alkyl with 1-8 C atoms; R4=H, CH3—, C2H5—, or C3H7—, and R1 and R4 may be joined to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring. DMP is produced by the process from acetone and methanol by reaction in an acidic heterogeneous ion exchanger, the product being isolated by extraction with aqueous alkaline solution. In particular the process involves combining the IPM reaction product with the DMP reaction product, which permits the execution of a stable recycling process in which the methanol-containing streams of the IPM and DMP stages can be simultaneously extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Steffen Krill, Stephan Kretz, Volker Häfner, Georg Markowz