Patents by Inventor Dennis Hucul

Dennis Hucul 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: 20100139152
    Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst for use in esterification and/or transesterification reactions is provided having the formula AxB2-xO4-x, where x is between 0.25 and 1.2, A is selected from calcium, magnesium, strontium, or barium, and B is selected from manganese, cerium, titanium, zirconium, silicon, tin or germanium. The heterogeneous catalyst is formed by co-precipitating the corresponding nitrates of the catalyst materials with ammonium carbonate to form a precipitated product which is then calcined. The heterogeneous catalysts can be used to make mono-alkyl ester fuel from feedstocks containing waste oils, fats and grease in the presence of water and/or free fatty acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis Hucul, Richard S. Shull
  • Patent number: 6399538
    Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst and a process for hydrogenating an unsaturated polymer comprising contacting the unsaturated polymer with a hydrogenating agent in the presence of a mixed hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the mixed hydrogenation catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal component and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a rhenium, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum and niobium component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 6395841
    Abstract: The present invention is a continuous process for hydrogenating an unsaturated polymer comprising: contacting the unsaturated polymer with a hydrogenating agent in a fixed bed reactor, wherein the reactor is packed with a hydrogenation catalyst characterized in that the hydrogenation catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal component and at least one deactivation resistant component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Edward M. Calverley, Avani Patel, Dennis A. Hucul, Jonathan H. Siddall
  • Patent number: 6376622
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrogenation catalyst and a process for hydrogenating an aromatic polymer having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 40,000 to less than 120,000 comprising contacting the aromatic polymer with a hydrogenating agent in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 95 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter from 300 to 1000 angstroms, less than 4 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having a diameter of 200 angstroms or less and at least 80 percent aromatic hydrogenation is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 6350922
    Abstract: A process for making 2,3-dihalopropanol including reacting 2,3-dihalopropanal with a hydrogenating agent in the presence of an iridium and a second transition metal mixed metal catalyst where the second transition metal is selected from the group comprising ruthenium, iron, molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, manganese or vanadium, under conditions such that 2,3-dihalopropanol is formed. The 2,3-dihalopropanol is particularly useful in a process for making epihalohydrin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Paul C. Vosejpka, Dennis A. Hucul, Bob R. Maughon, Larry N. Ito, Robert M. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20010008948
    Abstract: Aliphatic primary alcohols, including aliphatic primary alcohols possessing one or more oxygen, nitrogen and/or phosphorus heteroatoms that may be atoms substituting for carbon atoms in the alkyl group or component atoms of substituents on the alkyl group, were converted into salts of carboxylic acids by contacting an alkaline aqueous solution of the primary alcohol with a catalyst comprising cobalt, copper, and at least one of cerium, iron, zinc, and zirconium. Diethanolamine, for example, was converted to sodium iminodiacetate by treatment in an aqueous medium containing sodium hydroxide with a catalyst that was obtained by reducing a mixture of cobalt, copper, and zirconium oxides with hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: James W. Ringer, David C. Molzahn, Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 6229045
    Abstract: Aliphatic primary alcohols, including aliphatic primary alcohols possessing one or more oxygen, nitrogen and/or phosphorus heteroatoms that may be atoms substituting for carbon atoms in the alkyl group or component atoms of substituents on the alkyl group, were converted into salts of carboxylic acids by contacting an alkaline aqueous solution of the primary alcohol with a catalyst comprising cobalt, copper, and at least one of cerium, iron, zinc, and zirconium. Diethanolamine, for example, was converted to sodium iminodiacetate by treatment in an aqueous medium containing sodium hydroxide with a catalyst that was obtained by reducing a mixture of cobalt, copper, and zirconium oxides with hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: James W. Ringer, Dennis A. Hucul, David C. Molzahn
  • Patent number: 6172165
    Abstract: The present invention is a process of hydrogenating high molecular weight aromatic polymers comprising hydrogenating the high molecular weight aromatic polymer in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 98 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter of greater than 600 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Stephen F. Hahn
  • Patent number: 6090359
    Abstract: The present invention is a process of hydrogenating high molecular weight aromatic polymers comprising hydrogenating the high molecular weight aromatic polymer in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 98 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter of greater than 600 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 5700878
    Abstract: The present invention is a process of hydrogenating high molecular weight aromatic polymers comprising hydrogenating the high molecular weight aromatic polymer in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 98 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter of greater than 600 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Stephen F. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5654253
