From O Compound Feed Or Intermediate Patents (Class 585/327)
  • Patent number: 7834227
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Tom N. Kalnes, Paul T. Barger, Gavin P. Towler, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7795484
    Abstract: A feedstock originating from renewable sources is converted to branched and saturated hydrocarbons without heteroatoms in the base oils distillation range by converting the fatty acids to olefins, which are subsequently oligomerised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventor: Eija Koivusalmi
  • Patent number: 7790941
    Abstract: The invention concerns methods and systems for minimizing back-mixing of feedstock flow in converting oxygenates to olefins. In one embodiment, back-mixing is reduced by providing a reactor that includes baffles to reduce the hydraulic diameter of at least a portion of the reactor. Some or all of the baffles can also serve as cooling tubes for reducing temperature gradients in the reactor, and thereby maximize light olefin production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Nicolas Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Charles O. Bolthrunis, Domenic C. Ferrari, Umesh K. Jayaswal, Roy Walter Silverman
  • Publication number: 20100216958
    Abstract: Isobutene, isoprene, and butadiene are obtained from mixtures of C4 and/or C5 olefins by dehydrogenation. The C4 and/or C5 olefins can be obtained by dehydration of C4 and C5 alcohols, for example, renewable C4 and C5 alcohols prepared from biomass by thermochemical or fermentation processes. Isoprene or butadiene can be polymerized to form polymers such as polyisoprene, polybutadiene, synthetic rubbers such as butyl rubber, etc. in addition, butadiene can be converted to monomers such as methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, adiponitrile, 1,4-butadiene, etc. which can then be polymerized to form nylons, polyesters, polymethylmethacrylate etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew W. Peters, Joshua D. Taylor, Leo E. Manzer, David E. Henton
  • Patent number: 7772335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for converting an oxygenated hydrocarbon feedstock into an olefin product comprising: (a) forming a CHA framework type aluminosilicate sieve catalyst made from a substantially fluoride-free synthesis mixture comprising silicon and aluminum sources, a slurry medium, and a template, wherein the sieve is substantially free from framework phosphorus and exhibits a Si/Al ratio from about 40-60; (b) optionally formulating the molecular sieve catalyst with an oxidized aluminum-containing precursor matrix material and a clay binder to form a molecular sieve catalyst composition; (c) activating the catalyst by removing/decomposing the template; and (d) contacting the activated catalyst with the feedstock under conditions sufficient to form an olefin product comprising ?about 65% by weight, on a water-free basis, of ethylene and propylene and having an ethylene-to-propylene ratio ?about 1.2. Ethylene- and propylene-containing polymers can be formed from the olefin product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Guang Cao, John F. Brody, Matu J. Shah
  • Patent number: 7763765
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, James H. Beech, Doron Levin, Stephen N. Vaughn, Stephen H. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100185021
    Abstract: A method of producing alcohols, hydrocarbons, or both from biomass by converting biomass into a carboxylic acid, reacting the carboxylic acid with an olefin to produce an ester and hydrogenolyzing the ester to produce alcohol. A method of producing hydrocarbons from biomass by converting at least a portion of the biomass into a carboxylic acid, a ketone, or an ammonium carboxylate salt, reacting at least one of a portion of the carboxylic acid, a portion of the ketone, or a portion of the ammonium carboxylate salt in an oligomerization reactor as at least part of a process that produces an oligomerization product and separating hydrocarbons from the oligomerization product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Michael Kyle Ross, Gary Luce, John Spencer, Rae Spencer, Mark T. Holtzapple, Cesar B. Granda, Sebastian Taco Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20100160506
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an integrated method for making synthetic hydrocarbon fluids, plasticizers and polar synthetic lubricant base stocks from a renewable feedstock. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to a metathesis reaction of natural oil or its derivative ester and ethylene in the presence of an effective amount of a metathesis catalyst to form linear alpha-olefins, internal olefins and reduced chain length triglycerides. The linear alpha-olefins and/or internal olefins are polymerized to produce synthetic hydrocarbon fluids in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The reduced chain length triglycerides are converted into polar synthetic lubricant base stocks or plasticizers by hydrogenation, isomerization, followed by hydrogenations, or by hydroisomerization processes. Alternatively, the reduced chain length triglycerides can also be epoxidized to form epoxidized triglyceride plasticizers, optionally followed by carbonation, to form carbonated triglyceride plasticizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Margaret May-Som Wu, Karla Schall Colle, Ramzi Yanni Saleh, Allen D. Godwin, John Edmond Randolph Stanat
  • Patent number: 7732537
