Patents by Inventor Stephen N. Vaughn

Stephen N. Vaughn 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: 7301065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to making a formulated molecular sieve catalyst composition from a slurry of formulation composition of a synthesized molecular sieve that has not been fully dried, a binder and an optional matrix material. In a more preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of the binder to the molecular sieve and/or the solid content of the slurry is controlled to provide an improved attrition resistant catalyst composition, particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Vaughn, Yun-feng Chang, Luc R. M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem, Machteld M. Mertens, Albert E. Schweizer
  • Publication number: 20070232844
    Abstract: A gas-solids reaction system is provided for improving product recovery in a multiple reactor reaction system. An oxygenate feedstock, desirably of high concentration in oxygenate, is reacted with a catalyst having a low to modest acidity and a Si/Al2 ratio of from 0.10 to 0.32. The reaction occurs in a reaction zone of a fluidized bed reactor at an oxygenate partial pressure of at least 45 psia and a reactor gas superficial velocity of at least 10 ft/s, conveying catalyst through the reaction zone to a circulation zone. The catalyst undergoes displacement with an inert gas in the circulation zone at a displacement gas superficial velocity of at least 0.03 m/s, after which at least a portion, preferably a large portion is returned to the reaction zone. The catalyst has a residence time in the circulation zone of at least twice that of the residence time of catalyst in the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, James H. Beech, Doron Levin, Stephen N. Vaughn, Stephen H. Brown
  • Patent number: 7273827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to a catalyst composition comprising a molecular sieve having a framework including at least [AlO4] and [PO4] tetrahedral units, at least one of a binder and a matrix material and at least one phosphorus compound separate from said molecular sieve wherein, after calcination at 760° C. for 3 hours, said catalyst composition has a microporous surface area in excess of 20% of the microporous surface area of said molecular sieve after calcination at 650° C. in nitrogen for 2 hours. The catalyst composition is particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc Roger Marc Martens, Jeffrey Wayne Sprinkle, Ian Nathaniel Walker
  • Patent number: 7271123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to a molecular sieve catalyst composition of a molecular sieve, a binder and a matrix material, wherein the weight ratio of the binder to the molecular sieve is controlled to provide an improved attrition resistant catalyst composition, particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R. M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Publication number: 20070203385
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for manufacturing a catalyst with a desired attrition index, comprising the steps of selecting at least one molecular sieve having a morphology and size index (MSI) of from 1 to about 1000 to secure said desired attrition index of said catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Machteld Maria Mertens, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7247764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process for making olefin(s) using a molecular sieve catalyst composition. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for converting a feedstock comprising an oxygenate in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition, wherein the feedstock is free of or substantially free of metal salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel J. G. Janssen, Teng Xu, Cor F. Van Egmond, Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen N. Vaughn, James Harding Beech, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7241713
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of making molecular sieve catalyst particles, molecular sieve slurries that can be used in such methods, molecular sieve catalyst compositions and their use in catalytic hydrocarbon conversion processes. In one of its aspects, the invention provides a method of making molecular sieve catalyst particles, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution or suspension of an aluminum-containing inorganic oxide precursor in a liquid medium; b) combining the solution or suspension of aluminum-containing inorganic oxide precursor with a molecular sieve, and optionally other formulating agents, to form a catalyst formulation slurry; c) aging the catalyst formulation slurry to generate in said slurry a percentage, or increase in said slurry the existing percentage, of aluminum atoms of the aluminum-containing precursor in the form of oligomers having a sharp 27Al NMR peak at 62-63 ppm; and d) forming molecular sieve catalyst particles from the catalyst formulation slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Kenneth R. Clem, Luc R. Martens, Weiguo Hu
  • Patent number: 7238846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process for making olefin(s) using a molecular sieve catalyst composition. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for converting a feedstock comprising an oxygenate in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition, wherein the feedstock is free of or substantially free of metal salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel J. G. Janssen, Teng Xu, Cor F. Van Egmond, Keith F. Kuechler, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7214844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to a making a molecular sieve catalyst composition by forming a slurry by combining a molecular sieve, a binder and a matrix material, wherein the slurry has a pH, above or below the isoelectric point of the molecular sieve. The catalyst composition has improved attrition resistance, particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R. M. Martens, Joseph E. Baumgartner, Stuart L. Soled, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Patent number: 7208442
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst composition, a method of making the same and its use in the conversion of a feedstock, preferably an oxygenated feedstock, into one or more olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene The catalyst composition comprises a molecular sieve and at least one metal oxide, such as a magnesium oxide that, when saturated with acetone and contacted with said acetone for 1 hour at 25° C., converts more than 80% of the acetone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Stephen N. Vaughn, Richard B. Hall, Doron Levin, James Clark Vartuli
