Patents Represented by Attorney Edgar E. Spielman, Jr.
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Patent number: 6620441Abstract: In producing aqueous microbiocidal solutions by oxidation of a water-soluble alkali metal bromide, an intolerable loss of active halogen species has been found to occur during a 10-day period immediately after the product solution has been formed. Surprisingly, this loss has been found to result from an alcohol impurity in the alkali metal bromide used in the process. By eliminating or at least sharply reducing the amount of alcohol impurity in the reaction mixture, products are formed which do not undergo the intolerable loss of active halogen content during the 10-day period.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: John K. Kendall, Alireza M. Dadgar, Bonnie G. McKinnie
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Patent number: 6617379Abstract: N,N′-piperazinebis(neopentylglycol)phosphoramidate is used in combination with at least one co-additive which is (i) melamine, (ii) one or more melamine compounds or derivatives, or (iii) both of (i) and (ii) to provide effective flame retardancy in thermoplastic polymers. With polymers that tend to release trace amounts of acid under thermal processing conditions, a hydrotalcite is preferably included in the composition. In acid-sensitive polymers such as polyesters, the N,N′-piperazinebis(neopentylglycol)phosphoramidate should be free or essentially free of acid species as determinable by use of nmr, mass spec, and/or HPLC.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Anteneh Z. Worku, Daniel A. De Schryver, Susan D. Landry, Arthur G. Mack
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Patent number: 6603049Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process which comprises feeding a mixture formed from diphenylethane and bromine to a stirrable reaction mass comprised of bromine and a bromination catalyst to yield a decabromodiphenylethane wet cake which can be most economicaly treated to provide a high quality decabromodiphenylethane product.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: John C. Parks, David H. Knoebel, Lawrence M. Jenkins, George H. Ransford, Gary L. Bowman, Jr., Saadat Hussain
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Patent number: 6565868Abstract: Microbiological control in water systems is achieved with an amount,of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin that is less than the amount of N,N′-bromochloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin required to achieve the same degree of microbiological control. The methods of combating Escherichia coli and/or Enterococcus faecium in an aqueous medium, and biofilms such as formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa on surfaces contacted by the aqueous medium, involve introducing into the medium a biocidally effective amount of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. A microbiological control agent for use in water in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations is purveyed in containers of a water control agent comprising 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, which containers bear a label having thereon dosage levels pursuant to requirements promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin is used or purveyed either as a product having a large average particle size (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Jonathan N. Howarth, Christopher J. Nalepa, Michael J. Sanders, David L. Shelton
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Patent number: 6551624Abstract: The production process comprises A) forming an acidic aqueous solution comprising alkali metal cations, bromide anions, and sulfamate anions; B) feeding into said aqueous solution a source of alkali metal cations and chlorine-containing bromide oxidant proportioned to keep the resultant aqueous medium acidic and to form an acidic product solution containing at least about 5 wt % of active bromine; and C) raising the pH of the aqueous product solution with water-soluble base to at least about 10.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventor: Robert M. Moore, Jr.
