Nick A Collins

US Patent:

6518454, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Oct 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/975872

Inventors:

Bhaskar Krishna Arumugam - Kingsport TN
Larry Wayne Blair - Gate City VA
Brendan William Boyd - Johnson City TN
Nick Allen Collins - Fall Branch TN
David Anthony Larkin - Johnson City TN
Steven Thomas Perri - Kingsport TN
Chester Wayne Sink - Kingsport TN

Assignee:

Eastman Chemical Company - Kingsport TN

International Classification:

C07C 6702

US Classification:

560265, 560174, 560185, 562577, 562587, 562589

Abstract:

Disclosed is a process wherein a solution of a carboxylic acid in a first solvent and an alcohol are fed to a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) containing a solid(s) to produce a first stream comprising a solution of an ester of the carboxylic acid and the alcohol and a second stream comprising the first solvent. The solid(s) present in the SMBR facilitates the esterification reaction and the separation of the first solvent from the carboxylic acid. The process is particularly valuable for the preparation of an alkanol solution of an alkyl 2-keto-L-gulonate ester (AKLG) from an aqueous fermentation broth containing dissolved 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (KLG) by feeding the fermentation broth and an alkanol to a simulated moving bed reactor which contains a solid acidic esterification catalyst to produce a stream comprising an alkanol solution of an ALKG. The alkanol solution of an ALKG may be used directly to convert the ALKG to ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

US Patent:

6610863, Aug 26, 2003

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/037126

Inventors:

Bhaskar Krishna Arumugam - Kingsport TN
Nick Allen Collins - Fall Branch TN
Transito Lynne Macias - Petal MS
Steven Thomas Perri - Kingsport TN
Jeffrey Earl Grant Powell - Blountville TN
Chester Wayne Sink - Kingsport TN
Michael Roy Cushman - Punta Gorda FL

Assignee:

Eastman Chemical Company - Kingsport TN

International Classification:

C07D30762

US Classification:

549315

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for the manufacture of an L-ascorbic acid product in high yield by direct conversion of an aqueous solution containing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by contact with an acid catalyst or under thermal self-catalyzed conditions at a conversion level that maximizes the formation of L-ascorbic acid and minimizes decomposition of the L-ascorbic acid thus formed. The separation process for L-ascorbic acid and KLG is operated in such a way that an efficient separation process allows the majority of the KLG to be recycled for further conversion. The product stream from the separation process is then subjected to a recovery step to obtain crystalline L-ascorbic acid product.

US Patent:

6670505, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Mar 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/519936

Inventors:

Nick Allen Collins - Fall Branch TN
Mark Robert Shelton - Kingsport TN
George William Tindall - Church Hill TN
Steven Thomas Perri - Kingsport TN
Chester Wayne Sink - Kingsport TN
Bhaskar Krishna Arumugam - Kingsport TN
John Clark Hubbs - Kingsport TN

Assignee:

Eastman Chemical Company - Kingsport TN

International Classification:

C07C 5142

US Classification:

562580, 562582, 562584, 562585, 562589, 435138, 435803, 435896, 435876

Abstract:

A process for recovering a desired organic acid from a solution includes the steps of: providing an aqueous solution including at least one desired organic acid or its acid anion; adjusting the proton concentration in the aqueous solution to a desired level, with the desired proton concentration being selected, at least in part, by the amount of available protons needed to associate with the acid anions of the desired organic acid(s) to be recovered and/or acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acids; and recovering at least a portion of the at least one desired organic acid from the aqueous phase. The desired proton concentration can be based on the amount of available protons being greater than, less than or substantially equal, to the amount of protons needed to associate with the anion of the desired organic acid(s) and acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acid(s). Specific examples of suitable organic acids include, but are not limited to, ascorbic, succinic, tartaric, glyconic, gulonic, citric, lactic, hialic, maleic, acetic, formic, gluconic pyruvic, propionic, butyric, itaconic acids and mixtures thereof. One embodiment of the present invention relates to the recovery of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (KLG) from aqueous solutions such as fermentation baths.

