With Preliminary Treatment Of Feed Patents (Class 585/448)
  • Patent number: 7902414
    Abstract: A catalytic process for the selective production of para-xylene comprises the step of reacting an aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of toluene, benzene and mixtures thereof with a feed comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a selectivated catalyst. The process includes a catalyst selectivation phase and a para-xylene production phase. In the catalyst selectivation phase, the aromatic hydrocarbon and the feed are contacted with the catalyst under a first set of conditions effective to increase the para-selectivity of said catalyst. In the para-xylene production phase, the aromatic hydrocarbon and said feed are contacted with the catalyst under a second set of conditions different from the first set of conditions effective to selectively produce para-xylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Y. Ou, Zongxuan Hong, Songsheng Tan, Timothy E. McMinn
  • Patent number: 7868219
    Abstract: A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99.50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e.g., non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C4? hydrocarbons and the C7+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Nick A. Collins
  • Publication number: 20100317896
    Abstract: A process for producing sec-butylbenzene comprises feeding reactants comprising benzene and a C4 olefin to a distillation column reactor having a first reaction zone containing an alkylation catalyst and a second distillation zone, which is located below said first reaction zone and which is substantially free of alkylation catalyst, wherein the ratio of the number of distillation stages in said first reaction zone to the number of distillation stages in said second distillation zone is less than 1:1. Concurrently in the distillation column reactor, the reactants are contacted with the alkylation catalyst in the first reaction zone under conditions such that the C4 olefin reacts with the benzene to produce sec-butylbenzene and the sec-butylbenzene is fractionated from the unreacted C4 olefin. The sec-butylbenzene thereby passes as a liquid phase stream from the first reaction zone to the second distillation zone and the liquid phase stream is withdrawn from the distillation column reactor as bottoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Jane C. Cheng, Jihad M. Dakka, Travis A. Reine, Jon E. Stanat
  • Publication number: 20100268008
    Abstract: Improved integrated processes for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds are disclosed wherein aromatic compounds which may be treated for removal of deleterious substances are reacted with olefin compounds, which may also be treated for contaminant removal, in the presence of acidic zeolite catalyst(s) to produce the desired alkyl aromatic compound(s). The aromatic and preferably also the olefin feeds are treated substantially to remove contaminants, particularly the nitrogen compounds contained therein, before they are brought together for reaction in the presence of the zeolite catalyst(s). In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that feed pretreatment for removal of nitrogen compounds significantly improves the run length and life of the acidic zeolite catalyst(s). The feed pretreatment of this invention may include the steps of distillation, extraction, and/or adsorption by solid adsorbent, which may be regenerated in accordance with further embodiments of this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Shyh-Yuan Hwang, Maruti Bhandarkar, Chung-Ming Chi, Waheed Mukaddam, Frank Demers, Richard F. Guarino, Dana E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7795486
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining propylene and propane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the propylene into cumene without separating the propane from the propane/propylene feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of propylene from propane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined propane/propane stream as a feed for a cumene alkylation process. A bottoms stream from the cumene column of the cumene alkylation process can be used and an absorption solvent in the FCC process thereby eliminating the need for a transalkylation reactor and a DIPB/TIPB column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7795485
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining ethylene and ethane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the ethylene into ethyl benzene without separating the ethane from the feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of ethylene from ethane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined ethylene/ethane stream as a feed for an ethyl benzene process. Further, heat from the alkylation reactor is used for one of the strippers of the FCC process and at least one bottoms stream from alkylation process is used as an absorption solvent in the FCC process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7790939
    Abstract: A process for alkylation or transalkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound having reactive impurities with an alkylating agent to produce a monoalkylated aromatic compound, comprising the steps of contacting at least a portion of said alkylatable aromatic compounds and said alkylating agent with a first molecular sieve catalyst in a guard bed under suitable conditions to remove said reactive impurities and form a first effluent comprising monoalkylated aromatic compound, unreacted alkylatable aromatic compounds and unreacted alkylating agent; contacting said first effluent with a second molecular sieve catalyst different from said first molecular sieve catalyst in said reaction zone under suitable alkylation or transalkylation conditions to produce additional said monoalkylated aromatic compounds; and maintaining said water content from about 1 wppm to about 10 wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda
  • Publication number: 20100210886
    Abstract: A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99.50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e.g., non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C4? hydrocarbons and the C7+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Nick A. Collins
  • Patent number: 7777086
    Abstract: Improved integrated processes for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds are disclosed wherein aromatic compounds which may be treated for removal of deleterious substances are reacted with olefin compounds, which may also be treated for contaminant removal, in the presence of acidic zeolite catalyst(s) to produce the desired alkyl aromatic compound(s). The aromatic and preferably also the olefin feeds are treated substantially to remove contaminants, particularly the nitrogen compounds contained therein, before they are brought together for reaction in the presence of the zeolite catalyst(s). In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that feed pretreatment for removal of nitrogen compounds significantly improves the run length and life of the acidic zeolite catalyst(s). The feed pretreatment of this invention may include the steps of distillation, extraction, and/or adsorption by solid adsorbent, which may be regenerated in accordance with further embodiments of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Stone & Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyh-Yuan Hwang, Maruti Bhandarkar, Chung-Ming Chi, Waheed Mukaddam, Frank Demers, Richard F. Guarino, Dana E Johnson
  • Patent number: 7737312
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing linear alkyl benzene, the process including the steps of obtaining a hydrocarbon condensate containing olefins, paraffins and oxygenates from a low temperature Fischer-Tropsch reaction; a) fractionating a desired carbon number distribution from the hydrocarbon condensate to form a fractionated hydrocarbon condensate stream; b) extracting oxygenates from the fractionated hydrocarbon condensate stream from step (a) to form a stream containing olefins and paraffins; c) combining the stream containing olefins and paraffins from step (b) with the feed stream from step (g) to form a combined stream; d) alkylating olefins in the combined stream from step (c) with benzene in the presence of a suitable alkylation catalyst in an alkylation reactor; e) recovering linear alkyl benzene from the alkylation reactor; f) recovering unreacted paraffins from the alkylation reactor; g) dehydrogenating the unreacted paraffins in the presence of a suitable dehydrogenation catalyst
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Ivan Greager, Jan Hendrik Scholtz, Johan Pieter de Wet, Mieke Ann Desmet, Wilhelmina Jansen, Paul Jacobson, Luis Pablo Fidel Dancuart
  • Patent number: 7737314
    Abstract: A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99.50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e.g., non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C4? hydrocarbons and the C7+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Nick A. Collins
  • Patent number: 7718836
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process for the production of high purity 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene starting from hydrocarbon mixtures containing naphthalene and/or isomers of methylnaphthalene and/or isomers of dimethylnaphthalene and/or isomers of polymethylnaphthalene, and from an alkylating agent, preferably methanol, reacted in the presence of a methylated benzene solvent or mixture of various methylated benzene solvents, preferably selected from toluene, xylene and trimethylbenzene, and a catalyst consisting of ZSM-12 zeolite and an inorganic ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Polimeri Europa S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Girotti, Giuseppe Terzoni, Oscar Cappellazzo, Renzo Bignazzi, Giannino Pazzuconi
  • Patent number: 7683228
    Abstract: A process for producing an cumene product having a purity of at least 99.50 percent based on the weight of cumene present in the product by the propylation of the benzene present in non-extracted hydrocarbon composition feed, e.g., non-extracted reformate. The non-extracted hydrocarbon composition feed is substantially free of both C4? hydrocarbons and the C7+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Harold Brown
  • Patent number: 7645913
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an alkylaromatic compound in a multistage reaction system comprising at least first and second series-connected alkylation reaction zones, each containing an alkylation catalyst. A first feed comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and a second feed comprising an alkene are introduced into the first alkylation reaction zone. The first and second alkylation reaction zones are operated under conditions of temperature and pressure effective to cause alkylation of the aromatic compound with the alkene in the presence of the alkylation catalyst, the temperature and pressure being such that the aromatic compound is at least partly in the liquid phase. The alkylation catalyst in the first alkylation reaction zone, which may be a reactor guard bed, has more acid sites per unit volume of catalyst than the alkylation catalyst in the second reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda, Chung-Ming Chi, Maruti Bhandarkar, Brian Maerz, Matthew J. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20090259084
