Patents by Inventor Yingchao Zhang

Yingchao Zhang 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 electrochemically producing epoxides
    Patent number: 5980724
    Abstract: Described is a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrins, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxides, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating the catholyte and anode compartments and separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane. The following are introduced into the cell: a first aqueous conductive electrolyte solution into the catholyte compartment; hydrogen gas into the anode compartment; an aqueous solution of .alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Roberts, Peter C. Foller, Robert H. Tang, Yingchao Zhang
  • Method of electrolytically producing epoxides
    Patent number: 5972195
    Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrin, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxide, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. An aqueous solution of .alpha.-halohydrin is charged to the catholyte compartment of an electrolytic cell, which contains a cathode, hydrogen gas is charged to the anode compartment of the cell, which contains an anode assembly comprising a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode fixedly held between a current collecting electrode and an anion exchange membrane. The catholyte and anode compartments of the cell are separated by the anion exchange membrane. An aqueous solution containing epoxide is removed from the catholyte compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Roberts, Peter C. Foller, Robert H. Tang, Yingchao Zhang
  • Preparation of 1,2,3,3-tetrachloropropene
    Patent number: 5811605
    Abstract: The dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2,3,3-pentachloropropane to produce 1,2,3,3-tetrachloropropene is conducted using aqueous alkali metal hydroxide in the substantial absence of added ethanol.The 1,2,3,3-tetrachloropropene is recovered from the reaction mixture in the substantial absence of added ether. The preferred methods of recovery are steam distillation and flash distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Tang, G. V. Bindu Madhavan, Yingchao Zhang