Patents Represented by Attorney Marcy M. Hoefling
  • Patent number: 8349380
    Abstract: Ultraviolet light stabilized antimicrobial compositions are formed from (A) and (B). (A) is (I) a solid-state microbiocidal compound having at least one bromine atom in the molecule; (II) an aqueous solution or slurry of (I); (III) is a concentrated aqueous antimicrobial composition having a dissolved active bromine content derived from (i) BrCl or BrCl and Br2 and (ii) overbased alkali metal sulfamate and/or sulfamic acid, alkali metal base, and water, (IV) solids made by dewatering a composition of (III). (B) is a ultraviolet light degradation-inhibiting amount of up to one part by weight of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and/or an edible water-soluble salt/ester thereof per part by weight of bromine in the selected antimicrobial composition. Preparation and uses of such compositions are described. Methods of controlling contamination of seafood and seafood products by pathogens are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Joe D. Sauer, George W. Cook, Jr., William S. Pickrell
  • Patent number: 8313543
    Abstract: Compositions, and processes utilizing such compositions, are provided for reducing mercury emissions during fuel combustion Such compositions comprise a sorbent, a bromine source and a chlorine source Such compositions exhibit improved thermal stability as compared to that of the sorbent by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Patent number: 8293795
    Abstract: A process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation is described. Mixed together are (a) bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 12, 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. A continuous process for producing the concentrated liquid biocide composition is provided. This process comprises continuously feeding into mixing apparatus (i) bromine and (ii) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid; the desired product is withdrawn from the mixing apparatus at a rate sufficient to enable the continuous feeding to be maintained. Also described are methods for disinfecting surfaces and for sanitizing bodies of water using a single-feed, bromine-based biocide. These methods use concentrated liquid biocide compositions comprising biocidally active bromine as the biocide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Moore, Jr., Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Patent number: 8227652
    Abstract: Methods are provided for producing alkylbenzenes, such as propylbenzene, from aromatics, such as toluene, and alkenes, such as ethylene. Such methods comprise combining the toluene with about 100 ppm to about 350 ppm water and alkali metal catalyst, activating the catalyst at about 180° C. to about 220° C., adding the ethylene and conducting the synthesis reaction at about 130° C. to about 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Nelson, Christopher A. Curtis, Stephen E. Belmont
  • Patent number: 8193398
    Abstract: A process for oxygen-initiated hydrobromination of propene to form a crude reaction mixture of 95 GC area % n-propyl bromide. The process includes feeding an oxygen-containing gas, propene and hydrogen bromide into a liquid phase mixture comprised of n-propyl bromide and hydrogen bromide. At least the oxygen-containing gas and the propene of the feed are fed subsurface to the liquid phase mixture and either (a) the oxygen-containing gas and the propene do not come together in the absence of hydrogen bromide or (b) the oxygen-containing gas and the propene come together only in a propene:oxygen molar ratio in the range of 145:1 to 180:1. Purification processes provide a propyl bromide product containing at least 99.7 GC area % n-propyl bromide. Also provided is a novel composition of enhanced thermal stability which comprises a mixture of n-propyl bromide and isopropyl bromide. The mixture has an n-propyl bromide content of at least 99.7 GC area %, and an isopropyl bromide content of no more than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: William B. Harrod, Bonnie G. McKinnie, Alireza M. Dadgar, Tyson J. Hall
  • Patent number: 8178696
    Abstract: Processes are provided for combining nonsubstituted hydrazine (N2H4), a strong acid, alcohol, and tetraalkoxypropane to produce N-alkylpyrazole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Chubb, III, John J. Pascavage
  • Patent number: 8178691
    Abstract: Novel methods for producing 1,2,4-triazol-3-one from semicarbazide hydrochloride and formic acid are provided. In methods of this invention, water is used in removal of unreacted formic acid to increase yield and purity of produced 1,2,4-triazol-3-one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Belmont, John E. Chubb, III
  • Patent number: 8178692
    Abstract: Novel methods for producing 1,2,4-triazol-3-one from semicarbazide hydrochloride and formic acid are provided. In methods of this invention, ethanol is used in removal of unreacted formic acid to increase yield and purity of produced 1,2,4-triazol-3-one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen E. Belmont
  • Patent number: 8133467
