Patents by Inventor Christopher P. Nicholas

Christopher P. Nicholas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A DIESEL FUEL BY OLIGOMERIZATION
    Publication number: 20170240821
    Abstract: Processes for oligomerizing olefins to produce diesel. The oligomerization zone temperature is controlled to counteract catalyst deactivation caused by coking, by contaminants such as cyclo C5 and/or cyclo C6 hydrocarbons, or both. The temperature is increased in increments to ensure that that the oligomerization zone is producing product at a target product yield with a target product quality, which may be measured by a product cetane number. The target product yield is at least 50 wt % and a target product cetane number may be at least 35.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Zhihao Fei, Steven L. Krupa, Hosoo Lim, Charles P. Luebke, Robert Mehlberg, Christopher P. Nicholas, Lisa M. Wolschlag
  • System and method for employing model repository
    Patent number: 9734267
    Abstract: Model metadata for each of a plurality of models is stored. The model metadata includes a statistical analysis technique identifier and one or more model input data identifiers. A request to execute a model is received. The request includes data identifying one of the plurality of models, and a model execution start date and end date. On the model execution start date, execution of the model associated with the model execution request is commenced. Outputs of the executed model are stored in a database. The outputs are associated with a model instance identifier, information describing a context for execution of the model, and model output type information. The outputs are retrieved, using the model instance identifier, for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
    Inventors: Shannon Terry, Christopher P. Nicholas, Benjamin A. Ogorek
  • Process for oligomerization of gasoline to make diesel
    Patent number: 9732285
    Abstract: A first oligomerization stream is oligomerized over a first catalyst in a first oligomerization reactor zone to make oligomerate. An oligomerate stream is separated to provide a heavy oligomerate boiling in the diesel range and a second oligomerization feed stream. The latter is fed to a second oligomerization reactor zone with a second different catalyst to produce the heavy oligomerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Krupa, Christopher P. Nicholas, Todd M. Kruse, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Process for oligomerizing and cracking to make propylene and aromatics
    Patent number: 9670425
    Abstract: A process sends at least a portion of an oligomerization feed to a first oligomerization reactor zone that includes a zeolite or a SPA catalyst and another portion of the same feed to a second oligomerization reactor zone that includes an amorphous silica alumina catalyst. The first oligomerization reactor zone makes aliphatic olefins that can be cracked to propylene and the second oligomerization reactor zone makes cyclic molecules that can be converted to aromatics in an FCC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Todd M. Kruse
  • Process for making diesel by oligomerization of gasoline
    Patent number: 9663415
    Abstract: Recycle of a stream comprising C8 oligomers to an oligomerization zone to be oligomerized with C4 olefins can produce diesel range oligomers. A diesel stream can be separated from a gasoline stream which can be recycled to the oligomerization zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Steven L. Krupa, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Todd M. Kruse
  • Composition of oligomerate
    Patent number: 9644159
    Abstract: An olefinic composition has a moderate concentration of Type 2 C8 olefins. The oligomerate composition has hydrocarbon molecules with minimal branching which make excellent diesel and can also be readily cracked to propylene. Consequently, oligomerate product can be sent to the diesel pool or fed or recycled to an FCC unit to increase production of propylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Wayne E. Rathbun, Todd M. Kruse, Hung A. Pham
  • ORGANO-1-OXA-4-AZONIUM CYCLOHEXANE COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20170044120
    Abstract: Novel 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salts are described. These compounds can be used as structure directing agents, and they overcome many of the typical problems associated with OSDA synthesis and subsequent zeolite synthesis. Methods for synthesis of the 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salts from a variety of starting materials are also described. A substituted hydrocarbon is added to water to form a mixture, and a 1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane derivative is then added. The reaction mixture stirred until a solution containing the 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salt is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Mark A. Miller, Melissa M. Galey, Benjamin D. Yuhas, Sesh Prabhakar
  • Process for oligomerizing light olefins including pentenes
    Patent number: 9567267
    Abstract: A process provides oligomerization feed stream comprising C5 hydrocarbons and olefins along with C4 olefins to an oligomerization zone. The oligomerization feed stream may be obtained from cracked FCC products. Unreacted C5 hydrocarbons can be recycled to the oligomerization zone to maintain the liquid phase therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Christian D. Freet, Steven L. Krupa, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Todd M. Kruse
  • Jet-range hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 9567541
    Abstract: A jet-range hydrocarbon product includes a mixture of paraffins. The mixture exhibits a freeze point of less than or equal to about ?70° C., a 95% distillation point of greater than or equal to about 275° C., and a smooth boiling point curve that is characterized as having no intervals of the boiling point curve having a slope that is steeper than 4° C./mass % as defined by ASTM standard D2887 between mass recovered ranges of about 20% to about 80%. The steepness of the boiling point curve slope is calculated over any 10 mass % increments within the specified mass % ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stanley Joseph Frey, Geoffrey William Fichtl, Paul Barger, Scott M. Roney, Christopher P. Nicholas
  • Apparatus for fluid catalytic cracking oligomerate
    Patent number: 9522375
    Abstract: Distillate cracks to propylene more readily than VGO. Additionally, less branched hydrocarbons crack to propylene more readily than more branched hydrocarbons. Oligomerization to diesel range oligomers followed by catalytic cracking with less branched oligomers can provide more propylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Christian D. Freet, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Todd M. Kruse
  • Organo-1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane compounds
    Patent number: 9522896
    Abstract: Novel 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salts are described. These compounds can be used as structure directing agents, and they overcome many of the typical problems associated with OSDA synthesis and subsequent zeolite synthesis. Methods for synthesis of the 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salts from a variety of starting materials are also described. A substituted hydrocarbon is added to water to form a mixture, and a 1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane derivative is then added. The reaction mixture stirred until a solution containing the 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salt is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Mark A. Miller, Melissa M. Galey, Benjamin D. Yuhas, Sesh Prabhakar
