Patents by Inventor Paul A. Gillis

Paul A. Gillis 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).

  • Publication number: 20170216791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line mixing apparatus and use therein for adding a polymer solution and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said method comprises statically mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co) polymer to form a dough-like material. The viscous mixture material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor 40 to reduce the mixture viscosity and to form microflocs and release water. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Jason S. Moore, Billy G. Smith, Michael D. Cloeter, Michael K. Poindexter, Irfan Khan
  • Publication number: 20170197189
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mixing apparatus. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a mixing apparatus for mixing fluid components such as phosgene and amine during a highly reactive chemical reaction. One embodiment provides a mixing conduit comprising a cylindrical sidewall defining an inner volume, wherein one or more jets are formed through the cylindrical sidewalls and connect to the inner volume and one or more flow obstructions disposed in the inner volume, wherein each flow obstruction is positioned upstream from an associated aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Joydeep Mukherjee, John B. Cooper, Arthur C. Flores, Daniel J. Reed
  • Publication number: 20160069172
    Abstract: A process includes: (a) injecting a steam composition into a subterranean location containing bitumen, the steam composition containing an alkylene glycol ether and steam, wherein the alkylene glycol ether is other than a glycol ether amine; and (b) recovering bitumen from the subterranean location to above the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Naoko Akiya, Paul A. Gillis, Harpreet Singh, Abu Mokhtarul Hassan, Zubin B. Kuvadia
  • Patent number: 9090540
    Abstract: The present invention a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrei S. Merenov, Dennis W. Jewell, Paul A. Gillis, Gerard I. Jansma, Ashley W. Breed, John J. Anderson, Daniel J. Reed
  • Patent number: 9080005
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrei S. Merenov, Gerard I. Jansma, Paul A. Gillis
  • Publication number: 20150078113
    Abstract: Modified radial-flow rotor-stator mixers 10 comprise: A. A housing 13 comprising a first stator 16 and a second stator 17; B. A rotor 12 positioned between the first stator 16 and the second stator 17 so as to form a first chamber and a second chamber within the housing and to provide fluid communication between the first and second chambers, the rotor 12 connected to a rotatable shaft 11; C. A primary inlet 24 positioned within the first chamber at a low shear region; D. Two or more secondary inlets 30A, 30B positioned within the first chamber at one or more regions of higher shear than that of the primary inlet 24; and E. An outlet 26 positioned within the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Thomas J. Parsons, Jia Xie, Vince Farozic
  • Publication number: 20150018575
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mixing conduit (100) having at least a cylindrical inner surface or a cylindrical outer surface and increased number of jet openings (102). The mixing conduits according to embodiment of the present invention improve mixing rates thus reducing formation of undesired by-products without sacrificing structural integrity. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a static mixer (150) having a substantially circular mixing conduit (100) with more than about 22 jet openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Joydeep Mukherjee, Paulo Pereira
  • Publication number: 20140338843
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes and apparatuses for producing a crystalline product. The processes and apparatuses may extend the operational time of an evaporative crystallizer by providing an internal volume or large deposit inventory for fouling deposits to reside without impacting the unit operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. Frank, J.W. Moore, Paul A. Larsen, Pramod D. Patil, Robert M. Whittingslow, Paul A. Gillis
  • Publication number: 20140264163
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrei S. Merenov, Gerard I. Jansma, Paul A. Gillis
  • Patent number: 8506889
    Abstract: The instant invention is a device for producing dispersions. The device for producing dispersions includes a first stator, a second stator, a shell encasing the first stator and the second stator, a rotor being disposed therebetween the first stator and the second stator thereby forming a first chamber and a second chamber, at least one first inlet port into the first chamber, and at least one outlet port out of the second chamber. The device may optionally include at least one additional second inlet port into the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Skaggs, Bedri Erdem, Paul A. Gillis
  • Publication number: 20130176814
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mixing apparatus. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a mixing apparatus for mixing fluid components such as phosgene and amine during a highly reactive chemical reaction. One embodiment provides a mixing conduit (100) comprising a cylindrical sidewall (101) defining an inner volume, wherein one or more jets are formed through the cylindrical sidewalls and connect to the inner volume and one or more flow obstructions (103) disposed in the inner volume, wherein each flow obstruction is positioned upstream from an associated aperture (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Joydeep Mukherjee, John B. Cooper, Arthur C. Flores, Daniel J. Reed
  • Publication number: 20130172604
    Abstract: The present invention a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Andrei S. Merenov, Dennis W. Jewell, Paul A. Gillis, Gerard I. Jansma, Ashley W. Breed, John J. Anderson, Daniel J. Reed
