By Dehydrogenation Patents (Class 585/440)
  • Patent number: 11912638
    Abstract: A method for producing cumene involves subjecting cumyl alcohol to (a) hydrocracking reaction, or (b) dehydration and subsequent hydrogenation reaction, to obtain cumene. The method includes the following steps: (A): feeding a liquid containing cumene to a reactor loaded with a catalyst, (B): feeding hydrogen and a liquid containing cumyl alcohol to the reactor after the step (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Hirofumi Koike, Tatsuro Uekusa, Shoko Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11680029
    Abstract: Processes for upgrading a hydrocarbon. The process can include (I) contacting a hydrocarbon-containing feed with a catalyst that can include a Group 8-10 element or a compound thereof disposed on a support to effect one or more of dehydrogenation, dehydroaromatization, and dehydrocyclization of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-containing feed to produce a coked catalyst and an effluent. The process can also include (II) contacting at least a portion of the coked catalyst with an oxidant to effect combustion of at least a portion of the coke to produce a regenerated catalyst. The process can also include (III) contacting an additional quantity of the hydrocarbon-containing feed with at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst. A cycle time from the contacting the hydrocarbon-containing feed with the catalyst in step (I) to the contacting the additional hydrocarbon-containing feed with the regenerated catalyst in step (III) can be ?5 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoying Bao
  • Patent number: 11667728
    Abstract: An endothermic catalytic reactor apparatus that includes a radiant furnace that includes a burner adapted to provide thermal energy to the furnace, a reactor that includes an entrance portion and an exit portion and is situated within the furnace and adapted to receive radiant thermal energy. The reactor includes one or more static helical spirals defining a flow path within the reactor that travels from the entrance portion to the exit portion. The helical spirals are adapted to hold a catalyst on an outer surface thereof. Incoming port(s) are located on the entrance portion and are adapted to receive reactive starting materials. An exit port is located near the exit portion and is adapted to expel product from the reactor. The reactor is adapted to allow starting materials to receive radiant thermal energy and interact with catalyst sufficiently to cause a reaction to occur that converts starting materials to product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: David T. Camp
  • Patent number: 11661386
    Abstract: A multi-stage dehydrogenation process including contacting, in a first stage, a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon and steam with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions to yield a first stage effluent, heating the first stage effluent, and contacting, in a second stage, the heated first stage effluent with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions to yield a second stage effluent comprising a dehydrogenation product, wherein the first stage includes a first reactor and a second reactor arranged in parallel, and wherein the second stage includes a third reactor connected in series with the first reactor and the second reactor. A multi-stage dehydrogenation system for carrying out dehydrogenation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph E Pelati, Jason Clark
  • Patent number: 11174208
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems suitable for chemical production by dehydrogenation of ethane utilizing carbon dioxide as a soft oxidant. Ethane and carbon dioxide are reacted in a catalytic reactor to produce a reaction product stream comprising at least ethylene and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide can be separated for recycling back into the catalytic reactor, and the ethylene can be upgraded using a variety of process units. Heat from the reaction product stream can be recycle for further uses, including reducing the amount of added heating needed in the catalytic reactor. Additional materials, such carbon monoxide, hydrogen, syngas, methanol, methane, ethane, and even heavier hydrocarbons can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: 8 Rivers Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Damian Beauchamp, Xijia Lu, Mohammad Rafati
  • Patent number: 10994262
    Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation and a method of preparing the same. More particularly, a catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of butene having a high butene conversion rate and superior side reaction inhibition effect and thus having high reactivity and high selectivity for a product by preparing metal oxide nanoparticles and then fixing the prepared metal oxide nanoparticles to a support, and a method of preparing the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Seongmin Kim, Dong Hyun Ko, Kyong Yong Cha, Dae Heung Choi, Myung Ji Suh, Jun Kyu Han, Sun Hwan Hwang, Jun Han Kang, Joo Hyuck Lee, Hyun Seok Nam, Ye Seul Hwang, Sang Jin Han
  • Patent number: 9844763