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for formulating a molecular sieve catalyst composition, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthesized molecular sieve having been recovered in the presence of a flocculant; (b) thermally treating the synthesized molecular sieve at a temperature from about 50° C. to about 250° C. and under other conditions sufficient to form a thermally treated synthesized molecular sieve having a first LOI less than 26% and a first micropore surface area; (c) aging the thermally treated synthesized molecular sieve for at least one year; (d) analyzing the aged, thermally treated molecular sieve to determine a second micropore surface area, wherein the second micropore surface area is 3% or less lower than the first micropore surface area; and (e) combining the aged, thermally treated synthesized molecular sieve, a binder, and optionally a matrix material to produce an aged, formulated molecular sieve catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Luc R. M. Martens, Machteld Maria Mertens, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7705193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for conversion of a gasoline-range hydrocarbon feed into a gasoline fraction with a higher octane rating than that of the feedstream, and a gasoil fraction with a cetane number higher than 45, including the following steps: a) a membrane separation step (B) applied to the hydrocarbon feed under conditions enabling selective separation of the majority of the linear olefins present in said feed and constituting the ? fraction, the fraction containing the majority of the branched olefins, termed the ? fraction, constituting a gasoline with a high octane rating, greater than that of the feed; b) an oligomerisation step (C) applied to the linear olefins (? fraction) contained in the effluent stream from the membrane separation step (B) under moderate oligomerisation conditions; c) a distillation separation step (D) applied to the effluent stream arising from the oligomerisation step in at least two fractions; d) a hydrogenation step (E) applied to one of the fractions obtained at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Patrick Briot, Arnaud Baudot, Vincent Coupard, Stéphane Morin, Alain Methivier
  • Patent number: 7544851
    Abstract: In a method of synthesizing an aluminophosphate or silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve, a synthesis mixture is prepared by mixing a plurality of starting materials including at least a source of water, a source of phosphorus, a source of aluminum, optionally, a source of silicon and, and at least one organic directing agent for directing the formation of said molecular sieve. The starting materials are maintained at a temperature between 25° C. and 50° C., preferably between 30° C. and 45° C., during the mixing and until preparation of the starting mixture is complete, whereafter the synthesis mixture is heated to a crystallization temperature between about 100° C. and about 350° C. until crystals of the molecular sieve are produced. When crystallization is complete, the molecular sieve is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Machteld Maria Mertens, Thomas H. Colle
  • Patent number: 7528201
    Abstract: In a method of synthesizing a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve comprising a CHA framework type material, an AEI framework type material, or a material comprising at least one intergrown phase of an AEI framework type and a CHA framework type, the amount of alkali metal present in said synthesis mixture is controlled so as to reduce the crystal size of the molecular sieve and/or to increase the AEI character of the intergrown phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Machteld M. Mertens, An Verberckmoes
  • Patent number: 7518026
    Abstract: A catalyst composition for use in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins comprises a first crystalline silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve comprising at least one intergrown form of an AEI structure type material and a CHA structure type material, and a second crystalline material different from said first molecular sieve and resulting from dehydration of an aluminophosphate or silicoaluminophosphate hydrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Machteld M. Mertens, Marcel J. Janssen, Yun-feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7511184
    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: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R. M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Patent number: 7501546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing high-quality hydrocarbon base oil of biological origin. The process of the invention comprises alcohol condensation, hydrodeoxygenation, and isomerization steps. Alcohols, preferably fatty alcohols of biological origin are used as the feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oj
    Inventors: Eija Koivusalmi, Juha Moilanen
  • Patent number: 7411106
    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: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Stephen N. Vaughn, Richard B. Hall, Doron Levin, James Clark Vartuli
  • Patent number: 7402718
    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: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    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: 7378562
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing alkynes and/or dienes from an olefin product stream withdrawn from an oxygenate-to-olefins reactor. The process comprises hydrogenating a first olefin stream that has alkynes and/or dienes in the presence of excess hydrogen and a first hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation of the first olefin stream produces a second olefin stream that has unreacted hydrogen. The second olefin stream is contacted with a second hydrogenation catalyst producing a third olefin stream. The third olefin stream has low levels of hydrogen and alkynes and/or dienes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Holroyd Kuechler, David R. Lumgair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7378563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process of a feedstock, preferably an oxygenated feedstock, into one or more olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition that includes a molecular sieve and a Group 3 metal oxide and/or an oxide of a Lanthanide or Actinide series element. The invention is also directed to methods of making and formulating the molecular sieve catalyst composition useful in a conversion process of a feedstock into one or more olefin(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Levin, James Clark Vartuli
