Patents by Inventor Michael S. Sandacz

Michael S. Sandacz 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: 11931728
    Abstract: An oxygen gas stream is distributed to a spent catalyst stream through an oxygen nozzle of an oxygen gas distributor and a fuel gas stream is distributed to the spent catalyst stream through a fuel nozzle of a fuel gas distributor. An oxygen gas jet generated from said oxygen nozzle and a fuel gas jet generated from said fuel gas nozzle have the same elevation in the regenerator. In a regenerator, an oxygen gas distributor and a fuel gas distributor may be located in a mixing chamber. A fuel outlet of a fuel nozzle of the fuel gas distributor may be within a fifth of the height of the mixing chamber from an oxygen outlet of an oxygen nozzle of the oxygen gas distributor. In addition, clear space is provided between a fuel gas nozzle on a fuel gas distributor and a closest oxygen nozzle on an oxygen gas distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Michael A. Stine, Michael S. Sandacz
  • Publication number: 20230416172
    Abstract: A process for distributing quench fluid to a stream of product comprising contacting a feed stream with a stream of catalyst to convert the feed stream to product. The quench fluid is sprayed into the stream of product from a first distributor through at least one first opening centered at a first radial position and from a second distributor through at least one second opening centered at a second radial position different from the first radial position. Catalyst is preferably separated from the product stream prior to quenching. The process may include a first set of first distributors and a second set of second distributors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael S. Sandacz, Sathit Kulprathipanja
  • Publication number: 20220370975
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a feed distributor comprising a side cluster of orifices instead of or in combination with an end cluster of orifices for distributing hydrocarbon feed into a catalyst stream. A side cluster of orifices in conjunction with an end cluster of orifices on a feed distributor can distribute hydrocarbon feed into a riser over a greater cross-sectional extent enabling emission of smaller droplet sizes which provide better conversion with less coke production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Zhihao Fei, Robert Mehlberg, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Sathit Kulprathipanja, Michael S. Sandacz
  • Publication number: 20220288571
    Abstract: An oxygen gas stream is distributed to a spent catalyst stream through an oxygen nozzle of an oxygen gas distributor and a fuel gas stream is distributed to the spent catalyst stream through a fuel nozzle of a fuel gas distributor. An oxygen gas jet generated from said oxygen nozzle and a fuel gas jet generated from said fuel gas nozzle have the same elevation in the regenerator. In a regenerator, an oxygen gas distributor and a fuel gas distributor may be located in a mixing chamber. A fuel outlet of a fuel nozzle of the fuel gas distributor may be within a fifth of the height of the mixing chamber from an oxygen outlet of an oxygen nozzle of the oxygen gas distributor. In addition, clear space is provided between a fuel gas nozzle on a fuel gas distributor and a closest oxygen nozzle on an oxygen gas distributor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Michael A. Stine, Michael S. Sandacz
  • Patent number: 11009229
    Abstract: A method for fluidizing a spent catalyst in a regenerator during a combustion process. The combustor includes a vessel and an air distributor. The air distributor includes an air grid and a plurality of first nozzles extending from the air grid. Spent catalyst is introduced into the vessel. Air is provided to the vessel via the plurality of first nozzles at a base combustion air rate. Additional air is provided to the vessels via a plurality of second nozzles of a fluffing air distributor at a fluffing air rate that is between 0.5 wt % and 10 wt % of the base combustion air rate to fluidize the catalyst. The second nozzles have outlets that are disposed below the air grid and above a bottom head of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Dharmesh Chunilal Panchal, Mohammad Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Jagjit Singh Lall, Paolo Palmas, Michael S. Sandacz, Sathit Kulprathipanja
  • Patent number: 10751684
    Abstract: A counter-current catalyst regenerator with at least two stages of counter-current contact along with a regenerator riser is proposed. Each stage may comprise a permeable barrier that allows upward passage of oxygen-containing gas and downward passage of coked catalyst into each stage, but inhibits upward movement of catalyst to mitigate back mixing and approximate true counter-current contact and efficient combustion of coke from catalyst. The regenerator riser may provide a passage to transport the catalyst and may serve as a secondary stage for coke combustion to provide the regenerated catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Michael S. Sandacz, Paolo Palmas, Zhihao Fei, Matthew Lippmann
  • Patent number: 10576443
    Abstract: A regenerator for an FCC apparatus. The regenerator includes an internal riser inside of a outer shell. The internal riser includes a cone and a cone skirt. An annulus is formed between the internal riser and the outer shell. A sealing apparatus for keeping catalyst out of a portion of the annulus comprises a first sealing element and a second sealing element disposed above the first sealing element. An annular trough in the annulus below the primary seal is filled with material that has a heat transfer coefficient at least as high as air to allow heat to get to the inner surface of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Colmone, Michael S. Sandacz, Michael A. Stine, Richard A. Johnson, II, Nicholas Madonia, Minwoo Kim
  • Patent number: 10399022
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from a stream of a mixture of gaseous fluids and solid particles has a separation vessel. A mixture conduit extends vertically into a central section of the separation vessel and defines a discharge opening located within the vessel and tangentially oriented for discharging the stream into an open interior of the vessel and imparting a tangential velocity to the stream. A gas recovery conduit within the separation vessel has an inlet for withdrawing gaseous fluids from within the open interior of the separation vessel at a location below the discharge opening and radially offset from the mixture conduit. An intermediate portion of the gas recovery conduit is located above the inlet within the separation vessel and has a diameter greater than a diameter of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Michael S. Sandacz
  • Patent number: 10239054
    Abstract: A counter-current catalyst regenerator with at least two stages of counter-current contact along with a regenerator riser is proposed. Each stage may comprise a permeable barrier that allows upward passage of oxygen-containing gas and downward passage of coked catalyst into each stage, but inhibits upward movement of catalyst to mitigate back mixing and approximate true counter-current contact and efficient combustion of coke from catalyst. The regenerator riser may provide a passage to transport the catalyst and may serve as a secondary stage for coke combustion to provide the regenerated catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: UPO LLC
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Michael S. Sandacz, Paolo Palmas, Zhihao Fei, Matthew Lippmann
  • Publication number: 20180320891
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for fluidizing a spent catalyst in a regenerator during a combustion process. The combustor includes a vessel and an air distributor. The air distributor includes an air grid and a plurality of first nozzles extending from the air grid. Spent catalyst is introduced into the vessel. Air is provided to the vessel via the plurality of first nozzles at a base combustion air rate. Additional air is provided to the vessels via a plurality of second nozzles of a fluffing air distributor at a fluffing air rate that is between 0.5 wt % and 10 wt % of the base combustion air rate to fluidize the catalyst. The second nozzles have outlets that are disposed below the air grid and above a bottom head of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Dharmesh Chunilal Panchal, Mohammad Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Jagjit Singh Lall, Paolo Palmas, Michael S. Sandacz, Sathit Kulprathipanja
  • Patent number: 10118144
    Abstract: A vessel provides for removing hydrocarbons from a catalyst. In an FCC unit, the vessel includes first and second sections. The first section includes at least one grid having a plurality of intersecting members and openings therebetween. The second section includes structured packing such as a plurality of ribbons. Grids are supported by pipes that are supported by the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Minwoo Kim, Michael S. Sandacz, Kyle L. Kron
  • Publication number: 20180280908
    Abstract: A vessel provides for removing hydrocarbons from a catalyst. In an FCC unit, the vessel includes first and second sections. The first section includes at least one grid having a plurality of intersecting members and openings therebetween. The second section includes structured packing such as a plurality of ribbons. Grids are supported by pipes that are supported by the second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Minwoo Kim, Michael S. Sandacz, Kyle L. Kron
  • Publication number: 20180178179
