Patents Examined by Wilbur Bascomb, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5645694
    Abstract: An improved vapor compression distillation process and apparatus are provided having a container with a substantially horizontal longitudinal center axis, two opposing end plates closing each end of the container, a first and second passage area defined within and on opposing ends of the container, each adjacent one of the end plates, a collecting chamber defined within the container between the first and second passage areas, a plurality of generally horizontal tubes spacedly exposed within the collecting chamber generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container, each of the tubes having two opposing ends which open into the first and second passage areas respectively, two opposing plates positioned on opposite ends of the horizontal tubes, each plate engaging similar ends of the horizontal tubes, a vapor compressor attached to the container such that the vapor compressor communicates with an upper area of the collecting chamber and communicates with the first passage area, at least one passage fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Vacom II, L.P.
    Inventors: James M. Stewart, Bobby D. Morris
  • Patent number: 5516406
    Abstract: A method of purifying the oxidate product formed by the liquid phase oxidation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 paraffinic hydrocarbons comprises adding a strong acid catalyst to the oxidate product to catalyze the break down of Michael addition products of unsaturated carbonyls and carboxylic acids so that the carbonyls can be distilled off during the initial stages of purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Corporation
    Inventors: Nicole G. Wallace, Kenneth A. Windhorst
  • Patent number: 5512140
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method of in-service cleaning an operating column by inserting into the column a lance through which a compatible liquid is dispensed at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig. Also disclosed is apparatus which comprises a column through which a fluid can pass, nozzles mounted on the outside of the column, where each nozzle comprises a flange welded to the column and a valve bolted to the flange, a lance which can be inserted through the nozzles into the column and means for dispensing a liquid through the lance at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Occidental Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Rutan
  • Patent number: 5507921
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching a gas stream in the production of vinyl chloride monomer includes the use of a knock back condenser and a plurality of column fractional distillation trays disposed within the quench column, and a liquid stream of 1,2-dichloroethane, vinyl chloride, and hydrogen chloride may be removed from the bottom column fractional distillation tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Westlake Monomers Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Best
  • Patent number: 5507919
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the defluorination of a liquid hydrocarbon mixture, containing organic fluorides, produced during the conversion of hydrocarbons using a fluorine-containing catalyst. In one embodiment, both a thermal means and a contacting material are used to effectuate a more complete defluorination. The liquid hydrocarbon mixture is extracted from a distillation column and heated sufficiently in the thermal means to decompose at least some of the organic fluorides. The effluent from the thermal means is separated into a vaporous and a liquid effluent. The liquid effluent is passed to the bottom of the distillation column where it undergoes further defluorination through contact with the contacting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Love, Stone P. Washer
  • Patent number: 5500096
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and a novel apparatus for the concentration, separation, and purification of contaminated chemical compounds, wherein the chemical compound is less volatile than the contaminant. The distillation is performed using constant, predetermined distillation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.
    Inventor: Wallace I. Yuan
  • Patent number: 5500097
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing an organic compound in water at a high efficiency by separating an organic compound, particularly such an organic chlorine compound as 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride and chloroform dissolved in water or forming two liquid phases with water from a water phase, by the steps of:(i) charging water containing an organic compound into a first distillation column for conducting distillation or steam distillation to take the organic compound and water out of the top of the first distillation column and to obtain a bottom liquor containing the organic compound at a lower content from the bottom of the first distillation column, and(ii) charging the bottom liquor of the first distillation column into a second distillation column operated at a pressure lower than that in the first distillation column for conducting distillation, preferably flashing under reduced pressure, to take a gas distillate containing a large amount of the organic compound out of the t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Kazutoshi Itoyama, Seiichi Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 5500098
    Abstract: Volatile acids containing metal salt impurities, such as metal pickling solutions-are regenerated by a process in which the acid is subjected to sulfuric acid distillation. Resulting volatile acid vapor is condensed and recycled to the pickle tank, while the residual acid mixture is treated in an acid sorption unit, preferably of the acid retardation type. Acid sorbed in the acid sorption unit is periodically eluted with water and recycled, while metal impurities are rejected in a deacidified by-product solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Eco-Tec Limited
    Inventors: Craig J. Brown, Michael A. Sheedy
  • Patent number: 5498317
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed with a portion of the condensed overhead being returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan D. Holiday
  • Patent number: 5496447
    Abstract: A distilling apparatus for distillation of water, including a condensing chamber divided into an upper holding space for receiving water from a water source and a lower holding chamber for condensing steam into water, a heating chamber controlled to heat water from the upper holding space into steam and having a steam outlet connected to the lower holding space for guiding steam into the lower holding space for condensing, a hot water chamber, which receives condensed water from the lower holding space of the condensing chamber, and a cold water chamber, which receives distilled water from the hot water chamber and cools it down by an electronic cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Chin-Tu Wang
  • Patent number: 5492603
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for recovering acetic acid from an acetic acid/water waste stream which includes a dehydration column into which the stream is fed and a liquid-liquid extraction system for recovering acetic acid from the condensate of the overhead stream of the dehydration column. Optionally, low pressure and/or high pressure absorber systems are provided to process vapor and/or liquid streams associated with the recovery system and/or the plant in which the acetic acid is used to further the recovery of acetic acid and reduce atmospheric pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Glitsch, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Gualy, Wiston Lamshing, Joseph C. Gentry, Fernando Varela
  • Patent number: 5492602
