Patents by Inventor William J. Kronos

William J. Kronos 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).

  • Method of making a crosslinked fiber membrane from a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer
    Patent number: 8328906
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer. Such high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymers are useful in forming crosslinked polymer membranes for the separation of fluid mixtures. According to its broadest aspect, the method of making a crosslinked membrane comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a polyimide polymer comprising carboxylic acid functional groups from a reaction solution comprising monomers and at least one solvent; (b) treating the polyimide polymer with a diol at esterification conditions in the presence of dehydrating conditions to form a monoesterified polyimide polymer; and (c) subjecting the monoesterified fiber to transesterification conditions to form a crosslinked fiber membrane, wherein the dehydrating conditions at least partially remove water produced during step (b). The crosslinked membranes can be used to separate at least one component from a feed stream including more than one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Imona C. Omole, William J. Kronos
  • Method of making a crosslinked fiber membrane from a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer
    Patent number: 8066799
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer. Such high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymers are useful in forming crosslinked polymer membranes for the separation of fluid mixtures. According to its broadest aspect, the method of making a crosslinked membrane comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a polyimide polymer comprising carboxylic acid functional groups from a reaction solution comprising monomers and at least one solvent; (b) treating the polyimide polymer with a diol at esterification conditions in the presence of dehydrating conditions to form a monoesterified polyimide polymer; and (c) subjecting the monoesterified fiber to transesterification conditions to form a crosslinked fiber membrane, wherein the dehydrating conditions at least partially remove water produced during step (b). The crosslinked membranes can be used to separate at least one component from a feed stream including more than one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Imona C. Omole, William J. Kronos