Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Frank S. Molinaro
  • Layered catalyst composition and processes for preparing and using the composition
    Patent number: 6280608
    Abstract: This invention relates to a layered catalyst composition, a process for preparing the composition and processes for using the composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition shows improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert H. Jensen, Jeffery C. Bricker, Qianjun Chen, Masaru Tatsushima, Kenji Kikuchi, Masao Takayama, Koji Hara, Isao Tsunokuma, Hiroyuki Serizawa
  • Process for separating alkylaromatic hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 6274784
    Abstract: A process for separating at least one C8 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon from a mixture containing at least one C8 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and at least one C9 or C10 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon using zeolite Y or zeolite Y ion exchanged with a metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, sodium, strontium, a Group IB element, a Group VIII element and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Maureen L. Bricker, Charles P. McGonegal, Herman A. Zinnen
  • Selective bifunctional multimetallic reforming catalyst
    Patent number: 6239063
    Abstract: A catalyst and the use thereof in a reforming process is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide, platinum-group metal, Group IVA(IUPAC 14) metal, and lanthanide-series metal in a specified ratio. Utilization of this catalyst in the reforming of hydrocarbons, especially in reforming, results in significantly improved selectivity to the desired gasoline or aromatics product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Paula L. Bogdan
  • Catalyst for the conversion of low carbon number aliphatic hydrocarbons to higher carbon number hydrocarbons, process for preparing the catalyst and process using the catalyst
    Patent number: 6239057
    Abstract: A catalyst for producing higher carbon number hydrocarbons, e.g., benzene from low carbon number hydrocarbons such as methane has been developed. The catalyst comprises a porous support such as ZSM-5 which has dispersed thereon rhenium and a promoter metal such as iron, cobalt, vanadium, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof. A process for preparing the catalyst and a process for converting low carbon number aliphatic hydrocarbons to higher number hydrocarbons in the presence of CO or CO2 at on conditions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Masaru Ichikawa, Ryuichiro Ohnishi, Linsheng Wang
  • Scallop design for radial flow reactor internals
    Patent number: 6224838
    Abstract: Conduits for a radial flow reactor to provide fluid/solid contacting are improved structurally in terms of possessing good flexibility and a high resistance to vertical buckling when subjected to radially and axially directed stresses. The desired conduit characteristics are obtained using connection flaps to flexibly join a curved profile wire front side to a flatter back side that is proximate to the reactor vessel wall. The rigid profile wire section is maintained at some distance from the vessel wall so that the conduit can flex without permanent damage in an environment where stresses are imparted due to either temperature or thermal expansion differences within the reactor environment. The radial flow reactor of this invention is especially suited for processes such as catalytic reforming where thermally-induced stresses result from both transient and discontinuous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Schulz, Jeffrey E. Burgard
  • Removal of sulfur compounds from gaseous waste streams
    Patent number: 6217839
    Abstract: Sulfur dioxide and other sulfur compounds are removed from various waste gas streams including those from incineration, refinery sulfur processing, coal burning, or metal smelting operations. The process for sulfur compound removal comprises, in an adsorption vessel, the quenching and subsequent adsorption of the gas with a suitable adsorbent such as an aqueous basic solution (e.g. sodium hydroxide). Sulfur compounds are thus adsorbed into a liquid scrubbing solution predominantly in the form of partially oxidized species (i.e. sulfites, bisulfites, thiosulfites, sulfides, and bisulfides). In a separate heterogeneous catalytic oxidation step, these partially oxidized sulfur compounds are more completely oxidized so that the chemical oxygen demand of the effluent from the oxidation reactor is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Hess, Luigi Laricchia
  • Metallo aluminophosphate molecular sieve with cubic crystal morphology and methanol to olefin process using the sieve
    Patent number: 6207872
    Abstract: A catalyst for converting methanol to light olefins along with the process itself are disclosed and claimed. The catalyst is a metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve having the empirical formula (ELxAlyPz)O2 where EL is a metal such as silicon or magnesium and x, y and z are the mole fractions of EL, Al and P respectively. The molecular sieve has predominantly a plate crystal morphology in which the average smallest crystal dimension is at least 0.1 microns and has an aspect ratio of no greater than 5. Use of this catalyst gives a product with a larger amount of ethylene versus propylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul T. Barger, Stephen T. Wilson, Thomas M. Reynolds
