Patents Assigned to Albemarle Corporation
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120041115
    Abstract: Novel polymer compositions of specified formula are converted into pellets of this invention by process technology provided by this invention. By forming a melt blend of a polymer of such polymer compositions together with a modest amount of at least one thermoplastic polymer of at least one monoolefmic monomer having 2-12 carbon atoms per molecule, and converting the melt blend into pellets as described herein, pellets can be formed produce during production, handling, and use, almost no “fines” or air-entrainable dusts. The pellets have an array of additional superior properties and characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Govindarajulu Kumar, Arthur G. Mack, Bo Liu, William J. Layman, Jr., Douglas W. Luther
  • Publication number: 20120035401
    Abstract: Novel polymer compositions of specified formula are converted into pellets of this invention by process technology provided by this invention. By forming a binder free melt of a polymer of such polymer compositions, and converting the melt into pellets as described here-in, pellets can be formed produce during production, handling, and use, no more than acceptably small amounts of “fines” or air-entrainable dusts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Govindarajulu Kumar, William J. Layman, JR., Bo Liu, Douglas W. Luther, Arthur G. Mack
  • Publication number: 20120004438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to low triphenyl phosphate, high phosphorous content aryl phosphates with high ortho alkylation that are suitable for use as flame retardant compositions, processes for their preparation, and their use as flame retardants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Layman, Arthur G. Mack, Techen Tsao, Jeffrey Todd Aplin, Hoover Chew, Douglas W. Luther
  • Patent number: 8088952
    Abstract: A new ionic compound is provided that is derived from N,N-dimethylaniline and pentafluorophenol in amounts such that there are at least 2 equivalents of pentafluorophenol per equivalent of the N,N-dimethylaniline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Lubin Luo, Zhike Wang, Steven P. Diefenbach, Xiao Wu
  • Patent number: 8088939
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing transition metal amides. In methods according to this invention, at least a halogenated transition metal and an amine are combined in a solvent to produce an intermediate composition and an alkylated metal or a Grignard reagent is added to the intermediate composition to produce the transition metal amide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie R. Strickler, Feng-Jung Wu
  • Patent number: 8088311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flame retarding composition that comprises a mixture of a metal hydroxide component and a clay component, the mixture being present in the form of dried particles with monomodal particle size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Rene Gabriel Erich Herbiet, Mario Neuenhaus, Winfried Toedt
  • Patent number: 8080626
    Abstract: This invention provides chain extender compositions. These compositions comprise (i) an aromatic primary diamine, and (ii) a component selected from the group consisting of: (a) an aliphatic secondary diamine; (b) an aliphatic primary diamine; (c) an aliphatic secondary diamine and an aliphatic primary diamine; (d) a diimine; and (e) a combination of any two or more of (a) through (d). When (ii) is (a), (a) has amino hydrocarbyl groups which are secondary or tertiary hydrocarbyl groups; when (ii) is (d), and (d) is an aromatic diimine, each imino hydrocarbylidene group has at least two carbon atoms. Processes for producing polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurea-urethanes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Wiggins, John Y. Lee, Judit Orgad
  • Patent number: 8076518
    Abstract: This invention provides chain extender compositions. These compositions comprise (i) an aliphatic secondary diamine, and (ii) a component selected from the group consisting of: (a) a cycloaliphatic primary diamine; (b) an aliphatic secondary diamine; (c) an aliphatic secondary diamine and an aliphatic primary diamine; (d) an aliphatic diimine; and (e) a combination of any two or more of (a) through (d), with the proviso that when (ii) is (a), (i) is a noncyclic aliphatic secondary diamine. Processes for producing polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurea-urethanes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Wiggins, John Y. Lee, Judit Orgad, David W. Owens
  • Publication number: 20110301395
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing triphenylene by combining at least dodecahydrotriphenylene, a dehydrogenation catalyst such as palladium on carbon, and an aliphatic solvent having a boiling point greater than 180° C. to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to at least about 180° C. but lower than the boiling point of the aliphatic solvent, maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at 180° C. but lower than the boiling point of the aliphatic solvent, and passing a purge fluid comprising an inert fluid through the reaction mixture, for a period of time adequate for production of triphenylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Coppola, Christopher D. Claeboe, Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 8071688