  • Apparatus for oligomerizing light olefins
    Patent number: 9522373
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for switching oligomerization feed between a first oligomerization zone that includes a uni-dimensional small pore zeolite to make more diesel and a second oligomerization zone that includes SPA catalyst for making more gasoline. The diesel can be recycled to make more propylene. The process and apparatus will provide refiners with flexibility to produce the most valuable product commensurate with fluctuating market conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Christian D. Freet, Steven L. Krupa, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Todd M. Kruse
  • System and method for employing model repository
    Patent number: 9483589
    Abstract: Model metadata for each of a plurality of models is stored. The model metadata includes a statistical analysis technique identifier and one or more model input data identifiers. A request to execute a model is received. The request includes data identifying one of the plurality of models, and a model execution start date and end date. On the model execution start date, execution of the model associated with the model execution request is commenced. Outputs of the executed model are stored in a database. The outputs are associated with a model instance identifier, information describing a context for execution of the model, and model output type information. The outputs are retrieved, using the model instance identifier, for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
    Inventors: Shannon Terry, Christopher P. Nicholas, Benjamin A. Ogorek
  • PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JET-RANGE HYDROCARBONS
    Publication number: 20160312133
    Abstract: A method for producing jet-range hydrocarbons includes passing a renewable olefin feedstock comprising C3 to C8 olefins to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to produce an oligomerized effluent, separating the oligomerized effluent into at least a C7? hydrocarbon stream, a heavy olefin stream, and a jet range olefin stream. At least a portion of the heavy olefin stream is recycled to the oligomerization reactor to dilute the renewable C4 olefin feedstock. The jet range olefin stream may be hydrotreated and separated to provide a jet range hydrocarbon product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Fichtl, Charles P. Luebke, Christopher P. Nicholas, Dana K. Sullivan
  • PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JET-RANGE HYDROCARBONS
    Publication number: 20160312134
    Abstract: A method for producing jet-range hydrocarbons includes passing a renewable olefin feedstock comprising C3 to C8 olefins to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to produce an oligomerized effluent, separating the oligomerized effluent into at least a light stream, and a heavy olefin stream. At least a first portion of the heavy olefin stream is recycled to the oligomerization reactor to dilute the renewable olefin feedstock. portion of heavy olefin stream may be hydrogenated and separated to provide a jet range hydrocarbon product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Fichtl, Stanley J. Frey, Charles P. Luebke, Christopher P. Nicholas, Dana K. Sullivan
  • Process for making diesel by oligomerization
    Patent number: 9441173
    Abstract: Disclosed is that by oligomerizing C4 olefins over a uni-dimensional 10-ring pore structured zeolite catalyst, at least 70 wt % oligomers having at least 9 carbons can be produced in a single pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Steven L. Krupa, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Todd M. Kruse
  • ORGANO-1-OXA-4-AZONIUM CYCLOHEXANE COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20160159760
    Abstract: Novel 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salts are described. These compounds can be used as structure directing agents, and they overcome many of the typical problems associated with OSDA synthesis and subsequent zeolite synthesis. Methods for synthesis of the 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salts from a variety of starting materials are also described. A substituted hydrocarbon is added to water to form a mixture, and a 1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane derivative is then added. The reaction mixture stirred until a solution containing the 1-oxa-4-azonium cyclohexane salt is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Mark A. Miller, Melissa M. Galey, Benjamin D. Yuhas, Sesh Prabhakar
  • METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY HYDROGENATING SUBSTITUTED ARENES WITH SUPPORTED ORGANOMETALLIC CATALYSTS
    Publication number: 20160159709
    Abstract: Methods for selectively hydrogenating substituted arenes with a supported organometallic hydrogenating catalyst are provided. An exemplary method includes contacting a substituted arene-containing reaction stream with hydrogen in the presence of a supported organometallic hydrogenating catalyst under reaction conditions effective to selectively hydrogenate the substituted arenes to the cis isomer with high selectivity. In this method, the supported organometallic hydrogenating catalyst includes a catalytically active organometallic species and a Brønsted acidic sulfated metal oxide support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Massimiliano Delferro, Madelyn Marie Stalzer, Christopher P. Nicholas, Tobin Jay Marks, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • ALUMINOPHOSPHATE MOLECULAR SIEVES USING AN ORGANO-1-OXA-4-AZONIUMCYCLOHEXANE COMPOUND
    Publication number: 20160159656
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing an aluminophosphate based molecular sieve is described. The method may include the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous mixture comprising water, a substituted hydrocarbon, and a 1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane derivative; (b) reacting the aqueous mixture; (c) obtaining a solution comprising an organo-1-oxa-4-azoniumcyclohexane compound; (d) forming a reaction mixture comprising reactive sources of Al, and P, and the solution; and (e) heating the reaction mixture to form the molecular sieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Yuhas, Christopher P. Nicholas, Mark A. Miller, Melissa M. Galey
  • ZEOLITES USING AN ORGANO-1-OXA-4-AZONIUMCYCLOHEXANE COMPOUND
    Publication number: 20160159655
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing a zeolite is described. The method may include the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous mixture comprising water, a substituted hydrocarbon, and a 1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane derivative; (b) reacting the aqueous mixture; (c) obtaining a solution comprising an organo-1-oxa-4-azoniumcyclohexane compound; (d)) forming a reaction mixture comprising reactive sources of Al, and Si, and the solution; and (e) heating the reaction mixture to form the zeolite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Mark A. Miller, Melissa M. Galey