Patents by Inventor Theodor Robert Wilks

Theodor Robert Wilks 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).

  • Methods and systems for separating acetone and phenol from one another
    Patent number: 8889915
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation are provided. The method for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation can include introducing a crude acetone including acetone and phenol to a fractionation column and introducing cumene, AMS, or a combination thereof to the fractionation column. The method can include fractionating the crude acetone within the fractionation column to produce an acetone containing overhead and a phenol containing bottoms. The method can also include condensing at least a portion of the acetone containing overhead indirectly with a cool heat transfer medium to provide a condensed crude acetone product and a heated heat transfer medium, wherein the heat transfer medium includes cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Truc Vu, Theodor Robert Wilks
  • Methods And Systems For Separating Acetone And Phenol From One Another
    Publication number: 20140275630
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation are provided. The method for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation can include introducing a crude acetone including acetone and phenol to a fractionation column and introducing cumene, AMS, or a combination thereof to the fractionation column. The method can include fractionating the crude acetone within the fractionation column to produce an acetone containing overhead and a phenol containing bottoms. The method can also include condensing at least a portion of the acetone containing overhead indirectly with a cool heat transfer medium to provide a condensed crude acetone product and a heated heat transfer medium, wherein the heat transfer medium includes cumene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Truc Vu, Theodor Robert Wilks
  • Low sodium cleavage product
    Patent number: 6825387
    Abstract: Washed cleavage product (WCP) in a phenol manufacturing process is treated to remove sodium ions. The WCP is contacted with a cation exchange resin in hydrogen form, and then with anion exchange resin in free base or hydroxide form, to produce a WCP essentially free of sodium ions. The cation and anion exchange resins are regenerated with acid and caustic, respectively. The treatment improves productivity and product quality of new and existing phenol processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodor Robert Wilks, Mark Thornton Vandersall, William Frederick Rogers, Jr.
  • Low Sodium Cleavage Product
    Publication number: 20040106831
    Abstract: Washed cleavage product (WCP) in a phenol manufacturing process is treated to remove sodium ions. The WCP is contacted with a cation exchange resin in hydrogen form, and then with anion exchange resin in free base or hydroxide form, to produce a WCP essentially free of sodium ions. The cation and anion exchange resins are regenerated with acid and caustic, respectively. The treatment improves productivity and product quality of new and existing phenol processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Theodor Robert Wilks, Mark Thornton Vandersall, William Frederick Rogers