Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John G. Cutts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4840722
    Abstract: A non-catalytic process for the conversion of a hydrocarbonaceous stream containing less than about 5 weight percent halogenated organic compounds which process comprises: (a) reacting the hydrocarbonaceous stream in the presence of hydrogen in a reaction zone at reaction conditions including an elevated temperature selected to convert at least a portion of the halogenated organic compounds to more highly hydrogenated organic compounds; and (b) recovering a hydrocarbonaceous product stream containing lower halogen content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Russell W. Johnson, Lee Hilfman
  • Patent number: 4840721
    Abstract: A process for treating a temperature-sensitive hydrocarbonaceous stream containing a non-distillable component to produce a hydrogenated distillable hydrocarbonaceous product and a heavy product comprising the non-distillable component while minimizing thermal degradation of the hydrocarbonaceous stream which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous stream with a hot first hydrogen-rich gaseous stream having a temperature greater than the hydrocarbonaceous stream in a first flash zone at flash conditions including a first pressure thereby increasing the temperature of the hydrocarbonaceous stream and vaporizing at least a portion thereof to provide a first hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprising hydrogen and a first heavy product stream comprising the non-distillable component; (b) contacting the first heavy product stream comprising the non-distillable component with a hot second hydrogen-rich gaseous stream in a second flash zone at flash conditions including a second pressure
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4828707
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving the separation of fluids having different densities which apparatus employs a velocity reducing distributor for directing fluids in a vertical direction through a bed of packing to coalesce the fluids and a means to alter the direction of flow of the coalesced fluids to a horizontal direction. The disclosed apparatus is of particular advantage with respect to the gravitational separation of fluids having different densities which comprise an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbonaceous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Bruce E. Staehle, David L. Holbrook
  • Patent number: 4827066
    Abstract: A process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of a dehydrogenatable C.sub.2 -plus feed hydrocarbon which comprises the steps of: (a) passing a feed stream comprising the C.sub.2 -plus feed hydrocarbon into an isothermal dehydrogenation zone and through at least one bed of dehydrogenation catalyst maintained at isothermal dehydrogenation conditions selected to convert at least about 50 weight percent of the dehydrogenatable C.sub.2 -plus feed hydrocarbon and producing an isothermal dehydrogenation zone effluent stream comprising hydrogen, unconverted C.sub.2 -plus feed hydrocarbon and C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Herber, Gregory J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4818368
    Abstract: A process for treating a temperature-sensitive hydrocarbonaceous stream containing a non-distillable component to produce a hydrogenated distillable hydrocarbonaceous product while minimizing thermal degradation of the hydrocarbonaceous stream which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous stream with a first hydrogen-rich gaseous stream having a temperature greater than the hydrocarbonaceous stream in a flash zone at flash conditions thereby increasing the temperature of the hydrocarbonaceous stream and vaporizing at least a portion thereof to provide a hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprising hydrogen and a heavy stream comprising the non-distillable component; (b) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprising hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrogenation reaction zone at hydrogenation conditions to increase the hydrogen content of the hydrocarbonaceous compounds contained in the hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream; (c) condensing at least a portion of the resu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr., Darrell W. Staggs
  • Patent number: 4814064
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of an aromatic-rich, residual hydrocarbonaceous charge stock which possesses an aromatic hydrocarbon concentration greater than about 20 volume percent to selectively produce large quantities of high quality middle distillate while minimizing hydrogen consumption which process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting at least a portion of the residual hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and a hereinafter-described paraffin-rich, distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream boiling at a temperature greater than about 700.degree. F. (371.degree. C.) in a thermal coking zone at mild thermal coking conditions selected to provide thermal coking zone effluent rich in middle distillate; (b) separating the thermal coking zone effluent to provide a middle distillate fraction boiling in the range from about 300.degree. F. (149.degree. C.) to about 700.degree. F. (371.degree. C.) and a distillate hydrocarbonaceous stream boiling at a temperature greater than about 700.degree. F. (371.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Staggs, Laurence O. Stine, Te-yu M. Chen
  • Patent number: 4806624
    Abstract: A process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of a dehydrogenatable C.sub.2 -plus feed hydrocarbon which comprises the steps of: (a) passing a feed stream comprising the C.sub.2 -plus feed hydrocarbon into a dehydrogenation zone and through at least one bed of dehydrogenation catalyst maintained at dehydrogenation conditions and producing a dehydrogenation zone effluent stream comprising hydrogen, the C.sub.2 -plus feed hydrocarbon and a C.sub.2 -plus product hydrocarbon; (b) forming an oxidation catalyst bed feed stream by admixing an oxygen-containing stream with the dehydrogenation zone effluent stream; (c) passing the oxidation catalyst bed feed stream through a bed of hydrogen selective oxidation catalyst maintained at selective oxidation conditions and producing an oxidation zone effluent stream having a reduced concentration of hydrogen; and (d) recovering the product hydrocarbon from the oxidation zone effluent stream without contacting the oxidation zone effluent stream with dehydrogenation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Herber, Gregory J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4798665
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of an aromatic-rich, distillable gas oil charge stock which is essentially free from asphaltenic hydrocarbons and possesses an aromatic hydrocarbon concentration greater than about 20 volume percent to selectively produce large quantities of high quality middle distillate while minimizing hydrogen consumption which process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting the charge stock with hydrogen, in a catalytic hydrocracking reaction zone, at hydrocracking conditions including a maximum catalyst bed temperature in the range of about 600.degree. F. (315.degree. C.) to about 850.degree. F. (454.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Humbach, John G. Hale
  • Patent number: 4792390
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of an aromatic-rich, distillable gas oil charge stock which is essentially free from asphaltenic hydrocarbons and possesses an aromatic hydrocarbon concentration greater than about 20 volume percent to selectively produce large quantities of high quality middle distillate while minimizing hydrogen consumption which process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting the charge stock with hydrogen, in a catalytic hydrocracking reaction zone, at hydrocracking conditions including a maximum catalyst bed temperature in the range of about 600.degree. F. (315.degree. C.) to about 850.degree. F. (454.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Staggs, Laurence O. Stine, Te-Yu M. Chen
  • Patent number: 4778942
    Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon feedstock having small quantities of higher boiling range hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) introducing the dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon feedstock into a fractionation zone having at least a portion of reflux to a fractionation column supplied by a hereinafter-described recycle stream to provide a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon stream having a reduced concentration of higher boiling range hydrocarbons and a stream comprising the higher boiling range hydrocarbons; (b) introducing the dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon stream having a reduced concentration of higher boiling range hydrocarbon recovered in step (a) into a dehydrogenation zone containing dehydrogenation catalyst and operated at dehydrogenation conditions to provide a hydrocarbon stream comprising dehydrogenated hydrocarbons and unconverted dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons; (c) separating the hydrocarbon stream comprising dehydrogenated hydrocarbons and unconverted dehydrogenatable hydrocarbo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Bipin V. Vora, Norman H. Scott
  • Patent number: 4775475
    Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from an aqueous feed stream comprising less than about 1 volume percent of the hydrocarbonaceous compounds which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the aqueous stream with an adsorbent to remove the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream to provide an aqueous stream having a reduced concentration of hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting spent adsorbent which has accumulated the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream with an elution solvent to remove the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the spent adsorbent thereby regenerating the adsorbent; (c) contacting the elution solvent in admixture with the hydrocarbonaceous compounds which were removed from the spent adsorbent in step (b) in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone; (d) contacting the hydrotreating reaction zone effluent with an aqueous scrubbing solution; and (e) introducing a resulting admixture of the reaction z
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Russell W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4761509
    Abstract: An improved process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of paraffinic hydrocarbons is disclosed. Feed paraffinic hydrocarbons are dehydrogenated to yield an olefin containing vapor stream which is partially condensed to produce a liquid phase process stream which contains byproduct diolefins along with the intended product monoolefins. The liquid phase process stream in admixture with hydrogen and a sulfur compound is passed through a selective hydrogenation zone in which diolefins are catalytically converted to monoolefins. This selective hydrogenation in the presence of trace quantities of a sulfur compound increases the quality of the product monoolefin stream. The selective hydrogenation zone is located between the vapor-liquid separator and the stripper column of the dehydrogenation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Bipin V. Vora, Daniel L. Ellig
  • Patent number: 4758346
    Abstract: A process for the removal of trace quantities of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from an aqueous stream which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the aqueous stream with an adsorbent to remove trace quantities of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream to provide an aqueous stream having a reduced concentration of hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting spent adsorbent which has accumulated the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream with an elution solvent to remove the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the spent adsorbent thereby regenerating the adsorbent; (c) contacting the elution solvent in admixture with the hydrocarbonaceous compounds which were removed from the spent adsorbent in step (b) in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone; (d) contacting the hydrotreating reaction zone effluent with an aqueous scrubbing solution; and (e) introducing a resulting admixture of the reaction zone effluent and the aqueous scrubbing solution
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Russell W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4747937
    Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from a hydrocarbonaceous stream which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous stream with an adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the hydrocarbonaceous stream to provide a hydrocarbonaceous stream having a reduced concentration of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting spent adsorbent which has accumulated the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the hydrocarbonaceous stream with an elution solvent to remove the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the spent adsorbent thereby regenerating the adsorbent; (c) recovering at least a portion of the elution solvent from a resulting admixture of elution solvent and hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds recovered from step (b) in an elution solvent recovery zone; (d) contacting the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds which were recovered from step (c) in the presence
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Hilfman, Russell W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4739899
    Abstract: A closure assembly for pressure vessels comprising a hollow pressure vessel having an internal cylindrical surface, a cylindrical end plug slidably mounted in the pressure vessel and contacting the internal cylindrical surface, the internal cylindrical surface having a first continuous circular groove to receive a segmented ring which retains the cylindrical end plug in the pressure vessel, and the cylindrical end plug having a second continuous circular groove to receive an O-ring seal, the second continuous circular groove having a ramped bottom and two substantially vertical side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Thompson, Angelo V. Pugliese, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4721557
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of residual asphaltene-containing hydrocarbonaceous charge stock to selectively produce large quantities of high quality middle distillate while minimizing hydrogen consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell W. Staggs
  • Patent number: 4720336
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor system for effecting the contact of a reactant stream with catalyst particles that are movable by gravity flow through the system, which comprises in combination: (a) a vertically elongated confined reaction chamber; (b) a catalyst loading chamber having a fixed volume located outside of and generally overhead of the reaction chamber whereby fresh catalyst particles gravitationally flow downward into the chamber; (c) concentrically spaced apart wall members which provide an annular-form catalyst-retaining section that is spaced inwardly from the wall of the reaction chamber to additionally provide a manifold space around the section and a cylindrical center pipe volume, the wall members having a perforate screen lower end and an imperforate upper end wherein the imperforate upper end defines a portion of the annular-form catalyst-retaining section having a volume of greater than about 100% of the catalyst loading chamber; (d) an imperforate cover means over the annular-form catalyst-retain
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Bipin V. Vora, Norman H. Scott
  • Patent number: 4719007
    Abstract: A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock having hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting said hydrocarbonaceous charge stock in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone; (b) contacting said hydrotreating reaction zone effluent with an aqueous scrubbing solution; (c) introducing a resulting admixture of said reaction zone effluent and said aqueous scrubbing solution into a separation zone to provide a hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous stream having trace quantities of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds and a spent aqueous stream; and (d) contacting said hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous stream with an adsorbent to remove at least a portion of said trace quantities of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from said hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Russell W. Johnson, Walter F. Hribik, Lee Hilfman
  • Patent number: 4717481
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving the separation of fluids having different densities which apparatus employs a velocity reducing distributor for directing fluids in a vertical direction through a bed of packing to coalesce the fluids and a means to alter the direction of flow of the coalesced fluids to a horizontal direction. The disclosed apparatus is of particular advantage with respect to the gravitational separation of fluids having different densities which comprise an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbonaceous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Staehle, David L. Holbrook
  • Patent number: 4715947
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of residual asphaltene-containing hydrocarbonaceous charge stock to selectively produce large quantities of high quality middle distillate while minimizing hydrogen consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell W. Staggs