Patents Assigned to Tronox, LLC
  • Patent number: 7183114
    Abstract: A method to determine the concentration ratio of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in the gaseous product of a fluidized bed reactor for producing titanium tetrachloride. The hot fluidized bed of the reactor is used as the source of infrared radiation which radiation is directed through the gaseous products in upper portion of the reactor through a window in the reactor to an infrared spectrometer. The concentration ratio can be used to control the temperature of the fluidized bed reactor by controlling the amount of cool titanium tetrachloride that is introduced into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Donald Theodore Turnbaugh, Jr., Alan J. Morris, Johnny Balcom Perkins
  • Patent number: 7182931
    Abstract: An improved process for producing titanium dioxide by reacting a titanium dioxide ore with chlorine to produce a gaseous stream containing titanium tetrachloride, condensing titanium tetrachloride from the gaseous stream containing titanium tetrachloride to produce chlorinator tail gas, vaporizing the condensed titanium tetrachloride, reacting the vaporized titanium tetrachloride with oxygen to produce a gaseous stream containing titanium dioxide particles and chlorine, separating the titanium dioxide particles from the gaseous stream containing titanium dioxide particles and chlorine to produce burner tail gas, analyzing the chlorinator tail gas for residual chlorine to control the step of reacting the titanium dioxide ore with chlorine, analyzing the burner tail gas for oxygen to control the step of reacting the condensed titanium tetrachloride with oxygen. The improvement is to analyze the chlorinator tail gas for residual chlorine (and/or the burner tail gas for oxygen) using an on-line analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Donald Theodore Turnbaugh, Jr., Bruce Lynn Roberts
  • Patent number: 7175821
    Abstract: The current invention provides systems and method for reducing emissions of gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. The invention utilizes at least one catalyst bed and at least one fluidizable bed of sorbent material. The current invention provides for regeneration of the sorbent material without interrupting the catalytic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Flynn, Lonnie G. Hewell
  • Patent number: 7150416
    Abstract: Liquid fuel injectors are provided. The liquid fuel injectors allow the injection of a fine spray of liquid fuel. The liquid fuel injectors utilize a schrader valve movable between an open position and a closed position. When the schrader valve is in the closed position fuel flow is blocked and purge gas is allowed to flow through the fuel injectors. When the schrader valve is in the open position, the flow of purge gas is blocked and fuel is allowed to flow through the fuel injector. In this manner, the fuel injectors provide for an immediate and automatic purge of the fuel lines when the fuel flow is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Martin, Harry Eugene Flynn, Charles A. Natalie
  • Patent number: 7138011
    Abstract: Inorganic pigments treated with at least one N,N,N-trialkyl quaternary amino acid inner salt possess improved processibility and dispersibility in thermoplastic materials, and impart improved properties to thermoplastic compositions containing said surface-treated pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventor: Daniel H. Craig
  • Patent number: 7115157
    Abstract: Novel gas separation apparatus and methods are provided that help reduce the amount of process gas lost through the discharge outlet of either a cyclone separating gas/solid mixtures or a hydroclone separating gas/liquid mixtures. Significant savings are realized by minimizing losses and neutralization costs. A cyclone or hydroclone is placed within a containment vessel that creates a contained atmosphere common to both the gas outlet and the discharge outlet of the cyclone or hydroclone. Process gas mixed with the solids or mixed with the liquids in the discharge underflow are displaced from the discharge underflow and contained within the containment vessel. The displacement of the process gas is facilitated by an introduction of a small amount of purge gas to the discharge underflow exiting the cyclone or hydroclone via the discharge outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Tronox, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Eugene Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Nataile