Patents Examined by D. E. Gantz
  • Patent number: 4539093
    Abstract: There is provided a hydrocarbon extraction process and apparatus for removing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing ore such as a diatomite ore. The ore is preprocessed to the extent required to produce an extractable ore and subsequently mixed with a carrier to form an ore stream. The carrier may be a nonaqueous solvent and may further comprise a non-porous granular material such as sand. The ore stream is passed in substantially vertical countercurrent flow through a nonaqueous solvent to produce a product-solvent stream and a spent ore stream. The solvent is subsequently separated from the hydrocarbon stream, which may be further upgraded by removal of a heavy portion. This may be accomplished in the presence of a substantial amount of fines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Getty Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Friedman, Bertram E. Eakin
  • Patent number: 4539097
    Abstract: A method for filtering spent tar sands from a bitumen and organic solvent solution comprises separating the solution into two streams wherein the bulk of the coarser spent tar sand is in a first stream and has an average particle size of about 10 to about 100 mesh and the bulk of the finer spent tar sand is in a second stream; producing a filter cake by filtering the coarser spent tar sand from the first stream; and filtering the finer spent tar sand from the second stream with the filter cake. The method is particularly useful for filtering solutions of bitumen extracted from bitumen containing diatomite, spent diatomite and organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Kelterborn, Richard A. Stone
  • Patent number: 4538608
    Abstract: The invention involves the apparatus and the technique for non-invasive surgery to remove cataracted-lens tissue from an afflicted lens. The beam output of a laser is focused to a spot of maximum power density at the anterior surface of a cataracted lens and scanned over a predetermined area or areas of the cataracted lens. The beam is selective and safe since it's diffuse as it enters the eye through the cornea and is also diffuse (being divergent) in the unlikely event that the beam passes through an opening it has created in the cataracted lens. This diffusion assures against damage to either or both of the cornea and the retina. Focal power levels are used sufficient to achieve cataract material destruction thru ablative photodecomposition, thermal decomposition, photofragmentation, photoemulsification or any combination thereof. Various features are disclosed for assuring safety and uniformity in the removal of involved tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Inventor: Francis A. L'Esperance, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4539099
    Abstract: A process for removing suspended solids particularly difficultly filterable inorganic solids from an oil obtained as a refinery process bottom fraction from both steam and catalytic cracking units (e.g. catalytic cracker bottoms) or from coal conversion processes (e.g. coal tar) by adding to the oil an agglomerating agent comprising an oxyalkylated phenol formaldehyde resin glycol ester whereby said solids are clustered together into readily filterable agglomerates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Philip Merchant, R. Roger Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 4539307
    Abstract: A metal catalyst preferably comprised of a platinum/rhenium metal combination, supported on alumina is activated for the reforming of hydrocarbon feedstock, by being contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to oxidize the metal catalyst and then being reduced sequentially by contacting the catalyst with a stream of hydrogen at about 650.degree. to about 750.degree. F. for a first period of time and then at about 900.degree. to about 1000.degree. F. for a second period of time, followed by sulfiding of the sequentially reduced catalyst. The sequential reduction procedure increases the selectivity of the reforming catalyst and results in increased C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid product yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventor: Soni O. Oyekan
  • Patent number: 4539094
    Abstract: Improved extraction and recovery of carbonaceous products are achieved by the aqueous alkali depolymerization of carbonaceous materials, low rank coals, followed by the supercritical extraction with ammonia when the depolymerized material retains a significant aqueous presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Swaminathan Sunder, Robert N. Miller
  • Patent number: 4539096
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of oil and metal values from oil shale which includes the step of acid leaching in combination with selective extraction of nitrogen components from the resultant product shale oil. The extracted nitrogen rich stream can either be recycled or utilized for other purposes as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Leslie R. Rudnick
  • Patent number: 4539098
    Abstract: Recycle shale oil is used in an extractive pyrolysis process of oil shale. Hot gases from the pyrolyzer are used to preheat the shale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Amos Yudovich
  • Patent number: 4539309
