Patents by Inventor Michael D. Donahue

Michael D. Donahue 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).

  • Methods for enhanced aromatic extraction employing sulfone-sulfoxide compositions
    Patent number: 6660899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation process composition at least partially separating mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbon compounds employing an extractive distillation composition comprising: a. at least one organic sulfoxide of the formula R1—SO—R2, and b. at least one acrylic sulfone of the formula R3—SO2—R4  wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 have at least one carbon atom and can be the same or different, and  wherein the at least one organic sulfoxide is present in an amount effective to provide improved separation of the aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, as compared to a process employing the same extractive distillation composition not comprising the organic sulfoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Gaylord Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Artie S. McKim, George Kvakovszky, Michael D. Donahue
  • Polyalkylene glycol compositions for enhanced aromatic extraction
    Patent number: 6617483
    Abstract: The invention relates to extractive distillation compositions for separating a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, wherein the extractive distillation composition includes at least one alkylene glycol compound, and at least one compatibility agent, wherein the compatibility agent is selected from materials having polar parameters and hydrogen bonding parameters such that the extractive distillation composition provides improved separation of the hydrocarbon compounds, as compared to the use of the extractive distillation composition without the compatibility agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Gaylord Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Artie S. McKim, George Kvakovszky, Michael D. Donahue, Chris B. Watts
  • Methods for enhanced extractive distillation employing extractive distillation compositions comprising sulfolane and compatibility agent
    Patent number: 6555726
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for enhanced extractive distillation of hydrocarbons that employ extrative distillation compositions comprising sulfolane or sulfolane derivatives in comination with compatibility agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Gaylord Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Artie S. McKim, George Kvakovszky, Michael D. Donahue
  • Sulfone-sulfoxide compositions for enhanced aromatic extraction
    Publication number: 20030045766
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extractive distillation composition for at least partially separating a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Artie S. McKim, George Kvakovszky, Michael D. Donahue