With Blending Of Products From Two Parallel Reactions Patents (Class 585/302)
  • Patent number: 10975317
    Abstract: A method for producing alkene gases from a cracked product effluent, the method comprising the steps of introducing the cracked product effluent to a fractionator unit, separating the cracked product effluent in the fractionator to produce a cracked light stream and a cracked residue stream, wherein the cracked light stream comprises the alkene gases selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, butylene, and combinations of the same, mixing the cracked residue stream and the heavy feed in the heavy mixer to produce a combined supercritical process feed, and upgrading the combined supercritical process feed in the supercritical water process to produce a supercritical water process (SWP)-treated light product and a SWP-treated heavy product, wherein the SWP-treated heavy product comprises reduced amounts of olefins and asphaltenes relative to the cracked residue stream such that the SWP-treated heavy product exhibits increased stability relative to the cracked residue stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Mazin M. Fathi, Muneef F. Alqarzouh, Bandar K. Alotaibi
  • Patent number: 10829424
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) systems for small scale and world scale production of olefins. An OCM system may comprise an OCM subsystem that generates a product stream comprising C2+ compounds and non-C2+ impurities from methane and an oxidizing agent. At least one separations subsystem downstream of, and fluidically coupled to, the OCM subsystem can be used to separate the non-C2+ impurities from the C2+ compounds. A methanation subsystem downstream and fluidically coupled to the OCM subsystem can be used to react H2 with CO and/or CO2 in the non-C2+ impurities to generate methane, which can be recycled to the OCM subsystem. The OCM system can be integrated in a non-OCM system, such as a natural gas liquids system or an existing ethylene cracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Lummus Technology LLC
    Inventors: Humera A. Rafique, Srinivas Vuddagiri, Guido Radaelli, Erik C. Scher, Jarod McCormick, Joel Cizeron
  • Patent number: 10526552
    Abstract: A method for producing alkene gases from a cracked product effluent, the method comprising the steps of introducing the cracked product effluent to a fractionator unit, separating the cracked product effluent in the fractionator to produce a cracked light stream and a cracked residue stream, wherein the cracked light stream comprises the alkene gases selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, butylene, and combinations of the same, mixing the cracked residue stream and the heavy feed in the heavy mixer to produce a combined supercritical process feed, and upgrading the combined supercritical process feed in the supercritical water process to produce a supercritical water process (SWP)-treated light product and a SWP-treated heavy product, wherein the SWP-treated heavy product comprises reduced amounts of olefins and asphaltenes relative to the cracked residue stream such that the SWP-treated heavy product exhibits increased stability relative to the cracked residue stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Mazin M. Fathi, Muneef F. Alqarzouh, Bandar K. Alotaibi
  • Patent number: 10059643
    Abstract: A process for producing para-xylene (PX) comprises supplying a hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene (EB) to a PX recovery unit, where a PX-rich stream and at least one PX-depleted stream are recovered from the feed. The PX-depleted stream is then separated into an EB-rich stream and an EB-depleted stream in a divided wall column. The EB-depleted stream is then isomerized under at least partial liquid phase conditions to produce a first isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream, and the EB-rich stream is isomerized under at least partial vapor phase conditions to produce a second isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the PX recovery unit to recover additional PX and the process is repeated to define a so-called xylene isomerization loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Bender, John R. Porter, Dana L. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 10059644
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved process and apparatus for producing para-xylene, particularly with respect to a process that involves the methylation of toluene and/or benzene to selectively produce para-xylene, wherein streams having differing amounts of ethylbenzene are separately treated in the recovery of para-xylene. A first hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene is provided to a first para-xylene adsorption section, and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and less EB than the first hydrocarbon feed is provided to a second para-xylene adsorption section. Segregating the feeds with differing ethylbenzene contents increases the overall efficiency of the adsorption of para-xylene by the adsorption units. Efficiency and energy savings may be further improved by subjecting the lower-content ethylbenzene stream to liquid phase isomerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Dana L. Pilliod, Michel Molinier
