Patents by Inventor Gerald Grusendorf
Gerald Grusendorf 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).
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Patent number: 9447005Abstract: The present invention is to a process for producing a anhydrous ethanol composition comprising hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating in a first column at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid; separating in a second column at least a portion of the first distillate into a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a second residue comprising ethanol and water; separating in a third column at least a portion of the second residue into a third distillate comprising ethanol and residual water and a third residue comprising separated water; and dehydrating at least a portion of the third distillate to form the anhydrous ethanol composition. The anhydrous ethanol composition, as formed, comprises less than 1 wt. % water.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Trinity Horton Hale, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf
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Patent number: 9328044Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a crude ethanol product. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a purification zone. The purification zone preferably comprises a first column, which yields a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid. The at least a portion of the crude ethanol product has a residence time from the reactor to the purification zone from 5 minutes to 5 days.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Trinity Horton Hale, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf
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Patent number: 9102581Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol product are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves separating the crude ethanol product using an extractive distillation column that employs an extraction agent, such as a recycled stream comprising water.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: R. Jay Warner, Radmila Wollrab, Wael Amleh, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronaold Olsson, Nathan Kirk Powell, Manuel Salado, Lincoln Sarager
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Patent number: 9073814Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Nathan Kirk Powell, Samuel Roundy, Lincoln Sarager, Murray Viard, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronald Olsson
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Patent number: 9051238Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Josefina T. Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan
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Patent number: 8927782Abstract: Two or more vapor-liquid separators are used in a process for removing at least one non-condensable gas from a crude alcohol mixture prepared by hydrogenating alkanoic acid and/or esters thereof. The vapor-liquid separators may comprise flashers or knock-out pots and are suitable for removing non-condensable gas, including those gases that are dissolved in the liquid. The multiple vapor-liquid separators may be in series prior to any separation of organic components. In addition, there may be a vapor-liquid separator before and after a distillation column for treating the feed to the column.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Gerald Grusendorf, Victor J. Johnston, David Lee, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner
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Patent number: 8754267Abstract: Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, light ends are separated in an acetaldehyde removal column operating at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to recover acetaldehyde that may be returned to the reactor and reduce acetaldehyde concentrations in an ethyl acetate stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
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Patent number: 8747492Abstract: An ethanol/fuel blend composition. The ethanol/fuel blend composition includes an ethanol composition including at least 92 wt. % ethanol, and from 95 wppm to 1,000 wppm isopropanol and a fuel.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Gerald Grusendorf
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Publication number: 20140128641Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Josefina T. Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan
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Patent number: 8704015Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Josefina T. Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan
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Patent number: 8704014Abstract: Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves returning acetaldehyde separated from the crude ethanol product to the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Celansese International CorporationInventors: Radmila Wollrab, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
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Patent number: 8680343Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream in a first reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product may comprise, among other components, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and residual acetic acid. The process further comprises the step of recovering acetaldehyde from the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the steps of feeding a first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to the first reactor and reacting the first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the first reactor to form additional ethanol. In addition, the inventive process may comprise the steps of feeding a second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to a second reactor and reacting the second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the second reactor to form an additional product.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Josefina Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic
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Publication number: 20140058139Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Nathan Kirk Powell, Samuel Roundy, Lincoln Sarager, Murray Viard, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronald Olsson
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Publication number: 20140046100Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a crude ethanol product. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a purification zone. The purification zone preferably comprises a first column, which yields a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid. The at least a portion of the crude ethanol product has a residence time from the reactor to the purification zone from 5 minutes to 5 days.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton Hale, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf
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Publication number: 20130331619Abstract: The present invention is to a process for producing a anhydrous ethanol composition comprising hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating in a first column at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid; separating in a second column at least a portion of the first distillate into a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a second residue comprising ethanol and water; separating in a third column at least a portion of the second residue into a third distillate comprising ethanol and residual water and a third residue comprising separated water; and dehydrating at least a portion of the third distillate to form the anhydrous ethanol composition. The anhydrous ethanol composition, as formed, comprises less than 1 wt. % water.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton Hale, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, Gerald Grusendorf
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Patent number: 8552224Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a crude ethanol product. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a purification zone. The purification zone preferably comprises a first column, which yields a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid. The at least a portion of the crude ethanol product has a residence time from the reactor to the purification zone from 5 minutes to 5 days.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf
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Patent number: 8541633Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is to a process for producing a anhydrous ethanol composition comprising hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating in a first column at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid; separating in a second column at least a portion of the first distillate into a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a second residue comprising ethanol and water; separating in a third column at least a portion of the second residue into a third distillate comprising ethanol and residual water and a third residue comprising separated water; and dehydrating at least a portion of the third distillate to form the anhydrous ethanol composition. The anhydrous ethanol composition, as formed, comprises less than 1 wt. % water, based on the total weight of the anhydrous ethanol composition.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf
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Publication number: 20130046113Abstract: Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves returning acetaldehyde separated from the crude ethanol product to the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Radmila Wollrab, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
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Publication number: 20130032467Abstract: Two or more vapor-liquid separators are used in a process for removing at least one non-condensable gas from a crude alcohol mixture prepared by hydrogenating alkanoic acid and/or esters thereof. The vapor-liquid separators may comprise flashers or knock-out pots and are suitable for removing non-condensable gas, including those gases that are dissolved in the liquid. The multiple vapor-liquid separators may be in series prior to any separation of organic components. In addition, there may be a vapor-liquid separator before and after a distillation column for treating the feed to the column.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Gerald Grusendorf, Victor J. JOHNSTON, David LEE, Lincoln SARAGER, R. Jay WARNER
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Patent number: 8318988Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove acetal impurities.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Victor J. Johnston, Josefina T. Chapman, Radmila Jevtic, Heiko Weiner, Tianshu Pan, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf, Nathan Bower, Lincoln M. Sarager