Patents by Inventor Michael Peter Nicoletti
Michael Peter Nicoletti 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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Patent number: 8338656Abstract: This invention pertains to separating an olefin stream into at least two olefin streams. The olefin stream that is to be separated is low in diene composition, which allows the olefin stream to be compressed at a relatively high temperature without causing fouling problems in the compressor system. The invention is particularly relevant to separating olefins obtained from an oxygen to olefins unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignees: Lummus Technology Inc., ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Ram Mallik, Wadie Malaty, Malcolm Pettigrew
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Patent number: 8299314Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for integrating a catalyst regeneration system with a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses, preferably, a plurality of multiple riser reactor units. One embodiment of the present invention is a reactor system including a plurality of reactor units, at least one reactor unit preferably comprising a plurality of riser reactors. The system also includes a regenerator for converting an at least partially deactivated catalyst to a regenerated catalyst. A first conduit system transfers the at least partially deactivated catalyst from the reactor units to the regenerator, and a second conduit system transfers regenerating catalysts from the regenerator to the plurality of reactor units. Optionally, catalysts from a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses may be directed to a single stripping unit and/or a single regeneration unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James H. Beech, Michael Peter Nicoletti, James R. Lattner, Dennis George Alexion, Peter K. Paik
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Patent number: 8097216Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles having a low catalyst fines content includes a fluidized bed reactor which includes a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor wherein the catalyst particles having a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions to fluidize the particles, the reactor includes a continuous reaction zone and separation zone and the fluidized of the catalyst particles are situated within the reaction and both the reaction zone and the separation zone include obstructing members which obstruct the flow of particles such that the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number from about 10 to about 20.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Nicolas P. Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti
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Publication number: 20110020186Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles that are depleted of catalyst fines. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor, wherein the catalyst particles have a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions effective to cause the catalyst particles to behave in a fluidized manner and form a fluidized bed. The particles are contacted with one or more primary obstructing members while in the fluidized bed. By fluidizing the catalyst particles in this manner, the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number of from about 10 to about 20.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: James H. Beech, JR., Nicolas P. Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti
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Publication number: 20100292521Abstract: This invention pertains to separating an olefin stream into at least two olefin streams. The olefin stream that is to be separated is low in diene composition, which allows the olefin stream to be compressed at a relatively high temperature without causing fouling problems in the compressor system. The invention is particularly relevant to separating olefins obtained from an oxygen to olefins unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicants: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC., EXXON MOBIL CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Ram Mallik, Wadie Malaty, Malcolm Pettigrew
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Patent number: 7829750Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles that are depleted of catalyst fines. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor, wherein the catalyst particles have a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst- particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions effective to cause the catalyst particles to behave in a fluidized manner and form a fluidized bed. The particles are contacted with one or more primary obstructing members while in the fluidized bed. By fluidizing the catalyst particles in this manner, the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number of from about 10 to about 20.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Nicolas Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti
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Patent number: 7829030Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles that are depleted of catalyst fines. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor, wherein the catalyst particles have a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions effective to cause the catalyst particles to behave in a fluidized manner and form a fluidized bed. The particles are contacted with one or more primary obstructing members while in the fluidized bed. By fluidizing the catalyst particles in this manner, the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number of from about 10 to about 20.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Nicolas P. Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti
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Patent number: 7790941Abstract: The invention concerns methods and systems for minimizing back-mixing of feedstock flow in converting oxygenates to olefins. In one embodiment, back-mixing is reduced by providing a reactor that includes baffles to reduce the hydraulic diameter of at least a portion of the reactor. Some or all of the baffles can also serve as cooling tubes for reducing temperature gradients in the reactor, and thereby maximize light olefin production.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Nicolas Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Charles O. Bolthrunis, Domenic C. Ferrari, Umesh K. Jayaswal, Roy Walter Silverman
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Patent number: 7678958Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. The method includes distilling the olefin stream so that the dimethyl ether is separated out of the olefin stream with propane. The olefin stream can then be further distilled to provide a polymer grade ethylene stream and a polymer grade propylene stream, with each stream containing not greater than about 10 wppm dimethyl ether.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents IncInventors: Minquan Cheng, Jeffrey J. Phillips, Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., John Richard Shutt, Jeffrey Alan Kabin, Wilfried Borgmann, Josef Kunkel, Helmut Fritz, Roland Walzi, Gerhard Lauermann, Klaus Muller
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Patent number: 7396972Abstract: A method for producing an olefin stream is provided based on conversion of an initial natural gas stream into a synthesis gas. The resulting synthesis gas is enriched with CO2 previously separated from the natural gas stream. The synthesis gas is then used to form a methanol composition, which can then be used as feedstock for a methanol-to-olefin conversion reaction.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Cor F. Van Egmond, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Eric D. Nelson, Christopher D. W. Jenkins
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Patent number: 7385100Abstract: This invention is directed to removing contaminants from an oxygenate-containing feedstream for an oxygenate to olefin reaction system. Oxygenate feeds used in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins, and which contain contaminants, are heated to form a vapor stream and a liquid stream. The heating is conducted so that a majority of the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst contaminants is contained in the liquid stream. The vapor stream is separated from the liquid stream, and the separated vapor stream is contacted with the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst to form olefin product. The heating of the feedstream and the separation of the vapor stream can be carried out in one or more stages.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Cor F. Van Egmond, Ronald G. Searle, Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr.
