Albemarle Corporation

E3tec Service, LLC

Michigan State University

John C Prindle

James E Boone

Chandrakant B Panchal

Christopher J Nalepa

Dennis J Miller

Steven P Diefenbach

William R Brown

Kaung-Far Lin

Gregory H Lambeth

Carl T Lira

Govindarajulu Kumar

Aspi Kolah

Cecil P Loechelt

Brian Kneale

Jason G Jones

Michael D Matthews

Michael W Easson

Sharon D Booth McGee

Max K Mortensen

James Dee Palmer

A method of producing high purity dimethyl carbonate through the reaction of carbon dioxide and methanol is provided. In the ammonia-based method ammonia and carbon dioxide react to produce urea. The urea is mixed with methanol for further reaction to produce dimethyl carbonate. Ammonia released in the process is recycled as a reactant to produce more urea. It is then reacted with methanol to produce dimethyl carbonate. An integrated reactive distillation process using side reactors is used for facilitating catalytic reaction in the method for producing high purity dimethyl carbonate. The process is further enhanced by enclosing multiple side reactors into a pressure vessel and incorporating thermal heat pump for recovery and reuse of latent heat within the process.

Method of producing high-concentration alkyl carbonates using carbon dioxide as feedstock

Two methods of producing high purity dimethyl carbonate through the reaction of carbon dioxide and methanol are provided. In the ammonia-based method ammonia and carbon dioxide react to produce urea. The urea is mixed with methanol for further reaction to produce dimethyl carbonate. Ammonia released in the process is recycled as a reactant to produce more urea. In the ethylene-oxide process carbon dioxide reacts with ethylene oxide to produce ethylene carbonate. It is then reacted with methanol to produce dimethyl carbonate with ethylene glycol as byproduct. An integrated reactive distillation process using side reactors is used for facilitating catalytic reaction in these two methods for producing high purity dimethyl carbonate. The process is further enhanced by enclosing multiple side reactors into a pressure vessel and incorporating thermal heat pump for recovery and reuse of latent heat within the process.

An integrated process and system for synthesis of organic-acid esters is provided. The method of synthesizing combines reaction and distillation where an organic acid and alcohol composition are passed through a distillation chamber having a plurality of zones. Side reactors are used for drawing off portions of the composition and then recycling them to the distillation column for further purification. Water is removed from a pre-reactor prior to insertion into the distillation column. An integrated heat integration system is contained within the distillation column for further purification and optimizing efficiency in the obtaining of the final product.

Integrated process of distillation with side reactors for synthesis of organic acid esters

Process of producing self-supported catalysts

Mixtures of isomeric alkylthiated mononuclear aromatic amines comprising in the range of about 30 to about 70 mole percent of (i) at least one 3,5-di(alkyl-thio)-2,6-diamino-1-alkylbenzene and in the range of about 30 to about 70 mole percent of at least one 3,5-di(alkylthio)-2,4-diamino-1-alkylbenzene, such mixture containing at least about 90 mole percent of (i) and (ii), and optionally containing up to 10 mole percent of one or more isomers of (i) and/or (ii). An alkyl group may be present as a substituent in lieu of a hydrogen atom in the remaining ring position. These mixtures are useful as curatives or extenders in processes for making polyurethanes, polyurethane-ureas, and polyureas.

Aromatic amine curatives and their use

A mixture comprised of about 60-85% of 2,4-toluenediamine (2,4-TDA) and about 15-40% of 2,6-toluenediamine (2,6-TDA) is melted, the temperature of the mixture is lowered to a 2,4-TDA nucleation temperature, and the temperature of the mixture is gradually reduced from the nucleation temperature to about 65 to about 70&deg; C. The resultant mixture is in the form of a solids phase enriched in 2,4-TDA, and a novel and useful liquid phase enriched in 2,6-TDA. These phases are separated. Preferably the solids are further purified by &ldquo;sweating&rdquo; them and removing the sweated liquid impurities. The sweated liquid can be recycled together with another charge of a mixture comprised of 2,4-TDA and 2,6-TDA. 2,4-TDA can be produced with a purity of 96-99%.

Separation of 2,4-toluenediamine from an isomeric mixture of toluenediamines

A highly efficient method of producing alkyl mercaptan and/or dialkyl monosulfides which involves employing carbon dioxide as an internal coolant is described. Only negligible amounts of carbonyl sulfide were formed. In addition, relatively easy separation of carbon dioxide from the reaction mixture facilitates an efficient coolant recycle process, giving a simple and effective mode of temperature control.

Method for producing alkyl mercaptans and/or dialkyl monosulfides

Compositions and methods are described wherein a styrenic polymer is rendered flame retardant by incorporation therein before, during or after its formation, a combination of (a) at least one organic phosphorus additive that (i) is halogen-free, and (ii) is composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, and phosphorus, and optionally and preferably one or more of the elements nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; and (b) elemental sulfur; in proportions such that (i) the sulfur content from b) is less than 2 percent by weight of the weight of the styrenic polymer plus the weight of a) and b), and (ii) the styrenic polymer plus ingredients a) and b) can provide test specimens which exhibit an LOI of at least 24 if tested in accordance with ASTM Standard Test Method D 2863-87.

Flame retardant styrenic polymers

Growing community of inventors

Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

John C Prindle