Patents by Inventor David C. Dankworth

David C. Dankworth 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).

  • Patent number: 5942197
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a gas bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the gas bypass device including a gas bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of treat gas which bypasses the first reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
    Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Edward S. Ellis, David C. Dankworth, Dimitrios M. Tsangaris
  • Patent number: 5939031
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a liquid bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the liquid bypass device including a liquid bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of liquid which bypasses the first reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Ramesh Gupta, David C. Dankworth, Dimitrios M. Tsangaris
  • Patent number: 5936041
    Abstract: The invention pertains to improved lubricating oil dispersants wherein a fractionating polymer is prepared prior to functionalization (e.g., in the Koch reaction) for making dispersant additives. In one aspect, it was discovered that by fractionating a polymer to remove light hydrocarbon and unreacted monomer from the polymer before the carbonylation step of the Koch reaction, the amount of light ester impurities generated was minimized. Light ester is an undesirable byproduct that adversely affects the recycle of the catalyst from the functionalization step of the Koch reaction. The invention also pertains to improved lubricating oil nitrogen-containing dispersant additives derived from fractionated polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc
    Inventors: William B. Diana, Joseph V. Cusumano, Keith R. Gorda, Jacob Emert, William B. Eckstrom, David C. Dankworth, Jon E. Stanat, James P. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5872084
    Abstract: A Koch functionalized product, which is the reaction product of at least one hydrocarbon with carbon monoxide and a nucleophilic trapping agent, is derivatized with a heavy polyamine and a second amine. The hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon compound or a hydrocarbon polymer. A heavy polyamine is a mixture of polyamines containing small amounts of lower polyamine oligomers such as tetraethylene pentamine and pentaethylenehexamine and containing primarily oligomers with more than 6 nitrogens and more extensive branching. Rubber seals embrittlement is reduced or minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob I. Emert, Joseph V. Cusumano, David C. Dankworth, William D. Diana, William B. Eckstrom, Keith R. Gorda, Antonio Gutierrez, Jon E. Stanat, Warren A. Thaler, Stephen Zushma
  • Patent number: 5854186
    Abstract: A Koch functionalized product, which is the reaction product of at least one hydrocarbon with carbon monoxide and a nucleophilic trapping agent is derivatized with a heavy polyamine. A heavy polyamine is a mixture of polyamines comprising small amounts of lower polyamine oligomers such as tetraethylene pentamine and pentahexamine but primarily oligomers with more than 6 nitrogens and more extensive branching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph V. Cusumano, David C. Dankworth, William D. Diana, William B. Eckstrom, Jacob I. Emert, Keith R. Gorda, Antonio Gutierrez, Jon E. Stanat, Warren A. Thaler, Stephen Zushma
  • Patent number: 5804667
    Abstract: The invention pertains to improved lubricating oil dispersants wherein a fractionating polymer is prepared prior to functionalization (e.g., in the Koch reaction) for making dispersant additives. In one aspect, it was discovered that by fractionating a polymer to remove light hydrocarbon and unreacted monomer from the polymer before the carbonylation step of the Koch reaction, the amount of light ester impurities generated was minimized. Light ester is an undesirable byproduct that adversely affects the recycle of the catalyst from the functionalization step of the Koch reaction. The invention also pertains to improved lubricating oil nitrogen-containing dispersant additives derived from fractionated polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Diana, Joseph V. Cusumano, Keith R. Gorda, Jacob Emert, William B. Eckstrom, David C. Dankworth, Jon E. Stanat, James P. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5783735
    Abstract: A process for preparing polymeric amides is disclosed. The process comprises sequentially reacting a hydrocarbon polymer functionalized (e.g., via the Koch reaction) to contain acid, ester, thioacid and/or thioester groups with a heavy polyamine to form a partially derivatized product in which at least about 85% of the functional groups are converted to heavy (thio)amide groups, and then reacting the partially derivatized product with an excess of light amine to complete the derivatization by converting substantially all of the remaining functional groups to light (thio)amide groups. Products of the foregoing process are also disclosed, which products are useful as additives in fuels and in lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob I. Emert, Joseph V. Cusumano, David C. Dankworth, William D. Diana, William B. Eckstrom, Keith R. Gorda, Antonio Gutierrez, Jon E. Stanat, Warren A. Thaler, Stephen Zushma
  • Patent number: 5756431