  • Publication number: 20120327739
    Abstract: The instant invention is a device for producing dispersions. The device for producing dispersions includes a first stator, a second stator, a shell encasing the first stator and the second stator, a rotor being disposed therebetween the first stator and the second stator thereby forming a first chamber and a second chamber, at least one first inlet port into the first chamber, and at least one outlet port out of the second chamber. The device may optionally include at least one additional second inlet port into the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ken W. Skaggs, Bedri Erdem, Paul A. Gillis
  • Patent number: 8283393
    Abstract: The instant invention is a device for producing dispersions and method of producing dispersions. The device for producing dispersions includes a first stator, a second stator, a shell encasing the first stator and the second stator, a rotor being disposed therebetween the first stator and the second stator thereby forming a first chamber and a second chamber, at least one first inlet port into the first chamber, and at least one outlet port out of the second chamber. The device may optionally include at least one additional second inlet port into the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ken W. Skaggs, Bedri Erdem, Paul A. Gillis
  • Publication number: 20110242930
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a static phosgene mixer, and more generally, to an apparatus for mixing of fluid components such as phosgene and amine during an highly reactive, chemical reaction that is vulnerable to the creation of undesired by-products, and equipment fouling. A guide element is disposed in the static mixer to divert the incoming flow of phosgene around the guide element and create an annular mixing passage in the static mixer. This allows for the use of an increased external radius of the effective phosgene flow while maintaining phosgene velocity by creating a blockage of the flow. The same flow, when transformed from a circular configuration to an annular configuration has an increased external radius, and a greater quantity of MDA jets can be placed along the increased radius, thus increasing the overall homogeneity of the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Joerg-Peter Gehrke, Artur Klinger
  • Publication number: 20110228630
    Abstract: Excessive residence time in the conduits located between the outlet of a static mixer and a reactor/separator reservoir can lead to undesired by-products, formation of solids, and conduit fouling. This disclosure relates to an improved configuration for a static mixer with reduced transitory time to help reduce the creation of undesired by-products and fouling during the process of mixing, and more particularly to a phosgene reactor comprising a short or very short conduit for reducing the transit time from the static mixer to a reactor/separator reservoir to one second or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Joerg-Peter Gehrke, Artur Klinger, Hua Bai
  • Publication number: 20110230679
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a static phosgene mixer, and more generally, to an apparatus for mixing of fluid components such as phosgene and amine during an highly reactive, chemical reaction that is vulnerable to the creation of undesired by-products, and equipment fouling. A guide element is disposed in the static mixer to divert the incoming flow of phosgene around the guide element and create an annular mixing passage in the static mixer. This allows for the use of an increased external radius of the effective phosgene flow while maintaining phosgene velocity by creating a blockage of the flow. The same flow, when transformed from a circular configuration to an annular configuration has an increased external radius, and a greater quantity of MDA jets can be placed along the increased radius, thus increasing the overall homogeneity of the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Joerg-Peter Gehrke, Artur Klinger
  • Patent number: 7901128
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for mixing at least two fluid substances and carrying out or initiating a reaction between them, wherein the apparatus is a static mixer are described. The static mixer includes a fluid receiving chamber, a first conduit passing through the fluid receiving chamber and having at least one tapered aperture therethrough, and a second conduit operatively connected to the fluid receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Joerg-Peter Gehrke, Paul A. Gillis, Hua Bai
  • Publication number: 20090312489
    Abstract: The instant invention is a device for producing dispersions and method of producing dispersions. The device for producing dispersions includes a first stator, a second stator, a shell encasing the first stator and the second stator, a rotor being disposed therebetween the first stator and the second stator thereby forming a first chamber and a second chamber, at least one first inlet port into the first chamber, and at least one outlet port out of the second chamber. The device may optionally include at least one additional second inlet port into the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ken W. Skaggs, Bedri Erdem, Paul A. Gillis
  • Publication number: 20080087348
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for mixing at least two fluid substances and carrying out or initiating a reaction between them, wherein the apparatus is a static mixer are described. The static mixer includes a fluid receiving chamber, a first conduit passing through the fluid receiving chamber and having at least one tapered aperture therethrough, and a second conduit operatively connected to the fluid receiving chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Gillis, Hua Bai, Joerge-Peter Gehrke