Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Richard E. Conser
  • Patent number: 5858908
    Abstract: A novel catalyst and the use thereof in a reforming process is disclosed. The dual-function catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide, indium, Group IVA(IUPAC 14) metal, and a platinum-group metal concentrated in the surface layer of each catalyst particle. Utilization of this catalyst in the conversion of hydrocarbons, especially in reforming, results in significantly improved selectivity to the desired gasoline or aromatics product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paula L. Bogdan, Tamotsu Imai
  • Patent number: 5858209
    Abstract: A processing step is added to an existing catalytic reforming unit to increase the yield of aromatic product. The additional processing comprises separation of product from the reforming unit into an aromatic concentrate and a low-octane recycle stream which is upgraded by aromatization. The separation preferably is effected using a large-pore molecular sieve, and the aromatization with a nonacidic L-zeolite contained within the hydrogen circuit of the existing catalytic reforming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, John J. Jeanneret, Srikantiah Raghuram, Beth McCulloch
  • Patent number: 5831139
    Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to selectively upgrade naphtha in accordance with expected trends leading to more-aliphatic gasolines. Such gasolines contain lower concentrations of aromatics and have lower end points with concomitant reduced harmful automotive emissions. The present process combination converts the higher-boiling portion of the naphtha, yields isobutane and other isoparaffins which are particularly suitable for upgrading or blending, and reduces cyclics in intermediate processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, Paula L. Bogdan, Leonid B. Galperin, Jennifer S. Holmgren
  • Patent number: 5792338
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed in a sequence comprising a continuous-reforming zone associated with continuous catalyst regeneration, a zeolitic-reforming zone containing a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal and a nonacidic L-zeolite and an aromatics-isomerization zone containing a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal, a metal attenuator and a refractory inorganic oxide. The process combination features high selectivity in producing a high-purity BTX product from naphtha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Christopher D. Gosling, Robert S. Haizmann, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 5770045
    Abstract: A catalytic reforming process uses a riser reactor with multiple catalyst injection points to obtain high aromatics yields from a naphtha feedstock. Product from the riser reactor typically is discharged into a fluidized-reforming reactor, in which the reforming reaction is completed and catalyst is separated from hydrogen and hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons from the reactor are separated to recover an aromatized product. Catalyst is regenerated to remove coke and reduced for reuse in the reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Christopher David Gosling, Scott Yu-Feng Zhang, Paula L. Bogdan
  • Patent number: 5770042
    Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to selectively upgrade naphtha to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. A naphtha feedstock is subjected to ring cleavage to convert naphthenes to paraffins using a nonacidic catalyst followed by isomerization of paraffins to obtain an increased proportion of isoparaffins. Ring cleavage also may be effected on the product of isomerization and separation by fractionation or adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Leonid B. Galperin, Jeffery C. Bricker, Jennifer S. Holmgren
  • Patent number: 5755956
    Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a catalyst containing multiple Group VIII (8-10) noble metals having different gradients within the catalyst and a nonacidic large-pore molecular sieve. The use of this bed of catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and improved catalyst stability, particularly in the presence of small amounts of sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Leonid B. Galperin, Paula L. Bogdan, Edwin Paul Boldingh
  • Patent number: 5744673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a zeolite beta catalyst characterized by critical limits of weak and strong acid species and exceptionally high catalytic activity. The catalyst is activated at a temperature effective to substantially reduce the concentration of strong acid species, i.e., hydronium cations, without substantially reducing the concentration of weak acid species, i.e., hydroxoaluminum cations, preferably following a calcining step wherein a synthesized zeolite beta catalyst containing a templating agent is calcined at a temperature in the range of from about 200.degree. to 1000.degree. C. in order to remove a substantial portion of the catalyst templating agent and an ion-exchanging step wherein the calcined catalyst is ion-exchanged with a salt solution containing at least one hydrogen forming cation selected from NH.sub.4.sup.+ and quaternary ammonium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Gary W. Skeels, Edith M. Flanigen
  • Patent number: 5683573
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed in a sequence comprising a continuous-reforming zone, consisting essentially of a moving-bed catalytic reforming zone and continuous regeneration of catalyst particles, and a zeolitic-reforming zone containing a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal and a nonacidic zeolite. The process combination permits higher severity, higher aromatics yields and/or increased throughput in the continuous-reforming zone, thus showing surprising benefits over prior-art processes, and is particularly useful in upgrading existing moving-bed reforming facilities with continuous catalyst regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Robert S. Haizmann, John Y. G. Park, Michael B. Russ
  • Patent number: 5672265
    Abstract: A processing step is added to an existing catalytic reforming unit to increase the yield of aromatic product. The additional processing comprises separation of product from the reforming unit into an aromatic concentrate and a low-octane recycle stream which is upgraded by aromatization. The separation preferably is effected using a large-pore molecular sieve, and the aromatization with a nonacidic L-zeolite contained within the hydrogen circuit of the existing catalytic reforming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, John Joseph Jeanneret, Srikantiah Raghuram, Beth McCulloch
