Patents by Inventor Robert B. James
Robert B. James 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: 10214464Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
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Patent number: 9809662Abstract: Processes for producing a polypropylene product by using a lower purity propylene stream. An operating parameter of the separation zone for a dehydrogenation zone effluent may be adjusted or controlled to lower the purity of the propylene stream produced by the separation zone. The reflux rate of propylene-propane splitter may be reduced. The duty of the reboiler for the propylene-propane splitter may be lowered. The number of stages in the propylene-propane splitter may be decreased.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Adam J. Kanyuh, Michael J. Banach, Robert B. James
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Publication number: 20170233310Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
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Patent number: 9689615Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
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Publication number: 20160355617Abstract: Processes for producing a polypropylene product by using a lower purity propylene stream. An operating parameter of the separation zone for a dehydrogenation zone effluent may be adjusted or controlled to lower the purity of the propylene stream produced by the separation zone. The reflux rate of propylene-propane splitter may be reduced. The duty of the reboiler for the propylene-propane splitter may be lowered. The number of stages in the propylene-propane splitter may be decreased.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Adam J. Kanyuh, Michael J. Banach, Robert B. James
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Publication number: 20140353208Abstract: A method of hydrocarbon conversion is described. The hydrocarbon feed is decontaminated using an ionic liquid and introduced into a conversion zone. The conversion of the decontaminated feed is increased compared to the conversion of the contaminated feed and the yield of the desired product made from the decontaminated hydrocarbon feed is increased compared to the yield of the desired product made from the contaminated hydrocarbon feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Rajeswar R. Gattupalli, Beckay J. Mezza, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Robert B. James, Massimo Sangalli, Peter Van Opdorp
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Publication number: 20140058162Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
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Publication number: 20140058149Abstract: High efficiency processes for producing olefins, alkynes, and hydrogen co-production from light hydrocarbons are disclosed. In one version, the method includes the steps of combusting hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion zone of a pyrolytic reactor to create a combustion gas stream, transitioning a velocity of the combustion gas stream from subsonic to supersonic in an expansion zone of the pyrolytic reactor, injecting a light hydrocarbon into the supersonic combustion gas stream to create a mixed stream including the light hydrocarbon, transitioning the velocity of the mixed stream from supersonic to subsonic in a reaction zone of the pyrolytic reactor to produce acetylene, and catalytically hydrogenating the acetylene in a hydrogenation zone to produce ethylene. In certain embodiments, the carbon efficiency is improved using methanation techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Paul T. Barger
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Patent number: 8603399Abstract: An improved processing system of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. The system further comprises acid gas removal means to remove acid gases from the cracked product gas and that the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Patent number: 8414798Abstract: Embodiments of a process for producing syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a gas stream comprising methane are provided. The process comprises the step of contacting the gas stream with a two-component catalyst system comprising an apatite component and a perovskite component at reaction conditions effective to convert the methane to the syngas.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Colleen Costello, Lisa King, Paul Barger, Deng-Yang Jen, Robert B. James, Kurt Vanden Bussche
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Publication number: 20120104322Abstract: Embodiments of a process for producing syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a gas stream comprising methane are provided. The process comprises the step of contacting the gas stream with a two-component catalyst system comprising an apatite component and a perovskite component at reaction conditions effective to convert the methane to the syngas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Colleen Costello, Lisa King, Paul Barger, Deng-Yang Jan, Robert B. James, Kurt Vanden Bussche
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Patent number: 8128887Abstract: A coating applied to at least a portion of the surfaces of reactors, reactor internals, other reactor components, and/or heater tubes is provided in order to minimize the formation of metal catalyzed coke in hydrocarbon conversion processes operating at temperatures at about 350° C. (662° F.) or greater and in reducing environments. These coatings may comprise Nickel coatings or complexes thereof, such as Ni—Al, Ni—Cr/Cr carbide, as well as aluminum painted coatings that are applied in a reduction cure process (e.g., application temperatures of about 600° C. (1112° F.)). Additionally, where H2S is necessary for the process, such as to minimize thermal cracking, the coatings also reduce corrosion of base metal due to sulfidation attack and eliminate the requirement of continuous replacement of reactor internals and other components.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Steven A. Bradley, Robert B. James, Jr., David W. Alley
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Patent number: 7935324Abstract: The present invention involves a catalytic process for purifying a gas stream comprising purifying the gas stream at a temperature from about 250° to 550° C. by removing sulfur compounds and including a gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to produce a partially purified gas stream. The warm gas stream purification involves COS hydrolysis and hydrogenation to H2S, the removal of H2S, and a CO gas shift to convert CO to CO2 to produce a partially purified stream. Then the carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed from the partially purified gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Manuela Serban, Tom N. Kalnes, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, John P. Brady, Robert B. James, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100148121Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor containing catalysts that are situated on or within a cloth like material which is either in a filter cake-like shape or a spiral wound reactor configuration. One application is the desulfurization of synthesis gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Robert B. James, JR., Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban
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Publication number: 20100143225Abstract: The present invention involves a catalytic process for purifying a gas stream comprising purifying the gas stream at a temperature from about 250° to 550° C. by removing sulfur compounds and including a gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to produce a partially purified gas stream. The warm gas stream purification involves COS hydrolysis and hydrogenation to H2S, the removal of H2S, and a CO gas shift to convert CO to CO2 to produce a partially purified stream. Then the carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed from the partially purified gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Manuela Serban, Tom N. Kalnes, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, John P. Brady, Robert B. James, JR.
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Publication number: 20100087693Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Patent number: 7687671Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Publication number: 20100061902Abstract: A coating applied to at least a portion of the surfaces of reactors, reactor internals, other reactor components, and/or heater tubes is provided in order to minimize the formation of metal catalyzed coke in hydrocarbon conversion processes operating at temperatures at about 350° C. (662° F.) or greater and in reducing environments. These coatings may comprise Nickel coatings or complexes thereof, such as Ni—Al, Ni—Cr/Cr carbide, as well as aluminum painted coatings that are applied in a reduction cure process (e.g., application temperatures of about 600° C. (1112° F.)). Additionally, where H2S is necessary for the process, such as to minimize thermal cracking, the coatings also reduce corrosion of base metal due to sulfidation attack and eliminate the requirement of continuous replacement of reactor internals and other components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Steven A. Bradley, Robert B. James, JR., David W. Alley
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Publication number: 20100048965Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Publication number: 20100021357Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover