Compositions and Methods for Removal of NMP Degradation Products from NMP Purification Systems
Summary
USPTO granted patent US12600697B2 to Refined Technologies, Inc. covering methods for cleaning N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) purification and recovery systems. The patent claims compositions and methods using a cleaning solution containing a solvent with a primary amine and hydroxyl group, injected into reflux drums and reboilers, circulated through separation towers to solubilize foulants, then drained. The patent was filed May 25, 2022, and contains 15 claims under CPC classifications C07D 207/267 and C07D 201/16.
What changed
USPTO granted Patent US12600697B2 to Refined Technologies, Inc., establishing exclusive rights to methods for cleaning NMP purification and recovery systems. The patent covers injecting a cleaning solution (solvent with primary amine and hydroxyl group) into reflux drums and reboilers, circulating through separation towers to solubilize foulants, and draining the solution. The patent contains 15 claims under organic chemistry classifications C07D 207/267 and C07D 201/16.
Entities operating NMP purification systems or developing similar cleaning technologies should evaluate potential licensing requirements or design-around options to avoid infringement on the granted claims. The patent establishes enforceable IP rights that may restrict competitive development of comparable NMP purification cleaning methods.
What to do next
- Monitor patent landscape for potential licensing or freedom-to-operate implications
- Review existing NMP purification processes for potential infringement concerns
Archived snapshot
Apr 14, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Compositions and methods for removal of n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) degradation products and other foulants from NMP purification systems
Grant US12600697B2 Kind: B2 Apr 14, 2026
Assignee
Refined Technologies, Inc.
Inventors
Jerrod Overholt, Sean E. Sears
Abstract
Methods of cleaning an N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) purification and recovery system having an NMP-containing chemical waste stream, a separation tower fluidically coupled with the chemical waste stream, a reflux drum fluidically coupled with an upper section of the separation tower, a reboiler fluidically coupled with a lower section of the separation tower, and a purified NMP stream fluidically coupled with the reboiler. The methods include injecting a cleaning solution into the reflux drum and the reboiler with an amount of the cleaning solution sufficient to at least substantially fill the reflux drum and the reboiler, the cleaning solution comprising a solvent having a primary amine and a hydroxyl group, circulating the cleaning solution through at least the separation tower, the reflux drum, the reboiler for a period of time to solubilize foulants contained within the system, and draining the cleaning solution having foulants solubilized therein from the system.
CPC Classifications
C07D 207/267 C07D 201/16
Filing Date
2022-05-25
Application No.
18562589
Claims
15
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Source
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