Josef Kunkel

Title: Josef Kunkel: Innovator in Ethylene Production

Introduction

Josef Kunkel is an accomplished inventor based in Gauting, Germany. With a strong focus on chemical engineering, he has made significant contributions to the field through his innovative patents. With a total of four registered patents to his name, Kunkel’s work primarily pertains to the processing of ethylene and olefin-containing product streams.

Latest Patents

Among his latest inventions is a groundbreaking method for obtaining an ethylene product in a supercritical state. This innovative process involves separating a gas mixture predominantly composed of ethylene and ethane in a distillation column operated at a pressure between 5 and 15 bar. The method facilitates the recovery of ethylene in a gaseous form, allowing a portion to be liquefied and returned to the distillation column as reflux, while another portion undergoes multi-stage compression to achieve a supercritical state for use as the final ethylene product.

Another notable patent developed by Kunkel is a method for processing an olefin-containing product stream. This stream, rich in ethylene and propylene, also comprises longer-chain olefins and oxygen-containing hydrocarbons. His method effectively dewaters the stream through successive process steps and ensures the removal of unwanted oxygenates by washing them out with methanol after the compression stages, enhancing the overall quality of the olefin product.

Career Highlights

Josef Kunkel has held significant positions in leading companies such as ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. and Linde Aktiengesellschaft. His expertise and innovative solutions have been instrumental in advancing the processes and technologies in their respective fields.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Kunkel has collaborated with distinguished professionals, including Wilfried Borgmann and Helmut Fritz. These partnerships have played a vital role in fostering innovative ideas and developing patented technologies that contribute to the chemical engineering domain.

Conclusion

Josef Kunkel represents the spirit of innovation in the chemical engineering industry. His patented methods for ethylene production and olefin processing not only reflect his expertise but also highlight the importance of collaboration in driving technological advancements. His contributions continue to influence the field and inspire future innovations.