Patents by Inventor Bruce E. Firth
Bruce E. Firth 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).
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Patent number: 9481627Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent includes (i) a salt and/or an ester of a phosphorous oxo acid, and/or (ii) a derivative of the phosphorous oxo acid in which at least one P—H bond has been replaced by a P—C bond, and/or (iii) a salt and/or an ester of the derivative. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Publication number: 20160090343Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent includes (i) a salt and/or an ester of a phosphorous oxo acid, and/or (ii) a derivative of the phosphorous oxo acid in which at least one P—H bond has been replaced by a P—C bond, and/or (iii) a salt and/or an ester of the derivative. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Applicant: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Patent number: 9222056Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent selected from the group consisting of (i) a salt and/or an ester of a phosphorous oxo acid, (ii) a derivative of the phosphorous oxo acid in which at least one P—H bond has been replaced by a P—C bond, (iii) a salt and/or an ester of the derivative, and (iv) combinations thereof; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Patent number: 9175231Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous acid, phosphinic acid, and a combination thereof; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product. Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products produced in a metathesis reaction, and methods of producing fuel compositions are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Patent number: 9169174Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent that includes nitric acid to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. Methods of refining a natural oil are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Patent number: 9169447Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent that comprises nitric acid; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product. Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products produced in a metathesis reaction, and methods of producing fuel compositions are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Patent number: 9139493Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent is phosphorous acid, a phosphorous acid ester, phosphinic acid, a phosphinic acid ester or combinations thereof. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Patent number: 9133416Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent includes (i) a salt and/or an ester of a phosphorous oxo acid, and/or (ii) a derivative of the phosphorous oxo acid in which at least one P—H bond has been replaced by a P—C bond, and/or (iii) a salt and/or an ester of the derivative. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Publication number: 20130165706Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent is phosphorous acid, a phosphorous acid ester, phosphinic acid, a phosphinic acid ester or combinations thereof. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20130165708Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent that includes nitric acid to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. Methods of refining a natural oil are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Publication number: 20130165707Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent includes (i) a salt and/or an ester of a phosphorous oxo acid, and/or (ii) a derivative of the phosphorous oxo acid in which at least one P—H bond has been replaced by a P—C bond, and/or (iii) a salt and/or an ester of the derivative. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Publication number: 20130006012Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent selected from the group consisting of (i) a salt and/or an ester of a phosphorous oxo acid, (ii) a derivative of the phosphorous oxo acid in which at least one P—H bond has been replaced by a P—C bond, (iii) a salt and/or an ester of the derivative, and (iv) combinations thereof; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Publication number: 20120197031Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous acid, phosphinic acid, and a combination thereof; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product. Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products produced in a metathesis reaction, and methods of producing fuel compositions are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20120197032Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent that comprises nitric acid; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product. Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products produced in a metathesis reaction, and methods of producing fuel compositions are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk
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Patent number: 7282600Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Ineos USA LLCInventors: Bruce I. Rosen, Bruce E. Firth
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Patent number: 6984749Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Bruce I. Rosen, Bruce E. Firth
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Publication number: 20040249182Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Bruce I. Rosen, Bruce E. Firth
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Publication number: 20040110977Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2002Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventors: Bruce I. Rosen, Bruce E. Firth
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Patent number: 4815445Abstract: Anion exchange resins which have been exchanged with molybdate at acid pH are effective catalysts for epimerizing compounds with the structural unit: ##STR1## Cheif among these are aldoses, especially aldopentoses and aldohexoses, as well as some deoxy-sugars. A method for the continuous epimerization of aldoses and other compounds having the necessary structural feature shown using a fixed bed of molybdate-exchanged resin is quite efficient, and can be employed in enhancing the yield of the thermodynamically formed epimer which is produced as the minor epimer in a mixture under kinetic control.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1988Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Swedo, Blaise J. Arena, Bruce E. Firth
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Patent number: 4718405Abstract: Although feedstocks of L-mannose prepared from hydrocyanation of L-arabinose contain inhibitors to the soluble molybdate-catalyzed epimerization of L-mannose to L-glucose, experimental conditions have been found which minimize such inhibition. A method is presented for improving the yield of L-glucose in a preparative route using hydrocyanation of L-arabinose as the entry to the L-hexoses by incorporating a soluble molybdate-catalyzed empimerrization stage conducted at a pH below 3.0.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1987Date of Patent: January 12, 1988Assignee: UOP Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Blaise J. Arena