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: 6844476
    Abstract: A method for converting heavy olefins present in a product stream exiting a first reaction zone into light olefins and carbonaceous deposits on a catalyst without separation of the heavy olefins from the product stream exiting the first reaction zone. The method comprises creating the product stream exiting the first reaction zone, the product stream exiting the first reaction zone comprising the heavy olefins, moving the product stream exiting the first reaction zone to a second reaction zone without separation of the heavy olefins from the product stream exiting the first reaction zone, and contacting the product stream exiting the first reaction zone with the catalyst under conditions effective to form the light olefins, the contacting causing the carbonaceous deposits to form on at least a portion of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Vaughn, Peter G. Ham, Keith H. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 6841510
    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: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Vaughn, John Di-Yi Ou, Jar-Lin Kao, Hsiang-Ning Sun
  • Publication number: 20040266611
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen N. Vaughn, Yun-feng Chang, Luc R.M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem, Machteld M. Mertens, Albert E. Schweizer
  • Publication number: 20040235649
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R.M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Patent number: 6797852
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of making an olefin product from an oxygenate feedstock and a method of protecting catalytic activity of a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve. The methods comprise providing a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve having catalytic sites within the molecular sieve; shielding the catalytic sites to protect from loss of catalytic activity; and contacting the protected sieve in its activated state with an oxygenate feedstock under conditions effective to produce an olefin product before undesirable loss of catalytic activity. Undesirable loss in catalytic activity occurs when activated molecular sieve contacting the oxygenate feedstock has a methanol uptake index of at least 0.15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel J. G. Janssen, Cornelius W. M. Van Oorschot, Shun C. Fung, Luc R. M. Martens, Wilfried J. Mortier, Ronald G. Searle, Machteld M. Mertens, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 6787501
    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: September 7, 2004
    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: 20040167012
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making molecular sieve catalyst particles. Dried molecular sieve catalyst particles are used to make the catalyst. The dried molecular sieve catalyst particles are put into an aqueous solution and stirred to make a slurry. The slurry is dried to make the molecular sieve catalyst particles. Optionally, the dried molecular sieve catalyst particles made from the slurry are calcined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Jeffery W. Sprinkle, Fran A. Shipley, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Publication number: 20040152935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for reducing the formation of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by forming and/or coating one or more of the heating devices, feed lines or feed introduction nozzles of/with a material that is resistant to the formation of metal catalyzed side reaction byproducts. The invention also may include 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Jones, Kenneth Ray Clem, Stephen N. Vaughn, Teng Xu, Jeffrey L. White
  • Patent number: 6768034
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalytic method for operating an oxygenate to olefins conversion reaction to provide a substantial quantity of prime olefin in the product. The product is provided by operating within desired parameters of weight hourly space velocity and oxygenate partial pressure. Operating the reaction to supply oxygenate at an oxygenate proportion index of at least 0.5, and controlling weight hourly space velocity and molar flow rate of oxygenate to the reactor to maintain a partial pressure-velocity compensation factor of at least 0.1 psia−1hr−1, a prime olefin selectivity of at least 45 wt. % can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Shun C. Fung, Keith H. Kuechler, Jeffrey S. Smith, Nicolas P. Coute, Stephen N. Vaughn, Chunshe Cao
  • Publication number: 20040122273
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Kabin, Nicolas P. Coute, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20040121902
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc Roger Marc Martens, Jeffrey Wayne Sprinkle, Ian Nathaniel Walker
  • Patent number: 6740790
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock. In the method, a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst is contacted with the oxygenate-containing feedstock in a reactor at an average catalyst feedstock exposure index of at least 1.0. The method produces lower coke yield and provides an olefin product which is low in C1-C4 paraffin content. The invention is particularly effective in producing an olefin product having a very low propane content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Marcel J. G. Janssen, Stephen N. Vaughn, Shun C. Fung, Nicolas P. Coute, Jeffrey Scott Smith, James R. Lattner, Jeffrey L. White, Teng Xu, William L. Kuechler, Sr., Machteld M. Mertens, Cornelius W. M. Van Oorschot
  • Patent number: 6737556
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for reducing the formation of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by forming and/or coating one or more of the heating devices, feed lines or feed introduction nozzles of/with a material that is resistant to the formation of metal catalyzed side reaction byproducts. The invention also may include 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: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Jones, Kenneth Ray Clem, Stephen N. Vaughn, Teng Xu, Jeffrey L. White
  • Publication number: 20040077912
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for reducing the formation of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by forming and/or coating one or more of the heating devices, feed lines or feed introduction nozzles of/with a material that is resistant to the formation of metal catalyzed side reaction byproducts. The invention also may include 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Jones, Kenneth Ray Clem, Stephen N. Vaughn, Teng Xu, Jeffrey L. White
  • Patent number: 6717023
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for converting a feed containing oxygenates to olefins and comprises the following steps: providing a feed including an oxygenate; contacting the feed in a reactor apparatus with a catalyst including a molecular sieve, the contacting taking place under conditions effective to convert the oxygenate to a product including a light olefin, the conditions including a gas superficial velocity of at least two meters per second at at least one point in the reaction zone; and recirculating a first portion of the catalyst to recontact the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Stephen N. Vaughn, Keith H. Kuechler, David C. Skouby, Hsiang-Ning Sun
  • Patent number: 6710008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making molecular sieve catalyst particles. Dried molecular sieve catalyst particles are used to make the catalyst. The dried molecular sieve catalyst particles are put into an aqueous solution and stirred to make a slurry. The slurry is dried to make the molecular sieve catalyst particles. Optionally, the dried molecular sieve catalyst particles made from the slurry are calcined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Jeffery W. Sprinkle, Fran A. Shipley, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Publication number: 20040034265
    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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Marcel J.G. Janssen, Teng Xu, Cor F. Van Egmond, Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen N. Vaughn, James Harding Beech
  • Publication number: 20040034178
    Abstract: A process for method for the production of olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock includes exposing a silicoaluminophosphate catalyst to an oxygenate-containing feedstock in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert the oxygenate-containing feedstock to an olefin product, by stripping at least a portion of the exposed catalyst with a stripping gas; and returning at least a portion of the stripped catalyst directly to the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R.M. Martens, Shun C. Fung, David C. Skouby
  • Publication number: 20040015030
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of making an olefin product from an oxygenate feedstock and a method of protecting catalytic activity of a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve. The methods comprise providing a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve having catalytic sites within the molecular sieve; shielding the catalytic sites to protect from loss of catalytic activity; and contacting the protected sieve in its activated state with an oxygenate feedstock under conditions effective to produce an olefin product before undesirable loss of catalytic activity. Undesirable loss in catalytic activity occurs when activated molecular sieve contacting the oxygenate feedstock has a methanol uptake index of at least 0.15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Marcel J.G. Janssen, Cornelius W.M. Van Oorschot, Shun C. Fung, Luc R.M. Martens, Wilfried J. Mortier, Ronald G. Searle, Machteld M. Mertens, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 6673978
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting an oxygenate feedstock to an olefin product. In particular, the method incorporates the use of a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst in the manufacture of ethylene and propylene. The method includes contacting an oxygenate-containing feedstock with a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst to form the olefin-containing product in a fluidized bed reactor apparatus including at least a reaction zone and a recirculation zone. Certain ratios of the mass of catalyst in the reaction zone to that of the sum of the mass of catalyst in both the reaction zone and the recirculation zone within the reactor apparatus are specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas P. Coute', Keith H. Kuechler, Paul N. Chisholm, Stephen N. Vaughn, James R. Lattner, William L. Kuechler, Sr.