Patents by Inventor Hye-Kyung Timken

Hye-Kyung Timken 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).

  • Patent number: 11959025
    Abstract: A continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization is provided. The process integrates refinery operations to provide an effective and efficient recycle process. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a refinery FCC unit, from which is recovered a liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture. The C3 paraffins and C3 olefins are separated into different fractions with a propane/propylene splitter. The C3 olefin fraction is passed to a propylene polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A INC.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Publication number: 20240101913
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrocracking process with a recycle loop for converting a petroleum feed to lower boiling products, which process comprises reacting a stream over a non-zeolite noble metal catalyst at a temperature of about 650° F. (343° C.) or less in a reactor positioned in the recycle loop of the hydrocracking reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Ling JIAO, Bi-Zheng ZHAN, Don BUSHEE, Theodorus Ludovicus Michael MAESEN, Hye-Kyung TIMKEN, Richard DUTTA, Jay PAREKH
  • Patent number: 11939527
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally pyrolysis wax comprising a naphtha/diesel fraction and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC feed pretreater unit. A heavy fraction is recovered and sent to a refinery FCC unit, from which a C3 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered, which is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. In another embodiment, a propane fraction (C3) is recovered from a propane/propylene splitter and passed to the steam cracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Hye-Kyung Timken, Cameron McCord
  • Publication number: 20240076555
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally pyrolysis wax comprising a naphtha/diesel fraction and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC feed pretreater unit. A heavy fraction is recovered and sent to a refinery FCC unit, from which a C3 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered, which is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. In another embodiment, a propane fraction (C3) is recovered from a propane/propylene splitter and passed to the steam cracker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Hye-Kyung Timken, Cameron McCord
  • Patent number: 11905466
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally wax comprising a naphtha/diesel and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC unit from which a liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered. The liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a refinery alkylation unit, with a propane and butane fraction recovered from the alkylation unit. The propane and butane fraction is then passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Publication number: 20230348289
    Abstract: A process of making a silica-alumina composition having improved properties is provided. The process includes (a) mixing an aqueous solution of a silicon compound and an aqueous solution of an aluminum compound and an acid, while maintaining a pH of the mixed solution in a range of 1 to 3, and obtaining an acidified silica-alumina sol; (b) adding an aqueous solution of a base precipitating agent to the acidified silica-alumina sol to a final pH in a range of 5 to 8, and co-precipitating a silica-alumina slurry, wherein the base precipitating agent is selected from ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and any combination thereof; (c) optionally, hydrothermally aging the silica-alumina slurry to form a hydrothermally aged silica-alumina slurry; and (d) recovering a precipitate solid from the silica-alumina slurry or the hydrothermally aged silica-alumina slurry, wherein the precipitate solid comprises the silica-alumina composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Kandaswamy JOTHIMURUGESAN, Hye-Kyung TIMKEN
  • Patent number: 11787701
    Abstract: A process of making a silica-alumina composition having improved properties is provided. The process includes (a) mixing an aqueous solution of a silicon compound and an aqueous solution of an aluminum compound and an acid, while maintaining a pH of the mixed solution in a range of 1 to 3, and obtaining an acidified silica-alumina sol; (b) adding an aqueous solution of a base precipitating agent to the acidified silica-alumina sol to a final pH in a range of 5 to 8, and co-precipitating a silica-alumina slurry, wherein the base precipitating agent is selected from ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and any combination thereof; (c) optionally, hydrothermally aging the silica-alumina slurry to form a hydrothermally aged silica-alumina slurry; and (d) recovering a precipitate solid from the silica-alumina slurry or the hydrothermally aged silica-alumina slurry, wherein the precipitate solid comprises the silica-alumina composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Kandaswamy Jothimurugesan, Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Patent number: 11739272
    Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. In one embodiment, the process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a crude unit distillation column in a refinery where a straight run naphtha (C5-C8) fraction or a propane/butane (C3-C4) fraction is recovered. The straight run naphtha fraction (C5-C8) or the propane/butane (C3-C4) fraction is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. The heavy fraction from the pyrolysis unit can also be passed to an isomerization dewaxing unit to produce a base oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Patent number: 11732197
    Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization or for normal alpha olefins. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a crude unit in a refinery from which is recovered a straight run naphtha fraction (C5-C8) or a propane/butane (C3-C4) fraction. The straight run naphtha fraction, or propane and butane (C3-C4) fraction, is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. The ethylene is converted to normal alpha olefin and/or polyethylene. Also, a heavy fraction from the pyrolysis reactor can be combined with a heavy fraction of normal alpha olefin stream recovered from the steam cracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Patent number: 11724972