    Abstract: Processes are provided for conjointly producing Br2 and a concentrated aqueous solution containing at least about 5 wt % CaCI2, based on the weight of the concentrated aqueous solution, from an aqueous HBr rich stream and, optionally, a feed brine dilute in CaCI2. Such processes can comprise feeding the aqueous HBr-rich stream and the feed brine to a tower, oxidizing bromide moieties within the tower with Cl2 to produce Br2, recovering Br2 from the tower, removing a bromide-depleted bottoms from the tower, such bottoms containing HCI, adding a Ca++ source to the bromide-depleted bottoms to convert substantially all of the HCI in the bottoms to CaCI2, and, as necessary, removing water from the treated bottoms to produce the concentrated aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Joe D. Sauer, George W. Cook, Jr., Tyson J. Hall, George A. Newbill
  • Patent number: 8133469
    Abstract: Processes are provided for conjointly producing Br2 and a concentrated aqueous solution containing at least about 5 wt % CaCI2, based on the weight of the concentrated aqueous solution, from an HBr-rich recycle stream and a feed brine dilute in CaCI2. wherein the aqueous HBr-rich stream is produced from an HBr-rich recycle stream and a portion of the feed brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Joe D. Sauer, George W. Cook, Jr., Tyson J. Hall
  • Patent number: 8133468
    Abstract: Processes are provided for conjointly producing Br2, a concentrated aqueous solution containing CaCI2, and Cl2 from an aqueous HBr-rich stream and a feed brine dilute in CaCI2 that comprises NaCI. Such processes can comprise feeding the aqueous HBr-rich stream and the feed brine to a tower, oxidizing bromide moieties within the tower with Cl2 from a Cl2 source, at least a portion of which is produced according to this invention, to produce Br2, recovering Br2 from the tower, removing a bromide-depleted bottoms from the tower, such bottoms containing HCI, adding a Ca++ source to the bromide-depleted bottoms to convert substantially all of the HCI in the bottoms to CaCI2, as necessary, removing water from the treated bottoms to produce the concentrated aqueous solution, producing Cl2 and caustics from residual chlorides such as NaCI, and using at least a portion of the thus produced Cl2 in the Cl2 source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Joe D. Sauer, George W. Cook, Jr., Tyson J. Hall, George A. Newbill
  • Patent number: 8129325
    Abstract: Certain substituted phenolic compounds when used with or without 1,2-epoxides as the sole stabilizer components are very effective in stabilizing n-propyl bromide (NPB). In a standard commercially important 60° C. stability test, representative substituted phenolic compounds used pursuant to this invention, can enable NPB to pass the test even though present at levels of about 50 ppm (wt/wt) or less in NPB containing no other stabilizer additive component. In fact, amounts as low as 1 ppm have been found effective with various substituted phenolic compounds. In addition, it has been found that one of the preferred stabilizers of this invention—2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol—even though higher boiling than NPB, left inconsequential amounts of residue at least throughout the range of 1 to 30 ppm (wt/wt). Also, it has been found that certain other preferred stabilizers of this invention can provide synergistically improved stability in passing the 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Albermarle Corporation
    Inventors: Bonnie Gary McKinnie, Joseph H. Miller
  • Patent number: 8119846
    Abstract: Described is a process for separating an organic phase comprising mainly propyl bromide from a crude reaction mixture formed by free-radical catalyzed hydrobromination of propylene with hydrogen bromide. The process comprises (A) feeding cold water into an upper or mid-portion of a packed column; (B) concurrently feeding the crude reaction mixture into an upper portion and/or mid-portion of the column so that the water contacts the crude reaction mixture; to form a mixture of (i) an acidic aqueous phase comprising aqueous hydrogen bromide and (ii) an organic phase comprising propyl bromide; (C) withdrawing the resultant phases from said column, at a rate comparable to the feeds being made into the column; and (D) separating the phases to form an upper acidic aqueous phase comprising aqueous hydrogen bromide superposed on a lower liquid organic phase comprising propyl bromide, and separating these upper and lower phases from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Alvin E. Harkins, Jr., James E. Torres, Keith G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8048435
    Abstract: A process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation is described. Mixed together are (a) bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 12, 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. A continuous process for producing the concentrated liquid biocide composition is provided. This process comprises continuously feeding into mixing apparatus (i) bromine and (ii) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid; the desired product is withdrawn from the mixing apparatus at a rate sufficient to enable the continuous feeding to be maintained. Also described are methods for disinfecting surfaces and for sanitizing bodies of water using a single-feed, bromine-based biocide. These methods use concentrated liquid biocide compositions comprising biocidally active bromine as the biocide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Moore, Jr., Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Patent number: 8033898
