Patents Represented by Attorney James C. Simmon
  • Patent number: 5137550
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement to a process for the removal of acid gases from a feed stream containing acid gases in which the feed gas is cooled and countercurrently contacted with a liquid absorbent in an absorber tower and the spent absorbent is regenerated by distillation wherein dissolved acid gases are stripped from the spent absorbent thereby producing a regenerated liquid absorbent and recycled to the absorber tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Hegarty, Thomas C. Bono
  • Patent number: 5136094
    Abstract: Secondary formamides having the structural formula:R.sup.1 CHR.sup.2 CH(OR.sup.3)NHCHOwhereinR.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or aryl;R.sup.2 is H, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; andR.sup.3 is benzyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl;are synthesized by reacting an acetal having the structural formula: R.sup.1 CHR.sup.2 CH(OR.sup.3).sub.2 wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined above, with formamide in the presence of a strong acid catalyst at a temperature in the range of 0.degree.-200.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Listemann, Ronald Pierantozzi, Robert K. Pinschmidt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5135548
    Abstract: Composite oxygen selective desiccants comprising a carbon molecular sieve which is kinetically selective for the adsorption of oxygen over nitrogen and an agent for the sorption of water such as lithium chloride, lithium bromide, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium nitrate, potassium fluoride, oxides of silicon, aluminum, calcium or barium are disclosed. Methods of making the components and their use in air separation are also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Golden, Paula J. Battavio, Yee-Chang Chen, Thomas S. Farris, John N. Armor
  • Patent number: 5133785
    Abstract: Multicomponent gas mixtures containing: (1) hydrogen as the primary component, (2) a secondary key component that is more strongly sorbed by the adsorbent than hydrogen, and (3) a minor quantity of one or more dilute tertiary components less strongly sorbed than the secondary key component, are subject to selective adsorption in an adiabatic pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycle for the separate recovery of high purity hydrogen and the secondary component. A given example is the treatment of the effluent gas from a shift converter in a hydrocarbon reformer plant, wherein hydrogn and carbon dioxide are separately recovered as key components substantially freed of minor dilute components such as methane, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar, Wilbur C. Kratz
  • Patent number: 5131930
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for mixing a lower pressure gas stream into a higher pressure gas stream to achieve a product gas stream which is at the pressure of the higher pressure gas stream. The invention uses a membrane to accomplish what typically is accomplished with a compression step prior to mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey L. Vines, deceased
  • Patent number: 5129932
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cryogenic process for the separation of air utilizing an integrated multi-column distillation system wherein a nitrogen rich, oxygen rich and argon rich product are generated. In the cryogenic distillation separation of air, air is initially compressed, pretreated and cooled for separation into its components. Moderate pressure, e.g., 25-80 psia nitrogen is generated with enhanced nitrogen product purity and greater recovery of both nitrogen and argon by effecting a high boil-up rate in the bottom of the lower pressure column, thereby creating a reduced liquid flow/vapor flow ratio (L/V) and utilizing a higher than customary nitrogen reflux to the top of the lower pressure column, where the concentration of oxygen in nitrogen is less than about 10 ppm by volume or the nitrogen purity is at least about 99.5% by volume.Refrigeration to drive the system is obtained by recovering the energy from the waste nitrogen stream and oxygen vapor from the lower pressure column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Agrawal, Donald W. Woodward
  • Patent number: 5130403
    Abstract: An amine-boron composition for catalyzing the urethane reaction, particularly in preparing a polyurethane foam, consisting essentially of the addition product of a tertiary amine and a boron compound of the formula R.sub.n B(OH).sub.3-nwheren=0 or 1, andR=C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl.Preferred catalysts are prepared by mixing triethylenediamine with boric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ann C. L. Savoca, Michael Louie
  • Patent number: 5126310
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to active compositions, such as adsorbents and catalysts, which comprise cuprous compounds dispersed on amorphous oxide or carbon macroporous supports. The compositions are prepared by impregnating cupric compounds on pretreated supports with the aid of an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt of a di- or polycarboxylic acid dispersant, such as ammonium citrate, followed by activation of the cupric compound or reduction of the cupric compound to the corresponding cuprous compound. Methods of synthesis and processes utilizing the compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Golden, Wilbur C. Kratz, Frederick C. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5126466
    Abstract: A process is provided for selectively separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing fluid stream by bringing said fluid stream into contact with a high capacity solid state cyanocobaltate complex in a non-aluminosilicate environment represented by the chemical formula:A.sub.X/Z.sup.Z+ [Co(CN).sub.n ].sup.X- .cndot.pSwhere:A is an alkali, alkaline earth, transition, or Group 12 metal atom;Z is 1, 2 or 3;n is any number from 3 to 5;X is n-2;p is any number from greater than zero to 6; andS is a ligand which is capable of coordinating with A.sup.Z+, Co or both.These complexes chemically bind oxygen to form novel oxygen adducts, thereby selectively removing oxygen from the fluid stream. The bound oxygen may be recovered by increasing the temperature or by reducing the partial pressure of O.sub.2 above the adduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorai Ramprasad, Guido P. Pez, Ronald M. Pearlstein, Ingrid K. Meier
  • Patent number: 5124384
    Abstract: In a sealant composition comprising a polymer latex, filler, plasticizer, silane adhesion promoter, and fumed silica, the improvement which comprises as the plasticizer a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl aryl phthalate, an N-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.8)alkyl arylsulfonamide, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel E. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 5124394
    Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous copolymer emulsion comprising the aqueous copolymerization of vinyl acetate and ethylene in the presence of a stabilizing system consisting essentially of a stabilizing effective amount of poly(ethyloxazoline).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Lenney
  • Patent number: 5124278