    Abstract: Processes for the direct alkylation of ethylene with isobutane or isopentane using a highly active ionic liquid alkylation catalyst are described. Ethylene is sent to a high-temperature alkylation reactor loop, and C3, C4, and C5 olefins are routed to a low temperature alkylation reactor loop. In each reactor, the olefins are contacted with an excess of isobutane or isopentane in the presence of a highly active ionic liquid catalyst. Portions of the reactor effluent streams are fed to a common downstream catalyst separation and product fractionation sections. The remainder of the reactor effluent is recycled back to the respective alkylation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Matthew C. Cole, Dominic P. Weber, Rajeswar R. Gattupalli, Hye Kyung Timken, Huping Luo, Bong Kyu Chang, Rebecca Mudrock
  • Publication number: 20230183150
    Abstract: Processes for the direct alkylation of ethylene with isobutane or isopentane using a highly active ionic liquid alkylation catalyst are described. Ethylene is sent to a high-temperature alkylation reactor loop, and C3, C4, and C5 olefins are routed to a low temperature alkylation reactor loop. In each reactor, the olefins are contacted with an excess of isobutane or isopentane in the presence of a highly active ionic liquid catalyst. Portions of the reactor effluent streams are fed to a common downstream catalyst separation and product fractionation sections. The remainder of the reactor effluent is recycled back to the respective alkylation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew C. Cole, Dominic P. Weber, Rajeswar R. Gattupalli, Hye Kyung Timken, Huping Luo, Bong Kyu Chang, Rebecca Mudrock
  • Patent number: 11639472
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic comprising polyethylene and/or polypropylene into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene, polypropylene, or a mixture thereof, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil comprising a naphtha, diesel and heavy fractions, and char. The pyrolysis oil, or at least a fraction, is passed to a filtration/metal oxide treatment, with the treated product passed to a refinery FCC unit. A liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered from the FCC unit, as well as a C4 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction. The liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Publication number: 20230094207
    Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization or for normal alpha olefins. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a crude unit in a refinery from which is recovered a straight run naphtha fraction (C5-C8) or a propane/butane (C3-C4) fraction. The straight run naphtha fraction, or propane and butane (C3-C4) fraction, is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. The ethylene is converted to normal alpha olefin and/or polyethylene. Also, a heavy fraction from the pyrolysis reactor can be combined with a heavy fraction of normal alpha olefin stream recovered from the steam cracker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Publication number: 20230079004
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally wax comprising a naphtha/diesel and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC unit from which a liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered. The liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a refinery alkylation unit, with a propane and butane fraction recovered from the alkylation unit. The propane and butane fraction is then passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Publication number: 20230085249
    Abstract: A continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization is provided. The process integrates refinery operations to provide an effective and efficient recycle process. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a refinery FCC unit, from which is recovered a liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture. The C3 paraffins and C3 olefins are separated into different fractions with a propane/propylene splitter. The C3 olefin fraction is passed to a propylene polymerization reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Patent number: 11584890
    Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. Pyrolysis oil and wax, comprising naphtha/diesel and heavy fractions, is passed to a refinery FCC unit. A liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture is recovered from the FCC unit. The C3 paraffins and C3 olefins are separated into different fractions with the C3 olefin fraction passed to a propylene polymerization reactor, and the C3 paraffin fraction passed optionally to a dehydrogenation unit to produce additional propylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Publication number: 20230048572
    Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. In one embodiment, the process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a crude unit distillation column in a refinery where a straight run naphtha (C5-C8) fraction or a propane/butane (C3-C4) fraction is recovered. The straight run naphtha fraction (C5-C8) or the propane/butane (C3-C4) fraction is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. The heavy fraction from the pyrolysis unit can also be passed to an isomerization dewaxing unit to produce a base oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Patent number: 11566182
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally pyrolysis wax comprising a naphtha/diesel fraction and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC feed pretreater unit. A heavy fraction is recovered and sent to a refinery FCC unit, from which a C3 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered, which is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. In another embodiment, a propane fraction (C3) is recovered from a propane/propylene splitter and passed to the steam cracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Hye-Kyung Timken, Cameron McCord
  • Patent number: 11518944
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally wax comprising a naphtha/diesel and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC unit from which a liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered. The liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a refinery alkylation unit, with a propane and butane fraction recovered from the alkylation unit. The propane and butane fraction is then passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Patent number: 11518945
    Abstract: A continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization is provided. The process integrates refinery operations to provide an effective and efficient recycle process. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a refinery FCC unit, from which is recovered a liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture. The C3 paraffins and C3 olefins are separated into different fractions with a propane/propylene splitter. The C3 olefin fraction is passed to a propylene polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Hye-Kyung Timken