Patents by Inventor Heiko Weiner

Heiko Weiner 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).

  • Ethanol compositions
    Patent number: 8747493
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is to an ethanol composition comprising at least 92 wt. % ethanol and from 95 wppm to 1,000 wppm isopropanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Trinity Horton Hale, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
  • Catalysts for producing acrylic acids and acrylates
    Patent number: 8735314
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a catalyst composition comprising vanadium and titanium. The catalyst composition further comprises ethylene glycol and citric acid. Preferably, the catalyst composition is substantially free of oxalic acid and lactic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Dick Nagaki, Craig Peterson, Mark Scates, Heiko Weiner, Josefina T. Chapman, Alexandra S. Locke
  • Combined Column for Separating Products of Different Hydrogenation Reactors
    Publication number: 20140142351
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude product comprising ethyl acetate obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude product is separated to form an organic stream that may be subjected to hydrogenolysis to form ethanol. The organic phase may comprise ethyl acetate is reacted via hydrogenolysis form ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Victor J. Johnston, David Lee, Mark O. Scates, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Zhenhua Zhou, Emily Duff, Andrew Shuff
  • Olefin Hydration For Hydrogenation Processes
    Publication number: 20140142350
    Abstract: Processes for contacting an olefin feed stream, preferably comprising ethylene, with at least one stream from an ethanol production process that comprises water. The hydration reaction produces ethanol to improve overall ethanol yields from the hydrogenation acetic acid and esters thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Heiko Weiner, James H. Zink, Mark O. Scates
  • Ethanol manufacturing process over catalyst with cesium and support comprising tungsten or oxides thereof
    Patent number: 8729317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing product comprising ethanol which comprises contacting a feedstock comprising acetic acid and hydrogen in a reaction zone at hydrogenation conditions with a catalyst composition comprising at least one active metal that may include a Group VIII metal and tin and from 0.01 to 0.5 wt. % cesium on a support comprising tungsten or oxides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Heiko Weiner, Zhenhua Zhou
  • Ethanol compositions
    Patent number: 8728179
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is to an ethanol composition comprising at least 85 wt. % ethanol and from 95 wppm to 850 wppm isopropanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic
  • Catalysts for converting acetic acid to acetone
    Patent number: 8729311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the formation of acetone from acetic acid. The process is conducted at an elevated temperature of above 225° C. by contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid, and an optional carrier gas, with a catalyst. The catalyst comprises a support that is favorable for the production of acetone. The support may comprise titania, zirconia, ceria, silica, iron oxide, and carbon, but preferably is titania, zirconia, and ceria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporaton
    Inventors: Zhenhua Zhou, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Heiko Weiner
  • Process for Producing Acrylic Acids and Acrylates
    Publication number: 20140135527
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a catalyst composition, comprising vanadium and titanium. Preferably, the molar ratio of vanadium to titanium in an active phase of the catalyst composition is greater than 0.5:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Dick Nagaki, Heiko Weiner, Josefina T. Chapman, Mark O. Scates, Alexandra S. Locke, Craig J. Peterson
  • Process for Recovering Ethanol
    Publication number: 20140128641
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Josefina T. Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan
  • Process for Vapor Phase Hydrogenation
    Publication number: 20140128642
    Abstract: A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid includes contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen at an elevated temperature with catalyst comprising platinum and tin on a high surface area silica promoted with calcium metasilicate. Selectivities to ethanol of over 85% are achieved at 280° C. with catalyst life in the hundreds of hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, John L. Potts
  • Hydrogenation Reaction Conditions For Producing Ethanol
    Publication number: 20140121422
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing ethanol from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and acetic acid and/or ethyl acetate. The reaction occurs at a temperature greater than 225° C. and the feed stream has a liquid hourly space velocity of at least 0.2 hr?1. The reaction occurs in the presence of a catalyst comprising a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Heiko Weiner
  • Hydrogenation Reaction Conditions To Produce Ethanol and Reduce Ethyl Acetate Formation
    Publication number: 20140121421
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the temperature and liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) are controlled to maximize acetic acid conversion and to minimize selectivity to ethyl acetate. The hydrogenation catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, gold, iridium, osmium, and rhodium on a support modified by at least one support modifier selected from the group consisting of (i) alkaline earth metal oxides, (ii) alkali metal oxides, (iii) alkaline earth metal metasilicates, (iv) alkali metal metasilicates, (v) Group IIB metal oxides, (vi) Group IIB metal metasilicates, (vii) Group IIIB metal oxides, (viii) Group IIIB metal metasilicates, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Heiko Weiner
  • Process for making diethyl ether from acetic acid
    Patent number: 8710277
    Abstract: A process for producing of diethyl ether by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst comprising a first metal on an acidic support, preferably a zeolite support. A preferred catalyst comprises platinum and tin on an acidic support. Selectivities to diethyl ether of at least 60% may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Heiko Weiner, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
  • Process for purifying ethanol
    Patent number: 8704014
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Celansese International Corporation
    Inventors: Radmila Wollrab, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
  • Alcohol production process with impurity removal
    Patent number: 8704010
    Abstract: A method of removing impurities, such as halogens, sulfurs, and corrosion metal impurities, in an ethanol production process. Ion exchange resins may be used to remove these impurities from acetic acid feed streams and recycle streams that comprise unreacted acetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Josefina T. Chapman
  • Process for recovering ethanol
    Patent number: 8704015
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Josefina T. Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan
  • Process for producing ethanol using a stacked bed reactor
    Patent number: 8704008
    Abstract: The present invention produces ethanol in a stacked bed reactor that comprises a first catalyst comprising platinum and tin and a second catalyst comprising copper or an oxide thereof. The crude ethanol product may be separated and ethanol recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Heiko Weiner, Zhenhua Zhou, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
  • Process for recovering alcohol produced by hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream comprising water
    Patent number: 8680342
    Abstract: Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid from an feed stream comprising water. The presence of water does not significantly impact acid conversion or selectivity to ethanol. Further the addition of water allows for improved recovery of ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Josefina T. Chapman
  • Process for purifying ethanol
    Patent number: 8680343
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Josefina Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic
  • Processes for making ethanol from acetic acid using bimetallic catalysts
    Patent number: 8680321
    Abstract: A process for selective formation of ethanol and/or ethyl acetate from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a Pt/Sn catalyst or a Re/Pd catalyst. The catalyst may further comprise a support modifier to improve selectivity for the desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Victor J. Johnston, Laiyuan Chen, Barbara F. Kimmich, Josefina T. Chapman, James H. Zink, Heiko Weiner, John L. Potts, Radmila Jevtic