  • Patent number: 9873645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hydrocarbon products which comprises preparing a hydrocarbon stream (C4) which predominantly comprises branched and unbranched hydrocarbons each having four carbon atoms. A first and a second partial stream (i-C4, n-C4) are obtained from this stream (C4), the first partial stream (i-C4) predominantly comprising branched hydrocarbons with four carbon atoms and the second partial stream (n-C4) predominantly comprising unbranched hydrocarbons with four carbon atoms. The method further comprises the steam cracking of at least part of the first partial stream (i-C4) at a first, higher cracking severity and at least part of the second partial stream (n-C4), at a second, lower, cracking severity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefanie Walter, Helmut Fritz, Gunther Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9732011
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated process for the preparation of olefins, which process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting an oxygenate and/or olefinic feed in a reactor to form an effluent which comprises olefins; (b) fractionating at least part of the effluent into two olefinic product fractions; (c) subjecting a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reactor to a steam cracking process to form an effluent which comprises olefins including butadiene; (d) combining at least part of the first olefinic product fraction as obtained in step (b) and at least part of the second effluent which comprises olefins as obtained in step (c) to form a combined olefinic product stream comprising at least ethylene, propylene and butadiene; and (e) separating at least part of the combined olefinic product stream as obtained in step (d) to form a fraction comprising ethylene and/or propylene and a fraction that comprises butadiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Rajaram Ramesh
  • Patent number: 9725378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a p-xylene separation process wherein at least a portion of ethylbenzene present in an aromatics-containing feed is removed prior to isomerization. Aspects of the invention provide a process for producing p-xylene. The process includes providing a first mixture comprising ?5.0 wt. % of aromatic C8 isomers, the C8 isomers comprising p-xylene and ethylbenzene. A p-xylene-containing portion and an ethylbenzene-containing portion are separated from the first mixture in a first separation stage to form a p-xylene-depleted raffinate. The first separation stage can include at least one simulated moving-bed adsorptive separation stage. At least a portion the p-xylene-depleted raffinate in the liquid phase is reacted to produce a reactor effluent comprising aromatic C8 isomers. The first mixture can be combined with ?50.0 wt. % of the reactor effluent's aromatic C8 isomers. The combining can be carried out before and/or during the separating of the p-xylene and ethylbenzene portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Ou, Jeevan S. Abichandani
  • Patent number: 9517979
    Abstract: A process for producing para-xylene (PX) comprises supplying a hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene (EB) to a PX recovery unit, where a PX-rich stream and at least one PX-depleted stream are recovered from the feed. The PX-depleted stream is then separated into an EB-rich stream and an EB-depleted stream in a divided wall column. The EB-depleted stream is then isomerized under at least partial liquid phase conditions to produce a first isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream, and the EB-rich stream is isomerized under at least partial vapor phase conditions to produce a second isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the PX recovery unit to recover additional PX and the process is repeated to define a so-called xylene isomerization loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Bender, John R. Porter, Dana L. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 9517980
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved process and apparatus for producing para-xylene, particularly with respect to a process that involves the methylation of toluene and/or benzene to selectively produce para-xylene, wherein streams having differing amounts of ethylbenzene are separately treated in the recovery of para-xylene. A first hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene is provided to a first para-xylene adsorption section, and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and less EB than the first hydrocarbon feed is provided to a second para-xylene adsorption section. Segregating the feeds with differing ethylbenzene contents increases the overall efficiency of the adsorption of para-xylene by the adsorption units. Efficiency and energy savings may be further improved by subjecting the lower-content ethylbenzene stream to liquid phase isomerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Dana L. Pilliod, Michel Molinier
  • Patent number: 9212106
    Abstract: A process is described for making a product mixture including isobutene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene from a mixture of acetic acid and propionic and through reaction in the presence of a source of hydrogen and of a mixed oxide catalyst, for example, a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst. A variety of commercially valuable products may be made in turn from the various C3, C4 and C5 constituents of the product mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: Washington State University, Archer Daniels Midland Co.
