Patents Examined by Andrew H. Metz
  • Patent number: 4786400
    Abstract: A dual riser cracking operation in combination with sequential stages of catalyst regeneration in which the second regeneration stage is a riser regenerator is described in combination with deep solvent deasphalting a vacuum resid. The deasphalted resid is subjected to hydrogenation treatment prior to cracking thereof in a riser cracking zone in admixture with a heavy vacuum gas oil which may or may not be hydrogenated prior to cracking thereof. Lower boiling fractions of the crude oil are subjected to catalytic cracking in a separate riser cracking zone. Partially regenerated catalyst of dense fluid bed regeneration may be employed in the heavy oil feed riser cracking operation charged with deasphalted oil. The partially regenerated catalyst may be used alone or in combination with more completely regenerated catalyst of the riser regeneration operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Inventor: Carl D. Farnsworth
  • Patent number: 4780448
    Abstract: A catalyst containing copper and silica is prepared by a process in which an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution containing from 1 to 26% by weight of SiO.sub.2 is brought to a pH of from 0.5 to 2.0 with nitric acid, an aqueous copper nitrate solution containing from 5 to 15% by weight of Cu is added, after the addition of the nitric acid, so that a clear solution containing from 0.18 to 3.0 moles of Cu per mole of SiO.sub.2 is formed, the resulting solution is mixed with an aqueous alkali metal carbonate solution at from 40.degree. to 80.degree. C., the pH of the mixture being kept at from 7.5 to 8.5, and the precipitated material is separated off, dried, calcined by heating at from 250.degree. to 400.degree. C. and pressed in a conventional manner to give catalyst moldings. The catalyst thus obtained is used for the hydrogenation of dialkyl dicarboxylates to diols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz J. Broecker, Rolf Fischer, Klaus-Dieter Malsch, Wolfgang Reiss, Rolf Schnabel, Hans-Martin Weitz
  • Patent number: 4753033
    Abstract: A process for substantially reducing the amount of insoluble fluoride-forming species in a coal feed material comprising slurrying a coal feed with a fluoride acid in the presence of an amount of fluoride-complexing species at least equal to the amount necessary to form tightly-bound complex ions with substantially all free-fluoride-ions in the slurry to produce a leached coal product and a spent leach liquor, and separating the leached coal product from the spent leach liquor. The process produces a clean purified fuel with ash content of less than about 5%, and preferably less than about 1%. Loss of fluorine values by formation of insoluble fluorides is minimized. Alkali metals and alkaline earths are substantially dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Williams Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Kindig
  • Patent number: 4727218
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating and/or purifying a substance from a molten mixture by crystallization, in which the molten mixture is conducted into an annular space defined by two substantially curvilinearly-shaped surfaces, one of the surfaces being cooled, and at least one of the surfaces rotating. The molten mixture is thereby cooled as the same flows through the annular space with material crystallizing to form a deposit upon the cooled surface. The crystallized deposit is then caused to be contacted by a source of heat, whereby the same is melted. At least part of the melted deposit is then removed from the annular space, to obtain the substance in purified form, while any remaining part of the melted deposit is conducted through the annular space in a direction away from the source of heat. Non-crystallized molten material which contains impurities is also removed from within the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Neste OY
    Inventor: Tomi Heiskanen
  • Patent number: 4723962
    Abstract: An improved process is described for recovering lithium from evaporatively concentrated brines. Epsom salt recovered from the brine at about 0.degree. C. is added to the concentrated lithium-containing brine, so as to precipitate lithium sulfate monohydrate, the brine having previously been subjected to the sequential steps of two stage chilling, evaporative concentration, further chilling and vacuum evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Lithium Corporation of America
    Inventor: Vijay C. Mehta
  • Patent number: 4724069
