Patents by Inventor Ricky L. Wittman

Ricky L. Wittman 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: 8492583
    Abstract: Impure aromatic carboxylic acids such as are obtained by liquid phase oxidation of feed materials comprising aromatic compounds with substituent groups oxidizable to carboxylic acid groups, or comprising aromatic carboxylic acid and one or more aromatic carbonyl impurities that form hydrogenated species more soluble in aqueous solvents or with less color or color-forming tendencies than the aromatic carbonyl impurity, are purified to an aromatic carboxylic acid product with lower levels of impurities by a process comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising the impure aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure with an attrition-resistance, acid stable catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst metal and a support comprising relatively high surface area silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Philip O. Nubel, Muin S. Haddad, Jeffrey J. Foster, Sr., Ricky L. Wittman
  • Publication number: 20080103333
    Abstract: Impure aromatic carboxylic acids such as are obtained by liquid phase oxidation of feed materials comprising aromatic compounds with substituent groups oxidizable to carboxylic acid groups, or comprising aromatic carboxylic acid and one or more aromatic carbonyl impurities that form hydrogenated species more soluble in aqueous solvents or with less color or color-forming tendencies than the aromatic carbonyl impurity, are purified to an aromatic carboxylic acid product with lower levels of impurities by a process comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising the impure aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure with an attrition-resistance, acid stable catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst metal and a support comprising relatively high surface area silicon carbide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Philip O. Nubel, Muin S. Haddad, Jeffrey J. Foster, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Patent number: 7135596
    Abstract: This invention relates to control or removal of amounts of dissolved iron that may be present in liquid process streams in the manufacture of aromatic acids. The present invention further relates to the control or removal of dissolved iron contaminants present in liquid streams during the manufacture of a crude aromatic acid. The present invention also further relates to the control or removal of dissolved iron contaminants present in liquid streams during the purification of a crude aromatic acid. The present invention also further relates to controlling of decreasing the formation of iron oxides on the surfaces of equipment used during the manufacture of crude aromatic acid and/or purification of crude aromatic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Philip O. Nubel, Timothy H. Keyes, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Publication number: 20040044246
    Abstract: This invention relates to control or removal of amounts of dissolved iron that may be present in liquid process streams in the manufacture of aromatic acids. The present invention further relates to the control or removal of dissolved iron contaminants present in liquid streams during the manufacture of a crude aromatic acid. The present invention also further relates to the control or removal of dissolved iron contaminants present in liquid streams during the purification of a crude aromatic acid. The present invention also further relates to controlling of decreasing the formation of iron oxides on the surfaces of equipment used during the manufacture of crude aromatic acid and/or purification of crude aromatic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Phillip O. Nubel, Timothy H. Keyes, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Patent number: 5362908
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the purification of crude terephthalic acid, crude isophthalic acid or a crude naphthalene dicarboxylic acid that employs a titanium dioxide-supported purification catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Hobe Schroeder, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Patent number: 4933492
    Abstract: Solutions of crude isophthalic acid are purified by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising two Group VIII noble metal-containing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Hobe Schroeder, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Patent number: 4808751
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reactivating a Group VIII noble metal catalyst employed in the purification of crude terephthalic acid formed by the liquid-phase oxidation of p-xylene in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese and bromine components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Hobe Schroeder, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Patent number: 4743577
    Abstract: Metallic catalysts are improved in performance and life when extended as a thin surface layer upon a porous, sintered metal substrate, particularly when employed in hydrogenation or decarbonylation reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Hobe Schroeder, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Patent number: 4728630
    Abstract: A particulate catalyst composition suitable for purification of terephthalic acid under reducing conditions and a method of preparation of such catalyst are disclosed. The catalyst composition includes catalytically active rhodium on a porous, granular, carbonaceous support material having a surface area of at least about 600 m.sup.2 /gram. Rhodium is present in an amount of about 0.01 to about 2 weight percent, based on the total weight of dry catalyst composition and calculated as elemental metal. In the presence of hydrogen, this catalyst exhibits a reduced terephthalic acid decomposition rate that is comparable to that for a palladium-on-carbon catalyst having the same catalyst metal loading. The catalyst is prepared by contacting a carbonaceous support material having a surface area of at least 600 m.sup.2 /gm and a pH value in its aqueous suspension of 9-11 with an aqueous rhodium salt solution having a pH of 1-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Hobe Schroeder, Ricky L. Wittman
  • Patent number: 4122037
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of the subject aqueous solution from a non-bromine manganous salt. More specifically this invention pertains to a critical order of dissolving such salt and elemental bromine and to the use of an anti-oxidant for the manganous ion to prevent its conversion to hydrated manganous dioxide: MnO(OH).sub.2. According to "A Comprehensive Treatise On Inorganic And Theoretical Chemistry", J. W. Mellor, Vol. XII at pages 189 and 259 (published by Longmans, Green and Co., 1947) hydrated manganous dioxide results from the oxidation of a solution of manganous salt with chlorine, bromine, hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc. Such oxidation of a solution of manganous acetate was specifically mentioned. Such hydrated manganous dioxide is described as a white solid product which upon standing in contact with air becomes a dark brown to black product identified as MnO.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company a corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Joseph D. Fox, George E. Kuhlmann, Ricky L. Wittman