Patents by Inventor Mesfin Ejerssa Janka

Mesfin Ejerssa Janka 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).

  • Patent number: 10011579
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural where R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R?OCH2-furfural where R? is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R?-furfural where R? is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters, mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers, and mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Kenny Randolph Parker, Paula Moody, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Lee Reynolds Partin, Bradford Russell Bowers, Michael Charles Morrow
  • Patent number: 9988329
    Abstract: A transfer-hydrogenation process for preparing a carbonyl compound and an alcohol compound comprises the steps of (a) contacting a first carbonyl compound with a first alcohol compound in the presence of a transfer-hydrogenation catalyst in a first reaction zone at conditions effective to form a second carbonyl compound from the first alcohol compound and a second alcohol compound from the first carbonyl compound, and (b) removing the second carbonyl compound from the first reaction zone during step (a). The first carbonyl compound is a saturated aldehyde or ketone, or an ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde or ketone. The first alcohol compound is a primary or secondary alcohol. The second alcohol compound is ?,?-saturated. The transfer-hydrogenation catalyst includes a Group 8 to 11 metal. This process is useful for preparing and higher value alcohols, such as butanol or 2-ethylhexanol, from the corresponding carbonyl compounds by engaging lower alcohol (C2-C4) feedstocks instead of hydrogen (H2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Scott Huss, Xiaopeng Shan, Stephanie Rollins Testerman, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Dewey Wayne Fuller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9944615
    Abstract: A process for purifying a crude furan 2,5-dicarboxylic acid composition (cFDCA) by hydrogenation of a FDCA composition dissolved in a hydrogenation solvent such as water, and hydrogenating under mild conditions, such as at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 225° C. by contacting the solvated FDCA composition with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under a hydrogen partial pressure within a range of 10 psi to 900 psi. A product FDCA composition is produced having a low amount of tetrahydrofuran dicarboxylic acid, a low b*, and a low amount of 5-formyl furan-2-carboxylic acid (FFCA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Kenny Randolph Parker, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Lee Reynolds Partin, Charles Edwan Sumner, Jr., Shane Kipley Kirk
  • Publication number: 20170260154
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural where R=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R?OCH2-furfural, where R?=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R?-furfural, where R?=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA, removing impurities from a crude carboxylic acid slurry in a liquid displacement zone to form a low impurity slurry stream. The low impurity slurry stream is further treated in a secondary oxidation zone to produce a secondary oxidation slurry stream which is routed to a crystallization zone to form a crystallized slurry stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa JANKA, Kenny Randolph PARKER, Paula MOODY, Ashfaq Shahanawaz SHAIKH, Lee Reynolds PARTIN, Bradford Russell BOWERS, Michael Charles MORROW
  • Patent number: 9676740
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural where R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R?OCH2-furfural where R? is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R?-furfural where R? is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters, mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers, and mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Kenny Randolph Parker, Paula Moody, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Lee Reynolds Partin, Bradford Russell Bowers, Michael Charles Morrow
  • Patent number: 9604896
    Abstract: Disclosed is a halide-free catalyst system and method for oxidizing toluene to form benzoic acid in benzoic acid solvent. The catalyst system contains Co, at least one of Zr and Hf, and an alkali metal basic salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Charles Edwan Sumner, Jr., Stephanie Nicole Rollins-Testerman, Craig Steven Dunn
  • Publication number: 20160332979
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oxidation process to produce a crude carboxylic acid product carboxylic acid product. The process comprises oxidizing a feed stream comprising at least one oxidizable compound to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and compositions thereof. Also disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product by utilizing various purification methods on the crude carboxylic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin John Fontenot, Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Kenny Randolph Parker, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Lee Reynolds Partin, Charles Edwan Sumner, JR., Shane Kipley Kirk, Paula Moody, Bradford Russell Bowers, Michael Charles Morrow
  • Patent number: 9493395
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing two esters by reacting an aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of a ruthenium complex compound as a catalyst. The process is particularly useful for preparing ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, or 2-ethylhexyl acetate in high yield by coupling acetaldehyde with n-butanol, i-butanol, or 2-ethylhexanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Robert Thomas Hembre, Stephanie Rollins Testerman
  • Publication number: 20160311790
    Abstract: A process for purifying a crude furan 2,5-dicarboxylic acid composition (cFDCA) by hydrogenation of a FDCA composition dissolved in a hydrogenation solvent such as water, and hydrogenating under mild conditions, such as at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 225° C. by contacting the solvated FDCA composition with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under a hydrogen partial pressure within a range of 10 psi to 900 psi. A product FDCA composition is produced having a low amount of tetrahydrofuran dicarboxylic acid, a low b*, and a low amount of 5-formyl furan-2-carboxylic acid (FFCA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: MESFIN EJERSSA JANKA, KENNY RANDOLPH PARKER, ASHFAQ SHAHANAWAZ SHAIKH, LEE PARTIN REYNOLDS, CHARLES EDWIN SUMNER, SHANE KIPLEY KIRK
  • Publication number: 20160297741
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing two esters by reacting an aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of a ruthenium complex compound as a catalyst. The process is particularly useful for preparing ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, or 2-ethylhexyl acetate in high yield by coupling acetaldehyde with n-butanol, i-butanol, or 2-ethylhexanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Robert Thomas Hembre, Stephanie Rollins Testerman
  • Patent number: 9458122
