Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Hook

Bruce D. Hook 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).

  • Publication number: 20120253055
    Abstract: A process for preparing a divinylarene dioxide including reacting (a) at least one divinylarene; (b) at least one peroxycarboximidic acid; (c) at least one solvent; and (d) at least one basic compound, under conditions to form a reaction mixture containing a divinylarene dioxide product; and then separating the divinylarene dioxide product from the other reaction mixture components to obtain a purified divinylarene dioxide product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Eric B. Ripplinger, David Jean, David L. Burow, Khiet T. Pham, Gyongyi Gulyas, Bruce D. Hook
  • Patent number: 8236975
    Abstract: A process for converting a crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof starting material with a source of a superatmospheric partial pressure of hydrogen chloride for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, and wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts; wherein said crude glycerol, said ester of crude glycerol, or mixture thereof is derived from a renewable raw material. Chlorohydrins made by the process of the present invention are useful in preparing epoxides such as epichlorohydrins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Bruce D. Hook, John Briggs, Robert M. Campbell, William J. Kruper, David J. Schreck, Richard D. Varjian, Jeffrey G. Hippler
  • Publication number: 20120130096
    Abstract: A multiple liquid phase composition and process for preparing propylene oxide including a reaction mixture of: (a) propylene, (b) at least one peroxide compound, (c) at least one catalyst, such as a titanium silicalite-1 (TS-I) catalyst, and (d) and a predetermined amount of a solvent mixture; wherein the solvent mixture comprises at least (i) at least one alcohol, such as methanol, and (ii) at least one non-reactive co-solvent; wherein the solvents are mixed at a predetermined concentration; wherein the non-reactive co-solvent has a different boiling point than propylene oxide; and wherein the resulting propylene oxide product partitions into a high affinity solvent during the reaction. The process of the present invention advantageously produces a waste stream with little or no significant amount of sodium chloride (NaCl).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Hannah L. Crampton, Philip J. Carlberg, David H. West, Bruce D. Hook, William W. Fan, Anna Forlin
  • Publication number: 20120130095
    Abstract: A multiple liquid phase composition and process for preparing an oxirane product, such as epichlorohydrin, including a reaction mixture of: (a) at least one olefin, wherein the olefin is selected from one of (i) an aliphatic olefin or substituted aliphatic olefin, with the proviso that the aliphatic olefin is not propylene, (ii) a cycloaliphatic olefin, (iii) an aromatic olefin, (iv) a cycloaromatic olefin, and (v) mixtures thereof; (b) at least one peroxide compound, (c) at least one catalyst, and (d) and a solvent mixture; wherein the solvent mixture comprises at least (i) at least one alcohol or a combination of alcohols, and (ii) at least one non-reactive co-solvent; wherein the solvents are mixed at a predetermined concentration; wherein the non-reactive co-solvent has a different boiling point than the oxirane product; and wherein the oxirane product partitions into a high affinity solvent during the reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Hannah L. Crampton, Philip J. Carlberg, David H. West, Bruce D. Hook, William W. Fan, Anna Forlin
  • Patent number: 8088957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof starting material with a source of a superatmospheric partial pressure of hydrogen chloride for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, and wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts. In addition, certain catalysts of the present invention may be used in the present process at superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressure conditions with improved results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: William J. Kruper, Jr., David J. Schreck, Kenneth L. Kearns, Richard D. Varjian, Mark E. Jones, Robert M. Campbell, Bruce D. Hook, John R. Briggs, Jeffrey G. Hippler
  • Publication number: 20110178315
    Abstract: A process for converting a crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof starting material with a source of a superatmospheric partial pressure of hydrogen chloride for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, and wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts; wherein said crude glycerol, said ester of crude glycerol, or mixture thereof is derived from a renewable raw material. Chlorohydrins made by the process of the present invention are useful in preparing epoxides such as epichlorohydrins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Hook, John Briggs, Robert M. Campbell, William J. Kruper, JR., David J. Schreck, Richard D. Varjian, Jeffrey G. Hippler
  • Publication number: 20110178243
    Abstract: Modifying agents, e.g., a poly(sulfonyl) azide, are attached to a substrate surface, e.g., the surface of a polyolefin particle, by a process comprising the steps of: A. Contacting in an open contact zone and under a flow of inert gas a substrate with a modifying agent, binding agent, e.g., a phenolic-based antioxidant, and a liquid mixing agent, e.g., methylene chloride, to form a substrate mixture; B. Closing the contact zone and stopping the flow of inert gas to the contact zone; C. Agitating the substrate mixture under the inert gas in the closed contact zone to commence evaporation of the liquid mixing agent; D. Reducing the temperature and pressure of the closed contact zone while continuing to agitate the substrate mixture; and E. Completing the substantial evaporation of the mixing agent from the substrate mixture by opening the contact zone and initiating an inert gas flow while continuing agitation of the substrate mixture and maintaining a reduced pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: James W. McMichael, Jorg Theuerkauf, Bruce D. Hook, Malcolm F. Ginlayson
