Patents Assigned to UOP Inc.
  • Patent number: 4498973
    Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones in each of which the catalyst particles are movable via gravity flow. Dissimilar catalyst particles are utilized in the reactor systems which share a common regenerating tower through which the catalyst particles are downwardly movable via gravity flow and in which the catalyst particles are regenerated in segregated fashion. Dissimilarity of the catalyst particles stems from a difference in activity, stability and selectivity characteristics. In turn, this difference may be attributed either to physical, or chemical distinctions between the two composites, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Sikonia, Richard W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4498991
    Abstract: A process for separating an extract component from a raffinate component contained in a feed mixture. A unidirectional fluid flow system is maintained through a series of separating units through which the components travel at different rates. The units are interconnected in series so as to form a single closed loop. A component concentration distribution is established within the system of units so as to comprise a series of zones. Feed and displacement fluid are each mixed with a different intercolumn stream prior to being passed into the inlets of two of the units and extract and raffinate are taken only as portions of streams from outlets of two or more of the units at appropriate points on the component concentration distribution. At the appropriate times the inlets and outlets are shifted so as to simulate movement of the units in a direction downstream with respect to the direction of fluid flow and thereby enable the inlets and outlets to continually lie in the appropriate zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Anil R. Oroskar
  • Patent number: 4499201
    Abstract: Carbonaceous pyropolymers possessing recurring units containing at least carbon and hydrogen atoms may be obtained from compositions of matter comprising carbonaceous pyropolymers possessing recurring units containing at least carbon and hydrogen atoms composited on an inorganic metal oxide support or substrate by treating the composition of matter with a chloride-containing compound at an elevated temperature in the range of from about 400.degree. to about 1000.degree. C. in the vapor phase. The resulting metal chloride such as aluminum chloride is continuously removed from the composite, leaving only the carbonaceous pyropolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Leyerle
  • Patent number: 4497972
    Abstract: A process for separating ethylbenzene from a feed mixture comprising ethylbenzene and at least one xylene isomer. The mixture is contacted with an adsorbent comprising a barium cation exchanged type-X zeolite containing from about 3.0 to about 6.0 wt. % H.sub.2 O. The unadsorbed portion of the feed mixture is removed from the adsorbent and the ethylbenzene recovered by desorption with benzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Neuzil, Simon H. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 4497704
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of a hydrocarbon charge stock which comprises contacting said charge stock at hydrocarbon conversion conditions with a catalytic composite comprising a combination of a carrier material, a Group VIB metal component and Group VIII metal component wherein said Group VIB metal component and said Group VIII metal component are incorporated in said catalytic composite by means of a non-aqueous organic solution of a Group VIB metal compound and a Group VIII metal compound, wherein said non-aqueous organic solution comprises dimethylformamide, formamide, diethylformamide, ethylformamide, methylformamide, pyridine, aniline or toluene and wherein said catalytic composite is calcined in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. O'Hara, Russell W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4496780
    Abstract: Polyols such as carbohydrates including glucose, fructose, sorbitol, etc. may be subjected to a hydrocracking process to obtain lower polyols such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol. The catalyst system which is used to effect this reaction will comprise a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table composited on a solid support plus an alkaline earth metal oxide, an example of this catalyst system being ruthenium composited on a titanited alumina support plus barium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Blaise J. Arena
  • Patent number: 4496190
    Abstract: Parallel folding armrest assembly for use on a vehicle seat has a rear hollow housing portion with a forward armrest portion pivotally mounted at its forward end for movement between several parallel positions including a low position which can form a seat cushion extension. The housing portion comprises one elongated element of a four-link parallelogram linkage and has a curved upper forward end surface which conceals the linkage and prevents any possibility of finger pinching during adjustment. An actuating lever positioned in the armrest can be manually lifted about a pivot pin to release a locking pawl slidably carried on one of the parallelogram links from engagement with a selected tooth of a curved rack attached interiorly of the aforementioned curved end surface. A single round bar pivotally supports the housing and is adapted to be demountably fixed to the rear short parallelogram link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey W. Barley
  • Patent number: 4496371
    Abstract: A gas treating process is disclosed. Hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are removed from a hydrocarbon vapor stream by absorption into an aqueous carbonate solution. Hydrogen sulfide picked up by the circulating carbonate solution is oxidized to produce liquid sulfur, which is withdrawn. The carbonate solution is then stripped to release carbon dioxide and produce the lean carbonate solution used for absorption. By-product thiosulfate formed in the oxidation step is eliminated by reaction with hydrogen sulfide. Metal phthalocyanines are used as the catalyst for the elimination of thiosulfate and for the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Urban, Russell W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4496478
    Abstract: A process for separating an unsaponifiable compound from a feed mixture including fatty and/or rosin acids. The process comprises: (a) forming an emulsion with the feed mixture, an organic solvent in which the feed mixture is soluble and an emulsifying liquid capable of forming an emulsion with the feedstock and organic solvent, the polarity index of the emulsifying liquid being at least 2.4 higher than the polarity index of the organic solvent; (b) effecting the formation of three phases from the emulsion, an organic solvent phase containing the major portion of the fatty or rosin acids, an emulsifying liquid phase and a semi-solid sludge phase containing the major portion of the unsaponifiable compound; and (c) separating the three phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Santi Kulprathipanja
  • Patent number: 4496363
    Abstract: An antimicrobial fabric is comprised of an aminoalkylsilylated fabric to which is covalently bonded an antimicrobial agent through an intermediate polyfunctional spacer moiety. The antimicrobial agent is maintained well away from the fabric surface, thereby minimizing surface effects on antimicrobial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Louis J. DeFilippi
  • Patent number: 4494603
    Abstract: Improved well screen has its open area defined by a helically wrapped strip of wire mesh which is supported by a rigid cage-like structure of welded steel longitudinal support rods and helical wrap wires. The design is cost competitive with the simple, and rather fragile, screens made by wrapping a mesh about a perforated pipe while offering the mechanical strength characteristics of wire-wrapped welded screens and a substantially larger open area for flow. The wire mesh strip is helically wound with a gap and at least one wrap wire is helically wound in the gap so that a small portion of its width can be firmly adhered to the rods while at least another portion of its width overlies an adjacent side edge of the mesh strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Julian E. Harguindey
  • Patent number: 4494794
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle seat of the type in which a seat part is supported and guided for upward and downward movement relative to a base part by a spring suspension.In order to avoid loss of contact between the feet of the seat occupant and control pedals of the vehicle, the suspension includes linkages connecting the seat part to the base part for relative movement such that the seat occupant's ankles remain stationary whereas his knees swing about an axis through his ankles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey W. Barley
  • Patent number: 4495106
    Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite in a silica matrix the precursor of the molecular sieve comprising silicalite powder dispersed in colloidal amorphous silica, the precursor having been gelled and then treated in a manner to substantially eliminate hydroxyl groups from the molecular sieve, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement material comprising an organic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Cleary, William C. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 4495094
    Abstract: A process for separating a fatty and/or rosin acid from an unsaponifiable compound. A feedstream comprising the acids and unsaponifiable compound is contacted with an aqueous alcohol solvent which is selective for and absorbs the fatty and/or rosin acid. An extract stream comprising the solvent and acids, and a raffinate stream comprising the unsaponifiable compound may then be recovered. The feedstock is best used in a diluent which is preferably a hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Cleary
  • Patent number: 4492614
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring chloride ion and therefore dissociable chlorine compounds using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. Applicable only to gaseous samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence B. Welsh
  • Patent number: 4491565
    Abstract: A liquid-liquid contacting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in extracting mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream such as cracked gasoline by nonturbulent countercurrent contacting of the hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous caustic solution. The denser liquid phase flows downward from an upper phase separation zone through a connecting cylindrical contacting zone into a lower phase separation zone. Liquid withdrawal and addition means communicate with each separation zone. A mass of fibrous contacting strands is suspended in the contacting zone. The contacting strands are preferentially wetted by either of the two liquid phases to provide a large surface area which enhances extraction capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Verachtert
  • Patent number: 4490246
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating hydrocarbon streams by the catalyzed oxidation of mercaptans to disulfides. In the process, the hydrocarbon-containing stream is admixed with air and then passed through an oxidation zone. The oxidation zone effluent is decanted to remove an aqueous alkaline solution in a high pressure separation zone. It is then depressurized into a low pressure separator in which dissolved excess nitrogen and oxygen are substantially removed from the hydrocarbons. The treated hydrocarbons are then pressurized to force their flow into a low pressure product receiving facility. This sequence eliminates or minimizes the discharge of gaseous nitrogen and oxygen and hydrocarbon vapors in the storage facility, where they are pollution abatement problems and possible safety hazards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Verachtert
  • Patent number: 4490571
    Abstract: An oligomerization process is effected by treating olefinic hydrocarbons containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalyst comprising boron fluoride composited on an alumina support. The catalyst is treated with an additive comprising an oxygen or nitrogen-containing compound either prior to or during the process whereby the product which is obtained from the reaction will contain oligomer isomers possessing minimal branching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. O'Hara, Tamotsu Imai
  • Patent number: 4489592
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining density of gases and vapors. The primary sensing device is a fluidic oscillator through which a sample of gas is passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Pacanowski, Robert W. Sampson, Paul J. Kuchar
  • Patent number: 4487980
    Abstract: Zerovalent Group VIII metals dispersed on titanium dioxide reduced and calcined at a temperature less than about 300.degree. C. are hydrothermally stable hydrogenation catalysts which may be used advantageously in the reduction of aqueous solutions of carbohydrates. The use of ruthenium on titanium dioxide in the hydrogenation of glucose affords sorbitol in excellent yields with quite high selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Blaise J. Arena