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Patent number: 6536943Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing flammability properties of cellular plastics are described. Heat is applied to the underside of a heat-conductive plate on which is placed a specimen of the cellular plastic. A plurality of spaced-apart heat sensing devices are positioned below the specimen and in direct or close contact with the plate, one such heat sensing device being centrally positioned relative to the plate and serving as the setpoint sensor. A plurality of spaced-apart heat sensing devices are also disposed above the specimen and in direct or close contact with the top surface of the specimen, one such heat sensing device being centrally positioned relative to the top of the specimen. The sensing devices are adapted to provide signals convertible into information regarding the temperatures at their respective locations.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventor: Elbert F. Feske
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Patent number: 6518368Abstract: A brominated polystyrene product made by the process comprising pretreating a solution of a polystyrene reactant comprising from about five to about 20 percent by weight of the polystyrene reactant, in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent with at least about 0.1 percent by weight of an additive to suppress halogenation of the polystyrene backbone, prior to brominating the polystyrene in the presence of a catalyst; subsequently adding a metal halide bromination catalyst to the solution, capable of effecting bromination of the ring without causing crosslinking of the polystyrene; adding to the solution from about 1 to about 3.4 moles of a brominating agent, per mole of polystyrene repeating units; reacting the polystyrene with the brominating agent at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about 50° C., and isolating the brominated polystyrene. A brominated polystyrene is provided having a backbone halogen content of less than about 750 ppm and a &Dgr;E color of from about 5 go about 19.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: James C. Gill, James L. Dever
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Patent number: 6518468Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process which comprises feeding a mixture formed from diphenylethane and bromine to a stirrable reaction mass comprised of bromine and a bromination catalyst to yield a decabromodiphenylethane wet cake which can be most economically treated to provide a high quality decabromodiphenylethane product.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1996Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: John C. Parks, David H. Knoebel, Lawrence M. Jenkins, George H. Ransford, Gary L. Bowman, Jr., Saadat Hussain
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Patent number: 6511682Abstract: Described is a process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation. Mixed together are (a) bromine chloride or bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 7, in amounts such that (i) the active bromine content of the solution is at least about 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), and (ii) the atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine from (a) and (b) is greater than 1 when bromine is used and is greater than 0.93 when bromine chloride is used. Use of bromine chloride as the source of the active bromine in the process is preferred because in the resulting aqueous compositions, all of the bromine of the bromine chloride is made available as active bromine in solution. In other words, the chlorine of the bromine chloride is converted in the process to dissolved alkali metal chloride salt, thereby liberating all of the bromine in the biocidal composition as active bromine capable of providing biocidal activity.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Robert M. Moore, Jr., Christopher J. Nalepa
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Patent number: 6508954Abstract: Among the enhanced properties of the 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoins described are their larger average particle sizes, their compactibility even though devoid of a binder, their excellent free-flowing and low-dust properties, and their more appealing aesthetic qualities, as compared to previously known 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoins. These novel 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoins can be produced, for example, by concurrently feeding (i) an aqueous solution or slurry formed from an inorganic base and 5,5-dimethylhydantoin, and (ii) a brominating agent, in proportions such that each nitrogen atom is substituted by a bromine atom, thereby forming product which precipitates in an aqueous reaction mixture. The pH of the reaction mixture is maintained in the range of about 5.5 to about 8.5.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Hassan Y. Elnagar, Jonathan N. Howarth, Bruce C. Peters, Edgar E. Spielman, Jr., Dustin H. Thomas
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Patent number: 6509434Abstract: Mixtures of isomeric alkylthiated mononuclear aromatic amines comprising in the range of about 30 to about 70 mole percent of (i) at least one 3,5-di(alkyl-thio)-2,6-diamino-1-alkylbenzene and in the range of about 30 to about 70 mole percent of at least one 3,5-di(alkylthio)-2,4-diamino-1-alkylbenzene, such mixture containing at least about 90 mole percent of (i) and (ii), and optionally containing up to 10 mole percent of one or more isomers of (i) and/or (ii). An alkyl group may be present as a substituent in lieu of a hydrogen atom in the remaining ring position. These mixtures are useful as curatives or extenders in processes for making polyurethanes, polyurethane-ureas, and polyureas.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: William R. Brown, John C. Prindle, Jr., Gregory H. Lambeth
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Patent number: 6506952Abstract: Hexabromocyclododecane with enhanced gamma isomer content is produced by brominating cyclododecatriene in a liquid medium comprised of (1) at least 50 wt % of at least one liquid inert organic solvent other than 1,4-dioxane having a solubility in water of at least 1 wt % at 25° C., and (2) water in an amount of up to about 40 wt %, in the presence of (3) about 0.5 to about 30 wt % of bromide ion (Br−), each wt % being based on the total weight of the liquid portion of the liquid medium.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventor: John K. Kendall
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Patent number: 6506418Abstract: Concentrated liquid biocide compositions are produced by: A) feeding (a) bromine atoms and chlorine atoms in the form of (i) one or more of BrCl, (ii) Br2, and (iii) Cl2 into (b) water containing sulfamate anions, or feeding each of (a) and (b) into a reaction vessel, such that the numerical ratio of the total number of bromine atoms fed to the total number of chlorine atoms fed is in the range of about 0.7:1 to about 1.7:1; and B) providing enough alkali metal base in the mixture being formed in A) to keep the pH of such mixture in the range of about 7-11 during all or substantially all of the time feeding in A) is occurring, the amounts of (a) and (b) used being amounts that form an active-bromine-containing solution in which (i) the active bromine content is 50,000 ppm or more, and (ii) the atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine originating from (a) and (b) is greater than about 0.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Bonnie G. McKinnie, Alvin E. Harkins, Jr., Robert M. Moore, Jr.