    Inventors: Junming Sun, Changjun Liu, Yong Wang, Colin Smith, Kevin Martin, Padmesh Venkitasubramanian, Joshua Terrian
  • Patent number: 9035118
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and partially processing each feedstream in separate reactors. The processing includes passing the light stream to a combination hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactor. The process reduces the energy by reducing the endothermic properties of intermediate reformed process streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 9029618
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and partially processing each feedstream in separate reactors. The processing includes passing the light stream to a combination hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactor. The process reduces the energy by reducing the endothermic properties of intermediate reformed process streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 9024099
    Abstract: A process is presented for the increasing the yields of aromatics from reforming a hydrocarbon feedstream. The process includes splitting a naphtha feedstream into a light hydrocarbon stream, and a heavier stream having a relatively rich concentration of naphthenes. The heavy stream is reformed to convert the naphthenes to aromatics and the resulting product stream is further reformed with the light hydrocarbon stream to increase the aromatics yields. The catalyst is passed through the reactors in a sequential manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Moser, Kurt M. VandenBussche, David A. Wegerer, Gregory J. Gajda
  • Patent number: 9024098
    Abstract: A process for the production of aromatics through the reforming of a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process utilizes the differences in properties of components within the hydrocarbon stream to increase the energy efficiency. The differences in the reactions of different hydrocarbon components in the conversion to aromatics allows for different treatments of the different components to reduce the energy used in reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche
  • Patent number: 9024097
    Abstract: A process for reforming hydrocarbons is presented. The process involves applying process controls over the reaction temperatures to preferentially convert a portion of the hydrocarbon stream to generate an intermediate stream, which will further react with reduced endothermicity. The intermediate stream is then processed at a higher temperature, where a second reforming reactor is operated under substantially isothermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer
  • Publication number: 20150051430
    Abstract: A process for the production of paraxylene is disclosed, including utilizing a crystallization unit and a selective adsorption unit to produce paraxylene-rich streams comprising 99.7+wt % paraxylene and paraxylene-depleted streams comprising 10 to 15 wt % paraxylene. A portion of the paraxylene-depleted stream from the crystallization unit is passed through a liquid phase isomerization to produce an isomerized product containing xylenes at equilibrium or near-equilibrium concentration of 24 wt %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: John Di-Yi Ou, Dana L. Pilliod
  • Publication number: 20150031928
    Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for preparing aromatic compounds are provided herein. In an embodiment, a process for preparing aromatic compounds includes providing a first stream that includes an aromatic component, a non-aromatic component, and a sulfur-containing component. The aromatic component and the sulfur-containing component are separated from the non-aromatic component of the first stream to form a separated aromatic stream and a raffinate stream. The separated aromatic stream includes the aromatic component and the sulfur-containing component. The raffinate stream includes the non-aromatic component. The separated aromatic stream is concurrently transalkylated and desulfurized in the presence of a catalyst that includes acid function and metal function to produce a transalkylated aromatic stream and a sulfur-containing gas stream that is separate from the transalkylated aromatic stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Noe, Peter Kokayeff
  • Patent number: 8926830
    Abstract: Processes for producing aromatics from a naphtha feedstream are provided. An exemplary process includes passing the feedstream to a fractionation unit, thereby generating a first stream including hydrocarbons having less than 8 carbon atoms and a second stream including hydrocarbons having at least 8 carbon atoms. The first stream is passed to a first reformer operated at a first set of reaction conditions to generate a first product stream. The first set of reaction conditions includes a first temperature and a first pressure. The second stream is passed to a second reformer operated at a second set of reaction conditions to generate a second product stream. The second set of reaction conditions includes a second temperature and a second pressure. The first pressure is lower than the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Gajda, Mary J. Wier, Clayton Colin Sadler
  • Patent number: 8921632
    Abstract: 1-butene is recovered as a purified product from an MTO synthesis and especially from an integrated MTO synthesis and hydrocarbon pyrolysis system in which the MTO system and its complementary olefin cracking reactor are combined with a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor in a way that facilitates the flexible production and recovery of olefins and other petrochemical products, particularly butene-1 and MTBE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Montalbano, Steven Lee Krupa, John Joseph Senetar, Joseph H. Gregor, Andrea G. Bozzano, Gary S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8907150
