Patents Examined by Michael Lewis
  • Patent number: 5908807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol and the process for making and using the catalyst. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium. The first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Henry Vanderspurt, Mark Alan Greaney, Daniel Paul Leta, Russell John Koveal, Mark Michael Disko, Angela V. Klaus, Sutinder K. Behal, Robert B. Harris
  • Patent number: 5908806
    Abstract: A catalyst for the removal of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas made by a process comprising:a) preparing a suspension comprising a liquid, a zeolite, a weak base, and salts of copper and silver,said zeolite being crystalline and having a Si/Al atomic ratio between about 5 and about 100, a pore size between about 0.5 nm and about 1.3 nm, essentially no octahedral aluminum detectable by .sup.27 Al NMR spectroscopy and a sodium ion exchange capacity, with regard to total aluminum content, greater than 75%, and wherein said suspension contains sufficient amounts of said copper and silver salts to result in a copper content in said catalyst, when finished, between about 0.5 wt. % and about 12 wt. % and a silver content between about 0.25 wt. % and about 20 wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: ASEC Manufacturing
    Inventor: Karl C. C. Kharas
  • Patent number: 5906960
    Abstract: An adsorbent that can be used to remove environmental contaminants such as organics, cations and anions in a single process step is prepared from humic acid. The adsorbent can be a soluble humic acid in liquid form (e.g., in aqueous solution) or the humic acid can be insolubilized and/or immobilized on a solid support. The adsorbent can also be used to recover agriculturally desirable metals in chelated form from contaminated water. The liquid form of the adsorbent can be used to wash solids to remove contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Arctech, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyderabad G. Sanjay, Kailash C. Srivastava, Daman S. Walia
  • Patent number: 5906953
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for rejuvenating particulate used catalysts in a single rejuvenation vessel and providing a rejuvenated catalyst material having properties that result in activity substantially equal to new catalyst. The pressurizable vertically-oriented vessel has inlet and outlet openings for the catalyst and washing liquids, and is arranged to facilitate successive solvent liquid washing, water washings, and acid treatment steps for the used particulate catalyst provided in a bed in the vessel conical-shaped lower portion which contains catalyst rotary stirring means. After rejuvenation of the used catalyst, it is withdrawn from the vessel conical-shaped lower portion downwardly through a central withdrawal conduit and control valve for further processing. The water-soluble solvent and acid treatment liquids can be usually recovered by distillation for reuse in the catalyst rejuvenation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: HRI
    Inventors: John E. Duddy, Lawrence M. Abrams, Steven J. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 5906843
    Abstract: Substantially dry free-flowing particles of amorphous precipitated silica have large sizes and large carrying capacities for organic liquids, and they contain little or no dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Dew, Larry R. Evans, Diana L. Scott, Walter H. Waddell
  • Patent number: 5905050
    Abstract: The active carrier particles of even size of the polymerization catalyst are prepared so that a melt of a complex composition is provided having the formula (I)MgCl.sub.2 nROH mED (I)in which ROH depicts an aliphatic alcohol, R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, ED depicts an electron donor, n is 1 to 6 and m is 0 to 1; the melt provided is fed to a nozzle (4); the melt is sprayed from the nozzle (4) to the spraying area (5), in which it is divided into fine melt droplets and possibly partly solidifies; the possibly partly solidified melt particles are transferred to a cooled crystallization area (6), where they crystallize to solid carrier particles; and the solid carrier particles are recovered. The melt mentioned is sprayed through a nozzle (4), which is rotated or which has attached to it a member that rotates and throws melt outwards from the rotating center to the spraying area (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Borealis Holding A/S
    Inventors: Jukka Koshinen, Jarmo Louhelainen
  • Patent number: 5905039
    Abstract: A logistic method for transporting and handling materials in a tunnel composting plant, as well as the plant itself includes bringing materials for tunnel composting to the plant. The materials are unloaded into intermediate collection points and compostable material is treated from the materials brought also according to the current recipe. The composting materials are transferred to a composting tunnel that is free at the time, and after composting the composted material is transferred from the composting tunnel to a heap of finished material at its own collection point. Composted material is transported from the heap of finished material to the desired point of use. According to the method, essentially all of the handling of all the materials at the plant is carried out using a wheeled loader, equipped with a mixing and crushing bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Vam Vapo Wastech Ltd Oy