    Abstract: Methods and systems for heating a reactor feed in a multi reactor hydrocarbon dehydrogenation process. The methods and systems are advantageously employed for the production of styrene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. The catalytic dehydrogenation process employs heating steam operating at a steam to oil ratio of about 1.0 or less and relatively low steam superheater furnace temperature, such that all components exposed to steam in the process (outside of the fired heaters) can be constructed with standard metallurgy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Technip Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Slawomir A. Oleksy
  • Patent number: 9776935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes so as to form the corresponding olefins. The reaction mixture is subjected to membrane separation of hydrogen, in a separate unit. Preferably a plurality of alternating reaction and separation units is used. The process of the invention serves the purpose of reducing coke formation on the catalyst, and also of achieving a higher alkane conversion without a similar increase in coke formation. The process can also be used for the production of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V. ACTING UNDER THE NAME OF MT INNOVATION CENTER
    Inventors: Emma Palo, Gaetano Iaquaniello
  • Patent number: 9725379
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of a dehydrogenation section of an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon production facility, wherein an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as ethylbenzene, is dehydrogenated to produce an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as styrene. The disclosed methods are more energy-efficient and cost effective than currently known methods for manufacturing styrene. The methods and systems advantageously utilize multiple reheat exchangers arranged in a series and/or parallel configuration that result in an energy consumption reduction and, consequently, a utility cost savings, as well as a reduction in styrene manufacturing plant investment costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Technip Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Slawomir A. Oleksy
  • Patent number: 9623392
    Abstract: A process may include shutting down a reactor in which ethylbenzene is undergoing dehydrogenation to styrene in the presence of steam and a catalyst adapted to catalyze dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. Shutting down the reactor may include reducing a temperature of the reactor. Shutting down the reactor may include supplying a purge stream to the reactor. Supplying a purge stream may include increasing a steam-to-ethylbenzene molar ratio of an input stream to the reactor. Supplying a purge stream may include supplying steam and one or more of H2, CO2, and styrene to the reactor. The process may include stopping supply of the purge stream to the reactor and supplying an inert gas purge stream to the reactor. Shutting down the reactor may be performed without use of a steam-only purge stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Pelati
  • Patent number: 8999257
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons include a direct contact condenser to remove compounds from an offgas process stream. The reduction of compounds can decrease duty on the offgas compressor by removing steam and aromatics from the offgas. The dehydrogenation reaction system can be applicable for reactions such as the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene, the dehydrogenation of isoamiline to produce isoprene, or the dehydrogenation of n-pentene to produce piperylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Welch, James R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20150073191
    Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a paraffinic hydrocarbon compound, such as an alkane or alkylaromatic hydrocarbon compound to produce an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound, such as an olefin or vinyl aromatic compound or mixture thereof, in which a dehydrogenation catalyst contacts gaseous reactant hydrocarbons in a reactor at dehydrogenation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Pretz, Susan Domke, William M. Castor, Simon J. Hamper
  • Patent number: 8889937
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment may be a process for producing one or more alkylated aromatics. Generally, the process includes providing a first stream including an effective amount of benzene for alkylating benzene from a fractionation zone, providing a second stream including an effective amount of ethene for alkylating benzene from a fluid catalytic cracking zone, providing at least a portion of the first and second streams to an alkylation zone; and passing at least a portion of an effluent including ethylbenzene from the alkylation zone downstream of a para-xylene separation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert Haizmann, Laura E. Leonard, Paula L. Bogdan
  • Patent number: 8884088