US Patent:

6864376, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/036912

Inventors:

Steven Thomas Perri - Kingsport TN, US
Michael Roy Cushman - Punta Gorda FL, US
Jeffery Earl Grant Powell - Blountville TN, US
Brendan William Boyd - Johnson City TN, US
Bhaskar Krishna Arumugam - Kingsport TN, US
Nick Allen Collins - Fall Branch TN, US

Assignee:

Eastman Chemical Company - Kingsport TN

International Classification:

C07D307/62

US Classification:

549315

Abstract:

The present invention comprises the use of sulfite additives to reduce discoloration of L-ascorbic acid produced from acid or aqueous solutions of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. In one aspect, the present invention comprises a continuous process for producing L-ascorbic acid from an aqueous solution of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. The use of sulfite additives reduces product stream color and improves product recovery by binding to high molecular weight reaction by-products. In a continuous process, the reaction stream is separated from residual sulfite and sulfite-bound by-products to produce a product stream enriched in aqueous ascorbic acid for recovery, and an enriched 2-keto-L-gulonic acid stream which is recycled to the reactor. The in situ use of sulfite additives during the reaction increases the overall yield of L-ascorbic acid, with no loss in selectivity of the synthesis.

US Patent:

7737314, Jun 15, 2010

Filed:

Feb 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/705278

Inventors:

Stephen H. Brown - Bernardsville NJ, US
Nick A. Collins - Fall Branch TN, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C07C 2/58

US Classification:

585467, 585448

Abstract:

A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99. 50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e. g. , non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C− hydrocarbons and the C+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.

US Patent:

7868219, Jan 11, 2011

Filed:

Apr 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/770490

Inventors:

Stephen H. Brown - Bernardsville NJ, US
Nick A. Collins - Fall Branch TN, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C07C 2/58

US Classification:

585467, 585448

Abstract:

A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99. 50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e. g. , non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C− hydrocarbons and the C+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.

US Patent:

20020026077, Feb 28, 2002

Filed:

Aug 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/921946

Inventors:

Nick Collins - Fall Branch TN, US
Mark Shelton - Kingsport TN, US
George Tindall - Church Hill TN, US
Steven Perri - Kingsport TN, US
Ruairi O'Meadhra - Kingsport TN, US
Chester Sink - Kingsport TN, US
Bhaskar Arumugam - Kingsport TN, US
John Hubbs - Kingsport TN, US

International Classification:

C07C051/42

US Classification:

562/608000, 562/593000

Abstract:

A process for recovering a desired organic acid from a solution includes the steps of: providing an aqueous solution including at least one desired organic acid or its acid anion; adjusting the proton concentration in the aqueous solution to a desired level, with the desired proton concentration being selected, at least in part, by the amount of available protons needed to associate with the acid anions of the desired organic acid(s) to be recovered and/or acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acids; and recovering at least a portion of the at least one desired organic acid from the aqueous phase. The desired proton concentration can be based on the amount of available protons being greater than, less than or substantially equal, to the amount of protons needed to associate with the anion of the desired organic acid(s) and acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acid(s). Specific examples of suitable organic acids include, but are not limited to, ascorbic, succinic, tartaric, glyconic, gulonic, citric, lactic, malic, maleic, acetic, formic, gluconic pyruvic, propionic, butyric, itaconic acids and mixtures thereof. One embodiment of the present invention relates to the recovery of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (KLG) from aqueous solutions such as fermentation baths.

US Patent:

57057249, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Oct 26, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/548850

Inventors:

Nick A. Collins - Medford NJ
Larry A. Green - Mickleton NJ
Anagha A. Gupte - Marlton NJ
David O. Marler - Deptford NJ
William J. Tracy - Sewell NJ

Assignee:

Mobil Oil Corporation - Fairfax VA

International Classification:

C07C 266

US Classification:

585446

Abstract:

A process is disclosed for the production of alkylaromatic compounds employing olefinic liquid from thermally or catalytically cracked plastics as alkylating agent. The process comprises contacting a feedstream comprising alkylatable aromatics and the olefinic liquid with acidic alkylation catalyst under alkylation conditions in an alkylation zone; and recovering an effluent stream comprising alkylaromatic compounds. The alkylation can be performed with the product of plastics pyrolysis or with non-degraded plastic feedstock in-situ with thermal/catalytic degradation of the plastic.