Patents Assigned to UOP Inc.
  • Patent number: 4886929
    Abstract: The separation of the para-isomer of a dialkyl benzene from a mixture of the isomers thereof, especially p-xylene, by contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with a type X or type Y zeolite adsorbent, ion exchanged with barium and potassium, and recovering the para-alkylbenzene from the adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with fluorobenzene or a difluorobenzene at desorption conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Neuzil, George J. Antos
  • Patent number: 4861459
    Abstract: The liquid feed injector as hereindescribed uses sequential stages of increased severity mixing to fully atomize a liquid portion of a combined liquid and gaseous stream. Sequential mixing consists of a first mild mixing that takes place in a mild mixing zone and blends the liquid and gaseous material into a substantial uniform mixture. The uniform mixture of liquid and gaseous material passes through another stage of vigorous mixing where the liquid is sheared and gas is dispersed throughout the liquid to produce a homogeneous mixture of fine gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid. The homogeneous liquid and gas mixtures are then discharged through one or more discharge nozzles to effect atomization and distribution of the liquid in a suspension of fluidized solids. The sequential stages of increased severity mixing allow atomization of the liquid into fine droplets with a reduced pressure drop across the discharge nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Ismail B. Cetinkaya
  • Patent number: 4859313
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid catalytic cracking unit comprising a regeneration zone and a reaction zone with a relatively reduced temperature in the regeneration zone while processing a hydrocarbon feedstock having a 50 volume percent distillation temperature greater than about 500.degree. F. which method comprises contacting the feedstock in a reaction zone with a mixture of regenerated fluidizable cracking catalyst and fluidizable low coke make solid particles comprising a refractory inorganic oxide in a ratio of low coke make solid particles to cracking catalyst from about 1:100 to about 10:1, the low coke made solid particles having a surface area of less than about 5 m.sup.2 /g and a coke making capability of less than about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Lengemann, Gregory J. Thompson, Anthony G. Vickers, Raymond W. Mott
  • Patent number: 4851574
    Abstract: Citric acid is separated from a fermentation broth by using an adsorbent comprising a strongly water-insoluble, macroreticular or gel, basis anionic exchange resin possessing quaternary amine functional groups, said a anionic exchange resin having a cross-linked acrylic or styrene resin matrix and a desorbent comprising water or dilute sulfuric acid. The pH of the feed is maintained below the first ionization constant (pKa.sub.1) of citric acid to maintain selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Santi Kulprathipanja
  • Patent number: 4832921
    Abstract: A vessel for effecting multiple treatment steps needed to regenerate spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Regeneration is accomplished in a moving bed of catalyst, where catalyst is passed through several treatment zones in the regeneration vessel. Catalyst is contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove coke which accumulates on the catalyst while it is in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. After the coke is burned off in a combustion zone, catalyst is passed into a drying zone for removal of water formed in the combustion zone which has remained on the catalyst instead of being carried off with combustion gases. Water removal is accomplished by passing a hot dry air stream through the catalyst. This air stream is introduced into the bottom of the regeneration vessel and is heated by exchange of heat with catalyst, thereby effecting the required cooling of the catalyst. Before passing into the drying zone, the air is heated further by heating element located in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur R. Greenwood
  • 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: 4827077
    Abstract: The chromatographic adsorption separation of indene from petrochemical or synthetic feed mixtures with an Na- or K-exchanged X- or Y-zeolite and toluene, benzene, fluorobenzene or other halogen- or alkyl-substituted monocyclic aromatic desorbents. Selectivity of the separation is dependent on water content, from 1-8% (wt.), of the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Hermann A. Zinnen
  • Patent number: 4827072
    Abstract: A novel catalytic composite comprising a platinum group metal component; a modifier metal component selected from the group consisting of a tin component, germanium component, rhenium component and mixtures thereof; an optional alkali or alkaline earth metal component or mixtures thereof, an optional halogen component, and an optional catalytic modifier component on a refractory oxide support having a nominal diameter of at least about 850 microns. The distribution of the platinum group metal component is such that the platinum group component is surface-impregnated where substantially all of the platinum group metal component is located at most within a 400 micron exterior layer of the support. The effective amount of the modifier metal component is uniformly dispersed throughout the refractory oxide support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Imai, Hayim Abrevaya, Jeffery C. Bricker, Deng-Yang Jan
  • Patent number: 4824818
    Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic composite effective in oxidizing mercaptans contained in a sour petroleum distillate to disulfides. The catalytic composite comprises a metal chelate, an onium compound and optionally an alkali metal hydroxide. The onium compound may be selected from the group consisting of phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds, with phosphonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds preferred. Additionally, metal phthalocyanines are a preferred class of metal chelates. This invention also relates to an improved process for treating a sour petroleum distillate, wherein the improvement comprises using the catalytic composite described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Bricker, Robert R. Frame
  • Patent number: 4822762
