Patents by Inventor Lawrence W. Miller
Lawrence W. Miller 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).
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Publication number: 20240099790Abstract: A method for a robotic surgical system includes displaying a graphical user interface on a display to a user, wherein the graphical user interface includes a plurality of reconfigurable display panels, receiving a user input at one or more user input devices, wherein the user input indicates a selection of at least one software application relating to the robotic surgical system, and rendering content from the at least one selected software application among the plurality of reconfigurable display panels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Eric Mark Johnson, Emma Essock-Burns, Lawrence Edward Miller, Francois W. Brahic
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Publication number: 20140260419Abstract: A portion of the overhead vapor from a distillation column is used to heat a process stream. The temperature and flow rate of the stream out of a heat exchanger are controlled so that the vapor is condensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Paul C. Steacy, Lawrence W. Miller, Thuy T. Vu
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Patent number: 8227367Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process for making olefin(s) using a molecular sieve catalyst composition. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for converting a feedstock comprising an oxygenate in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition, wherein the air feed to the catalyst regenerator is free of or substantially free of metal salts. The air feed is first cooled to remove water and then washed with water to remove essentially all salts from said air feed. The water removed in the cooling step is preferably recirculated to wash the salts from the air feed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Lawrence W. Miller
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Patent number: 8062599Abstract: A catalyst cooled is employed for converting oxygenates to light olefins. The catalyst becomes spent as deposits from the reaction clog up pores on the catalyst surface. A portion of the spent catalyst is regenerated in a regenerator and a portion is circulated back to contact more of the oxygenate feedstream. A catalyst cooler attached to the reactor can cool the spent catalyst circulated through the cooler before the spent catalyst contacts more of the oxygenate feedstream. In an embodiment, all of the spent catalyst that enters the catalyst cooler is withdrawn from the bottom of the catalyst cooler.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Lawrence W. Miller
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Patent number: 7935650Abstract: The present invention provides a process for separating and disposing of catalyst in an oxygenate to olefins reaction system. Oxygenates are converted to olefins in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst having carbonaceous deposits, then effluent stream comprising the olefins is removed from the reactor. This effluent stream is entrained with a portion of the catalyst having carbonaceous deposits. The catalyst is separated from the effluent stream by contacting the effluent stream with a neutralized liquid quench medium to produce a catalyst containing stream. The carbonaceous deposits are incinerated and then the catalyst is recirculated to the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Jason T. Corradi, Lawrence W. Miller
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Publication number: 20100028224Abstract: A process of converting oxygenates to light olefins is disclosed including an oxygenate feedstream with contacting catalyst inside a reactor and converting the oxygenate feedstream to said light olefins. The catalyst becomes spent as deposits from the reaction clog up pores on the catalyst surface. A portion of the spent catalyst is regenerated in a regenerator and a portion is circulated back to contact more of the oxygenate feedstream. A catalyst cooler attached to the reactor can cool the spent catalyst circulated through the cooler before the spent catalyst contacts more of the oxygenate feedstream. In an embodiment, all of the spent catalyst that enters the catalyst cooler is withdrawn from the bottom of the catalyst cooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventor: Lawrence W. Miller
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Patent number: 7575725Abstract: An apparatus for controlling space velocity in a fluidized catalytic conversion reactor is described. The catalyst flux rate can be adjusted during the process of the reaction to adjust the space velocity and maintain a fast fluidized flow regime therein. The set parameter in the reactor may be pressure drop which is proportional to catalyst density.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: David A. Lomas, Lawrence W. Miller
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Patent number: 7439414Abstract: Improved processing of spent catalyst from an oxygenate-containing feedstock to olefins conversion process is realized through the employment of a barrier filter to treat a catalyst particle-containing flue gas resulting from a catalyst regenerator. The barrier filter serves to separate the catalyst particles from the flue gas. Catalyst material so recovered can, with or without classifying, subsequently be appropriately recycled and further used.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Lawrence W. Miller, John J. Senetar
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Publication number: 20080161616Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements for the production of olefins and, more particularly, for the production of light olefins from an oxygenate-containing feedstock are provided. Such processing schemes and arrangements offer improved energy utilization, additional light olefin products, and provide efficient uses for product water.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventor: Lawrence W. Miller
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Publication number: 20080146434Abstract: The present invention provides a process for separating and disposing of catalyst in an oxygenate to olefins reaction system. Oxygenates are converted to olefins in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst having carbonaceous deposits, then effluent stream comprising the olefins is removed from the reactor. This effluent stream is entrained with a portion of the catalyst having carbonaceous deposits. The catalyst is separated from the effluent stream by contacting the effluent stream with a neutralized liquid quench medium to produce a catalyst containing stream. Then, the catalyst is recirculated to the reactor with catalyst fines removed for disposal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Jason T. Corradi, Lawrence W. Miller
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Publication number: 20080039670Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for producing light olefins from an oxygenate-containing feedstock and using methanol-water mixtures to recover oxygenates such as for further processing to form additional light olefins.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Lawrence W. Miller, Sterling T. Miller, Andrea A. Bozzano