  • Patent number: 5665223
    Abstract: A novel catalyst and the use thereof in a reforming process is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide, platinum-group metal, Group IVA(IUPAC 14) metal, and europium in a specified ratio. Utilization of this catalyst in the reforming of hydrocarbons, especially in reforming, results in significantly improved selectivity to the desired gasoline or aromatics product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Paula L. Bogdan
  • Patent number: 5659099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a zeolite beta catalyst characterized by critical limits of weak and strong acid species and exceptionally high catalytic activity. The catalyst is activated at a temperature effective to substantially reduce the concentration of strong acid species, i.e., hydronium cations, without substantially reducing the concentration of weak acid species, i.e., hydroxoaluminum cations, preferably following a calcining step wherein a synthesized zeolite beta catalyst containing a templating agent is calcined at a temperature in the range of from about 200.degree. to 1000.degree. C. in order to remove a substantial portion of the catalyst templating agent and an ion-exchanging step wherein the calcined catalyst is ion-exchanged with a salt solution containing at least one hydrogen forming cation selected from NH.sub.4.sup.+ and quaternary ammonium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Gary W. Skeels, Edith M. Flanigen
  • Patent number: 5658453
    Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to selectively upgrade naphtha in a manner to obtain an aromatics-rich, low-olefin product from the combination. Preferably the naphtha is subjected to aromatization to obtain an aromatics concentrate which is upgraded by hydrogenation of olefins in the aromatics-rich stream. Olefin saturation is effected following separation of the major portion of hydrogen from the aromatics concentrate and before fractionation/stabilization for removal of light ends, with concomitant low saturation of aromatics and with removal of light ends in a fractionator which would be associated with the aromatization in any case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Michael B. Russ, Aaron P. Kelly, John Y. G. Park
  • Patent number: 5614454
    Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a catalyst containing multiple Group VIII (8-10) noble metals having different gradients within the catalyst and a nonacidic large-pore molecular sieve. The use of this bed of catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and improved catalyst stability, particularly in the presence of small amounts of sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Leonid B. Galperin, Paula L. Bogdan, Edwin P. Boldingh
  • Patent number: 5614082
    Abstract: A catalyst system comprises a physical mixture of a conversion catalyst and a sulfur sorbent to accommodate small quantities of sulfur from a hydrocarbon feedstock. Preferably, the physical mixture comprises a sulfur-sensitive reforming catalyst protected from sulfur deactivation by a manganese-oxide catalyst. The invention shows substantial benefits over prior-art processes in catalyst utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Michael B. Russ, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 5569791
    Abstract: Phenol is produced from a hydrocarbon feedstock using a process combination offering unexpected synergy. Benzene is produced from the hydrocarbon feedstock using a highly selective aromatization catalyst which provides substantial quantities of high-purity hydrogen. The hydrogen is converted to hydrogen peroxide, which in turn is used to convert the benzene to phenol in high yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: John I. Hammerman, Peter R. Pujado
  • Patent number: 5565090
    Abstract: A catalytic reforming process uses a riser reactor with multiple catalyst injection points to obtain high aromatics yields from a naphtha feedstock. Product from the riser reactor typically is discharged into a fluidized-reforming reactor, in which the reforming reaction is completed and catalyst is separated from hydrogen and hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons from the reactor are separated to recover an aromatized product. Catalyst is regenerated to remove coke and reduced for reuse in the reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Christopher D. Gosling, Scott Y. Zhang, Paula L. Bogdan
  • Patent number: 5559068
    Abstract: Reforming is effected with a combination of a primary supported noble-metal catalyst and a catalyst containing one or more medium-pore non-zeolitic molecular sieves (MP-NZMS). The latter reforming and dehydrocyclization catalysts comprise a Group VIII metal and at least one bound MP-NZMS characterized in the calcined form by an adsorption of isobutane of at least 2 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 500 torr and a temperature of 20.degree. C. and characterized by an adsorption of triethylamine less than about 5 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 2.6 torr and a temperature of 22.degree. C. The MP-NZMS catalyst binder preferably is alumina and/or silica, and the Group VIII metal preferably is platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Qianjun Chen, Peter K. Coughlin, Regis J. Pellet
  • Patent number: 5559274
    Abstract: Phenol is produced from a hydrocarbon feedstock using a process combination offering unexpected synergy. Benzene is produced from the hydrocarbon feedstock using a highly selective aromatization catalyst which provides substantial quantities of high-purity hydrogen. The hydrogen is converted to hydrogen peroxide, which in turn is used to convert the benzene to phenol in high yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: John I. Hammerman, Peter R. Pujado
  • Patent number: 5520796
    Abstract: Reforming is effected with a combination of a primary supported noble-metal catalyst and a catalyst containing one or more medium pore non-zeolite molecular sieves (MP-NZMS). The latter reforming and dehydrocyclization comprise a Group VIII metal and at least one bound MP-NZMS characterized in the calcined form by an adsorption of isobutane of at least 2 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 500 torr and a temperature of 20.degree. C. and characterized by an adsorption of triethylamine less than about 5 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 2.6 torr and a temperature of 22.degree. C., The MP-NZMS catalyst binder preferably is alumina and/or silica, and the Group VIII metal preferably is platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Qianjun Chen, Peter K. Coughlin, Regis J. Pellet