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the use of metalorganic amines as metallic donor source compounds in reactive deposition applications. More specifically, the present invention addresses the use of the amino-substituted metallic donor source compounds M(NR.sub.2).sub.3-x H.sub.x, where R is organic, alkyl or fluoroalkyl, and x is less than or equal to 2, and M=As, Sb or P, in processes requiring deposition of the corresponding element. These uses include a number of different processes; the metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy of compound semiconductor material such as GaAs, InP, AlGaAs, etc.; doping of SiO.sub.2 or borosilicate based glasses to enhance the reflow properties of the glass; in-situ n-type doping of silicon epitaxial material; sourcing of arsenic or phosphorus for ion implantation; chemical beam epitaxy (or MOMBE); and diffusion doping into electronic materials such as silicon dioxide, silicon and polycrystalline silcon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Bohling, Gregory T. Muhr, Sherri L. Bassner
  • Patent number: 5123947
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cryogenic process for the separation of air utilizing an integrated multi-column distillation system wherein an ultra high purity nitrogen product is generated. In the cryogenic distillation separation of air, air is initially compressed, pretreated and cooled for separation into its components. Ultra high purity, e.g., nitrogen typically having less than 0.1 ppm impurities is generated in a multi-column distillation system comprising a first column and an ultra high purity nitrogen column with enhanced nitrogen product recovery by withdrawing a gaseous nitrogen fraction from a first column and charging the fraction as a feed to the ultra high purity nitrogen column, withdrawing a nitrogen stream which is rich in volatile contaminants from the top of the ultra high purity nitrogen column and recovering a nitrogen product at a point below the removal point of the nitrogen rich stream containing volatile components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Rakesh Agrawal
  • Patent number: 5122173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of krypton and xenon from a cryogenic air separation unit. The present invention simultaneously concentrates krypton and xenon while rejecting more than 90% of the methane present in the feed stream. The feed to the process is a liquid oxygen stream which is withdrawn from the main distillation column system of the air separation unit. The improvement of the present invention is the discovery that an optimum liquid to vapor flow is required in the oxygen enriching section of the krypton/xenon column. The optimum range is between 0.05 to 0.2, more preferably about 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Agrawal, Brian E. Farrell
  • Patent number: 5122174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a boiling process in a downflow heat exchanger and the heat exchanger itself with liquid distribution enhancing features which improve performance and allow safe and efficient operation. Performance enhancing features include a partially flooded hardway distribution region with a liquid volume fraction greater than about 0.25 and preferably greater than 0.5, adjusting the heat transfer surface area to maintain a liquid film Reynolds number above 20 and, preferably, above 50 yet less than 1000, preferably less than 300, for at least 75% of the reboiler surface, and, optionally, intermediate feeding of liquid at various intervals along the length of the heat exchanger to obtain more uniform values of liquid film Reynolds numbers and intermediate redistribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Swaminathan Sunder, Douglas L. Bennett, Donn M. Herron, Keith A. Ludwig, Edwin C. Rogusky
  • Patent number: 5120598
    Abstract: A novel product is disclosed for cleaning up oil spills. The product comprises ultra-fine polymeric fibers which are produced from various polymeric materials by mixing with thermoplastic poly(vinyl alcohol) and extruding the mixture through a die followed by further orientation. The poly(vinyl alcohol) is extracted to yield liberated ultra-fine polymeric fibers. The fibers are ultimately processed into said product, such as a mat, which is placed directly on the oil spill to absorb the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd M. Robeson, Robert J. Axelrod, Thomas A. Manuel
  • Patent number: 5118395
    Abstract: A process is provided for extracting high purity oxygen from gas turbine exhaust streams by passing the gas turbine exhaust over the feed side of solid electrolyte membrane selective to the permeation of oxygen over other components of the exhaust stream to separate the oxygen from the exhaust stream, and removing the oxygen product stream from the permeate side of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Chen, William P. Hegarty, William A. Steyert, deceased
  • Patent number: 5116510
    Abstract: A new thermal swing adsorption process for the separation of a bulk liquid mixture into its respective components wherein a novel rinse step is employed to achieve high product recovery with a low energy of separation. The invention is particularly useful for separating liquid mixtures containing azeotropes or close-boiling components which are difficult to separate using conventional techniques such as distillation or routine termal swing adsorption. A given example is the separation and recovery of methyl acetate from a bulk liquid mixture containing methyl acetate and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Shivaji Sircar, Madhukar B. Rao
  • Patent number: 5117056
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the formation of N-(1-alkoxyalkyl)amides with coproduction of alkylidene bisamides. The N-(1-alkoxyalkyl)formamides of this invention are prepared by reacting formamide with an acetal or hemiacetal carboxylate ester represented by the formulas: ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, aralkyl or aryl; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, or aryl; and R.sub.3 is secondary or tertiary alkyl having from 3-8 carbon atoms.The reaction is carried out in the presence of an acid catalyst such as a strong acid ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Listemann, Robert K. Pinschmidt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5114449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement for the production of argon from cryogenic air separation processes. In particular, the improvement provides a better method of thermally linking the top of the crude argon column with the low pressure column. In the improvement, the argon-rich, overhead vapor from the top of the crude argon column is condensed in a boiler/condenser by indirect heat exchange against liquid descending the low pressure column; a portion of the condensed argon-rich, overhead vapor is returned to the top of the crude argon column to provide reflux. The most suitable location for such boiler/condenser is as an intermediate boiler/condenser in the low pressure column, particularly, the section of the low pressure column bounded by the feed point of the crude liquid oxygen from the bottom of the high pressure column and the vapor feed draw line for the crude argon column wherein an adequate temperature difference exists between the descending liquid and the condensing argon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Agrawal, Donald W. Woodward