Patents Assigned to Exelus Inc
  • Patent number: 11891347
    Abstract: Improved alkylation catalysts, alkylation methods, and methods of making alkylation catalysts are described. The alkylation method comprises reaction over a solid acid, zeolite-based catalyst and can be conducted for relatively long periods at steady state conditions. The alkylation catalyst comprises a crystalline zeolite structure, a Si/Al molar ratio of 20 or less, less than 0.5 weight percent alkali metals, and further having a characteristic catalyst life property. Some catalysts may contain rare earth elements in the range of 10 to 35 wt %. One method of making a catalyst includes a calcination step following exchange of the rare earth element(s) conducted at a temperature of at least 575° C. to stabilize the resulting structure followed by an deammoniation treatment. An improved method of deammoniation uses low temperature oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Exelus Inc.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Eric Daniel Gauthier, Kelly Ann Coley
  • Patent number: 11851386
    Abstract: This invention describes methods of alkylating isobutane which include a catalytic reaction system comprising a crystalline zeolite catalyst and a rare earth-modified molecular sieve adsorbent (RE-MSA). The crystalline zeolite catalyst comprises sodalite cages and supercages, a Si/Al molar ratio of 20 or less, less than 0.5 weight percent alkali metals; and up to 5 wt % of Pt, Pd and or Ni, and acid-site density (including both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites) of at least 100 mole/gm. The RE-modified molecular sieve adsorbent (Re-MSA) comprising sodalite cages and supercages, a Si/Al molar ratio of 20 or less, less than 1 wt % of alkali metals, RE (rare earth elements) in the range of 10 to 30 wt % and transition metals selected from groups 9-11 in the range from 2 wt % to 10 wt; and acid-site density of no more than 30 mole/gm. The invention also includes methods of making RE-MSA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: EXELUS, INC.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Zawer Wojokh, Narendra Joshi
  • Patent number: 11492307
    Abstract: Methods of simultaneously converting butanes and methanol to olefins over Ti-containing zeolite catalysts are described. The exothermicity of the alcohols to olefins reaction is matched by endothermicity of dehydrogenation reaction of butane(s) to light olefins resulting in a thermo-neutral process. The Ti-containing zeolites provide excellent selectivity to light olefins as well as exceptionally high hydrothermal stability. The coupled reaction may advantageously be conducted in a staged reactor with methanol/DME conversion zones alternating with zones for butane(s) dehydrogenation. The resulting light olefins can then be reacted with iso-butane to produce high-octane alkylate. The net result is a highly efficient and low cost method for converting methanol and butanes to alkylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Exelus Inc.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi
  • Patent number: 11478778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst composition suitable for the dehydrogenation of paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms comprising zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, optionally further comprising oxides of cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm), terbium (Tb), ytterbium (Yb), yttrium (Y), tungsten (W) and Zirconium (Zr) or mixtures thereof, wherein said catalyst composition is substantially free of chromium and platinum. The catalysts possess unique combinations of activity, selectivity, and stability. Methods for preparing improved dehydrogenation catalysts and a process for dehydrogenating paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms, comprising contacting the mixed metal oxide catalyst with paraffins are also described. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Exelus Inc.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi, Grace Brock
  • Patent number: 11364482
    Abstract: A catalyst, methods of making, and process of dehydrogenating paraffins utilizing the catalyst. The catalyst includes at least 20 mass % Zn, a catalyst support and a catalyst stabilizer. The catalyst is further characterizable by physical properties such as activity parameter measured under specified conditions. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Exelus, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi, Grace Brock
  • Patent number: 11168039
    Abstract: A catalyst, methods of making, and process of dehydrogenating paraffins utilizing the catalyst. The catalyst includes at least 20 mass % Zn, a catalyst support and a catalyst stabilizer. The catalyst is further characterizable by physical properties such as activity parameter measured under specified conditions. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: Exelus, Inc., Kellogg Brown and Root LLC
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi, Grace Brock, Gautham Krishnaiah, Michael Tallman
  • Patent number: 11040331
