Patents Assigned to Tronox, LLC
  • Patent number: 8691167
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for handling carbonyl sulfide waste and waste metal halides produced in industrial processes and, more particularly chlorination processes. The process includes the steps of hydrolyzing the carbonyl sulfide to produce a waste stream containing hydrogen sulfide and sulfidizing the resulting hydrogen sulfide containing stream with a solution of the waste metal halides. The resulting metal sulfide and metal halide-containing stream can be neutralized before disposal of the produced waste solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventor: Harry Eugene Flynn
  • Patent number: 8663518
    Abstract: A method of producing a titanium dioxide pigment is provided. Also provided is a method of improving the processability of titanium dioxide particles without adversely affecting the rheological properties of the titanium dioxide particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Kamlesh G. Panjnani, David F. Marshall, Jeffrey D. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20140023573
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for handling carbonyl sulfide waste and waste metal halides produced in industrial processes and, more particularly chlorination processes. The process includes the steps of hydrolyzing the carbonyl sulfide to produce a waste stream containing hydrogen sulfide and sulfidizing the resulting hydrogen sulfide containing stream with a solution of the waste metal halides. The resulting metal sulfide and metal halide-containing stream can be neutralized before disposal of the produced waste solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Tronox, LLC
    Inventor: Harry Eugene Flynn
  • Publication number: 20130161856
    Abstract: A method of producing a titanium dioxide pigment is provided. Also provided is a method of improving the processability of titanium dioxide particles without adversely affecting the rheological properties of the titanium dioxide particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Kamlesh G. Panjnani, David F. Marshall, Jeffrey D. Elliott
  • Patent number: 8387901
    Abstract: The current invention provides an improved jet nozzle suitable for use in a micronizing jet mill or retrofitting to an existing jet mill. The improved jet nozzle incorporates a coanda effect inducing element to enhance entrainment of particles to be ground within the vortex created by the micronizing jet mill. When the jet mill uses steam to generate the jet, use of the improved nozzle will reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of the jet mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalle
  • Publication number: 20120232187
    Abstract: The invention provides a coated inorganic oxide pigment. The inventive coated inorganic oxide pigment comprises an inorganic oxide base pigment, a porous inorganic coating formed on the base pigment, and a dense inorganic coating formed on the base pigment. The porous inorganic coating and dense inorganic coating each consist essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of silica and alumina. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a coated inorganic oxide pigment. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a polymer composition comprising a base polymer, and a coated inorganic oxide pigment admixed with the base polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Rama Rao Goparaju, Michael L. Ashley
  • Patent number: 8215825
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for influencing mixing of a first fluid injected through a slot into a second fluid flowing through a conduit, by automatically or remotely adjusting the slot width to provide at least a certain slot velocity of the first fluid being introduced into the conduit. In particular, methods and apparatus are provided for mixing control in injecting titanium tetrachloride into an oxygen stream in a process for making titanium dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalie
  • Patent number: 8128127
    Abstract: A piping elbow capable of facilitating a fluid flow direction change in a smaller space than conventional piping elbows, without causing the larger pressure losses found when using conventional elbows in the equivalent space. Piping elbows of the present invention comprise a substantially-cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a substantially-constant inside diameter; a tangential inlet attached to the body near the first end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body; and a tangential outlet attached to the body near the second end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body. Fluid flows linearly through the tangential inlet and enters the body. Inside the body, linear motion of the fluid is converted into a rotational or spiral motion. The fluid in the body continues its spiral motion as it also moves axially through the body toward the tangential outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Harry Eugene Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalie
  • Patent number: 7943103