    Inventors: Kari Mutka, Kauko Isomottonen
  • Patent number: 5904908
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for the removal of carbon dioxide present in gases which comprises bringing a CO.sub.2 -containing gas into contact with an aqueous solution containing at least one amine compound of the general formula ?1! ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.8 may be the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and m is 0 or 1. The method of the present invention makes it possible to remove carbon dioxide efficiently. In particular, since carbon dioxide can be easily desorbed by heating the aqueous solution having absorbed carbon dioxide, the thermal energy required for regeneration of the aqueous solution can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hitomi Suzuki, Tomio Mimura, Toru Iwaki, Shigeaki Mitsuoka, Hiroshi Tanaka, Masaki Iijima
  • Patent number: 5900222
    Abstract: A process is described for treating nitrogen-oxide containing gases at temperature in the range of 300-560.degree. C. in the presence of a cerium containing zeolite catalyst and an excess of an NH-containing compound such as ammonia or an aqueous urea solution as a reducing agent. Excess reducing agent is converted to nitrogen gas during the process. Selective catalytic reduction using ammonia water or an aqueous urea solution as a reducing agent is also described for converting nitrogen oxides in diesel exhaust gas and preventing oxidation of sulfur dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Eri Ito, Cornelis Maria C.M. van den Bleek, Herman H. van Bekkum, Jacobus Cornelis J.C. Jansen, Ronald Johannes R.J. Hultermans, Pieter Martin P. M. Lugt
  • Patent number: 5900520
    Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds are prepared by alkylating an alkylatable aromatic compound with a paraffin alkylating agent under alkylation reaction conditions in the presence of catalyst comprising synthetic porous crystalline material characterized by an X-ray diffraction pattern including interplanar d-spacings at 12.36.+-.0.4, 11.03.+-.0.2, 8.83.+-.0.14, 6.18.+-.0.12, 6.00.+-.0.10, 4.06.+-.0.07, 3.91.+-.0.07, and 3.42.+-.0.06 Angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dominick N. Mazzone, David O. Marler, Kathleen M. Keville, Larry A. Green
  • Patent number: 5900189
    Abstract: The present invention provides a needle coke for graphite electrodes, wherein a needle coke, used as a raw material coke, comprises a coke of 100 parts by weight, to which adheres a substance of 0.03 to 16 parts by weight having a softening point, or a melting point, or a temperature at which it thermally decomposes without leaving a residue (after subjecting it to a heat treatment at 200.degree. C. or higher), which does not exceed 1800.degree. C., which substance comprises preferably 0.05 to 5 parts by weight of at least one boron, phosphorus or silicon compound, or pyrex glass. Also provided is a process for producing the needle coke. The use of the above needle coke in producing graphite electrodes can effectively inhibit puffing in a graphitizing step and improve the yield of the electrodes as well as enhancing product characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Kawano, Tsutomu Setou, Takanori Nishihata
  • Patent number: 5900383
    Abstract: A process for increasing the activity of a zeolite-containing particulate solid containing contaminants which block the pores of the zeolite and adversely affect the activity thereof wherein the contaminated zeolitic material is slurried with a liquid containing an acid, detergent or surfactant, the slurry is agitated to liberate the pore-blocking contaminants from the zeolite pores so that they are suspended in the liquid, a portion of the liquid is withdrawn from the slurry and filtered to remove the suspended contaminants, the resulting liquid is returned to the slurry, and the treated zeolite-containing particulate solid is liquid from the solution and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: New Life Catalyst, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Davis, David B. Bartholic
  • Patent number: 5897847
    Abstract: A method for extending the gas lifetime of an excimer laser by removing CF.sub.4 impurity, which comprises:a) reacting CF.sub.4, an undesirable impurity which forms and is contained in the lasing gases, with an amount of an oxidizing gas additive effective to produce one or more compounds which are condensible with refrigeration means, without reducing laser output below a predetermined acceptable level; andb) condensing said one or more compounds produced in step a) with refrigeration means, substantially without condensing said one or more rare gases therewith, thereby removing said CF.sub.4 impurity from said excimer laser and extending the gas lifetime of the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: American Air Liquide
    Inventors: Gregory M. Jursich, William A. Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 5898092
