This inventor holds 1 USPTO granted patent and 1 EPO patent. Top assignee: Kraton Chemical, LLC. Active years: 2018.
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2018
Title: Francis Edwin Swann: Innovator in Crude Tall Oil Recovery
Introduction
Francis Edwin Swann is a notable inventor based in Savannah, GA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering, particularly in the recovery of crude tall oil. His innovative approach has led to advancements in the efficiency of this process.
Latest Patents
Swann holds a patent for a "Process for recovering crude tall oil." This patent describes a process and apparatus designed to recover crude tall oil through the acidulation of a crude tall oil soap stream. The process generates a spent acid stream that comprises lignin and entrained crude tall oil. By utilizing dissolved gas flotation, a lignin phase containing the crude tall oil can be recovered and causticized. This results in the recovery of most of the crude tall oil present in the spent acid stream. Additionally, a clarified spent acid stream is produced, which can be treated with caustic for a soap washing process that integrates seamlessly into the overall crude tall oil recovery process. The apparatus includes a crude tall oil acidulation unit, a dissolved gas flotation unit, a causticizing unit, and a soap separation unit. This inventive process combines dissolved gas flotation, a well-known water treatment method, with causticization to enhance overall tall oil recovery.
Career Highlights
Swann is currently associated with Kraton Chemical, LLC, where he applies his expertise in chemical processes. His work has been instrumental in improving the efficiency of crude tall oil recovery methods.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Swann has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Charles Douglas Foran and Robert Earl Bowles. These collaborations have contributed to the advancement of technologies in the chemical engineering field.
Conclusion
Francis Edwin Swann's innovative contributions to the recovery of crude tall oil demonstrate his significant impact on the chemical engineering industry. His patented process not only enhances recovery efficiency but also integrates well into existing systems.