Patents Examined by Elvis O. Price
  • Electrochemical co-production of a glycol and an alkene employing recycled halide
    Patent number: 9080240
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a method and system for electrochemically co-producing a first product and a second product. The system may include a first electrochemical cell, a first reactor, a second electrochemical cell, at least one second reactor, and at least one third reactor. The method and system for for co-producing a first product and a second product may include co-producing a glycol and an alkene employing a recycled halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Liquid Light, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Teamey, Jerry J. Kaczur, Emily Barton Cole
  • Promoters for cobalt-tin catalysts for reducing alkanoic acids
    Patent number: 9079172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the formation of an alcohol from an alkanoic acid, the steps of the process comprising: contacting a feed stream containing the alkanoic acid and hydrogen at an elevated temperature with a hydrogenating catalyst comprising from 3 to 25 wt. % of active metals comprising tin and cobalt and a metal promoter selected from the group consisting of noble metals or first metal, the first metal selected from the group of barium, cesium and potassium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Heiko Weiner, Zhenhua Zhou, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
  • Process for heat integration for ethanol production and purification process
    Patent number: 9073814
    Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Kirk Powell, Samuel Roundy, Lincoln Sarager, Murray Viard, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronald Olsson
  • Acetic acid hydrogenation over a group VIII metal calcined catalyst having a secondary promoter
    Patent number: 9073042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for hydrogenating feedstock comprising acetic acid in the presence of hydrogen to product comprising ethanol in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions over a catalyst composition promoted with cobalt, rhodium, cesium or a combination thereof on a previously calcined composition comprising at least one Group VIII metal and tin on a support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Zhenhua Zhou, Victor J. Johnston, Heiko Weiner
  • Processing biomass
    Patent number: 9062328
    Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: XYLECO, INC.
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Process for recovering ethanol
    Patent number: 9051238
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Josefina T. Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan
  • Organoleptic compound
    Patent number: 9051532
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel compound, 1-(2,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl)-propan-1-ol, and a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of 1-(2,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl)-propan-1-ol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.
    Inventor: Heedong Yun
  • Synthesis of high caloric fuels and chemicals
    Patent number: 9040757
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: PIONEER ENERGY
    Inventors: John Henri, Jan Zygmunt, Mark Bergren, Robert Zubrin
  • Phasing reactor product from hydrogenating acetic acid into ethyl acetate feed to produce ethanol
    Patent number: 9029614
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing ethyl acetate produced by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The product of the acetic acid hydrogenation is fed directly to a decanter to separate the hydrogenation product into an aqueous phase comprising water and ethanol and an organic phase comprising ethyl acetate. The organic phase is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture. Thus, ethanol may be produced from acetic acid through an ethyl acetate intermediate without an esterification step. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Emily Duff, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Zhenhua Zhou, James Zink, Andrew Shuff
  • Catalyst for hydrogenation of oxalic ester to ethanol, method of preparing the catalyst, and method of using the same
    Patent number: 9029285
    Abstract: A catalyst including: a support, the support including a mixture of SiO2 and ZrO2; an active ingredient including copper; a first additive including a metal, an oxide thereof, or a combination thereof; and a second additive including Li, Na, K, or a combination thereof. The metal is Mg, Ca, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Mo, La, or Ce. Based on the total weight of the catalyst, the weight percentages of the different components are as follows: SiO2=50-90 wt. %; ZrO2=0.1-10 wt. %; copper=10-50 wt. %; the first additive=0.1-10 wt. %; and the second additive=0.1-5 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Tianjin University
    Inventors: Xinbin Ma, Jing Lv, Yujun Zhao, Shengping Wang, Jinlong Gong, Baowei Wang, Zhenhua Li, Yan Xu
  • Energy efficient method and apparatus for the extraction of lower alcohols from dilute aqueous solution
    Patent number: 9029615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the energy efficient and selective extraction of dilute concentrations of C2-C6 alcohols from an aqueous solution using liquid phase dimethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: DynaSep Inc., Phasex Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Schonemann, Brian J. Waibel, Val Krukonis
  • Process to reduce ethanol recycled to hydrogenation reactor
    Patent number: 9024085
