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).

  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7498003
    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: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel deVreede, Puneet Gupta
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7498002
    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: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Howard Wood Jenkins, Jr., Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel deVreede
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7495125
    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: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel de Vreede
  • Oxidation system with internal secondary reactor
    Patent number: 7491369
    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: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Thomas Earl Woodruff, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Wayne Scott Strasser
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7482482
    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: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Marcel de Vreede, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Publication number: 20080242887
    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: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel de Vreede, J. Thomas Tidwell
  • Polycarboxylic acid production system employing hot liquor removal downstream of oxidative digestion
    Patent number: 7420082
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system includes an optimized post-digestion cooling stage that provides a TPA product having enhanced purity, while minimizing costs associated with removing impurities from recycled solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Martin De Boer
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Publication number: 20080194864
    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: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel de Vreede, Puneet Gupta
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7399882
    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: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Howard Wood Jenkins, Jr., Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel de Vreede
  • Polycarboxylic acid production system with enhanced residence time distribution for oxidative digestion
    Patent number: 7393973
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system includes an oxidative digestion reactor/zone configured to provide optimized residence time distribution for the solid and liquid phases of the reaction medium processed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert Lin, Ruairi Seosamh O'Meadhra, Alan George Wonders, Thomas Michael Pell, Jr.
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7390921
    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: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Marcel de Vreede, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Puneet Gupta
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7381836
    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: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser, Marcel de Vreede, Puneet Gupta
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7371894
    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: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Marcel de Vreede, Lee Reynolds Partin, Wayne Scott Strasser
  • Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
    Patent number: 7361784
    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: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Gino Georges Lavoie, Charles Edwan Sumner, Jr.
  • Oxidation system employing internal structure for enhanced hydrodynamics
    Patent number: 7358389
    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: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Thomas Earl Woodruff, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Wayne Scott Strasser
  • Oxidation system with internal secondary reactor
    Patent number: 7355068
    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: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Thomas Earl Woodruff, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Wayne Scott Strasser
  • Process for production of a polyester product from alkylene oxide and carboxylic acid
    Patent number: 7332548
    Abstract: A process to produce polyester product from alkylene oxide and carboxylic acid. More specifically this process relates to a process to produce polyethylene terephthalate where terephthalic acid and ethylene oxide are reacted to form a partially esterified terephthalic acid product and then the partially esterified product is further reacted with ethylene glycol to produce polyethylene terephthalate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan Wayne White, Michael Paul Ekart, Larry Cates Windes, Richard Gill Bonner, Alan George Wonders
  • Polycarboxylic acid production system employing cooled mother liquor from oxidative digestion as feed to impurity purge system
    Patent number: 7326808
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. A solvent purification system is employed to remove of at least one aromatic impurity present in a solvent purification feed. At least about 20 weight percent of the solvent purification feed originates from a cooled, post-digestion, TPA-containing slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Martin De Boer, Lee Reynolds Partin, Raymond Elbert Fogle
  • Polycarboxylic acid production system with enhanced heating for oxidative digestion
    Patent number: 7326807
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system includes an novel method for heating the slurry and/or reaction medium subjected to oxidative digestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Robert Lin, Leigh A. Alexander, Thomas Michael Pell, Jr.
  • Polycarboxylic acid production system employing enhanced evaporative concentration downstream of oxidative digestion
    Publication number: 20070244340
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system employs an evaporative removal step downstream of oxidative digestion. The evaporative removal step removes a portion of the liquid phase and promotes precipitation of certain aromatic impurities. By promoting precipitation of certain aromatic impurities, the amount of the precipitated impurities in the recycled solvent is advantageously reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Thomas Earl Woodruff, Martin De Boer, Raymond Elbert Fogle, Philip Edward Gibson, Kenny Randolph Parker