Patents by Inventor Richard S. Sapienza

Richard S. Sapienza 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: 4992480
    Abstract: There is disclosed synthesis of CH.sub.3 OH from carbon monoxide and hydrogen using an extremely active homogeneous catalyst for methanol synthesis directly from synthesis gas. The catalyst operates preferably between 100.degree.-150.degree. C. and preferably at 100-150 psia synthesis gas to produce methanol. Use can be made of syngas mixtures which contain considerable quantities of other gases, such as nitrogen, methane or excess hydrogen. The catalyst is composed of two components: (a) a transition metal carbonyl complex and (b) an alkoxide component. In the simplest formulation, component (a) is a complex of nickel tetracarbonyl and component (b) is methoxide (CH.sub.3 O.sup.-), both being dissolved in a methanol solvent system. The presence of a co-solvent such as p-dioxane, THF, polyalcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, and crown ethers accelerates the methanol synthesis reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
    Inventors: Devinder Mahajan, Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir, Thomas E. O'Hare
  • Patent number: 4935395
    Abstract: There is disclosed synthesis of CH.sub.3 OH from carbon monoxide and hydrogen using an extremely active homogeneous catalyst for methanol synthesis directly from synthesis gas. The catalyst operates preferably between 100.degree.-150.degree. C. and preferably at 100-150 psia synthesis gas to produce methanol. Use can be made of syngas mixtures which contain considerable quantities of other gases, such as nitrogen, methane or excess hydrogen. The catalyst is composed of two components: (a) a transition metal carbonyl complex and (b) an alkoxide component. In the simplest formulation, component (a) is a complex of nickel tetracarbonyl and component (b) is methoxide (CH.sub.3 O.sup.13 ), both being dissolved in a methanol solvent system. The presence of a co-solvent such as p-dioxane, THF, polyalcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, and crown ethers accelerates the methanol synthesis reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
    Inventors: Devinder Mahajan, Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir, Thomas E. O'Hare
  • Patent number: 4925824
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons; more particularly, the invention relates to a process for synthesizing long-chain hydrocarbons known as polymethylene from carbon monoxide and hydrogen or from carbon monoxide and water or mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising iron and platinum or palladium or mixtures thereof which may be supported on a solid material, preferably an inorganic refractory oxide. This process may be used to convert a carbon monoxide containing gas to a product which could substitute for high density polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir
  • Patent number: 4904700
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons; more particularly, the invention relates to a process for synthesizing long-chain hydrocarbons known as polymethylene from carbon monoxide and hydrogen or from carbon monoxide and water or mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising iron and platinum or palladium or mixtures thereof which may be supported on a solid material, preferably an inorganic refractory oxide. This process may be used to convert a cabon monoxide containing gas to a product which could substitute for high density polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir
  • Patent number: 4623634
    Abstract: A catalyst and process useful at low temperatures (below about 160.degree. C.) and preferably in the range 80.degree.-120.degree. C. used in the production of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen is disclosed. The catalyst is used in slurry form and comprises a complex reducing agent derived from the component structure NaH--RONa--M(OAc).sub.2 where M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Co and R is a lower alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms. This catalyst is preferably used alone but is also effective in combination with a metal carbonyl of a group VI (Mo, Cr, W) metal. The preferred catalyst precursor is Nic (where M=Ni and R=tertiary amyl). Mo(CO).sub.6 is the preferred metal carbonyl if such component is used. The catalyst is subjected to a conditioning or activating step under temperature and pressure, similar to the parameters given above, to afford the active catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir, Thomas E. O'Hare, Devinder Mahajan
  • Patent number: 4619946
    Abstract: A catalyst and process useful at low temperatures (below about 160.degree. C.) and preferably in the range 80.degree.-120.degree. C. used in the production of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen is disclosed. The catalyst is used in slurry form and comprises a complex reducing agent derived from the component structure NaH--RONa--M(OAc).sub.2 where M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Co and R is a lower alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms. This catalyst is preferably used alone but is also effective in combination with a metal carbonyl of a group VI (Mo, Cr, W) metal. The preferred catalyst precursor is Nic (where M=Ni and R=tertiary amyl). Mo(CO).sub.6 is the preferred metal carbonyl if such component is used. The catalyst is subjected to a conditioning or activating step under temperature and pressure, similar to the parameters given above, to afford the active catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir, Thomas E. O'Hare, Devinder Mahajan
