Patents by Inventor Daniel C. Merkel

Daniel C. Merkel 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: 20260201230
    Abstract: Heterogenous azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprising 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and water which may include from about 0.05 wt. % to about 92.01 wt. % 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and from about 7.99 wt. % to about 99.95 wt. % water and having a boiling point between about 13.5° C. and about 14.5° C. at a pressure of between about 12.5 psia and about 16.5 psia. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions may be used to separate impurities from 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2026
    Publication date: July 16, 2026
    Inventors: Haluk Kopkalli, Daniel C. Merkel, Hang T. Pham
  • Publication number: 20260176223
    Abstract: Production of HFO-1132 and, in particular, HFO-1132E, may be produced from 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113) or CTFE. The present disclosure provides a non-catalytic method for producing trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E)), comprising: providing a reactant composition comprising cis-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(Z)); and isomerizing the HFO-1132(Z) in an electric heater reactor or a tubular reactor at a temperature of from about 350° C. to about 600° C. to produce a product composition comprising HFO-1132(E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 25, 2026
    Inventors: Akbar Mahdavi-Shakib, Haiyou Wang, Terris Yang, Daniel C. Merkel, Xinrui Yu
  • Patent number: 12606728
    Abstract: Heterogenous azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprising 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and water which may include from about 0.05 wt. % to about 92.01 wt. % 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and from about 7.99 wt. % to about 99.95 wt. % water and having a boiling point between about ?13.5° C. and about 14.5° C. at a pressure of between about 12.5 psia and about 16.5 psia. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions may be used to separate impurities from 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Solstice Advanced Materials US, Inc.
    Inventors: Haluk Kopkalli, Daniel C. Merkel, Hang T. Pham
  • Publication number: 20260078073
    Abstract: A method for conversion of a composition containing HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HCFC-244fa to form HCFO-1233zd(E) by reacting a mixture including HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HCFC-244fa in a vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst to simultaneously isomerize HCFO-1233zd(Z) to form HCFO-1233zd(E) and dehydrohalogenate HCFC-244fa to form HCFO-1233zd(E). The catalyst may be a chromium-based catalyst such as chromium trifluoride, chromium oxyfluoride, or chromium oxide, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2025
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Inventors: Christian Jungong, Daniel C. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20260070785
    Abstract: A method of removing water from a mixture of iodine (I2) and water includes providing a mixture comprising iodine and water and: contacting the mixture with an adsorbent to selectively adsorb water from the mixture, contacting the mixture with a concentrated acid to absorb water from the mixture, separating the water from mixture by distillation, contacting the mixture with a gas that is inert to iodine (I2), contacting the mixture with hydrogen iodide (HI), or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Yuon Chiu, Haiyou Wang, Haluk Kopkalli, Christian Jungong, Haridasan K. Nair, Rajiv Ratna Singh, Daniel C. Merkel, Tao Wang, Terris Yang, Richard Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20260042720
    Abstract: Minimum-boiling, heterogeneous azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions including 1,1,2,2,3-pentachloropropane (HCC-240aa) and hydrogen fluoride (HF), as well as methods for using these azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions in the production of trifluorochloropropenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Haiyou Wang, Haluk Kopkalli, Hang T. Pham, Terris Yang, Joshua Close, Daniel C. Merkel, Chenguang Liang, Yang Luo
  • Publication number: 20260035326
    Abstract: Provided is a process for making 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane. The process has the step of hydrofluorinating 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of SbCl3, SbCl5, SbF5, TiCl4, SnCl4, Cr2O3, and fluorinated Cr2O3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2025
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Merkel, Robert C. Johnson, Hsueh Sung Tung
  • Patent number: 12497294
    Abstract: A method of removing water from a mixture of iodine (I2) and water includes providing a mixture comprising iodine and water and: contacting the mixture with an adsorbent to selectively adsorb water from the mixture, contacting the mixture with a concentrated acid to absorb water from the mixture, separating the water from mixture by distillation, contacting the mixture with a gas that is inert to iodine (I2), contacting the mixture with hydrogen iodide (HI), or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Solstice Advanced Materials US, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuon Chiu, Haiyou Wang, Haluk Kopkalli, Christian Jungong, Haridasan K. Nair, Rajiv Ratna Singh, Daniel C. Merkel, Tao Wang, Terris Yang, Richard Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20250340498
    Abstract: Heterogenous azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprising 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFCO-1233xf) and water which may include from about 0.09 wt. % to about 92.69 wt. % 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFCO-1233xf) and from about 7.31 wt. % to about 99.91 wt. % water and having a boiling point between about 12.0° C. and about 13.6° C. at a pressure of between about 12.5 psia and about 16.5 psia. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions may be used to separate impurities, including water, from 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFCO-1233xf).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Haluk Kopkalli, Daniel C. Merkel, Hang T. Pham
  • Publication number: 20250281911
    Abstract: An alpha-alumina support for a hydrogenation catalyst useful in hydrogenating fluoroolefins is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: September 11, 2025
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: HAIYOU WANG, HSUEH S. TUNG, DANIEL C. MERKEL
  • Patent number: 12398085
    Abstract: Heterogenous azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprising 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFCO-1233xf) and water which may include from about 0.09 wt. % to about 92.69 wt. % 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFCO-1233xf) and from about 7.31 wt. % to about 99.91 wt. % water and having a boiling point between about 12.0° C. and about 13.6° C. at a pressure of between about 12.5 psia and about 16.5 psia. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions may be used to separate impurities, including water, from 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFCO-1233xf).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Haluk Kopkalli, Daniel C. Merkel, Hang T. Pham
