Patents by Inventor Thomas Knauf

Thomas Knauf 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: 11365172
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a production plant for producing a chemical product (1) by reacting a H-functional reactant (2) with phosgene (3) during an interruption in production when taking at least one plant part of the production plant out of operation, wherein low-oxygen and oxygen-rich phosgene-containing exhaust gas flows are directed separately from one another in different phosgene decomposition directions and separately from one another—at spatially different points—into a combustion device, wherein plant parts that have not been taken out of operation are operated in a closed-circuit operating mode. The invention also relates to a production plant for producing a chemical product by reacting H-functional reactants with phosgene, which is suitable for being operated with the method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Juergen Spriewald, Thomas Knauf, Dirk Manzel, Peter Plathen
  • Publication number: 20220169592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously operating process for producing nitrobenzene, comprising the following steps: a) nitriding benzene in adiabatic conditions with sulfuric acid and nitric acid, using a stoichiometric excess of benzene in relation to the nitric acid; b) first separating a gaseous phase containing benzene and gaseous secondary components from the raw process product of the nitridation in a gas separator provided specifically for this purpose, then separating, in a downstream phase-separating apparatus, the resulting liquid phase, which is depleted in gaseous components and contains nitrobenzene and sulfuric acid, into a sulfuric acid phase and a nitrobenzene phase; and c) processing the nitrobenzene phase, obtaining nitrobenzene. The invention also relates to a production plant suitable for carrying out the claimed process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Murat Kalem, Christian Drumm, Alexandre Racoes
  • Publication number: 20220162151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously operating process for producing nitrobenzene, comprising the following steps: a) nitriding benzene in adiabatic conditions with sulfuric acid and nitric acid, using a stoichiometric excess of benzene in relation to the nitric acid, in multiple parallel reactors; b) first combining the raw process products of the nitridation from the parallel reactors to form a mixed flow in a device provided specifically for this purpose, then separating the mixed flow into a sulfuric acid phase and a nitrobenzene phase in a downstream phase separation apparatus; and c) processing the nitrobenzene phase, obtaining nitrobenzene. The invention also relates to a production plant suitable for carrying out the claimed process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Murat Kalem, Christian Drumm, Alexandre Racoes
  • Patent number: 11136285
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the continuous production of nitrobenzene by the nitration of benzene with nitric acid and sulphuric acid under adiabatic conditions, not the entire production plant being shut down during a production stop, but the production plant being entirely or at least partly operated in recirculation mode. The invention further relates to a plant for producing nitrobenzene and to a method for operating a plant for producing nitrobenzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Peter Drinda
  • Publication number: 20210147346
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a production plant for producing a chemical product (1) by reacting a H-functional reactant (2) with phosgene (3) during an interruption in production when taking at least one plant part of the production plant out of operation, wherein low-oxygen and oxygen-rich phosgene-containing exhaust gas flows are directed separately from one another in different phosgene decomposition directions and separately from one another—at spatially different points—into a combustion device, wherein plant parts that have not been taken out of operation are operated in a closed-circuit operating mode. The invention also relates to a production plant for producing a chemical product by reacting H-functional reactants with phosgene, which is suitable for being operated with the method according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Juergen Spriewald, Thomas Knauf, Dirk Manzel, Peter Plathen
  • Patent number: 10947187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and optionally a mixture of methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and polymethylene-polyphenylene-polyisocyanate, wherein, in a step ?), a fraction (142) containing a methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and secondary components is provided, optionally via a step ?.1), the separating of methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and secondary components from a fraction (100) containing methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and polymethylene-polyphenylene-polyisocyanate, and wherein, in a step ?), the fraction (142) containing methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and secondary components is subjected to a purification comprising an isomer separation by distillation and/or crystallization in two or more sub-steps (a, b, . . . ), obtaining two or more methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate-reinfractions (140-1, 140-2, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Covestro Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Peter Plathen, Dirk Manzel, Stefan Wershofen
