Patents Examined by Michael L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5064626
    Abstract: Trialkyl arsine (in particular trimethyl arsine) is removed from a fluid (e.g. a hydrocarbon-containing gas) by contacting the fluid with a sorbent material comprising (a) a transition metal polysulfide (preferably Fe.sub.2 (S.sub.3).sub.3, and (b) an inorganic support material (preferably alumina).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Marvin M. Johnson, Patricia A. Tooley, Gary A. Delzer, Gerhard P. Nowack, Ted H. Cymbaluk
  • Patent number: 5064631
    Abstract: A mixture comprising (i) an oxide, hydroxide or oxyhydroxide of aluminum, (ii) an aluminum-containing sulfate, (iii) an oxide or oxyacid of boron or an alkali metal salt thereof and (iv) an alkali metal sulfate is heated at a temperature of 900 to 1200.degree. C. to grow an aluminum borate whisker. In this process, the reaction is advanced apparently in the solid phase, and this process is advantageous over the conventional processes in that the yield is high and the isolation and purification of the reaction product is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Shikoku Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Hata, Hajime Kambara, Seiji Sogabe, Keizo Oka
  • Patent number: 5063035
    Abstract: Low-level fluorine concentrations are removed from gases by conducting a gas stream containing fluorine over an alumina treated with chromium oxide material, thereby effectively eliminating fluorine from the gas while preventing the formation of toxic oxygen difluoride by-product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: American Air Liquide
    Inventors: Paul S. Leondaridis, William A. Von Drasek, Gregory M. Jursich
  • Patent number: 5061471
    Abstract: A process for a continuous production of chlorine dioxide in a cooled reaction vessel subjected to an overpressure, comprising continuous addition of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorate, sulfuric acid and sulfur dioxide to the reaction vessel in proportions to generate chlorine dioxide at a temperature from about 30.degree. to about 60.degree. C. and at an acidity of about 5 to about 11 N. The reaction solution containing dissolved chlorine dioxide is continuously withdrawn. At the start up of the process the reaction vessel is filled with the water solution of alkali metal chlorate, optionally containing alkali metal chloride, and the sulphuric acid with a feed concentration of from about 20 to about 60 percent by weight whereafter the flows are adjusted to correspond to the production rate. Finally sulfuric dioxide is added so slowly that no gas phase is formed and the sulphuric acid flow is slowly increased until the suitable flow for the chosen production is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Eka Nobel AB
    Inventors: Birgitta Sundblad, David C. Lovetro
  • Patent number: 5061459
    Abstract: A process for treating copper containing precious metal ores prior to cyanidation and recovery of the precious metal eg gold. The process involves addition to the ore before or after milling of a water soluble or water dispersible surface active agent in the form of a fatty alkyl amine preferably an ethoxylated fatty alkyl amine. The agent reduces the high cyanide consumption, which is caused by copper dissolution, by passivating the mineral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Charles A. Bennett, Elizabeth A. Crathorne, Raymond Edwards
  • Patent number: 5057284
    Abstract: A reactor vessel for use in treating slurries containing minerals, soils or sludges contaminated with toxic organic substances is disclosed. The vessel includes a tank, having a sealed cover, a mixer arrangement, an air supply arrangement and an exhaust gas recycling system. The air supply arrangement includes one or more porous, flexible membrane diffusers adapted for introducing gas, in the form of fine bubbles, into a tank contained slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Envirotech
    Inventors: Robert C. Emmett, Jr., Lawrence T. O'Connor, Gunter H. Brox
  • Patent number: 5057290
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the closed-loop regeneration of spent hydrochloric acid pickle liquors that have been used to pickle ferrous metals by recovering ferrous chloride from the spent pickle liquors at very low temperatures. The process includes maintaining the hydrochloric acid and iron concentrations within the spent pickle liquor at levels that will prevent the liquor from freezing when cooled to about -10 degrees Fahrenheit and that will permit the formation of ferrous chloride crystals within the spent pickle liquor when the liquor is cooled below about +18 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and to about -10 degrees Fahrenheit. The ferrous chloride crystals formed at such low temperatures are then removed from the pickle liquor, which then permits reuse of the free hydrochloric acid remaining within the thus regenerated pickle liquor in normal pickling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventors: Joseph C. Peterson, George A. Salof
  • Patent number: 5057292
    Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed from a fluid stream of condensed steam by addition of an iron chelate catalyst to oxidize H.sub.2 S to sulfur. The removal is carried out in a modified cooling tower where condensed steam is added to a recycled iron chelate liquid in a water collection tray for a period of time sufficient to oxidize the H.sub.2 S before the fluid stream is introduced to the cooling tower to remove sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Frank R. Monticelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5057299
    Abstract: Beta cobaltous hydroxide is synthesized by decomposing the complex formed between cobaltous ions and a suitable complexing agent under hydrothermal conditions. Cobaltous ion and complexing agent are combined in an aqueous medium, wherein the molar ratio of the cobaltous ion to the complexing agent is about one or more. Hydroxide ion is added, wherein the molar ratio of hydroxide ion to cobaltous ion is more than about 2. The resulting admixture is heated under hydrothermal conditions for precipitating beta cobaltous hydroxide. The method provides improved control over the size and shape of the beta cobaltous hydroxide reaction product. The beta cobaltous hydroxide can be reduced to form magnetic particles of cobalt metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jean A. Lown
  • Patent number: 5057300
    Abstract: The present invention constitutes a class of organometallic complexes which reversibly react with hydrogen to form dihydrides and processes by which these compounds can be utilized. The class includes bimetallic complexes in which two cyclopentadienyl rings are bridged together and also separately .pi.-bonded to two transition metal atoms. The transition metals are believed to bond with the hydrogen in forming the dihydride. Transition metals such as Fe, Mn or Co may be employed in the complexes although Cr constitutes the preferred metal. A multiple number of ancilliary ligands such as CO are bonded to the metal atoms in the complexes. Alkyl groups and the like may be substituted on the cyclopentadienyl rings. These organometallic compounds may be used in absorption/desorption systems and in facilitated transport membrane systems for storing and separating out H.sub.2 from mixed gas streams such as the product gas from coal gasification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Michael A. Lilga, Richard T. Hallen
  • Patent number: 5055285
    Abstract: A process for producing potassium hypochlorite solutions by admixing a hypochlorous acid solution having a concentration of 35 percent or greater by weight of HOCl with an aqueous slurry of potassium hydroxide containing 35 percent by weight or greater of KOH at a temperature below about 45.degree. C. The potassium hypochlorite solution produced has a concentration of at least 25 percent to about 60 percent by weight of KOCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Budd L. Duncan, William O. Flowers
  • Patent number: 5055019
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of boehmitic alumina compounds having a purity of, at least, 99.95% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The compounds produced according to the invention have a pore radii in the range of 3 to 100 nm. The preparation of such compounds is carried out by, first, obtaining an alumina suspension from a neutral aluminum alkoxide hydrolysis and, then, aging the alumina suspension in an autoclave, preferably, at a steam pressure of 1 to 30 bar, corresponding to a temperature of 100.degree. C. to 235.degree. C., for between 0.5 and 20 hours. The aging step of the invention is preferably carried out with stirring at a peripheral speed of 1 to 6 m/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Condea Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Arnold Meyer, Klaus Noweck, Ansgar Reichenauer
  • Patent number: 5049363
    Abstract: A process for extracting scandium from titanium ore includes the steps of: feeding the titanium ore to a fluidized bed chlorinator at about 1000.degree. C. to produce a vaporous (generally titanium and possible iron chlorides) phase and a scandium-containing residue; and recovering the scandium from the residue.In one practice, the scandium is recovered by leaching the residue with aqueous acid (e.g. HCl) to produce a scandium-containing aqueous solution, followed by contacting the aqueous solution with a polyalkyl phosphate-containing organic phase, the polyalkyl phosphate (e.g. tributyl phosphate) extracting scandium into the organic phase, followed by scandium precipitation by an ammonium addition to produce a scandium hydroxide precipitate and the scandium hydroxide is calcined, whereby scandium is recovered as an oxide. The residue generally also contains yttrium and lanthanides, and the yttrium and lanthanides can also be recovered from the residue as a part of the scandium recovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Robert J. Feuling
  • Patent number: 5049371
    Abstract: A novel process is described for the preparation of monodisperse ceramic ders wherein particulate oxides or hydroxides are obtained by reaction of hydrolysable compounds with water. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a complexing agent and, optionally, a stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Rinn, Rudiger Nass