  • Patent number: 7368621
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing 1-octene from a C4 fraction from a cracker by telomerization of the 1,3-butadiene present in the C4 fraction from a cracker by means of methanol in the presence of a catalyst, hydrogenation of the telomer obtained in this way, dissociation of the hydrogenated telomer and work-up of the resulting dissociation product to give pure 1-octene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: OXENO Olefinchemie GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Krissmann, Dirk Roettger, Cornelia Borgmann, Kerstin Kaemper, Franz Nierlich, Alfred Kaizik, Udo Knippenberg, Rainer Malzkorn
  • Patent number: 7358410
    Abstract: The present invention provides various processes for producing polypropylene from an oxygenate-contaminated propylene-containing feedstock, preferably derived from an oxygenate to olefin reaction system. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a propylene-containing stream from an oxygenate to olefin reaction system, wherein the propylene-containing stream comprises propylene and an oxygenate. The propylene in the propylene-containing stream contacts a polymerization catalyst in a polymerization zone under conditions effective to polymerize the propylene to form the polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard Shutt, Jeffrey L. Brinen
  • Patent number: 7355086
    Abstract: A method for maintaining the activity of silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve catalyst particles during oxygenate to olefin conversion reactions. After regeneration of SAPO catalyst particles, the regenerated particles are mixed with particles having coke on their surface in a manner that maintains their catalytic activity at a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Shun C. Fung, Richard B. Hall, Hafedh Kochkar, Karl G. Strohmaier, Nicolas P. Coute, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Patent number: 7329788
    Abstract: Process for producing gasoline components. The process comprises feeding a fresh olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock to a reaction zone, in which its structure is first isomerized. The isomerized hydrocarbon is drawn out of the first reaction zone and conducted to a second reaction zone, where the isomerized hydrocarbon is dimerized. The dimerized reaction product is drawn out of the second reaction zone and separated from the flow in a separation zone. Because there are more isoolefins present in the dimerization unit feed, more isoolefin dimers useful as fuel components can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Marja Tiitta, Elina Harlin, Antti Pyhälahti
  • Patent number: 7329787
    Abstract: A process is described for transforming an initial hydrocarbon feed containing 4 to 15 carbon atoms, limits included, into a hydrocarbon fraction having an improved octane number and a hydrocarbon fraction with a high cetane number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Patrick Briot, Vincent Coupard, Alain Forestiere, Eric Llido
  • Patent number: 7317133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of light weight olefins comprising olefins having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms per molecule from an oxygenate feedstock. The process comprises passing the oxygenate feedstock to an oxygenate conversion zone containing a metal alumino phosphate catalyst to produce a light weight olefin stream. A propylene stream and/or mixed butylene is fractionated from said light weight olefin stream and a medium weight C4 to C7 stream is cracked in a separate olefin cracking reactor to enhance the yield of ethylene and propylene products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bipin V. Vora, Peter R. Pujado
  • Patent number: 7309806
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Loezos, Shun Chong Fung, Stephen Neil Vaughn, Kenneth Ray Clem, James H. Beech, Nicolas P. Coute, Marcel Johannes Janssen, Luc Roger Marc Martens, Karl G. Strohmaier
  • Publication number: 20070244000
    Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of olefin product high in ethylene and propylene content using synthesis gas (syngas) as a feed. The syngas is converted to an intermediate composition high in methanol and dimethyl ether using a catalyst of at least two catalyst components, the first including at least one metal oxide and the second including at least one molecular sieve. The intermediate composition is then contacted with an olefin forming catalyst to form the olefin product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Michel Molinier, James R. Lattner, Matthew James Vincent, Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 7238844
    Abstract: This invention is to a method of oligomerizing an olefin feed stream. The olefin feed stream contains at least one C2 to C12 olefin to obtain an olefin feed stream and has less than 1,000 ppm by weight oxygenated hydrocarbon. The olefin is oligomerized by contacting with an acid based oligomerization catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Georges M. K. Mathys, Stephen H. Brown, Hubertus Joseph Beckers, Raphael Frans Caers, John Stephen Godsmark, Luc R. M. Martens, John Richard Shutt, Eddy T. Van Driessche
  • Patent number: 7230151
    Abstract: This invention is to a process of making olefin, particularly ethylene and propylene, from an oxygenate feed. The invention uses two or more zeolite catalysts. Examples of zeolite catalysts include a first catalyst containing of ZSM-5, and a second catalyst containing a 10-ring molecular sieve, including but not limited to, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, ZSM35, ZSM-48, and mixtures thereof. The ZSM-5 can be unmodified, phosphorous modified, steam modified having a micropore volume reduced to not less than 50% of that of the unsteamed ZSM-5, or various mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Luc R. M. Martens, Keith H. Kuechler, James R. Lattner
