Patents by Inventor Kevin Hanks

Kevin Hanks 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).

  • Process for producing vinyl acetate
    Patent number: 9573877
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming vinyl acetate. The process comprises the step of providing a reaction mixture having an initial heat capacity. The reaction mixture comprises acetic acid, oxygen, ethylene, and optionally water. The process further comprises the step of adding to the reaction mixture at least one heat capacity modifier to form an increased heat capacity reaction mixture. The process further comprises the step of contacting the acetic acid, oxygen, and ethylene over a catalyst under conditions effective to form a crude vinyl acetate product. The crude vinyl acetate product comprises vinyl acetate and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pieter Vismans, Naveed Aslam, Tony Hammock, Kevin Hanks, Ilias S. Kotsianis, Tianshu Pan, Daniel Rangel-Osalde, Kelly Wallace
  • Methods for producing a vinyl acetate composition having a low impurity content
    Patent number: 9193663
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a method for producing a vinyl acetate composition. The method comprises the step of contacting acetic acid, oxygen, and ethylene under conditions effective to form a crude vinyl acetate composition comprising vinyl acetate, acetic acid, residual oxygen, and water. The method further comprises the step of contacting the crude vinyl acetate composition or a derivative thereof with at least one scavenger to form a treated crude vinyl acetate composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Jessica Freeman, Qiang Yao, Lauren Moore, Ilias Kotsianis, Victor Johnston, Kevin Hanks
  • Process for Producing Vinyl Acetate
    Publication number: 20140066649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming vinyl acetate. The process comprises the step of providing a reaction mixture having an initial heat capacity. The reaction mixture comprises acetic acid, oxygen, ethylene, and optionally water. The process further comprises the step of adding to the reaction mixture at least one heat capacity modifier to form an increased heat capacity reaction mixture. The process further comprises the step of contacting the acetic acid, oxygen, and ethylene over a catalyst under conditions effective to form a crude vinyl acetate product. The crude vinyl acetate product comprises vinyl acetate and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Vismans, Naveed Aslam, Tony Hammock, Kevin Hanks, Illias S. Kotsianis, Tianshu Pan, Daniel Rangel-Osalde, Kelly Wallace
  • Recovery of Acetic Acid from Heavy Ends in Vinyl Acetate Synthesis Process
    Publication number: 20120149939
    Abstract: Recovery of acid, and in particular acetic acid, in a vinyl acetate production process. Vinyl acetate production produces heavy ends that comprise acetate containing compounds, such as monomers and polymers. Acid preferably is recovered by hydrolyzing the heavy ends and separating the resulting hydrolyzed stream to recover acid formed from the from acetate containing compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ilias S. Kotsianis, Hannah E. Toomey, Stacey Somerville, Ismael Tejeda, Alba Lala, Thomas F. Orsak, Brett V. Memmott, Kevin Hanks, Deborah R. Repman, Victor J. Johnston, Mark A. Deimund
  • Methods for Producing a Vinyl Acetate Composition Having a Low Impurity Content
    Publication number: 20120108842
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a method for producing a vinyl acetate composition. The method comprises the step of contacting acetic acid, oxygen, and ethylene under conditions effective to form a crude vinyl acetate composition comprising vinyl acetate, acetic acid, residual oxygen, and water. The method further comprises the step of contacting the crude vinyl acetate composition or a derivative thereof with at least one scavenger to form a treated crude vinyl acetate composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Jessica Freeman, Qiang Yao, Lauren Moore, Ilias Kotsianis, Victor Johnston, Kevin Hanks