    Abstract: The present invention is a process of hydrogenating high molecular weight aromatic polymers comprising hydrogenating the high molecular weight aromatic polymer in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 98 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter of greater than 600 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Stephen F. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5612422
    Abstract: The present invention is a process of hydrogenating high molecular weight aromatic polymers comprising hydrogenating the high molecular weight aromatic polymer in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 98 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter of greater than 600 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Stephen F. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5583268
    Abstract: A process of catalytically reacting a 3-18 carbon mono-olefin such as cyclohexene with an arylhydroxide such as phenol in the liquid phase forming an ortho-alkylated arylhydroxide which is subsequently catalytically dehydrogentated to form an ortho-alkenylarylhydroxide or ortho-arylarylhydroxide such as ortho-phenylphenol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Guo-shuh J. Lee, Juan M. Garces, Dennis A. Hucul, Tracy L. Young, Kenneth A. Burdett
  • Patent number: 5336822
    Abstract: 4-Vinylcyclohexene is converted to styrene in the presence of a catalyst comprising tin, antimony, and oxygen. The feed stream to be contacted with the catalyst comprises water, 4-vinylcyclohexene, and oxygen. A ratio of water to 4-vinylcyclohexene above about 12:1, preferably above about 14:1, significantly increases the half-life of the catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by coprecipitating a tin chloride and an antimony chloride followed by calcination of the precipitate at a temperature in the range from 850.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 5110779
    Abstract: The hydrogenation of unsaturated polymers is effected employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a porous support wherein the porous support is characterized by a pore size distribution such that at least 95% of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameters greater than 450 angstroms and the ratio of metal surface area to carrier surface area is in the range from about 0.07-0.75:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 5028665
    Abstract: The hydrogenation of unsaturated polymers is effected employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a porous support wherein the porous support is characterized by a pore size distribution such that at least 95% of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameters greater than 450 angstroms and the ratio of metal surface area to carrier surface area is in the range from about 0.07-0.75:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 5015749
    Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of aluminoxanes comprising contacting an aluminoxane precursor such as a hydrocarbyl substituted aluminum compound with a porous organic or inorganic aqueous imbiber material containing water sorbed or imbibed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gregory F. Schmidt, Dennis A. Hucul, Richard E. Campbell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4891346
    Abstract: Included is a process for redispersing catalysts wherein the catalyst metal is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, osmium, rhodium and palladium comprising contacting the catalyst serially with (1) a reducing agent; (2) a halogen redispersing agent; and (3) a reducing agent, under conditions sufficient to redisperse the sintered catalyst. A preliminary oxygen treatment is optional. Also included are the novel catalysts such as redispersed by the foregoing process and processes in which sintered catalysts are redispersed and in which the redispersed catalysts are employed.The redispersed catalysts can have very high activity and can even have activity higher than originally found. A preferred metal is palladium and a preferred support is alumina.A preferred process for employing the redispersed catalyst is the production of .alpha.-substituted acrylate esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Hucul
  • Patent number: 4762858
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of a mixture of synthesis gas into preponderantly C.sub.1-10 oxygenated hydrocarbons and especially C.sub.1-5 mixed alcohols using a reduced catalyst of the necessary components of(1) niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten, technetium and/or rhenium; and(2) yttrium, a lanthanide and/or actinide series metal;and the optional components of(3) a promoter; and/or(4) a support.High synthesis gas conversions are possible in large part due to the high catalytic activity of the reduced catalyst. The reduced catalyst composition itself with yttrium as cocatalyst metal or promoted with special levels of a Fisher-Tropsch promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Rex R. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4743705
    Abstract: The invention is a vapor phase process for the preparation of an a-substituted acrylate ester which comprises contacting a haloalkene, wherein the halogen is substituted on an olefinic carbon atom which is further substituted with a C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.3-10 cycloalkyl, C.sub.6-10 aryl, C.sub.7-10 alkaryl, C.sub.7-10 aralkyl, cyano, trihalomethyl group, with an alcohol or an ether, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst which comprises palladium, platinum, nickel, ruthenium or rhodium, on a support, under conditions such that an a-substituted acrylate ester and a hydrocarbyl halide is prepared wherein the catalyst productivity is 0.06 g of product per gram of catalyst per hour or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Kathryn A. Eickholt