Patents Assigned to ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
  • Process for making crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone with low swell volume
    Patent number: 6512066
    Abstract: A two-step, base-catalyzed process for making crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-P) having a low swell volume is disclosed. A crosslinker is generated “in situ” in the first step by heating a basic aqueous mixture containing a relatively low concentration of N-vinylpyrrolidone under added inert gas pressure. In a second step, the reactor temperature is reduced to initiate polymerization. The process is a productive way to make PVP-P that is easy to isolate and purify. The polymer has a swell volume less than about 40 mL H2O/10 g polymer, which makes it valuable for beverage clarification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Beth M. Steinmetz, Robert M. Arrell
  • Epoxidation process
    Patent number: 6512129
    Abstract: Insoluble resinous sodium materials are separated from a hydroperoxide/olefin epoxidation feed by contact with a fine screen or a bed of coalescing solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Xiangmin Li, David W. Leyshon
  • Use of 2-methyl-1, 3-propanediol and polycarboxylate builders in laundry detergents
    Patent number: 6511952
    Abstract: A liquid laundry detergent formulation is described including a surfactant, a polycarboxylate builder and a 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol carrier solvent. A particularly preferred builder comprises a non-hydrophobically modified, acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer, wherein the polyether portion comprises moieties derived from at least two constituents selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Steven A. Schwartz
  • Propylene oxide purification
    Patent number: 6500311
    Abstract: A mixture of propylene oxide and methanol is separated by liquid/liquid extraction using water and a hydrocarbon such as n-octane as extractive solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Gary A. Sawyer
  • Direct epoxidation process using a mixed catalyst system
    Patent number: 6498259
    Abstract: The liquid-phase epoxidation reaction of an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst mixture containing a titanium zeolite and a supported catalyst surprisingly produces less ring-opened products such as glycols when performed in the presence of a buffer. This is particularly surprising because a typical palladium on titanium zeolite catalyst is little effected by the presence of a buffer. Surprisingly, the use of a buffer also typically improves the activity of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. Grey, C. Andrew Jones
  • Plastic and semisolid edible shortening products with reduced trans-fatty acid content
    Patent number: 6495188
    Abstract: Esterified propoxylated glycerine (“EPG”) may replace up to 100% of the partially hydrogenated vegetable oil content of an edible shortening product to produce a stable emulsion containing less trans-fatty acid content. A variety of shortenings may be produced, including those used for baking, frying, and as pan coatings (release agents). A butter-like product may be produced which exhibits spreading characteristics very similar to real butter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology L.P.
    Inventors: Harry Mazurek, Michael R. Ferenz
  • Process for making reactive unsaturated polyester resins from 2-methyl-1, 3-propanediol
    Patent number: 6492487
    Abstract: A two-step process for making reactive unsaturated polyester resins is disclosed. First, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivative reacts with 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD) to produce an ester diol intermediate. The intermediate reacts with maleic anhydride and from about 15 to about 40 mole percent, based on the total glycol requirement, of propylene glycol. By shifting some glycol to the second step, and by using propylene glycol there, resin producers can easily make MPD-based UPR having a fumarate content greater than 85%. The resins give thermosets with improved physical properties, including excellent water resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Lau S. Yang, Edmund Baylis, Patrice Gosset
  • Impurities separation by distillation
    Patent number: 6478930
    Abstract: A distillation procedure is provided for the separation of impurities from organic materials such as glycols and glycol ethers whereby a liquid stripping component is interfaced into a distillation column with or below the organic material introduction, heat being provided by a reboiler, the stripping component and impurities being removed overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Vijai P. Gupta
  • Process for producing hydrogen peroxide
    Patent number: 6468496
    Abstract: A supported gold-containing catalyst is effective for producing hydrogen peroxide from the direct liquid-phase reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, Roger A. Grey
  • Coatings and inks based on solvents having negligible photochemical reactivity
    Patent number: 6462117
    Abstract: Coating and ink compositions based on organic solvents that have negligible photochemical reactivity and methods for making them are disclosed. The organic solvents have calculated oxidation rate constants of less than about 1×1010 cm3/g·sec, and evaporation rates of not more than about 5 times that of n-butyl acetate. Coatings made by the method of the invention are used for wood, furniture, automotive, container, architectural, coil, aerosol, marine, transportation, industrial, ink, overprint varnish, and road-coating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Pourreau, Shao-Hua Guo
  • Preparation of vinyl aromatic-allylic alcohol copolymers
    Patent number: 6455657
    Abstract: A process for preparing vinyl aromatic-allylic alcohol copolymers, such as styrene-allyl alcohol (SAA) copolymers, is disclosed. The process is conducted in the presence of a solvent, which enables the preparation of copolymers having both low hydroxyl functionalities and low molecular weights. SAA copolymers produced by the process have an average hydroxyl functionality less than about 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Shao-Hua Guo, Wei Wang, Daniel B. Pourreau
  • Plastic and semisolid edible shortening products with reduced trans-fatty acid content
    Publication number: 20020119240
    Abstract: Esterified propoxylated glycerine (“EPG ”) may replace up to 100% of the partially hydrogenated vegetable oil content of an edible shortening product to produce a stable emulsion containing less trans-fatty acid content. A variety of shortenings may be produced, including those used for baking, frying, and as pan coatings (release agents).A butter-like product may be produced which exhibits spreading characteristics very similar to real butter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: ARCO Chemical Technology L.P.