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Patent number: 6495698Abstract: Novel, binder-free compacted forms of 1,3-dihalo-5,5-dimethylhydantoins in which one halogen atom is chlorine and the other is a bromine or chlorine atom are produced and used for microbiological control in aqueous media and water.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventor: Jonathan N. Howarth
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Patent number: 6495169Abstract: Described is a process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation. Mixed together are (a) bromine chloride or bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 7, in amounts such that (i) the active bromine content of the solution is at least about 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), and (ii) the atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine from (a) and (b) is greater than 1 when bromine is used and is greater than 0.93 when bromine chloride is used. Use of bromine chloride as the source of the active bromine in the process is preferred because in the resulting aqueous compositions, all of the bromine of the bromine chloride is made available as active bromine in solution. In other words, the chlorine of the bromine chloride is converted in the process to dissolved alkali metal chloride salt, thereby liberating all of the bromine as the active bromine content of the biocidal composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Robert M. Moore, Jr., Christopher J. Nalepa
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Patent number: 6489390Abstract: The flame retardant additive compositions comprise (a) one or more bromocycloaliphatic flame retardants; (b) one or more bromoaromatic flame retardants; and (c) one or more synthetic zeolites. Flame retardant polymer compositions comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer such as HIPS with which has been blended, singly and/or in one or more combinations, a flame retardant amount of at least (a), (b), and (c) have a very desirable balance of properties.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventor: Susan D. Landry
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Patent number: 6489524Abstract: Aromatic substrates are Ar-brominated in high yield and selectivity by reacting the substrate with a brominating agent in the presence of at least about 0.19 gram per mmol of substrate of a zeolite catalyst which has an absorbed water content of no greater than about 7.5 weight percent.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1997Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Mahmood Sabahi, Hassan Y. Elnagar, Robert L. Davis
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Patent number: 5690862Abstract: This invention relates to a solvent system which is non-flammable and which is comprised of a hydrocarbon solvent having a flash point less than about 38.degree. C. and a second solvent containing at least 90 wt % n-propyl bromide, the second solvent being present in an amount sufficient to obtain no flash point for the solvent system when tested in accordance with ASTM D-93 and the second solvent being the sole halogenated solvent and flash point suppressor in the solvent system.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1995Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Robert M. Moore, Jr., Robert L. Davis, William E. Moehle, Burnell Lee, Edgar E. Spielman, Jr.
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Patent number: 5686538Abstract: This invention features a process for brominating styrenic polymers which process comprises feeding a first stream comprising a brominating agent, a second stream comprising styrenic polymer and a third stream comprising bromination catalyst to a mixer to intimately mix such streams.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1996Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: Donald E. Balhoff, Billie B. Dadgar, Charles H. Kolich, Meng-Sheng Ao, Homer C. Lin
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Patent number: RE37902Abstract: In a process for the suppression of backbone halogenation during the bromination of polystyrenes comprising the step of pretreating a solution of a polystyrene reactant comprising from about five to about 20 percent by weight of a polystyrene reactant, in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent with at least about 0.1 percent by weight of an additive to suppress halogenation of the polystyrene backbone prior to brominating the polystyrene in the presence of a catalyst; adding a metal halide bromination catalyst to the solution, capable of effecting bromination of the ring without causing crosslinking of the polystyrene; adding to the solution from about 1 to about 3.4 moles of a brominating agent, per mole of polystyrene repeating units; reacting the polystyrene reactant with the brominating agent at a reaction temperature of from about −20° C. to about 50° C., and isolating the brominated polystyrene.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Albemarle CorporationInventors: James C. Gill, James L. Dever