Patents by Inventor Mark Stephen Roberts

Mark Stephen Roberts 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: 8624054
    Abstract: A process for the production of methyl acetate by reacting dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide into a carbonylation reactor containing a mordenite catalyst in the presence of added methyl acetate and/or acetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Hazel, Lesley Ann Key, Mark Stephen Roberts, John Glenn Sunley
  • Patent number: 8552216
    Abstract: Process for the production of methyl acetate by carbonylating a dimethyl ether feed with carbon monoxide under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the presence of a zeolite catalyst effective for the carbonylation. The carbonylation is carried out at a temperature in the range of 275 to 350° C. and in the presence of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Jon Michael Stewart Deeley, Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, Mark Stephen Roberts, John Glenn Sunley
  • Patent number: 8394983
    Abstract: Process for the production of methyl acetate by the carbonylation of a dimethyl ether feed with carbon monoxide under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the presence of a zeolite catalyst effective for the carbonylation. The carbonylation is carried out at a temperature in the range of greater than 250° C. to 350° C. and at a pressure in the range of greater than 10 barg to 100 barg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Patent number: 8329606
    Abstract: Process for the in-situ regeneration of a zeolite catalyst in a carbonylation process for the production of at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid. The process is carried out by (a) contacting a carbonylatable reactant selected from methanol, dimethyl ether and dimethyl carbonate and carbon monoxide in a reactor with a zeolite catalyst and recovering a product stream containing at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid from the reactor, (b) ceasing contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant, (c) regenerating the catalyst with a regenerating gas selected from hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range 250 to 600 C, and (d) terminating the hydrogen regenerating step and resuming contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Edo Johann Becker, Evert Jan Ditzel, Harry Kaiser, George Ernest Morris, Mark Stephen Roberts, Stephan Andreas Schunk, Martin Smit, John Glenn Sunley
  • Patent number: 8158815
    Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate and/or methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a mordenite catalyst to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate in which process the mordenite catalyst is regenerated in-situ by contacting the catalyst with a regenerating gas comprising a molecular oxygen-containing gas and an inert diluent at a total pressure in the range 1 to 100 bar and wherein the partial pressure of the molecular oxygen-containing gas is such that the temperature of the catalyst is maintained within the range 225 to 325° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, George Ernest Morris, Mark Stephen Roberts, Stephan Andreas Schunk, Martin Smit, John Glenn Sunley
  • Publication number: 20110319654
    Abstract: A process for the production of methyl acetate by reacting dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide into a carbonylation reactor containing a mordenite catalyst in the presence of added methyl acetate and/or acetic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Nicholas John Hazel, Lesley Ann Key, Mark Stephen Roberts, John Glenn Sunley
  • Publication number: 20100317888
    Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate and/or methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a mordenite catalyst to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate in which process the mordenite catalyst is regenerated in-situ by contacting the catalyst with a regenerating gas comprising a molecular oxygen-containing gas and an inert diluent at a total pressure in the range 1 to 100 bar and wherein the partial pressure of the molecular oxygen-containing gas is such that the temperature of the catalyst is maintained within the range 225 to 325° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, George Ernest Morris, Mark Stephen Roberts, Stephan Andreas Schunk, Martin Smit, John Glenn Sunley
  • Publication number: 20100311567
    Abstract: A process for the in-situ regeneration of a zeolite catalyst in a carbonylation process for the production of at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid by contacting methanol, dimethyl ethyl or dimethyl carbonate with carbon monoxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst, ceasing contact of the catalyst with the reactant, regenerating the catalyst with a regenerating gas selected from hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range 250 to 600° C., terminating the hydrogen regenerating step and resuming contact of the catalyst with the reactant and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Edo Johann Becker, Evert Jan Ditzel, Harry Kaiser, George Ernest Morris, Mark Stephen Roberts, Stephen Andreas Schunk, Martin Smit, John Glenn Sunley
  • Publication number: 20100130771
    Abstract: Production of methyl acetate by carbonylating a dimethyl ether feed with carbon monoxide under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the presence of a zeolite catalyst at a temperature in the range of greater than 250° C. to 350° C. and at a pressure in the range greater than 10 barg to 100 barg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Publication number: 20100121099
    Abstract: Production of methyl acetate by carbonylating a dimethyl ether feed with carbon monoxide under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the presence of a zeolite catalyst at a temperature in the range 240° C. to 350° C. and in the presence of hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Jon Michael Stewart Deeley, Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, Mark Stephen Roberts, John Glenn Sunley
  • Patent number: 7390918