    Abstract: Concurrently fed into a reaction zone held at about 10° C. or less are brominating agent, aluminum halide catalyst, and a solution of anionic styrenic polymer having a GPC Mn about 2000-30,000. The components are in at least two separate feed streams. The feeds are proportioned to maintain (a) the amount of aluminum halide being fed at about 0.8 mole percent or less based on the amount of aromatic monomeric units in the polymer being fed, and (b) amounts of brominating agent and unbrominated polymer in the reaction zone that produce a final washed and dried polymer product containing about 60-71 wt % bromine. The catalyst is deactivated, bromide ions and catalyst residues are washed away from the reaction mixture, and the brominated anionic styrenic polymer is recovered and dried. The dried polymer has a volatile bromobenzene content of about 600 ppm (wt/wt) or less as well as other beneficial properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Kolich, John F. Balhoff, Martin B. Berdon, Ronny W. Lin
  • Patent number: 8067088
    Abstract: Despite the frangibility of additive-free granules of brominated anionic styrenic polymer, pellets of unadulterated brominated anionic styrenic polymer are provided having 50 wt % or more bromine content, in which 70 wt % or more of the pellets are retained on a US No. 40 sieve and no more than 30 wt % are retained on a US No. 5 sieve. These pellets contain no binding agent and they do not break apart or revert to small particles and finely divided powder, typically called “fines” when subjected to ordinary handling. More specifically, no more than about 5 wt %, preferably no more than about 3 wt %, and more preferably no more than about 1 wt % of these pellets as formed and packaged are fines or dusts that can pass through a US No. 40 sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas W. Luther
  • Publication number: 20110288225
    Abstract: High assay, reaction-derived decabromodiphenylethane product is prepared by feeding (i) diphenylethane or (ii) partially brominated diphenylethane having an average bromine number less than about two, or (iii) both of (i) and (ii), into the liquid confines of a reaction mixture. Such reaction mixture is (a) formed from components comprised of excess liquid bromine and aluminum-based Lewis acid bromination catalyst, and (b) maintained at one or more elevated reaction temperatures of from about 45°-90° C., and at least when elevated pressure is needed to keep a liquid state in the reaction mixture at the temperature(s) used, the reaction mixture is at such an elevated pressure, whereby ar-bromination occurs. The feeding is conducted at a rate slow enough to form high assay reaction-derived decabromodiphenylethane product, which is an effective flame retardant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saadat Hussain, Arthur G. Mack
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110262510
    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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventor: Hassan Y. Elnagar
  • 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: 8034986
    Abstract: Solid-state highly brominated compounds such as solid brominated flame retardants with bromine contents of at least about 60 wt % often contain occluded bromine. Because of their high bromine contents, such compounds have relatively low solubility in common organic solvents. Despite this low solubility, the content of occluded bromine in such solid brominated compounds is effectively reduced by agitating a concentrated agitated slurry of the compound in an inert solvent at a suitable temperature for at least about 1 hour. Thereafter, solids with reduced content of occluded bromine are isolated or recovered from the slurry. Novel products having substantially reduced or eliminated occluded bromine contents and other very desirable characteristics are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Saadat Hussain, Arthur G. Mack
  • Publication number: 20110240150
    Abstract: A process and system for detecting pluggage in a conduit that is feeding a solid and carrier gas to a flowing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Xin Liu
  • Publication number: 20110237144
    Abstract: This invention relates to a phosphorus flame retardant composition formed from bringing together components comprising: a) a cyclic phosphanate flame retardant comprising (5-ethyl-2-methyl-2-oxido-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl methyl ester of P-alkylphosphonic acid, and bis[(5-ethyl-2-methyI-2-oxido-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl]ester of P-alkylphosphonic acid; and b) an alkylated triaryl phosphate ester flame retardant having a triphenyl phosphate (TTP) content of less than about 1 wt % based on the total weight of the alkylated triaryl phosphate ester. This invention further relates to the use of this phosphorus flame retardant composition especially for in polyurethane foams and textile applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hoover B. Chew, William J. Layman, JR., Arthur G. Mack, Ravindra R. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20110237835
    Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing branched alkyl-substituted-anilines, such as 2-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)aniline. Such methods comprise combining aniline, an alkyl-substituted-1-alkene, such as 4-methyl-i-pentene, and an aluminum alkyl catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventor: Kannappan Chockalingam