    Abstract: An additive comprising a metal naphthenate selected from the group consisting of cobalt naphthenate and iron naphthenate is mixed with a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream. The hydrocarbon-containing feed stream containing the additive is then contacted in a hydrofining process with a catalyst composition comprising a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica and silica-alumina and a promoter comprising at least one metal selected from Group VIB, Group VIIB and Group VIII of the Periodic Table. The introduction of the inventive additive may be commenced when the catalyst is new, partially deactivated or spent with a beneficial result occuring in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Arthur W. Aldag, Jr., Stephen L. Parrott, Simon G. Kukes
  • Patent number: 4724068
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, e.g., a heavy oil or residuum, is contacted under suitable reaction conditions with free hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and at least one olefin polymer, preferably polypropylene or polystyrene, so as to produce a hydrocarbon product stream having increased API.sub.60 gravity and lower content of heavies. Generally, the amounts of impurities (sulfur, nitrogen, nickel and vanadium) contained in the feed stream are reduced in this hydrotreating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Paul R. Stapp
  • Patent number: 4724226
    Abstract: A boria promoted hydrotreating catalyst is made having a microporous region with high surface area for desulfurization and preferably a macroporous region to transport large metal containing molecules into the interior of the catalyst particle. The alumina support has 0.1 to 5% boria to form a hydrotreating catalyst which minimizes the formation of tetrahedrally coordinated boron. It is calcined to a temperature of 1400.degree. F. or less to maintain a high desulfurization activity. Conventional hydrotreating catalytic elements from Groups VB, VIB, VIIIB and VA of the Periodic Table are added. Less than 75% of the boron is in tetrahedral coordination as measured by Magic Angle Spinning .sup.11 B NMR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Wu-Cheng Cheng, Carmo J. Pereira
  • Patent number: 4724134
    Abstract: The invention comprises high purity substantially spherical metal oxide particles having one or more predominant particle sizes formed from one or more metal alkoxides. In one embodiment there is disclosed multimodal particle size distributions of such substantially spherical metal hydroxide particles while a second embodiment describes the formation of such particles using more than one metal alkoxide to form either a mixed metal hydroxide particle or a layered particle comprising a core of a first metal hydroxide and at least one layer of an additional metal hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Ajay Sood
  • Patent number: 4722782
    Abstract: A method for the recovery of bitumen from tar sand comprises slurrying tar sand with about 0.5 to about 4.0 pound of a organic solvent per pound of tar sand, then adding greater than about 0.50 pound water per pound of tar sand, and separating a bitumen rich solvent phase. The method has the advantage of permitting separation of sand from the bitumen rich solvent extract without formation of a stable emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Graham, John J. Helstrom, Lawrence B. Peck, Richard A. Stone
  • Patent number: 4722832
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of sulfur from sulfur-bearing ores employing an aqueous leaching solution containing calcium monosulfide, calcium hydrosulfide or mixtures of such calcium sulfide species. The sulfur ore is contacted in an extraction zone with the aqueous leaching solution under conditions to solubilize sulfur from the ore in the form of calcium polysulfide. Preferably, the extraction step is carried out at an elevated temperature. The loaded leaching solution is recovered from the extraction zone and applied to a sulfur-production zone. Here the loaded solution is contacted with hydrogen sulfide under conditions to react the hydrogen sulfide with the calcium polysulfide to produce calcium hydrosulfide and elemental sulfur. The calcium hydrosulfide solution is recycled for use as leaching solution in the sulfur extraction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners
    Inventors: Charles W. Weston, John W. Wen
  • Patent number: 4722783
    Abstract: Burned oil shale recycled as heat transfer solids in retorting process conditioned under reducing conditions with hydrocarbon to improve product yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Sieg, P. Henrik Wallman, James R. Ouimette
  • Patent number: 4720306
    Abstract: Method for cleaning vessels and in particular, steam generators, having deposits which are dissolved chemically and removed mechanically. The copper compounds present in the deposits are dissolved chemically and subsequently, loose deposits and liquids are removed mechanically. Encrustations still remaining are softened chemically and finally, the loosened deposits as well as the remaining chemicals are flushed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Emmert, Herbert Hehs, Detlev Coerlin, Klaus Kuhnke
  • Patent number: 4718945