    Abstract: A method of producing from a biomass mesitylene-isopentane fuel is provided. A biomass may be fermented to form acetone. The acetone is converted in a catalytic reactor to mesitylene and mesityl oxide. The mesitylene is separated in a phase separator and the organic face containing mesityl oxide is sent to a dehydration reactor, then to a demethylation reactor, and finally to a hydrogenation reactor from which isopentane is recovered. This isopentane is then mixed with the mesitylene to form the final mesitylene-isopentane fuel. The catalytic reaction with acetone employs catalysts of either niobium, vanadium or tantalum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Swift Fuels, LLC
    Inventor: John J. Rusek
  • Publication number: 20140357912
    Abstract: A process for catalytic conversion of low value hydrocarbon streams to light olefins in comparatively higher yields is disclosed. Propylene is obtained in amounts higher than 20 wt. % and ethylene higher than 6 wt. %. The process is carried out in a preheated cracking reactor having a single riser and circulating an FCC catalyst. The riser is divided into three temperature zones in which different hydrocarbon feeds are introduced. An oxygenate feed is introduced in the operative top zone in the riser. Heat for the endothermic cracking is obtained by the exothermic reaction of converting the oxygenate feed into gas and/or from a regenerator in which the spent FCC catalyst is burnt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Reliance Industries Limited
    Inventors: Sukumar MANDAL, Manoj YADAV, Amitkumar PAREKH, Asit Kumar DAS, Shubhangi JAGUSTE, Praveen Kumar CHINTHALA, Gopal RAVICHANDRAN, Mahesh MARVE, Ajit SAPRE
  • Patent number: 8895797
    Abstract: A reactor design and process for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons is presented. The reactor design includes a multibed catalytic reactor, where each of the reactor beds are fluidized. The catalyst in the reactor cascades through the reactor beds, with fresh catalyst input into the first reactor bed, and the spent catalyst withdrawn from the last reactor bed. The hydrocarbon feedstream is input to the reactor beds in a parallel formation, thereby decreasing the thermal residence time of the hydrocarbons when compared with a single bed fluidized reactor, or a series reactor scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David N. Myers, Lev Davydov
  • Patent number: 8895794
    Abstract: We provide a process for producing high quality gasoline blending components, comprising: a) operating an alkylation reactor in an alkylate mode wherein a gasoline blending component is made having a RON of 90 or higher; and b) operating the alkylation reactor in a distillate mode wherein a second gasoline blending component and a distillate product is made, and wherein the second gasoline blending component has a RON of 85 or higher. Also, we provide an alkylation process unit, comprising: a control system connected to an alkylation reactor, that enables the alkylation reactor to operate in both an alkylate mode that produces a gasoline blending component having a RON of 90 or higher and in a distillate mode that produces a second gasoline blending component having a RON of 85 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Hye-Kyung Timken, Shawn Winter, Howard S. Lacheen, Sven Ivar Hommeltoft
  • Publication number: 20140316173
    Abstract: A process for producing jet fuel comprising the following steps: A.1) separating at least a portion of the C9 to C15 fraction from the product of a hydrocarbon synthesis process; A.2) converting at least a part of the separated C9 to C15 fraction to aromatic hydrocarbons; A.3) obtaining a jet fuel comprising the, optionally further treated, converted separated C9 to C15 fraction of step A.2); B.1) separating at least a portion of the C16+ fraction from the product of a hydrocarbon synthesis process; B.2) reducing the average number of carbon atoms of at least a portion of the separated C16+ fraction; B.3) optionally, separating the C9 to C15 fraction of at least a portion from the product obtained from step B.2); and B.4) adding at least a portion of the C9 to C15 fraction separated in step B.3), if present; or at least a portion of the product of step B.2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Sasol Technology (PTY) Ltd., Axens
    Inventors: Ewald Watermeyer De Wet, Pata Clair Williams, Stéphane Fedou, Marielle Gagniere
  • Patent number: 8865955
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a process for oligomerizing one or more hydrocarbons. The process includes providing a feed including one or more C3 and C4 hydrocarbons to a separation zone, separating a first stream including an effective amount of C3 olefins for oligomerizing, separating a second stream including an effective amount of one or more C4 olefins for oligomerizing, providing at least a portion of the first stream to a first oligomerization zone for producing at least one of a C9 and a C12 hydrocarbon, and providing at least a portion of the second stream to a second oligomerization zone for producing at least one of a C8 and a C12 hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Steven Lee Krupa, Christian D. Freet, Mohamed Shakur
  • Patent number: 8841499