  • Patent number: 10875827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an isocyanate by reacting a primary amine with phosgene, comprising I) providing an amine solution, II) providing a phosgene solution, III) mixing the amine solution with the phosgene solution in a mixing unit, followed by IV) further conversion in an adiabatically operated reaction zone and the removing of the gas phase formed as a result of the chemical reaction in a separation zone, V) expanding the remaining liquid phase in two or three stages, VI) further conversion of the liquid phase remaining after the last expansion stage in an indirectly heated reaction zone and VII) isolating the isocyanate from the reaction solution obtained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Juergen Spriewald, Anke Hielscher, Volker Michele, Dietmar Wastian, Christian Steffens
  • Patent number: 10851048
    Abstract: A process for preparing an isocyanate by reacting a primary amine with phosgene. The process includes providing an amine solution and adjusting its temperature in a heat exchanger, providing a phosgene solution and adjusting its temperature in a heat exchanger, mixing the amine solution with the phosgene solution, further conversion in an adiabatically operated reaction zone and the removing of the gas phase formed as a result of the chemical reaction in a separation zone, expanding the remaining liquid phase, further conversion of the liquid phase remaining after expansion in an indirectly heated reaction zone, and isolating the isocyanate from the obtained reaction solution. The temperature in the reaction zone and the temperature in the separation zone is adjusted by fixing a target value of 110° C. to 145° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Christian Steffens, Anke Hielscher, Dietmar Wastian, Juergen Spriewald
  • Patent number: 10815189
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuous production of nitrobenzene by means of nitration of benzene with nitric acid and sulfuric acid, in which load change (i.e. a reduction or increase in the quantity of nitric acid supplied to the process per time interval) is particularly advantageously developed. The invention particularly relates to a method in which, in the case of a load reduction, the ratio of the masses of benzene and nitric acid supplied per time interval is significantly increased compared to said ratio before the load change and/or the ratio of the masses of nitric acid and sulfuric acid supplied per time interval is significantly reduced compared to said ratio before the load change. In the event of a load increase, the reverse is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Denise Chan, Thomas Knauf, Juergen Muennig
  • Publication number: 20200331848
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and optionally a mixture of methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and polymethylene-polyphenylene-polyisocyanate, wherein, in a step ?), a fraction (142) containing a methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and secondary components is provided, optionally via a step ?.1), the separating of methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and secondary components from a fraction (100) containing methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and polymethylene-polyphenylene-polyisocyanate, and wherein, in a step ?), the fraction (142) containing methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate and secondary components is subjected to a purification comprising an isomer separation by distillation and/or crystallization in two or more sub-steps (a, b, . . . ), obtaining two or more methylene-diphenylene-diisocyanate-reinfractions (140-1, 140-2, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Peter Plathen, Dirk Manzel, Stefan Wershofen
  • Patent number: 10689323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, care being taken during the shutdown of the production process that an excess of aniline and respect to formalin is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Stefan Wershofen, Klaus-Gerd Gruner, Volker Hartjes
  • Patent number: 10689322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series (MDA), a system for producing MDA and a process for operating a system for preparing MDA. The invention enables optimization of production standstills during operation of the MDA process with respect to time expenditure and optionally also with respect to energy and material consumption by means of a so-called recirculation mode for individual system components. During interruption of the process or interruption of the operation of individual system components, formaldehyde is not introduced into the reaction and the system components that are not affected by a revision, repair, or cleaning measure are operated in so-called recirculation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Stefan Wershofen, Klaus-Gerd Gruner, Volker Hartjes
  • Publication number: 20200148629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an isocyanate by reacting a primary amine with phosgene, comprising I) providing an amine solution and adjusting its temperature in a heat exchanger, II) providing a phosgene solution and adjusting its temperature in a heat exchanger, III) mixing the amine solution with the phosgene solution in a mixing unit, followed by IV) further conversion in an adiabatically operated reaction zone and the removing of the gas phase formed as a result of the chemical reaction in a separation zone, V) expanding the remaining liquid phase, VI) further conversion of the liquid phase remaining after expansion in an indirectly heated reaction zone and VII) isolating the isocyanate from the reaction solution obtained therein, in which the temperature in the reaction zone and separation zone is adjusted by fixing a target value within a range from 110° C. to 145° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Christian Steffens, Anke Hielscher, Dietmar Wastian, Juergen Spriewald