    Abstract: A process is provided for handling waste solids produced from the chlorination of titanium-bearing ores in the presence of coke as a reducing agent. The process includes the steps of combining waste metal chloride solids and unreacted ore and coke solids with a liquid whereby waste metal chloride solids are dissolved in the liquid and unreacted ore and coke solids are slurried in the liquid, and separating out the unreacted ore and coke solids from the liquid. The liquid including the dissolved waste metal chlorides is then divided into a recycle substream and a bleed substream. The recycle substream is recycled such that it comprises at least a part of the liquid which is combined with the waste metal chloride solids and unreacted ore and coke solids in the product stream. The bleed substream is neutralized to produce a filterable or directly landfillable mass of waste metal hydroxide solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Leslie E. Crowder
  • Patent number: 7935753
    Abstract: Surface treated inorganic oxide pigments are provided wherein one or more of the ethylene glycol esters and diesters are applied to the surface of a base inorganic oxide pigment, for example, an anatase titanium dioxide pigment from the calciner of a conventional sulfate route process for making titanium dioxide pigments or especially a rutile titanium dioxide pigment from the oxidizer in a conventional chloride route process for making titanium dioxide pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventor: Thomas W. Rachal
  • Patent number: 7854917
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing titanium dioxide by the chloride process is provided. In one embodiment, a particle size control agent comprising an ionizing agent such as potassium chloride is introduced into the reaction zone of the oxidation reactor to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide. In a first aspect, the effectiveness of the particle size control agent in controlling the particle size of the titanium dioxide is improved by adding the particle size control agent to at least one of the reactant streams at a sufficient distance upstream of the oxidization reactor to allow the ionizing agent to efficiently ionize and the particle size control agent to thoroughly admix with the stream(s) prior to entering the reaction zone. In a second aspect, the particle size control agent comprises an ionizing agent and fumed silica. In another embodiment, the amount of alumina added to the reaction zone of the oxidization reactor is increased in order to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalie, Jeffrey W. Giles
  • Publication number: 20100025502
    Abstract: The current invention provides an improved jet nozzle suitable for use in a micronizing jet mill or retrofitting to an existing jet mill. The improved jet nozzle incorporates a coanda effect inducing element to enhance entrainment of particles to be ground within the vortex created by the micronizing jet mill. When the jet mill uses steam to generate the jet, use of the improved nozzle will reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of the jet mill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalle
  • Publication number: 20080260627
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing titanium dioxide by the chloride process is provided. In one embodiment, a particle size control agent comprising an ionizing agent such as potassium chloride is introduced into the reaction zone of the oxidation reactor to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide. In a first aspect, the effectiveness of the particle size control agent in controlling the particle size of the titanium dioxide is improved by adding the particle size control agent to at least one of the reactant streams at a sufficient distance upstream of the oxidization reactor to allow the ionizing agent to efficiently ionize and the particle size control agent to thoroughly admix with the stream(s) prior to entering the reaction zone. In a second aspect, the particle size control agent comprises an ionizing agent and fumed silica. In another embodiment, the amount of alumina added to the reaction zone of the oxidization reactor is increased in order to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: TRONOX LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalie, Jeffrey W. Giles
  • Publication number: 20080219087
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for influencing mixing of a first fluid injected through a slot into a second fluid flowing through a conduit, by automatically or remotely adjusting the slot width to provide at least a certain slot velocity of the first fluid being introduced into the conduit. In particular, methods and apparatus are provided for mixing control in injecting titanium tetrachloride into an oxygen stream in a process for making titanium dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: TRONOX LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalie
  • Patent number: 7285225