  • Patent number: 5047226
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process wherein impurities are removed from hydrofluoric acid by converting the highly volatile arsenic compounds into a compound with a very high boiling point. The process comprises the following steps: input of distilled hydrofluoric acid, which contains arsenic, into a reactor and cooling down to a temperature below room temperature; oxidation of the arsenic contained in the hydrofluoric acid in the form of arsenic trifluoride with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a surplus of potassium ions coming from potassium bifluoride in order to obtain an arsenic complex which is both stable and of high boiling point; halting the cooling of the reaction mixture and continuation of the stirring for a period of from 1-24 hours, permitting the mixture to remain quiescent to permit deposition; and finally distilling of the hydrofluoric acid at a temperature below reflux conditions, whereupon the arsenic complex formed during the oxidation reaction is removed from the hydrofluoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Fluorex, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventor: Raul B. Schon
  • Patent number: 5047031
    Abstract: Calcium phosphate minerals are formed by using phosphoric acid substantially free of uncombined water in conjunction with a calcium source, normally as any combination of carbonate, phosphate and hydroxide, and, as required, any additional base to neutralize the phosphoric acid. Protein may be optionally added. The resulting product is readily formed and then sets to a hard, stable, workable shaped object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Norian Corporation
    Inventor: Brent R. Constantz
  • Patent number: 5045115
    Abstract: In the treatment of solid residues containing heavy metals from combustion plants, the heavy-metal compounds dissolved after washing-out and subsequently precipitated are separated from the solvent, usually water or slightly acid aqueous solutions by cross-current diaphragm filtration. The sludge obtained during filtration and comprising precipitated insoluble heavy-metal compounds is dewatered together with the remaining solid residues and made suitable for dumping, e.g. by using binders. The cross-current diaphragm filter improves the washing of heavy metals out of the washing or waste water, and the method and the associated plant are simplified by the joint processing of the sludges containing solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Arnold Gmunder, Jurgen Gnieser, Jorg Wiedersheim
  • Patent number: 5045300
    Abstract: A process comprising the reaction of an amine.aluminum trichloride complex and a bifluoride compound to produce an aluminum fluoride compound. Exemplary processes include the reaction of AlCl.sub.3.N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3) and NH.sub.4 HF.sub.2 or NaHF.sub.2 to respectively produce NH.sub.4 AlF.sub.4 or Na.sub.5 Al.sub.3 F.sub.14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Everett M. Marlett
  • Patent number: 5041398
    Abstract: A process for treatment of incinerator ash typically including heavy metals and both water soluble and insoluble fractions. The insoluble fraction is first removed from the fly ash. The soluble fraction is treated to precipitate heavy metal compounds. Preferably, the heavy metal precipitates are incorporated in a vitrifiable batch. In a separate vitrifiable batch, the insoluble fly ash portions may also be incorporated. Most preferably, bottom ash from the incinerator is also incorporated in a glass batch. The bottom ash glass batch may also incorporate the insoluble fraction from the fly ash.Precipitation of the heavy metal constituents in the soluble portion of the fly ash is preferably accomplished by raising the pH of the solution, most preferably above 10 by addition of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Wheaton Industries
    Inventors: Dennis E. Kauser, Robert A. LaMastro
  • Patent number: 5039500
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing high purity xenon safely at a high yield from liquid oxygen in a main condenser of an air separating unit.The present invention involves a process for concentrating and recovering xenon by gasifying and introducing liquid oxygen led out from the main condenser in the air separating unit into an adsorption column field with an adsorbent which adsorbs xenon for adsorption and desorption, and a process for rectifying and recovering xenon by introducing concentrated xenon gas into a solid-gas separating column, which is cooled to a temperature at which xenon is solidified but components other than xenon such as oxygen and krypton in the concentrated xenon gas are not solidified to, catch xenon by condensation, then heating the solid-gas separating column after evacuating gas components remained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Kyodo Oxygen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Shino, Hideaki Takano, Jitsuo Nakata