    Abstract: A continuously operating sugar centrifugal is equipped with the following components, a massecuite supply device, a frustum-shaped screen drum which is rotatably drivable, a housing surrounding the screen drum, a distributor and accelerating device arranged for cooperation with the screen drum, cover water nozzles arranged in a fixed position in the drum, and an air guide ring. The air guide ring is located at the widening upper open end of the drum. The air guide ring widens conically and forms an extension or elongation of the screen drum. A passage or exit gap for the sugar to be discharged from the drum, is provided between the upper drum edge and a rim of the air guide ring facing the drum. The air guide ring rim facing away from the drum reaches into a ring-shaped air scoop and collecting space (17) which is open toward the interior of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schaper, Heinrich Kurland
  • Patent number: 4719002
    Abstract: A slurry hydroconversion process is provided in which a catalyst precursor concentrate comprising an aqueous solution of phosphomolybdic acid and a heavy oil is contacted with hot hydrogen to vaporize the water from the concentrate. The resulting catalyst precursor concentrate is introduced into a hydrocarbonaceous chargestock and the resulting mixture is heated in the presence of added hydrogen to convert the phosphomolybdic acid to a solid molybdenum-containing catalyst. The resulting slurry is subjected to hydroconversion conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Francis X. Mayer, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4719195
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for sulfurizing a catalyst, particularly a refining catalyst comprising a carrier and active metal oxides.In a first step, a sulfur compound mainly consisting of organic polysulfide is introduced into the catalyst mass. A second step consists of first sulfurizing, in the absence of hydrogen, the active metal oxides at a temperature lower than 275.degree. C. and then activating the catalyst at a temperature higher than 275.degree. C.The present invention concerns a process for presulfurizing a hydrocarbon treatment catalyst and/or preconditioning a catalyst in view of subsequent presulfurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Europeenne de Retraitement de Catalyseurs (Eurecat)
    Inventors: Herve Toulhoat, Georges Berrebi
  • Patent number: 4717468
    Abstract: An improved distillation process and apparatus are provided whereby liquid product recovery other than bottom product is maximized and feed stream heating is minimized. Inert gas streams combined with the feed stream and introduced into the distillation tower are controlled whereby feed stream heater residence time and partial pressures of feed stream components are minimized. The temperature of the combined inert gas-feed stream exiting the feed stream heater is controlled at a minimum temperature by establishing signals representative of overflash, bottom product specification and other conditions and comparing such signals whereby the signal which represents the lowest heater outlet temperature is utilized for controlling the heater operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Gary L. Funk
  • Patent number: 4717466
    Abstract: The fluidized catalytic cracking process described herein is undertaken in a first and a second riser reaction zone in which a variety of hydrocarbon conversion reactions take place, at least one stripping zone in which entrained hydrocarbon material is removed from catalyst and at least one hydrothermal catalyst regeneration zone in which spent cracking catalyst is regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Herbst, Hartley Owen, Paul H. Schipper
  • Patent number: 4717782
    Abstract: A continuous catalytic process for converting ethene-rich olefinic feedstock containing reducing gas to heavier liquid hydrocarbon product, comprising the steps ofcontacting the ethene-rich feedstock at elevated temperature in a catalytic reaction zone with a zeolite catalyst comprising a nickel-ethene oligomerization component and a shape-selective medium pore acid zeolite oligomerization component to convert at least a portion of the lower olefinic components to heavier olefinic hydrocarbons; andfeeding water with the feedstock in sufficient amount to prevent substantial reduction of the nickel component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Garwood, John D. Kushnerick, Samuel A. Tabak
  • Patent number: 4717426
    Abstract: Method by cleaning of printing ink and printing mould from the screen of a serigraphical frame (3), where the screen is cleaned with high pressure water to which has been added alkaline washing powder, to loosen the printing ink and the printing mould, thereafter flushing the screen with high pressure water to remove possible remaining printing ink and printing mould and finally to dry the cleaned screen for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Erik Brynildsen