Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John G. Cutts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5470486
    Abstract: A method for treating an aqueous stream containing a water-soluble, inorganic sulfide compound wherein the stream is contacted with oxygen in a thermal, non-catalytic conversion zone to convert the inorganic sulfide compound to sulfate and thiosulfate. The aqueous effluent from the thermal, non-catalytic conversion zone is then contacted with oxygen and an oxidizing catalyst on a carbon support at catalytic oxidation conditions selected to provide a high conversion of the thiosulfate to sulfate which produces a substantially sulfide-free aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Ralph D. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 5406011
    Abstract: An improved process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of paraffinic hydrocarbons is disclosed. Feed paraffinic hydrocarbons are dehydrogenated by means of contacting the dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon with a dehydrogenation catalyst in a first dehydrogenation zone wherein the endothermic dehydrogenation reaction reduces the temperature of the resulting hydrocarbon stream containing dehydrogenated hydrocarbon compounds. The resulting effluent from the first dehydrogenation zone is then contacted with a stream of gas comprising normally gaseous hydrocarbon compounds having a temperature greater than the hydrocarbon stream to increase the temperature of the hydrocarbon stream and then introducing the resulting heated stream into a second dehydrogenation zone to produce additional dehydrogenated hydrocarbon compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: William H. Radcliffe, Thomas R. Fritsch, Bipin V. Vora
  • Patent number: 5401894
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of a halogenated organic feedstock to produce a stream of hydrocarbonaceous compounds having an exceedingly low concentration of halogenated organic compounds and an aqueous stream containing hydrogen halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Robert S. Brasier, Robert B. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5387277
    Abstract: A process for removing a water-soluble acid gas from a gaseous stream containing normally gaseous hydrocarbon compounds, hydrogen and the acid gas to produce an aqueous solution containing the dissolved acid gas and having a very low level of normally gaseous hydrocarbon compounds. The gaseous feed stream is contacted with a lean aqueous stream to remove water-soluble acid gas. The resulting acid gas rich aqueous stream is stripped with a hydrogen-rich gas to produce an aqueous stream containing dissolved acid gas and essentially no normally gaseous hydrocarbon compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Robert S. Brasier
  • Patent number: 5384037
    Abstract: A process for the production of a distillable hydrocarbon product stream from a first distillate hydrocarbon stream, a second distillate hydrocarbon stream and a waste lubricant stream by means of contacting the waste lubricant stream with a hot hydrogen-rich gaseous stream to increase the temperature of this feed stream and vaporize at least portion of the distillable hydrocarbonaceous compounds thereby producing a distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream which is immediately hydrogenated in an integrated hydrogenation zone. The vaporized waste oil stream is admixed with a first distillate hydrocarbon stream before introduction into the hydrogenation zone. The second distillate hydrocarbon stream is converted in a hydrocracking conversion zone in order to produce lower boiling distillable hydrocarbon products and an aqueous ammonia solution which is admixed with a partially condensed effluent from the hydrogenation zone in order to neutralize at least one acid gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Tom N. Kalnes
  • Patent number: 5370786
    Abstract: A method of operating a continuous process employing solid catalyst particles by means of charging a feedstock to a reactor and contacting the feedstock with a dense-phase moving bed of catalyst particles at conversion conditions in a reactor. A hydrogen-rich gas containing unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds is recovered from the reactor effluent and at least a portion is contacted with a hydrogenation catalyst to hydrogenate the olefins. The resulting hydrogenated hydrogen-rich gaseous stream is heated and used to supply heat to a vessel containing solid catalyst particles which are preheated and subsequently introduced into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Paul R. Cottrell, Charles P. Luebke
  • Patent number: 5354931
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for hydrotreating an organic feedstock containing oxygen compounds and a halogen component by means of removing the oxygen compounds with an adsorbent and then contacting the resulting organic feedstock having a reduced concentration of oxygen compounds and a gaseous recycle stream containing hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrogenation reaction zone to produce an anhydrous liquid stream comprising hydrogenated hydrocarbonaceous compounds having a reduced concentration of halogen and a hydrogen halide compound. The resulting effluent from the hydrogenation zone is optionally separated to produce a hydrogenated hydrocarbonaceous stream having a reduced level of halogen and an anhydrous stream comprising a hydrogen halide compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Chwu-Ching Jan, Mark D. Moser, Tom N. Kalnes, George R. Hibel
  • Patent number: 5345025
    Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of the product stream resulting from the dehydrogenation of dehydrogentable hydrocarbons which process utilizes an integrated system for the recovery of liquid olefin product by use of a compression system, a pressure swing adsorption unit and a chiller system to concentrate the olefin poroduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Michael J. Mitariten, Norman H. Scott
  • Patent number: 5340470
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for improved separation of liquids containing finely divided suspended particles having multiple stacks of parallel interceptor plates which divide the separation vessel to provide an annular space between the parallel interceptor plates and the vertical wall of the separation vessel to thereby form an inlet manifold for the plates which manifold provides a uniform, uninterrupted flow to each stack of plates. The arrangement of plates also forms an outlet manifold which provides a uniform flow from each stack of plates and directs the liquid stream having a reduced level of finely divided suspended particles downward in the separation vessel to an exit in the lower end of the vessel. The feed liquid is introduced into the lower end of the separation vessel with an inlet distributor which initially directs at least a majority of the feed liquid in a generally downward direction to effect a primary separation prior to being introduced into the stacks of parallel interceptor plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Brian W. Hedrick, Frank T. Micklich, Brian H. Johnson, Daniel G. Meier, Frank R. Whitsura, Bill R. Engelman
  • Patent number: 5321192