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Acetic acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to recover ethanol. In some embodiments, less than 10 wt. % ethanol is recycled to the hydrogenation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Claudio Ribeiro, R. Jay Warner, Robert Alan Deck, Emily Duff, Victor J. Johnston
  • Process for making ethanol from acetic acid using acidic catalysts
    Patent number: 9024087
    Abstract: A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst comprises a first metal on an acidic support. The acidic support may comprise an acidic support material or may comprise an support having an acidic support modifier. The catalyst may be used alone to produced ethanol via hydrogenation or in combination with another catalyst. In addition, the crude ethanol product is separated to obtain ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
  • Process for the production of ethanol from an acetic acid feed and a recycled ethyl acetate feed
    Patent number: 9024083
    Abstract: The present invention produces ethanol in a reactor that comprises a catalyst composition and a feed stream comprising acetic acid and a recycled liquid stream comprising ethyl acetate. The catalyst composition comprises a first catalyst comprising platinum, cobalt, and/or tin and a second catalyst comprising copper. The crude ethanol product may be separated and ethanol recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Zhenhua Zhou, Iva Franjkic, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, David Lee, Heiko Weiner
  • Reduced energy alcohol separation process having controlled pressure
    Patent number: 9024084
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for the recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns. At least one of the columns is operated at a controlled pressure to enhance separation of ethanol and organics. In one embodiment, there are at least two columns that operate at controlled pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, R. Jay Warner, Victor J. Johnston
  • Using a dilute acid stream as an extractive agent
    Patent number: 9024082
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. A diluted acid stream, comprising less than 30 wt. % acetic acid, is used as the extractive agent and is fed at a point above the crude feed stream. The column yields a residue that comprises ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The diluted acid stream may be separated from the residue and returned to the extractive distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: R. Jay Warner, Victor J. Johnston, David Lee, Adam Orosco
  • Method of producing alcohols
    Patent number: 9024091
    Abstract: A method of making alcohols involves forming of alcohol esters from liquid alkane halides and a solution of metallic salts of organic acids to produce gaseous alcohol esters for reaction with magnesium or metal hydroxides to form the alcohol and the metal salt of the organic acids. In an improvement method liquid phase alcohol esters instead of gaseous alcohol esters are produced from liquid alkane halides and a solution of metal salts of organic acids whose alkane esters are less soluble in water than that of the alkane halide and treating of the alcohol ester formed with magnesium or metal hydroxides to form the alcohol and the metal salt of the organic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sajet Development LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Miller, Luisa Kling Miller
  • Purification of alcohols prior to their use in the presence of an acid catalyst
    Patent number: 9000236
    Abstract: Process for the purification of an alcohol in the course of a process comprising: (1) providing a reaction zone (C) comprising an acid type catalyst; (2) providing a reaction zone (B) comprising an acid adsorbent material; (3) providing an alcohol stream comprising impurities; (4) introducing the alcohol stream of (3) into the reaction zone (B) and bringing said stream into contact with the acid adsorbent material at conditions effective to reduce the amount of impurities having an adverse effect on the acid type catalyst of the reaction zone (C); (5) recovering from step (4) an alcohol stream and introducing it into the reaction zone (C); (6) optionally introducing one or more reactants (R) into the reaction zone (C); (7) operating said reaction zone (C) at conditions effective to recover a valuable effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Delphine Minoux, Walter Vermeiren, Nikolai Nesterenko, Sander Van Donk, Jean-Pierre Dath
  • Extractive distillation of crude alcohol product
    Patent number: 9000232
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. The column yields a first residue that comprises ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and water. The first residue is separated in a second column to yield a second distillate comprising ethanol and ethyl acetate. The second distillate is then separated in a third column to yield a third distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a third residue comprising ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: R. Jay Warner, Victor J. Johnston, David Lee, Adam Orosco
  • Process to recover alcohol with secondary reactors for hydrolysis of acetal
    Patent number: 9000233
    Abstract: A process for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid and water. Acetal byproduct can be reduced or removed through configurations of hydrolysis secondary reactors. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Claudio Ribeiro, R. Jay Warner, Robert Alan Deck, Emily Duff, Victor J. Johnston