    Abstract: A process to produce a dry purified furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is described. After oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), a crude FDCA stream is produced that is fed to a crystallization zone followed by a solid-liquid displacement zone to form a low impurity slurry stream. The solids in the low impurity slurry stream are dissolved in a dissolution zone to produce a hydrogenation feed that is hydrogenated in a hydrogenation reactor to generate a hydrogenated FDCA composition. The hydrogenated FDCA composition is routed to a crystallization zone to form a crystallized produce stream that is separated from liquid in a solid-liquid separation zone to generate a purified wet cake stream containing FDCA that can be dried in a drying zone to generate a dry purified FDCA product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Kenny Randolph Parker, Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Lee Reynolds Partin
  • Publication number: 20160221980
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oxidation process to produce a crude carboxylic acid product carboxylic acid product. The process comprises oxidizing a feed stream comprising at least one oxidizable compound to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and compositions thereof. Also disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product by utilizing various purification methods on the crude carboxylic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: KENNY RANDOLPH PARKER, MESFIN EJERSSA JANKA, ASHFAQ SHAHANAWAZ SHAIKH, LEE REYNOLDS PARTIN
  • Patent number: 9382184
    Abstract: Processes for producing terephthalic acid are disclosed, the processes including a step of combining in a reaction medium para-xylene, a solvent comprising water and a saturated organic acid having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature for example from about 145° C. to about 175° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese, zirconium, and bromine, wherein the zirconium is present in the reaction medium in an amount, for example, from 1 ppm to 50 ppm with respect to the weight of the liquid in the reaction medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: David Milton Lange, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Patrice L. Riesenberg, Mesfin Ejerssa Janka
  • Publication number: 20160130244
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural where R=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R?OCH2-furfural, where R?=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R?-furfural, where R?=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA, removing impurities from a crude carboxylic acid slurry in a liquid displacement zone to form a low impurity slurry stream. The low impurity slurry stream is further treated in a secondary oxidation zone to produce a secondary oxidation slurry stream which is routed to a crystallization zone to form a crystallized slurry stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Kenny Randolph Parker, Paula Moody, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Lee Reynolds Partin, Bradford Russell Bowers, Michael Charles Morrow
  • Publication number: 20160068655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process that integrates the oxidation of toluene to benzoic acid with the production of benzoate plasticizers. Toluene is fed to an oxidation vessel in the presence of oxygen and an oxidation catalyst wherein benzoic acid serves as the solvent for the oxidation. The crude benzoic acid produced is not purified and is then reacted with an alcohol in the presence of an esterification catalyst to produce the crude benzoate ester. The oxidation catalyst, esterification catalyst, and other impurities can be mostly removed from the crude benzoate ester in subsequent washing and filtering steps. The benzoate esters produced through this method can be made in fewer steps with both yields and purities above 80%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Pinguan Zheng, Jonathan J. Mabe, Charles Edwan Sumner, JR., Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Beverly Lenora Frye, Stephanie Rollins Testerman, Brent Alan Tennant
  • Publication number: 20160060202
    Abstract: Processes for producing terephthalic acid are disclosed, the processes including a step of combining in a reaction medium para-xylene, a solvent comprising water and a saturated organic acid having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature for example from about 145° C. to about 175° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese, zirconium, and bromine, wherein the zirconium is present in the reaction medium in an amount, for example, from 1 ppm to 50 ppm with respect to the weight of the liquid in the reaction medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: DAVID MILTON LANGE, ASHFAQ SHAHANAWAZ SHAIKH, PATRICE L. RIESENBERG, MESFIN EJERSSA JANKA
  • Patent number: 9266850
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural where R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R?OCH2-furfural where R? is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R?-furfural where R? is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl), mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters, mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers, and mixed feedstocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Kenny Randolph Parker, Paula Moody, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Lee Reynolds Partin, Bradford Russell Bowers, Michael Charles Morrow
  • Patent number: 9249118
    Abstract: A process for purifying a crude furan 2,5-dicarboxylic acid composition (cFDCA) by hydrogenation of a FDCA composition dissolved in a hydrogenation solvent such as water, and hydrogenating under mild conditions, such as at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 225° C. by contacting the solvated FDCA composition with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under a hydrogen partial pressure within a range of 10 psi to 900 psi. A product FDCA composition is produced having a low amount of tetrahydrofuran dicarboxylic acid, a low b*, and a low amount of 5-formyl furan-2-carboxylic acid (FFCA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Charles Edwan Sumner, Jr., Shane Kipley Kirk, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Publication number: 20150368219
    Abstract: A process to produce a dry purified furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is described. After oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), a crude FDCA stream is produced that is fed to a crystallization zone followed by a solid-liquid displacement zone to form a low impurity slurry stream. The solids in the low impurity slurry stream are dissolved in a dissolution zone to produce a hydrogenation feed that is hydrogenated in a hydrogenation reactor to generate a hydrogenated FDCA composition. The hydrogenated FDCA composition is routed to a crystallization zone to form a crystallized produce stream that is separated from liquid in a solid-liquid separation zone to generate a purified wet cake stream containing FDCA that can be dried in a drying zone to generate a dry purified FDCA product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ashfaq Shahanawaz SHAIKH, Kenny Randolph PARKER, Mesfin Ejerssa JANKA, Lee Reynolds PARTIN
  • Patent number: 9212121
    Abstract: Processes for producing terephthalic acid are disclosed, the processes including a step of combining in a reaction medium para-xylene, a solvent comprising water and a saturated organic acid having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature for example from about 145° C. to about 175° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese, zirconium, and bromine, wherein the zirconium is present in the reaction medium in an amount, for example, from 1 ppm to 50 ppm with respect to the weight of the liquid in the reaction medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: David Milton Lange, Ashfaq Shahanawaz Shaikh, Patrice L. Riesenberg, Mesfin Ejerssa Janka