    Abstract: An integrated process for the production of an alkenyl carboxylate, such as vinyl acetate which process comprises the steps of (a) contacting in an oxidation reaction zone a C2 to C4 alkane, such as ethane, a molecular oxygen-containing gas, optionally the corresponding alkene and optionally water, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a stream comprising alkene, carboxylic acid and water; (b) separating at least a portion of the stream from step (a) into a fraction comprising the alkene and a fraction comprising the carboxylic acid and water; (c) contacting in a second reaction zone at least a portion of said alkene fraction produced in step (b), a carboxylic acid and a molecular oxygen-containing gas, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product stream comprising an alkenyl carboxylate, water and carboxylic acid; (d) separating at least a portion of the product stream from step (c) and at least a portion of the carboxylic acid and water fraction produced in step (b) by azeotropic distillation into
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: BB Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Robert William Clarke, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Patent number: 7262322
    Abstract: An oxidation process for the production of alkenes and carboxylic acids from a feed comprising alkene and/or alkane, carbon monoxide, a molecular oxygen containing gas and optionally water in the presence of an oxidation catalyst in which the level of carbon monoxide is maintained between 1% and 20% by volume of the total feed to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Ewen James Ferguson, Andrew Richard Lucy, Mark Stephen Roberts, Diana Rachel Taylor, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 7078563
    Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and the corresponding alkene and optionally, water, in the presence of at least one catalyst active for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising alkene, carboxylic acid and water, wherein in said process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the concentrations of the alkene and optional water in said oxidation reaction zone and optionally by also controlling one or more of the pressure, temperature and residence time of the oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of vinyl acetate or ethyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Andrew Richard Lucy, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Patent number: 6727380
    Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and optionally, at least one of the corresponding alkene and water, in the presence of at least two catalysts each active, with different selectivities, for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising said alkene, carboxylic acid and water, and in which process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the relative proportions of the at least two catalysts in said oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of ethyl acetate or vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030149295
    Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and optionally, at least one of the corresponding alkene and water, in the presence of at least two catalysts each active, with different selectivities, for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising said alkene, carboxylic acid and water, and in which process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the relative proportions of the at least two catalysts in said oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of ethyl acetate or vinyl acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Patent number: 6548697
    Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and optionally, at least one of the corresponding alkene and water, in the presence of at least two catalysts each active, with different selectivities, for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising said alkene, carboxylic acid and water, and in which process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the relative proportions of the at least two catalysts in said oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of ethyl acetate or vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Patent number: 6476261
    Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and optionally, at least one of the corresponding alkene and water, in the presence of at least two catalysts each active, with different selectivities, for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising said alkene, carboxylic acid and water, and in which process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the relative proportions of the at least two catalysts in said oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of ethyl acetate or vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Publication number: 20020099239
    Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and optionally, at least one of the corresponding alkene and water, in the presence of at least two catalysts each active, with different selectivities, for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising said alkene, carboxylic acid and water, and in which process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the relative proportions of the at least two catalysts in said oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of ethyl acetate or vinyl acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Publication number: 20020082445
    Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and the corresponding alkene and optionally, water, in the presence of at least one catalyst active for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising alkene, carboxylic acid and water, wherein in said process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the concentrations of the alkene and optional water in said oxidation reaction zone and optionally by also controlling one or more of the pressure, temperature and residence time of the oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of vinyl acetate or ethyl acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Andrew Richard Lucy, Mark Stephen Roberts
  • Patent number: RE44206
    Abstract: An oxidation process for the production of alkenes and carboxylic acids from a feed comprising alkene and/or alkane, carbon monoxide, a molecular oxygen containing gas and optionally water in the presence of an oxidation catalyst in which the level of carbon monoxide is maintained between 1% and 20% by volume of the total feed to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Ewen James Ferguson, Andrew Richard Lucy, Mark Stephen Roberts, Diana Rachel Taylor, Bruce Leo Williams