Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm J. Farrant
  • Process, including membrane separation, for separating hydrogen from hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 6264828
    Abstract: Processes for providing improved methane removal and hydrogen reuse in reactors, particularly in refineries and petrochemical plants. The improved methane removal is achieved by selective purging, by passing gases in the reactor recycle loop across membranes selective in favor of methane over hydrogen, and capable of exhibiting a methane/hydrogen selectivity of at least about 2.5 under the process conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Membrane Tehnology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Zhenjie He, Ingo Pinnau
  • Catalytic cracking process
    Patent number: 6190536
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for providing improved catalytic cracking, specifically improved recovery of olefins, LPG or hydrogen from catalytic crackers. The improvement is achieved by passing part of the wet gas stream across membranes selective in favor of light hydrocarbons over hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker
  • Selective purging for hydroprocessing reactor loop
    Patent number: 6190540
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a fluid stream containing at least hydrogen and hydrocarbons. The process uses a hydrocarbon-selective membrane to reduce the concentration of hydrocarbons and contaminants in the hydrogen stream recycled to the hydroprocessing reactor. The membrane can operate in the presence of hydrogen sulfide. The process also provides the opportunity for increased NGL recovery from the hydrocarbon-enriched membrane permeate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker
  • Process, including PSA and membrane separation, for separating hydrogen from hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 6183628
    Abstract: An improved process for separating hydrogen from hydrocarbons. The process includes a pressure swing adsorption step, a compression/cooling step and a membrane separation step. The membrane step relies on achieving a methane/hydrogen selectivity of at least about 2.5 under the conditions of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Zhenjie He, Ingo Pinnau
  • Selective purge for hydrogenation reactor recycle loop
    Patent number: 6179996
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for providing improved contaminant removal and hydrogen recovery in hydrogenation reactors, particularly in refineries and petrochemical plants. The improved contaminant removal is achieved by selective purging, by passing gases in the hydrogenation reactor recycle loop or purge stream across membranes selective in favor of the contaminant over hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Selective purge for reactor recycle loop
    Patent number: 6171472
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for providing improved contaminant removal and hydrogen reuse in reactors, particularly in refineries and petrochemical plants. The improved contaminant removal is achieved by selective purging, by passing gases in the reactor recycle loop across membranes selective in favor of the contaminant over hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker
  • Selective purge for catalytic reformer recycle loop
    Patent number: 6165350
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for providing improved catalytic reforming, specifically improved recovery of reformate and hydrogen from catalytic reformers. The improvement is achieved by passing portions of the reactor effluent or streams derived from the reactor effluent across membranes selective in favor of light hydrocarbons over hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker
  • Power generation method including membrane separation
    Patent number: 6161386
    Abstract: A method for generating electric power, such as at, or close to, natural gas fields. The method includes conditioning natural gas containing C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons and/or acid gas by means of a membrane separation step. This step creates a leaner, sweeter, drier gas, which is then used as combustion fuel to run a turbine, which is in turn used for power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Hydrogen recovery process
    Patent number: 6159272
    Abstract: A treatment process for a hydrogen-containing off-gas stream from a refinery, petrochemical plant or the like. The process includes three separation steps: condensation, membrane separation and hydrocarbon fraction separation. The membrane separation step is characterized in that it is carried out under conditions at which the membrane exhibits a selectivity in favor of methane over hydrogen of at least about 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Zhenjie He, Ingo Pinnau
  • Membrane process for argon purging from vinyl acetate reactors
    Patent number: 6118021
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for vinyl acetate production. A membrane unit containing a membrane selectively permeable to ethylene over argon is used to recover ethylene from the argon purge stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Gottschlich, Richard W. Baker
  • Fuel gas conditioning process
    Patent number: 6053965
    Abstract: A process for conditioning natural gas containing C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons and/or acid gas, so that it can be used as combustion fuel to run gas-powered equipment, including compressors, in the gas field or the gas processing plant. Compared with prior art processes, the invention creates lesser quantities of low-pressure gas per unit volume of fuel gas produced. Optionally, the process can also produce an NGL product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Membrane-augmented power generation
    Patent number: 6035641
    Abstract: A method for generating electric power from natural gas or the like that has a low Btu value and a high nitrogen content. The method involves a membrane separation step to remove a portion of the nitrogen from the gas. The upgraded gas is used as fuel for a turbine or other driver, which provides mechanical power to drive an electric power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Membane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Membrane process and apparatus for argon purging from oxidation reactors
    Patent number: 6018060
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacture of organic products, particularly chemical intermediates, by oxidation of organic feedstocks. A membrane unit containing a membrane selectively permeable to the organic over argon is used to recover the feedstock from the argon purge stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Douglas Gottschlich
  • Membrane-based conditioning for adsorption system feed gases
    Patent number: 6011192
    Abstract: A process for treating gas streams containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons. The process includes a membrane conditioning step to remove C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons, followed by a selective adsorption or membrane separation step to separate hydrogen from methane. The membrane conditioning step uses a membrane selective for C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons over hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Hydrogen recovery process
    Patent number: 5980609
    Abstract: A treatment process for a hydrogen-containing off-gas stream from a refinery, petrochemical plant or the like. The process includes three separation steps: condensation, membrane separation and hydrocarbon fraction separation. The membrane separation step is characterized in that it is carried out using a polymeric separation membrane that is selective in favor of hydrocarbons, including methane, over hydrogen, so that the hydrogen-enriched stream is delivered at high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Natural gas treatment train
    Patent number: 5964923
    Abstract: A process train for treating a gas stream containing methane, nitrogen, and at least one of water vapor, acid gas, C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons, the gas stream typically, but not necessarily, being natural gas. The treatment train includes separation of methane from nitrogen by means of membranes that preferentially permeate methane and reject nitrogen. Preferred processes include both a dehydration step and an NGL removal step to treat the gas before it passes to the methane/nitrogen membrane separation step. The process train can also include additional steps, such as an acid gas removal step, or a cryogenic methane/nitrogen separation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Ethylene/nitrogen separation process
    Patent number: 5879431
    Abstract: A membrane separation process for treating a gas stream containing methane and nitrogen, for example, natural gas. The separation process works by preferentially permeating methane and rejecting nitrogen. We have found that the process is able to meet natural gas pipeline specifications for nitrogen, with acceptably small methane loss, so long as the membrane can exhibit a methane/nitrogen selectivity of about 4, 5 or more. This selectivity can be achieved with some rubbery and super-glassy membranes at low temperatures. The process can also be used for separating ethylene from nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Ingo Pinnau
  • Chlorine separation process combining condensation, membrane separation and flash evaporation
    Patent number: 5861049
    Abstract: A process for separating chlorine from other low-boiling components of a gas-phase mixture. The invention involves three separation steps: condensation, flash evaporation and membrane separation. The steps are integrated together in such a way as to provide a good separation between the components, and to avoid creation of secondary streams that need additional treatment. The invention is particularly useful for treatment of gas streams from chlor-alkali processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Membrane process for argon purging from ethylene oxide reactors
    Patent number: 5817841
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for ethylene oxide production. A membrane unit containing a membrane selectively permeable to ethylene over argon is used to recover ethylene from the argon purge stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Shannon Goakey, Douglas Gottschlich
  • Steam cracker gas separation process
    Patent number: 5785739
    Abstract: The invention is a process for treating a gas stream from ethylene or propylene production, or any other stream containing low molecular weight olefin gases and other hydrocarbons, to separate hydrogen and methane from the C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons. The invention involves three separation steps: condensation, flash evaporation and membrane separation. The steps are integrated together in such a way as to provide a good separation between the components, and to avoid creation of secondary streams that need additional treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Baker