Patents Examined by William C. Diemler
  • Patent number: 5026482
    Abstract: The present invention is a concentration swing adsorption process for separating a liquid phase feedstock comprising a more adsorbable component (A) and a less adsorbable component (B) with respect to an adsorbent. The process is operated in a system comprising a single or a plurality of adsorption columns containing the adsorbent which are operated in cycle in a predetermined sequence. The following operational steps are performed in the order recited in each of the adsorption columns in its turn. Feedstock is passed through the adsorbent and the more adsorbable component (A) is selectively adsorbed while a stream enriched in component (B) is discharged from the adsorption column. The adsorbent is rinsed in a direction co-current to the feedstock with the more adsorbable component (A) whereby the less adsorbable component (B) is displaced from the adsorbent and a stream comprising a mixture of the more adsorbable component (A) and the less adsorbable component (B) is withdrawn from the adsorption column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Shivaji Sircar
  • Patent number: 5017282
    Abstract: A process for the single-step coal liquefaction is disclosed, which comprises reacting coal in an aqueous suspension with carbon monoxide in the presence of a CO-conversion catalyst selected from the group consisting of an alkaline hydroxide and a carbonate, and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst selected from the group consisting of transition metals and compounds thereof, by operating at temperatures within the range of from 300.degree. to 450.degree. C. for a reaction time within the range of from 30 to 80 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Eniricerche, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Delbianco, Ermanno Girardi
  • Patent number: 5017280
    Abstract: A process for removing S and Fe and to reclaim V, Ni and Co from coal or oil and their derivatives or from minerals. The process is based upon an oxidative extraction performed with hypochlorous acid (HC10) whose oxidizing power is generated and regulated "in situ". The process is particularly applicable to the recovery of V from residual flexi-coke and to the recovery of Ni from coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Laboratorios Paris, C.A.
    Inventor: Lucinda C. Paris-Marcano
  • Patent number: 5012034
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for extracting styrene from a styrene-containing hydrocarbon feedstock by:(a) reacting the feedstock with an anthracene at a temperature ranging of from about 175.degree. to about 275.degree. C. to form a styrene adduct with anthracene,(b) separating the adduct from the feedstock,(c) heating the separated adduct at a temperature of from between about 250.degree. to about 450.degree. C. to produce anthracene and styrene, and(d) individually separating styrene and anthracene from the mixture formed in step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: David A. Weingaertner, Lynn H. Slaugh
  • Patent number: 4994172
    Abstract: A process for preparing a pipelineable oil from a heavy crude oil by thermally treating the oil in the absence of added hydrogen, and under sufficiently severe conditions to induce the formation of an upgraded, low viscosity oil phase and a liquid asphalt phase that contains dispersed coke. The reaction is conducted under pressure sufficient to retain in the reactor most of the normally liquid hydrocarbons, under which conditions the two phases are readily separated and recovered solely by gravity settling. The process is readily adapted to oil field use with skid mounted units. The severity is adjusted to provide sufficient asphalt which, when burned, furnishes the steam required for production of the heavy crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Lillian A. Rankel, Tsoung-Yuan Yan
  • Patent number: 4994174
    Abstract: A process and system for low-temperature carbonization of oil shale, oil sands and similar oil-bearing solids includes low-temperature carbonization of oil-bearing solids in a high-pressure fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a substance selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and steam at temperatures substantially between 400.degree.and 600.degree. C. for producing low-temperature carbonization gas. The low-temperature carbonization gas is condensed in at least two stages for producing relatively higher boiling and relatively lower boiling oil fractions. The oil-bearing solids are peripherally mashed with the higher boiling oil fraction of the low-temperature carbonization gas, before introducing the oil-bearing solids into the high-pressure fluidized bed reactor. The oil-bearing solids mashed with the higher boiling oil fraction are returned to the high-pressure fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konrad Kunstle, Gerd Brunner, Jurgen Hoffmann, Till Dehrmann
  • Patent number: 4983279
    Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of a liquid hydrocarbon-containing charge material, comprising the steps of: (i) supplying a high temperature high pressure liquid phase hydrogenation reactor with two separately and indirectly heated charge streams, (a) a primary charge stream comprising liquid hydrocarbon oils, oil residues, syncrudes, tars or pitches and optionally coal, and hydrogen-containing gas, and (b) a directly heated secondary gaseous charge stream comprising hydrogen-containing gas, and combining said indirectly heated primary charge stream and said indirectly and directly heated secondary charge stream prior to said liquid phase hydrogenation reactor, hydrogenating the combined streams to produce a hydrogenation product and separating the hydrogenation product in a hot separator to give a hot separator head product; wherein said indirectly heated primary and secondary charge streams are heated by separate heat exchange means by heat exchange with said hot separator head product, and said secondary
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Veba Oel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfdieter Klein, Claus Strecker, Alfons Feuchthofen, Ulrich Boenisch
  • Patent number: 4982051
    Abstract: A furfural-containing middle distillate stream is separated by use of a polyethyleneimine membrane which has been cross-linked with a polyisocyanate or a poly(carbonyl chloride) cross-linking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Mordechai Pasternak, John Reale, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4980046
    Abstract: A hydrotreating process uses a separation section that reduces the loss of C.sub.5 and higher hydrocarbons through the use of a low hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio in the reactor and the adsorptive removal of a majority of hydrogen sulfide from a liquid phase hydrotreater effluent. Sulfurous hydrocarbon feed is admixed with hydrogen to maintain a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio of less than 50 SCFB. The hydrogen and hydrocarbons are passed through a hydrotreater reactor to convert sulfur compounds to H.sub.2 S. The hydrotreater effluent is cooled and after flashing of any excess hydrogen or light ends the cooled effluent is contacted with an adsorbent material for the removal of H.sub.2 S. A hydrotreated hydrocarbon product is withdrawn from the adsorption section. The low hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio permits the process to be used without the recycle of hydrogen thereby eliminating the need for separators and compressors that were formerly used to recycle hydrogen to the hydrotreater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Andrew S. Zarchy, Martin F. Symoniak, Robert S. Haizmann