    Abstract: A Koch functionalized product, which is the reaction product of at least one hydrocarbon with carbon monoxide and a nucleophilic trapping agent, is derivatized with a heavy polyamine and a second amine. The hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon compound or a hydrocarbon polymer. A heavy polyamine is a mixture of polyamines containing small amounts of lower polyamine oligomers such as tetraethylene pentamine and pentaethylenehexamine and containing primarily oligomers with more than 6 nitrogens and more extensive branching. Rubber seals embrittlement is reduced or minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc
    Inventors: Jacob I. Emert, Joseph V. Cusumano, David C.. Dankworth, William D. Diana, William B. Eckstrom, Keith R. Gorda, Antonio Gutierrez, Jon E. Stanat, Warren A. Thaler, Stephen Zushma
  • Patent number: 5650536
    Abstract: A continuous process for functionalizing olefins, especially polymer olefins in a CSTR or pipe reactor. Esters are preferably produced by continuous reaction of the olefin with carbon monoxide and a nucleophilic trapping agent. The liquid-filled pipe reactor operates in plug flow with static mixers and the CSTR is operated in the substantial absence of air at constant liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Dankworth, William H. Cross, Joseph V. Cusumano, William D. Diana, William B. Eckstrom, Jacob I. Emert, Keith R. Gorda, Robert M. Koros, Harold W. Margo, Jon E. Stanat
  • Patent number: 5646332
    Abstract: A rapid, batch Koch carbonylation/functionalization reaction of at least one polymer olefin, carbon monoxide, and an aliphatic or aryl alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst with either an alcohol:polymer olefin mole ratio .gtoreq.1:1, or an acid catalyst:polymer olefin mole ratio .gtoreq.0.9:1, or both, and recovering at least 80% functionalized polymer which is predominantly ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph V. Cusumano, David C. Dankworth, William D. Diana, William B. Eckstrom, Jacob I. Emert, Keith R. Gorda
  • Patent number: 5643859
    Abstract: A dispersant derivatized from a functionalized hydrocarbon and a polyamine having one primary amine and 1-10, preferably 3-8 secondary or tertiary amines; preferably where said functionalized hydrocarbon is a Koch-derived hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Gutierrez, Jacob I. Emert, James P. Stokes, Warren A. Thaler, William D. Diana, Keith R. Gorda, William B. Eckstrom, David C. Dankworth, Joseph V. Cusumano
  • Patent number: 5627259
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a polymeric amide which comprises the steps of:(A) reacting a mixture of (i) functionalized hydrocarbon polymer containing ester functional groups comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of substituted alkyl ester functional groups, the substituted alkyl moiety containing at least one electron withdrawing substituent group, and aryl ester functional groups, the hydrocarbon polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least about 500 prior to functionalization, and (ii) an amine having at least one reactive --NH.sub.2 moiety, for a time and under conditions sufficient to form amide groups; and(B) removing from the mixture during step (A) hydroxyl compound released from the ester functional groups in forming the amide groups.The polymeric amides so produced are useful as fuel additives (e.g., detergents) and lubricating oil additives (e.g., dispersants).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Thaler, Stephen Zushma, Joseph V. Cusumano, David C. Dankworth, William D. Diana, William B. Eckstrom, Jacob I. Emert, Keith R. Gorda, Antonio Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 5403561
    Abstract: The uniform distribution of mixed phase fluid stream on to the top of a contact bed in a reactor chamber is provided by a horizontal tray with a plurality of spaced-apart, vertically disposed chimneys extending through the tray. These chimneys have a first end to receive liquid and gas above the tray and a second end for distributing the liquid and gas downwardly below the tray. Importantly, the second end is provided with a spray generating device located below the tray for producing a conical downward spray of the mixed fluid phase onto the top surface of a bed of contact material positioned below the tray. The spray generating devices for producing the conical spray are located at positions so that the spray of the mixed fluid stream from one spray generating device as it impinges on the top surface of the fixed bed, will overlap the spray from an adjacent spray generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Robert M. Koros, Yiu W. Wong, John T. Wyatt, David C. Dankworth
  • Patent number: 5354990
    Abstract: The distribution of fluid flowing through a packed bed reactor is determined by placing a plurality of fiber optic sensors at desired locations within the packed bed reactor. A light analyzable tracer component is injected into the fluid flowing through the reactor. Light is supplied to each of the sensors causing any tracer component in the vicinity of the sensor to emit electromagnetic radiation. The emitted electromagnetic radiation is detected at each fiber optic sensor, thereby permitting the amount of tracer in the vicinity of each sensor to be determined, and consequently providing a measure of the distribution of fluid flowing through the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: David C. Dankworth, Robert M. Koros