  • Publication number: 20110152580
    Abstract: A process for converting multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compound(s) and/or ester(s) thereof to chlorohydrins and/or esters thereof is disclosed in which one or more of multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compound(s) and/or ester(s) thereof and/or monochlorohydrin(s) and/or ester(s) thereof with at least one chlorinating feed stream comprising at least one chlorinating agent and at least one impurity having a boiling point below the boiling point of the chlorohydrin product having the lowest boiling under hydrochlorination conditions, optionally in the presence of water, one or more catalyst(s), and/or one or more heavy byproduct(s) in a reaction vessel under hydrochlorination conditions, wherein the liquid-phase reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature below the boiling point of the chlorohydrin product having the lowest boiling point under hydrochlorination conditions and greater than the boiling point(s) of the at least one impurity and a vapor phase vent stream comprising the at least o
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce D. Hook, Anna Forlin, Andrei S. Merenov, Danil Tirtowidjolo, Anil J. Mehta, Jan W. Verwijs, Aaltje Verwijs-van den Brink, Lena Verwijs, Hendrika Gerrita Verwijs, Wilma Hensen
  • Publication number: 20110124890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof starting material with a source of hydrogen chloride at superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressure conditions for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, preferably wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts; said process carried out without a step undertaken to specifically remove volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products or chloroacetone, wherein the combined concentration of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products and chloroacetone is less than 2000 ppm throughout any stage of the said process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: William J. Kruper, Tina Arrowood, Bruce M. Bell, John Briggs, Robert M. Campbell, Bruce D. Hook, Anh Nguyen, Curt Theriault, Ralf Fitschen
  • Publication number: 20110124892
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof starting material with a source of hydrogen chloride at superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressure conditions for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, preferably wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts; said process carried out without a step undertaken to specifically remove volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products or chloroacetone, wherein the combined concentration of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products and chloroacetone is less than 2000 ppm throughout any stage of the said process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: William J. Kruper, JR., Tina Arrowood, Bruce Michael Bell, John Briggs, Robert M. Campbell, Bruce D. Hook, Anh Nguyen, Curt Theriault, Ralf Fitschen
  • Publication number: 20110098516
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering dichlorohydrins from a mixture comprising dichlorohydrins, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising water, chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts is disclosed. The mixture is distilled or fractionated to separate a lower boiling fraction comprising dichlorohydrin(s) from the mixture to form a higher boiling fraction comprising the residue of the distillation or fractionation. The higher boiling fraction is distilled or fractionated to separate remaining dichlorohydrin(s) from the above mixture to form an even higher boiling fraction comprising the residue of the distillation or fractionation. At least some of the lower boiling fraction and the dichlorohydrin(s) are recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce D. Hook, Andrei Merenov, Danil Tirtowidjojo
  • Patent number: 7910781
    Abstract: A process for converting a crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof starting material with a source of a superatmospheric partial pressure of hydrogen chloride for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, and wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts; wherein said crude glycerol, said ester of crude glycerol, or mixture thereof is derived from a renewable raw material. Chlorohydrins made by the process of the present invention are useful in preparing epoxides such as epichlorohydrins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce D. Hook, John Briggs, Robert M. Campbell, William J. Kruper, Jr., David J. Schreck, Richard D. Varjian, Jeffrey G. Hippler
  • Patent number: 7906690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon or ester thereof starting material with a source of hydrogen chloride at superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressure conditions for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, preferably wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts; said process carried out without a step undertaken to specifically remove volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products or chloroacetone, wherein the combined concentration of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products and chloroacetone is less than 2000 ppm throughout any stage of the said process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventors: William J. Kruper, Jr., Tina Arrowood, Bruce Michael Bell, John Briggs, Robert M. Campbell, Bruce D. Hook, Anh Nguyen, Curt Theriault, Ralf Fitschen