    Abstract: The activity, selectivity and yield of a dehydrogenation process used to produce olefins from normal paraffin hydrocarbons having 2 to 5 carbon atoms per molecule is improved by the introduction of an essentially constant level of water into the inlet of two or more beds of dehydrogenation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Paul R. Cottrell, Lester F. Smith, Jr., Stephen W. Gohres
  • Patent number: 5314614
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for hydrotreating an organic feedstock containing thermally unstable compounds and a halogen component by means of contacting the organic feedstock and a gaseous recycle stream containing hydrogen and a hydrogen halide compound with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrogenation reaction zone to produce a hydrogenated hydrocarbonaceous stream having a reduced concentration of halogen and a halide compound stream. The resulting effluent from the hydrogenation zone is separated to produce a recycle stream containing a hydrogen halide compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Mark D. Moser, Tom N. Kalnes, Chwu-Ching Jan, George R. Hibel
  • Patent number: 5302282
    Abstract: A process for the production of high quality lube oil blending stock from atmospheric fractionation residue and waste lubricants by means of contacting the waste lubricant with a hot hydrogen-rich gaseous stream to increase the temperature of this feed stream to vaporize at least a portion of the distillable hydrocarbonaceous compounds thereby producing a distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream which is immediately hydrogenated in an integrated hydrogenation zone. The vaporization of the waste oil is also conducted in the presence of an asphalt residue which is produced in the integrated process. The resulting effluent from the integrated hydrogenation zone provides at least one high quality lube oil blending stock stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Steven P. Lankton, Robert B. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5288681
    Abstract: A catalyst prepared by the steps which comprise: (a) adding to an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbonaceous oil charge stock a metal compound, a heteropoly acid and water; (b) converting the metal compound and heteropoly acid within the charge stock by heating the oil to a temperature from about 120.degree. F. (43.degree. C.) to about 500.degree. F. (260.degree. C.) to produce at least one organometallic compound within the charge stock; and (c) converting the organometallic compound within the charge stock under hydroconversion conditions to produce the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: John G. Gatsis
  • Patent number: 5259853
    Abstract: An integrated process for treating a vent gas stream containing halogenated organic compounds to produce a clean vent gas with vacuum swing adsorption of the halogenated organic compounds and the recycle of a gaseous stream from the halogenated organic compound recovery section. A liquid sponge oil containing halogenated organic compounds is contacted and admixed with the evacuated effluent from the adsorption zone to prevent the accumulation of normally gaseous hydrocarbonaceous compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Robert S. Brasier, Steven P. Lankton, Richard T. Maurer, Kirit M. Patel
  • Patent number: 5244565
    Abstract: A process for the production of distillate hydrocarbon from atmospheric fractionation residue and waste lubricants by means of contacting the waste lubricant with a hot hydrogen-rich gaseous stream to increase the temperature of this feed stream to vaporize at least a portion of the distillable hydrocarbonaceous compounds thereby producing a distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream which is immediately hydrogenated in an integrated hydrogenation zone. The vaporization of the waste oil is also conducted in the presence of a vacuum fractionation residue which is produced in the integrated process. The resulting effluent from the integrated hydrogenation zone and a distillable hydrocarbon stream recovered from the atmospheric fraction residue is catalytically converted to produce lower molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Steven P. Lankton, Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5227566
    Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane and butane in the presence of a catalyst comprising platinum and a carrier material. Reconditioning of catalyst particles containing platinum by transferring the catalyst particles through a combustion zone, a drying zone and a re-dispersion zone improves the process. Drying of the catalyst particles immediately after the combustion of coke improves the operation of a platinum re-dispersion zone. The lower moisture content in the re-dispersion zone allows the equilibrium reaction between hydrogen chloride and oxygen on the one hand, and water and chlorine on the other hand to be shifted to the production of chlorine. This shift of the equilibrium reaction can be further improved by maintaining an oxygen-enriched environment within the platinum re-dispersion zone. The use of a much lower chloride concentration in the re-dispersion zone reduces the emissions of hydrogen chloride from the regeneration zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Paul R. Cottrell, Michael E. Fettis
  • Patent number: 5227567
    Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of the product stream resulting from the dehydrogenation of dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons which process utilizes a chiller system for the recovery of olefin product liquid and a pressure swing adsorption unit to concentrate the olefin product liquid which is not recovered by the chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Michael J. Mitariten, Norman H. Scott
  • Patent number: 5220103
    Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of a cumene feed for cumene oxidation from a fresh cumene stream and a recycle cumene stream containing trace quantities of at least one organic acid compound by a dilute caustic wash of the contaminated cumene streams followed by a water wash of the cumene streams in a single vessel with multiple contacting sections. A portion of the water wash is supplied by a waste water stream from an oxidate wash zone having trace quantities of cumene hydroperoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Constante P. Tagamolila, Russell C. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5207927
    Abstract: A method for treating an aqueous stream containing a water-soluble, inorganic sulfide compound wherein the stream is contacted with oxygen at a pH in the range of less than about 12 and an oxygen to sulfur molar ratio greater than about 5 with an oxidizing catalyst at oxidation conditions selected to provide a high conversion of the inorganic sulfide compound to sulfate to thereby produce a substantially sulfide-free treated aqueous product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Richard E. Marinangeli, Tom N. Kalnes
  • Patent number: 5181557
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution containing a solvent, demetallized oil and a resin. The apparatus has a vertically-positioned heat-exchange surface having an upper portion which is heated by circulating a heat-exchange fluid and a lower portion which is heated by conduction of heat from the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Uop
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick