US4675464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chemical destruction of halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons
Assignee: Environmental Protection Agency
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Filing: 1986-07-09
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Granted: 1987-06-23
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Expires: 2006-07-09
Abstract
Abstract Method for the total dehydrohalogenation of halogenated compounds. The method includes providing a reaction mixture by dissolving an alkali metal hydroxide in a molar excess of an ethylene glycol to form an alkali metal glycolate and reacting the halogenated organic compound with the alkali metal glycolate. In halogenated compounds having one carbon, carbon dioxide is the reaction product. In those having more than one carbon, acetylene is formed. The preferred ethylene glycol is tetraethylene glycol and the preferred alkali metal is potassium hydroxide. The method is particularly useful for disposing of toxic halogenated compounds which make up soil contaminants, like ethylene dibromide.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J. Rogers
- 👤 Alfred Kornel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:30
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62D; A62D3/00; A62D3/30; A62D3/34; C; C07; C07C; C07C1/00; C07C1/26; A62D2101/00; A62D2101/20; A62D2101/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for the dehydrohalogenation of at least one halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon having two carbon atoms, said method comprising: providing a reaction mixture by dissolving an alkali metal hydroxide in a molar excess of an ethylene glycol to form an alkali metal glycolate said ethylene glycol being selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and pentaethylene glycol; and reacting the halogenated organic compound with said alkali metal glycolate to produce acetylene.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for the dehydrohalogenation of at least one halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon having two carbon atoms, said method comprising: providing a reaction mixture by dissolving an alkali metal hydroxide in a molar excess of an ethylene glycol to form an alkali metal glycolate said ethylene glycol being selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and pentaethylene glycol; and reacting the halogenated organic compound with said alkali metal glycolate to produce acetylene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said ethylene glycol is tetraethylene glycol and said alkali metal is potassium hydroxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: adding additional amounts of said alkaline metal hydroxide, said ethylene glycol and said halogenated organic compound in approximately stoichiometric amounts to said reaction mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the alkaline metal hydroxide initially in the reaction mixture is potassium hydroxide and said alkali metal hydroxide added in additional amounts to the reaction mixture is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of said reaction mixture is kept at 30° C. or less.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: passing the gases emanating from the reacting step through a vent to a reflux condensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of: passing the gases emanating from the reflux condensor through a scrubber containing additional amounts of the reaction mixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: passing the gases emanating from the reacting step through a vent to a scrubber containing additional amounts of the reaction mixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein all steps are conducted at substantially atmospheric pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is used in the form of an aqueous solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal glycolate is prepared prior to addition of the halogenated organic compound to the reaction mixture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the molar ratio of potassium hydroxide:tetraethylene glycol in the reaction mixture is 0.5-1:1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4337368A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-22 | 1990-12-22 | 1991-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-22 | 1994-12-22 | 1995-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-22 | 1998-12-22 | 1999-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |