Patents Assigned to UOP
  • Patent number: 8293670
    Abstract: A process for catalyst regeneration is presented. The process regenerates a catalyst in a paraffin dehydrogenation process, where the reaction is endothermic. The regeneration process provides the heat for the process through heating the catalyst and removes the need for a charge heater to the dehydrogenation reactor, which in turn eliminates high temperature thermal residence time which eliminates thermal cracking of the feed and improves the overall product selectivity. In addition, plot area, equipment costs and operating complexity are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David N. Myers, Daniel N. Myers
  • Publication number: 20120264993
    Abstract: A zeolitic binder-converted composition comprising (a) a zeolite X composition having at least a first zeolite X having a mean diameter not greater than 2.7 microns, and a second zeolite X, wherein the second zeolite X is obtained by converting a binder material to the second zeolite X and the binder material is in a range from 5 to 50 wt % of the zeolite X composition; and (b) an unconverted binder material content, after conversion to the second zeolite X is complete, in a range from 0 to 3 wt % of the zeolite X composition. The zeolite X composition has an average Si/Al framework mole ratio in a range from 1.0 to 1.5, and a relative LTA intensity not greater than 1.0, as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jack E. Hurst, Linda S. Cheng, Robert W. Broach
  • Publication number: 20120264994
    Abstract: A process for separating para-xylene from a mixture of C8 alkylaromatics comprises contacting the mixture of C8 alkylaromatics with a zeolitic binder-converted composition comprising (a) a zeolite X composition having at least a first zeolite X having a mean diameter not greater than 2.7 microns, and a second zeolite X, wherein the second zeolite X is obtained by converting a binder material to the second zeolite X and the binder material is in a range from 5 to 50 wt % of the zeolite X composition; and (b) an unconverted binder material content, after conversion to the second zeolite X is complete, in a range from 0 to 3 wt % of the zeolite X composition. The zeolite X composition has an average Si/AI framework mole ratio in a range from 1.0 to 1.5, and a relative LTA intensity not greater than 1.0, as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jack E. Hurst, Linda S. Cheng, Robert W. Broach
  • Publication number: 20120264992
    Abstract: A zeolite X having (a) a Si/Al framework mole ratio in a range from 1.0 to 1.5; (b) a mean diameter not greater than 2.7 microns; and (c) a relative LTA intensity not greater than 0.35, as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The relative LTA intensity is calculated as 100 times the quotient of a sample LTA XRD intensity divided by a reference XRD intensity of an LTA-type zeolite material. The intensities are summed for each LTA peak with Miller indices of (2 0 0), (4 2 0), and (6 2 2) at 7.27±0.16°, 16.29±0.34° and 24.27±0.50° 2?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jack E. Hurst, Linda S. Cheng, Robert W. Broach
  • Publication number: 20120264990
    Abstract: A process for olefin metathesis is disclosed. The process involves contacting a feedstock comprising a first olefin and a second olefin having a carbon number at least two greater than that of the first olefin with a catalyst comprising a tungsten component on a refractory oxide support, e.g. silica at metathesis conditions to provide a product olefin having an intermediate carbon number between that of the first and second olefin. The catalyst is characterized in that it is first pretreated with hydrogen followed by treatment with ethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P Nicholas, Mark A. Krawczyk, Kristoffer E. Popp, Jennifer F. Abrahamian
  • Publication number: 20120255885
    Abstract: Methods for processing a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flows are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing two or more hydroprocessing stages disposed in sequence, each hydroprocessing stage having a hydroprocessing reaction zone with a hydrogen requirement and each stage in fluid communication with the preceding stage. The hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flow may be separated into portions of fresh feed for each hydroprocessing stage, and the first portion of fresh feed to the first hydroprocessing stage is heated. The heated first portion of fresh feed may be supplied with hydrogen from the hydrogen source in an amount satisfying substantially all of the hydrogen requirements of the hydroprocessing stages to a first hydroprocessing zone. The unheated second portion of fresh feed is injected counter current to the process flow as quench at one or more locations in one or more of the reaction zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Robert L. Bunting, Nicholas W. Bridge
  • Patent number: 8282885
    Abstract: An FCC apparatus may include a distributor disposed in a recess in a wall of the riser for distributing gaseous hydrocarbon feed to a riser. The distributor may be shielded from upwardly flowing catalyst by a shield. An array of nozzles from the distributor may extend through openings in the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul S. Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8282707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated membrane/absorbent/adsorbent process and system for removal of mercury and sulfur compounds from natural gas on a ship that houses natural gas purification equipment. First mercury and most of the sulfur compounds are removed by an adsorbent bed and then the natural gas stream passes through a membrane unit to produce a partially purified natural gas residue stream to be dried and then liquefied and a carbon dioxide permeate stream that can be used as a fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leonid Bresler, John M. Foresman, William I. Echt, Mark E. Schott
  • Patent number: 8282887
    Abstract: A reactor design and process for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons is presented. The reactor design includes a multibed catalytic reactor, where each of the reactor beds are fluidized. The catalyst in the reactor cascades through the reactor beds, with fresh catalyst input into the first reactor bed, and the spent catalyst withdrawn from the last reactor bed. The hydrocarbon feedstream is input to the reactor beds in a parallel formation, thereby decreasing the thermal residence time of the hydrocarbons when compared with a single bed fluidized reactor, or a series reactor scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David N. Myers, Lev Davydov
  • Patent number: 8283506
