Appeal No. 2001-2457
Application No. 09/168,979
OPINION
The examiner finds that Kanne teaches a process for the
recovery of cyclopentane which comprises removing a C5
hydrocarbon mixture containing cyclopentene from a distillation
column, catalytically hydrogenating the mixture, and then
distilling the hydrotreated mixture to recover cyclopentane
(Answer, page 3, citing page 4, ll. 10-16, of Kanne). The
examiner further finds that the feed sent to the initial
distillation step contains 10-30% cyclopentene. Id. The
examiner finds several differences between Kanne’s process and
that of the claimed process (id.). With regard to the specific
catalyst employed, the examiner has applied Derrien for the
general teaching that it was known in the art to use certain
metal catalysts including nickel for the hydrogenation of C5
hydrocarbons such as cyclopentene (Answer, page 4).2
The examiner also finds that Kanne is “silent” about an
initial distillation hydrocarbon stream that contains neo-
hexane, as well as being “silent” about the initial
distillation step separating a neo-hexane containing fraction
2A further discussion of Derrien is unnecessary to this
decision as this reference does not remedy the deficiencies in
Kanne as noted infra.
3
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