Patents by Inventor Howard P. Withers
Howard P. Withers 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: 5959170Abstract: A method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products and coproduct water wherein a gas comprising methane and a gaseous oxidant are contacted with a nonacidic catalyst at temperatures within the range of about 700 to 1200.degree. C. A preferred catalyst comprises an alkali component associated with a support material. Results obtained over alkali-promoted solids are enhanced when the contacting is conducted in the presence of halogen promoters.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1985Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventor: Howard P. Withers, Jr.
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Patent number: 5637285Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the synthesis of nitrogen trifluoride from elemental fluorine gas and a source of ammonia in a gas-liquid phase reaction comprising;3 F.sub.2 +NH.sub.4 H.sub.(x-1) F.sub.x .fwdarw.NF.sub.3 +(3+x)HFwherein the melt ratio HF/NH.sub.3 represented by x in the above formula is at least 2.55 and the reaction liquid is agitated or mixed with a mixing apparatus with power input to the mixing apparatus at a high level equivalent to or greater than 1000 watts per cubic meter. This improved synthesis method allows for enhanced nitrogen trifluoride yields of 70% or greater.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1996Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Coronell, Thomas H.-L. Hsiung, Howard P. Withers, Jr., Andrew J. Woytek
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Patent number: 5569151Abstract: Method and apparatus to contain dangerous gases venting or leaking from a primary containment vessel. An outer containment vessel holds the primary containment vessel in fluid tight relationship to the outer vessel. The outer vessel has an internal volume large enough to contain the entire contents of the inner vessel and includes means to absorb or scrub gas leaking from the inner vessel. Removal of gas from the inner vessel to a point of use is controlled by valves and conduits contained in the outer vessel, the valves being controlled from outside the vessels.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1995Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Eugene J. Karwacki, Arron D. Varn, Howard P. Withers, Jr., Andrew J. Woytek
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Patent number: 5406017Abstract: A method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products and coproduct water wherein a gas comprising methane and a gaseous oxidant are contacted with a nonacidic catalyst at temperatures within the range of about 700.degree. to 1200.degree. C. A preferred catalyst comprises an alkali component associated with a support material. Results obtained over alkali-promoted solids are enhanced when the contacting is conducted in the presence of halogen promoters.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1990Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventor: Howard P. Withers, Jr.
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Patent number: 5286565Abstract: A coated carbon body having improved resistance to high temperature oxidation and a method for producing the coated carbon body are described. The coated carbon body comprises a carbon body, an intermediate glass forming coating and an outer refractory coating on the intermediate coating. The body has a converted porous layer formed by etching and reacting the body with boron oxide and the resulting converted layer contains interconnecting interstices and boron carbide formed by the reaction of the boron oxide and the carbon body. The method comprises contacting a carbon body with boron oxide at an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the reaction between the carbon body and boron oxide to form a converted porous layer which contains interconnecting interstices in the body and boron carbide and then applying the glass forming coating over the converted layer. Preferably an outer refractory coating is applied over the glass forming coating.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1987Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Holzl, Vincent L. Magnotta, Paul N. Dyer, Howard P. Withers, Jr.
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Patent number: 4983373Abstract: High purity metal fluorides (ZrF.sub.4, HfF.sub.4, AlF.sub.3) are produced by incomplete reaction of metal or their compounds with elemental fluorine and subsequent elevated temperature sublimation of the metal fluoride from the reaction products wherein unreacted metal or metal compounds act as "getters" to convert volatile impurity metal fluorides to non-volatile metals or metal compounds.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1988Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Howard P. Withers, Jr., Andrew J. Woytek, John T. Lileck
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Patent number: 4769508Abstract: A class of mixed oxide catalysts comprising Mn-containing oxides, alkali metals or compounds thereof, and at least one member of the group consisting of oxides of Ti, mixed oxides of Ti and Si, and mixed oxides of Ti and at least one alkaline earth metal. In the more preferred embodiments, the third component serves as a carrier for the Mn and alkali metal components. The composition preferably comprises a major amount of the carrier material and minor amounts of the other components. The compositions are useful for hydrocarbon conversion, methane conversion, and oxidative dehydrogenation processes characterized by formation of coproduct water.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1986Date of Patent: September 6, 1988Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: Robert G. Gastinger, Howard P. Withers, Jr., John A. Sofranko
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Patent number: 4721828Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with a reducible oxide of Fe. The iron oxide is preferably combined with an amount of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal which is sufficient to improve the selectively to higher hydrocarbon products. The oxide is reduced by the contact which is carried at about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. Reducible oxides of Fe are regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with oxygen. The oxide Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 is particularly effective in the process. Bulk iron oxides promoted by sodium and/or compounds thereof are particularly preferred contact solids.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1984Date of Patent: January 26, 1988Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventor: Howard P. Withers
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Patent number: 4681867Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and a method of making the catalyst for a Fischer-Tropsch process utilizing the catalyst by which synthesis gas, particularly carbon-monoxide rich synthesis gas, is selectively converted to higher hydrocarbons of relatively narrow carbon number range is disclosed. In general, the selective and notably stable catalyst, consist of an inert carrier first treated with a Group IV B metal compound (such as zirconium or titanium), preferably an alkoxide compound, and subsequently treated with an organic compound of a Fischer-Tropsch metal catalyst, such as cobalt, iron or ruthenium carbonyl. Reactions with air and water and calcination are specifically avoided in the catalyst preparation procedure.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1986Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Paul N. Dyer, Ronald Pierantozzi, Howard P. Withers