    Abstract: A distiller for producing potable water employs a metal boiler tray having a cover member in which there is an inlet for raw water and which together form a steam chamber having an outlet for steam. The boiler tray bottom has a plurality of steps including a highest, an intermediate and a lowest level step which are all covered with water at the beginning of a distillation cycle. The temperature of the highest level step is monitored with a sensor. A rise in the temperature of the highest level step by a predetermined amount above the boiling temperature of water indicates that the highest and intermediate level steps have become dry. This results in a signal to a controller to open a valve and admit replenishment raw water whose amount is dependent on valve open time. Steam evolved from the boiler tray is conducted through a first check valve in the cover member to demister chamber when the mist or carryover water in the steam impinges on a baffle and is separated from the steam as condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Vogelman, William F. Strutz
  • Patent number: 5490906
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a fluid distillation system wherein each embodiment uses a primary container or chamber for water or fluid to be distilled and a secondary water container or chamber. The two chambers are adjacent to each other, and the secondary chamber cooperates with the primary chamber to direct water vapor generated in the system to travel to a reservoir for collection. The primary chamber has a heater therewithin near the upper surface of the water carried thereby. The heater is provided for generating water vapor from aerated water, whereby the water vapor when heated will pass out of water at the upper surface of the water and into fluid passages for flow to the reservoir. The secondary container or chamber has no heater but carries aerated water before the water moves out of the secondary container or chamber and into and downwardly along a passage which lead eventually to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: Naisin Lee
  • Patent number: 5490907
    Abstract: A method for the separation and recovery of volatiles from a sludge containing about 1 to 80% by weight liquid solvents and 20 to 99% by weight solids, in which said sludge is fed with a reagent powder material in an amount effective to form a mixture having a high surface area to a distillation vessel, said mixture is heated to a temperature up to about 350.degree. C. while said mixture is advanced through the vessel for a time sufficient to distil a sufficient portion of the solvents to yield a solid residue powder, distilled solvents are condensed, and the solid residue powder recovered. The vessel preferably is a mechanical fluidized bed distillation vessel and said mixture is fluidized while being heated therein under a partial vacuum in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The effective amount of reagent powder material includes about 5 to 70 wt % of the reagent powder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Agglo Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Weinwurm, Paul S. Weinwurm
  • Patent number: 5489366
    Abstract: A distillation method for the purification of crude propylene oxide containing contaminating quantities of water and methanol by partially purifying the crude propylene oxide in a plural stage distillation zone to provide a vaporized overhead distillate propylene oxide fraction containing a minor contaminating amount of vaporized water, andpassing the propylene oxide vapor fraction through a drying chamber containing a porous hygroscopic solid absorbent to selectively absorb water vapor onto the absorbent,and liquefying and recovering the thus-dehydrated purified propylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Inc.
    Inventor: Huibert S. Jongenburger
  • Patent number: 5487818
    Abstract: A process for separating phthalimido-peroxycaproic acid (PAP) from solutions in organic solvents, wherein the organic solvents have a solubility in water equal to or lower to 10% by weight, is provided. The process employs the following steps:(a) dispersing the solution in an aqueous medium to form a suspension;(b) bubbling an inert gas into the resulting suspension; and(c) recovering PAP from the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ausimont S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Cavallotti, Claudio Troglia, Roberto Garaffa
  • Patent number: 5487814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for ensuring the sterility of distillate in a multi-stage distilling machine. All feed water of the multi-stage distilling machine flows through a first column operating at the highest temperature so that the temperature of the feed water is equal to or greater than about 121.degree. C., about 131.degree. C., and about 141.degree. C., respectively, and the delay time after the feed water is removed from the first column and before its entry into the first column is at least about 8 minutes, about 0.8 minutes, 0.08 minutes, respectively. The delay produces the result that the distillate of every column of the multi-stage distilling machine is sterile, including that of the last column operating at the lowest temperature. The feed water flows through a first flow line from a second column to the first column, from the first column through a second flow line to a heat exchanger and returns from the heat exchanger through a third flow line to the first column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Finn-Aqua Santasalo-Sohlberg Oy
    Inventor: Lauri Santasalo
  • Patent number: 5484510
    Abstract: A water distillation apparatus and method include an improved control system for operation and maintenance, condensers with plastic to metal seals between a plastic condenser manifold and metallic cooling tubes, and a filter with steam bypass to allow for easy sterilization of the filter and remaining distillation system. The control system includes a three pronged probe assembly for monitoring conditions within an evaporation chamber. One of the three probes monitors steam conductivity and provides a steam fault signal to indicate an upper level of contaminants in the steam. A purge pump is responsive to fault signals, including the steam fault signal, to pump water from the evaporation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Dew Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Micheal O. Hartman, Dale J. Kinder, Randy E. Rainey, Arthur R. Helmich, Daniel E. Willis
  • Patent number: 5482597
    Abstract: In a process for purifying crude (meth)acrylic acid, the crude (meth)acrylic acid is worked up by distillation after addition of an organic carboxylic acid hydrazide and, if desired, an organic sulfonic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Herbst, Gerhard Nestler, Jerry Darlington, Hans Martan
  • Patent number: 5478442
    Abstract: A rotary hearth calciner for treating petroleum cokes with a puffing inhibitor has a horizontal or inwardly sloping hearth floor rotatable around a vertical axis for receiving particles of coke to be calcined and a central opening in the hearth floor for discharging the coke into a soaking pit. A water cooled, refractory covered feed pipe extending downward into the calciner interior has an inlet for connection to a source of petroleum coke puffing inhibitor and an outlet near the edge of the hearth central floor opening for adding the puffing inhibitor to the coke as the coke is discharged from said hearth floor. The feed pipe outlet is approximately at or below the level of the hearth floor to reduce loss of inhibitor in gas flow above the hearth floor. A puffing inhibitor such as sodium carbonate is supplied by a screw feed mechanism to the feed pipe to add the puffing inhibitor at a desired rate for reaction with the coke. The coke is normally maintained in the soaking pit for about 30 minutes at 1200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: UCAR Carbon Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Orac