Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas E. Nemo
  • Patent number: 5510563
    Abstract: A method for recovering crystalline 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene comprising crystallizing in a scraped-wall crystallizer apparatus at crystallization temperature T, a mixture of low melting components, LM, having melting points of 70.degree. F. and below, and high melting components (HM), including 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, having melting points above 70.degree. F., such that: ##EQU1## where HM is the total weight percent of high melting components, including 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, in the mixture, and LM is the total weight percent of low melting components in the mixture, and where T is the temperature of the crystallization in degrees Fahrenheit, and where A is at least 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Smith, John M. Weis, Yenamandra Viswanath
  • Patent number: 5502247
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery and purification of dibasic aromatic acids or esters thereof from waste polyester film, fiber, bottles, manufacturing residues, and other manufactured articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Bartos, Bruce I. Rosen, Jeffrey I. Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 5473102
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery and purification of dibasic aromatic acids from waste polyester film, fiber, bottles, manufacturing residues, and other manufactured articles. The processes comprises: depolymerization of polyester resin in a molten polyester resin containing solvent with superheated stem, and vaporization of the aromatic carboxylic acid and other volatile products of hydrolysis to obtain a vaporized mixture containing aromatic acid, dihydric alcohol, other volatile products of hydrolysis, and water. This vapor mixture is, advantageously, substantially free of less volatile and non-volatile impurities including metals, and many colored and color causing compounds, which are, typically, found in post-consumer polyester resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Floyd Johnson, David L. Sikkenga, Kalpana Danawala, Bruce I. Rosen
  • Patent number: 5453538
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of aromatic dicarboxylic acids is disclosed using a low bromine to metals ratio facilitated by the use of cerium along with the cobalt and manganese catalyst. Aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as terephthalic acid are useful in the manufacture of fiber, films, bottles and molded products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Broeker, Walter Partenheimer, Bruce I. Rosen
  • Patent number: 5439861
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide by partial oxidation of hydrocarbyl compounds using a source of oxygen comprising molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, or mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising thermally stable mixtures formed by heat treating a hydrotalcite-like compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Mark S. Kleefisch, Carl A. Udovich
  • Patent number: 5414113
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery and purification of dibasic aromatic acids from waste polyester film, fiber, bottles, manufacturing residues, and other manufactured articles. The processes comprises: depolymerizing polyester resin in a solvent under conditions suitable for hydrolysis of ester bonds to obtain a mixture containing a solution of aromatic acid and impurities consisting of alcohol and/or other components of the resin; burning impurities in a liquid-phase oxidation with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidation catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures, to obtain an oxidation product containing the desired aromatic acid; and crystallizing and separating from the oxidation system a resulting crude dibasic aromatic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Broeker, John A. Macek, Mossman: Allen B., Bruce I. Rosen, Thomas M. Bartos
  • Patent number: 5412108
    Abstract: A method for preparing cis, cis, cis-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid comprising contacting trimellitic acid with molecular hydrogen at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst comprising a transition metal deposited on a carbon support having a surface area of at least about 940 m.sup.2 /gram, and the anhydride formed by dehydrating cis, cis, cis-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Allison M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 5401892
    Abstract: A method for preparing one or more specific dimethyltetralins from either 5-(o-, m-, or p-tolyl)-pent-1- or -2-ene or 5-phenyl-hex-1- or -2-ene, and optionally for preparing one or more specific dimethylnaphthalenes from the aforesaid dimethyltetralins is disclosed wherein the orthotolylpentene or phenylhexane is cyclized to the dimethyltetralin using an ultra-stable crystalline aluminosilicate molecular sieve Y-zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Sikkenga, Ian C. Zaenger, Joyce D. Lamb, Gregory S. Williams
  • Patent number: 5401705
    Abstract: Improved catalysts and a method for preparing improved catalysts suitable for the selective dehydrogenation of dehydrogenatable organic compounds which method comprises contacting a composition comprising a platinum group metal component and a halide component on an alumina support material with an aqueous alkaline solution of an alkali metal salt, the amount of solution being in excess of the amount absorbed by the composition; partitioning the composition from remaining solution to form a treated composition and a filtrate containing solubilized halide removed from the composition; and drying the treated composition to form the catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Amelse
  • Patent number: 5399537
    Abstract: A method and nickel-containing catalyst are disposed for preparing synthesis gas by the reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound using an oxygen-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Wen-Dong Chang, Mark S. Kleefisch, Carl A. Udovich
  • Patent number: 5364979
    Abstract: A catalyzed, continuous vapor phase process to convert a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and, optionally, one or more C.sub.1 or higher alcohols, for example methanol and ethanol, to a mixture containing at least one higher molecular weight alcohol, for example, isobutanol, over a catalyst which is essentially magnesium oxide. The process also may have a lower aldehyde and/or ketone in the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Cecelia A. Radlowski, Gary P. Hagen, Lewis E. Grimes, David F. Tatterson
  • Patent number: 5354898
