Patents by Inventor Timothy Alan Upshaw

Timothy Alan Upshaw 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: 9988329
    Abstract: A transfer-hydrogenation process for preparing a carbonyl compound and an alcohol compound comprises the steps of (a) contacting a first carbonyl compound with a first alcohol compound in the presence of a transfer-hydrogenation catalyst in a first reaction zone at conditions effective to form a second carbonyl compound from the first alcohol compound and a second alcohol compound from the first carbonyl compound, and (b) removing the second carbonyl compound from the first reaction zone during step (a). The first carbonyl compound is a saturated aldehyde or ketone, or an ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde or ketone. The first alcohol compound is a primary or secondary alcohol. The second alcohol compound is ?,?-saturated. The transfer-hydrogenation catalyst includes a Group 8 to 11 metal. This process is useful for preparing and higher value alcohols, such as butanol or 2-ethylhexanol, from the corresponding carbonyl compounds by engaging lower alcohol (C2-C4) feedstocks instead of hydrogen (H2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Scott Huss, Xiaopeng Shan, Stephanie Rollins Testerman, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Dewey Wayne Fuller, Jr.
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100113825
    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: 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: 20100113824
    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
  • Publication number: 20100087675
    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: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Elbert Fogle, III, Ronald Buford Sheppard, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 7566802
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of aromatic carboxylic acids by exothermic liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock. More particularly, this invention relates to the efficient energy recovery of the exotherm produced by the liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock. Also, this invention relates to the efficient energy recovery of the exotherm produced by the liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock while also utilizing the heat from the energy of oxidation to efficiently remove water resulting from the exothermic oxidation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Upshaw, Ronald Buford Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20070276155
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of aromatic carboxylic acids by exothermic liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock. More particularly, this invention relates to the efficient energy recovery of the exotherm produced by the liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock. Also, this invention relates to the efficient energy recovery of the exotherm produced by the liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock while also utilizing the heat from the energy of oxidation to efficiently remove water resulting from the exothermic oxidation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Upshaw, Ronald Buford Sheppard
  • Patent number: 7226986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert Lin, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Duane Alan Hall, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Patent number: 7193109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert Lin, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Duane Alan Hall, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Publication number: 20040176635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Lin, Timothy Alan Upshaw, Duane Alan Hall, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Patent number: 6787589
    Abstract: This application discloses amber colored polyesters suitable for packaging food and beverages. The amber polyester compositions provide excellent blockage of UV and visible light over the wavelength ranges of from about 320-550 nm, rendering them suitable for packaging materials sensitive to ultraviolet and visible light over this wavelength range, particularly beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Max Allen Weaver, Marc Alan Strand, Crystal Leigh Kendrick, Gerry Foust Rhodes, Gertrude Williams, Jason Clay Pearson, Timothy Alan Upshaw
  • Publication number: 20040087688
    Abstract: This application discloses amber colored polyesters suitable for packaging food and beverages. The amber polyester compositions provide excellent blockage of UV and visible light over the wavelength ranges of from about 320-550 nm, rendering them particularly suitable for packaging materials sensitive to ultraviolet and visible light over this wavelength range, particularly beer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Max Allen Weaver, Marc Alan Strand, Crystal Leigh Kendrick, Gerry Foust Rhodes, Gertrude Williams, Jason Clay Pearson, Timothy Alan Upshaw