Patents by Inventor J. Michael Willock

J. Michael Willock 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).

  • Regeneration of sulfuric acid from sulfate by-products of 2-hydoxy-4-(methylthio) butyric acid manufacture
    Patent number: 5670128
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of sulfuric acid by burning the oxidizable components of a feed solution obtained as a byproduct of the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid ("HMBA") by hydrolysis of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile ("HMBN"). A combustion gas containing sulfur dioxide is produced. The combustion gas is cooled to condense water and sulfuric acid, then mixed with a source of oxygen to produce a feed gas containing at least about 0.9 moles oxygen per mole sulfur dioxide. The feed gas is passed over a catalyst for the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide at a temperature effective for the conversion. Sulfur trioxide may be absorbed in concentrated sulfuric acid to generate additional sulfuric acid which may be recycled and used for hydrolysis of HMBN in the preparation of HMBA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Novus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Grendel, Jeffrey B. Klopfenstein, Robin K. Prokop, Stanley L. Reid, J. Michael Willock
  • Regeneration of sulfuric acid from sulfate by-products of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid manufacture
    Patent number: 5498790
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of sulfuric acid by burning the oxidizable components of a feed solution obtained as a byproduct of the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid ("HMBA") by hydrolysis of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile ("HMBN"). A combustion gas containing sulfur dioxide is produced. The combustion gas is cooled to condense water and sulfuric acid, then mixed with a source of oxygen to produce a feed gas containing at least about 0.9 moles oxygen per mole sulfur dioxide. The feed gas is passed over a catalyst for the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide at a temperature effective for the conversion. Sulfur trioxide may be absorbed in concentrated sulfuric acid to generate additional sulfuric acid which may be recycled and used for hydrolysis of HMBN in the preparation of HMBA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Novus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Grendel, Jeffrey B. Klopfenstein, Robin K. Prokop, Stanley L. Reid, J. Michael Willock