Gerald L Nield

Title: The Innovations of Gerald L. Nield

Introduction

Gerald L. Nield is a notable inventor based in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He has made significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering, particularly in the area of alkoxylation processes. With a total of six patents to his name, Nield's work has advanced the understanding and application of chemical catalysts.

Latest Patents

One of Nield's latest patents focuses on the alkoxylation of cresylic acids. This process involves the ethoxylation of cresylic acid, which is catalyzed by basic compounds and salts of alkaline earth metals. The ethoxylates produced from this reaction exhibit narrow ethylene oxide distributions, lower pour points, and reduced by-products compared to traditional alkali base-catalyzed ethoxylation. Suitable catalysts identified in his work include strontium-containing and barium-containing materials. Additionally, Nield's research highlights the use of co-catalyst combinations with these materials, incorporating promoters such as polyols, amines, amides, carboxylic acids, and phenols. These co-catalyst combinations can be preformed before being introduced into the reaction mixture.

Another significant patent addresses the removal of catalyst residues from alcohol alkoxylates. Nield's method involves using basic compounds of barium and strontium, which can be effectively removed from the products by precipitating them with polybasic organic acids. Examples of effective acids include glutaric, diglycolic, adipic, and azelaic acids.

Career Highlights

Gerald L. Nield is currently associated with Conoco Inc., where he continues to innovate and develop new chemical processes. His work has not only contributed to the company's success but has also had a lasting impact on the chemical engineering field.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Nield has collaborated with several talented individuals, including Kang Yang and Paul H. Washecheck. These collaborations have fostered a productive environment for innovation and have led to the development of groundbreaking technologies.

Conclusion

Gerald L. Nield's contributions to the field of chemical engineering through his patents and collaborations have significantly advanced the understanding of alkoxylation processes. His work continues to influence the industry and inspire future innovations.