  • Publication number: 20110028766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting at least one multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or an ester thereof to at least one chlorohydrin and/or an ester thereof, comprising at least one reaction step in which the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or ester thereof is contacted with hydrogen chloride under reaction conditions to produce the chlorohydrin and/or ester thereof, followed by at least one downstream processing step in which the effluents of the reaction step are processed, wherein the downstream processing step is performed in such conditions that the effluents containing the chlorohydrin and/or ester thereof are kept at a temperature of less than 120° C. The invention allows to minimize the liberation of hydrogen chloride from the products of the hydrochlorination reaction, hence reducing the corrosion of the downstream equipment and reducing the need to use costly corrosion resistant materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: John R. Briggs, Bruce D. Hook, William J. Kruper Jr., Anil Mehta, Robert M. Alvarado, Sascha Noormann, Perry S. Basile
  • Publication number: 20110004027
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing chlorohydrin comprising reacting a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon-containing stream with a stream of a first effluent exiting from a hydrochlorination reactor in at least one vessel wherein the vessel exhibits a plug flow residence time characteristic, under conditions such that at least a portion of any unreacted HCl component present in the first effluent is reacted with the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon present in the multihydroxylated aliphatic hydrogen-containing stream to from an amount of monochlorohydrin in a stream of a second effluent exiting from the plug flow vessel; recovering said second effluent; and then optionally using the second effluent from the plug flow reactor in a subsequent processing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Anil J. Mehta, Danil Tirtowidjojo, Bruce D. Hook, John R. Briggs, Jeffrey G. Hippler
  • Publication number: 20100152499
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting at least one multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or an ester thereof to at least one chlorohydrin and/or an ester thereof, comprising at least one reaction step in which the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or ester thereof is contacted with hydrogen chloride under reaction conditions to produce the chlorohydrin and/or ester thereof, followed by at least one downstream processing step in which the effluents of the reaction step are processed, wherein the downstream processing step is performed in such conditions that the effluents containing the chlorohydrin and/or ester thereof are kept at a temperature of less than 12O° C. The invention allows to minimize the liberation of hydrogen chloride from the products of the hydrochlorination reaction, hence reducing the corrosion of the downstream equipment and reducing M the need to use costly corrosion resistant materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: John R. Briggs, Bruce D. Hook, William J. Kruper, JR., Anil Mehta, Robert M. Alvarado, Sascha Noormann, Perry S. Basile
  • Publication number: 20100137652
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering dichlorohydrins from a mixture comprising dichlorohydrins, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising water, chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts is disclosed. The mixture is distilled or fractionated to separate a lower boiling fraction comprising dichlorohydrin(s) from the mixture to form a higher boiling fraction comprising the residue of the distillation or fractionation. The higher boiling fraction is stripped to recover remaining dichlorohydrins. Advantages include more efficient recovery of dichlorohydrins for a given distillation column, less waste due to avoiding the conditions conducive to the formation of heavy byproducts, and reduced capital investment in recovery equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Danil Tirtowidjojo, Andrei S. Merenov, Christian D. Kneupper, Bruce D. Hook, Anil I. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20100137653
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering dichlorohydrins from a mixture comprising dichlorohydrins, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising water, chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts is disclosed. The mixture is stripped to recover dichlorohydrin(s) while distilling or fractionating the mixture to separate a lower boiling fraction comprising dichlorohydrin(s) from the mixture in one step. Advantages include more efficient recovery of dichlorohydrins for a given distillation column, less waste due to avoiding the conditions conducive to the formation of heavy byproducts, and reduced capital investment in recovery equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Danil Tirtowidjojo, Andrei S. Merenov, Christian D. Kneupper, Bruce D. Hook, Anil J. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20100105965
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering dichlorohydrins from a mixture comprising dichlorohydrins, water, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts is disclosed. A liquid aqueous phase is recycled to the distillation column while distilling or fractionating the mixture to separate dichlorohydrin(s) and water from the mixture. Advantages include more efficient recovery of dichlorohydrins for a given distillation column, less waste due to avoiding the conditions conducive to the formation of heavy byproducts, and reduced capital investment in recovery equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Danil Tirtowidjojo, Andrei S. Merenov, Christian D. Kneupper, Bruce D. Hook, Anil J. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20100029960
    Abstract: A process for producing epoxide, the process including contacting an organic phase including at least one halohydrin(s) with at least one aqueous phase including a base in a plug-flow mixer/reactor system to disperse the organic phase in the aqueous phase via a mixing device imparting a power-to-mass ratio of at least 0.2 W/kg to convert at least a portion of the at least one halohydrin to an epoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: William W. Fan, Christian D. Kneupper, Sascha N. Noormann, Renate P. Patrascu, Bruce D. Hook, Charles W. Lipp, Michael D. Cloeter, Heinz G. Groenewald