Patents by Inventor Henry J. Semerak

Henry J. Semerak 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).

  • COLLAPSIBLE SPARGER
    Publication number: 20040000731
    Abstract: A collapsible sparger for insertion into a vessel through a flanged opening is disclosed having a central tubular conduit having a plurality of rotatable members along its length. The rotatable members may be rotated and secured into position after insertion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Ralph E. Casas, Henry J. Semerak, Rodney D. Chevalier, Willibrord A. Groten, Clifford S. Crossland
  • Collapsible sparger
    Patent number: 6659434
    Abstract: A collapsible sparger for insertion into a vessel through a flanged opening is disclosed having a central tubular conduit having a plurality of rotatable members along its length. The rotatable members may be rotated and secured into position after insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Ralph E. Casas, Henry J. Semerak, Rodney D. Chevalier, Willibrord A. Groten, Clifford S. Crossland
  • Process for the production of tertiary alkyl ethers
    Patent number: 6583325
    Abstract: A process for the production of tertiary ethers from the reaction of isoolefins with lower alcohols, such as methanol, uses two distillation column reactors in series to maximize conversion, especially for isopentenes and isohexenes. The second distillation column reactor may be concurrently used as a C5 polishing reactor and a reactor for producing MTBE or ETBE from isobutene, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Hugh M. Putman, Henry J. Semerak, Clifford S. Crossland
  • Etherification process
    Patent number: 6232509
    Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of methyl tertiary butyl ether from mixed C4/C5 streams, such as resulting from the co-production of methyl tertiary butyl ether and tertiary amyl methyl ether from the reaction of methanol with isobutene and isoamylenes in a mixed C4/C5 stream. In a distillation column reactor the reaction is carried out concurrently with distillation of the products from the unreacted materials. In the distillation little or no MTBE is carried overhead with the unreacted C4's, C5's and methanol by controlling the methanol concentration in said column to maintain substantially a methanol/C5 azeotrope in the overheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Henry J. Semerak, Willibrord A. Groten
  • Method for controlling catalytic distillation etherifications
    Patent number: 5313005
    Abstract: A process for the etherification of isoolefins with alcohols is provided wherein the reaction occurs simultaneously with separation of the ether product and reactants. To assure proper alcohol concentration in a catalytic distillation column, the oxygen concentration derived from alcohol is measured at a point below the catalyst bed and controlled to that which maximizes ether production while preventing alcohol from leaving the reactor with ether product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Edward M. Jones, Jr., Henry J. Semerak
  • Method for controlling catalytic distillation etherifications
    Patent number: 5248837
    Abstract: A process for the etherification of isoolefins with alcohols is provided wherein the reaction occurs simultaneously with separation of the ether product and reactants. To assure proper alcohol concentration throughout the reaction zone, the alcohol concentration is measured at a point below the catalyst bed and controlled to that which maximizes ether production while preventing alcohol from leaving the reactor with ether product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrenc A. Smith, Jr., Edward M. Jones, Jr., Henry J. Semerak
  • Catalyst sampling device
    Patent number: 4916956
    Abstract: A system for exposing a sample to the interior of a reaction vessel has a pair of chambers interconnected by a passage. Each of the chambers may be isolated by valves with the outer chamber being removable. A sample holder is slidable between the chambers by a charging device and can be locked in place by rotation of the charging device. Flights on the interior of the passage provide guidance and facilitate locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Polysar Limited
    Inventors: Henry J. Semerak, Lawrence M. Schmidt, Graham J. Griffiths