Patents by Inventor Robert P. Shirtum

Robert P. Shirtum 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: 9345985
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus or process for devolatilization of flowable materials (such as molten polymers with entrained or dissolved solvent or unreacted monomers or comonomers) using a plate heater having heating channels, the design or operation of which heating channels maintains the flowable material above its bubble point pressure during passage through a larger first zone and then induces flashing in, or downstream of, a smaller second zone of the heating channel. The apparatus enables a higher throughput per heating channel while achieving equivalent or better devolatilization, as compared to current devolatilization apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Publication number: 20150010453
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Publication number: 20130292064
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus or process for devolatilization of flowable materials (such as molten polymers with entrained or dissolved solvent or unreacted monomers or comonomers) using a plate heater having heating channels, the design or operation of which heating channels maintains the flowable material above its bubble point pressure during passage through a larger first zone and then induces flashing in, or downstream of, a smaller second zone of the heating channel. The apparatus enables a higher throughput per heating channel while achieving equivalent or better devolatilization, as compared to current devolatilization apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 8518212
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus or process for devolatilization of flowable materials (such as molten polymers with entrained or dissolved solvent or unreacted monomers or comonomers) using a plate heater having heating channels, the design or operation of which heating channels maintains the flowable material above its bubble point pressure during passage through a larger first zone and then induces flashing in, or downstream of, a smaller second zone of the heating channel. The apparatus enables a higher throughput per heating channel while achieving equivalent or better devolatilization, as compared to current devolatilization apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Globarl Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Publication number: 20120220025
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: AKERMIN, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 8178332
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Akermin, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Publication number: 20110300623
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: AKERMIN, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 7998714
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Akermin, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Publication number: 20100203006
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus or process for devolatilization of flowable materials (such as molten polymers with entrained or dissolved solvent or unreacted monomers or comonomers) using a plate heater having heating channels, the design or operation of which heating channels maintains the flowable material above its bubble point pressure during passage through a larger first zone and then induces flashing in, or downstream of, a smaller second zone of the heating channel. The apparatus enables a higher throughput per heating channel while achieving equivalent or better devolatilization, as compared to current devolatilization apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Publication number: 20100086983
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: AKERMIN, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 5372790
    Abstract: A vertical reactor system having a plurality of substantially vertically aligned reaction compartments one on top of the other, the reactant materials (and catalyst and solvent, if desired), flowable from a first top compartment through intermediate compartments, if any, to a bottom compartment from which a desired product of a reaction of the reactant materials is withdrawn, the compartments having inlets for the addition of additional reactants, catalysts, or solvents and outlets for withdrawing by-products, vapors, and water from any compartment, and processes for producing products using such a system. In one embodiment the product is a liquid epoxy resin. Stirring impellers may be provided in any compartment. A liquid seal may be provided on a shaft for the impellers and, in one embodiment the seals in each compartment may be elevated above the liquid in the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Shirtum, David D. McCoy, Walter L. Wernli
  • Patent number: 5310955
    Abstract: A vertical reactor system having a plurality of substantially vertically aligned reaction compartments one on top of the other, the reactant materials (and catalyst and solvent, if desired), flowable from a first top compartment through intermediate compartments, if any, to a bottom compartment from which a desired product of a reaction of the reactant materials is withdrawn, the compartments having inlets for the addition of additional reactants, catalysts, or solvents and outlets for withdrawing by-products, vapors, and water from any compartment, and processes for producing products using such a system. In one embodiment the product is a liquid epoxy resin. Stirring impellers may be provided in any compartment. A liquid seal may be provided on a shaft for the impellers and, in one embodiment the seals in each compartment may be elevated above the liquid in the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Shirtum, Walter L. Wernli, David D. McCoy
  • Patent number: 5245057
    Abstract: A continuous horizontal reactor system and process for employing such a system. In one embodiment, a reactor system having a cylindrical multi-compartment vessel, the compartments intercommunicating via a common overhead space or separated spaces from which vapor with reaction product or by-products may be removed, and from which liquid effluent with reaction products or by-products may be removed and reactants and catalyst flowable into each compartment and agitators in each compartment. Such a reactor system for producing liquid epoxy resins. Processes using such a reactor to produce reaction products, e.g. liquid epoxy resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 5006369
    Abstract: A process for removing contaminants such as phenolic-containing dusts and mists from an inert gaseous process stream by contacting the gaseous stream with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution whereby the contaminants react with the alkali metal hydroxide to produce alkali metal salts of the contaminant compounds and produce water soluble contaminant salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 4952647
    Abstract: Epoxy resins containing aliphatic, non-hydrolyzable chlorine atoms are prepared by hydrochlorinating an epoxy resin thereby forming a chlorohydrin intermediate product; reacting this intermediate product with epichlorohydrin in the presence of a Lewis acid; and dehydrochlorinating the resultant product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Shirtum, Walter Wernli
  • Patent number: 4877857
    Abstract: The construction costs of a process for preparing epoxy compounds from aromatic compounds containing an active hydrogen atom reactive with an epihalohydrin by reacting such compounds with an epihalohydrin in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide while controlling the water content in the reaction mixture and subsequently removing the alkali metal halide salt from the reaction mixture is made less costly by employing a water extraction means to remove the alkali metal halide salts from the reaction product mixture containing the epoxy product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Shirtum, Elaine B. Darby
  • Patent number: 4582892
    Abstract: Epoxy resins are prepared by dehydrohalogenating the reaction product of a polyhydric phenol with an excess of an epihalohydrin in the presence of a quaternary ammonium compound wherein prior to dehydrohalogenation, the excess epihalohydrin is removed and an organic solvent is added and at least a portion of the dehydrohalogenation is conducted in the presence of added quantities of a quaternary ammonium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Feng-chih Chang, Michael L. Heather, Robert P. Shirtum, Robert L. Hearn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4558116
    Abstract: Epoxy resins low in aliphatic halogen are prepared by reacting a polyhydric phenol with an excess of an epihalohydrin in the presence of a secondary alcohol and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide until from 45 to <70 percent of the phenolic hydroxyl groups have reacted; removing unreacted polyhydric phenol therefrom until less than 4% total phenolic hydroxyl remains in the reaction product; dehydrohalogenating the resultant intermediate product and recovering the epoxy resin therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Walter L. Wernli, Robert P. Shirtum