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).
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Patent number: 9345985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
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Publication number: 20150010453Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
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Publication number: 20130292064Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
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Patent number: 8518212Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Dow Globarl Technologies LLCInventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
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Publication number: 20120220025Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: AKERMIN, INC.Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
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Patent number: 8178332Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Akermin, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
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Publication number: 20110300623Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: AKERMIN, INC.Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
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Patent number: 7998714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Akermin, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
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Publication number: 20100203006Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: Craig S. Taylor, Ravindra S. Dixit, Robert P. Shirtum
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Publication number: 20100086983Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: AKERMIN, INC.Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
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Patent number: 5372790Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 16, 1993Date of Patent: December 13, 1994Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert P. Shirtum, David D. McCoy, Walter L. Wernli
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Patent number: 5310955Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 16, 1993Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert P. Shirtum, Walter L. Wernli, David D. McCoy
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Patent number: 5245057Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 1992Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventor: Robert P. Shirtum
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Patent number: 5006369Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 1988Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventor: Robert P. Shirtum
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Patent number: 4952647Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 1990Date of Patent: August 28, 1990Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert P. Shirtum, Walter Wernli
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Patent number: 4877857Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 1989Date of Patent: October 31, 1989Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert P. Shirtum, Elaine B. Darby
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Patent number: 4582892Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 28, 1985Date of Patent: April 15, 1986Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Feng-chih Chang, Michael L. Heather, Robert P. Shirtum, Robert L. Hearn, Jr.
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Patent number: 4558116Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 1985Date of Patent: December 10, 1985Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Walter L. Wernli, Robert P. Shirtum