Patents by Inventor Lawrence P. Karcher

Lawrence P. Karcher 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).

  • Preparation of Derivative of Polyhydric Alcohols
    Publication number: 20080274019
    Abstract: A method for converting a polyhydric alcohol into propylene glycol and butanediols is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for converting polyhydric alcohols into three-carbon products and four-carbon products. Also disclosed are methods for maximizing conversion of polyhydric alcohols and minimizing formation of reaction products that are difficult to remove from the desired product. In other embodiments, methods are described to optimize use of reactants, including hydrogen, in hydrogenolysis of polyhydric alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Beggin, Thomas P. Binder, Ahmad K. Hilaly, Lawrence P. Karcher, Brad Zenthoefer
  • Method for removing sulfur compounds from an alcohol stream
    Publication number: 20070238907
    Abstract: Processes, apparatus, and systems for purifying alcohol streams by reducing the concentration of sulfur compounds in those alcohol streams are presented herein. The invention is exemplified by reduction of sulfur dioxide, sulfate ion, and sulfite ion in an ethanol stream, but is applicable for the removal of other sulfur compounds from other alcohol streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas P. Binder, Joseph R. Beggin, Ahmad K. Hilaly, Lawrence P. Karcher, Leif P. Solheim, John G. Soper, Brad Lee Zenthoefer