Patents Represented by Attorney Gunar J. Blumberg
  • Patent number: 4946970
    Abstract: There is provided a trimellitic anhydride composition having a reduced tendency to form trimellitic anhydride dust which composition comprises trimellitic anhydride treated with at least one organic compound wherein the organic compound is both liquid and substantially non-volatile at normal ambient temperatures and pressures. There is also provided a method for suppressing dust emitted from trimellitic anhydride which method comprises treating the trimellitic anhydride with the aforementioned organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Green, Chang M. Park, Adel B. Abdul-Malek
  • Patent number: 4941895
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for increasing the recovery of maleic anhydride from the product condenser. Maleic anhydride is added to the oxidation reactor gaseous effluent. Maleic acid buildup in the condenser is reduced; condenser plugging is reduced; and process run time required to build up to production rates after periodic cleaning can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen C. Ceisel, James F. Conrad, Elizabeth M. Lestan, Allen P. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4940810
    Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparation of silicon-containing aromatic polyacids by liquid phase oxidation of a mono- or polyalkyl substituted diaryldialkylsilane in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst comprising cobalt-manganese-bromine. Bis(p-tolyl)dimethylsilane is oxidized to bis(p-carboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane and bis(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-dimethylsilane is oxidized to bis(3,4-dicarboxylphenyl)dimethylsilane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Howard B. Yokelson, Walter Partenheimer, Robert Gipe
  • Patent number: 4935539
    Abstract: A continuous stirred-tank reactor suitable for the liquid-phase oxidation of an aromatic alkyl to an aromatic carboxylic acid is provided with vertically disposed, relatively narrow baffles on the reactor wall and with oxidizing gas inlet means below the agitator in the reactor. The baffle width is about 0.02 to about 0.04 times the diameter of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Myon K. Lee
  • Patent number: 4933312
    Abstract: Novel maleic anhydride catalysts comprising phosphorus-vanadium oxides and phosphorus-vanadium-co-metal oxides which under reaction conditions for the manufacture of maleic anhydride from butane feedstock do not expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Muin S. Haddad, Bernard L. Meyers, William S. Eryman
  • Patent number: 4929761
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the preparation of a benzophenone, which process comprises contacting a feed comprising an aromatic carboxylic acid in the vapor phase and under suitable conditions with a catalyst which is capable of catalyzing the conversion of an aromatic carboxylic acid to a benzophenone to provide a yield of at least 10% benzophenone and which comprises at least one oxide that is an oxide of an element having an atomic number of at least 60. Typical catalysts are neodymium trioxide and a mixture of thorium dioxide and magnesium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory P. Hussmann, Carl A. Udovich
  • Patent number: 4918201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the regeneration and stabilization of certain phosphorus-vanadium-oxygen complex catalysts or phosphorus-vanadium-oxygen co-metal complex catalysts, with halogen-containing components and subsequently treating the catalyst with phosphorus compounds. These catalysts are useful for the manufacture of maleic anhydride from butane feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4906772
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the co-production of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic aromatic acids in high selectivity, conversion and yield. The aliphatic monocarboxylic acid can serve as a component of the solvent for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin T. Chew, Rosemary F. McMahon, Kristi A. Fjare, Wayne P. Schammel
  • Patent number: 4876386
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the oxidation of di- or trimethyl benzenes with molecular oxygen under liquid-phase conditions in the presence of a recovered cobalt and manganese catalyst, which has been recovered by heating oxidation incinerator ash in the presence of acetic acid and a reducing agent wherein the weight ratio of acetic acid to said oxidation incinerator ash is from about 1:1 to about 50:1, and the ratio of electrons which the reducing agent can deliver to atoms of the cobalt plus manganese in the oxidation incinerator ash is from about 0.1:1 to about 4:1 at about the boiling point of the acetic acid at atmospheric pressure and recovering the cobalt and manganese in liquid solution as the metal acetic acid salt, wherein the oxidation is carried out at a temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Juergen K. Holzhauer, Dennis J. Michalak, Wayne P. Schammel
  • Patent number: 4876385
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the liquid-phase oxidation of pseudocumene in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese, and bromine components wherein the metal catalyst are recycled to the oxidation reactor in the form of their oxalates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Neal R. Nowicki, Donald E. Thomka
  • Patent number: 4873361