  • Patent number: 7160831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to making a formulated molecular sieve catalyst composition from a slurry of formulation composition of a synthesized molecular sieve that has not been fully dried, a binder and an optional matrix material. In a more preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of the binder to the molecular sieve and/or the solid content of the slurry is controlled to provide an improved attrition resistant catalyst composition, particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Vaughn, Yun-feng Chang, Luc R. M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem, Machteld M. Mertens, Albert E. Schweizer
  • Patent number: 7151199
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon or oxygenate conversion process in which a feedstock is contacted with a non zeolitic molecular sieve which has been treated to remove most, if not all, of the halogen contained in the catalyst. The halogen may be removed by one of several methods. One method includes heating the catalyst in a low moisture environment, followed by contacting the heated catalyst with air and/or steam. Another method includes steam-treating the catalyst at a temperature from 400° C. to 1000° C. The hydrocarbon or oxygenate conversion processes include the conversion of oxygenates to olefins, the conversion of oxygenates and ammonia to alkylamines, the conversion of oxygenates and aromatic compounds to alkylated aromatic compounds, cracking and dewaxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Luc Roger Marc Martens, Stephen N. Vaughn, Albert Edward Schweizer, John K. Pierce, Shun Chong Fung
  • Patent number: 7122500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to making a formulated molecular sieve catalyst composition with a synthesized molecular sieve having been recovered using a flocculant. The formulated composition is particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Luc R. Martens, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7115791
    Abstract: A process for controlling an oxygenates to olefin reactor is disclosed which comprises: contacting oxygenate-containing feedstock, e.g., methanol, in a reaction zone in the presence of a molecular sieve oxygenate to olefins conversion catalyst under conditions sufficient to provide an olefins-containing effluent containing alkyl alcohol and dialkyl ether, e.g., methanol and dimethyl ether; analyzing a single gas phase of the effluent determine alkyl alcohol concentration and dialkyl ether concentration; and adjusting reactor conditions, e.g., WHSV, as a function of alkyl alcohol concentration and dialkyl ether concentration, as necessary to provide a substantially consistent effluent composition. A corresponding apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Kabin, Nicolas P. Coute, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7102051
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a molecular sieve composition or a catalyst containing molecular sieve which has a relatively high residual silica index, preferably at least about 1.5. The molecular sieve or catalyst can be made by contacting a template-containing molecular sieve with a silicon containing material having an average kinetic diameter that is larger than the average pore diameter of the sieve or catalyst, and heating to leave residual silica at the sieve or catalyst surface. The molecular sieve or catalyst is particularly effective in making an olefin product from an oxygenate feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Vaughn, John Di-Yi Ou, Jar-Lin Kao, Hsiang-Ning Sun
  • Patent number: 7071136
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a hardened molecular sieve catalyst composition, a method of making the composition and a method of using the composition. The catalyst composition is made by mixing together molecular sieve, liquid, and an effective hardening amount of a dried molecular sieve catalyst to form a slurry. The slurry is dried, and then calcined to form the hardened molecular sieve catalyst composition. The hardened molecular sieve catalyst is highly attrition resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R. M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Patent number: 7034196
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Ray Clem, Stephen N. Vaughn, Teng Xu, Jeffrey L. White
  • Patent number: 7026267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to a catalyst composition comprising a molecular sieve having a framework including at least [AlO4] and [PO4] tetrahedral units, at least one of a binder and a matrix material and at least one phosphorus compound separate from said molecular sieve wherein, after calcination at 760° C. for 3 hours, said catalyst composition has a microporous surface area in excess of 20% of the microporous surface area of said molecular sieve after calcination at 650° C. in nitrogen for 2 hours. The catalyst composition is particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc Roger Marc Martens, Jeffrey Wayne Sprinkle, Ian Nathaniel Walker
  • Patent number: 6979756
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of heat treating a molecular sieve. The method comprises providing a template-containing molecular sieve, heating the molecular sieve under conditions effective to remove a portion of the template from the molecular sieve, and cooling the heated molecular sieve to leave an amount of template effective to cover catalytic sites within the molecular sieve. A catalyst composition is also provided which comprises a molecular sieve having a microporous structure and a binder, wherein between 10 and 90 vol % of the microporous structure is occupied by a material, the material comprising a template or a carbonaceous residue of a template, and the catalyst composition exhibits a Davison Index of not greater than 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Shun C. Fung, Marcel J. G. Janssen, Stephen N. Vaughn, Machteld M. Mertens, Albert Edward Schweizer, Cornelius W. M. Van Oorschot, Luc R. M. Martens, Richard B. Hall, Wilfried J. Mortier, Ronald G. Searle, Yi-Gang Xiong
  • Patent number: 6872680
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to a making a molecular sieve catalyst composition by forming a slurry by combining a molecular sieve, a binder and a matrix material, wherein the slurry has a pH, above or below the isoelectric point of the molecular sieve. The catalyst composition has improved attrition resistance, particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R. M. Martens, Joseph E. Baumgartner, Stuart L. Soled, Kenneth R. Clem