  • Publication number: 20200148630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an isocyanate by reacting a primary amine with phosgene, comprising I) providing an amine solution, II) providing a phosgene solution, III) mixing the amine solution with the phosgene solution in a mixing unit, followed by IV) further conversion in an adiabatically operated reaction zone and the removing of the gas phase formed as a result of the chemical reaction in a separation zone, V) expanding the remaining liquid phase in two or three stages, VI) further conversion of the liquid phase remaining after the last expansion stage in an indirectly heated reaction zone and VII) isolating the isocyanate from the reaction solution obtained therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Juergen Spriewald, Anke Hielscher, Volker Michele, Dietmar Wastian, Christian Steffens
  • Patent number: 10640453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diamines and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, by condensing aniline and formaldehyde followed by an acid-catalysed rearrangement at different production capacities with alteration of the isomer composition in the resulting diamines of the diphenylmethane series (altering the 2,4?-MDA content). Adapting the molar ratios of the total used aniline to the total used formaldehyde and of the total used acid catalyst to the total used aniline, and adapting the reaction temperature, allows the rearrangement reaction to be fully completed despite the change in dwell time inevitably associated with a change in production capacity, and allows the formation of undesired by-products to be avoided as far as possible; the intended modification to binuclear content is likewise achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Stefan Wershofen, Klaus-Gerd Gruner, Volker Hartjes
  • Patent number: 10640455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diamines and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, by condensing aniline and formaldehyde followed by an acid-catalysed rearrangement at different production capacities with alteration of the content of diamines of the diphenylmethane series (altering the binuclear content). Adapting the molar ratio of the total used aniline to the total used formaldehyde and adapting the reaction temperature allows the rearrangement reaction to be fully completed despite the change in dwell time inevitably associated with a change in production capacity, and allows the formation of undesired by-products to be avoided as far as possible; the intended modification to binuclear content is likewise achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Stefan Wershofen, Klaus-Gerd Gruner, Volker Hartjes
  • Patent number: 10633327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diamines and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, by condensing aniline and formaldehyde followed by an acid-catalysed rearrangement at different production capacities. Adapting the respective molar ratios of the total used aniline to the total used formaldehyde and of the total used acid catalyst to the total used aniline allows the rearrangement reaction to be fully completed despite the change in dwell time inevitably associated with a change in production capacity and ensures that no undesired fundamental changes occur in the product composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Duetschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Stefan Wershofen, Klaus-Gerd Gruner, Volker Hartjes
  • Patent number: 10626078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diamines and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, by condensing aniline and formaldehyde followed by an acid-catalysed rearrangement at different production capacities. By adapting the temperatures in the acid-catalysed rearrangement step, the rearrangement reaction can be fully completed despite the change in dwell time inevitably associated with changed production capacity, with no undesired changes occurring in the product composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knauf, Stefan Wershofen, Klaus-Gerd Gruner, Volker Hartjes
  • Publication number: 20200115319
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diamines and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, by condensing aniline and formaldehyde followed by an acid-catalysed rearrangement at different production capacities. Adapting the respective molar ratios of the total used aniline to the total used formaldehyde and of the total used acid catalyst to the total used aniline allows the rearrangement reaction to be fully completed despite the change in dwell time inevitably associated with a change in production capacity and ensures that no undesired fundamental changes occur in the product composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas KNAUF, Stefan WERSHOFEN, Klaus-Gerd GRUNER, Volker HARTJES
  • Publication number: 20200115318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diamines and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, by condensing aniline and formaldehyde followed by an acid-catalysed rearrangement at different production capacities with alteration of the content of diamines of the diphenylmethane series (altering the binuclear content). Adapting the molar ratio of the total used aniline to the total used formaldehyde and adapting the reaction temperature allows the rearrangement reaction to be fully completed despite the change in dwell time inevitably associated with a change in production capacity, and allows the formation of undesired by-products to be avoided as far as possible; the intended modification to binuclear content is likewise achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas KNAUF, Stefan WERSHOFEN, Klaus-Gerd GRUNER, Volker HARTJES