Patents Represented by Attorney Dean A. Sandford

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  • Lanthanum hydroxide and a rhodium or ruthenium moiety catalyst for homologation of alcohols
    Patent number: 4578375
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel heterogeneous catalyst system adapted for alkanol homologation, which comprises lanthanum hydroxide and a rhodium or ruthenium moiety, e.g. RhCl.sub.3 or RuCl.sub.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Donald M. Fenton
  • Field source rock evaluation method
    Patent number: 4578356
    Abstract: The hydrocarbon potential of a source rock comprising hydrocarbons and insoluble organic materials capable of generating hydrocarbons upon pyrolysis or further maturation is analytically determined. In the instant invention, a particulate sample of the source rock is slurried with a solvent to extract the hydrocarbons therefrom and provide a first solution for analysis. The extracted sample is again slurried with a solvent and the resulting slurry is heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the insoluble organic material to liquid hydrocarbons. The liquid hydrocarbons dissolve in the solvent to provide a second solution for analysis. The first and second solutions are then analyzed independently for hydrocarbon content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Stephen R. Larter
  • Catalyst and process for oxidizing hydrogen sulfide
    Patent number: 4576814
    Abstract: Catalysts comprising bismuth and vanadium components are highly active and stable, especially in the presence of water vapor, for oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to sulfur or SO.sub.2. Such catalysts have been found to be especially active for the conversion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur by reaction with oxygen or SO.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Robert H. Hass, John W. Ward
  • Hydrocracking process and catalyst therefor
    Patent number: 4576711
    Abstract: A hydrocracking process, of especial use in the production of a relatively high yield of middle distillate products along with a smaller but still significant yield of gasoline from high boiling gas oils and the like, comprises contacting a gas oil or other hydrocarbon feedstock under hydrocracking conditions with a novel catalyst comprising one or more hydrogenation components on a support material comprising, in combination, a dispersion of silica-alumina in alumina and a zeolite of the Y crystalline structure but having a silica-to-alumina ratio above about 6.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: John W. Ward, Timothy L. Carlson
  • Injection nozzle
    Patent number: 4573803
    Abstract: A nozzle of especial usefulness for injecting corrosive acids into geothermal brines and the like comprises a substantially straight, tubular injector body and a plurality of pairs of injection tubes connected such that the axial bores of the injection tubes are in fluid communication with the axial bore of the tubular injector body. The injection tubes of each pair extend in radial directions from, and in the same plane normal to, the axis of the tubular injector body. Moreover, all injection tubes are in one of two planes coincident to the axis of the tubular body and all pass through a plane parallel to the axis of the injector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Gregory A. Gritters, Walter E. Nellis, John L. Featherstone
  • Steam injection method
    Patent number: 4572296
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for inhibiting silica dissolution during steam injection into a formation. In the method, there is added to the steam, or to feedwater used to generate the steam, a mixture comprising:(a) a compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts of inorganic acids, ammonium salts of carboxylic acids, quaternary ammonium halides, amine or substituted amine hydrochlorides, and mixtures thereof; and(b) a compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, salts which decompose in steam to form acid neutralizers or buffers having alkaline pH values, amides of carbamic acid or thiocarbamic acid and derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives, and mixtures thereof.In steam, the compound of (a) decomposes to form a proton, which neutralizes hydroxide generated by ions in the steam generator feedwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: David R. Watkins
  • Hydroprocessing with a large pore catalyst
    Patent number: 4572778
    Abstract: Hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon oils is carried out utilizing a catalyst containing nickel and tungsten active metal components on a porous support material and having a narrow pore size distribution, with essentially all pores being of diameter greater than about 100 angstroms, with less than about 10 percent of the total pore volume being in pores of diameter greater than 300 angstroms, and with at least about 60 percent of the total pore volume being in pores of diameter from about 180 to about 240 angstroms. The catalyst is useful for promoting the conversion of asphaltenes contained in hydrocarbon oils, especially in the second reaction zone of a multiple-stage hydrodesulfurization process wherein demetallization catalysts are employed in upstream reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: John W. Ward
  • Hydrotreating catalyst and process
    Patent number: 4568449
    Abstract: Hydrotreating with a catalyst comprising molybdenum, nickel, and phosphorus active components supported on gamma alumina is prepared with gamma alumina support particles which have been contacted with aqueous ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Paul K. Angmorter, Howard D. Simpson, Ryden L. Richardson
  • Increasing the permeability of a subterranean reservoir
    Patent number: 4567946
    Abstract: The permeability of high-temperature subterranean hydrocarbon-producing reservoirs is increased by introducing therein a mixture containing a tertiary carboxylic acid alkylated amide, an aqueous solution of an acid or acids, and a water-soluble polymer, preferably a nitrogen-containing polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: David J. Watanabe
  • Process for producing diolefins
    Patent number: 4567314
    Abstract: High surface area oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts which are suitable for converting C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 mono-olefins to diolefins are disclosed, comprising the oxides of an alkali metal, vanadium, phosphorus, and preferably tin in combination with a crystalline silica having a surface area between 30 M.sup.2 /g to 450 M.sup.2 /g and wherein the vanadium has an average valence in the range of from 3.5 to 4.95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Paul R. Robinson, Eric L. Moorehead
  • Hydrocracking with rare earth-containing Y zeolite compositions
    Patent number: 4565621
    Abstract: Y Zeolites are prepared with rare earth cations and Group VIII metal cations exchanged thereinto, such zeolites being especially useful in hydrocracking catalysts. The zeolites of the invention are prepared by exchanging a sodium Y zeolite with cations of one or more rare earth elements followed by a calcination, an ammonium ion exchange, and a Group VIII metal cation exchange. The resultant zeolite is not only highly active for catalytically promoting hydrocracking reactions but is also, after use in hydrocracking environments resulting in coke deposition, essentially completely regenerable by combustion of the coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: John W. Ward
  • Silica-containing catalysts
    Patent number: 4565802
    Abstract: Para-xylene is selectively prepared by reacting toluene and a methylating agent in the presence of a phosphorus modified catalyst comprising a silica polymorph intermixed with an inorganic refractory oxide, said catalyst having an alkali content of less than about 1.3 milliequivalents per gram as available alkali.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Dean A. Young
  • Coated fertilizer particles
    Patent number: 4565564
    Abstract: Metal oxides are applied to the surface of urea particles and chemically bonded to the urea by a heat-induced reaction. The product of this reaction is a free-flowing, relatively non-hygroscopic nitrogenous chemical fertilizer. By selecting metal oxides corresponding to a particular soil deficiency, beneficial micronutrients can be supplied simultaneously with nitrogen. Other materials, such as elemental sulfur, can be incorporated into the metal oxides prior to coating or can be liquefied and applied as a separate additional coating to the metal oxide-urea particles. In another embodiment, fertilizer particles are coated with metal oxides, covered with molten urea, and heated to induce a reaction. The formed reaction product remains as a layer on the exterior of the particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Peter S. Backlund
  • Hydrofoil injection nozzle
    Patent number: 4564298
    Abstract: An injection nozzle especially useful for injecting corrosive acids into geothermal brines and the like comprises a bullet-shaped hydrofoil injection housing, a tubular manifold conduit connected thereto, preferably such that the axis of said manifold conduit and hydrofoil intersect at right angles, and a plurality of injection tubes emanating from said hydrofoil in a direction opposite that of the point of the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Gregory A. Gritters, Walter E. Nellis, John L. Featherstone
  • Process for retorting oil shale with fluidized retorting of shale fines
    Patent number: 4564437
    Abstract: Hot, coarse, particles removed from a retort, preferably coarse particles of oil shale removed from a retort operating at superatmospheric pressure, are crushed to a size suitable for fluidization and then fed to a fluidization zone maintained under non-oxidizing conditions at substantially the pressure of the retort to forestall escape of retort gases. Raw fines are introduced into the fluidization zone and retorted without agglomeration using heat transferred from the hot retorted particles. Also introduced into the fluidization zone is a heated fluidizing gas stream comprised of recycle retort gas, which is employed to educe hydrocarbonaceous vapors from the fines and, optionally transfer heat. Educed vapors from the fluidization zone are recycled to the retort to be partially condensed and recovered as liquid and gaseous product streams along with other vapors educed in the retort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Roland F. Deering
  • Oxidative-dehydrogenation catalyst and process
    Patent number: 4564603
    Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts suitable for converting C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 mono-olefins to conjugated dienes comprise vanadium, phosphorus, and alkali metal components, and preferably also a tin component, in combination with a microporous crystalline silica or a crystalline zeolite having a silica-to-alumina ratio of at least 6.0. In one embodiment, the catalyst has a surface area between 30 M.sup.2 /g to 450 M.sup.2 /g and the vanadium has an average valence in the range of from 3.50 to 4.95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Paul R. Robinson, Eric L. Moorehead
  • Fertilizers containing nitrogen and micronutrients
    Patent number: 4563208
    Abstract: Metal oxides are applied to the surface of urea particles and chemically bonded to the urea by a heat-induced reaction. The product of this reaction is a free-flowing, relatively non-hygroscopic nitrogenous chemical fertilizer. By selecting metal oxides corresponding to a particular soil deficiency, beneficial micronutrients can be supplied simultaneously with nitrogen. Other materials, such as elemental sulfur, can be incorporated into the metal oxides prior to coating or can be liquefied and applied as a separate additional coating to the metal oxide-urea particles. In another embodiment, fertilizer particles are coated with metal oxides, covered with molten urea, and heated to induce a reaction. The formed reaction product remains as a layer on the exterior of the particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Peter S. Backlund
  • Hydrocracking catalyst
    Patent number: 4563434
    Abstract: A hydrocracking process, of especial use in the production of a relatively high yield of middle distillate products along with a smaller but still significant yield of gasoline from high boiling gas oils and the like, comprises contacting a gas oil or other hydrocarbon feedstock under hydrocracking conditions with a novel catalyst comprising one or more hydrogenation components on a support material comprising, in combination, a dispersion of silica-alumina in alumina and a zeolite of the Y crystalline structure but having a silica-to-alumina ratio above about 6.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: John W. Ward, Timothy L. Carlson
  • Method of producing maleic anhydride
    Patent number: 4562269
    Abstract: Large surface area oxidation catalysts suitable for converting C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 hydrocarbons to maleic anhydride are disclosed, comprising the oxides of vanadium, phosphorus and tin in combination with a crystalline silica having a surface area between 100 M.sup.2 /g to 450 M.sup.2 /g and wherein the vanadium has an average valence in the range of from 3.5 to 4.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Eric L. Moorehead
  • Nitrogen fertilization
    Patent number: 4559076
    Abstract: Plant nutrient losses from soils due to ammonia volatilization are reduced by the simultaneous application of nitrogen and an additive material which is adsorbed at soil ion exchange sites more readily than is ammonium ion. Useful materials for this purpose include soluble salts of the alkali metals and/or alkaline earth metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Donald C. Young