Patents Examined by Bekir L. Yildirim
  • Patent number: 6033556
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a capture mass comprising an essentially alumina-based extruded support, and constituted by a plurality of juxtaposed agglomerates, optionally at least one oxide or a sulphide of a metal constituted by copper, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, nickel or cobalt in which the sum S of metals from the group constituted by copper, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, nickel and cobalt is in the range 0 to 70% by weight, and characterized in that each of these agglomerates is present partly in the form of packs of flakes and partly in the form of needles being uniformly dispersed both around the packs of flakes and between the flakes.The invention also relates to its use in a fixed bed reactor to eliminate heavy metals from a hydrocarbon-containing feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Blaise Didillon, Slavik Kazstelan, Virgine Harle
  • Patent number: 6028239
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the decomposition of tertiary alkyl ether(s), preferably selected from the group formed by ETBE, MTBE, TAME and ETAE, for the production of generally high purity tertiary olefin(s), preferably isobutene and isoamylenes, using a catalyst comprising at least one inorganic solid, for example a polysiloxane type solid, grafted with at least one alkyl sulphonic acid, aryl sulphonic acid or alkylaryl sulphonic acid type organic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Marie-Claire Marion, Alain Forestiere, Armand Barret
  • Patent number: 6024862
    Abstract: A process for dewaxing including the steps of mixing a waxy feedstock near its pour point with an ambient or below ambient temperature solvent essentially free of a selected cosolvent, to form a solvent/feedstock mixture, essentially free of a selected cosolvent, and subsequently adding the cosolvent to the solvent/feedstock mixture to cause instantaneous precipitation of wax on addition of cosolvent with the amount of wax precipitation being controlled by the quantity and temperature of cosolvent added. The cosolvent is essentially completely miscible with the solvent, but immiscible with the oil and wax. For example, alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol), ketones (ketene, acetone), amines, etc. The process of the present invention provides the advantages of lower solvent ratios (higher solvent recovery), higher filtration temperatures, "environmentally compatible" solvents, rapid filtration rates, and debottlenecking of existing dewaxing plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignees: Advanced Refining Technologies, Inc., University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Michael D. Ackerson, Seyed-Hamid Arabshahi, Robert E. Babcock
  • Patent number: 6022454
    Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially remote operable system for connecting and disconnecting a vessel. The system comprises substantially a remotely operable joint connector for connecting and disconnecting structural units. The system and the method using the system may also comprise a remote operable closure transport for removing a vessel closure from an opening in the vessel, and a substantially remote operable removal system for allowing material to be emptied from the vessel to increase operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Kelly Fetzer
  • Patent number: 6022471
    Abstract: A FCC catalyst having improved coke selectivity and a FCC process for converting hydrocarbon feedstocks to lower boiling products. The catalyst comprises a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite, gibbsite, rare earth metal compound and a silica matrix prepared from at least one of a silica sol made by an ion-exchange process and an acidic silica sol prepared by mixing sodium silicate, an acid and an aluminum salt of an acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William A. Wachter, Vinh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6018085
    Abstract: A method of reclaiming styrene from polystyrene-containing materials contaminated with animal fats and/or vegetable oils. A solution of polystyrene from such materials in a solvent is heated in distillation equipment to depolymerize the polystyrene and produce a styrene fraction and a heavier fraction, the styrene fraction being separated from the heavier fraction. Prior to heating, an inert gas is used to purge the distillation equipment of oxygen. The method preferably is carried out at the lowest temperature which will achieve the desired rate of depolymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ponsford, Henry T. Ponsford
  • Patent number: 6013158
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming liquid hydrocarbons from solid coal. The coal is pulverized to provide a particulate coal feed, which is then extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed coal supported inside of a support tube. A clay feed is extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed clay supported inside of the coal tube and a combustible fuel is burned inside of the clay tube. The temperature of combustion is sufficient to fire the extruded clay and pyrolyze the extruded coal to produce hydrocarbon gases and coal char. The support tube has holes for releasing the hydrocarbon gases, which contain suspended particles formed during combustion. The suspended particles are removed from the hydrocarbon gases to provide clean gases, which are passed through an ionizing chamber to ionize at least a portion thereof. The ionized gases are then passed through a magnetic field to separate them from each other according to their molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: William A. Wootten
  • Patent number: 6011187
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for reclaiming oil from waste plastic in such a way that thermosetting resins and solid foreign matter in the plastic will not pose a problem. This method greatly reduces the burden of presorting the garbage or industrial waste. To achieve this objective when oil is to be reclaimed from a waste plastic containing chlorine compounds, such as vinyl chloride, the plastic must first be stripped of chlorine. Prior to pyrolysis, while being conveyed forward in a continuous stream, the plastic is mixed with heated sand and/or an additive agent to raise its temperature to 250-350.degree. C. This creates a product which is comprised of a mixture of sand and substantially dechlorinated plastic. The product is mixed with heated sand to heat it directly to a temperature of 350-500.degree. C. It is maintained at this temperature until pyrolysis occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Horizoe, Takeshi Amari, Hiroshi Nagai, Shizuo Yasuda, Yuji Kaihara, Yoshimasa Kawami, Yasumasa Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 6005149
    Abstract: The invention provides a practical and efficient method and apparatus for thermally processing organic based raw materials of either primary or secondary (recycled) origin, in order to extract volatile organic vapors and to selectively produce either condensable hydrocarbon gases or, more preferably, non-condensable synthesis gases that are rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide for use as a raw material in chemical processes, or as a fuel. In particular, the invention provides a single rotary reactor having two contiguous hearth reaction areas, i.e., a drying and volatizing area and a reformation area, the areas being separated from each other by a bed-retaining refractory weir. The weir has an aperture for fluidly connecting the two hearth reaction areas of the single reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Engineering, Separation & Recycling, Ltd. Co.