  • Patent number: 7183450
    Abstract: This invention is to a method of oligomerizing an olefin feed stream. The olefin feed stream contains at least one C2 to C12 olefin to obtain an olefin feed stream and has from about 1,000 ppm to about 10 percent by weight oxygenated hydrocarbon. The olefin is oligomerized by contacting with an acid based oligomerization catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Harold Brown, Georges M. K. Mathys
  • Patent number: 7161051
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing light olefins in an integrated methanol synthesis/MTO reaction system. The integrated system implements a shared separation system for separating oxygenate components from the respective methanol synthesis system and MTO reaction system. By providing a shared separation system, the number of separation units in an integrated methanol/MTO reaction system may be advantageously reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Cor F. Van Egmond
  • Patent number: 7151198
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing light olefins in an integrated methanol synthesis/MTO reaction system. The integrated system implements a shared separation system for separating oxygenate components from the respective methanol synthesis system and MTO reaction system. By providing a shared separation system, the number of separation units in an integrated methanol/MTO reaction system may be advantageously reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Cor F. Van Egmond
  • Patent number: 7067597
    Abstract: This invention concerns using an intermediate grade propylene stream as feed to a polypropylene forming reaction system. The intermediate grade propylene stream is preferably recovered form the olefin product of an oxygenate to olefins reaction process, and low in dimethyl ether content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Cor F. Van Egmond, Lawrence C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6936742
    Abstract: A process for the production of diisobutene is disclosed wherein tertiary butyl alcohol is dehydrated to isobutene in a distillation column reactor containing an acid cation exchange resin catalyst in the form of catalytic distillation structure. The isobutene reacts with itself in the presence of the catalyst to form primarily diisobutene which is removed as bottoms from the distillation column reactor with the bulk of the water. Unreacted isobutene along with an azeotrope of water is removed as overheads with the water being separated and removed from the unreacted isobutene. A portion or all of the unreacted isobutene may be returned to the distillation column reactor as reflux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6884914
    Abstract: This invention is to a method of oligomerizing an olefin feed stream. The olefin feed stream contains at least one C2 to C12 olefin to obtain an olefin feed stream and has less than 1,000 ppm by weight oxygenated hydrocarbon. The olefin is oligomerized by contacting with an acid based oligomerization catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Georges M. K. Mathys, Stephen H. Brown, Hubertus Joseph Beckers, Raphael Frans Caers, John Stephen Godsmark, Luc R. M. Martens, John Richard Shutt, Eddy T. Van Driessche
  • Patent number: 6875899
    Abstract: A method of making a higher olefin product from a C4+ fraction separated from the hydrocarbon product produced by an oxygenate to olefin reaction unit. The C4+ fraction primarily contains butenes which may be directed to a higher olefin reaction unit without removing isobutenes, butanes, and/or butadiene. The C4+ fraction is particularly well suited for the production of higher olefins because of its high olefin content, low branching number, and low contaminent levels. The invention is also directed to an olefin product composition that is produced by contacting the C4+ fraction with an oligomerization catalyst. The olefin composition is characterized by a relatively high octene content, and octene with a branching number less than 1.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Luc R.M. Martens, John Stephen Godsmark, Marcel J. Janssen, Georges M. K. Mathys, Raphael F. Caers, Hubertus J. Beckers, J. Richard Shutt, Eddy Van Driessche
  • Patent number: 6864398
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing high value products, including for example distillate fuel, from syngas is disclosed. The integrated process of the present invention produces high value products from a Fischer Tropsch with minimal production of low value products, including methane. In a process of the present invention, syngas is reacted under low temperature Fischer-Tropsch reaction conditions to provide a hydrcarbon product stream comprising substantially waxy products. The waxy products are subjected to an olefin-selective paraffin cracking process, preferably in a Paragon reactor to form olefins. The resulting olefins are then subjected to oligomerization conditions to form iso-olefins. In the processes of the present invention, the hydrocarbon product stream from the Fischer Tropsch reaction comprises desirable low levels of methane, preferably below 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 6852897
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of lower olefins which comprises the step (A) of separating in a high-pressure state a mixed fluid (I) containing dimethyl ether (DME) and methanol at a specified ratio into a gas component (II) and a liquid component (III), separating the gas component (II) into an off-gas and DME, and then making this DME join the liquid component (III) to obtain a liquid component (IV) containing DME and methanol at a specified ratio and the step (B) of subjecting the liquid component (IV) to depressurization and then introducing it into a reactor for the preparation of olefins to form a lower olefin fraction (V). Lower olefins are prepared from a mixed fluid (I) containing DME and methanol at a specified ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Inomata, Akira Higashi, Yoshiteru Makino, Yoshinori Mashiko