  • Patent number: 12258357
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition including trifluoroacetyl iodide, at least one organic impurity and at least one inorganic impurity. The at least one organic impurity includes at least one of: difluoroiodomethane, pentafluoroiodoethane, iodomethane, iodopropane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, dichlorotrifluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, methyltrifluoroacetate, trifluoroacetic anhydride, difluorobutane and methyl propane. The at least one inorganic impurity includes at least one of: hydrogen iodide, hydrogen chloride, iodine and hydrogen triiodide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Haiyou Wang, Haridasan K. Nair, Daniel C. Merkel, Selma Bektesevic, Terris Yang
  • Publication number: 20240425435
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated process for producing trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), in three steps: a) reacting a first reactant stream comprising hydrogen (H2) and iodine (I2) in the presence of a first catalyst to produce a first product stream comprising hydrogen iodide (HI); (b) reacting the first product stream with a second reactant stream comprising trifluoroacetyl chloride (TFAC) in the presence of a second catalyst to produce an intermediate product stream comprising trifluoroacetyl iodide (TFAI); and (c) reacting the intermediate product stream to produce a final product stream comprising trifluoroiodomethane. (CF3I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Haluk Kopkalli, Haiyou Wang, Gustavo Cerri, Selma Bektesevic, Yuon Chiu, Christian Jungong, Richard D. Horwath, Daniel C. Merkel, Jennifer W. McClaine, Terris Yang, Richard Wilcox, Joshua Close, Rajendar Mallepally
  • Publication number: 20240308940
    Abstract: A method for conversion of a composition containing HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HCFC-244fa to form HCFO-1233zd(E) by reacting a mixture including HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HCFC-244fa in a vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst to simultaneously isomerize HCFO-1233zd(Z) to form HCFO-1233zd(E) and dehydrohalogenate HCFC-244fa to form HCFO-1233zd(E). The catalyst may be a chromium-based catalyst such as chromium trifluoride, chromium oxyfluoride, or chromium oxide, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Christian Jungong, Daniel C. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20240279151
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of removing iodine (I2) and iodine-containing species from processes for producing trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The present disclosure further provides another method of removing iodine and iodine-containing species from trifluoroacetyl iodide (TFAI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Haluk Kopkalli, Daniel C. Merkel, Haiyou Wang, Terris Yang, Richard Wilcox, Tao Wang, Jennifer W. McClaine, Gavin Towler, Haridasan K. Nair
  • Patent number: 11999673
    Abstract: A method for conversion of a composition containing HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HCFC-244fa to form HCFO-1233zd(E) by reacting a mixture including HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HCFC-244fa in a vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst to simultaneously isomerize HCFC-1233zd(Z) to form HCFO-1233zd(E) and dehydrohalogenate HCFC-244fa to form HCFO-1233zd(E). The catalyst may be a chromium-based catalyst such as chromium trifluoride, chromium oxyfluoride, or chromium oxide, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Jungong, Daniel C. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20240166677
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition including trifluoroacetyl iodide, at least one organic impurity and at least one inorganic impurity. The at least one organic impurity includes at least one of: difluoroiodomethane, pentafluoroiodoethane, iodomethane, iodopropane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, dichlorotrifluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, methyltrifluoroacetate, trifluoroacetic anhydride, difluorobutane and methyl propane. The at least one inorganic impurity includes at least one of: hydrogen iodide, hydrogen chloride, iodine and hydrogen triiodide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Haiyou Wang, Haridasan K. Nair, Daniel C. Merkel, Selma Bektesevic, Terris Yang
  • Patent number: 11912641
    Abstract: A method of producing trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) includes providing a feedstock comprising trifluoroacetyl iodide (TFAI), passing the feedstock through at least one column charged with carbonaceous materials to remove hydrogen iodide (HI), hydrogen triiodide (HI3) and iodine (I2) from the feedstock, and providing the feedstock to a reactor to produce a trifluoroiodomethane product stream. Another method of producing trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) includes providing a feedstock comprising trifluoroacetyl iodide (TFAI) to a reactor to produce a trifluoroiodomethane product stream, and passing the trifluoroiodomethane product stream from the reactor through at least one column charged with carbonaceous materials to remove hydrogen iodide (HI), hydrogen triiodide (HI3) and iodine (I2) from the trifluoroiodomethane product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Haiyou Wang, Daniel C. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20240018074
    Abstract: Two methods for reducing CFC impurities and, in particular, CFC-114, in the HFO-1234ze(E) production process from the reaction of CFC-113 and HF. The first method involves subjecting an intermediate or recycle stream to separation and distillation to purge CFC-113 from the process. The second method involves operating the separation at a higher pressure avoids the formation of an azeotrope between CFC-113 and HFC-245fa. The CFC-113/HFC245fa azeotrope is discussed, as well as other optional processes for removal or mitigation of CFC-113 which include further separations that remove CFC-114 from the HFO-1234ze(E) product and/or CFC-113 from the HFC-245fa feed to produce an HFO-1234ze(E) product that is largely free from CFC-114 and other CFC impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Richard D. Horwath, Haluk Kopkalli, Gustavo Cerri, Joshua Close, Daniel C. Merkel, Jennifer W. McClaine, Alex C. Fattore, Hang T. Pham, Carlos Navar, Justin Howard
  • Patent number: RE50875
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for purifying trifluoroiodomethane. The method includes providing a process stream comprising trifluoroiodomethane, organic impurities, and acid impurities; reacting the process stream with a basic aqueous solution, the basic aqueous solution comprising water and at least one base selected from the group of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal hydroxide; and separating at least some of the organic impurities from the process stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Solstice Advanced Materials US, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Jungong, Daniel C. Merkel, Haiyou Wang, Terris Yang, Pascal Bolomey