  • Patent number: 4968414
    Abstract: A process for the single-step coal liquefaction is disclosed, which comprises reacting the coal in an aqueous suspension with carbon monoxide in the presence of a CO-conversion catalyst selected from an alkaline hydroxide or carbonate, wherein the reaction takes place at a temperature maintained for a time of up to about 20 minutes equal to a value selected within the range of from about 300.degree. to 370.degree. C., and then is increased over a time within the range of from about 20 to 40 minutes, until a temperature value is reached, within the range of from about 420.degree. to 450.degree. C. and is kept constant for a time of up to about 20 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Eniricerche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Delbianco, Ermanno Girardi
  • Patent number: 4962271
    Abstract: Membrane separation under perstraction conditions of a lube oil distillate is disclosed which produces a retentate rich in non-aromatics hydrocarbons and alkyl aromatic and a permeate rich in multi-ring aromatics. The recovered retentate is similar to a solvent extracted raffinate but possesses a higher concentration of alkyl-single ring aromatics. The membrane separation process is highly selective for removing multi-ring aromatics from the lube distillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Laura E. Black, Robert C. Schucker
  • Patent number: 4962274
    Abstract: A process for the separation of an alkyl-substituted naphthalene from a mixture containing the desired alkyl-substituted naphthalene and at least one isomer thereof comprises placing 9,9'-bianthracene in contact with the mixture to form a clathrate complex of the formula ##STR1## wherein A represents 2-methylnaphthalene, 2-isopropyl-naphthalene of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene, collecting the clathrate complex by filtration, subjecting the clathrate complex to thermal decomposition, and then recovering the alkyl-substituted naphthalene derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Kureha Kagaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Fumio Toda
  • Patent number: 4962275
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of a desired product from a supritical fluid extraction solution employ a restrictor nozzle, a coarse-pore sintered-glass enclosure member and a collecting means for collecting an oil suspension of the desired product. The supercritical fluid extraction solution is decompressed by passing through the restrictor nozzle. The resulting decompressed fluid stream is directed at the enclosure member which is saturated with an oil in which the desired product is soluble. Solutes including the desired product are dissolved in the oil, and the oil is collected. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for use in separating .beta.-carotene from a carbon dioxide solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bruno
  • Patent number: 4952304
    Abstract: A process for the removal of contaminating residues of a homogeneous catalyst comprising a hydrocarbon soluble compound of a transition metal from Group VIII of the Periodic Table and a metal alkyl or alkyl halide cocatalyst from a liquid hydrocarbon reaction product comprises treating the contaminated product with an aqueous solution of a silicate, borate or carbonate and separating and recovering the hydrocarbon phase.Residues of oligomerization catalysts, polymerization catalysts and hydrogenation catalysts are removable by this process, especially nickel, cobalt, iron, aluminium and halogen residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Enichem Elastomers Ltd.
    Inventor: Donald G. Timms
  • Patent number: 4952302
    Abstract: A vapor/liquid separator and liquid distributor which is especially suitable for small catalytic hydrodewaxing reactors is disclosed. A mixed phase stream is discharged into a V/L separator above a vessel. A liquid level is maintained in the V/L separator using a liquid level controller. Preferably the liquid is filtered, then passed through a spray nozzle for distribution over a fixed bed of contact material in the vessel, e.g., catalyst. The vapor phase from the V/L separator is added to the top of the reactor. The process and apparatus is especially useful in catalytic hydrodewaxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Lyle A. Leach
  • Patent number: 4950834
    Abstract: Cumene is produced in a catalytic distillation column reactor having an upper bed of Omega type molecular sieve catalyst and a lower bed of Y type molecular sieve catalyst. Benzene and propylene are reacted in the upper bed where the Omega type sieve is more selective to cumene that the Y type sieve. Part of the reaction mixture flows down the column to the Y bed where benzene reacts with any unreacted propylene to produce cumene. Additionally, benzene reacts with dipropylbenzene in the Y bed to produce more cumene. Cumene is recovered as bottoms product and unreacted benzene recovered as overheads where it may be returned as reflux to the column to control the mole ratio of benzene to propylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventors: Robert P. Arganbright, Dennis Hearn
  • Patent number: 4940832
    Abstract: A process for separating 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene from a 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene-containing mixture which comprises mixing said mixture with a complexing agent selected from the group consisting of bis(1,2,5)thiaziazolotetracyanoquinodimethane, (1,2,5)selenadiazotetrocyanonaphthoquinodimethane, (1,2,5)thiaziazolotetracyanonaphthoquinodimethane, 2,6-dichlorotetracyanoanthraquinodimethene, and 2,6-diiodotetracyanoanthraquinodimethane to thereby form a complex, separating a solid matter containing said complex; and decomposing the solid matter containing the same to thereby separate and collect an oil rich in the 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene. According to this process, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene can be readily separated at a high selectivity. Further the complexing agent can be readily recovered and reused as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignees: Tsutomu Miyashi, Mitsubishi Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Miyashi, Yoshiro Yamashita, Takanori Suzuki, Hiroshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 4931161
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrocarbons from oily wastes. According to the process, the oily wastes are mixed with solids and a binder and then granulated. The granules thus formed are contacted with solvent to extract hydrocarbons from the granules. Preferred solids include limestone and preferred binders include portland cement calcium sulfate and/or calcium sulfate hydrate such as plaster of Paris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Parameshwaran S. Sundar