Patents by Inventor John F. Knifton

John F. Knifton 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).

  • Catalytic decomposition of peroxide impurities in a methyl tertiary butyl ether recycle stream
    Patent number: 5159122
    Abstract: Peroxides such as di-tert-butyl peroxide, present in a methyl-tert-butyl ether recycle stream, may be removed by bringing the recycle stream into contact with an acid treated clay. The peroxides are decomposed to tert-butyl alcohol (main product) plus minor amounts of acetone and methanol. Since the recycle stream consists mainly of tert-butyl alcohol and methanol, methyl-tert-butyl ether is also formed in significant quantities. Isobutylene is also formed by dehydration of the tert-butyl alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John R. Sanderson, John F. Knifton, Neal J. Grice
  • Synthesis of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadienes using glycol ether acetate solvents
    Patent number: 5159123
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a process for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene selectively to form relatively low molecular weight hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene oligomers in the presence of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide which comprises the use of a solvent selected from the group consisting of alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether acetates and aliphatic glycol ether carboxylates to produce butadiene oligomers having a high degree of OH functionality and suppression of formation of solid or gel-type insoluble rubber by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Edward T. Marquis
  • One-step synthesis of methyl t-butyl ether from t-butanol using hydrogen fluoride-modified montmorillonite clays
    Patent number: 5157161
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein t-butanol is reacted with methanol in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalyst to provide methyl-tert-butyl ether and the improvement of accomplishing the reaction in one-step which comprises:a. contacting the reactants with a montmorillonite silica-alumina catalyst which has been treated with hydrogen fluoride;b. continuously contacting said t-butanol and methanol in a molar amount of about 0.1 to 10 moles of methanol per mole of t-butanol with said catalyst at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of about atmospheric to about 1000 psig to obtain the methyl tert-butyl product, wherein under certain conditions the product mix separates into an isobutylene-MTBE product-rich phase and a heavier aqueous methanol phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • One step synthesis of methyl t-butyl ether from t-butanol using fluorosulfonic acid-modified clay catalysts
    Patent number: 5157162
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein t-butanol is reacted with methanol in a reaction zone in one step to provide methyl tert-butyl ether and the improvement of accomplishing the reaction which comprises:a. Using a catalyst consisting of a montmorillonite clay, optionally pretreated with a mineral acid, then treated with a fluorosulfonic acid;b. continuously contacting said t-butanol and methanol in a molar amount of about 0.1 to 10 moles of methanol per mole of t-butanol with said catalyst at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of about atmospheric to about 1000 psig to obtain the methyl tert-butyl ether product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for oligomerizing olefins using halogen-free titanium salts or halogen-free zirconium salts on clays
    Patent number: 5146030
    Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparing synthetic lubricant base stocks. Synthetic lubricant base stocks are prepared in good yield by oligomerizing linear olefins using cation-exchangeable layered clays that have been treated with a non-halogenated titanium salt or non-halogenated zirconium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John R. Sanderson, John F. Knifton, Edward T. Marquis
  • Method of separating isobutylene from a C-4 hydrocarbon fraction using montmorillonite catalysts
    Patent number: 5146041
    Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step method for separating isobutylene from a C-4 hydrocarbon fraction comprising:a) Reacting the C-4 fraction with a glycol in the presence of an acidic montmorillonite catalyst at a temperature of about 60.degree. to 160.degree. C. to yield the corresponding glycol mono-t-butyl ether, and subsequentlyb) reacting the intermediate glycol ether product over the same class of catalyst at a temperature of about 100.degree. to 220.degree. C. to regenerate the isolatable isobutylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for oligomerizing olefins using a super-dealuminated Y-zeolite
    Patent number: 5120891
    Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparing synthetic lubricant base stocks. Synthetic lubricant base stocks are prepared in good yield by oligomerizing linear olefins using a catalyst comprising a super-dealuminated Y-zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John R. Sanderson, Pei S. E. Dai, John F. Knifton
  • Tert-butylamine synthesis over montmorillonite clays
    Patent number: 5107027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparation of alkylamines which comprises reacting ammonia and a monounsaturated olefin in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of:a. Acid modified montmorillonite clays;b. Heterogenous catalyst comprising a fluorine-containing compound on an inert support; andc. Heteropoly acids on an inert support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Neal J. Grice
  • Method for one-step synthesis of methyl t-butyl ether
    Patent number: 5099072
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein t-butanol is reacted with methanol in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalyst to provide methyl-tert-butyl ether and the improvement of accomplishing the reaction in one-step which comprises:a. using an acidic montmorillonite silica-alumina catalyst;b. continuously contacting said t-butanol and methanol in a molar amount of about 0.1 to 10 moles of methanol per mole of t-butanol with said catalyst at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of about atmospheric to about 1000 psig to obtain the methyl-tert-butyl product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for oligomerizing olefins using phosphorous-containing acid on montmorillonite clay
    Patent number: 5097085
    Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparing synthetic lubricant base stocks. Synthetic lubricant base stocks are prepared in good yield by oligomerizing linear olefins using montmorillonite clays which have a phosphorous-containing acid deposited thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John R. Sanderson, John F. Knifton
  • One step synthesis of methyl t-butyl ether from t-butanol using fluorosulfonic acid-modified zeolite catalysts
    Patent number: 5081318
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein t-butanol is reacted with methanol in a reaction zone in one step to provide methyl tert-butyl ether and the improvement of accomplishing the reaction which comprises:a. Using a catalyst consisting of a crystalline aluminosilicate faujasite Y-type zeolite which has been treated with a fluorosulfonic acid;b. continuously contacting said t-butanol and methanol in a molar amount of about 0.1 to 10 moles of methanol per mole of t-butanol with said catalyst at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of about atmospheric to about 1000 psig to obtain the methyl tert-butyl ether product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Nickel-based dual catalyst systems effective in suppressing carbon dioxide formation during diethylene glycol amination
    Patent number: 5071980
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for simultaneously producing morpholine and GIGLYCOLAMINE.RTM. amine while suppressing CO.sub.2 formation comprising the steps of:reacting anhydrous diethylene glycol with ammonia in the presence of added hydrogen over a dual nickel/ruthenium catalyst system comprising a nickel-based catalyst plus a supported ruthenium catalyst, andisolating said morpholine compound and said DIGLYCOLAMINE.RTM. amine compound from the reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • One step synthesis of methyl t-butyl ether from t-butanol plus methanol using Group IV oxides treated with sulfates or sulfuric acid
    Patent number: 5059725
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method wherein t-butanol is reacted with methanol in one step to provide methyl t-butyl ether at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. and a pressure of about atmospheric to about 1000 psig employing a catalyst consisting of a Group IV oxide on which there has been deposited a sulfur-containing compound from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate or sulfuric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, John R. Sanderson
  • Process for oligomerizing olefins to prepare base stocks for synthetic lubricants
    Patent number: 5053569
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing synthetic lubricant base stocks. Synthetic lubricant base stocks may be prepared in good yield by oligomerizing linear olefins using certain acidic calcium montmorillonite clay catalysts. When the oligomers are hydrogenated, they provide a synthetic lubricant base stock having excellent properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Edward T. Marquis, John R. Sanderson, John F. Knifton
  • Synthesis of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadienes using glycol ether solvents
    Patent number: 5043484
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a process for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene selectively to form relatively low molecular weight hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene oligomers in the presence of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide which comprises the use of a glycol ether solvent to produce butadiene oligomers having a high degree of OH functionality and suppression of formation of solid or gel-type insoluble rubber by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Edward T. Marquis
  • Method for the manufacture of triethylenediamine using a pelleted titania-supported tungstopyrophosphate catalyst
    Patent number: 5037838
    Abstract: N-hydroxyethyl piperazine is converted to triethylenediamine using a titania-supported tungstopyrophosphate catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Zimmerman, John F. Knifton
  • Catalytic preparation of tertiary butyl alcohol from tertiary butyl hydroperoxide
    Patent number: 5025113
    Abstract: A tertiary butyl hydroperoxide feedstock, such as one prepared from the reaction product formed by the reaction of isobutane with molecular oxygen and which feedstock comprises tertiary butyl hydroperoxide dissolved in tertiary butyl alcohol, is charged to a catalytic decomposition zone where the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is catalytically decomposed in the presence of a soluble catalyst system to provide a decomposition reaction product characterized by a high conversion rate and a high selectivity of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to tertiary butyl alcohol, the catalyst system being composed of a soluble iron compound and a soluble ruthenium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John R. Sanderson, John F. Knifton
  • Purification of cumene recycle streams
    Patent number: 5025112
    Abstract: A method for purifying a cumene recycle stream by removing 2-phenyl-2-propanol and cumene hydroperoxide before the cumene is distilled and recycled to the peroxidation reactor which comprises reacting the recycle cumene in the presence of an acid treated montmorillonite clay of the formula:M.sub.x/n.sup.n+.sub..y H.sub.2 O(Al.sub.4-x Mg.sub.x) (Si.sub.8)O.sub.20 (OH).sub.4or in the presence of a catalyst comprising phosphoric acid on silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John R. Sanderson, Edward T. Marquis, John F. Knifton
  • Nickel-based dual catalyst systems effective in suppressing carbon dioxide formation during diethylene glycol amination
    Patent number: 5011926
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for simultaneously producing morpholine and DIGLYCOLAMINE.RTM. amine while suppressing CO.sub.2 formation comprising the steps of:reacting diethylene glycol with ammonia in the presence of added hydrogen over a dual nickel-based catalyst comprising a nickel-copper-chromium oxide mix in combination with nickel-on-alumina, aisolating said morpholine compound and said DIGLYCOLAMINE.RTM. amine compound from the reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Tertiary amyl methyl ether from C-5 olefin streams
    Patent number: 5003112
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the preparation of tertiary amyl methyl ether by reaction of methanol and a C-5 olefin over a catalyst comprising an acidic smectite clay, particularly a palladium-modified acidic montmorillonite silica-alumina clay. The method allows for high conversions with yields of up to 93-99 mole %. Further the method is capable of operating efficiently at high LHSVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventor: John F. Knifton