Patents by Inventor Alan George Wonders

Alan George Wonders has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10029973
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GROPO PETROTEMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Robert Lin, Lee Reynolds Partin, Marcel de Vreede, Wayne Scott Strasser
  • Publication number: 20180072648
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: GRUPO PETROTEMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Alan George WONDERS, Robert LIN, Lee Reynolds PARTIN, Marcel de VREEDE, Wayne Scott STRASSER
  • Patent number: 9505692
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 9493387
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 9493389
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 9493388
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 8968686
    Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for vertical splitting of the oxygen supply to a post-oxidation reactor. Further disclosed are process and apparatus for supplying reaction medium to a post-oxidation reactor at a mid-level inlet. Such apparatus and process can assist in reducing oxygen pinch throughout the post-oxidation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Ashfaq Shaikh, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 8940255
    Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for vertical splitting of the oxygen supply to a post-oxidation reactor. Further disclosed are process and apparatus for supplying reaction medium to a post-oxidation reactor at a mid-level inlet. Such apparatus and process can assist in reducing oxygen pinch throughout the post-oxidation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Ashfaq Shaikh, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 8936767
    Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for vertical splitting of the oxygen supply to a post-oxidation reactor. Further disclosed are process and apparatus for supplying reaction medium to a post-oxidation reactor at a mid-level inlet. Such apparatus and process can assist in reducing oxygen pinch throughout the post-oxidation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex. S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Ashfaq Shaikh, Alan George Wonders, David Lange
  • Patent number: 8685334
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Puneet Gupta, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel de Vreede
  • Publication number: 20130280141
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Alan George WONDERS, Robert LIN, Lee Reynolds PARTIN, Marcel de VREEDE, Wayne Scott STRASSER
  • Patent number: 8501986
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Robert Lin, Lee Reynolds Partin, Marcel de Vreede, Wayne Scott Strasser
  • Patent number: 8470257
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel deVreede, Puneet Gupta
  • Patent number: 8247522
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
  • Publication number: 20120202965
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 8236921
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 8202962
    Abstract: Processes for making polyesters in a polyester production facility are disclosed, that include the steps of: forming a reaction medium comprising at least one monomer that includes terephthalic acid (TPA) and/or an ester derivative of TPA; subjecting at least a portion of the reaction medium to one or more chemical reactions in the polyester production facility to thereby produce the polyester; heating at least a portion of the reaction medium via indirect heat exchange with high-pressure steam, wherein the heating causes at least a portion of the high-pressure steam to condense and thereby provide pressurized condensed water; flashing at least a portion of the pressurized condensed water to thereby produce lower-pressure steam; and heating one or more process fluid streams of the polyester production facility via indirect heat exchange with at least a portion of the lower-pressure steam, wherein the process fluid streams include any stream that is formed predominately of the reaction medium and/or the at lea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, James Donald Simpson, Bruce Roger DeBruin
  • Patent number: 8198397
    Abstract: Integrated processes for making polyesters are disclosed, that include the steps of: (a) producing an aromatic polycarboxylic acid in a monomer production facility; (b) producing a polyester in a polyester production facility, wherein the producing of the polyester comprises the substeps of: (i) forming a polyester reaction medium comprising at least a portion of the aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the monomer production facility, (ii) subjecting at least a portion of the polyester reaction medium to one or more chemical reactions to thereby produce the polyester, (iii) heating the polyester reaction medium at one or more locations in the polyester production facility via indirect heat exchange with high-pressure steam, wherein the heating causes at least a portion of the high-pressure steam to condense and thereby provide pressurized condensed water, and (iv) flashing at least a portion of the pressurized condensed water to thereby produce lower-pressure steam; and (c) using at least a portion of the lower
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, James Donald Simpson, Bruce Roger DeBruin
  • Patent number: 8178054
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S. A. DE C. V.
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel de Vreede
  • Patent number: 8153840
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Earl Woodruff, Alan George Wonders