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for isomerization of paraffins are provided. In one example, a method comprises the steps of compressing a C4? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer vapor stream to form a compressed C4? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer stream. A C4 hydrocarbons-containing feed stream that comprises unbranched C4 hydrocarbons is contacted with a chloride-promoted isomerization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to form a branched C4 hydrocarbons-containing reaction zone effluent. At least a portion of the compressed C4? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer stream is combined with the branched C4 hydrocarbons-containing reaction zone effluent to form a C4 hydrocarbons-containing combined stream. The C4 hydrocarbons-containing combined stream is separated into a C3? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer vapor stream and a C4 hydrocarbons-rich product stream that comprises branched C4 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manoj Kumar, David James Shecterle
  • Publication number: 20140275675
    Abstract: Processes and systems for cracking feeds to produce olefins are provided. The process for cracking feeds can include converting a first feed containing at least about 50 wt % methanol in a first riser under a first set of process conditions to produce a first effluent enriched in ethylene, propylene, or a mixture thereof, wherein the first effluent contains at least about 25 wt % dry basis propylene and converting a second feed containing C4-C10 light hydrocarbons in a second riser under a second set of process conditions to produce a second effluent enriched in ethylene, propylene, or a mixture thereof. The process can also include combining the first effluent with the second effluent to produce a mixed effluent, separating the mixed effluent to produce a coked-catalyst and a gaseous product, regenerating the coked-catalyst, and recycling the regenerated catalyst to the first and second risers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Curtis ENG
  • Publication number: 20140249341
    Abstract: The xylene isomerization process unit and the transalkylation process units are combined in the present invention. A fractionation column can be shared by the two units, reducing the capital cost of the complex. In some embodiments, a split shell fractionation column and a split separator can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jason T. Corradi, David W. Ablin, David W. Liu
  • Patent number: 8822747
    Abstract: The xylene isomerization process unit and the transalkylation process units are combined in the present invention. A fractionation column can be shared by the two units, reducing the capital cost of the complex. In some embodiments, a split shell fractionation column and a split separator can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jason T. Corradi, David W. Ablin, David W. Liu
  • Publication number: 20140221712
    Abstract: Integrated processes for upgrading crude shale-derived oils, such as those produced by oil shale retorting or by in situ extraction or combinations thereof. Processes disclosed provide for a split-flow processing scheme to upgrade whole shale oil. The split flow concepts described herein, i.e., naphtha and kerosene hydrotreating in one or more stages and gas oil hydrotreating in one or more stages, requires additional equipment as compared to the alternative approach of whole oil hydrotreating. While contrary to conventional wisdom as requiring more capital equipment to achieve the same final product specifications, the operating efficiency vis a vis on-stream time efficiency and product quality resulting from the split flow concept far exceed in value the somewhat incrementally higher capital expenditure costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Marvin I. Greene, Ujjal K. Mukherjee, Arun Arora
  • Publication number: 20140187831
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser
  • Publication number: 20140187832
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Antoine Negiz, Kurt M. VandenBussche
  • Publication number: 20140128649
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for isomerization of paraffins are provided. In one example, a method comprises the steps of compressing a C4? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer vapor stream to form a compressed C4? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer stream. A C4 hydrocarbons-containing feed stream that comprises unbranched C4 hydrocarbons is contacted with a chloride-promoted isomerization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to form a branched C4hydrocarbons-containing reaction zone effluent. At least a portion of the compressed C4? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer stream is combined with the branched C4 hydrocarbons-containing reaction zone effluent to form a C4 hydrocarbons-containing combined stream. The C4 hydrocarbons-containing combined stream is separated into a C3? hydrocarbons-containing stabilizer vapor stream and a C4 hydrocarbons-rich product stream that comprises branched C4 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manoj Kumar, David James Shecterle
  • Publication number: 20140012053
    Abstract: Natural gas and petrochemical processing systems including oxidative coupling of methane reactor systems that integrate process inputs and outputs to cooperatively utilize different inputs and outputs of the various systems in the production of higher hydrocarbons from natural gas and other hydrocarbon feedstocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Siluria Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Iyer, Alex Takachenko, Sam Weinberger, Erik Scher
  • Patent number: 8609912
    Abstract: Separated volumes can be created in a reactor using interior dividing wall or interior conduit structures. Feedstocks can be hydroprocessed in the separated volumes to allow multiple types of hydroprocessing conditions and/or feeds to be processed in a single reactor. The feedstocks can remain separate for the entire volume of the reactor, or the dividing barrier can end at some intermediate point in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Michel Daage