    Abstract: A counter-current catalyst regenerator with at least two stages of counter-current contact along with a regenerator riser is proposed. Each stage may comprise a permeable barrier that allows upward passage of oxygen-containing gas and downward passage of coked catalyst into each stage, but inhibits upward movement of catalyst to mitigate back mixing and approximate true counter-current contact and efficient combustion of coke from catalyst. The regenerator riser may provide a passage to transport the catalyst and may serve as a secondary stage for coke combustion to provide the regenerated catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Michael S. Sandacz, Paolo Palmas, Zhihao Fei, Matthew Lippmann
  • Publication number: 20180178208
    Abstract: A counter-current catalyst regenerator with at least two stages of counter-current contact along with a regenerator riser is proposed. Each stage may comprise a permeable barrier that allows upward passage of oxygen-containing gas and downward passage of coked catalyst into each stage, but inhibits upward movement of catalyst to mitigate back mixing and approximate true counter-current contact and efficient combustion of coke from catalyst. The regenerator riser may provide a passage to transport the catalyst and may serve as a secondary stage for coke combustion to provide the regenerated catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Michael S. Sandacz, Paolo Palmas, Zhihao Fei, Matthew Lippmann
  • Patent number: 9662627
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a riser reactor for reacting a feedstock and catalyst. The riser reactor wall defines an interior. A continuous refractory lining is attached to the reactor wall and defines a plurality of flow disruptors that extend inward from the wall into the reactor interior and disrupt flow patterns of the feedstock and catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Sandacz
  • Publication number: 20170056799
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from a stream of a mixture of gaseous fluids and solid particles has a separation vessel. A mixture conduit extends vertically into a central section of the separation vessel and defines a discharge opening located within the vessel and tangentially oriented for discharging the stream into an open interior of the vessel and imparting a tangential velocity to the stream. A gas recovery conduit within the separation vessel has an inlet for withdrawing gaseous fluids from within the open interior of the separation vessel at a location below the discharge opening and radially offset from the mixture conduit. An intermediate portion of the gas recovery conduit is located above the inlet within the separation vessel and has a diameter greater than a diameter of the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Michael S. Sandacz
  • Patent number: 9376633
    Abstract: A process and apparatus described is for distributing fluidizing gas to a riser. Fluidizing gas is delivered to a plenum below the riser. A first stream of fluidizing gas is distributed from the plenum into a chamber in a riser and a second stream of fluidizing gas is distributed from the plenum into the riser outside of the chamber. First nozzles in the plenum have a first outlet in the chamber and second nozzles in the plenum have a second outlet outside of the chamber. Streams of regenerated catalyst and carbonized catalyst may be passed to the riser and mixed around the chamber in a lower section of a riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Michael S. Sandacz, Michael A. Stine, Daniel R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160168049
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating catalyst is presented. Cooler catalyst is removed from a reactor and heated with a hot gas in a riser, heated in a heating tube or heated in a heating chamber. Heated catalyst is disengaged from the hot gas if necessary and returned to the reactor. The process and apparatus can be used for producing light olefins. The hot gas may be a flue gas from an FCC regenerator or a combustion gas from a heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Michael S. Sandacz, Zhihao Fei
  • Publication number: 20160167005
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating catalyst is presented. Cooler catalyst is removed from a reactor and heated with a hot gas in a riser, heated in a heating tube or heated in a heating chamber. Heated catalyst is disengaged from the hot gas if necessary and returned to the reactor. The process and apparatus can be used for producing light olefins. The hot gas may be a flue gas from an FCC regenerator or a combustion gas from a heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Michael S. Sandacz, Zhihao Fei
  • Patent number: 9283532
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a riser includes a cylindrical housing defined by a sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A baffle is defined by a first segment and a second segment, wherein the baffle is designed to be positioned on the interior surface of the riser and wherein the first segment and second segment are releasably interlockable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Mehlberg, Michael S. Sandacz