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Patent number: 7169293Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for controlling space velocity in a fluidized catalytic conversion reactor. The catalyst flux rate can be adjusted during the process of the reaction to adjust the space velocity and maintain a fast fluidized flow regime therein. The set parameter in the reactor may be pressure drop which is proportional to catalyst density.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: David A. Lomas, Lawrence W. Miller
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Publication number: 20040104148Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for controlling space velocity in a fluidized catalytic conversion reactor. The catalyst flux rate can be adjusted during the process of the reaction to adjust the space velocity and maintain a fast fluidized flow regime therein. The set parameter in the reactor may be pressure drop which is proportional to catalyst density.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: David A. Lomas, Lawrence W. Miller
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Publication number: 20040104149Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for controlling reactor volume in a fluidized catalytic conversion reactor. Changing volume results in controllable residence time and/or space velocity. Reactor volume may be changed by altering the feed distributor elevation, diluent flow rate or the number of reaction subsections to which feed is distributed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: David A. Lomas, Lawrence W. Miller
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Patent number: 6459009Abstract: The invention is a process for recovering heat and removing impurities from a reactor effluent stream withdrawn from a fluidized exothermic reaction zone for conversion of oxygenates into light olefins from an oxygenate feedstream. The process comprises a two-stage quench tower system to remove water from the reactor effluent stream in the first tower and recover heat from the reactor effluent to at least partially vaporize the feedstream by indirect heat exchange between the oxygenate feedstream and either a first stage overhead stream or a first stage pumparound stream. A drag stream withdrawn from the first tower comprises the majority of the impurities and higher boiling oxygenates. The second stage tower further removes water and provides a purified water stream which requires minimal water stripping to produce a high purity water stream. The invention concentrates the impurities into a relatively small stream and results in significant energy and capital savings.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Lawrence W. Miller, John J. Senetar
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Patent number: 6444869Abstract: A process is provided for the concentration and recovery of ethylene and heavier components from an oxygenate conversion process. A separation process such as a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process is used to remove hydrogen and methane from a demethanizer overhead stream comprising hydrogen, methane and C2 hydrocarbons and subsequently return the recovered C2 hydrocarbons to be admixed with the effluent from the oxygenate conversion process. This integration of a separation zone with a fractionation scheme in an ethylene recovery scheme using an initial demethanizer zone resulted in significant capital and operating cost savings by the elimination of cryogenic ethylene-based refrigeration from the overall recovery scheme.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: John J. Senetar, Lawrence W. Miller, Linda Shi Cheng, Mark M. Davis
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Patent number: 6403854Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovering heat and removing impurities from a reactor effluent stream withdrawn from a fluidized exothermic reaction zone for the conversion of oxygenates into light olefins from an oxygenate feedstream. The process comprises a novel two-stage quench tower system to remove water from the reactor effluent stream in the first tower and recover heat from the reactor effluent to at least partially vaporize the feedstream by indirect heat exchange between the oxygenate feedstream and either a first stage overhead stream or a first stage pumparound stream. A drag stream withdrawn from the first tower comprises the majority of the impurities and any higher boiling oxygenates. The second stage tower further removes water from the light olefin product stream and provides a purified water stream which requires only minimal water stripping to produce a high purity water stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Lawrence W. Miller, John J. Senetar
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Publication number: 20020007101Abstract: A process is provided for the concentration and recovery of ethylene and heavier components from an oxygenate conversion process. A separation process such as a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process is used to remove hydrogen and methane from a demethanizer overhead stream comprising hydrogen, methane and C2 hydrocarbons and subsequently return the recovered C2 hydrocarbons to be admixed with the effluent from the oxygenate conversion process. This integration of a separation zone with a fractionation scheme in an ethylene recovery scheme using an initial deethanizer zone resulted in significant capital and operating cost savings by the elimination of cryogenic ethylene-based refrigeration from the overall recovery scheme.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: John J. Senetar, Lawrence W. Miller, Linda S. Cheng, Mark M. Davis
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Patent number: 6303841Abstract: A process is provided for the concentration and recovery of ethylene and heavier components from an oxygenate conversion process. A separation process such as a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process is used to remove hydrogen and methane from a demethanizer overhead stream comprising hydrogen, methane, and C2 hydrocarbons and subsequently return the recovered C2 hydrocarbons to be admixed with the effluent from the oxygenate conversion process. This integration of a separation zone with a fractionation scheme in an ethylene recovery scheme using an initial demethanizer zone resulted in significant capital and operating cost savings by the elimination of cryogenic ethylene-based refrigeration from the overall recovery scheme.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: John J. Senetar, Lawrence W. Miller, Linda Shi Cheng, Mark M. Davis
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Patent number: 6285816Abstract: A waveguide comprising a transparent substrate and a metal oxide coating having the disclosed properties on the substrate can propagate light in an attenuated total reflection mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Marc A. Anderson, Lawrence W. Miller, Maria Isabel Tejedor-Anderson