Donald Henry Powers

Title: Innovations of Donald Henry Powers

Introduction

Donald Henry Powers is a notable inventor based in Humble, TX (US). He holds 2 patents that contribute significantly to the field of chemical engineering. His work primarily focuses on the isomerization of linear olefins, which has important applications in the production of valuable chemical compounds.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is a process for isomerizing linear olefins to isoolefins. This invention provides a method to convert linear alkenes, such as butene-1 and butene-2, into methyl branched chain alkenes like isobutylene. The process utilizes one-dimensional, medium pore zeolite catalysts, as well as similar catalysts such as SAPO's and MeAPO's. The optimal pore size for the catalyst is between 0.42 nm and 0.7 nm, preferably between 0.5 nm and 0.6 nm. This specific pore size facilitates the formation and diffusion of branched chain alkenes while minimizing the production of unwanted by-products, including dimers, trimers, aromatics, and coke. The effectiveness of this invention has been demonstrated using H-ferrierite, SAPO-11, and magnesium mordenite in laboratory-scale reactors, achieving selectivities for isobutylene formation ranging from about 50% to nearly 100% at temperatures between 340°C and 440°C.

Another patent by Powers also focuses on the isomerization of linear olefins to isoolefins. This process involves converting a linear olefin under isomerizing conditions to its corresponding methyl branched isoolefin. The method requires contact with an isomerizing catalyst at temperatures ranging from 200°C to 650°C. The catalyst comprises at least one zeolite with a pore structure that retards by-product dimerization and coke formation while allowing the entry of the linear olefin. The catalyst also includes an alumina binder and up to about 15% by weight of a coke oxidation-promoting metal. After a period of operation, when sufficient coke has accumulated on the catalyst, it is regenerated by stripping hydrocarbon and contacting it with an oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperatures. The use of palladium and/or platinum as the coke oxidation-promoting metal is particularly advantageous.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Donald