  • Patent number: 8604262
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Mark D. Moser
  • Patent number: 8598396
    Abstract: Olefin feeds with high olefin content and/or containing a substance that generates water when contacting the catalyst, are oligomerised over solid phosphoric acid catalyst in tubular reactors by introducing the olefin feed into the reactor and maintaining the reacting mixture under conditions whereby the peak temperature is controlled to be below 265° C. and preferably a single liquid or dense phase is maintained and the average temperature throughout the reactor is maintained in the range 190° C. to 260° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Wayne Beadle, John Stephen Godsmark, Robert L. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20130281748
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing 1,3-butadiene through oxidative dehydrogenation of normal-butene using a parallel reactor in which catalysts are charged into fixed bed reactors and are not physically mixed. More specifically, disclosed is a method for efficiently producing 1,3-butadiene through oxidative dehydrogenation of normal-butene using the parallel reactor containing multi-component bismuth molybdate-based catalysts exhibiting different activities to oxidative dehydrogenation for normal-butene isomers (1-butene, trans-2-butene and cis-2-butene), and butene separated from a C4 mixture containing normal-butene and normal-butane, as a reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Kyong-Yong Cha, Dong-Hyun Ko, Dae-Chul Kim, Hyun-Seok Nam, Dae-Heung Choi
  • Patent number: 8563793
    Abstract: Processes utilizing the integration of (i) processes and the associated equipment used to purify and recover propylene from propane- and/or C4+-containing refinery hydrocarbon streams, with (ii) catalytic dehydrogenation are disclosed. This integration allows for elimination of some or all of the conventional fractionation section of the dehydrogenation process, normally used to purify propylene from unconverted propane in the reactor effluent. Significant capital and utility savings are therefore attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zimmermann, Larry C. Erickson, Gregory J. Nedohin
  • Publication number: 20130237730
    Abstract: A process of producing isopropyl benzene which solves the problem of high amount of n-propyl benzene according to the prior art. The process separates the polyisopropyl benzene through a suitable rectification into two streams of relatively lighter and heavier components, wherein the content of diisopropylbenzene in the stream of relatively lighter components is controlled to be at least greater than 95 wt %, and the content of tri-isopropyl benzene in the stream of relatively heavier components is controlled to be at least greater than 0.5 wt %. Such a technical solution subjecting the two streams respectively to the transalkylation solves the problem raised from the prior art, and is useful for the industrial production of isopropyl benzene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicants: Shanghai Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology, SINOPEC, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Huanxin Gao, Bin Zhou, Yilun Wei, Ruifang Gu, Hua Fang, Shufang Ji, Hui Yao
  • Patent number: 8530714
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for production of lower olefins from a raw material containing dimethyl ether (DME), which can produce lower olefins (e.g. propylene) with good yield and in an economically advantageous manner by prolonging the time until the reversible deactivation of a zeolite catalyst and preventing the irreversible deactivation of the catalyst, can reduce the amount of water to be recycled to increase the thermal efficiency of the process, and can simplify the facilities and operations. Also disclosed is a method for improving the yield of propylene with good efficiency under practical operating conditions. A feed gas which comprises a DME-containing feedstock gas and an additive gas and further contains steam at a specific proportion is introduced into an olefin synthesis reactor to contact the feed gas with a zeolite catalyst, thereby producing a hydrocarbon product containing C2-C5 olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ito, Kazunori Honda, Koji Oyama, Nobuyasu Chikamatsu, Kazutaka Hiraoka, Atsushi Okita
  • Publication number: 20130225886
    Abstract: Processes for producing aromatics from a naphtha feedstream are provided. An exemplary process includes passing the feedstream to a fractionation unit, thereby generating a first stream including hydrocarbons having less than 8 carbon atoms and a second stream including hydrocarbons having at least 8 carbon atoms. The first stream is passed to a first reformer operated at a first set of reaction conditions to generate a first product stream. The first set of reaction conditions includes a first temperature and a first pressure. The second stream is passed to a second reformer operated at a second set of reaction conditions to generate a second product stream. The second set of reaction conditions includes a second temperature and a second pressure. The first pressure is lower than the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: UOP LLC
  • Patent number: 8487154
