Patents by Inventor Catherine J. Conkwright

Catherine J. Conkwright 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).

  • Continuous isobutylene-assisted aqueous extraction of methanol from methyl tertiary butyl ether
    Patent number: 5395982
    Abstract: An impure methyl tertiary butyl ether product contaminated with isobutylene, methanol and water is purified by continuous counter-current contact with water and isobutylene in a counter-current contact extraction tower to provide an overhead extract comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and water and a raffinate comprising methanol, water and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether, the overhead raffinate being separated in a methyl tertiary butyl ether purification distillation zone into a lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene and water and a heavier distillation fraction consisting essentially of methyl tertiary butyl ether, the lighter distillation fraction being decanted to remove water and to provide a distillate isobutylene fraction that is charged to a surge drum from which isobutylene is returned to the contact tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John R. Cassata, Stuart J. Parker, Rei-Yu J. Hwan, Catherine J. Conkwright