Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael A. Moore
  • Patent number: 7510645
    Abstract: Increased yields of naphtha and increased catalyst activity are obtained in a hydrocracking process by the use of a catalyst containing a beta zeolite and a Y zeolite having a unit cell size from 24.38 to 24.50 angstrom. The catalyst has a relatively high amount of Y zeolite relative to beta zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Li Wang
  • Patent number: 7275565
    Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of conduits and outlet ports that are capable of providing improved distribution of fluids. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: James W. Kilroy
  • Patent number: 7241376
    Abstract: A process for contacting a bed of particulate material, usually catalyst, with a transverse flow of fluid is disclosed. The particulate material moves or is prevented from not moving, while the fluid passes through the bed at a rate greater than the stagnant bed pinning flow rate. This invention is applicable to hydrocarbon conversion processes and allows for higher fluid throughput rates compared to prior art processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Weikai Gu, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 6835862
    Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aromatics with olefins using a solid catalyst is disclosed, wherein the effluent recycle ratio to the alkylation catalyst bed is maintained more than a lower limit. Such operation can decrease the catalyst deactivation rate and the formation of diphenylalkanes. This invention is applicable to processes for the production of a wide variety of commercially important alkylated aromatics, including ethylbenzene and cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Gajda, James F. McGehee
  • Patent number: 6814943
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for alkylating an alkylation substrate with an alkylating agent in the presence of solid catalyst particles in a transport reactor is disclosed. Solid catalyst particles in the transport reactor effluent recirculate to the inlet of the transport reactor through one or more conduits. The rate through each conduit is regulated by fluid-controlled valves that use the alkylation substrate as the regulating fluid. This method and apparatus help ensure uniform or symmetric flow of catalyst from the effluent of the transport reactor to the bottom of the transport reactor. This method and apparatus also help ensure uniform or symmetric flow of alkylation substrate to the bottom of the transport reactor with minimal bypassing by the alkylating agent around of the transport reactor. This invention finds use in the production of motor fuels by the alkylation of liquid hydrocarbons in the presence of solid catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William H. Radcliffe, Wesley L. Kiel, Christopher D. Gosling, Paul A. Sechrist, Paul Anderson
  • Patent number: 6814857
    Abstract: A process for contacting a bed of particulate material, usually catalyst, with a transverse flow of fluid is disclosed. The particulate material moves or is prevented from not moving, while the fluid passes through the bed at a rate greater than the stagnant bed pinning flow rate. This invention is applicable to hydrocarbon conversion processes and allows for higher fluid throughput rates compared to prior art processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Weikai Gu, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 6790802
    Abstract: A method of recovering halogen-containing materials from the cyclic catalyst regeneration operation of a catalytic hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed. The method uses an arrangement of beds of adsorbent to return the halogen-containing materials to a circulating regeneration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 6784132
    Abstract: A method of recovering halogen-containing materials from the cyclic catalyst regeneration operation of a catalytic hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed. The method uses an arrangement of beds of adsorbent to maintain the halogen-containing materials within a circulating regeneration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 6762334
    Abstract: A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons by alkylating aromatic hydrocarbons with olefinic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The olefinic hydrocarbons are produced by dehydrogenating paraffinic hydrocarbons. Aromatic byproducts formed in dehydrogenation are removed using an aromatic byproducts removal zone and either a dividing wall distillation column or thermally coupled distillation columns. The process significantly decreases the cost of utilities in producing alkylaromatics, such as precursors for detergent manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Douglas G. Stewart, Dennis E. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6756515
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dehydrogenation process using a layered catalyst 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, especially at dehydrogenation conditions comprising a low water concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Dean E. Rende, Andrew W. Broerman, Andrea G. Bozzano, R. Joe Lawson, Karl Z. Steigleder, Masao Takayama
  • Patent number: 6740789
    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 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Kurt A. Detrick
  • Patent number: 6670516
    Abstract: A process for producing phenyl-alkanes by paraffin dehydrogenation followed by olefin isomerization and then by alkylation of a phenyl compound by a lightly branched olefin is disclosed. An effluent of the alkylation section comprises paraffins that are recycled to the dehydrogenation step. A process that sulfonates phenyl-alkanes having lightly branched aliphatic alkyl groups to produce modified alkylbenzene sulfonates is also disclosed. In addition, the compositions produced by these processes, which can comprise detergents, lubricants, and lubricant additives, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Marinangeli, Leonid B. Galperin, Thomas R. Fritsch, R. Joe Lawson
  • Patent number: 6657096
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reactivating a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst. Dehydrocyclodimerization catalysts which contain an aluminum phosphate binder can be deactivated when they are exposed to hydrogen at temperatures above 500° C. The instant process restores substantially all of the catalyst's lost activity. The process involves treating the catalyst with a fluid comprising water and drying the catalyst. The process is employed particularly advantageously in combination with coke removal for reactivating catalysts that contain coke deposits and that have also been hydrogen deactivated. This invention also relates to a method of producing a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst that is resistant to hydrogen deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kerry O. Boehner, Karl Z. Steigleder, Veronica Marie Godfrey, Paul R. Cottrell, Earl S. Lemberger
  • Patent number: 6617481
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing phenyl-alkanes by paraffin adsorptive separation followed by paraffin dehydrogenation and then by alkylation of a phenyl compound by a lightly branched olefin. The adsorptive separation step employs a silicalite adsorbent and, as the desorbent, a C5-C8 linear paraffin, a C5-C8 cycloparaffin, a branched paraffin such as isooctane, or mixtures thereof. The effluent of the alkylation zone comprises paraffins that are recycled to the adsorptive separation step or to the dehydrogenation step. This invention is also a process that sulfonates phenyl-alkanes having lightly branched aliphatic alkyl groups that to produce modified alkylbenzene sulfonates. In addition, this invention is the compositions produced by these processes, which can be used as detergents having improved cleaning effectiveness in hard and/or cold water while also having biodegradability comparable to that of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, as lubricants, and as lubricant additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Santi Kulprathipanja, Richard E. Marinangeli, Stephen W. Sohn, Thomas R. Fritsch, R. Joe Lawson
  • Patent number: 6593504
    Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the selective transalkylation of toluene and, optionally, of C9 aromatics. The process preferably uses a bound sulfated zirconia catalyst to provide improved selectivity for the production of xylenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Maureen L. Bricker, Charles P. McGonegal
  • Patent number: 6521804
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing phenyl-alkanes by alkylation of an aryl compound with an olefinic compound and which uses a mordenite catalyst and a silica-alumina catalyst. This invention is also a process that sulfonates phenyl-alkanes having lightly branched aliphatic alkyl groups to produce modified alkylbenzene sulfonates. In addition, this invention is the compositions produced by these processes, which can be used as detergents having improved cleaning effectiveness in hard and/or cold water while also having biodegradability comparable to that of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, as lubricants, and as lubricant additives. This invention is moreover the use of compositions produced by these processes as lubricants and lubricant additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Marinangeli, R. Joe Lawson
  • Patent number: 6515169
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing aryl-alkanes by paraffin isomerization followed by paraffin dehydrogenation and then by alkylation of an aryl compound by a lightly branched olefin. The effluent of the alkylation zone comprises paraffins that are recycled to the isomerization step or to the dehydrogenation step. This invention is also a process that that sulfonates phenyl-alkanes having lightly branched aliphatic alkyl groups that to produce modified alkylbenzene sulfonates. In addition, this invention is the compositions produced by these processes, which can be used as detergents having improved cleaning effectiveness in hard and/or cold water while also having biodegradability comparable to that of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, as lubricants, and as lubricant additives. This invention is moreover the use of compositions produced by these processes as lubricants and lubricant additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Marinangeli, R. Joe Lawson, Leonid B. Galperin, Thomas R. Fritsch
  • Patent number: 6486370
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dehydrogenation process using a layered catalyst 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, especially at dehydrogenation conditions comprising a low water concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Dean E. Rende, Andrew W. Broerman, Andrea G. Bozzano, R. Joe Lawson, Karl Z. Steigleder, Masao Takayama
  • Patent number: 6486374
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for alkylating an alkylation substrate with an alkylating agent in the presence of solid catalyst particles in a transport reactor is disclosed. Solid catalyst particles in the transport reactor effluent recirculate to the inlet of the transport reactor through one or more conduits. The rate through each conduit is regulated by fluid-controlled valves that use the alkylation substrate as the regulating fluid. This method and apparatus help ensure uniform or symmetric flow of catalyst from the effluent of the transport reactor to the bottom of the transport reactor. This method and apparatus also help ensure uniform or symmetric flow of alkylation substrate to the bottom of the transport reactor with minimal bypassing by the alkylating agent around of the transport reactor. This invention finds use in the production of motor fuels by the alkylation of liquid hydrocarbons in the presence of solid catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William H. Radcliffe, Wesley L. Kiel, Christopher D. Gosling, Paul A. Sechrist, Paul Anderson
  • Patent number: 6479721
    Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aromatics with olefins using a solid catalyst is disclosed, wherein the olefin ratio and/or the maximum olefin concentration in the alkylation catalyst, bed is maintained less than an upper limit. Such operation can decrease the catalyst deactivation rate and the formation of diphenylalkanes. This invention is applicable to processes for the production of a wide variety of commercially important alkylated aromatics, including ethylbenzene and cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Gajda, James F. McGehee