    Inventors: Harry Mazurek, Michael R. Ferenz
  • Direct epoxidation process using a mixed catalyst system
    Patent number: 6441204
    Abstract: The invention is a liquid-phase process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst mixture comprising a titanium zeolite and a supported catalyst comprising palladium on niobium-containing support. The process is highly selective and productive for transforming olefins to epoxides in the liquid-phase reaction of an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Roger A. Grey
  • Direct epoxidation process using a palladium on niobium-containing support
    Patent number: 6441203
    Abstract: The invention is a liquid-phase process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising palladium on niobium-containing support. The process exhibits good productivity and selectivity for olefin epoxidation with hydrogen, and oxygen. This is particularly surprising because typical palladium-containing epoxidation catalysts require the presence of a titanium zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Roger A. Grey
  • Coatings and inks based on solvents having negligible photochemical reactivity
    Publication number: 20020115781
    Abstract: Coating and ink compositions based on organic solvents that have negligible photochemical reactivity and methods for making them are disclosed. The organic solvents have calculated oxidation rate constants of less than about 1×1010 cm3/g·sec, and evaporation rates of not more than about 5 times that of n-butyl acetate. Coatings made by the method of the invention are used for wood, furniture, automotive, container, architectural, coil, aerosol, marine, transportation, industrial, ink, overprint varnish, and road-coating applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Pourreau, Shao-Hua Guo
  • Hydroformylation process
    Patent number: 6426437
    Abstract: A process for the production of 1,4-butanediol is described. The process comprises hydroformylating allyl alcohol in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex, a ruthenium complex and a diphosphine ligand and hydrogenating the resulting 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde using the same catalyst system. The process gives high yield of 1,4-butanediol compared to 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Wilfred P. Shum
  • Purification of tertiary butyl alcohol
    Patent number: 6417412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to purification of a tertiary butyl alcohol process stream by contact in the liquid phase with a large pore zeolite such as 13X in the sodium form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kahn, Lawrence J. Karas
  • Direct epoxidation process using pre-treated titanium zeolite
    Patent number: 6417378
    Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a noble metal and pretreated titanium zeolite. Titanium zeolite pretreatment comprises contacting the titanium zeolite with a leaching agent prior to use in epoxidation. Surprisingly, the process using the pretreated titanium zeolite shows decreased ring-opening to unwanted glycols and glycol ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Dan Hancu
  • Polyester resins based on terephthalic acid and 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and processes for the preparation thereof
    Patent number: 6414085
    Abstract: Unsaturated terephthalate-based polyester resins (UPR) based on 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, a saturated dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof be prepared without use of a catalyst in reasonable cycle times. UPR based on these monomers exhibit exceptional solubility in styrene, and are thus useful in polyester molding resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Karas, Paul M. Puckett
  • Epoxidation catalyst and process
    Publication number: 20020072623
    Abstract: The stability of a noble metal/titanium zeolite catalyst is improved by elevated temperature calcination with an oxygen containing gas; the catalyst is useful in epoxidation involving the reaction of olefin, oxygen and hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: ARCO CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, L.P.
    Inventors: Bernard Cooker, Jennifer D. Jewson, Wilson H. Onimus