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Patent number: 7323147Abstract: A feed vaporization process and apparatus for oxygenate to olefin conversion is provided which uses a vapor-liquid disengaging drum to separate non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles from volatiles in the oxygenate feed and produce a vaporized effluent that is reduced in non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles while at the same time maintaining the effluent at optimal temperature and pressure as a feed for oxygenate to olefin conversion.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., James H. Beech, Jr., Michael Peter Nicoletti
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Patent number: 7214843Abstract: This invention is directed to removing contaminants from an oxygenate-containing feedstream for an oxygenate to olefin reaction system. Oxygenate feeds used in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins, and which contain contaminants, are heated to form a vapor stream and a liquid stream. The heating is conducted so that a majority of the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst contaminants is contained in the liquid stream. The vapor stream is separated from the liquid stream, and the separated vapor stream is contacted with the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst to form olefin product. The heating of the feedstream and the separation of the vapor stream can be carried out in one or more stages.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Exxon Mobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Cor. F. Van Egmond, Ronald G. Searle, Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr.
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Patent number: 7119241Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing catalyst fines from an effluent stream in an oxygenate to olefin process. Specifically, the catalyst fines in the effluent stream are separated from the effluent stream. Then the carbonaceous deposits are removed from the catalyst fines by incineration.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: ExxonMobile Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: James Harding Beech, Jr., Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr.
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Processing a contaminated oxygenate-containing feed stream in an oxygenate to olefin reaction system
Patent number: 7074979Abstract: A feed vaporization process and apparatus for oxygenate to olefin conversion is provided, which uses a vapor-liquid disengaging drum to separate non-volatiles and/or low-volatiles from volatiles in the oxygenate feed and produce a vaporized effluent that is reduced in non-volatiles and/or low-volatiles while at the same time maintaining the effluent at optimal temperature and pressure as a feed for oxygenate to olefin conversion. The feed vaporization process and apparatus is particularly well suited for selectively removing non-volatile contaminants such as soot and rust from an oxygenate-containing feed, which may have become contaminated during shipping.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Cor F. Van Egmond, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Ronald G. Searle -
Patent number: 7060866Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing dimethyl ether from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. Dimethyl ether is removed at a high pressure, preferably in a distillation column. The high pressure separation has the benefit of providing a relatively low bottoms temperature separation, while allowing for recovery of a highly concentrated ethylene and/or propylene stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Cor F. Van Egmond, Jeffrey L. Brinen, James R. Lattner, Michael Peter Nicoletti
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Patent number: 7048833Abstract: A feed vaporization process and apparatus for oxygenate to olefin conversion is provided which uses a vapor-liquid disengaging drum to separate non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles from volatiles in the oxygenate feed and produce a vaporized effluent that is reduced in non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles while at the same time maintaining the effluent at optimal temperature and pressure as a feed for oxygenate to olefin conversion.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., James H. Beech, Jr., Michael Peter Nicoletti
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Patent number: 6899046Abstract: The invention relates to a process for modifying tanker ships. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for modifying a non-methanol-carrying tanker to carry a methanol cargo destined for a methanol to olefin reaction system. The process includes providing a tanker having one or more holds that previously stored a non-methanol material. The process includes one or more of the following steps: (1) cleaning the holds of the crude/naphtha-carrying tanker to remove residual deposits, wherein the holds previously stored a non-methanol material; (2) providing a fire suppression system specially designed to prevent methanol fires; and (3) replacing methanol intolerant pump seals and flange gaskets in the tanker with methanol resistant seals and gaskets.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Ronald G. Searle, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Cor F. Van Egmond
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Patent number: 6855858Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. The method includes distilling the olefin stream so that the dimethyl ether is separated out of the olefin stream with propane. The olefin stream can then be further distilled to provide a polymer grade ethylene stream and a polymer grade propylene stream, with each stream containing not greater than about 10 wppm dimethyl ether.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Minquan Cheng, Jeffrey J. Phillips, Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., John Richard Shutt, Jeffrey Alan Kabin
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Patent number: 6846966Abstract: A feed vaporization process and apparatus for oxygenate to olefin conversion is provided which uses a vapor-liquid disengaging drum to separate non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles from volatiles in the oxygenate feed and produce a vaporized effluent that is reduced in non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles while at the same time maintaining the effluent at optimal temperature and pressure as a feed for oxygenate to olefin conversion.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., James H. Beech, Michael Peter Nicoletti