    Abstract: In a dehydrogenation process a hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one non-aromatic six-membered ring compound and at least one five-membered ring compound is contacted with a first catalyst comprising at least one metal component and at least one support and a second catalyst. The first catalyst is utilized to convert at least a portion of the at least one non-aromatic six-membered ring compound in the hydrocarbon stream to at least one aromatic compound and the second catalyst is utilized to convert at least a portion of the at least one five-membered ring compound in the hydrocarbon stream to at least one paraffin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Smith, Tan-Jen Chen, Terry E. Helton, Teng Xu
  • Patent number: 8802909
    Abstract: A method for improving productivity and process stability in styrene monomer manufacturing system using a reaction system having multiple reactors connected in series, which can prevent destruction of the embedded catalyst and bending of a screen which supports catalyst and achieve homogeneous catalyst inactivation during the reaction by divergence of some portions of the feed containing steam and ethylbenzene and injection thereof into a certain point of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Total Petrochemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Kuk Won, Hee-Heon Jang
  • Patent number: 8729327
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for the production of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene comprising the steps of: a) catalytically dehydrogenating said ethylbenzene in the presence of steam thereby catalytically producing a dehydrogenation effluent gas containing essentially unreacted ethylbenzene, styrene monomer, hydrogen, steam and divinylbenzene; b) quenching said effluent gas with an aqueous reflux in at least a quenching column to cool said effluent gas, and thereby obtaining a gas at the overhead and in the bottom a liquid stream warmer than the aqueous reflux; c) condensing said overhead gas thereby producing a liquid organic phase, an aqueous phase and a gaseous phase; d) using a portion or the whole of said aqueous phase of step c) as reflux for said step b) of quenching; e) sending to a decanter the liquid stream obtained at step b) to recover an aqueous phase and an organic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Renaud Dernoncourt, Jean-Pierre Thoret Bauchet
  • Patent number: 8710286
    Abstract: A process for the coupling of hydrocarbons and utilizing the heat energy produced by the reaction is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting methane with oxygen to form a product stream containing ethane and further processing the ethane to ethylene in an existing ethylene production facility while using the heat energy produced by the reaction within the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 8669406
    Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a paraffinic hydrocarbon compound, such as an alkane or alkylaromatic hydrocarbon compound to produce an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound, such as an olefin or vinyl aromatic compound or mixture thereof, in which a dehydrogenation catalyst contacts gaseous reactant hydrocarbons in a reactor at dehydrogenation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew T. Pretz, Susan B. Domke, William M. Castor, Simon J. Hamper
  • Patent number: 8653317
    Abstract: A supported catalyst and process for dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon, the catalyst comprising a first component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium, and compounds thereof; a second component selected from the group consisting of metals of Group 8 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and compounds thereof, and a support comprising alumina in the gamma crystalline form. The catalysts are especially active and efficient when employed in concurrent flow in a dehydrogenation reactor having an average contact time between the hydrocarbon and catalyst of from 0.5 to 10 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Richard A. Pierce, Lin Luo, Michael M. Olken, Susan Domke, Howard W. Clark
  • Patent number: 8642826
    Abstract: A process for long-term operation of a continuous heterogeneously catalyzed partial dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon to be dehydrogenated, in which a reaction gas mixture stream comprising the hydrocarbon to be dehydrogenated in a molar starting amount KW is conducted through an overall catalyst bed comprising the total amount M of dehydrogenation catalyst and the deactivation of the overall catalyst bed is counteracted in such a way that, with increasing operating time, the contribution to the conversion in the first third of the total amount M of dehydrogenation catalyst in flow direction decreases, the contribution to the conversion in the last third of the total amount M of dehydrogenation catalyst in flow direction increases, and the contribution to the conversion in the second third of the total amount M of dehydrogenation catalyst in flow direction passes through a maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Dieterle, Catharina Klanner, Götz-Peter Schindler, Klaus Joachim Müller-Engel, Jens Scheidel, Christoph Adami
  • Patent number: 8552237
    Abstract: A dehydrogenation catalyst is described that comprises an iron oxide, an alkali metal or compound thereof, and rhenium or a compound thereof. A process for preparing a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising preparing a mixture of iron oxide, an alkali metal or compound thereof, and rhenium or a compound thereof is also described. Additionally, a dehydrogenation process using the catalyst and a process for preparing polymers are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Ruth Mary Kowaleski
  • Publication number: 20130165722
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing and transporting an alkali metal salt is shown. The apparatus has a first conduit capable of transporting an alkali metal salt solution and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit, the second conduit capable of transporting steam so that the alkali metal salt is dissipated into the steam forming a solution that can be transported, such as to a remote reaction zone. The solution can be transported via a third conduit that is capable of being heated by a heat source. The method can be used to add a promoter to a dehydrogenation catalyst during a dehydrogenation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Pelati, James R. Butler, Hollie Craig
  • Patent number: 8450547
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for the production of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene comprising the steps of: a) catalytically dehydrogenating said ethylbenzene in the presence of steam thereby catalytically producing a dehydrogenation effluent gas containing essentially unreacted ethylbenzene, styrene monomer, hydrogen, steam and divinylbenzene; b) quenching said effluent gas with an aqueous reflux in at least a quenching column to cool said effluent gas, and thereby obtaining a gas at the overhead and in the bottom a liquid stream warmer than the aqueous reflux; c) condensing said overhead gas thereby producing a liquid organic phase, an aqueous phase and a gaseous phase; d) using a portion or the whole of said aqueous phase of step c) as reflux for said step b) of quenching; e) sending to a decanter the liquid stream obtained at step b) to recover an aqueous phase and an organic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals France
    Inventors: Renaud Dernoncourt, Jean-Pierre Thoret Bauchet
  • Patent number: 8450543
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Peters, Joshua D. Taylor, David E. Henton, Leo E. Manzer, Patrick R. Gruber, Josefa M. Griffith, Yassin Al Obaidi
  • Patent number: 8350109
    Abstract: A process for dehydrogenation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbon, including: contacting a reactant vapor stream, comprising an alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and steam and having a first steam to alkylaromatic hydrocarbon ratio, with a dehydrogenation catalyst to form a vapor phase effluent comprising a product hydrocarbon, the steam, and unreacted alkylaromatic hydrocarbon; feeding at least a portion of the effluent to a splitter to separate the product hydrocarbon from the unreacted alkylaromatic hydrocarbon; recovered from the splitter as bottoms and overheads fractions, respectively; recovering heat from a first portion of said overheads fraction by indirect heat exchange with a mixture comprising alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and water to at least partially condense said portion and to form an azeotropic vaporization product comprising alkylaromatic vapor and steam having a second steam to alkylaromatic hydrocarbon ratio; and combining the azeotropic vaporization product with additional alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and ad
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ajaykumar Chandravadan Gami, Sanjeev Ram
  • Patent number: 8269053
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane in one or more microreactors is disclosed. In one embodiment a method of revamping an existing styrene production facility by adding one or more microreactors capable of reacting toluene with methane to produce a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and/or styrene is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20120226084
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for hydrocarbon conversion comprising contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a crystalline molecular sieve, in its ammonium exchanged form or in its calcined form, under conversion conditions to form a conversion product, said crystalline molecular sieve comprising unit cells with MWW topology and is characterized by diffraction streaking from the unit cell arrangement in the c direction as evidenced by the arced hk0 patterns of electron diffraction pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Wieslaw J. Roth, Thomas Yorke, Douglas Lewis Dorset, Mohan Kalyanaraman, Michael Charles Kerby, Simon Christopher Weston
  • Patent number: 8247627
    Abstract: In a process for producing phenol and/or cyclohexanone, benzene and hydrogen are contacted with a first catalyst in a hydroalkylation step to produce a first effluent stream comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexane, and unreacted benzene. At least part of the first effluent stream is supplied to a first separation system to divide the first effluent stream part into a cyclohexylbenzene-rich stream and a C6 product stream comprising unreacted benzene and cyclohexane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, J. Scott Buchanan, Jane C. Cheng, Tan-Jen Chen, Lorenzo C. DeCaul, Terry E. Helton, Jon E. Stanat, Francisco M. Benitez
  • Patent number: 8237000
    Abstract: Processes for using a combination of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons are provided. A hydrocarbon feedstock, carbon dioxide and oxygen are fed to an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor system containing one or more catalysts that promote dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feedstock to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product. The processes of the present invention may be used, for example, to produce styrene monomer by dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene using carbon dioxide and oxygen as oxidants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Arnold, Johannes Hendrik Koegler, Anne Mae Gaffney, Chuen Yuan Yeh, Ruozhi Song
  • Publication number: 20120190904
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dehydrogenation method that includes supplying a feed containing a hydrocarbon and steam into a dehydrogenation reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst, contacting the hydrocarbon and steam with the dehydrogenation catalyst to form a dehydrogenation product, wherein the dehydrogenation product comprises a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon, unreacted feed, steam and hydrogen, passing the dehydrogenation product through a membrane separator, and permeating hydrogen through a membrane positioned in the membrane separator. The hydrocarbon can be an alkyl aromatic and the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon can be a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, optionally the hydrocarbon can be an alkane and the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon can be an alkene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20120157737
    Abstract: A reactor includes an essentially horizontal cylinder for carrying out an autothermal gas-phase dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon-comprising gas stream using an oxygen-comprising gas stream to give a reaction gas mixture over a heterogeneous catalyst configured as monolith. The interior of the reactor is divided by a detachable, cylindrical or prismatic housing, which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reactor and is gastight in the circumferential direction, into an inner region having one or more catalytically active zones, each having a packing composed of monoliths stacked on top of one another, next to one another and behind one another and before each catalytically active zone in each case a mixing zone having solid internals are provided and into an outer region, which is supplied with an inert gas, arranged coaxially to the inner region. A heat exchanger is connected to the housing at one end of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Gerhard Olbert, Ulrike Wegerle, Grigorios Kolios, Albena Kostova, Jasmina Kessel, Alexander Weck, Alireza Rezai
  • Patent number: 8193404
    Abstract: Methods and processes for increasing the efficiency and/or expanding the capacity of a dehydrogenation unit by use of at least one direct heating unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Welch, Slawomir A. Oleksy
  • Patent number: 8178738
    Abstract: Methods and systems for extending the life of a dehydrogenation catalyst are described herein. For example, one embodiment includes providing an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream to a reaction chamber, contacting the feed stream with a dehydrogenation catalyst to form a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, the dehydrogenation catalyst including iron oxide and an alkali metal catalysis promoter and supplying a catalyst life extender to at least one reaction chamber, the reaction chamber loaded with the dehydrogenation catalyst, wherein the catalyst life extender includes a potassium salt of a carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James Butler
  • Patent number: 8173852
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing styrene are provided. The method comprises the steps of introducing ethylbenzene to a first dehydrogenation reactor containing a first high activity dehydrogenation catalyst at a first predetermined inlet temperature to form a first intermediate effluent stream that comprises styrene, ethylbenzene, and hydrogen. Oxygen is added to the first intermediate effluent stream to form a first oxygenated intermediate effluent stream. The first oxygenated intermediate effluent stream is introduced to a first oxidation-reheat dehydrogenation reactor at a second predetermined inlet temperature of about 530° C. or less to form styrene. The first oxidation-reheat dehydrogenation reactor contains a first oxidation catalyst and a second high activity dehydrogenation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Wugeng Liang, James A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8163971
    Abstract: A method and system for providing heat to a chemical conversion process is advantageously employed in the production of olefin by the catalytic dehydrogenation of a corresponding hydrocarbon. The catalytic dehydrogenation process employs diluent steam operating at a steam to oil ratio which can be 1.0 or below and relatively low steam superheater furnace temperature. The process and system are advantageously employed for the production of styrene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Wilcox, Sanjeev Ram, Ajay Gami, Robert Brummer, Joseph Romeo
  • Patent number: 8084660
    Abstract: Methods and processes for increasing the efficiency and/or expanding the capacity of a dehydrogenation unit by use of at least one direct heating unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Vincent A. Welch, Slawomir A. Oleksy
  • Publication number: 20110301392
    Abstract: A catalyst for the dehydrogenation of alkanes or alkyl substituents of hydrocarbons, is a shaped body having at least one oxide from the elements of the main or secondary group II to IV of the periodic table or of a mixed oxide thereof serving as base material of the shaped body. The catalyst further contains an additional constituent which is an oxide of an element of the main group IV of the periodic table, added during the shaping process. A platinum compound and a compound of an element of the main group IV of the periodic table is used as a surface constituent of the catalyst. The invention further relates to the production of the catalyst and to a method for the dehydrogenation of alkanes using the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Muhammad Iqbal Mian, Max Heinritz-Adrian, Sascha Wenzel, Oliver Noll, Meinhard Schwefer, Helmut Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20110245561
    Abstract: Dehydrogenation of a reactor system of one or more vertically oriented flow reactors equipped with a system for introducing a catalyst extender into the inlet of the reactor. A vertically oriented radial flow reactor comprises inner and outer reactor tubes having perforated wall members extending longitudily of the reactor and defining an annulus containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. A supply line to the reactor is equipped with a rotation vane. An injection nozzle comprising a coaxial flow tube extends into the supply line downstream of the vane. The coaxial flow tube has an interior chamber and an annular chamber surrounding the interior chamber and extending into the supply line along with the interior chamber. The interior chamber is connected to a catalyst extender source and the annular chamber is connected to a source of a carrier gas which is effective to disperse the extender within feedstock flowing into the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Merrill, Thomas Parenteau, Marcus Ledoux, Mark Gremillion
  • Patent number: 7999144
    Abstract: Methods of oxidative dehydrogenation are described. Surprisingly, Pd and Au alloys of Pt have been discovered to be superior for oxidative dehydrogenation in microchannels. Methods of forming these catalysts via an electroless plating methodology are also described. An apparatus design that minimizes heat transfer to the apparatus' exterior is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Bin Yang, Steven T. Perry, Terry Mazanec, Ravi Arora, Francis P. Daly, Richard Long, Thomas D. Yuschak, Paul W. Neagle, Amanda Glass
  • Patent number: 7985706
    Abstract: Provided are: a uniformly, highly dispersed metal catalyst including a catalyst carrier and a catalyst metal being loaded thereon dispersed throughout the carrier, the uniformly, highly dispersed metal catalyst having excellent performances with respect to catalytic activity, selectivity, life, etc.; and a method of producing the same. The uniformly, highly dispersed metal catalyst includes a catalyst carrier made of a metal oxide and a catalyst metal having catalytic activity, the catalyst metal being loaded on the catalyst carrier, in which the catalyst carrier is a sulfur-containing catalyst carrier having sulfur or a sulfur compound almost evenly distributed throughout the carrier and the catalyst metal is loaded on the sulfur-containing catalyst carrier in a substantially evenly dispersed manner over the entire carrier substantially according to the distribution of the sulfur or the sulfur compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimi Okada, Toshiji Makabe, Masashi Saito, Takako Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20110178350
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide the catalyst used in a process for preparation of alkenylaromatic compounds by dehydrogenating alkyl aromatic compounds by means of steam as a diluent, wherein the catalyst prevents the block and corrosion caused by the alkali metal component migrated from the catalyst, and the process for producing same, and the dehydrogenation method using it. The solid catalyst which has the high redox ability and comprises no alkali metal component migrated from the catalyst in the presence of steam with high temperature is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicants: WASEDA UNIVERSITY, SUED-CHEMIE CATALYSTS JAPAN, INC.
    Inventors: Eiichi Kikuchi, Yasushi Sekine, Yuji Mishima
  • Patent number: 7981377
    Abstract: Dehydrogenation of a reactor system of one or more vertically oriented flow reactors equipped with a system for introducing a catalyst extender into the inlet of the reactor. A vertically oriented radial flow reactor comprises inner and outer reactor tubes having perforated wall members extending longitudily of the reactor and defining an annulus containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. A supply line to the reactor is equipped with a rotation vane. An injection nozzle comprising a coaxial flow tube extends into the supply line downstream of the vane. The coaxial flow tube has an interior chamber and an annular chamber surrounding the interior chamber and extending into the supply line along with the interior chamber. The interior chamber is connected to a catalyst extender source and the annular chamber is connected to a source of a carrier gas which is effective to disperse the extender within feedstock flowing into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Merrill, Thomas Parenteau, Marcus Ledoux, Mark Gremillion
  • Publication number: 20110172480
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing and transporting an alkali metal salt is shown. The apparatus has a first conduit capable of transporting an alkali metal salt solution and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit, the second conduit capable of transporting steam so that the alkali metal salt is dissipated into the steam forming a solution that can be transported, such as to a remote reaction zone. The solution can be transported via a third conduit that is capable of being heated by a heat source. The method can be used to add a promoter to a dehydrogenation catalyst during a dehydrogenation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Pelati, James R. Butler, Hollie Craig
  • Patent number: 7964765
    Abstract: Processes are provided for the production of styrene monomer by oxidative dehydrogenation of EB using CO2 as a soft oxidant. Carbon dioxide is used as the reaction diluent in one or more dehydrogenation reactors and to supply the heat required for the endothermic reaction of EB to styrene monomer. In the dehydrogenation reactors, two parallel reactions for styrene monomer formation occur simultaneously: (1) direct EB dehydrogenation to styrene monomer over a catalyst using heat provided by the carbon dioxide, and (2) oxidative dehydrogenation of EB with carbon dioxide to form styrene monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Schwint, Richard J. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20110144400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material which is suited as a carrier for catalysts in the dehydrogenation of alkanes and in the oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes and which is made of an oxide ceramic foam and may contain combinations of the substances aluminium oxide, calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, tin oxide, zirconium dioxide, calcium aluminate, zinc aluminate, silicon carbide, and which is impregnated with one or several suitable catalytically active materials, by which the flow resistance of the catalyst decreases to a considerable degree and the accessibility of the catalytically active material improves significantly and the thermal and mechanical stability of the material increases. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of the material and a process for the dehydrogenation of alkanes by using the material according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Muhammad Iqbal Mian, Max Heinritz-Adrian, Oliver Noll, Domenico Pavone, Sascha Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20110130605
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for catalytically converting an alkylaromatic hydrocarbon into a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon by directing said alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and steam into a reactor containing dehydrogenation catalyst, said process comprising the steps of: (a) forming a mixed reactant stream consisting essentially of said alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and steam; (b) bringing said mixed reactant stream into contact with a dehydrogenation catalyst consisting essentially of iron oxide catalyst promoted with alkali metal and at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the alkylaromatic hydrocarbon to vinylaromatic hydrocarbon; wherein an effective amount of an alkali metal compound in the form of a powder is injected continuously or intermittently in at least one of the feedstocks sent to the dehydrogenation catalyst; said effective amount of alkali metal compound being sufficient to maintain substantially constant levels of conversion of alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and selectivity o
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS FRANCE
    Inventor: Patrice Leroux
  • Publication number: 20110105818
    Abstract: A catalyst comprising a dehydrogenation catalyst and a water gas shift co-catalyst can be used for the dehydrogenation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons to alkenylaromatic hydrocarbons. For instance, the catalyst can be used for the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. The catalyst can include an iron compound, a potassium compound, and a cerium compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Pelati, Hollie Craig, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7922980
    Abstract: Improved methods and related apparatus are disclosed for efficiently recovering the heat of condensation from overhead vapor produced during separation of various components of dehydrogenation reaction effluent, particularly in ethylbenzene-to-styrene operations, by the use of at least a compressor to facilitate azeotropic vaporization of an ethylbenzene and water mixture within a preferred range of pressure/temperature conditions so as to minimize undesired polymerization reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stone & Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Slawomir A. Oleksy, Vincent A. Welch, Leslie F. Whittle
  • Publication number: 20110071330
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons include a direct contact condenser to remove compounds from an offgas process stream. The reduction of compounds can decrease duty on the offgas compressor by removing steam and aromatics from the offgas. The dehydrogenation reaction system can be applicable for reactions such as the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene, the dehydrogenation of isoamiline to produce isoprene, or the dehydrogenation of n-pentene to produce piperylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Welch, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7910784
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of styrene monomer by the dehydrogenation or oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene in the presence of recycle gas and more particularly to a method of reducing the boiling point of liquid ethylbenzene feed in the production of styrene monomer. The process comprises the step of catalytically dehydrogenating or oxydehydrogenating ethylbenzene in the presence of a mixture, wherein the mixture substantially comprises carbon dioxide, thereby catalytically producing styrene monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Schwint, Richard J. Wilcox