    Inventor: Norman G. Bishop
  • Patent number: 6001241
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed in a sequence comprising a zeolitic-reforming zone containing a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal and a nonacidic L-zeolite and an aromatics-isomerization zone containing a catalyst comprising a medium-pore molecular sieve, a platinum-group metal and a refractory inorganic oxide. Optionally, the zeolitic-reforming zone is preceded by a continuous-reforming zone associated with continuous catalyst regeneration, The process combination features high selectivity in producing a high-purity BTX product from naphtha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Gosling, Robert S. Haizmann, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 5998682
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for energy recovery through waste classification and calcination, and an apparatus therefor; the process comprises crushing and sorting various types of wastes, and by means of a series of classification, calcination and recovering treatments, recovering and reusing efficiently fuel oil, fuel gas and residues, as well as providing electric power and heat required for the apparatus in the self-supplying feedback system of the invention, and additionally, lowering successfully the secondary pollution from waste disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Szu Jeng Chien
  • Patent number: 5997723
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process for blending two or more petroleum oils, any component of which may be an unprocessed crude oil or a processed oil derived from petroleum, in a manner to minimize fouling and coking of refinery process equipment. The blending method includes the steps of determining the insolubility number, I, for each oil, determining the solubility blending number, S, for each oil, and combining the petroleum oils in the proportions in order to keep the solubility blending number of the mixture higher than 1.4 times the insolubility number of any oil in the mixture. The present invention also includes selecting petroleum oils to minimize fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Irwin A. Wiehe, Raymond J. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5994257
    Abstract: A composition comprises a hydrogenation catalyst supported on an inorganic support which comprises aluminum, zirconium, and a borate. A process for producing the composition comprises the steps of (1) contacting an aluminum salt, a zirconium salt, and an acidic boron compound under a condition sufficient to effect the production of a solid material comprising aluminum, zirconium, and borate; and (2) combining a hydrogenation catalyst with the inorganic support. Also disclosed is a process for reducing aromatic compounds content in a hydrocarbon-containing fluid which comprises contacting a hydrocarbon-containing fluid, in the presence of a catalyst composition, with hydrogen wherein said catalyst composition comprises a hydrogenation catalyst and an inorganic support wherein said support comprises aluminum, zirconium and a borate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Lyle R. Kallenbach
  • Patent number: 5993751
    Abstract: Embodiments of a pyrolizer are disclosed in which carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed in a two stage process. In the first stage the materials are moved through a pretreater using augers and are heated to between 180 and 220 degrees C. In the second stage the materials are moved through a pyrolysis reactor using augers and are heated to between 500 and 1,100 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventors: Jack Moriarty, Bill Moriarty, Nathan Moriarty
  • Patent number: 5990367
    Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.8 and higher olefins by the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins is improved by the addition of heavy paraffins to the oligomerization zone. The recycle of the heavy paraffins extends the catalyst activity and improves the catalyst life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Laurence O. Stine, Brian S. Muldoon, Steven C. Gimre, Robert R. Frame
  • Patent number: 5981419
    Abstract: Process for the hydroisomerization of n-paraffins in the presence of a difunctional catalyst which comprises:(a) a porous crystalline material isostructural with beta-zeolite selected from boro-silicate (BOR-B) and boro-alumino-silicate (AL-BOR-B) in which the molar SiO.sub.2 :Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio is higher than 300:1;(b) one or more metal(s) belonging to Group VIIIA, selected from platinum and palladium, in an amount comprised within the range of from 0.05 to 5% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignees: Eniricerche S.p.A., Agip Petroli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Angela Carati, Cristina Flego, Vincenzo Calemma
  • Patent number: 5976359
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the concentration of amines in hydrocarbon fluids and process streams by generating therein a nitrosating agent. The nitrosating agent will react with the amines to form innocuous by-products under refinery process conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventor: Wiley L. Parker
  • Patent number: 5977421
    Abstract: The amount of limonene produced during pyrolysis of scrap tire carcass or polyisoprene rubber can be increased by decreasing residence time of the isoprene gas produced during the thermal degradation of polyisoprene rubber in the high temperature reactor region of an oven. This is achieved by using a novel oven design which permits rapid expansion of the isoprene gas away from the high temperature reactor region of the oven to a cooler region where the gas forms limonene and condenses. This pyrolysis method also decreases the amount of soot produced while increasing the amount of limonene produced. Furthermore, this system readily enables separation of the solid, liquid and gas phases produced during pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Curtiss D. Hanson, Timothy Burrell, James E. Haworth, James A. Olson
  • Patent number: 5973218
    Abstract: A process for producing a cycloolefin by partial hydrogenation of a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst, water and a metal sulfate, wherein the hydrogenation is conducted while changing the concentration of the metal sulfate dissolved in an aqueous phase in which the catalyst is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Ashida, Mineyuki Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 5973217
    Abstract: According to the process described, old or waste plastics are depolymerized into a pumpable phase and a volatile phase to allow recovery of chemical raw materials and liquid fuel components. The volatile phase is separated into a gaseous phase and a condensate. In order to simplify the process in comparison with the state of the art, the depolymerised product remaining after the volatile phase is separated is also heated together with the condensate or condensate fractions in the presence of hydrogen under pressure and is subjected to hydrotreating, after non-boiling components are removed, to produce syncrude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Veba Oel AG
    Inventors: Horst Hastrich, Christian Hecka, Rolf Holighaus, Klaus Niemann, Claus Strecker