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040186331
    Abstract: A process is described for transforming an initial hydrocarbon feed containing 4 to 15 carbon atoms, limits included, into a hydrocarbon fraction having an improved octane number and a hydrocarbon fraction with a high cetane number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick Briot, Vincent Coupard, Alain Forestiere, Eric LLido
  • Patent number: 6770791
    Abstract: Disclosed is an olefin containing stream from an oxygenate to olefin process, and a process for making olefin dimer and oligomer product from the olefin containing stream using a nickel based oligomerization catalyst. The dimer/oligomer product is optionally converted to hydroformylated product. The olefin containing stream that is used to make the higher olefin product has low levels of impurities including nitrogen, sulfur and/or chlorine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Georges Mathys, John Stephen Godsmark, Marcel Janssen, Luc Roger Martens, Hubertus Joseph Beckers, Eddy Theophile Andrea Van Driessche, Raphael Frans Ivo Caers, John Richard Shutt
  • 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: 20040133053
    Abstract: A method of making a higher olefin product from a C4+ fraction separated from the hydrocarbon product produced by an oxygenate to olefin reaction unit. The C4+ fraction primarily contains butenes which may be directed to a higher olefin reaction unit without removing isobutenes, butanes, and/or butadiene. The C4+ fraction is particularly well suited for the production of higher olefins because of its high olefin content, low branching number, and low contaminent levels. The invention is also directed to an olefin product composition that is produced by contacting the C4+ fraction with an oligomerization catalyst. The olefin composition is characterized by a relatively high octene content, and octene with a branching number less than 1.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Luc R.M. Martens, John Stephen Godsmark, Georges J.K. Janssen, Georges M.K. Mathys, Raphael F. Caers, Hubertus J. Beckers, J. Richard Shutt, Eddy Van Driessche
  • Publication number: 20040127758
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing light olefins in an integrated methanol synthesis/MTO reaction system. The integrated system implements a shared separation system for separating oxygenate components from the respective methanol synthesis system and MTO reaction system. By providing a shared separation system, the number of separation units in an integrated methanol/MTO reaction system may be advantageously reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Cor F. Van Egmond
  • Publication number: 20040127759
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing light olefins in an integrated methanol synthesis/MTO reaction system. The integrated system implements a shared separation system for separating oxygenate components from the respective methanol synthesis system and MTO reaction system. By providing a shared separation system, the number of separation units in an integrated methanol/MTO reaction system may be advantageously reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Cor F. Van Egmond
  • Publication number: 20040122267
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a light olefin product from a hydrocarbon feed, as well as a method for converting by-product to light olefin. In one embodiment, the process includes production of a synthesis gas from the hydrocarbon feed, conversion of the synthesis gas to an oxygenate composition, and conversion of the oxygenate components to an olefin stream. A by-product stream can also be separated and ultimately converted to additional light olefin product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Jaimes Sher, James Andrew Zboray
  • Publication number: 20040116757
    Abstract: This invention provides a methanol composition, a method of making the composition, and a method of using the composition. The methanol composition of this invention is supplemented with certain additional alcohols and/or aldehydes, and serves as a particularly desirable feed stream for use in the manufacture of olefins such as ethylene and propylene. Such feed streams result in increased production of ethylene or in the increased production of both ethylene and propylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Cor F. Van Egmond, Teng Xu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040068150
    Abstract: A process for upgrading a Fischer-Tropsch feedstock which comprises (a) recovering from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor a Fischer-Tropsch wax fraction and a Fischer-Tropsch condensate fraction, wherein the Fischer-Tropsch condensate fraction contains alcohols boiling below about 370° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Johnson, Christopher A. Simmons, Donald H. Mohr, Stephen J. Miller, Stephen K. Lee, William J. Schinski, Michael S. Driver, William J. Cannella
  • Publication number: 20040054242
    Abstract: A process for treating methane-containing natural gas is provided which comprises: i) converting methane to methanol at or near a site of natural gas production; ii) transporting the methanol to a refinery remote from said site of production, said refinery producing ethylene and propylene and comprising an alkylation unit which can utilize a propylene feed; and iii) converting said methanol to gasoline boiling range fuel product and petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, butenes and xylenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, William A. Weber, Reuel Shinnar