    Abstract: Methods of processing four-legged slaughter animals for consumption as meat and/or meat product(s) are described. The methods comprise I) contacting exterior surfaces of the live animal at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, such contacting occurring at least once when the animal is en route to being slaughtered but before it is killed by exsanguination; or II) contacting the carcass of the animal, after exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin or III) contacting at least one raw meat product and/or at least one processed meat product derived from the carcass. The contacting can be done one or more times in each of I), II), and III). Considerable advantages, which are described, are realized when using such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: James L. McNaughton, Eric W. Liimatta
  • Patent number: 8002614
    Abstract: Methods of processing four-legged slaughter animals for consumption as meat and/or meat product(s) are described. The methods comprise I) contacting exterior surfaces of the live animal at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one N,N?-bromochloro-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, such contacting occurring at least once when the animal is en route to being slaughtered but before it is killed by exsanguination; or II) contacting the carcass of the animal, after exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one N,N?-bromochloro-5,5-dialkylhydantoin or III) contacting at least one raw meat product and/or at least one processed meat product derived from the carcass. The contacting can be done one or more times in each of I), II), and III). Considerable advantages, which are described, are realized when using such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: James L. McNaughton, Eric W. Liimatta
  • Patent number: 7999118
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for the N-halogenation of at least one 5-hydrocarbyl hydantoin and/or at least one 5,5-dihydrocarbyl hydantoin. The process comprises concurrently feeding into a reaction zone (i) water, inorganic base, and 5,5-dimethylhydantoin, these being fed separately and/or in any combination(s), (ii) a separate feed of a brominating agent, and (iii) a separate feed of a chlorinating agent, in proportions such that during all or substantially all of the time the concurrent feeding is occurring halogenation of the 5-hydrocarbyl hydantoin and/or 5,5-dihydrocarbyl hydantoin occurs and resultant halogenated product precipitates in the liquid phase of an aqueous reaction mixture, and in which the pH of the liquid phase is continuously or substantially continuously maintained in the range of about 2.0 to about 8.0 during all or substantially all of the time the concurrent feeding is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Hassan Y. Elnagar, Bruce C. Peters, Edgar E. Spielman, Jr., Dustin H. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7985413
    Abstract: Microbiological control is achieved by continuously and inexpensively dosing water in contact with biofilm, or that comes into contact with biofilm, using a highly effective biocide that provides very effective microbiocidal control of planktonic microorganisms and of biofilm species, even where the biofilm infestations have been in existence for long periods of time and thus have encased themselves in a substantial quantity of slimy defensive polysaccharide layers or films. In addition, the biocide used makes possible significant reduction in copper and/or iron surfaces in contact with the water as compared to N,N?-bromochloro-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin. Still other advantages are made possible by the described technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan N. Howarth, Christopher J. Nalepa, Michael J. Sanders, David L. Shelton
  • Patent number: 7932292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of quaternary ammonium compounds in the remediation of microbial growth such as mold, funguses, and mildew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Joe D. Sauer, George W. Cook, Jr., Christopher S. Knight
  • Patent number: 7914365
    Abstract: Methods of processing four-legged slaughter animals for consumption as meat and/or meat product(s) are described. The methods comprise I) contacting exterior surfaces of the live animal at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one N,N?-bromochloro-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, such contacting occurring at least once when the animal is en route to being slaughtered but before it is killed by exsanguination; or II) contacting the carcass of the animal, after exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one N,N?-bromochloro-5,5-dialkylhydantoin or III) contacting at least one raw meat product and/or at least one processed meat product derived from the carcass. The contacting can be done one or more times in each of I), II), and III). Considerable advantages, which are described, are realized when using such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: James L. McNaughton, Eric L. Liimatta