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Patent number: 4670619Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under conditions effective to produce higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement which comprises conducting the contacting in the presence of at least one stabilizer selected from the group consisting of chalcogens and compounds thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1985Date of Patent: June 2, 1987Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: Howard P. Withers, Jr., C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko, Anne M. Gaffney
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Patent number: 4670472Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process utilizing a product selective and stable catalyst by which synthesis gas, particularly carbon-monoxide rich synthesis gas is selectively converted to higher hydrocarbons of relatively narrow carbon number range is disclosed. In general, the selective and notably stable catalyst, consist of an inert carrier first treated with a Group IV B metal compound (such as zirconium or titanium), preferably an alkoxide compound, and subsequently treated with an organic compound of a Fischer-Tropsch metal catalyst, such as cobalt, iron or ruthenium carbonyl. Reactions with air and water and calcination are specifically avoided in the catalyst preparation procedure.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1986Date of Patent: June 2, 1987Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Paul N. Dyer, Ronald Pierantozzi, Howard P. Withers
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Patent number: 4634800Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under conditions effective to produce higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement which comprises conducting the contacting in the presence of at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of halogens and compounds thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1985Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: Howard P. Withers, Jr., C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
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Patent number: 4629718Abstract: A class of mixed oxide catalysts comprising Mn-containing oxides, alkali metals or compounds thereof, and at least one member of the group consisting of oxides of Si, oxides of alkaline earth metals, and mixed oxides of Si and at least one alkaline earth metal. In the more preferred embodiments, the third component serves as a carrier for the Mn and alkali metal components. The composition preferably comprises a major amount of the carrier material and minor amounts of the other components. The compositions are useful for hydrocarbon coversion, methane conversion, and oxidative dehydrogenation processes characterized by formation of coproduct water.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1984Date of Patent: December 16, 1986Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko, Howard P. Withers, E. William Breder, Jr., Marvin F. L. Johnson, John A. Jaecker
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Patent number: 4593139Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of Ru. The oxide is reduced by the contact which is carried at about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. Reducible oxides of Ru are regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1984Date of Patent: June 3, 1986Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventor: Howard P. Withers
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Patent number: 4568789Abstract: A method for dehydrogenating dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons which comprises contacting said hydrocarbon with an oxide of Ru having combined therewith an amount of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal which is sufficient to improve the selectivity to dehydrogenated hydrocarbon products. The oxide is reduced by the contact which is preferably carried at about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. Reducible oxides of Ru are regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition wth oxygen. Bulk ruthenium oxides promoted by sodium and/or compounds thereof are particularly preferred contact solids.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1984Date of Patent: February 4, 1986Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventor: Howard P. Withers, Jr.
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Patent number: 4547610Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane and a reducible metal oxide under synthesis conditions, the improvement which comprises performing the contacting in the presence of oxides of nitrogen. Nitrous oxide is a preferred nitrogen oxide.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1984Date of Patent: October 15, 1985Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: John A. Sofranko, Howard P. Withers, Jr.
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Patent number: 4544785Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon product by contacting methane with a solid which comprises a reducible metal oxide which when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and a promoting amount of at least one chalcogen component. The preferred chalcogen components are selected from a group consisting of sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and compounds thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1984Date of Patent: October 1, 1985Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: Howard P. Withers, John A. Sofranko
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Patent number: 4536589Abstract: Novel linear polymers of ferrocene are prepared by the reaction of 1,1'-dilithioferrocene with controlled amounts of a dihaloorganylphosphine, arsine or stibine. The polymers form stable complexes with Group VIII metals which are useful as recoverable hydroformylation catalysts.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1981Date of Patent: August 20, 1985Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Jere D. Fellmann, Philip E. Garrou, Howard P. Withers, Jr., Dietmar Seyferth
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Patent number: 4523049Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under synthesis conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane and oxygen with a contact solid which also contains a promoting amount of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and/or compounds thereof. Sodium is a particularly effective promoter. Stability of the promoted contact agent is enhanced by the presence of minor amounts of phosphorus.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1984Date of Patent: June 11, 1985Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko, Howard P. Withers
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Patent number: 4489215Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of Ru having combined therewith an amount of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal which is sufficient to improve the selectivity to higher hydrocarbon products. The oxide is reduced by the contact which is carried at about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. Reducible oxides of Ru are regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with oxygen. Bulk ruthenium oxides promoted by sodium and/or compounds thereof are particularly preferred contact solids.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1984Date of Patent: December 18, 1984Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventor: Howard P. Withers