  • Patent number: 4614749
    Abstract: A catalyst and process useful at low temperatures (below about 160.degree. C.) and preferably in the range 80.degree.-120.degree. C. used in the production of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen is disclosed. The catalyst is used in slurry form and comprises a complex reducing agent derived from the component structure NaH--RONa--M(OAc).sub.2 where M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Co and R is a lower alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms. This catalyst is preferably used alone but is also effective in combination with a metal carbonyl of a group VI (Mo, Cr, W) metal. The preferred catalyst precursor is Nic (where M=Ni and R=tertiary amyl). Mo(CO).sub.6 is the preferred metal carbonyl if such component is used. The catalyst is subjected to a conditioning or activating step under temperature and pressure, similar to the parameters given above, to afford the active catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir, Thomas E. O'Hare, Devinder Mahajan
  • Patent number: 4613623
    Abstract: A gas reaction process for the preferential production of methyl formate over the co-production of methanol wherein the reactant ratio of CO/H.sub.2 is upgraded and this reaction takes place at low temperatures of 50.degree.-150.degree. C. and moderate pressures of .gtoreq.100 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Devinder Mahajan, William A. Slegeir, Richard S. Sapienza, Thomas E. O'Hare
  • Patent number: 4561859
    Abstract: This invention describes a chemical process for desulfurizing coal, especially adaptable to the treatment of coal-water slurries, at temperatures as low as ambient, comprising treating the coal with aqueous titanous chloride whereby hydrogen sulfide is liberated and the desulfurized coal is separated with the conversion of titanous chloride to titanium oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William A. Slegeir, Francis E. Healy, Richard S. Sapienza
  • Patent number: 4476103
    Abstract: This invention relates to the formation of metal carbonyls from metal oxides and specially the formation of molybdenum carbonyl and iron carbonyl from their respective oxides. Copper is used here in admixed form or used in chemically combined form as copper molybdate. The copper/metal oxide combination or combined copper is utilized with a solvent, such as toluene and subjected to carbon monoxide pressure of 25 atmospheres or greater at about 150.degree.-260.degree. C. The reducing metal copper is employed in catalytic concentrations or combined concentrations as CuMoO.sub.4 and both hydrogen and water present serve as promoters. It has been found that the yields by this process have been salutary and that additionally the catalytic metal may be reused in the process to good effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir, Michael T. Foran
  • Patent number: 4460710
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen by contacting said gases with a slurry of a catalyst composed of palladium or platinum and cobalt supported on a solid phase is disclosed. The catalyst is prepared by heating a heterogeneous component of the palladium or platinum deposited on the solid support in a solution of cobalt carbonyl or precursors thereof. The catalyst exhibits excellent activity, stability in air, and produces highly desirable product fractions even with dilute gaseous reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, Michael J. Sansone, William A. R. Slegeir
  • Patent number: 4396539
    Abstract: A catalyst for the synthesis of hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen composed of palladium or platinum and cobalt supported on a solid phase is disclosed. The catalyst is prepared by heating a heterogeneous component of the palladium or platinum deposited on the solid support in a solution of cobalt carbonyl or precursors thereof. The catalyst exhibits excellent activity, stability in air, and produces highly desirable product fractions even with dilute gaseous reactants. The catalyst is preferably used in dilute slurry form, which is desirable from a heat transfer standpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, Michael J. Sansone, William A. R. Slegeir
  • Patent number: H243
    Abstract: A method of converting low H.sub.2 /CO ratio syngas to carbonaceous products comprising reacting the syngas with water or steam at 200.degree. to 350.degree. C. in the presence of a metal catalyst supported on zinc oxide. Hydrocarbons are produced with a catalyst selected from cobalt, nickel or ruthenium and alcohols are produced with a catalyst selected from palladium, platinium, ruthenium or copper on the zinc oxide support. The ratio of the reactants are such that for alcohols and saturated hydrocarbons:(2n+1).gtoreq.x.gtoreq.Oand for olefinic hydrocarbons:2n.gtoreq.x.gtoreq.Owhere n is the number of carbon atoms in the product and x is the molar amount of water in the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard S. Sapienza, William A. Slegeir, Robert I. Goldberg