Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John F. Spears, Jr.
  • Aromatic isomerization using a modified silicoaluminophosphate
    Patent number: 5898090
    Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve which is enriched in framework silicon at the surface, resulting in a greater yield of para-xylene compared to prior-art processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John Ivor Hammerman, Edith Marie Flanigen, Gregory J. Gajda, Jennifer S. Holmgren, David A. Lesch, Robert Lyle Patton, Thomas Matthew Reynolds, Cara Moy Roeseler
  • Hydrocracking process startup method
    Patent number: 5888377
    Abstract: The safety, convenience and environmental acceptability of starting a two-stage hydrocracking process unit is increased by employing aqueous ammonia as a selective catalyst poison. The aqueous ammonia is injected into the recycle gas system of the hydrocracking process. The invention eliminates the possibility of forming a large airborne cloud of ammonia gas upon an accidental release of the ammonia stream as is possible with the injection of anhydrous ammonia. The invention also stabilizes the operation of the unit through the use of a maintenance injection rate sufficient to maintain an inlet ammonia content above about 40 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Ricky Val Bertram
  • Catalytic reforming process with multiple zones
    Patent number: 5885439
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed in a sequence comprising a first bifunctional-catalyst reforming zone, a zeolitic-reforming zone containing a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal and a nonacidic zeolite, and a terminal bifunctional catalyst reforming zone. The process combination permits higher severity, higher aromatics yields and/or increased throughput relative to the known art, and is particularly useful in connection with moving-bed reforming facilities with continuous catalyst regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Bryan K. Glover
  • Hydrocracking process with integrated effluent hydrotreating zone
    Patent number: 5885440
    Abstract: The invention is a hydrocracking process which employs a small reactor-containing hydrotreating catalyst to reduce the recombinant mercaptan content and/or smoke point of a product recovered from the effluent of the hydrocracking reactor. The entire effluent of the hydrocracking reactor is first cooled by indirect heat exchange and then passed through the hydrotreating catalyst. The effluent of the hydrotreating catalyst then continues throughout the customary cooling and separation steps employed in the product recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoehn, Vasant P. Thakkar, Daniel L. Ellig
  • Reforming with selective multimetallic multigradient catalyst
    Patent number: 5885443
    Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a catalyst containing a uniformly distributed platinum-group metal component, a surface-layer metal component comprising one ore more of the Group IVA metals and indium and a nonacidic large-pore molecular sieve. The use of this bed of catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and in improved catalyst stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paula L. Bogdan, Qianjun Chen
  • Selective multimetallic multigradient reforming catalyst
    Patent number: 5883032
    Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a catalyst containing a uniformly distributed platinum-group metal component, a surface-layer metal component comprising one one more of the Group IVA metals and indium and a nonacidic large-pore molecular sieve. The use of this bed of catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and in improved catalyst stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paula L. Bogdan, Qianjun Chen
  • Reforming catalyst system with differentiated acid properties
    Patent number: 5880051
    Abstract: A catalyst system comprising a physical mixture of particles of a non-acidic large-pore zeolite containing a platinum-group metal and particles comprising a refractory inorganic oxide which is metal-free is effective for the reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock. Reforming of paraffinic feedstocks to effect aromatization, particularly of a raffinate from aromatics extraction, provides improved activity in producing gasoline-range products when using the catalyst system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Qianjun Chen, Paula L. Bogdan
  • Selective multimetallic-multigradient reforming catalyst
    Patent number: 5858908
    Abstract: A novel catalyst and the use thereof in a reforming process is disclosed. The dual-function catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide, indium, Group IVA(IUPAC 14) metal, and a platinum-group metal concentrated in the surface layer of each catalyst particle. Utilization of this catalyst in the conversion of hydrocarbons, especially in reforming, results in significantly improved selectivity to the desired gasoline or aromatics product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paula L. Bogdan, Tamotsu Imai
  • Multizone catalytic reforming process
    Patent number: 5858205
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed in a process which comprises at least three catalyst zones. The feedstock contacts a catalyst comprising platinum, a halogen, and a metal promoter on a solid catalyst support in a first catalyst zone. Effluent from the first catalyst zone contacts a catalyst comprising platinum, germanium and halogen on a solid catalyst support in an intermediate catalyst zone to obtain an intermediate effluent, which contacts a catalyst having the essential absence of germanium and comprising platinum, halogen and a metal promoter on a solid catalyst support in a terminal catalyst zone to obtain a reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Aronson L. Huebner
  • Catalytic reforming process with increased aromatics yield
    Patent number: 5858209
    Abstract: A processing step is added to an existing catalytic reforming unit to increase the yield of aromatic product. The additional processing comprises separation of product from the reforming unit into an aromatic concentrate and a low-octane recycle stream which is upgraded by aromatization. The separation preferably is effected using a large-pore molecular sieve, and the aromatization with a nonacidic L-zeolite contained within the hydrogen circuit of the existing catalytic reforming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, John J. Jeanneret, Srikantiah Raghuram, Beth McCulloch
  • Turbulent bed solid catalyst hydrocarbon alkylation process
    Patent number: 5856606
    Abstract: Paraffins or other hydrocarbons are alkylated in a process featuring a reaction zone containing a pool of liquid maintained at its boiling point and containing a suspended solid catalyst, which allows the heat of reaction to vaporize a portion of the liquid phase feed hydrocarbon. The vapor phase withdrawn from the top of the reaction zone is at least partially recycled to the reaction zone either as vapor or liquid. The feed hydrocarbons are introduced to the bottom of the reaction zone as a vapor phase stream, which may contain hydrogen. The catalyst is suspended within the liquid in the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Anil R. Oroskar
  • Process for thioetherification and selective hydrogenation of light olefins
    Patent number: 5851383
    Abstract: A light hydrocarbon stream, such as a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 stream recovered from an FCC unit, is catalytically treated for the selective hydrogenation of dienes and for the removal of mercaptans by thioetherification. The effluent of the reaction zone is fractionated to remove light ends and thioethers in a dual section fractionation zone, with the interconnection of the sections facilitating a reduction in capital and operating costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Stanley J. Frey
  • Moving bed solid catalyst hydrocarbon alkylation process
    Patent number: 5849976
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are alkylated using slowly moving cylindrical beds of solid catalyst in a process featuring a cooling zone within the reaction zone and a moving bed catalyst regeneration zone. The catalyst passes downward through both zones, which may be stacked upon one another. The reaction zone is operated at liquid-phase conditions, and the catalyst is periodically subjected to a regeneration procedure employing a hydrogen-containing stream. Direct heat exchange within the reaction zone removes the heat of the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher David Gosling, Daniel L. Weiler, Reenen Andre De Villiers
  • Adsorptive separation of para-xylene using isopropylbenzene desorbent
    Patent number: 5849981
    Abstract: The cost of separating para-xylene from other xylene isomers and C.sub.9 aromatics by adsorption on zeolitic molecular sieves is reduced by the use of 1,4 diisopropylbenzene as a relatively high boiling desorbent. The desorbent has surprisingly high strength and selectivity characteristics with the preferred desorbent. The preferred adsorbent is an X zeolite containing barium or both barium and potassium ions at exchangeable cationic sites. The para-xylene components are selectively adsorbed onto the adsorbent. The non-adsorbed feed is then removed from the adsorbent and the para-xylene recovered by desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Santi Kulprathipanja
  • Alkylation-transalkylation process using stripping to produce a dry transalkylation feed
    Patent number: 5847253
    Abstract: A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons that operates with a high water content in an alkylation zone and a low water content in a transalkylation zone is disclosed. An aromatic feed and an acyclic feed are first passed through the alkylation reaction zone that operates at a high water content. A stripping column receives the effluent of the alkylation reaction zone, removes water and unreacted aromatic feed and produces a bottom stream containing unreacted aromatic feed and alkylated aromatics. A recycle column receives the bottom stream and produces an overhead stream of unreacted aromatic feed having a low water content. The overhead stream and a stream of polyalkylated aromatics are contacted in the transalkylation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Perry K. Ho, Constante P. Tagamolila
  • Hydroprocessing reactor mixer/distributor
    Patent number: 5837208
    Abstract: Quench fluids being charged to a hydroprocessing reactor and liquid flowing downward within the reactor are admixed between the catalyst beds located in the reactor by an apparatus comprising three circular trays (16, 21, 22) and a mixing chamber (20). The mixing chamber receives liquid collected by the top tray and the quench material. The liquid effluent of the mixing chamber then falls upon a first distribution tray (21) while the vapor flows through an annular gap (17) between the first distribution tray (21) and the vessel wall (1). The two phases are then recontacted as they pass through a plurality of mixing caps (13) distributed over the surface of a lower second distribution tray (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Jeffrey Richard Grott, Robert L. Bunting, Jr., Richard K. Hoehn, Randall Forrest Goodspeed
  • Production of aliphatic gasoline
    Patent number: 5831139
    Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to selectively upgrade naphtha in accordance with expected trends leading to more-aliphatic gasolines. Such gasolines contain lower concentrations of aromatics and have lower end points with concomitant reduced harmful automotive emissions. The present process combination converts the higher-boiling portion of the naphtha, yields isobutane and other isoparaffins which are particularly suitable for upgrading or blending, and reduces cyclics in intermediate processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, Paula L. Bogdan, Leonid B. Galperin, Jennifer S. Holmgren
  • BTX from naphtha without extraction
    Patent number: 5792338
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed in a sequence comprising a continuous-reforming zone associated with continuous catalyst regeneration, a zeolitic-reforming zone containing a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal and a nonacidic L-zeolite and an aromatics-isomerization zone containing a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal, a metal attenuator and a refractory inorganic oxide. The process combination features high selectivity in producing a high-purity BTX product from naphtha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Christopher D. Gosling, Robert S. Haizmann, Bryan K. Glover
  • Modified riser-reactor reforming process
    Patent number: 5770045
    Abstract: A catalytic reforming process uses a riser reactor with multiple catalyst injection points to obtain high aromatics yields from a naphtha feedstock. Product from the riser reactor typically is discharged into a fluidized-reforming reactor, in which the reforming reaction is completed and catalyst is separated from hydrogen and hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons from the reactor are separated to recover an aromatized product. Catalyst is regenerated to remove coke and reduced for reuse in the reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Christopher David Gosling, Scott Yu-Feng Zhang, Paula L. Bogdan
  • Upgrading of cyclic naphthas
    Patent number: 5770042
    Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to selectively upgrade naphtha to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. A naphtha feedstock is subjected to ring cleavage to convert naphthenes to paraffins using a nonacidic catalyst followed by isomerization of paraffins to obtain an increased proportion of isoparaffins. Ring cleavage also may be effected on the product of isomerization and separation by fractionation or adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Leonid B. Galperin, Jeffery C. Bricker, Jennifer S. Holmgren