    Abstract: A process comprising adjusting a level of conjunct polymers in an ionic liquid catalyst between a low level that favors production of C5+ products boiling at 137.8° C. or below and a higher level that favors production of both C5+ products boiling at 137.8° C. or below and C5+ products boiling above 137.8° C.; wherein the adjusting is done in response to market demand. A process unit, comprising a reactor that operates with an ionic liquid catalyst comprising a low level or a higher level of conjunct polymers, and the alkylation reactor is switched between operating with the low and the higher levels in response to market demand. A process unit, comprising a reactor that operates in an alkylate mode and a distillate mode, and a catalyst regenerator that operates with varying severity to adjust the level of conjunct polymers in response to demand for gasoline or distillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Hye-Kyung Timken, Shawn Winter, Howard S. Lacheen, Sven Ivar Hommeltoft
  • Publication number: 20130172627
    Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing lower olefins comprising: a) steam cracking a paraffinic feedstock to obtain a cracker effluent comprising olefins and saturated and unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons; b) contacting an oxygenate feedstock with a molecular sieve-comprising catalyst, at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 1000° C. to obtain an oxygenate conversion effluent comprising olefins and saturated and unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons; c) subjecting the cracker effluent and the oxygenate conversion effluent to one or more separation steps such that an olefin product stream comprising ethylene and/or propylene, and a stream comprising saturated and unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons are obtained; and d) subjecting part of the stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons from both the cracker effluent and the oxygenate conversion effluent to extractive distillation to obtain a stream enriched in unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons and a stream enriched in saturated C4 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Shell Oil Company
  • Publication number: 20130165716
    Abstract: A process preparing an aromatic product comprising xylene, the process comprising: a) cracking a feedstock to obtain a cracker effluent comprising olefins and aromatics; b) converting an oxygenate feedstock in an oxygenate-to-olefins conversion system, comprising a reaction zone in which an oxygenate feedstock is contacted with a catalyst to obtain a conversion effluent comprising benzene, toluene, xylene and olefins; c) combining at least part of the cracker effluent and at least part of the conversion effluent to obtain a combined effluent, the combined effluent comprising aromatics; d) separating at least a portion of the benzene and/or toluene from the combined effluent to form a benzene and/or toluene stream; e) separating the olefins from the combined effluent; f) separating xylene from the combined effluent to form a xylene stream; and g) recycling at least a part of the benzene and/or toluene streams as recycled aromatics to step b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: SHELL OIL COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130165715
    Abstract: The xylene isomerization process unit and the transalkylation process units are combined in the present invention. A fractionation column can be shared by the two units, reducing the capital cost of the complex. In some embodiments, a split shell fractionation column and a split separator can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: UOP LLC
  • Publication number: 20130165712
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of an olefin product comprising ethylene, comprising a) cracking a cracker feedstock to obtain a cracker effluent comprising olefins; b) converting an oxygenate feedstock in an oxygenate-to-olefins conversion system, comprising a reaction zone in which an oxygenate feedstock is contacted a catalyst to obtain a conversion effluent comprising ethylene and/or propylene; c) combining at least part of the cracker effluent and at least part of the conversion effluent to obtain a combined effluent wherein the combined effluent comprises a C4 portion and a C3 portion; d) separating at least a part of the propylene from the combined effluent to form a combined propylene stream; e) separating at least a part of the C4 portion from the combined effluent to form a C4 stream; and f) recycling at least a part of the combined propylene stream as recycled propylene to step b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Shell Oil Company
  • Publication number: 20130158316
    Abstract: A process for the production of aromatics through the reforming of a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process utilizes the differences in properties of components within the hydrocarbon stream to increase the energy efficiency. The differences in the reactions of different hydrocarbon components in the conversion to aromatics allows for different treatments of the different components to reduce the energy used in reforming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche
  • Patent number: 8455708
    Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbon products, comprising: a) operating a process unit in an alkylate mode wherein greater than 50 wt % of a C5+ hydrocarbon stream from the process unit boils at 137.8° C. or below, b) adjusting one or more process conditions in the process unit, and c) after the adjusting step, operating the process unit in a distillate mode wherein greater than 50 wt % of the C5+ hydrocarbon stream from the process unit boils above 137.8° C. Also, a process unit, comprising: a) an alkylation reactor; and b) a control system that enables the alkylation reactor to be operated in the alkylate mode and in the distillate mode; wherein the alkylation reactor can switch back and forth from operating in the alkylate mode to the distillate mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Hye-Kyung Timken, Shawn Winter, Howard S. Lacheen, Sven Ivar Hommeltoft