    Abstract: A process has been developed for producing fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal oils and greases. The process involves treating a first portion of a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating in a first reaction zone and a second portion of a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating in a second reaction zone and treating the effluents in a finishing reaction zone to provide a diesel boiling point range fuel hydrocarbon product. If desired, the hydrocarbon product can be isomerized to improve cold flow properties. A portion of the hydrocarbon product is recycled to the first reaction zone to increase the hydrogen solubility of the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Peter Kokayeff, Terry L. Marker, John A. Petri
  • Patent number: 8283507
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are presented for the removal of carbon monoxide from ethylene streams. The removal of carbon monoxide before selective hydrogenation protects the catalyst in the selective hydrogenation reactor. Carbon monoxide levels are controlled with the water gas shift process to convert the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, with the carbon dioxide removed in an acid gas removal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 8282814
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be a fired heater for a hydrocarbon conversion process. The fired heater includes inlet and outlet headers or manifolds, a set of heater tubes with each heater tube having an inlet and an outlet, at least one restriction orifice adjacent the inlet of at least one heater tube. The restriction orifice may be within the inlet manifold and adjacent the inlet of a heater tube, or between the inlet manifold and the inlet to the heater tube. A process may include passing a hydrocarbon stream through the fired heater described herein during the course of operating a hydrocarbon conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Peters
  • Patent number: 8283274
    Abstract: Binderless BaKX zeolitic adsorbents, methods for their production, and processes for their use in a liquid phase adsorptive separation process are provided. An adsorbent includes a binder-converted zeolite portion formed from x wt % kaolin clay binder and (100-x) wt % unconverted Zeolite X with a silica:alumina molar ratio of about 2.5. The kaolin clay binder is in the range of about 10 to about 20 wt %. Ba and K occupy cationic exchangeable sites within the adsorbent. K is in the range of about 0.25 to about 0.9% by weight and Ba is greater than about 31.6% by weight of the binderless BaKX zeolitic adsorbent. Cornstarch may be added to the Zeolite X and kaolin clay binder to increase adsorbent macro-porosity and pore volume. Productivity of the adsorbent is improved decreasing process operating costs. The mechanical strength of the adsorbent is also improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Linda Shi Cheng, Jack Hurst
  • Patent number: 8282886
    Abstract: An improved process and system for the endothermic dehydrogenation of an alkane stream is described. The process and system for catalytic dehydrogenation comprise a back-mixed fluidized bed reactor. The alkane stream is dehydrogenated in a single reactor stage by contacting the alkane stream with a back-mixed fluidized bed of catalyst. Deactivated catalyst is withdrawn from the back-mixed fluidized reactor and heated to produce hot regenerated catalyst. The hot regenerated catalyst is returned to the back-mixed fluidized bed reactor at a rate sufficient to maintain the back-mixed fluidized bed reactor at substantially isothermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan K. Glover, Julie A. Zarraga, Michael A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8283509
    Abstract: The invention comprises an absorption heat pump to supply energy to a distillation process or an outside process. The streams used to effect the absorption heat pump are to be combined in any case as a feedstream to a conversion process, and energy thus is conserved by avoiding the necessity of reseparating the streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Stanley J. Frey
  • Patent number: 8282816
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for minimizing a solvent in a raffinate stream of an extractive distillation column. The process can include providing sufficient separation in the extractive distillation column between a reflux stream having an effective amount of water and a stream having an effective amount of solvent. Usually, the reflux stream has no more than about 2,000 ppm, by weight, solvent based on the weight of the reflux stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. L. Noe
  • Patent number: 8282899
    Abstract: Solvent absorption processes for separating components of an impure feed gas are disclosed. The processes involve two stages of gas-liquid contacting, namely a first, absorption stage and a second, stripping stage. In the case of a carbon dioxide (CO2)-containing methane gas as an impure feed gas, contacting, in the stripping stage, the solvent effluent from the absorption stage with a recycled vapor fraction of the solvent effluent from the stripping stage can improve the recovery and purity of not only the methane (and/or other light hydrocarbons in the impure feed gas), but also that of the CO2 contaminant gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Bahr, Lamar A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8283511
    Abstract: A simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process for preparing the separate feed streams charged to naphtha reforming unit and a steam cracking unit has been developed. The feed stream to the overall unit is passed into the adsorptive separation unit. The desorbent in the adsorptive separation is C12 hydrocarbons. The simulated moving bed adsorptive separation separates the components of the feed stream into a normal paraffin stream, which is charged to the steam cracking process, and non-normal hydrocarbons which are passed into a reforming zone. The desorbent is readily separated from the normal paraffin stream and from the non-normal paraffin stream and the simulated moving bed adsorption zone is operated at an A/Fn ratio of from about 0.90 to about 0.92.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen W. Sohn, Lynn H. Rice, Santi Kulprathipanja
  • Publication number: 20120247943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. According to the invention, an improved extractive distillation (extractive-distillation) process is disclosed for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes from heavy (C9+) hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to an improved extractive-distillation process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert J.L. Noe, Bruce R. Beadle, Lawrence E. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20120251403
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit shares the same recycle gas compressor. A warm separator separates recycle gas and hydrocarbons from diesel in the hydrotreating effluent, so fraction of the diesel is relatively simple. The warm separator also keeps the diesel product separate from the more sulfurous diesel in the hydrocracking effluent, and still retains heat needed for fractionation of lighter components from the low sulfur diesel product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Wieber, Paul R. Zimmerman