Francis Te Healy

US Patent:

52986691, Mar 29, 1994

Filed:

Mar 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/035851

Inventors:

Francis J. Healy - Florham Park NJ
Joel R. Livingston - Basking Ridge NJ
Edmund J. Mozeleski - Califon NJ
John G. Stevens - Westfield NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Chemical Patent Inc. - Linden NJ

International Classification:

C07C 4578
C07C 4550

US Classification:

568492

Abstract:

A method for separating a noble metal catalyst from a crude reaction product of a noble metal-catalyzed hydroformylation reaction which comprises: (a) contacting the crude reaction product under perstraction conditions with a membrane capable of allowing a substantial portion of unreacted olefin feed and hydroformylation reaction product to pass therethrough as permeate while retaining a substantial portion of the catalyst as retentate; (b) removing the permeate by sweeping it away from the membrane by means of a sweep stream which is the same as the olefin feed used in the hydroformylation reaction; and (c) retaining the catalyst as retentate.

US Patent:

52141578, May 25, 1993

Filed:

May 7, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/696903

Inventors:

Francis J. Healy - Florham Park NJ
Herbert P. Dengler - Baton Rouge LA

Assignee:

Exxon Chemical Patents Inc. - Linden NJ

International Classification:

C07D30789

US Classification:

549250

Abstract:

A system for producing phthalic anhydride by vapor phase oxidation of orthoxylene, naphthalene or the like which comprises an oxidation section, and a finishing section comprising: a means for decomposing crude phthalic anhydride liquid such that water, various other by-products and small amounts of phthalic anhydride are removed from the crude phthalic anhydride liquid as decomposer vapor; a means for venting decomposer vapor directly to a top portion of a first fractionation column; the first fractionation column being capable of distilling crude phthalic anhydride liquid received from the decomposer means for the purpose of removing light ends therefrom and which is also capable of recovering phthalic anhydride contained within vapors being vented therefrom; and a second fractionation column capable of distilling the crude phthalic anhydride liquid from the first fractionation column and removing tailings therefrom to produce substantially pure phthalic anhydride; whereby phthalic anhydride is recovered from the decomposer vapor and whereby use of a decomposer condenser and associated jet ejectors or vacuum pumps are avoided.