Patents by Inventor X. D. Hu

X. D. Hu 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: 7871961
    Abstract: A high efficiency catalyst for use in a catalytic partial oxidation process for the production of hydrogen or syngas gas from hydrocarbons is disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhenium in combination with a second metal selected from the group of rhenium to second metal of 25:1 to 1:1. the process comprises reacting a feed containing hydrocarbons with an oxygen source at a C/O ratio of about 0.9 to 1.1 in the presence of the catalyst, and wherein the gas hourly space velocity of the feed over the catalyst ranges from about 1,000 hr?1 to about 2,000,000 hr ?1. In the process, the catalyst is maintained as a temperature of from about 500° C. to about 1,500° C. as the feed makes contact with the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: Shizhong Zhao, X.D. Hu, David Patrick Tolle, David B. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7585812
    Abstract: A catalyst for use in the Fischer-Tropsch process, and a method to prepare the catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst of the present invention has a higher surface area, more uniform metal distribution, and smaller metal crystallite size than Fischer-Tropsch catalysts of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: X. D. Hu, Patrick J. Loi, Robert J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7566680
    Abstract: A method for producing a high surface area iron material starting with a low surface area iron metal is disclosed. The iron material of the present invention has a surface area of at least about 200 m2/g, and is prepared via a method which comprises reacting a low surface area iron metal with oxygen and an organic acid. The high surface area iron material formed via this method is essentially free of contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: Guido Petrini, Esterino Conca, Robert J. O'Brien, X.D. Hu, Samantha Sargent
  • Patent number: 7560412
    Abstract: A method for producing a cobalt on alumina catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst is prepared by thoroughly mixing cobalt nitrate into a peptized alumina slurry, and then spray-drying the slurry to form attrition resistant microspheres. The cobalt prepared by this invention is fully reducible. Optionally, metals such as ruthenium can be added to the cobalt/alumina catalyst by impregnation or methods known in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Osbourne, Robert O'Brien, Jeff Kirchner, X. D. Hu
  • Publication number: 20090036296
    Abstract: A catalyst for use in the Fischer-Tropsch process, and a method to prepare the catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst of the present invention has a higher surface area, more uniform metal distribution, and smaller metal crystallite size than Fischer-Tropsch catalysts of the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: X.D. Hu, Patrick J. Loi, Robert J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7452844
    Abstract: The Fischer-Tropsch catalyst of the present invention is a transition metal-based catalyst having a high surface area, a smooth, homogeneous surface morphology, an essentially uniform distribution of cobalt throughout the support, and a small metal crystallite size. In a first embodiment, the catalyst has a surface area of from about 100 m2/g to about 250 m2/g; an essentially smooth, homogeneous surface morphology; an essentially uniform distribution of metal throughout an essentially inert support; and a metal oxide crystallite size of from about 40 ? to about 200 ?. In a second embodiment, the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is a cobalt-based catalyst with a first precious metal promoter and a second metal promoter on an aluminum oxide support, the catalyst having from about 5 wt % to about 60 wt % cobalt; from about 0.0001 wt % to about 1 wt % of the first promoter, and from about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt % of the second promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Süd-Chemie Inc
    Inventors: X. D. Hu, Patrick J. Loi, Robert J. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20080056985
    Abstract: A high efficiency catalyst for use in a catalytic partial oxidation process for the production of hydrogen or syngas gas from hydrocarbons is disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhenium in combination with a second metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium at an atomic ratio of rhenium to second metal of from 25:1 to 1:1. The process comprises reacting a feed containing hydrocarbons with an oxygen source at a C/O ratio of about 0.9 to about 1.1 in the presence of the catalyst, and wherein the gas hourly space velocity of the feed over the catalyst ranges from about 1,000 hr?1 to about 2,000,000 hr?1. In the process, the catalyst is maintained at a temperature of from about 500° C. to about 1,500° C. as the feed makes contact with the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Shizhong Zhao, X.D. Hu, David Patrick Tolle, David B. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7271126
    Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst for use in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene is disclosed. The catalyst of the present invention comprises a high purity metal and at least one promoter in the form of solid oxides, oxide hydrates, hydroxides, hydroxycarbonates or metals. The catalyst is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of at least one high purity iron precursor with or without an additional support material and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst pellets prepared with the high purity metal precursor are essentially free of sulfur and chloride contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Smith, Robert J. O'Brien, X. D. Hu
  • Publication number: 20070099797
    Abstract: The Fischer-Tropsch catalyst of the present invention is a transition metal-based catalyst having a high surface area, a smooth, homogeneous surface morphology, an essentially uniform distribution of cobalt throughout the support, and a small metal crystallite size. In a first embodiment, the catalyst has a surface area of from about 100 m2/g to about 250 m2/g; an essentially smooth, homogeneous surface morphology; an essentially uniform distribution of metal throughout an essentially inert support; and a metal oxide crystallite size of from about 40 ? to about 200 ?. In a second embodiment, the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is a cobalt-based catalyst with a first precious metal promoter and a second metal promoter on an aluminum oxide support, the catalyst having from about 5 wt % to about 60 wt % cobalt; from about 0.0001 wt % to about 1 wt % of the first promoter, and from about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt % of the second promoter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: X.D. Hu, Patrick Loi, Robert O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7199077
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising iron and at least one promoter is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of a high purity iron precursor and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst particles prepared with the high purity iron precursor have an essentially spherical particle shape, a relatively narrow particle size distribution range, and a high surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: X. D Hu, Robert J. O'Brien, Richard Tuell, Esternio Conca, Carlo Rubini, Guido Petrini
  • Patent number: 7179766
    Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Wolfe, Paul D. Schneider, Robert O'Brien, X. D. Hu, Jeff Braden, Patrick McLaughlin, Joe Stack
  • Publication number: 20060101944
    Abstract: A method for producing a high surface area iron material starting with a low surface area iron metal is disclosed. The iron material of the present invention has a surface area of at least about 200 m2/g, and is prepared via a method which comprises reacting a low surface area iron metal with oxygen and an organic acid. The high surface area iron material formed via this method is essentially free of contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Guido Petrini, Esterino Conca, Robert O'Brien, X.D. Hu, Samantha Sargent
  • Patent number: 7037876
    Abstract: A high temperature water gas shift catalyst comprising iron and at least one promoter is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of a high purity iron precursor and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst prepared according to the inventive method is more efficient in hydrogen production under the high temperature water gas shift reaction conditions in a fixed bed test than prior art catalysts of similar composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: Robert O'Brien, X. D. Hu, Richard Tuell, Yeping Cai
  • Publication number: 20060035783
    Abstract: A method for producing a cobalt on alumina catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst is prepared by thoroughly mixing cobalt nitrate into a peptized alumina slurry, and then spray-drying the slurry to form attrition resistant microspheres. The cobalt prepared by this invention is fully reducible. Optionally, metals such as ruthenium can be added to the cobalt/alumina catalyst by impregnation or methods known in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Todd Osbourne, Robert O'Brien, Jeff Kirchner, X.D. Hu
  • Publication number: 20060009352
    Abstract: A promoted calcium-alumina supported reforming catalyst that is particularly useful for reforming reactions where low H2/CO ratio synthesis gas, such as less than 2.3 is generated directly is disclosed. The catalyst comprises from about 25 wt % to about 98 wt % alumina, from about 0.5 wt % to about 35 wt % calcium oxide, from about 0.01 wt % to about 35 wt % of a promoter, and from about 0.05 wt % to about 30 wt % of an active metal. The promoter is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, yttrium, niobium, elements of the lanthanum-series, such as, without limitation, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, ytterbium, and combinations thereof. The active metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, iridium and combinations thereof as active metal, wherein the calcium oxide is combined with the alumina to form aluminum-rich calcium aluminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Shizhong Zhao, Yeping Cai, X.D. Hu, Jurgen Ladebeck, Jon Wagner
  • Patent number: 6979663
    Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Süd-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Wolfe, Paul D. Schneider, Robert O'Brien, X. D. Hu, Jeff Braden, Patrick McLaughlin, Joe Stack
  • Publication number: 20040235652
    Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst for use in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene is disclosed. The catalyst of the present invention comprises a high purity metal and at least one promoter in the form of solid oxides, oxide hydrates, hydroxides, hydroxycarbonates or metals. The catalyst is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of at least one high purity iron precursor with or without an additional support material and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst pellets prepared with the high purity metal precursor are essentially free of sulfur and chloride contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis J. Smith, Robert J. O'Brien, X. D. Hu
  • Publication number: 20040157731
    Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: David C. Wolfe, Paul D. Schneider, Robert O'Brien, X.D. Hu, Jeff Braden, Patrick McLaughlin, Joe Stack
  • Publication number: 20040121901
    Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: David C. Wolfe, Paul D. Schneider, Robert O'Brien, X.D. Hu, Jeff Braden, Patrick McLaughlin, Joe Stack
  • Publication number: 20040077483
    Abstract: A high temperature water gas shift catalyst comprising iron and at least one promoter is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of a high purity iron precursor and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst prepared according to the inventive method is more efficient in hydrogen production under the high temperature water gas shift reaction conditions in a fixed bed test than prior art catalysts of similar composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Robert O'Brien, X.D. Hu, Richard Tuell, Yeping Cai