    Abstract: A nonacidic hydrocarbon conversion catalyst is disclosed which is prepared by incorporating potassium hydroxide into a composite of nonacidic L-zeolite and amorphous silica. A preparation procedure is also disclosed as well as a process for dehydrocyclizing C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aliphatic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Ellig, George J. Antos
  • 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: 4816607
    Abstract: A multistep hydrocarbon conversion process for the production of ethers including methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from light paraffins and alcohols is disclosed. A mixture of C.sub.4 isoparaffins, normal paraffins, an etherification recycle and butane isomerization effluent enter a deisobutanizer column. Normal paraffins withdrawn from the fractionator are isomerized and returned to the fractionator, and isoparaffins are withdrawn from the fractionator and dehydrogenated. The resulting olefins enter an etherification zone for reaction of isobutene with a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohol. Unreacted paraffins and olefins comprise a portion of the etherification effluent entering the deisobutanizer. After separation for recovery of the ether product, unreacted paraffins and olefins are passed through a dehydrogenation zone for saturation of the olefins and then returned to the deisobutanizer column. Normal butanes are withdrawn as a sidecut from the deisobutanizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Bipin V. Vora, Peter R. Pujado, Richard E. Conser
  • 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: 4812597
    Abstract: Dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons may be subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction in which the hydrocarbons such as ethylbenzene are treated with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising a modified iron catalyst in the presence of steam. The reaction mixture containing unconverted ethylbenzene, styrene, hydrogen and steam is then contacted with an oxidation catalyst in a second zone whereby hydrogen is selectively oxidized to the substantial exclusion of oxidation of the hydrocarbon. The selective oxidation catalyst which is employed will comprise a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table, a metal of Group IVA and, if so desired, a metal of Group IA or IIA composited on a porous inorganic support such as alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Imai, Jeffery C. Bricker
  • Patent number: 4810683
    Abstract: A method is described for the regeneration of a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst that has become deactivated by carbonaceous material deposition where the catalyst comprises a nonacid zeolite and a Group VIII metal component. The method comprises the steps of (1) removing a substantial portion of the carbonaceous material from the catalyst by combustion with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a halogen, and (2) reducing the catalyst in the presence of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle J. Cohn, Delmar W. Robinson, R. Joe Lawson
  • Patent number: 4806695
    Abstract: A combined process for the dehydrogenation of C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 paraffins in a first zone and the conversion of olefins in a second zone improves efficiency by directly charging all but the lightest components of the dehydrogenation zone effluent to the olefin conversion zone. This process is particularly suited for the production of gasoline boiling range ethers where an isoparaffin is dehydrogenated in a first zone to produce isoolefins. After separation of hydrogen and methane, the dehydrogenation zone effluent is charged along with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alcohol to an etherification zone for the production of ether. The etherification zone effluent is separated into at least two component streams one comprising light ends, isoparaffins, and oxygenates and the other comprising an ether product. After passage through an alcohol recovery zone, the isoparaffins are separated from the other lighter recycled material and combined with the feed to dehydrogenation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Bipin V. Vora, Norman H. Scott
  • Patent number: 4806233
    Abstract: A method of separating a hot hydrocarbonaceous stream having a temperature above the dew point of water and comprising hydrogen, vaporous hydrocarbonaceous compounds and an acidic inorganic compound which method comprises: (a) contacting the hot hydrocarbonaceous stream at a temperature above the dew point of water in a contacting zone with an aqueous alkaline solution in an amount sufficient to simultaneously neutralize the acidic inorganic compound and to cool the hot hydrocarbonaceous stream to a temperature below the dew point of water to produce a flowing stream comprising a hydrogen-rich gas, a liquid hydrocarbonaceous phase and an aqueous solution containing inorganic neutralization products; and (b) introducing the flowing stream produced in step (a) into a separation zone to gravitationally produce an aqueous phase containing inorganic neutralization products, a hydrogen-rich gaseous phase and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. James, Jr., Tom N. Kalnes
  • Patent number: 4806700
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the conversion of a light aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as propane, into benzene and optionally also naphthalene. The feed hydrocarbon is converted to aromatic hydrocarbons in a dehydrocyclodimerization zone. The aromatics, and other cyclic hydrocarbons, are passed into a hydrodealkylation zone which is preferably supplied with hydrogen produced in the dehydrocyclodimerization zone. Benzene may be separated from the effluent of the dehydrocyclodimerization zone prior to passage of the aromatics into the hydrodealkylation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Martindale
  • Patent number: 4806616
    Abstract: N,N'-dialkyl- and diaylphenylenediamines are effective curing agents in combination with other polyamines and polyols in reaction injection molding for a diverse class of polyisocyanates. The diamines provide a broad spectrum of cure times, as well as giving elastomers an interesting and useful diversity of properties. Such polyamines may be used as a constituent in a blend of polyamines as the isocyanate-reactive component, in which case the elastomer may be viewed as predominantly a polyurea, or as a constituent in a blend with polyols, in which case the elastomer may be viewed as an elastomer with both urethane and urea segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Baumann, Ray V. Scott, Jr., David W. House, Dusan J. Engel
  • 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