    Abstract: This invention provides for a process for the alkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon stream having impurities in which a hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with a first molecular sieve comprising Linde type X molecular sieve and having a Si/Al molar ratio of less than about 5 to remove at least a portion of said impurities and to produce a partially treated aromatic hydrocarbon stream; and then contacting said partially treated hydrocarbons stream with a second molecular sieve comprising a zeolite Y and having a Si/Al molar ratio of greater than about 5 to remove substantially all of the remaining portion of said impurities to produce a fully treated hydrocarbon feedstock having a reduced amount of impurities. The fully treated hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with an alkylating agent in the presence of an alkylation catalyst having a cycle length and under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Charles Morris Smith
  • Patent number: 7579512
    Abstract: This invention provides for a process for hydrocarbon conversion in which a partially dehydrated hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with at least two different molecular sieve materials, including a first molecular sieve having a Si/Al molar ratio of less than about 5 and a second molecular sieve having a Si/Al molar ratio of greater than about 5. Also, this invention includes such processes in which such feedstocks are contacted with a first molecular sieve having pores of at least about 6 Angstroms and a second molecular sieve having pores of less than about 6 Angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Morris Smith
  • Patent number: 7576248
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for removal of oxygenates from a paraffin-rich or olefin-rich paraffin stream which comprises passing a feed stream, comprising one or more C10 to C15 feed paraffins or C10 to C15 olefin-rich paraffin stream and one or more oxygenates through an adsorbent bed comprising one or more adsorbents selected from silica gel, activated alumina and sodium x zeolites to remove essentially all of said oxygenates; and recovering said paraffins. A second adsorbent bed may be employed to more thoroughly remove these oxygenates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Santi Kulprathipanja, James W. Priegnitz, Stephen W. Sohn
  • Patent number: 7576247
    Abstract: Spent benzene from a regeneration of a catalyst or solid sorbent in an alkylbenzene complex is subjected to a rough distillation and the benzene fraction from the rough distillation is used a at least a portion of the benzene for a unit operation in the alkylbenzene complex or is passed to a benzene distillation column in the crude alkylbenzene refining section. The processes of this invention can enhance the purity of the alkylbenzene product and can reduce energy consumption per unit of alkylbenzene product or can assist in debottlenecking the crude alkylbenzene refining section of the alkylbenzene complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen W. Sohn, Mark G. Riley
  • Patent number: 7560605
    Abstract: A process for producing branched olefins from a mixed linear olefin/paraffin isomerisation feed comprising linear olefins having at least 7 carbon atoms in 5-50% w comprising in a first stage skeletally isomerising linear olefins in the isomerisation feed and in a second stage separating branched and linear molecules wherein branched molecules are substantially olefinic and linear molecules are olefinic and/or paraffinic; novel stages and combinations thereof; apparatus therefor; use of catalysts and the like therein; and use of branched olefins obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Peter Arnoldy
  • Patent number: 7504022
    Abstract: A process for desulphurizing a gasoline cut containing olefins, sulphur-containing compounds and optionally molecules belonging to C3 and C4 cuts comprises at least a first step A for contacting said gasoline cut with an acidic resin having an acid capacity of more than 4.7 equivalents per kg and a specific surface area of less than 55 m2/g, and a second step B for fractionation of the mixture from the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Florent Picard
  • Patent number: 7495139
    Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods are described herein and generally include contacting an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon with a cerium promoted zeolite catalyst and then contacting the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon with an alkylation catalyst to form a second aromatic hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Kevin P. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20090036721
    Abstract: Methods are described for the simultaneous dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene and ethane in the presence of oxygen or carbon dioxide via a mixed metal oxide (MMO) catalyst or lithium-promoted sulfated zirconia catalyst to prepare styrene monomer from benzene and ethane. An alkylation unit produces ethyl benzene from ethylene and benzene, and an oxydehydrogenation unit produces styrene and ethylene from ethane, ethylbenzene and an oxidizing agent such as oxygen or carbon dioxide. The ethylene produced in the oxydehydrogenation unit is separated and used as feed to the alkylation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ruozhi Song, Anne Mae Gaffney, Chuen Yuan Yeh, Philip Jay Angevine
  • Publication number: 20080293985
    Abstract: This ethylbenzene process involves contacting, in an alkylation zone, a first benzene recycle stream and an ethylene feed stream with an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene. In a transalkylation zone, a polyethylbenzene recycle stream and a second benzene recycle stream are contacted with a transalkylation catalyst to form additional ethylbenzene. The effluents are passed into a dividing wall distillation column. An ethylbenzene stream is removed from an intermediate point of the dividing wall fractionation column; a first benzene recycle stream is removed from a first end and a flux oil stream is removed from a second end. A second benzene recycle stream is removed from an intermediate point located between the first end and the ethylbenzene stream. A polyethylbenzene stream is removed from an intermediate point of located between the second end and the ethylbenzene stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Steven P. Lankton, Constante P. Tagamolila
  • Publication number: 20080293981
    Abstract: This ethylbenzene process involves contacting, in an alkylation zone, a first benzene recycle stream and an ethylene feed stream with an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene. In a transalkylation zone, a polyethylbenzene recycle stream and a second benzene recycle stream are contacted with a transalkylation catalyst to form additional ethylbenzene. The effluents are passed into a dividing wall distillation column where a benzene overhead and a benzene side draw are removed and recycled. An ethylbenzene stream product stream is also removed. The remainder, largely polyethylbenzene and tar, is passed to a polyethylbenzene column for separation. The separated polyethylbenzene is recycled to the transalkylation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Steven P. Lankton, Constante P. Tagamolila
  • Publication number: 20080293983
    Abstract: This ethylbenzene process involves contacting, in an alkylation zone, a first benzene recycle stream and an ethylene feed stream with an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene. In a transalkylation zone, a polyethylbenzene recycle stream and a second benzene recycle stream are contacted with a transalkylation catalyst to form additional ethylbenzene. The effluents are passed into a benzene distillation column. From the benzene distillation column, a first benzene recycle stream is removed as overhead; a second benzene recycle stream is removed as a side draw; and a bottoms stream comprising polyethylbenzene, ethylbenzene, and flux oil is removed from an end. The bottoms stream is passed to a dividing wall distillation column where the polyethylbenzene recycle stream is removed from an intermediate point; an ethylbenzene product stream is removed from a first end, and a heavy oil stream is removed from a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Steven P. Lankton, Constante P. Tagamolila
  • Publication number: 20080293982
    Abstract: In an alkylation zone, a benzene recycle stream and a propylene feed stream are contacted with an alkylation catalyst to convert the propylene and benzene into cumene. In a transalkylation zone, a polyisopropylbenzene stream and a benzene recycle stream are contacted with a transalkylation catalyst to convert the polyisopropylbenzene and benzene into cumene. The alkylation and transalkylation zone effluents are passed into a dividing wall fractionation column. A cumene product stream is removed from an intermediate point of the dividing wall fractionation column. A benzene recycle stream is removed from a first end, and another benzene recycle stream is removed from an intermediate point of the dividing wall fractionation column. A polyisopropylbenzene stream is removed from a second end of the dividing wall fractionation column. The polyisopropylbenzene stream is passed to a polyisopropylbenzene fractionation column to separate the polyisopropylbenzene from a heavy ends stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Steven P. Lankton, Constante P. Tagamolila
  • Publication number: 20080293984
    Abstract: This cumene process involves contacting, in an alkylation zone, a first benzene recycle stream and a propylene feed stream with an alkylation catalyst to form cumene. In a transalkylation zone, a polyisopropylbenzene recycle stream and a second benzene recycle stream are contacted with a transalkylation catalyst to form additional cumene. The effluents are passed into a benzene distillation column. From the benzene distillation column, a first benzene recycle stream is removed as overhead; a second benzene recycle stream is removed as a side draw; and a bottoms stream comprising polyisopropylbenzene, cumene, and heavy aromatics is removed from an end. The bottoms stream is passed to a dividing wall distillation column where the polyisopropylbenzene recycle stream is removed from an intermediate point; a cumene product stream is removed from a first end, and a heavy aromatic stream is removed from a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Steven P. Lankton, Constante P. Tagamolila
  • Publication number: 20080293986
    Abstract: This cumene process involves contacting, in an alkylation zone, a first benzene recycle stream and a propylene feed stream with an alkylation catalyst to form cumene. In a transalkylation zone, a polyisopropyl benzene recycle stream and a second benzene recycle stream are contacted with a transalkylation catalyst to form additional cumene. The effluents are passed into a dividing wall distillation column. A cumene stream is removed from an intermediate point of the dividing wall fractionation column; a first benzene recycle stream is removed from a first end and a heavy aromatics stream is removed from a second end. A second benzene recycle stream is removed from an intermediate point located between the first end and the cumene stream. A polyisopropyl benzene stream is removed from an intermediate point of located between the second end and the cumene stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Steven P. Lankton, Constante P. Tagamolila
  • Patent number: 7396966
    Abstract: Aromatic by-products are sorbed from mono-olefin-containing feedstocks of olefins having from about 6 to 22 carbon atoms per molecule that contain aromatic by-products having from 7 to 22 carbon atoms per molecule. A benzene-containing regenerant displaces and desorbs the aromatic by-products from the sorbent and a regeneration effluent is provided. The regeneration effluent is treated in a regeneration effluent distillation system to provide a benzene-rich stream and an aromatic by-products-containing stream. The latter is subjected to benzene-forming conditions and recycled to the regeneration effluent distillation system where benzene is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan K. Glover, Andrea G. Bozzano, Antoine Negiz
  • Patent number: 7393988
    Abstract: An improvement in a process for the production of ethylbenzene from a dilute ethylene stream wherein an ethylene-containing stream derived from a cracking process is directed to an ethylene fractionator for separation of ethylene and ethane. The improvement includes providing the dilute ethylene stream by liquefying and separating out a portion of the ethylene-containing stream prior to directing the remainder of the ethylene-containing stream to the ethylene fractionator and/or by drawing off a side stream from the ethylene fractionator; and, directing the dilute ethylene stream as a feed to an alkylator for alkylation with benzene to produce ethylbenzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Hildreth, Kerman Nariman Dukandar, Ronald M. Venner
  • Publication number: 20080058566
    Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, Jim Merrill
  • Patent number: 7311815
    Abstract: A method of preparing high linear paraffin or high end-chain monomethyl content products is accomplished by converting synthesis gas in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to hydrocarbon products. These may be hydrotreated to provide an n-paraffin content of greater than 50% by weight, with substantially all branched paraffins being monomethyl end-chain branched paraffins. At least one non-linear paraffin isomer, which may be a monomethyl paraffin isomer, may be separated from the hydrocarbon products through distillation to provide an n-paraffin product having an n-paraffin content percentage by weight of the n-paraffin product that is greater than the initial n-paraffin content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Armen N. Abazajian
  • Patent number: 7304194
    Abstract: A method of treating a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst is carried out by treating a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst having a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least about 200 with a phosphorus compound. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is calcined and steamed. Steaming of the catalyst is carried out at a temperature of less than about 300° C. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst has less than 0.05% by weight of the catalyst of any other element other than phosphorus provided from any treatment of the ZSM-5 zeolite with a compound containing said other element. The catalyst may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the catalyst with feed of an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent within a reactor under reactor conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. Water cofeed may be introduced water into the reactor during the aromatic alkylation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey, Roncalli J. Twomey
  • Patent number: 7273828
    Abstract: A process for preparing a transalkylation catalyst, the catalyst itself, and a transalkylation process for using the catalyst are herein disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhenium metal on a solid-acid support such as mordenite, which has been treated with a sulfur-based agent. Such treatment reduces the amount of methane produced by metal hydrogenolysis in a transalkylation process wherein heavy aromatics like A9+ are reacted with toluene to produce xylenes. Reduced methane production relative to total light ends gas production results in lower hydrogen consumption and lower reactor exotherms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Antoine Negiz
  • Publication number: 20070179328
    Abstract: An impact tool, which can realize the reduction of noise without inviting the reduction of a fastening ability and which can improve the durability of a damper while preventing its damage. The impact tool includes a rotary impact mechanism mounted on a spindle to be rotationally driven by a motor, so that rotary impact is applied to a tip tool by transmitting the rotary impact intermittently from a hammer through an anvil to the tip tool. A plurality of pawls are formed on two half members of the anvil in the axial direction. A rubber damper is disposed in a space between the pawls arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the two half members. The minimum sectional area of the space formed between the pawls is set larger than the sectional area of the rubber damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Takuhiro Murakami, Junichi Kamimura, Katsuhiro Oomori, Shinki Ohtsu, Hiroto Inagawa
  • Patent number: 7247234
    Abstract: The essence of the method is that diesel fuel is heated in the process of periodical circulation in a closed circuit including a heat exchanger and a rotor-disc apparatus of open type in centrifugal force field of which processes of mechanical destruction and dispersion run in environment of sucked air with oxygen saturation, simultaneously with processes of separation and homogenization fine filtration is carried out at a filtering porous partition of hydrophobic material with purification fineness 3÷8 micron as well as filtration at a multilayer filter-reactor at temperature 25÷45° C. which comprises granules of multifunctional catalyst alkylating aromatic compounds and a layer of fill of powder of transitional metals or their oxides. Then the treated fuel is stabilized by adding additives on the basis of surface-active substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Oleg N. Zege, Jury N. Zharchenkov, Tamara N. Mitusova, Alexandr I. Mishin, Andrei S. Popov, Alexandr V. Tsivulin
  • Patent number: 7238843
    Abstract: A process for producing an alkylaromatic compound includes contacting a dilute olefin feed with a lean oil stream containing aromatic compound and alkylaromatic compound in an absorption zone to provide an alkylation reaction stream containing aromatic compound, alkylaromatic compound and olefin. The alkylation reaction stream is reacted under alkylation reaction conditions in an alkylation reaction zone to provide an effluent containing the aromatic compound and alkylaromatic compound. The effluent of step is separated into the lean oil stream which is recycled to the absorption zone and a product portion from which an alkylaromatic product is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Pohl
  • Patent number: 7220885
    Abstract: A process for preparing a transalkylation catalyst, the catalyst itself, and a transalkylation process for using the catalyst are herein disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhenium metal on a solid-acid support such as mordenite, which has been treated with a sulfur-based agent. Such treatment reduces the amount of methane produced by metal hydrogenolysis in a transalkylation process wherein heavy aromatics like A9+ are reacted with toluene to produce xylenes. Reduced methane production relative to total light ends gas production results in lower hydrogen consumption and lower reactor exotherms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Antoine Negiz, Gregory F. Maher, Paula L. Bogdan, Dean E. Rende
  • Patent number: 7205448
    Abstract: At lower temperatures an acidic molecular sieve adsorbent preferentially adsorbs water and basic organic nitrogen compounds over weakly basic organic nitrogen compounds such as nitrites. Elevated temperatures improve the capacity of acidic molecular sieve adsorbents to adsorb nitrites in the presence of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Gajda, Guy B. Woodle, Deng-Yang Jan, Andrew S. Zarchy
  • Patent number: 7199275
    Abstract: This invention provides for a process for hydrocarbon conversion in which a partially dehydrated hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with at least two different molecular sieve materials, including a first molecular sieve having a Si/Al molar ratio of less than about 5 and a second molecular sieve having a Si/Al molar ratio of greater than about 5. Also, this invention includes such processes in which such feedstocks are contacted with a first molecular sieve having pores of at least about 6 Angstroms and a second molecular sieve having pores of less than about 6 Angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Morris Smith
  • Patent number: 7102044
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for removal of oxygenates from a paraffin-rich or olefin-rich paraffin stream which comprises passing a feed stream, comprising one or more C10 to C15 feed paraffins or C10 to C15 olefin-rich paraffin stream and one or more oxygenates through an adsorbent bed comprising one or more adsorbents selected from silica gel, activated alumina and sodium x zeolites to remove essentially all of said oxygenates; and recovering said paraffins. A second adsorbent bed may be employed to more thoroughly remove these oxygenates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Santi Kulprathipanja, James W. Priegnitz, Stephen W. Sohn, Bryan K. Glover, Bipin V. Vora
  • Patent number: 7019184
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for natural gas in the form, e.g., of stranded gas or associated gas to transportable liquids. More particularly, the present invention provides a process in which the gas is non-oxidatively converted to aromatic liquid, preferably in proximity to the welihead, which may be onshore or offshore. In one aspect, the present invention provides integration of separation of wellhead fluids into associated gas and crude with blending of the aromatic liquid derived from the gas with the crude. Alternatively, or in combination, in another aspect, the present invention provides integration of conversion of byproduct hydrogen to power with non-oxidative conversion of gas to aromatic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Joe D. Allison, Neil Meldrum, Doug S. Jack, Marc J. Ledoux
  • Patent number: 6894201
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for removing nitrogen compounds from an alkylation substrate such as benzene. A conventional adsorbent bed can be used to adsorb basic organic nitrogen compounds and a hot adsorbent bed of acidic molecular sieve can adsorb the weakly basic nitrogen compounds such as nitrites. Water facilitates the adsorption of the weakly basic nitrogen compounds. Running an alkylation substrate stream from a fractionation column of elevated temperature and suitable water concentration to the hot adsorbent bed may be advantageous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, Andrew S. Zarchy
  • Patent number: 6753452
    Abstract: A process is described for removing polar compounds from an aromatic feedstock which contains polar compounds. The process comprises contacting the feedstock in an adsorption zone at a temperature of less than or equal to 130° C. with an adsorbent selective for the adsorption of said polar compounds and comprising a molecular sieve having surface cavities with cross-sectional dimensions greater than 5.6 Angstroms. A treated feedstock substantially free of said polar compounds can then be fed to an alkylation zone for contact under liquid phase alkylation conditions with an alkylating agent in the presence of an alkylation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Chaya R. Venkat, Yun-Yang Huang, Thomas Francis Degnan, Jr., John P. McWilliams, Ronald A. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20040015027
    Abstract: A process is provided for the production of xylenes from reformate. The process is carried out by methylating under conditions effective for the methylation, the benzene/toluene present in the reformate outside the reforming loop, to produce a resulting product having a higher xylenes content than the reformate. Greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene can be produced by the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Jeevan S. Abichandani, John Scott Buchanan, Robert A. Crane, Jihad M. Dakka, Xiaobing Feng, Shifang L. Luo, Gary D. Mohr
  • Patent number: 6670516
    Abstract: A process for producing phenyl-alkanes by paraffin dehydrogenation followed by olefin isomerization and then by alkylation of a phenyl compound by a lightly branched olefin is disclosed. An effluent of the alkylation section comprises paraffins that are recycled to the dehydrogenation step. A process that sulfonates phenyl-alkanes having lightly branched aliphatic alkyl groups to produce modified alkylbenzene sulfonates is also disclosed. In addition, the compositions produced by these processes, which can comprise detergents, lubricants, and lubricant additives, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Marinangeli, Leonid B. Galperin, Thomas R. Fritsch, R. Joe Lawson
  • Patent number: 6617481
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing phenyl-alkanes by paraffin adsorptive separation followed by paraffin dehydrogenation and then by alkylation of a phenyl compound by a lightly branched olefin. The adsorptive separation step employs a silicalite adsorbent and, as the desorbent, a C5-C8 linear paraffin, a C5-C8 cycloparaffin, a branched paraffin such as isooctane, or mixtures thereof. The effluent of the alkylation zone comprises paraffins that are recycled to the adsorptive separation step or to the dehydrogenation step. This invention is also a process that sulfonates phenyl-alkanes having lightly branched aliphatic alkyl groups that to produce modified alkylbenzene sulfonates. In addition, this invention is the compositions produced by these processes, which can be used as detergents having improved cleaning effectiveness in hard and/or cold water while also having biodegradability comparable to that of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, as lubricants, and as lubricant additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Santi Kulprathipanja, Richard E. Marinangeli, Stephen W. Sohn, Thomas R. Fritsch, R. Joe Lawson
  • Patent number: 6617482
    Abstract: A process is described for removing polar compounds from an aromatic feedstock which contains polar compounds and which is then used in an alkylation process. The process comprises contacting the feedstock in an adsorption zone at a temperature of less than or equal to 130° C. with an adsorbent selective for the adsorption of said polar compounds and comprising a molecular sieve having pores and/or surface cavities with cross-sectional dimensions greater than 5.6 Angstroms. A treated feedstock substantially free of said polar compounds is withdrawn from the adsorption zone and fed to an alkylation zone for contact under liquid phase alkylation conditions with an alkylating agent in the presence of an alkylation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Chaya Rao Venkat, Yun-Yang Huang, Thomas Francis Degnan, Jr., John Paul McWilliams, Ronald A. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20030149324
    Abstract: A process for removing polar compounds from an aromatic feedstock containing polar compounds comprising the steps of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Chaya R. Venkat, Yun-Yang Huang, Thomas Francis Degnan, John P. McWilliams, Ronald A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6525233
    Abstract: Processes for making particularly branched, especially monomethyl-branched or nongeminal dimethyl-branched surfactants used in cleaning products; preferred processes comprising particular combinations of two or more adsorptive separation steps and, more preferably, particular alkylation steps; products of such processes, including certain modified alkylbenzenes, modified alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants, and consumer cleaning products, especially laundry detergents, containing them. Preferred processes herein more specifically use specific, unconventional sequences of sorptive separation steps to secure certain branched hydrocarbon fractions which are used in further process steps as alkylating agents for arenes or for other useful surfactant-making purposes. Surprisingly, such fractions can even be derived from effluents from current linear alkylbenzene manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Daniel Stedman Connor, Jeffrey John Scheibel, James Charles Theophile Roger Burkett-St. Laurent, Thomas Anthony Cripe, Kevin Lee Kott, Phillip Kyle Vinson