  • Silicon substituted EMC-2 zeolite: LZ-281
    Patent number: 6200463
    Abstract: Applicants have prepared a novel zeolite identified as LZ-281. This zeolite has the framework topology of zeolite EMT. The LZ-281 zeolite is prepared by removing framework aluminum atoms from EMC-2 zeolite while simultaneously replacing the aluminum atoms with extraneous silicon atoms. This increases the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio versus the starting EMC-2 zeolite and results in the LZ-281 zeolite having increased thermal stability, increased number and/or strength of acid sites and increased activity in hydrocarbon processes requiring strong acid sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ben A. Wilson, Robert Lyle Patton, Vinayan Nair, Deng-Yang Jan, Hemant B. Gala
  • Process for the reduction of ketones and aldehydes to alcohols using a tin substituted zeolite beta
    Patent number: 6191323
    Abstract: A process for the reduction of ketones or aldehydes to alcohols has been developed. The process involves contacting the ketone or aldehyde with a primary or secondary alcohol and a catalyst at reduction conditions. The catalyst is a molecular sieve having the empirical formula: (MwSnxTiySi1-x-y-zGez)O2 where M is a trivalent metal such as aluminum or boron. These molecular sieves have a microporous three dimensional framework structure of at least SiO2 and SnO2 tetrahedral units, a crystallographically regular pore system and the characteristic x-ray diffraction pattern of zeolite beta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Laszlo T. Nemeth, Avelino Corma Canos, Susana Valencia Valencia, Jaime G. Moscoso, Marcelo Eduardo Domine
  • Method for treating a liquid stream contaminated with an iodine-containing compound using a cation-exchanged crystalline manganese phosphate
    Patent number: 6190562
    Abstract: For the removal of trace quantities of iodine-containing contaminants from corrosive liquid feed streams, an alternative with distinct advantages over the prior art is provided. The treatment method involves the use of a crystalline manganese phosphate which has been cation-exchanged with an iodine-reactive metal. This inorganic adsorbent may be used in unbound form, or it can bound with a substantially insoluble porous inorganic refractory metal oxide binder. A reactivation technique for this material is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Santi Kulprathipanja, Gregory J. Lewis, Richard R. Willis
  • Layered catalyst composition and processes for preparing and using the composition
    Patent number: 6177381
    Abstract: This invention relates to a layered catalyst composition, a process for preparing the composition and processes for using the composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition shows improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert H Jensen, Jeffrey C. Bricker, Qianjun Chen, Masaru Tatsushima, Kenji Kikuchi, Masao Takayama, Koji Hara, Isao Tsunokuma, Hiroyuki Serizawa
  • Crystalline multinary metal oxide compositions, process for preparing and processes for using the composition
    Patent number: 6171571
    Abstract: A new family of crystalline metal oxide compositions have been synthesized. These compositions are described by the empirical formula: AnNbMxM′yM″mOp where A is an alkali metal cation, ammonium ion and mixtures thereof, M is tungsten, molybdenum, or mixtures thereof. M′ is vanadium, tantalum and mixtures thereof, and M″ is antimony, tellurium and mixtures thereof. M′ and M″ are optional metals. These compositions are characterized by having an x-ray diffraction pattern having at least one peak at a d spacing of about 3.9 Å. A hydrothermal synthesis procedure as well as processes using the composition, e.g., ammoxidation of propane, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Paula L. Bogdan, Lisa M. King, Susan C. Koster
  • Process for drying CH2F2 refrigerant utilizing zeolite
    Patent number: 6168720
    Abstract: Difluoromethane (R-32) is of current interest as a partial replacement for chlorodifluoromethane (R-22) refrigerant heretofore widely used in vapor compression refrigeration systems. R-32 has, however, proved to be more reactive than is desirable with the zeolite A adsorbent-desiccant compositions used in such systems to prevent corrosion and freeze-up problems. The potassium cation form of a zeolite A molecular sieve—with at least 60 percent of the sodium cations replaced with potassium ions, agglomerated with a clay binder, and pore-reduced to essentially exclude the adsorption of R-32 having essentially no reactivity with difluoromethane, and having a surface ratio of silicon to aluminum of less than about 1.7 mol/mol as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy—has been found to be an effective desiccant for refrigerants comprising difluoromethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Maryellen Lavin, Alan P. Cohen, Jack E. Hurst
  • Fast-fluidized bed reactor for MTO process
    Patent number: 6166282
    Abstract: An oxygenate conversion process and fast-fluidized bed reactor are disclosed having an upper disengaging zone and a lower reaction zone. The process is carried out in a reaction zone having a dense phase zone in the lower reaction zone and a transition zone which extends into the disengaging zone. The feedstock in the presence of a diluent is passed to the dense phase zone containing a non-zeolitic catalyst to effect at least a partial conversion to light olefins and then passed to the transition zone above the dense phase zone to achieve essentially complete conversion. A portion of the catalyst is withdrawn from above the transition zone in the disengaging zone, at least partially regenerated, and returned to a point above the dense phase zone, while catalyst is continuously circulated from the disengaging zone to the lower reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence W. Miller
  • Process for preparation of the pharmaceutically desired (S)-oxetine enantiomers
    Patent number: 6162949
    Abstract: Improved processes for preparation of the (S)-oxetines in high enantiomeric purity centers on resolution using simulated moving bed chromatography of a racemic precursor early in the oxetine synthesis. Resolution is effected with high enantiomeric purity, and subsequent reactions of the desired enantiomer performed with high optical specificity to maintain enantiomeric purity. The undesired enantiomer may be racemized and recycled to the resolution phase to avoid loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Mark J. Gattuso
  • Zeolite beta and its use in aromatic alkylation
    Patent number: 6162416
    Abstract: There is disclosed a new form of zeolite beta which shows substantially greater stability and greater catalyst lifetime when used in the alkylation and transalkylation of aromatic compounds. The new, surface-modified zeolite beta is characterized by having surface aluminum 2p binding energies, as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, of at least 74.8 electron volts. This surface-modified zeolite beta is prepared by treating an as synthesized and templated zeolite beta with an acid at a pH between about 0 and about 2 at a temperature up to about 125.degree. C. for a time sufficient to modify the chemical environment of the surface aluminum atom without bringing about dealumination of the zeolite beta, then calcining the acid-treated templated material at 550-700.degree. C. to remove the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Gajda, Richard T. Gajek
  • Alumina bodies containing alkali or alkaline earth metal compounds
    Patent number: 6159898
    Abstract: A method of producing activated alumina bodies having alkali or alkaline earth metal compounds incorporated therein, the bodies suitable for adsorption and having increased capacity for adsorption of gases and the like. The method comprises providing a source of activated alumina powder and further providing an aqueous solution having an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and a water soluble alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of an organic compound dissolved therein. The activated alumina powder is formed into bodies which are treated with the aqueous solution to provide alumina bodies having alkali or alkaline earth metal compounds incorporated therein. The alumina bodies are heated for purposes of activation to provide said activated alumina bodies capable of having increased adsorption capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Vladislav I. Kanazirev
  • Crystalline manganese (II/III) phosphate compositions
    Patent number: 6156931
    Abstract: A new family of crystalline manganese phosphate compositions has been prepared. These compositions have an extended network which network can be a one-, two-, or three-dimensional network. The composition has an empirical formula of:(A.sup.3+).sub.v (Mn.sup.b+)(M.sup.c+).sub.x P.sub.y O.sub.zwhere A is a structure directing agent such as an alkali metal, M is a metal such as Al, Fe.sup.3+ and "b" is the average manganese oxidation state and varies from greater than 2.0 to a maximum of 3.0. These compositions can be used as adsorbents and as catalysts in the oxidation of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Gregory J. Lewis
  • Minimizing diphenylethane formation in alkylation of benzene by ethylene catalyzed by zeolite beta
    Patent number: 6153806
    Abstract: Reduction of the amount of 1,1-diphenylethane and heavier polyalkylated benzenes produced in the formation of ethylbenzene by alkylation of benzene with ethylene can be effected by reducing the number of hydride transfer active sites on a zeolite beta. One way of producing this "site-modified" beta is to take a parent or precursor zeolite beta that has at least 0.5% carbon on it and treat it under oxidation conditions at a temperature of about 450.degree. C. to about 750.degree. C. The use of such a catalyst gives a product containing less than 0.3 wt. % 1,1-diphenylethane relative to ethylbenzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Gregory J. Gajda
  • Process for separating meta-xylene
    Patent number: 6137024
    Abstract: A process for separating meta-xylene from a mixture containing meta-xylene, para-xylene, and ortho-xylene has been developed. The process involves contacting the mixture with zeolite Beta to effect the adsorption of the para-xylene, ortho-xylene, and ethylbenzene in preference to the meta-xylene and recovering the meta-xylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Herman A. Zinnen, Charles P. McGonegal