Patents by Inventor Richard J. Wolff

Richard J. Wolff 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: 10513502
    Abstract: A propylene oxide separation system comprising a heavies distillation column configured to receive a crude propylene oxide stream and discharge a heavies purge bottoms comprising at least one impurity selected from acetone, methanol, aldehydes, aldehyde derivatives, water, heavy hydrocarbons comprising C5+, or combinations thereof, and discharge a heavies distillation column overhead stream comprising a majority of the propylene oxide entering with the crude propylene oxide stream, and a first extractive distillation column configured to receive the heavies distillation column overhead stream and a first extraction solvent stream comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, and discharge a lights purge overhead comprising at least one impurity selected from aldehydes (e.g., acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Lyondell Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Elizabeth I. Ross-Medgaarden, David W. Leyshon, Karl P. Rufener, Sunti Kongkitisupchai, Richard J. Wolff, Kimberly A. Petry
  • Publication number: 20190241534
    Abstract: A propylene oxide separation system comprising a heavies distillation column configured to receive a crude propylene oxide stream and discharge a heavies purge bottoms comprising at least one impurity selected from acetone, methanol, aldehydes, aldehyde derivatives, water, heavy hydrocarbons comprising C5+, or combinations thereof, and discharge a heavies distillation column overhead stream comprising a majority of the propylene oxide entering with the crude propylene oxide stream, and a first extractive distillation column configured to receive the heavies distillation column overhead stream and a first extraction solvent stream comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, and discharge a lights purge overhead comprising at least one impurity selected from aldehydes (e.g., acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Lyondell Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Elizabeth I. Ross-Medgaarden, David W. Leyshon, Karl P. Rufener, Sunti Kongkitisupchai, Richard J. Wolff, Kimberly A. Petry
  • Patent number: 8207360
    Abstract: A process for producing propylene oxide from propylene is disclosed. The process comprises reacting propylene and an oxidant selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent having a boiling point of 110° C. or lower to produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture including the catalyst is distilled to produce a vapor stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, and at least a portion of the solvent, and a slurry stream comprising the solvent and the catalyst. At least a portion of the slurry stream is recycled to the reaction step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Lyondell Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard J. Wolff, Kimberly A. Petry, Blake S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110190518
    Abstract: A process for producing propylene oxide from propylene is disclosed. The process comprises reacting propylene and an oxidant selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent having a boiling point of 110° C. or lower to produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture including the catalyst is distilled to produce a vapor stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, and at least a portion of the solvent, and a slurry stream comprising the solvent and the catalyst. At least a portion of the slurry stream is recycled to the reaction step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Wolff, Kimberly A. Petry, Blake S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20070267250
    Abstract: A portable free-standing electric human lift apparatus is provided for electrically raising or lowering a human or materials on a three legged ladder-like frame. The ladder-like frame having the general form of a three legged orchard ladder with a fixed top platform sitting atop of two opposing substantially parallel distally spaced elongated front legs. The front legs having an extruded ‘U’ shaped channel cross section. A stabilizing back leg is pivotally connected at the top end of the leg to the platform member, to swing out and form a tripod-like or third leg support to stabilize the lift to stand freely in a vertical position. A leveling means provided on the bottom portion front legs serves to level the lift apparatus when resting upon an uneven surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Richard J. Wolff
  • Patent number: 6583300
    Abstract: A process for the production of an oxirane compound by reaction of an olefin with a hydroperoxide reactant in the presence of a solid epoxidation catalyst, wherein the olefin and hydroperoxide reactants are first reacted in it least two fixed bed reactors packed with fresh catalyst, olefin being fed serially to said reactors and hydroperoxide reactant being fed in parallel to said reactors and thereafter the reactor effluent from the last of said reactors is passed to as least one further fixed bed reactor packed with epoxidation catalyst which has been at least partially deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: David W. Leyshon, John C. Jubin, Jr., Richard J. Wolff
  • Patent number: 5760253
    Abstract: A reactor and process is for the production of oxirane compounds by reaction of an olefin such as propylene with an organic hydroperoxide using a solid contact catalyst, characterized by the following features:(1) the reactor is divided into a series of separate zones, each zone containing a bed of solid epoxidation catalyst;(2) about 25-75% of the heat of reaction is removed by preheating cold reactor feed by direct contact with a heated recycle stream from the reactor; and(3) about 25-75% of the heat of reaction is accounted for by a reaction mixture temperature rise of 20.degree.-100.degree. F. and by vaporization of 15-40% of the net reactor product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Danner, John C. Jubin, Jr., Richard J. Wolff
  • Patent number: 4262275
    Abstract: A Hall effect package structure is provided with a cap which carries integral reference plane establishing members for establishing the gap between the facing ends of two elongated flux concentrator members in which a semiconductor chip having at least one Hall effect region is located. A pair of demountable C-shaped flux concentrator members engage therebetween the remote ends of the elongated flux concentrator members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. DeMarco, Edward W. Kunkler, Richard J. Wolff