Patents by Inventor C. Andrew Jones

C. Andrew Jones 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).

  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4554395
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxidative synthesizing agent under elevated pressures, preferably at pressures within the range of about 5 to 30 atmospheres. Particularly effective oxidative synthesizing agents are reducible oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of Mn,Sn,In,Ge,Pb,Sb, and Bi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion process
    Patent number: 4547607
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon product by contacting the methane with a solid which comprises a reducible metal oxide which when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement comprising recycling C.sub.2 + alkanes recovered during subsequent processing of the effluent produced by the contacting to the contacting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4547611
    Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane and an oxidative synthesizing agent at synthesizing conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane with a solid comprising a promoting amount of alkali metal and/or compounds thereof, said solid being associated with a support selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and compounds thereof. Magnesia is a particularly preferred support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4544784
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon product by contacting methane with a contact solid which comprises a reducible metal oxide which when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water; and a promoting amount of at least one halogen component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: John A. Sofranko, C. Andrew Jones
  • Methane conversion process
    Patent number: 4523049
    Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under synthesis conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane and oxygen with a contact solid which also contains a promoting amount of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and/or compounds thereof. Sodium is a particularly effective promoter. Stability of the promoted contact agent is enhanced by the presence of minor amounts of phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko, Howard P. Withers
  • Methane conversion process
    Patent number: 4523050
    Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under synthesis conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane and oxygen with a contact solid which comprises at least one manganese silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4499322
    Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane and an oxidative synthesizing agent at synthesizing conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane with an oxidative synthesizing agent containing a promoting amount of alkali metal and/or compounds thereof. Sodium is a particularly effective promoter. Stability of the promoted contact agent is enhanced by the presence of phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4444984
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of tin at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of tin is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide SnO.sub.2 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443649
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of manganese at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of manganese is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Mn.sub.3 O.sub.4 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443648
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of indium at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 850.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of indium is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide In.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective solid synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443644
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of antimony at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of antimony is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443645
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of germanium at a temperature of 500.degree. to 800.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of germanium is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide GeO.sub.2 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443647
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of lead at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of lead is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide PbO is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443646
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of bismuth at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 850.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of bismuth is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective solid synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko