Including Steps Of Distillation And Agent Addition Patents (Class 585/807)
  • Patent number: 10329498
    Abstract: A process is presented for the purification of an olefins feed stream to a benzene alkylation unit. The process removes heavy aromatics in an adsorbent system comprising at least two adsorbent units. The unit passes the olefins feed stream to a first adsorbent unit, while the second adsorbent unit is either in regeneration mode, or standby mode. The process switches the feed stream to the second adsorbent unit and displaces the fluid in the second adsorbent unit, while maintaining the flow of the purified feed stream to the benzene alkylation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
  • Patent number: 10167241
    Abstract: A process is presented for the purification of an olefins feed stream to a benzene alkylation unit. The process removes heavy aromatics in a two adsorbent unit system. The unit passes the olefins feed stream to a first adsorbent unit, while the second adsorbent unit is either in regeneration mode, or standby mode. The process switches the feed stream to the second adsorbent unit and displaces the fluid in the second adsorbent unit, while maintaining the flow of the purified feed stream to the benzene alkylation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
  • Publication number: 20150031930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of isolating cymene comprising the following steps: a) providing a solution comprising cymene and monoterpenes, b) adding sulphuric acid to the solution in a) such that the concentration of sulphuric acid in the solution is at least 0.5% (w/w), such as 1-25% (w/w), c) distilling the solution mixture from step b) such that a target chemical stream enriched in cymene is obtained and separated from a residual stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Jörg Brücher, David Blomberg Saitton
  • Patent number: 8889943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for recovering aromatics from a naphtha feedstock obtained from a crude petroleum, natural gas condensate, or petrochemical feedstock. The method and system comprise the steps of recovering an aromatics fraction from the feedstock prior to reforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: William George Rhodey
  • Patent number: 8673134
    Abstract: A method for the removal of nitrogen compounds from FCC feed or from catalytically cracked distillates including FCC cycle oils by using formaldehyde to selectively couple organic heterocyclic nitrogen species in the FCC feed or FCC distillate to form higher boiling coupling products out of the boiling range of FCC distillate. Removal of the nitrogenous compounds improves the operation of subsequent hydrodesulfurization steps needed for the distillate fraction to conform to low sulfur standards. The formaldehyde is preferably used in the form of paraformaldehyde. The reaction between the nitrogenous compounds in the cycle oil fraction with the formaldehyde is conveniently carried out in the cycle oil pumparound circuit of the FCC main column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stacey E. Siporin, David Thomas Ferrughelli, Steven S. Lowenthal, Randolph J. Smiley, Alan Roy Katritzky, Bruce R. Cook
  • Patent number: 8663461
    Abstract: Solvent regeneration to recover a polar hydrocarbon (HC) selective solvent substantially free of hydrocarbons (HCs) and other impurities from a solvent-rich stream containing selective solvent, heavy HCs, and polymeric materials (PMs) generated from reactions among thermally decomposed or oxidized solvent, heavy HCs, and additives is provided. A combination of displacement agent and associated co-displacement agent squeezes out the heavy HCs and PMs from the extractive solvent within a solvent clean-up zone. Simultaneously, a filter equipped with a magnetic field is positioned in a lean solvent circulation line to remove paramagnetic contaminants. The presence of the co-displacement agent significantly enhances the capability of the displacement agent in removing the heavy HCs and PMs from the extractive solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: AMT International, Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Tzong-Bin Lin, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Jyh-Haur Hwang, Tsung-Min Chiu, Jeng-Cheng Lee, Han-Tjen Jan, Yuan-Fu Sun
  • Patent number: 8648227
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting styrene, having a polymerization quality, from pyrolysis benzol fractions containing styrene by means of extractive distillation. The pyrolysis benzol fraction is separated in a separating wall column in a C8-core fraction, a C7 fraction and a C9+-fraction, the obtained C8-core fraction is subjected to selective hydrogenation of the phenylacetylene C8H6 which it contains. Subsequently, the obtained C8-fraction undergoes extractive-distillative separation in a styrene fraction and a fraction which is low in styrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20140012058
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the pressure of distillation columns, for example those operating under vacuum pressure and conventionally equipped with a steam ejector system, are described. Representative distillation columns are used in the separation of thermally unstable components, such as the physical solvent sulfolane, having relatively low volatility. Such columns are employed in aromatic hydrocarbon extraction processes for the recovery of purified C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon feed stream (e.g., obtained from the catalytic reforming of naphtha).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Uop LLC
    Inventors: Bruce R. Beadle, Jason L. Noe, Sara A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8552245
    Abstract: This method includes the separation of an upstream partly condensed cracked gas stream in an intermediate separator (44B) in order to recover an intermediate liquid (136), and an intermediate cracked gas stream (138) and the introduction of the intermediate liquid (140) into an intermediate demethanization column (68). The method comprises the sampling of a portion of the intermediate liquid (136) and the expansion of at least one first fraction (194) obtained from the sampled portion (190). It comprises the putting of the first expanded fraction in a heat exchange relationship with the intermediate head stream (146) from the column (68) for at least partly condensing the intermediate head stream (146). The method includes the separation of the intermediate partly condensed head stream in a first reflux separator (76) in order to form a liquid stream (148) introduced into the intermediate column (68) and a combustible gas stream (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Yvon Simon, Jean-Paul Laugier
  • Patent number: 8536397
    Abstract: A process for the separation of the aromatic compounds benzene, toluene and xylene from an aromatics-containing reformate gasoline and pyrolysis gasoline or a coke-oven light oil or an aromatics-containing refinery stream, in which the aromatics are separated by an extractive distillation uses a novel solvent combination made up of the compounds n,n?-diformyl piperazine or 2,2?-bis-(cyanoethyl)ether in a combination with n-formyl morpholine as a second solvent for extractive distillation so that the solvent combination obtained shows a higher selectivity with regard to the aromatics to be extracted so that a lower solvent load is required. The aromatics-containing feed mixture is first submitted to a pre-distillation so that the obtained fraction has a narrow boiling point range. This fraction is then submitted to an extractive distillation in a first column, in which an aromatics-lean head product of predominantly paraffinic hydrocarbons is obtained as well as an aromatics-enriched bottom product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Noll, Helmut Gehrke, Christian Luebbecke, Baerbel Kolbe
  • Publication number: 20130217945
    Abstract: Processes and systems for treating an aromatic feed comprising an aromatic component and nitrogen-containing impurities, as well as processes and systems for preparing a reaction product of an aromatic component from an aromatic feed comprising the aromatic component and nitrogen-containing impurities, are provided herein. In an embodiment, a process for treating an aromatic feed comprising an aromatic component and nitrogen-containing impurities includes adsorbing a portion of the nitrogen-containing impurities from the aromatic feed to produce a treated aromatic feed comprising the aromatic component and residual nitrogen-containing impurities. The treated aromatic feed and water are mixed to produce a hydrated aromatic feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chad A. Williams, Wugeng Liang, Patrick Jerome Bullen
  • Patent number: 8507745
    Abstract: Processes and systems for treating an aromatic feed comprising an aromatic component and nitrogen-containing impurities, as well as processes and systems for preparing a reaction product of an aromatic component from an aromatic feed comprising the aromatic component and nitrogen-containing impurities, are provided herein. In an embodiment, a process for treating an aromatic feed comprising an aromatic component and nitrogen-containing impurities includes adsorbing a portion of the nitrogen-containing impurities from the aromatic feed to produce a treated aromatic feed comprising the aromatic component and residual nitrogen-containing impurities. The treated aromatic feed and water are mixed to produce a hydrated aromatic feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chad A. Williams, Wugeng Liang, Patrick Jerome Bullen
  • Patent number: 8471087
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating an acidic contaminant and light hydrocarbon of a light hydrocarbon feed having a large contaminating acidic contaminant content. Among other features, the process uses a combination of distillation and membrane separation arranged in a unique way to yield a high-purity light hydrocarbon product and a high-purity acidic contaminant product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Zaida Diaz, Shu Shu, Paul Jason Williams
  • Patent number: 8395002
    Abstract: A process for recovering benzene, the process including: feeding hydrogen and a hydrocarbon fraction comprising benzene, components lighter than benzene, components heavier than benzene, and diolefins to a catalytic distillation reactor system comprising at least one reaction zone comprising a hydrogenation catalyst; concurrently in the catalytic distillation reactor system: contacting the diolefins and hydrogen in the presence of the hydrogenation catalyst to selectively hydrogenate at least a portion of the diolefins; and fractionating the hydrocarbon fraction to form a fraction comprising benzene and other C6 hydrocarbons, and a heavies fraction comprising C7+ hydrocarbons; recovering the heavies fraction from the first catalytic distillation reactor system as a bottoms fraction; and withdrawing the fraction comprising benzene and other C6 hydrocarbons from the catalytic distillation reactor system as a benzene concentrate fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Martinus J. Almering, Purvis K. Ho, Mitchell E. Loescher, Montri Vichailak
  • Patent number: 8362313
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes processes and systems for recovery of styrene from a styrene-rich feedstock. The processes and systems maintain performance of an extractive solvent used in the styrene recovery. In general, the processes include introducing a styrene-rich feedstock to an extractive distillation column, removing a styrene-rich stream from the extractive distillation column, introducing the styrene-rich stream to a solvent recovery column, removing a styrene-lean stream from the solvent recovery column, separating and treating a portion of the styrene-lean stream to form a treated extractive solvent and recycling the treated extractive solvent. In some embodiments, the treating process also includes steam stripping. Styrene-recovery systems including an extractive distillation column, a solvent recovery column, a solvent treatment apparatus having at least one equilibrium stage and a continuous circulation loop connecting these components are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GTC Technology, LP
    Inventors: Zhong Yi Ding, Weihua Jin, Andrei Cimpeanu, Amy Sealey
  • Patent number: 8193405
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for integrating a butene dimerization process with a metathesis process to remove isobutene from the feed stream to the metathesis reactor. The isobutene is preferentially dimerized in the dimerization process to leave n-butenes for metathesis with ethylene. An upstream selective hydrogenation process also isomerizes 1-butenes to 2-butenes which is the preferred butene reagent in the metathesis process. A common fractionator column for the dimerization and hydrogenation processes is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Krupa, Jill M. Meister
  • Patent number: 8178061
    Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed that relate to the removal of impurities and separation the light olefins from an MTO product vapor stream. Specifically, the processes and systems relate to recovery of light olefins during regeneration of an adsorber in an oxygenate removal unit. Processes and systems for recovering light olefins during regeneration of an adsorber in an oxygenate removal unit can include recycling residual effluent stream to an upstream operation unit upstream of the oxygenate removal unit. Processes and systems for recovering light olefins during regeneration of an adsorber in an oxygenate removal unit can also include recycling residual effluent gas produced by depressurizing residual effluent in the first adsorber, as well as preferably venting an effluent gas from the first adsorber to a compressor upstream of the oxygenate removal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Jason T. Corradi
  • Patent number: 8124824
    Abstract: A system and method for the use of super critical CO2 as a carrying or suspension agent for transport of extracted or processed hydrocarbons. The super critical state CO2 is then co-mingled with the extracted or processed hydrocarbons and transported in the co-mingled state to a delivery point. At the delivery point, the super critical state CO2 is allowed to return to its gaseous state allowing the separation of the hydrocarbons therefrom. The hydrocarbons may be processed and the gaseous CO2 returned to its super critical state for future transport, use in EOR, or geologically sequestered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Michael J. Hirl
  • Patent number: 7994378
    Abstract: This invention presents a process of butadiene-1,3 extraction. The process consists of the procedure of 1st extractive fractionation, 2nd extractive fractionation, distillation and alkyne fractionation. This invention can improve the yield and capacity of butadiene extraction unit by adding an alkyne fractionator to the existing butadiene extraction unit and appropriately adjusting the process condition of 1st and 2nd extractive fractionators. This invention can decrease the energy and material consumption per unit of butadiene-1,3, which greatly improved the economic profit. The investment on various scales of butadiene extraction units for adding alkyne fractionator is almost same. Further more, the profit is in direct proportion with the scale of a plant and output is in several to some dozens of folds to investment. After the implementation of this invention, the discharge of vinyl acetylene offgas can be reduced by around 3400 tons per year, which mitigate the pollution on environment and save energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Minghua Wang, Duoshan Zhao, Meng Wang
  • Patent number: 7956231
    Abstract: To decrease capital costs of crack gas treatment of the olefin plant, a method for separation of olefins reduces the units for catalytic hydrogenation. In the method, olefins having three carbon atoms are separated from olefins having four carbon atoms. Crude gas is precompressed (1), precooled and dried (2), and passed into a C3/C4 separation stage (6) comprising a C4 absorber, operating at full crude gas pressure, and a depropanizer, operated at a pressure of 8 to 12 bar. In the C3/C4 separation stage, the olefins are separated into a fraction having at most three carbon atoms (C3?), and a fraction having at least four carbon atoms (C4+). The fraction having at most three carbon atoms is completely compressed (1) and passed to the catalytic hydrogenation (4); the fraction having at least four carbon atoms is passed out for further processing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tuat Pham Duc
  • Patent number: 7923591
    Abstract: Method and device for manufacturing at least one low olefin from an oxygenate-containing first reaction mixture (11) through conversion by a catalyst (20) to an olefin and paraffin-containing second reaction mixture (21) where the second reaction mixture (21) is flowed through a separation system (300), in which one at least one low olefin-containing first product stream (31) and at least one paraffin-enriched fraction (321) is extracted and where the remaining product stream (322) is at least partially recirculated to the catalyst (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lurgi AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Birke, Harald Koempel, Waldemar Liebner, Hermann Bach
  • Patent number: 7897827
    Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed that relate to the removal of impurities and separation the light olefins from an MTO product vapor stream. Specifically, the processes and systems relate to recovery of light olefins during regeneration of an adsorber in an oxygenate removal unit. Processes and systems for recovering light olefins during regeneration of an adsorber in an oxygenate removal unit can include recycling residual effluent stream to an upstream operation unit upstream of the oxygenate removal unit. Processes and systems for recovering light olefins during regeneration of an adsorber in an oxygenate removal unit can also include recycling residual effluent gas produced by depressurizing residual effluent in the first adsorber, as well as preferably venting an effluent gas from the first adsorber to a compressor upstream of the oxygenate removal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Jason T. Corradi
  • Patent number: 7709693
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the production of nitration grade toluene from a solvent extraction process that produces an aromatic rich extract and a saturate rich raffinate, comprising adding an effective amount of the raffinate back to the extract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Gaeth, Reynaldo E. Vera
  • Patent number: 7687677
    Abstract: A processing scheme and arrangement for enhanced olefin production involves recovering thermal energy from a reactor effluent stream resulting from the dehydrogenation of a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon. The process involves contacting the reactor effluent stream with a circulating fluid stream in a first contact cooling zone to produce a product stream and to form a heated circulating fluid stream. Thermal energy is recovered from the heated circulating fluid stream via indirect heat exchange with a first process stream in a first heat exchange zone to form a cooled circulating fluid stream. The cooled circulating fluid stream can be subsequently cooled and at least a first portion thereof returned to the first contact cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Dennis E. O'Brien, Joseph E. Zimmermann, Douglas G. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7556717
    Abstract: A process for fractionating a starting mixture of two or more components by extractive distillation using a selective solvent in a dividing wall column aligned in the longitudinal direction of the column and extending to the upper end of the column and dividing the column interior into a first region, a second region, and a lower combined column region. The starting mixture is fed into the first region, a first top stream is taken off from the first region, and a second top stream is taken off from the second region, each stream having a prescribed specification. The selective solvent is introduced in the upper part of the first region and/or in the upper part of the second region, and solvent flow into the first region and/or solvent flow into the second region are set so that each of the prescribed specifications for the top streams are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernd Heida
  • Publication number: 20090069618
    Abstract: In an isomerization process where the isomerization effluent (114) is fractionated in a deisohexanizer (116) to provide a lower boiling fraction (122) containing dimethylbutanes, a higher boiling fraction containing methylpentanes and a bottoms stream (120) containing normal hexane and heavies, the bottoms stream is contacted with a selective permeation membrane (124) to provide a normal hexane-containing permeate (128) suitable for recycle to the isomerization. The energy consumption of the deisohexanizer (116) can be reduced without adversely affecting the octane rating of the overhead (122).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Lynn H. Rice
  • Publication number: 20080161627
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Bryan K Glover, Andrea G. Bozzano, Antoine Negiz
  • Patent number: 7348466
    Abstract: In a method for the solvent extraction of butadiene from a mixture of hydrocarbons having four carbon atoms per molecule, which method inherently produces tars, the extraction process is operated with a tar loading level, relative to the solvent employed, of no more than about 1.6 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Joseph P. Bridges, Solon B. Williams, Byron B. Unterbrink
  • Patent number: 7094937
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising C26H30 hexamantane, referred to herein as peri-condensed hexamantane, fully condensed hexamantane, and cyclohexamantane. These enriched cyclohexamantane compositions comprise at least 5 percent by weight cyclohexamantane based upon the total weight of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy E. Dahl, Robert M. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6960279
    Abstract: Disclosed is the observation that 7-aryl-quinone methides and 4-tert-butylcatechol, when used in combination in a vinyl aromatic monomer to inhibit polymerization,do not inhibit polymerization to the same extend as each would if used separately. Stated another way, a phenomenon has been observed that when these two compounds are used together, they can, to a large extent, render each other unable to inhibit polymerization in a vinyl aromatic monomer. Also disclosed are methods of preventing adverse results of this interaction when undesired and a method of using this interaction to prepare a reactive vinyl aromatic monomer having a concentration of 4-tert-butylcatechol that would otherwise inhibit polymerization. The invention is disclosed to be useful with the production and storage of any vinyl aromatic monomer and is disclosed to be particularly useful with the production and storage of styrene monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Merrill
  • Patent number: 6838587
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing acetaldehyde, CO2 and/or water from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. In this invention, acetaldehyde and C4+ olefins are substantially removed from the ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. The stream is then acid gas treated. The ethylene and/or propylene streams which are separated and recovered according to this invention can be further processed, for example, to make polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, David R. Lumgair, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040019247
    Abstract: Styrene is recovered continuously from a styrene-containing mixture by distillation of the mixture in a cascade of n distillation columns, where
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konrad Mitulla, Heinz Friedrich Sutoris
  • Patent number: 6664433
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for purifying to a high degree of purity aromatic hydrocarbons containing impurities which are difficult to separate by distillation such as sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds. The process of this invention for purifying aromatic hydrocarbons comprises treating crude aromatic hydrocarbons with a formaldehyde or with a formaldehyde and a phenol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form oligomers, distilling or evaporating the reaction mixture thereby separating the unreacted aromatic hydrocarbons from the oligomers, and crystallizing or washing with an organic solvent the separated aromatic hydrocarbons. In case the target hydrocarbon is naphthalene, it is possible to prepare naphthalene which has a purity of 99.9999 wt % or more, emits little odor, and can be readily flavored by perfumes. Naphthalene of this quality is used to prepare an insecticide of excellent fragrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihide Senzaki, Takahiro Imamura, Takeshi Takayama, Katsuhide Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20030199721
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing dimethyl ether from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. Dimethyl ether is removed at a low pressure, preferably in a distillation column. The low pressure separation has the benefit of providing a relatively low temperature separation, while allowing for recovery of a highly concentrated ethylene and/or propylene stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Zhong Y. Ding, James R. Lattner, Cor F. Van Egmond, Jeffrey L. Brinen, Michael Peter Nicoletti
  • Publication number: 20030199722
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing acetaldehyde, CO2 and/or water from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. In this invention, acetaldehyde and C4+ olefins are substantially removed from the ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. The stream is then acid gas treated. The ethylene and/or propylene streams which are separated and recovered according to this invention can be further processed, for example, to make polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, David R. Lumgair
  • Patent number: 6565742
    Abstract: An improved process for the recovery of aromatic compounds from a mixture containing aromatic and non-aromatic compounds and method for retrofitting existing equipment for the same is provided. The improved process comprises the steps of recovering aromatic compounds via parallel operation of a hybrid extractive distillation/liquid-liquid extractor operation and variations thereof. Methods of quickly and economically retrofitting existing recovery process equipment for use with the improved aromatic recovery process are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: GTC Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Gentry, Fu-Ming Lee
  • Publication number: 20030069459
    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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Girotti, Giuseppe Terzoni, Oscar Cappellazzo, Renzo Bignazzi, Giannino Pazzuconi
  • Patent number: 6545192
    Abstract: A process for separating and isolating olefins from saturated hydrocarbons, preferably in a Fischer Tropsch stream, by adducting the olefins with a linear polyaromatic compound and separating the adducts from the remainder, which comprises saturated hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Lynn Henry Slaugh, Laurent Alain Fenouil, Howard Lam-Ho Fong
  • Patent number: 6483000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery as a feedstock of an alpha-olefin from a mixture containing mainly hydrocarbon compounds, such as is obtained by Fischer-Tropsch-synthesis after an at least crude separation of components boiling higher and/or lower than the alpha-olefin, wherein tertiary olefins of the mixture, after superstoichiometrical addition of a low alcohol, are subjected to catalytic etherification and a stream derived by etherification is fed jointly with the alpha-olefin and the ethers produced and other high boiling reaction products to a distillative separation of components boiling higher than the olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Pty) LTD
    Inventor: Hans Becker
  • Patent number: 6395953
    Abstract: Processes for producing a purified conjugated diene comprise feeding a petroleum fraction containing the conjugated diene to an extractive distillation column, feeding an extraction solvent to the extractive distillation column, and extractive-distilling the conjugated diene from the petroleum fraction containing the conjugated diene in the extractive distillation column. The extraction solvent comprises an amide compound, and a heterocyclic aldehyde, aromatic nitro compound or aromatic aldehyde is contained in the extraction solvent within a range of 0.01 to 10 wt. % based on the weight of the extractive solvent. An oxygen concentration in a gas phase of a distillate discharged from the top of the extraction distillation column is controlled to 10 ppm or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaki Koga, Nobumasa Shimomura, Masanobu Kanauchi
  • Patent number: 6348136
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for the distillation of a readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compound employing a polymerization inhibitor. The vinyl aromatic compound is subjected to distillation in at least one fractionation column having at least one reboiler for maintaining the bottoms of said column at a proper temperature. The reboiler includes a heating section and a vapor phase section. The bottoms fraction from the fractionation column is cycled to the reboiler and subjected to heat to vaporize at least a portion of the bottoms fraction to form a vapor phase in the vapor section, A slip stream of the bottoms fraction is introduced to the vapor phase section of the reboiler. The slipstream contains polymerization inhibitor that had been added to the process at the fractionation column. The invention reduces fouling at the reboilers. The slipstream is optionally introduced to the reboiler using one or more spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus E. Ledoux, Kelli E. Prince, Adrian M. Jacobsen, Larry P. Braud, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5972172
    Abstract: 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene is difficult to separate from 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene can be readily separated from 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene by extractive distillation. Effective agents are 3-nitrotoluene, m-cresol and sulfolane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Lloyd Berg
  • Patent number: 5942655
    Abstract: A process for the removal of trace quantities of polynuclear aromatic compounds from the vapor effluent of a hydrocarbon dehydrogenation zone containing normally gaseous olefinic hydrocarbons, trace mononuclear aromatic compounds and trace polynuclear aromatic compounds by contacting the vapor effluent of a hydrocarbon dehydrogenation zone with a lean liquid absorption stream comprising at least one alkylated mononuclear aromatic compound to absorb at least a portion of the trace mononuclear aromatic compounds and the trace polynuclear aromatic compounds to produce a rich liquid absorption stream and a gaseous olefin-containing hydrocarbon stream having a reduced concentration of mononuclear aromatic compounds and polynuclear aromatic compounds. The rich liquid absorption stream is separated to produce a stream rich in mononuclear aromatic compounds, a stream rich in alkylated mononuclear aromatic compounds and a stream comprising polynuclear aromatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 5877385
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering styrene from a feedstock containing at least styrene, ethylbenzene, and one or more aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon compounds which includes separating said feedstock into a first stream relatively more concentrated in styrene than said feedstock and a second stream relatively more concentrated in ethylbenzene than said feedstock, recovering styrene from said first stream to produce a styrene product stream, dehydrogenating the ethylbenzene of said second stream to produce additional styrene, and recovering said additional styrene. The feedstock may be separated into said first and second streams by a process selected from the class consisting of extractive distillation, azeotropic distillation, distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, chemical complex formation, membrane separation, and combinations thereof, and the additional styrene may be recovered by recycling it into said feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: HFM International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Stephen G. Norwood, Joseph C. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5849982
    Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separating at least one substituted unsaturated aromatic from a pyrolysis gasoline mixture, containing said aromatic and at least one close-boiling aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon, employing a two part extractive solvent, the first part selected from propylene carbonate, sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone), methyl carbitol, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 2-pyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof, and the second portion consisting of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: HFM International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Joseph C. Gentry, Randi Wright Wytcherley
  • Patent number: 5763714
    Abstract: A mixed aromatic stream is hydrotreated to remove olefins and fractionated to separate C.sub.9 + heavies in a distillation column reactor and the C.sub.8 and lighter material is fed to a selective adsorption unit where the para-xylene is removed. The para-xylene depleted raffinate therefrom may be subjected to isomerization to form additional para-xylene. The effluent from the isomerization can be fed to the distillation column reactor for hydrogenation of any olefins formed during the isomerization or directly to the adsorption unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hickey, Dennis Hearn, Hugh M. Putman
  • Patent number: 5723026
    Abstract: The production of high purity benzene and high purity toluene is obtained by utilizing the initial gas separating column for the treatment of the aromatic containing starting material as a separating column for separating a benzene rich from a toluene rich component. The benzene rich component is subject directly to distillation while the toluene is subject to predistillation to separate high boiling components and only then to extractive distillation is distilled to separate the high purity benzene from the high purity toluene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Leisse, Hans-Jurgen Vollmer, Uwe Ranke
  • Patent number: 5672804
    Abstract: A process for the removal of trace quantities of polynuclear aromatic compounds from the vapor effluent of a hydrocarbon dehydrogenation zone containing normally gaseous olefinic hydrocarbons, trace mononuclear aromatic compounds and trace polynuclear aromatic compounds by cooling the vapor effluent to condense at least a portion thereof, up to five weight percent, by introducing the resulting cooled stream into a vapor-liquid separator to produce a vapor stream containing normally gaseous olefinic hydrocarbons and having a reduced concentration of polynuclear aromatic compounds and a liquid stream containing mononuclear and polynuclear aromatic compounds and by recovering the vapor stream comprising normally gaseous olefinic hydrocarbons having a reduced concentration of polynuclear aromatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 5663337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to benzoquinazoline thymidylate synthase inhibitors, processes for preparing them and pharmaceutical formulations containing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
    Inventors: William Pendergast, Scott Howard Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5630914
    Abstract: A method for decontaminating a liquid of a contaminant having a vapor pressure which is higher than the vapor pressure of the liquid. A contaminated liquid is directed through an inclined conduit. A gas is directed into the inclined conduit, whereby the gas contacts the liquid and transports the contaminant, which has volatilized in the inclined conduit, out of the inclined conduit, thereby decontaminating the liquid. The liquid is discharged from the inclined conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Pharm-Eco Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yesh P. Sachdeva, Richard L. Gabriel