Patents by Inventor Sean G. Mueller

Sean G. Mueller 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).

  • Processes and systems for controlling cooling fluid in an ionic liquid reactor system with a heat exchanger
    Patent number: 10809022
    Abstract: Processes for controlling the rate and temperature of cooling fluid through a heat exchange zone in, for example, an alkylation reactor using an ionic liquid catalyst. A cooling fluid system may be used to provide the cooling fluid which includes a chiller and a reservoir. The cooling fluid may pass from the reservoir through the heat exchange zone. A bypass line may be used to pass a portion of the cooling fluid around the heat exchange zone. The amount of cooling fluid may be adjusted, with a valve, based upon the temperature of the cooled process fluid flowing out of the heat exchange zone. Some of the cooling fluid from the chiller may be circulated back to the chiller in a chiller loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Schrad, James G. Hagen, Sean G. Mueller, Trung Pham, Zhanping Xu
  • Reactor system for use with an ionic liquid catalyst
    Patent number: 10722861
    Abstract: Reactor systems for use with ionic liquid catalyst. The reactor systems include one or more stages, which include a reactor and a heat exchanger, and a separation zone. The reactor and the heat exchanger may have a vertical orientation. Additionally, a separation vessel may also include a vertical orientation. The heat exchanger may allow for linear flow of process fluid to control residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Eric Leeton, Kurt Detrick, Christian D. Freet, David S. Lafyatis, Robert Mehlberg, Sean G. Mueller, Gregory J. Schrad, Zhanping Xu
  • REACTOR SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AN IONIC LIQUID CATALYST
    Publication number: 20180264431
    Abstract: Reactor systems for use with ionic liquid catalyst. The reactor systems include one or more stages, which include a reactor and a heat exchanger, and a separation zone. The reactor and the heat exchanger may have a vertical orientation. Additionally, a separation vessel may also include a vertical orientation. The heat exchanger may allow for linear flow of process fluid to control residence time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Eric Leeton, Kurt Detrick, Christian D. Freet, David S. Lafyatis, Robert Mehlberg, Sean G. Mueller, Gregory J. Schrad, Zhanping Xu
  • PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING COOLING FLUID IN AN IONIC LIQUID REACTOR SYSTEM WITH A HEAT EXCHANGER
    Publication number: 20180128560
    Abstract: Processes for controlling the rate and temperature of cooling fluid through a heat exchange zone in, for example, an alkylation reactor using an ionic liquid catalyst. A cooling fluid system may be used to provide the cooling fluid which includes a chiller and a reservoir. The cooling fluid may pass from the reservoir through the heat exchange zone. A bypass line may be used to pass a portion of the cooling fluid around the heat exchange zone. The amount of cooling fluid may be adjusted, with a valve, based upon the temperature of the cooled process fluid flowing out of the heat exchange zone. Some of the cooling fluid from the chiller may be circulated back to the chiller in a chiller loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory J. Schrad, James G. Hagen, Sean G. Mueller, Trung Pham, Zhanping Xu
  • Selectivity of ionic liquid alkylation
    Patent number: 9815049
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The method involves introducing a reactant into a reaction zone containing an ionic liquid catalyst. The reaction zone has at least two zones. The mass transfer resistance in the second zone is greater than the mass transfer resistance in the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David S. Lafyatis, Sean G. Mueller, Zhanping Xu, Douglas A. Nafis, Robert Mehlberg, Kurt Detrick, Avram M. Buchbinder
  • SELECTIVITY OF IONIC LIQUID ALKYLATION
    Publication number: 20170144141
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The method involves introducing a reactant into a reaction zone containing an ionic liquid catalyst. The reaction zone has at least two zones. The mass transfer resistance in the second zone is greater than the mass transfer resistance in the first zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: David S. Lafyatis, Sean G. Mueller, Zhanping Xu, Douglas A. Nafis, Robert Mehlberg, Kurt Detrick, Avram M. Buchbinder