Patents by Inventor Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.

Lawrence A. Smith, Jr. 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: 5792891
    Abstract: An alkene skeletal isomerization process is employed in an integrated process for the production of tertiary ether, e.g., tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) from the reaction of isoamylenes (iC.sub.5.sup.= 's) with methanol in the presence of an acid cation exchange resin. A light naphtha from a fluid catalytic cracking unit is used as the source of the iC.sub.5.sup.= 's in a process which separates the C.sub.5 containing fraction from the light naphtha, selectively hydrogenates the di-olefins contained in the C.sub.5 containing fraction, reacts the iC.sub.5.sup.= 's contained in the C.sub.5 containing fraction with methanol to form TAME, separates the TAME from the unreacted materials as a product, separates methanol from the unreacted materials, isomerizes a portion of the nC.sub.5.sup.= 's to iC.sub.5.sup.= 's , for example using a zeolite or an alumina treated with methanol, and use of the isomerization product as feed for a TAME reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: John R. Adams, Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Dennis Hearn, Edward M. Jones, Jr., Robert P. Arganbright
  • Patent number: 5756872
    Abstract: A process wherein an FCCU off gas is treated by first subjecting the off gas to an alkylation with a heavy reformat to remove the propylene and contaminants after which the gas is separated from the reformat and alkylated products by distillation to produce an ethylene feed suitable for the reaction with benzene to produce ethyl benzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., John R. Adams
  • Patent number: 5622620
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an apparatus for treating fountain solution which comprises a recirculation assembly and a microporous filter assembly. The recirculation assembly is connected between the outlet and inlet of a fountain solution tray of a printing system. The recirculation assembly includes a fountain solution sump and a return line which extends from the outlet of the fountain solution tray to the sump. The microporous filter assembly is positioned in the sump or in the return line and includes a filter position across a fountain solution flow path. A pressure sensitive device is cooperatively arranged with the filter to bypass the filter in response to a predetermined pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: PALL Corporation
    Inventors: Sean G. Meenan, Richard C. Stoyell, Jr., Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5476978
    Abstract: Ethyl benzene is produced in a catalyst bed under 0.25 to 50 atmospheres of pressure and at temperatures in the range of 50.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., using as the catalyst a mole sieve characterized as acidic by feeding ethylene to the catalyst bed while benzene is conveniently added through the reflux to result in a molar excess present in the reactor to that required to react with ethylene, thereby reacting substantially all of the ethylene and recovering benzene as the principal overhead and ethyl benzene and diethyl benzene in the bottoms. The bottoms are fractionated, the ethyl benzene recovered and the bottoms are contacted with benzene in the liquid phase in a fixed bed straight pass reactor under conditions to transalkylate the benzene thereby converting most of the diethyl benzene to ethyl benzene which is again separated and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Robert P. Arganbright, Dennis Hearn
  • Patent number: 5446223
    Abstract: The aging rate of the catalyst in a process for the concurrent alkylation of aromatic with olefin and distillation of reaction components (reactants and products) in a distillation column reactor in a catalyst bed wherein the catalyst also serves as the distillation structure, is retarded by limiting the conversion of olefin in the catalyst bed to about 90 percent. A portion up to and including the entire unreacted aromatic and olefin in the overhead from the distillation column reactor are condensed and fed to a fixed bed alkylation reactor to substantially finish the conversion with a portion of the effluent from the fixed bed reactor recycled thereto to control the olefin content in the fixed bed reactor inlet to less than one volume percent, preferably less than 0.50 volume percent and thereby reduce the aging in that catalyst. A fixed bed transalkylation reactor is used to convert the polysubstituted alkylated aromatic products to mono-substituted alkylated aromatic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5345006
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a catalytic distillation process is provided which allows for maintaining a liquid level in selected portions of the catalyst bed. Three particular processes disclosed are the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol and cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5321181
    Abstract: Aromatic compounds are alkylated in a catalytic distillation, wherein the catalyst structure also serves as a distillation component by contacting the aromatic compound with a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 olefin in the catalyst bed under 0.25 to 50 atmospheres of pressure and at temperatures in the range of 80.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., using as the catalyst a mole sieve characterized as acidic or an acidic cation exchange resin. For example, ethyl benzene is produced by feeding ethylene below the catalyst bed while benzene is conveniently added through the reflux in molar excess to that required to react with ethylene, thereby reacting substantially all of the ethylene and recovering benzene as the principal overhead and ethyl benzene in the bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Robert P. Arganbright, Dennis Hearn
  • Patent number: 5313005
    Abstract: A process for the etherification of isoolefins with alcohols is provided wherein the reaction occurs simultaneously with separation of the ether product and reactants. To assure proper alcohol concentration in a catalytic distillation column, the oxygen concentration derived from alcohol is measured at a point below the catalyst bed and controlled to that which maximizes ether production while preventing alcohol from leaving the reactor with ether product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Edward M. Jones, Jr., Henry J. Semerak
  • Patent number: 5262012
    Abstract: A catalytic distillation system is provided having a first component which is a particulate catalyst useful for carrying out the desired chemical reaction and a second component which is a hollow geometric shape having openings through the outer surface to allow gas and liquid to pass therethrough. The two components are mixed to provide the desired open space and loaded into a distillation column reactor. The hollow geometric shapes provides the spacing, while the openings permit the gas and liquid to flow through, thus providing the requisite vapor liquid contact space and surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5262576
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a catalytic distillation process is provided which allows for maintaining a liquid level in selected portions of the catalyst bed. Three particular processes disclosed are the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol and cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5243115
    Abstract: Aromatic compounds are alkylated in a catalytic distillation, wherein the catalyst structure also serves as a distillation component by contacting the aromatic compound with a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 olefin in the catalyst bed under 0.25 to 50 atmospheres of pressure and at temperatures in the range of 80.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., using as the catalyst a mole sieve characterized as acidic or an acidic cation exchange resin. For example, ethyl benzene is produced by feeding ethylene to about the mid point of the catalyst bed while benzene is conveniently added through the reflux in molar excess to that required to react with ethylene, thereby reacting substantially all of the ethylene and recovering benzene as the principal overhead and ethyl benzene in the bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Robert P. Arganbright, Dennis Hearn
  • Patent number: 5221441
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a catalytic distillation process is provided which allows for maintaining a liquid level in selected portions of the catalyst bed. Three particular processes disclosed are the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol and cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5204064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a catalytic distillation process is provided which allows for maintaining a liquid level in selected portions of the catalyst bed. Three particular processes disclosed are the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol and cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5190730
    Abstract: A liquid phase process for oligomerization of C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 isoolefins or the etherification thereof with C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alcohols wherein the reactants are contacted in a reactor with a fixed bed acid cation exchange resin catalyst at an LHSV of 5 to 20, pressure of 0 to 400 psig and temperature of 120.degree. to 300.degree. F. Wherein the improvement is the operation of the reactor at a pressure to maintain the reaction mixture at its boiling point whereby at least a portion but less than all of the reaction mixture is vaporized. By operating at the boiling point and allowing a portion of the reaction mixture to vaporize, the exothermic heat of reaction is dissipated by the formation of more boil up and the temperature in the reactor is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Dennis Hearn, Edward M. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5176883
    Abstract: Aromatic compounds are alkylated in a combination reactor/distillation column comprising a vessel suitable for operating between 70.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. and from 0.5 to 20 atmospheres pressure; an inert distillation packing in the lower one-third of said vessel; solid acidic catalytic material such as zeolites or an acidic cation exchange resin supported in the middle one-third of said vessel; and inert distillation packing in the upper one-third of said vessel. A benzene inlet is located near the upper end of the vessel; an olefin inlet is juxtaposed with said solid acidic catalytic material; a bottoms outlet is positioned near the bottom of said vessel for removing said cumene and ethyl benzene; and an overhead outlet is placed at the top of said vessel for removing any unreacted benzene and olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Robert P. Arganbright, Dennis Hearn
  • Patent number: 5177289
    Abstract: A liquid phase process for oligomerization of C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 isoolefins or the etherification thereof with C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alcohols wherein the reactants are contacted in a reactor with a fixed bed acid cation exchange resin catalyst at an LHSV of 5 to 20, pressure of 0 to 400 psig and temperature of 120.degree. to 300.degree. F. wherein the improvement is the operation of the reactor at a pressure to maintain the reaction mixture at its boiling point whereby at least a portion but less than all of the reaction mixture is vaporized. By operating at the boiling point and allowing a portion of the reaction mixture to vaporize, the exothermic heat of reaction is dissipated by the formation of more boil up and the temperature in the reactor is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Smith, Jr., Dennis Hearn, Edward M. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5122236
    Abstract: A process for removing dimethyl ether (DME) and methanol impurities from C.sub.4 hydrocarbon stream without substantial loss of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons by fractionating a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon stream containing DME and methanol at low levels, e.g., less than 5 wt. % to produce an overhead of about 20 to 40 volume % of the C.sub.4 stream, condensing the overhead, contacting the condensed overhead with about 1 to 5 volumes of water, thereby removing a portion of the DME and methanol from the C.sub.4 stream, returning substantially all of the C.sub.4 stream, except the small amount solubilized in the water, to the fractionation and flashing the solubilized DME and hydrocarbons from the water. The fractionation and extraction are preferably carried out at elevated pressures, e.g., 200 to 300 psig to avoid refrigeration of the overhead condensation. The flashing of the DME and hydrocarbons is carried out by reducing the pressure on the water, e.g. atmospheric pressure at a temperature in the range of 20.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Edward M. Jones, Jr., Dennis Hearn
  • Patent number: 5120403
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a catalytic distillation process is provided which allows for maintaining a liquid level in selected portions of the catalyst bed. Three particular processes disclosed are the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol and cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5118872
    Abstract: There is provided a new process for conducting heterogeneous chemical reactions in which a particulate catalyst is slurried in one of the reactant streams and fed into a distillation column reactor in a distillation reaction zone. The distillation reaction zone contains inert packing which provides the distillation structure for separation. The slurried catalyst trickles downward through the inert packing and is removed with the bottoms and separated therefrom for regeneration or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., John R. Adams
  • Patent number: 5118873
    Abstract: A process is provided for etherification of essentially pure IC.sub.4.sup.= with MeOH to form MTBE in a distillation column reactor containing a fixed bed acid cation exchange resin as a catalytic distillation structure in an a distillation reaction zone. An inert C.sub.4 hydrocarbon is initially fed to the distillation column reactor to act as a diluent and a heat sink which boils at the desired temperature range for the reaction. Additionally the inert C.sub.4 diluent acts as an azeotroping agent for the MeOH in the lower end of the column carrying more of the MeOH back up into the reaction distillation zone. After start up and circulation the inert C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feed is stopped and that in the system is retained therein by total reflux of the overheads and judicious operation of the lower portion of the distillation column reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.