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst composition suitable for the dehydrogenation of paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms comprising zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, optionally further comprising oxides of cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm), terbium (Tb), ytterbium (Yb), yttrium (Y), tungsten (W) and Zirconium (Zr) or mixtures thereof, wherein said catalyst composition is substantially free of chromium and platinum. The catalysts possess unique combinations of activity, selectivity, and stability. Methods for preparing improved dehydrogenation catalysts and a process for dehydrogenating paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms, comprising contacting the mixed metal oxide catalyst with paraffins are also described. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignees: Exelus, Inc., Kellogg Brown and Root LLC
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi, Grace Brock, Gautham Krishnaiah, Michael Tallman
  • Patent number: 11033880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst composition suitable for the dehydrogenation of paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms comprising zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, optionally further comprising oxides of cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm), terbium (Tb), ytterbium (Yb), yttrium (Y), tungsten (W) and Zirconium (Zr) or mixtures thereof, wherein said catalyst composition is substantially free of chromium and platinum. The catalysts possess unique combinations of activity, selectivity, and stability. Methods for preparing improved dehydrogenation catalysts and a process for dehydrogenating paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms, comprising contacting the mixed metal oxide catalyst with paraffins are also described. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Exelus, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi, Grace Brock
  • Patent number: 10662126
    Abstract: Methods of simultaneously converting butanes and methanol to olefins over Ti-containing zeolite catalysts are described. The exothermicity of the alcohols to olefins reaction is matched by endothermicity of dehydrogenation reaction of butane(s) to light olefins resulting in a thermo-neutral process. The Ti-containing zeolites provide excellent selectivity to light olefins as well as exceptionally high hydrothermal stability. The coupled reaction may advantageously be conducted in a staged reactor with methanol/DME conversion zones alternating with zones for butane(s) dehydrogenation. The resulting light olefins can then be reacted with iso-butane to produce high-octane alkylate. The net result is a highly efficient and low cost method for converting methanol and butanes to alkylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: EXELUS, INC.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi
  • Patent number: 10464863
    Abstract: Improved alkylation catalysts, alkylation methods, and methods of making alkylation catalysts are described. The alkylation method comprises reaction over a solid acid, zeolite-based catalyst and can be conducted for relatively long periods at steady state conditions. The alkylation catalyst comprises a crystalline zeolite structure, a Si/Al molar ratio of 20 or less, less than 0.5 weight percent alkali metals, and further having a characteristic catalyst life property. Some catalysts may contain rare earth elements in the range of 10 to 35 wt %. One method of making a catalyst includes a calcination step following exchange of the rare earth element(s) conducted at a temperature of at least 575° C. to stabilize the resulting structure followed by an deammoniation treatment. An improved method of deammoniation uses low temperature oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Exelus, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Eric Daniel Gauthier, Kelly Ann Coley
  • Patent number: 10179753
    Abstract: Methods of simultaneously converting butanes and methanol to olefins over Ti-containing zeolite catalysts are described. The exothermicity of the alcohols to olefins reaction is matched by endothermicity of dehydrogenation reaction of butane(s) to light olefins resulting in a thermo-neutral process. The Ti-containing zeolites provide excellent selectivity to light olefins as well as exceptionally high hydrothermal stability. The coupled reaction may advantageously be conducted in a staged reactor with methanol/DME conversion zones alternating with zones for butane(s) dehydrogenation. The resulting light olefins can then be reacted with iso-butane to produce high-octane alkylate. The net result is a highly efficient and low cost method for converting methanol and butanes to alkylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Exelus, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, Vamsi M. Vadhri, Narendra Joshi
  • Patent number: 9079815
    Abstract: A method of producing a high octane alkylate from ethylene and isobutane by reacting ethylene and isobutane under catalytic conversion conditions. The ethylene and isobutane are contacted with a first catalytic material comprising a dimerization catalyst (i.e, for dimerizing ethylene) and a second catalytic material comprising an alkylation catalyst. The first and second catalytic materials are separate and distinct from each other. A high octane alkylate is recovered as a result of reacting the ethylene and isobutane in the presence of the first and second catalytic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Exelus Inc
    Inventors: Mitrajit Mukherjee, John F. Young, James P. Nehlsen, George D. Suciu, Kelly Ann Coley