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the purification of crude aromatic carboxylic acid by passing a solution of crude aromatic carboxylic acid in the presence of hydrogen through a first zone containing a hydrogenation catalyst based on a carbon carrier material then passing the solution through an abrasion resistant material thereby reducing the amount of carbon particles contained in the purified aromatic carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Hobe Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5354932
    Abstract: A catalytic process for the conversion of hydrocarbons is described. Catalyst in this improved process is made by thermally activating a hydrotalcite-type clay of formula:M.sup.2+.sub.2x M.sup.3+.sub.2 (OH).sub.4x+4 A.sup.n-.sub.2/n.ZH.sub.2 Owhere M.sup.2+ is one or more metal ion selected from the group consisting of Mg.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+ Cu.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Co.sup.2+, Mn.sup.2+ and Fe.sup.2+ and M.sup.3+ is one or more metal ion selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.3+, Co.sup.3+, Mn.sup.3+ and Cr.sup.3+, x runs between 1.5 and 5, A is one or more anions selected from the group consisting of B(OH).sub.4.sup.-, [B.sub.3 O.sub.3 (OH).sub.4 ].sup.-, V.sub.2 O.sub.7.sup.4-, V.sub.4 O.sub.12.sup.4-, and V.sub.3 O.sub.9.sup.3-, n is 1, 3 or 4, and Z runs between 0 and about 4. These hydrotalcite-type clays have an X-ray diffraction d(001) value greater than about 7.7 Angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Mark P. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 5350874
    Abstract: A continuous process for preparing a dialkylester of a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid comprising passing a liquid phase reaction mixture comprising a low molecular weight alcohol, a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and a dialkylester of a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid at an elevated temperature through series arranged reaction zones while introducing a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and a low molecular weight alcohol to an upstream reaction zone, agitating at least one reaction zone, and removing a liquid product mixture comprising the dialkylester of the naphthalenedicarboxylic acid produced by the reaction of the naphthalenedicarboxylic acid with the low molecular weight alcohol from a downstream reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Paul K. Behrens, Juergen K. Holzhauer, Gregory P. Hussmann, David L. Sikkenga
  • Patent number: 5342968
    Abstract: A process for making relatively high purity eulfonylbis(phthalic anhydride) is provided. 3,3',4,4'-tetramethyl diphenyl sulfone is catalytically oxidized in a solvent under liquid phase elevated temperature and pressure conditions. The catalyst is constituted by cobalt, manganese, zirconium, and bromine. Sulfonylbis(phthalic) acid is recovered by crystallization and is then heated to produce the anhydride. Preferably, the acid is purified prior to dehydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen P. Brugge, Juergen K. Holzhauer, Thomas E. Wolff
  • Patent number: 5334796
    Abstract: An improved process for alkylating an alkylaromatic having at least one benzylic hydrogen atom with an olefinic compound comprising contacting the alkylaromatic under liquid phase conditions with an olefinic compound in the presence of at least one alkali metal activated by amine compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Lillwitz, Anne M. Karachewski
  • Patent number: 5332838
    Abstract: The present invention is a cyclization process utilizing the catalyst copper aluminum borate which process comprises the step of contacting (1) a compound having a fragment in which a carbon-containing chain of at least three atoms in sequence is bonded at one end thereof to a nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, and at the opposite end to a carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, where the latter are bonded to at least one hydrogen atom; with (2) a catalyst comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of copper aluminum borate and zero valent copper on a support comprising aluminum borate, under conditions sufficient to effect ring closure between the ends of the fragment to obtain a compound comprising a heterocyclic ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick E. McMahon, Larry C. Satek
  • Patent number: 5331082
    Abstract: High quality linear polyester resin is prepared by reacting in a first step or zone 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid with a molten prepolymer derived from a glycol and 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid to form a low molecular weight product of the first step or zone; reacting this resultant product with a glycol in at least two successive steps or zones of glycol addition to form prepolymer; and polymerizing at least a portion of the resulting prepolymer to form polyester resin which exhibits midpoint glass transition temperatures above about 123.degree. C. The resulting prepolymer is particularly suitable for reaction with the 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid in the first step or zone. Advantageously, at least a portion of the prepolymer is, therefore, returned to the first step or zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Allen B. Mossman, John A. Macek, Lawrence G. Packer
  • Patent number: 5324702
    Abstract: Compositions comprising certain metal-containing materials distributed interactively on a deboronated HAMS-1B crystalline borosilicate molecular sieve which are useful for catalytically oxidizing or oxidatively dehydrogenating organic compounds such as alkanes, aromatics, and alkyl-substituted aromatics are described. Alkanes are oxidatively dehydrogenated to olefins, and an aromatic compound such as benzene can be oxidized by nitric and/or nitrous oxide to largely phenol or largely nitrobenzene depending upon the oxidation temperature. When the compound is a methylaromatic, oxidation produces an aromatic aldehyde. Alkyl groups larger than methyl oxidatively dehydrogenate to alkenyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Jin S. Yoo, Mark S. Kleefisch, John A. Donohue
  • Patent number: 5292934
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an aromatic carboxylic acid comprising oxidizing in the liquid phase an aromatic feed compound containing at least one alkyl or acyl group with a molecular oxygen-containing gas, in a solvent comprising a low molecular weight aliphatic carboxylic acid, and in the presence of a heavy metal oxidation catalyst, thereby forming an oxidation reaction product mixture comprising an aromatic carboxylic acid; subsequently heating the oxidation reaction product mixture at a temperature of at least about 500.degree. F. to form a second product mixture; and recovering from the second product mixture the aromatic carboxylic acid. The method of this invention provides for purer, larger particle size aromatic carboxylic acid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Sikkenga, George E. Kuhlmann, Paul K. Behrens, Martin A. Zeitlin, Stephen V. Hoover