Patents Assigned to ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
  • Chloride containing silver catalysts for propylene epoxidation
    Patent number: 5965480
    Abstract: Direct oxidation of propylene to propylene oxide is accomplished using alkaline earth metal compound-supported silver catalysts containing an inorganic chloride promoter and a potassium promoter derived from a potassium salt containing a nitrogen oxyanion or precursor thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Bernard Cooker, Anne M. Gaffney, Jennifer D. Jewson, Wilson H. Onimus
  • Process for making clear polyurethane/urea elastomers
    Patent number: 5962619
    Abstract: A process for making clear elastomers is disclosed. First, a polyol having a narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn<1.5) reacts an aromatic diisocyanate at an NCO/OH ratio from about 1.3 to about 3.0 to give a non-viscous isocyanate-terminated prepolymer. A mixture that contains this prepolymer and an aliphatic diisocyanate is then reacted with an aromatic diamine to give a clear elastomer. The elastomers have excellent overall physical and mechanical properties, including resilience greater than 55%. The elastomers are valuable for in-line skates and other applications for which clarity is important.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Seneker, Chin-Chang Shen
  • Isocyanate residue purification
    Patent number: 5962728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for isolating aliphatic isocyanate monomer(s) from a liquid or viscous paste composition comprising polymeric isocyanate residues and the aliphatic isocyanate monomer(s), and for isolating solid polymeric isocyanate residue from said composition. Also disclosed is the aliphatic isocyanate monomer(s) and the solid polymeric isocyanate byproduct produced by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Mason, Farhad Fadakar, Joseph P. Bridges, Larry K. Butler, Majid Keyvani
  • Method for decreasing the propensity for phase-out of the high molecular weight component of double metal cyanide-catalyzed high secondary hydroxyl polyoxypropylene polyols
    Patent number: 5958994
    Abstract: During polyoxyalkylation in the presence of certain double metal cyanide catalysts, a very high molecular weight hydrophobic fraction, i.e. a "tail", is produced during preparation of high secondary hydroxyl polyols which is believed to contribute to foam collapse in polyurethane foam formulations. The processing latitude of such foams may be improved by altering the hydrophile/lipophile balance of the high molecular weight tail by oxyalkylating with a mixture of ethylene oxide and higher alkylene oxide during the greatest portion of total oxyalkylation such that essentially pure higher alkylene oxide is present in a terminal portion of oxyalkylation not exceeding 15 weight percent of total polyol weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Lear, Oliver D. Sloan, Jose F. Pazos
  • Water-reducible resins for coatings and inks
    Patent number: 5959035
    Abstract: Water-reducible resins, neutralized resins, and derivatized resins useful for water-borne and solvent-based coatings and inks, powder coatings, and anti-corrosive coatings are disclosed. The water-reducible resins are copolymers of a vinyl aromatic monomer, a propoxylated allyl alcohol, and an acrylic acid monomer. These low-molecular-weight resins uniquely contain both hydroxyl and acid functional groups, and allow controlled curing with a variety of crosslinkers in coating systems. Coatings of the invention are useful in many applications, e.g., automotive basecoats, industrial appliance coatings, and wood finishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Shao-Hua Guo
  • Process for the preparation of polymer polyol dispersions
    Patent number: 5955534
    Abstract: Polymer polyols and polymer-modified polyols having substantially no transition metal content in the polyol continuous phase may be prepared from encapsulative double metal cyanide complex-catalyzed polyoxy-alkylene polyether base polyols without substantial removal of double metal cyanide complex catalyst residues from the base polyol and subsequent in situ polymerization of one or more polymerizable monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald W. Simroth, Xinhua Zhou, Charles V. Rose
  • Double metal cyanide complex catalysts modified with Group IIA compounds
    Patent number: 5952261
    Abstract: Highly active double metal cyanide complex catalysts useful for epoxide polymerization are prepared by reacting zinc chloride or other metal salt with potassium hexacyanocobaltate or other metal cyanide salt in the presence of a Group IIA compound such as calcium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: George Combs
  • Process for making water-resistant polyetherester resins and thermosets
    Patent number: 5952436
    Abstract: A general approach to making water-resistant polyetherester resins and thermosets is disclosed. In one aspect, an unsaturated polyetherester resin prepared by inserting a carboxylic acid derivative into a polyether is co-cured with a vinyl monomer and a di- or polyisocyanate to give a water-resistant, thermoset that has excellent dimensional stability, flexibility, and strength properties. Processes for making low-viscosity resins that give thermosets with good water resistance are also described. In one process, an unsaturated polyetherester resin intermediate reacts with a mono-functional isocyanate or fatty alcohol to produce an easy-to-formulate, low-viscosity, low-molecular-weight capped resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Gangfeng Cai, Jeffrey A. Klang, Lau S. Yang
  • Two-stage dinitrotoluene production process
    Patent number: 5948944
    Abstract: A multi-step process for producing DNT employing a mononitration step in a single liquid phase at an elevated temperature using a carefully controlled amount of water, followed by a phase separation step prior to dinitration of the MNT present in the resulting organic phase. This process results in a DNT product with a desired isomer ratio of 2,4-DNT to 2,6-DNT and provide relatively fast nitration rates with less by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Chunjie Zhang, Buford T. Pennington, Jeffrey W. Baird, Allen B. Quakenbush, Stephen L. Goldstein, Donald L. Lickei, Peter J. Whitman
  • Epoxidation catalyst and process
    Patent number: 5932751
    Abstract: A titanium/silica epoxidation catalyst is prepared from silica which has been treated with strong aqueous acid solution, the catalyst is especially useful for propylene oxide production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Carroll, Yuan-Zhang Han, Edrick Morales
  • Viscosity-stable isocyanate-terminated prepolymers and polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols having improved storage stability
    Patent number: 5919888
    Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene polyols containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof as are produced during the preparation of polyoxyalkylene polyols by the double metal cyanide complex catalyzed oxyalkylation of a suitably functional hydric initiator are stable without catalyst removal. Isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared from such polyols are surprisingly viscosity-stable relative to similar prepolymers prepared from polyols not containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Stephen D. Seneker, Nigel Barksby
  • Foam test for double metal cyanide-catalyzed polyols
    Patent number: 5919988
    Abstract: Double metal cyanide-catalyzed polyols are made by an improved process in which a starter is continuously added during polymerization of the epoxide. The process includes a continuously added starter (S.sub.c), and optionally, an initially charged starter (S.sub.i). The continuously added starter comprises at least about 2 equivalent percent of the total starter used. The process enables the use of water and low molecular weight polyol starters in DMC-catalyzed polyol synthesis. In addition, the process gives polyether polyols having reduced levels of high molecular weight polyol tail, which can adversely affect polyurethane foam processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Jose F. Pazos, Veril C. Jividen
  • Process for making hydroxy-functional acrylic resins having low residual allyl monomer content
    Patent number: 5919874
    Abstract: A process for making hydroxy-functional resins based on acrylate, hydroxyalkylacrylate, and allyl monomers is disclosed. The key to the process is to add the hydroxyalkylacrylate monomer in an amount and manner effective to produce a resin that contains, without vacuum stripping, less than about 1 wt. % of residual unreacted allyl monomers. Eliminating the need to vacuum strip the allyl monomer reduces process costs and enables the synthesis of new resins. The hydroxy-functional resins are readily crosslinked with melamines, polyisocyanates, or epoxies to give thermoset polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Shao-Hua Guo
  • Heterogeneous catalyst regeneration
    Patent number: 5916835
    Abstract: The catalytic activity of a titanium-containing heterogeneous catalyst such as titania-on-silica which has been used to catalyze olefin epoxidation is effectively restored by washing the catalyst with water, alcohol, ether, nitrile, ester, aromatic hydrocarbon, or ketone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Carroll, Edrick Morales, Yuan-Zhang Han
  • High efficiency epoxidation process
    Patent number: 5912367
    Abstract: Propylene is converted to propylene oxide in a highly efficient liquid phase process wherein temperature and pressure are both increased over the course of the epoxidation, which is preferably conducted in a continuous mode of operation. The catalyst used is a heterogeneous catalyst such as titanium silicalite or titania-on-silica. The oxidizing agent is an active oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide or an organic hydroperoxide. When the desired yield of propylene oxide can no longer be maintained, the catalyst is replaced or regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Te Chang
  • Double metal cyanide catalysts
    Patent number: 5900384
    Abstract: Double metal cyanide catalysts, prepared by drying a catalyst slurry by a non-agglomerative drying method such as spray drying or freeze drying, directly produces catalyst particles of fine particle size such that intensive grinding is not required. The catalysts thus produced are different from conventionally dried particles in that polyoxyalkylation may be conducted with less reactor fouling and a polyoxyalkylene product of lower unsaturation and narrower polydispersity may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology L.P.
    Inventors: Ahmad Soltani-Ahmadi, Bi Le-Khac, Gerald A. Bullano
  • Cyanide complex catalyst manufacturing process
    Patent number: 5891818
    Abstract: In the preparation of double metal cyanide complex catalysts, higher catalyst yield and higher catalyst activity may be obtained by recirculating a stream of catalyst dispersion to the reactor head space in the form of a spray, and by directing this or another circulation loop stream through a high shear in-line mixer. The process economics and catalyst purity may be increased by increasing the solids content of the wet centrifuge/filtration cake to higher solids by pressing the wet cake, preferably by diaphragm squeezing. The number of washes may be decreased thereby without affecting catalyst quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Ahmad Soltani-Ahmadi
  • Propylene oxide and derivatives process
    Patent number: 5892066
    Abstract: Propylene is oxidized with molecular oxygen in the liquid phase to form products including propylene oxide, propylene glycol, propylene glycol esters, allyl alcohol, acrolein and acetal, the acrolein is hydrogenated to allyl alcohol, the acetol is hydrogenated to propylene glycol, the propylene glycol esters are hydrolyzed to propylene glycol, and propylene oxide, propylene glycol and allyl alcohol are recovered as products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Roger A. Grey
  • Process for making vinyl aromatic/allyl alcohol copolymers
    Patent number: 5886114
    Abstract: An improved process for making vinyl aromatic/allylic alcohol copolymers is disclosed. Gradual addition of a free-radical initiator during the course of the polymerization results in a substantial increase in the polymer yield obtained compared with the yield from conventional processes in which all of the free-radical initiator is charged initially. High yields are obtained when the monomer mole ratios are adjusted to produce styrene-allyl alcohol copolymers having a hydroxyl number in the 50-150 mg KOH/g range. Copolymers made by the process are valuable coating resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Shao-Hua Guo
  • Process stream purification
    Patent number: 5883268
    Abstract: Ethylbenzene hydroperoxide suitable for epoxidizing an olefin using a heterogeneous titanium catalyst is provided by the sequence of:a) flashing acids containing ethylbenzene peroxidase to reduce the temperature thereof to 170.degree. F. or lower,b) contacting the flash bottoms with aqueous base and separating a base contaminated deacidified hydroperoxide stream from an organics contaminated aqueous stream,c) removing organics from the organics contaminated aqueous stream by extraction with ethylbenzene,d) separating base from the base contaminated deacidified hydroperoxide stream by water extraction, ande) stripping water from deacidified water extracted hydroperoxide stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Shaw-Chan Lin, Jeffery B. Danner, John C. Jubin, Jr.