    Abstract: A supported catalyst with rhenium and also containing aluminium introduced by a compound of the formula (OR).sub.qAlR'.sub.r with R being a hydrocarbyl residue with from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, R' being an alkyl residue with from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and with q and r equal to 1 or 2 with q+r=3. A process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising impregnating a compound of rhenium on a porous support formed by refractory oxides and/or alumino-silicates of an acid, neutral or basic nature, roasting at a temperature of form 200 to 950.degree. C. and impregnating with said aluminium compound. The catalyst is used for the metathesis of olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Fran.cedilla.ais du Petrole
    Inventor: Dominique Commereuc
  • Patent number: 5891414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon black producing method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a carbon black producing method using an oil furnace, wherein the cooling medium for stopping the carbon black producing reaction is gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Shininchi Kanamaru, Syushichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 5891413
    Abstract: A method of continuously producing a carbide from a moisture-containing organic substance allows for the recycling of the organic substance, which is conventionally thrown away waste. The method includes a dewatering process for removing water from the moisture containing material. A moisture adjustment process removes more water from a dewatered cake. A carbonization process continuously carbonizes the moisture adjusted material. During the moisture adjustment process, a carbide produced during the carbonization process is mixed in the dewatered cake to remove the moisture therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Masaki Okabe
    Inventors: Yutaka Yoshida, Masaki Okabe, Masakatsu Ozawa
  • Patent number: 5891820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved reductive amination processes whereby monoethanolamine and ammonia are reacted in the presence of hydrogen and various reductive amination catalysts to yield high selectivity to acyclic products such as aminoethylethanolamine, while reducing the production of cyclic products such as piperazine. When the process of the present invention is carried out in the presence of reductive amination catalyst containing metals such as nickel or nickel-rhenium on transitional alumina carriers, productivity and selectivity to the desired products is increased. Alternatively, the process may be carried out in the presence of hydrotalcite-like or takovite-like catalysts which have been enhanced by the use of promoters to achieve the desired results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Wayne King
  • Patent number: 5891822
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing active carbon suitable for use in electrodes for an organic solvent type electric double layer capacitor, comprising calcining an easily graphitizable organic substance and then subjecting the resultant carbonized product to an alkali activation treatment, wherein the alkali activation treatment comprises a first alkali activation treatment at a temperature within a first range and a second alkali activation treatment at a temperature within a second range, said temperature within the second range being higher than that of the first activation treatment, and one of both alkali activation treatments is performed after the other alkali activation treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Oyama, Naohiko Oki, Minoru Noguchi
  • Patent number: 5891411
    Abstract: A method for the abatement of contaminant-laden process emissions produced by various wood manufacturing processes comprises the step of flowing the emissions through an oxidation catalyst located in a regenerative catalytic oxidizer to remove volatile organic compounds (VOC's), methanol, formaldehyde, resins, binders, and hazardous air pollutants (HAP's) at lower peak temperatures than the temperatures encountered in regenerative thermal oxidizers. The oxidation catalyst allows the overall abatement process to operate at lower peak combustion temperatures. By reducing the peak combustion temperatures during the abatement of emissions, the present invention precludes potassium and/or sodium in the emissions from reacting with silica in the heat recovery media and ceramic fiber insulation of the regenerative thermal oxidizer. This reaction has heretofore destroyed the desired properties of the wood product and compromised the quality of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventor: Sean T. Gribbon
  • Patent number: 5891323
    Abstract: Regeneration of an adsorbent bed on to which impurity compounds, e.g. sulphur compounds, have been adsorbed by means of a gas stream to desorb the impurity compounds. The gas stream containing the desorbed impurity compounds is then passed over a catalyst, e.g. a hydro-desulphurisation catalyst, effective to cause the reaction of at least some of the desorbed impurity compounds with hydrogen to give a reaction product which is then removed by absorption using a bed of non-regenerable absorbent. At least some of the gas stream is then recycled to the adsorbent bed undergoing regeneration. Hydrogen is added in approximately the stoichiometric amount required for the reaction with the impurity compounds before the regeneration gas enters the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Edwin Stephen Willis