    Abstract: The current invention provides improved methods and filter stacks for concentrating a slurry of titanium dioxide. The improved filter stack comprises a series of filter disks and diverter trays arranged in parallel. The present invention provides an improvement over prior art filter stacks by using a substantially complete weld to attach a diverter plate to the diverter trays. The current invention also provides an improved method for pre-conditioning a filter stack. The improved method is designed to pre-condition and gradually prepare the filter stack for production of the desired slurry of titanium dioxide. Further, the current invention provides an improved process for preparing and transporting a slurry of titanium dioxide. Finally, the current invention provides a method for enhancing the lifespan of a filter stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Copeland, John A. Parker
  • Publication number: 20070221575
    Abstract: The current invention provides improved methods and filter stacks for concentrating a slurry of titanium dioxide. The improved filter stack comprises a series of filter disks and diverter trays arranged in parallel. The present invention provides an improvement over prior art filter stacks by using a substantially complete weld to attach a diverter plate to the diverter trays. The current invention also provides an improved method for pre-conditioning a filter stack. The improved method is designed to pre-condition and gradually prepare the filter stack for production of the desired slurry of titanium dioxide. Further, the current invention provides an improved process for preparing and transporting a slurry of titanium dioxide. Finally, the current invention provides a method for enhancing the lifespan of a filter stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: TRONOX LLC
    Inventors: John Copeland, John Parker
  • Patent number: 7250080
    Abstract: An improved process for making an organosilicon compound surface-treated titanium dioxide material, comprising (a) forming a mixture of the titanium dioxide material in water, (b) wet milling the mixture, (c) adjusting the pH of the slurry resulting from step (b) to between about 5.0 and about 8.5, (d) after step (c), removing the titanium dioxide material from the mixture by vacuum or pressure filtration, (e) after step (d), washing the titanium dioxide material so removed, (f) after step (e), converting the washed titanium dioxide material to a fluid dispersion having a pH of from about 3.5 to less than about 7 via addition of a fluidizing agent comprising a water-soluble monoprotic acid, (g) after, or concurrently with, step (f), adding to the resulting dispersion of titanium dioxide material an organosilicon compound, with mixing, and (h) spray drying the dispersion of the washed titanium dioxide material resulting from step (g) to yield a dry titanium dioxide pigment powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Daniel H. Craig, Mark D. Westmeyer
  • Patent number: 7250144
    Abstract: Novel methods for the removal of sodium perchlorate from electrolytic processes for the production of sodium chlorate have been discovered, allowing sodium chlorate production processes to proceed with low levels of sodium perchlorate. A portion of the mother liquor from the sodium chlorate crystallization is fed to a secondary crystallization step to concentrate sodium perchlorate in a second mother liquor. In this manner, at least a portion of the sodium perchlorate in the sodium chlorate production process is isolated in the second mother liquor, which can be removed from the sodium chlorate production process. The process is run until the concentration of sodium perchlorate in the second mother liquor reaches a desired concentration, at which point at least a portion of the second mother liquor can be removed, thereby removing a portion of the sodium perchlorate from the sodium chlorate production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Keenan D. Sanders, Kevin E. Partlow
  • Patent number: 7238231
    Abstract: An improved process is described for manufacturing zirconia-treated titanium dioxide pigments, wherein the zirconia treatment is accomplished in the process of fluidizing a titanium dioxide filter or press cake and then drying the same, through the addition to the filter or press cake of one or more alkaline water-soluble zirconium reagents selected from ammonium zirconyl carbonate, the water-soluble ammonium zirconyl carboxylates and mixtures of these. Aqueous solutions of such zirconium reagents, in addition to being effective for imparting a zirconia surface treatment to the titanium dioxide materials, also prove to be effective fluidizing agents for forming high solids dispersions of the zirconia-treated titanium dioxide pigment materials which can be spray dried without substantial dilution and excessive energy requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Daniel H. Craig, Jeffrey D. Elliott, Harmon E. Ray
  • Patent number: 7238450
    Abstract: Intercalation cathode materials especially suited for use in high-voltage, high-energy lithium rechargeable batteries, having the formulae Li[Li(1-2x)/3MyMn(2?x)/3Ni(x-y)O2, where 0<x<0.5, 0<y?0.25, x>y, and M is one or more divalent cations from Ca, Cu, Mg, and Zn. A process for making such materials is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Wilmont Frederick Howard, Jr., Stephen Wilfred Sheargold, Anthony Michael Thurston, Felix Mbanga Towa