    Abstract: A liquid-phase process is disclosed for oxidation of p-acetoxyacetophenone to p-acetoxybenzoic acid in high yield in a solvent in the presence of a catalyst and addition of a promoter comprising an acid anhydride of a lower aliphatic carboxytlic acid at an addition rate within specified mole ratio limits, a temperature within the range of from about 200.degree. F. to about 400.degree. F., and a pressure within the range of from about 1 atmosphere to 30 atmospheres. A first portion of the promoter is added at the start of the process, and a second portion of the promoter is added during the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Krisati A. Fjare
  • Patent number: 4864070
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for separation of ortho chlorotoluene and ortho-dichlorobenzene from their meta and para isomers by use of a specific crystalline aluminophosphate adsorbent which selectively removes the above ortho aromatic isomers. The selectively adsorbed ortho aromatic isomers are removed from the adsorbent through a desorption step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Melvern C. Hoff, Raymond C. Feld
  • Patent number: 4861738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the regeneration and stabilization of certain phosphorus-vanadium-oxygen complex catalysts or phosphorus-vanadium-oxygen co-metal complex catalysts, with halogen-containing components and subsequently treating the catalyst with phosphorus compounds. These catalysts are useful for the manufacture of maleic anhydride from butane feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4855492
    Abstract: A continuous process for producing a polycarboxylic acid product is disclosed. The process comprises combining a methyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxidation catalyst, and an oxygen-containing gaseous stream in a reaction zone to produce a reaction mixture. The oxygen-containing gaseous stream includes non-condensible gases. The reaction mixture in the reaction zone is subjected to a predetermined temperature and pressure for a predetermined residence time to produce an admixture of reactants and reaction products. The reaction products include a vapor phase and a product-containing liquid phase. Heat is removed from the product-containing liquid phase by withdrawing a portion of such liquid stream from the reaction zone and passing such reaction zone-removed portion to a heat-removal/separation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: John G. Hundley
  • Patent number: 4855491
    Abstract: A method for the continuous, catalytic production of an aromatic carboxylic acid product by liquid-phase, exothermic oxidaion of an aromatic alkyl with an oxygen-containing gas and a solvent medium in an oxidation reactor and utilizing reverse osmosis is disclosed. In particular, a multiple ingredient or component-containing slurry product stream is withdrawn from the reactor, the slurry product stream is then separated to produce a product-containing stream and at least one mother liquor stream which contains, in addition to a number of desirable process stream components, such as oxidation reaction catalysts, a number of undesirable process stream impurities. The impurities are selectively removed from the mother liquor stream by passing at least a portion of the mother liquor stream through a reverse osmosis separation device to produce a catalyst-bearing stream having a relatively lesser impurities-to-catalyst weight ratio and a purge stream having a relatively greater impurities-to-catalyst weight ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin T. Chew, John C. Gee
  • Patent number: 4855503
    Abstract: Oxybisaniline is prepared in high yield by reacting a hydroxylamine with a polycarboxylic diphenyl ether in the presence of an inorganic acid. The acid groups are directly converted to amine groups. By-products of the reaction are negligible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Fjare, Gary P. Hagen
  • Patent number: 4845274
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of polycarboxylic acids is disclosed. In this novel process, antimony is used to improve the selectivity of cobalt-manganese-bromine or zirconium-cobalt-manganese-bromine oxidation system. Polymethylbenzenes such as pseudocumene are converted to their corresponding polycarboxylic acids which are used to manufacture plasticizers and polyamide-imide polymers used as molding compounds for replacement of metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne P. Schammel, Michael R. Green
  • Patent number: 4845275
    Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of trimellitic acid from pseudocumene feedstock is disclosed. In this process, lead (IV) is used as a catalyst component in addition to the cobalt, manganese, and zirconium catalyst. The use of lead (IV) reduces higher boiling impurities and improves the yield. In our novel process, pseudocumene is converted to trimellitic acid which is used to manufacture plasticizers and polyamide-imide polymers used as molding compounds for replacement of metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne P. Schammel, Michael R. Green
  • Patent number: 4845241
    Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidation of butane to produce maleic anhydride comprising a substrate containing phosphorus and vanadium or alternatively phosphorus, vanadium and a co-metal characterized by the presence of post deposited vanadium. A process for the manufacture of maleic anhydride from butane feedstock using the novel catalyst is also described. Maleic anhydride is useful in the manufacture of alkyd resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corpration
    Inventors: Robert C. Edwards, William S. Eryman
  • Patent number: 4844827
    Abstract: A highly dispersant lubricating oil additive having a relatively low nitrogen content is provided by reacting a solvent free bis(primary amine) composition with an aliphatic hydrocarbon-substituted succinimic anhydride or with an admixture of an aliphatic hydrocarbon-substituted phenol, formaldehyde, and a fatty acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: John G. Schaffhausen