Patents by Inventor Ronald Buford Sheppard

Ronald Buford Sheppard 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).

  • Publication number: 20220411538
    Abstract: A process for preparing a recycle cellulose ester and a recycle cellulose ester composition and articles made with such recycle cellulose esters comprising at least one cellulose ester having at least one substituent on an anhydroglucose unit (AU) derived from recycled plastic content syngas are provided. The recycled plastic content syngas can be obtained by gasifying feedstocks containing a solid fossil fuel such as coal, a plastic, and water. The plastic can be post-consumer or postindustrial plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ronald Buford Sheppard, William Lewis Trapp
  • Patent number: 11447576
    Abstract: A process for preparing a recycle cellulose ester and a recycle cellulose ester composition and articles made with such recycle cellulose esters comprising at least one cellulose ester having at least one substituent on an anhydroglucose unit (AU) derived from recycled plastic content syngas are provided. The recycled plastic content syngas can be obtained by gasifying feedstocks containing a solid fossil fuel such as coal, a plastic, and water. The plastic can be post-consumer or postindustrial plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ronald Buford Sheppard, William Lewis Trapp
  • Publication number: 20220289868
    Abstract: A process for preparing a recycle cellulose ester and a recycle cellulose ester composition and articles made with such recycle cellulose esters comprising at least one cellulose ester having at least one substituent on an anhydroglucose unit (AU) derived from recycled cellulose ester content syngas are provided. The recycled cellulose ester content syngas can be obtained by gasifying feedstocks containing a solid fossil fuel such as coal, a cellulose ester, and water. The cellulose ester can be post-consumer or post-industrial cellulose ester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Ronald Buford Sheppard, William Lewis Trapp
  • Publication number: 20210253943
    Abstract: Degradable particulate materials are provided that may be utilized in various downhole treatment fluids, such as hydraulic fracturing fluids. In particular, the degradable particulate materials can be formed from cellulose esters that are capable of effectively degrading at specific rates when exposed to the aqueous environments in high temperature wells 149 to 250° C.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Koushik Ghosh, Ronald Buford Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20200247910
    Abstract: A process for preparing a recycle cellulose ester and a recycle cellulose ester composition and articles made with such recycle cellulose esters comprising at least one cellulose ester having at least one substituent on an anhydroglucose unit (AU) derived from recycled plastic content syngas are provided. The recycled plastic content syngas can be obtained by gasifying feedstocks containing a solid fossil fuel such as coal, a plastic, and water. The plastic can be post-consumer or postindustrial plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ronald Buford Sheppard, William Lewis Trapp
  • Patent number: 10465490
    Abstract: A fiber delivery system capable of providing cut fiber segments for use in treating an oil and/or gas well. The fiber delivery system can utilize bales of a continuous filamentary tow that are transported to the well site from a remote manufacturing location. At the well site, a multifilament strand can be pulled off the bale, opened, and cut to provide cut fiber segments. The cut fiber segments can be mixed with other well treatment components to create a well treatment medium that is introduced into the well as part of a drilling, stimulation, or cementing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Nick Allen Collins, S. M. Bedarul Islam, Brian Douglas Seiler, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Steven Anthony Wilson
  • Publication number: 20180016885
    Abstract: A fiber delivery system capable of providing cut fiber segments for use in treating an oil and/or gas well. The fiber delivery system can utilize bales of a continuous filamentary tow that are transported to the well site from a remote manufacturing location. At the well site, a multifilament strand can be pulled off the bale, opened, and cut to provide cut fiber segments. The cut fiber segments can be mixed with other well treatment components to create a well treatment medium that is introduced into the well as part of a drilling, stimulation, or cementing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Nick Allen Collins, S.M. Bedarul Islam, Brian Douglas Seiler, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Steven Anthony Wilson
  • Patent number: 9505692
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 9493388
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 9493389
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 9493387
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Publication number: 20120202965
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 8236921
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 8053597
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing an enriched carboxylic acid compositions produced by contacting composition comprising a carboxylic acid with an enrichment feed in an enrichment zone to form an enriched carboxylic acid composition. This invention also relates to a process and the resulting compositions for removing catalyst from a carboxylic acid composition to produce a post catalyst removal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Philip Edward Gibson, Kenny Randolph Parker, Ronald Buford Sheppard
  • Patent number: 7884233
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing an enriched carboxylic acid compositions produced by contacting composition comprising a carboxylic acid with an enrichment feed in an enrichment zone to form an enriched carboxylic acid composition. This invention also relates to a process and the resulting compositions for removing catalyst from a carboxylic acid composition to produce a post catalyst removal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Philip Edward Gibson, Kenny Randolph Parker, Ronald Buford Sheppard
  • Patent number: 7816556
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system includes a multi-stage oxidative digestion system for processing an improved initial slurry from primary oxidation. The multi-stage digestion system is capable of adequately purifying the improved initial slurry without requiring significant liquor exchange between primary oxidation and oxidative digestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Thomas Earl Woodruff, Martin De Boer, Raymond Elbert Fogle
  • Patent number: 7772424
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system employs an evaporative removal step downstream of oxidative digestion. The evaporative removal step removes a portion of the liquid phase and promotes precipitation of certain aromatic impurities. By promoting precipitation of certain aromatic impurities, the amount of the precipitated impurities in the recycled solvent is advantageously reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Alan George Wonders, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Thomas Earl Woodruff, Martin De Boer, Raymond Elbert Fogle, Philip Edward Gibson, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Patent number: 7714094
    Abstract: Disclosed are modified PET polymer compositions and process for making modified PET polymer compositions by reacting purified terephthalic acid and non-hydrogenated isophthalic acid with ethylene glycol. Compositions with acceptable visual appearance, such as clarity and color, can be made at typical modification levels for many packaging application. Disclosed are also shaped articles and the process for making shaped articles of the modified PET polymer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ronald Buford Sheppard, Brent Alan Tennant
  • Publication number: 20100113826
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Publication number: 20100113735
    Abstract: The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders