Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John G. Tolomei
  • Patent number: 7005057
    Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking process for the production of ultra low sulfur diesel wherein a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is hydrocracked at elevated temperature and pressure to obtain conversion to diesel boiling range hydrocarbons. The resulting hydrocracking zone effluent is hydrogen stripped in a stripping zone maintained at essentially the same pressure as the hydrocracking zone to produce a first gaseous hydrocarbonaceous stream and a first liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream. The first gaseous hydrocarbonaceous stream containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons is introduced into a desulfurization zone and subsequently partially condensed to produce a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream and a second liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the first liquid stream is separated in a dividing wall column to produce a liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons which is also introduced into the desulfurization zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Tom N. Kalnes
  • Patent number: 6997213
    Abstract: A multiport rotary valve is described providing the interconnection of a plurality of conduits with a predetermined cycle. The valve uses a stack of plates defining channels and ports to form the fluid circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Anil R. Oroskar, Robert T. Sprague
  • Patent number: 6989131
    Abstract: A reactor for evaporating liquid feed and reacting said feed in the presence of catalyst to make product comprises a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet and encasing an evaporation zone and a reaction zone, an injector passing through the inlet and having an orifice in the evaporation zone for introducing a liquid feed, an insert containing packing for vaporizing the liquid feed where the packing is in the evaporation zone, a receptacle for retaining catalyst in the reaction zone and at least one heater associated with at least a portion of the reactor, wherein the injector orifice and the packing define a gap between the orifice and the packing sufficiently small to interfere with the formation of a drop at the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Arne Karlsson, Ivar M. Dahl, Jonny Engedahl, Mark A. Krawczyk, Ara J. Alexanian
  • Patent number: 6984311
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for contacting fluids in a fluid-solids contacting chamber is disclosed. The fluid-solid contacting chamber has a plurality of beds, and the chamber comprises a plurality of conduits and outlet ports that are capable of providing improved fluid distribution of fluids that are introduced above or between the beds. One or more conduits are arranged within a single conduit, which provides a compact and inexpensive assembly for conveying the fluids to each conduit's outlet port. In operation, the fluid flow to the outlet port of each conduit is regulated within that outlet port's most efficient operating range, and since the flows can regulated simply by hand, the method of this invention can be practiced readily. Catalytic condensation and other hydrocarbon process units that employ this invention will have increased on-stream efficiencies and realize significant economic benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: James W. Kilroy
  • Patent number: 6982074
    Abstract: A family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites designated UZM-5HS and derived from UZM-5 have been synthesized. The aluminum content of the UZM-5HS is lower than that of the starting UZM-5 thus changing its ion exchange capacity and acidity. These UZM-5HS are represented by the empirical formula: M1an+Al(1?x)ExSiy?Oz? and are prepared by treatments such as acid extraction and AFS treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Deng-Yang Jan, Jaime G. Moscoso, Gregory J. Lewis, Michael G. Gatter, Beckay J. Mezza, Susan C. Koster
  • Patent number: 6979360
    Abstract: In a cyclone separator used for separating solids from gases, we discovered placing at least one opening in a lateral surface of a gas outlet conduit on a side facing away from an inlet to the cyclone separator prevents coke deposits from forming thereon. A plurality of openings may be placed on the side of the lateral surface of the gas outlet conduit facing away from the inlet. In an embodiment, no openings are placed on a side of the lateral surface facing the inlet to the cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ismail B. Cetinkaya, Keith A. Couch, Lawrence A. Lacijan
  • Patent number: 6979396
    Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent is combined with the isomerization zone effluent to form a combined effluent stream and separated into a product stream enriched in C5 and heavier hydrocarbons and an overhead stream enriched in C4 and lighter boiling compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn, Richard R. Rosin, Lynn H. Rice, Margaret A. Stine
  • Patent number: 6979394
    Abstract: A process for producing a product aromatic compound is disclosed which uses an on-stream alkylation reactor and an off-stream alkylation reactor, and in which at least a portion of the feed aromatic compound in the effluent stream of off-stream alkylation reactor undergoing regeneration is passed to the on-stream alkylation reactor. An embodiment of this process that uses on-stream and off-stream aromatic byproducts removal zones is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Kurt A. Detrick
  • Patent number: 6979402
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for separating chemicals using adsorption separation methods. The apparatus uses a plurality of adsorption units holding adsorbent, where the adsorption units positioned in a cylindrical spool, are serially connected and the spool is rotated to shift the relative position of the feeds and drawoffs to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Sprague, Gavin P. Towler, Anil R. Oroskar
  • Patent number: 6977317
    Abstract: A process for the selective hydrogenation of olefins contained in a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising olefins and aromatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stanley J. Frey, Richard E. Marinangeli
  • Patent number: 6977322
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element, yttrium or mixtures thereof, which is preferably ytterbium or holmium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Ralph D. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 6973963
    Abstract: This invention provides a compact heat exchanger that has an effective geometry for heat transfer operations regardless of the heat conductivity of the material chosen for the fin materials. It has further been found that the use of adsorbent coated anodized aluminum for fin materials provides for a very efficient heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Steven A. Bradley
  • Patent number: 6972348
    Abstract: A catalyst, and a process for using the catalyst, that effectively converts and transalkylates indane and C10 and heavier polycyclic aromatics into C8 aromatics is herein disclosed. The catalyst comprises a solid-acid support such as mordenite plus a metal component such as rhenium. The catalyst provides excellent conversion of such heavy aromatic species as naphthalene, which is also observed by a decrease in the ending-boiling-point of a hydrocarbon stream passed over the catalyst. The same catalyst is also effective for transalkylation of lighter aromatics, thus yielding a valuable xylenes product stream out of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Edwin P. Boldingh, Frank S. Modica, Gregory F. Maher
  • Patent number: 6968729
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for expediting the analysis of a plurality of samples, preferably using gas chromatography. A specific embodiment comprises a dual isothermal heated zone configuration for use in combinatorial chemistry. This involves partitioning the samples into two isothermal zones, allowing detailed analysis of light components in a lower-temperature zone while heavy components are handled in a higher-temperature zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Arne Karlsson, Duncan E. Akporiaye, Svend A. Taftø, Ivar M. Dahl, Elisabeth M. Myhrvold, Arne L. Kvernheim
  • Patent number: 6969496
    Abstract: An apparatus provides for increased feed throughput without loss of conversion or selectivity by increasing the catalyst volume in a final reactor of at least three reaction zones. The catalyst volume of the final reactor may be larger because the inner and outer screens that define a radial flow bed are extended. A low LHSV is maintained by increasing the catalyst volume in the final reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul R. Cottrell, Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6960700
    Abstract: A process for removal of trace impurities of hydrides of arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, silicon, and boron and sulfur and oxygenates and compounds containing these impurities from a hydrocarbon stream comprising contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent material selected from the group consisting of zeolites and promoted alumina to adsorb compounds containing sulfur and/or oxygenates, contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent material comprising one or more active metal oxides to remove the hydrides and contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent material that removes water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
  • Patent number: 6960225
    Abstract: A process for delivering high intensity heat in medical applications is disclosed. The process involves forming a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and reacting the mixture to generate heat near a region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Carl N. Zenz, Anil R. Oroskar, Rusty M. Pittman, Gavin P. Towler, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 6958425
    Abstract: The use of transalkylation catalysts to react heavy aromatic compounds of carbon number nine (and heavier carbon numbers) with benzene to form carbon number eight aromatics is disclosed. The catalyst system preserves ethyl-group species on the heavier aromatics that are otherwise de-ethylated over most gas-phase transalkylation catalysts to form undesired ethane gas with benzene or toluene. The catalyst system also promotes methyl-group species transalkylation at selected conditions. Thus, by using the transalkylation system, a greater yield of para-xylene or other carbon number eight aromatics may be achieved overall within an integrated aromatics complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paula L. Bogdan, Robert B. James, Jr., Gregory F. Maher
  • Patent number: 6943276
    Abstract: An alkylation process in which a recycle stream is cooled by heat exchange with the alkylation reactor effluent is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Mehlberg, Dale J. Shields, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 6927314
    Abstract: A process to increase the octane number of a naphtha boiling range feed stock has been developed. Using a dividing wall column, the feed stock is separated into a light fraction comprising compounds containing five carbon atoms or less, an intermediate fraction containing largely compounds having six carbon atoms, and a heavy fraction which comprises compounds containing more than six carbon atoms. The light and heavy fractions are passes to a gasoline blending pool. The intermediate fraction is isomerized to increase the octane number of the intermediate fraction and form an isomerate. The isomerate is passed to the gasoline bending pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Joseph A. Weiszmann