Scott A Keenan

US Patent:

6388144, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Jun 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/882447

Inventors:

Tilak P. Wijesekera - Boothwyn PA
Scott R. Keenan - Marlton NJ

Assignee:

Sunoco, Inc. (RM) - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C07C 3768

US Classification:

568754, 568749, 568758

Abstract:

A process for treating phenol with a strong acid ion exchange resin to reduce the level of methylbenzofuran is provided. The process is capable of being carried out at elevated temperatures for extended periods, such that cooling of the phenol from distillation temperatures prior to the resin treatment is not required. The process can reduce or eliminate the substantial costs associated with conventional processes that require cooling and re-heating the phenol.

US Patent:

6620980, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Apr 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/121996

Inventors:

Robert W. Emblidge - Swarthmore PA
Scott R. Keenan - Marlton NJ

Assignee:

Sunoco Inc (RM) - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C07L 3768

US Classification:

568754

Abstract:

An improved method for the recovery of phenol from aqueous streams comprises adding a relatively non-polar solvent to a phenol containing aqueous stream to improve the separation of the phenol form the aqueous stream. The improvement results in a phenol stream with a reduced level of salt carried over from the aqueous stream.

US Patent:

7186866, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

Nov 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/273411

Inventors:

Scott R. Keenan - Marlton NJ, US
Amber R. Harach - Hockessin DE, US
James G. Skipworth - Franklin Furnace OH, US

Assignee:

Sunoco, Inc. (R&M) - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C07C 49/20
C07C 37/68

US Classification:

568385

Abstract:

Products from the decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) are recovered by distillation. The majority of the undesirable by-product acetol (hydroxyacetone) is removed from the phenol stream by distillation wherein the majority of the acetol is carried with an overheads stream comprising acetone, cumene and alphamethylstyrene (AMS). Acetol is subsequently separated from acetone by distillation wherein acetone is taken as an overheads stream and acetol remains with a bottoms stream comprising cumene, AMS and phenol. The acetol, along with residual phenol, is extracted from the cumene and AMS by counter-current washing with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide. The phenol stream is then distilled to separate phenol from cumene, alphamethylstyrene and higher boiling compounds. The phenol, containing only a small amount of acetol, can then be treated to remove methylbenzofuran by treatment with an acidic resin or solid superacid catalyst without formation of significant amounts of additional methylbenzofuran.

US Patent:

8247616, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Mar 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/432141

Inventors:

Scott R. Keenan - Marlton NJ, US
Michael K. Hagans - Wheelersburg OH, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

C07C 45/53
C07C 37/08
C07C 2/86

US Classification:

568385, 568798, 585323

Abstract:

A method of producing phenol, acetone and alpha-methyl styrene. A mixture of cumene hydroperoxide and dimethylbenzyl alcohol is provided. The mixture is subjected to a first stage reaction in the presence of about 0. 5 to 1. 5 wt. % water and about 20 to 400 ppm sulfuric acid at a reactor pressure of about 450 to 760 mm Hg, a temperature of about 60 to 85 C. , and a residence time of 4 to 45 minutes to produce a composition having an acetone to phenol mole ratio of about 1 to 1. 5. The composition is subjected to a second stage reaction in the presence of about 0. 5 to 3 wt. % additional water with a second stage reactor temperature of about 110 to 150 C. and a residence time of 0. 5 to 30 minutes.

US Patent:

20110306800, Dec 15, 2011

Filed:

Jun 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/797321

Inventors:

Scott Roy Keenan - Marlton NJ, US
Michael Keith Hagans - Wheelersburg OH, US

International Classification:

C07C 45/53
C07C 2/86
C07C 37/08

US Classification:

568385, 568798, 585323

Abstract:

An improved method for the production of phenol, acetone and alpha-methyl styrene (AMS) from a cumene hydroperoxide and dimethylbenzyl alcohol (DMBA) mixture is described, wherein 0.5-5% additional water by weight is added prior to the final DMBA dehydration step, carried out in the presence of about 20-400 ppm mineral acid catalyst at 110-150 C. for 0.5 to 40 minutes residence time. The use of additional water allows greater flexibility in maintaining optimum temperature in the second stage over a much broader turndown range with fixed equipment, decreases the residual dicumyl peroxide (DCP) at the yield optimum for a given temperature, and increases the overall yield of AMS at optimum conditions at a given temperature.

US Patent:

20130237736, Sep 12, 2013

Filed:

Feb 7, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/761642

Inventors:

Scott R. Keenan - Marlton NJ, US

Assignee:

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

C07C 1/20

US Classification:

585437

Abstract:

A method for controlling the production of heavy compounds in the production of alpha-methyl styrene is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a first composition to a distillation column, said first composition comprising acetone, phenol, cumene and alpha-methyl styrene; refining the first composition in the distillation column to produce a second composition comprising at least 1 wt. % alpha-methyl styrene and at least one organic acid, wherein the second composition includes a higher weight percentage of alpha-methyl styrene than the first composition; and adding an amine to the second composition.

US Patent:

63038269, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

Jan 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/487656

Inventors:

Manoj V. Bhinde - Boothwyn PA
Scott R. Keenan - Marlton NJ

Assignee:

Sunoco, Inc. (R&M) - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C07C 4590
C07C 4908

US Classification:

568411

Abstract:

A method for purification of acetone containing at least one oxidizable impurity. The method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting acetone containing at least one oxidizable impurity with a heterogeneous oxidation catalyst in the presence of oxygen for a time and at a temperature sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of at least one of the oxidizable impurities; and (b) substantially separating purified acetone from the resulting mixture obtained from step (a).

US Patent:

6201157, Mar 13, 2001

Filed:

Jan 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/480206

Inventors:

Scott R. Keenan - Marlton NJ

Assignee:

Sunoco, Inc. (R&M) - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C07C 3708

US Classification:

568798

Abstract:

An improved method for production of phenol and acetone by decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of an acidic catalyst to phenol and acetone, wherein the improvement comprises neutralization of the acidic catalyst after substantial completion of the decomposition by addition of a substituted amine.