    Abstract: Catalysts for the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide, consisting of a silica-based carrier and, applied on this, an active substance containing vanadium and alkali metal compounds, are prepared by dissolving vanadium pentoxide in an alkali solution, acidifying the solution with sulfuric acid, mixing the acidified solution with the carrier, molding the mixture and drying and calcining the molding. To obtain mechanically stable catalysts, a dissolved alkali metal silicate and/or silica sol are added to the alkaline solution before acidification, the latter process is carried out at below 35.degree. C. and the solution is then immediately incorporated into the carrier. The resulting moist crumbly material contains from 2 to 6% by weight of V.sub.2 O.sub.5, from 35 to 45% by weight of H.sub.2 O and from 15 to 50% by weight of SiO.sub.2. From 5 to 25% by weight of the total silica content originates from the dissolved alkali metal silicate and/or silica sol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ruprecht Meissner, Norbert Neth
  • Patent number: 4539095
    Abstract: A process is set forth for depolymerizing coal in an aqueous alkaline medium in the presence of a quinone and a hydrogen atmosphere. The depolymerized solid product is significantly ethyl acetate soluble and can be extracted with ammonia under supercritical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Swaminathan Sunder, Robert N. Miller
  • Patent number: 4537875
    Abstract: Alumina, silica or silica-alumina containing catalysts are manufactured by incorporating at least one active element selected from the metals of the groups V, VI and VIII or their compounds to a carrier, and then drying and activating. The carrier or the catalyst is shaped into extrudates and the latter are crushed to coarse particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Francaise des Produits pour Catalyse Pro-Catalyse
    Inventors: Herve Toulhoat, Jean-Claude Plumail, Marc Mercier, Yves Jacquin
  • Patent number: 4538013
    Abstract: A process for preventing the formation of polymeric by-products during the production of Diels-Alder adducts is improved by the addition of NO or of a compound splitting off NO in situ, as a polymerization inhibitor. This process is especially effective for preventing the formation of polymeric by-products in the manufacture of 5-vinylnorbornene-2. In a tubular reactor, when observing narrow temperature and pressure ranges, a high selectivity is obtained in the production of this adduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Chemische Werke Huls AG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Donike, Helmut Ulrich, Heinz Thiemer, Josefa Pieper
  • Patent number: 4538017
    Abstract: A process for producing aromatic compounds from a paraffin containing feedstock in which the feedstock is passed to a reaction zone into contact with a multi-component catalyst system. The catalyst system comprises a discreet physical mixture of a silicalite homologation catalyst and a metal or metal oxide dehydrogenation catalyst. The process is carried out to cause the dehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins, the oligomerization of olefins to cyclic napthenes and the aromatization of the napthenes. Reaction conditions and relative catalyst concentrations to provide a relationship between the thermodynamic constraint for the dehydrogenation of the paraffins and the balancing of the kinetics of the dehydrogenation and oligomerization reactions to limit the olefin concentration to a value which does not result in substantial coking of the catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Cosden Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, James M. Watson
  • Patent number: 4538014
    Abstract: A process is provided for conducting organic compound conversion over a catalyst composition comprising a supported crystalline zeolite having a high initial silica-to-alumina mole ratio, said supported zeolite being prepared by compositing said crystalline zeolite with alumina, reacting the composite with a particular hydrogen fluoride solution in a specified way, drying the hydrogen fluoride reacted composite, treating the dried composite by hydrolysis, ammonolysis and/or by contact with an ammonium salt solution, and calcining the resulting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph N. Miale, Clarence D. Chang
  • Patent number: 4537675
    Abstract: New solvent compositions and a new two-stage direct coal liquefaction process are provided which permit control of the liquid product state from one consisting primarily of low boiling distillate to one consisting primarily of high boiling fuel oil. The use of the new solvent composition in the process significantly increases distillable liquid yields from coal or lignites. The preferred solvent contains from about 0 to 100 weight percent of pyridine-soluble bottoms, i.e., mineral matter-free normally solid dissolved coal, in which the hydrogen content is maintained at an optimum level by adding from about 0.05 to about 2.0 weight percent hydrogen in a hydrotreating step and from about 0 to 100 weight percent of a coal-derived distillate boiling below about 800.degree. F. to about 1000.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: In-Situ, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard F. Silver, Ronald L. Miller
  • Patent number: 4538018
    Abstract: A method of pre-conditioning the walls of an olefin dimerization reactor and starting a dimerization process comprises sequential steps of introducing a first soluble homogeneous catalyst component comprising, e.g. a complex of a divalent metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron, and a second soluble homogeneous catalyst component comprising, e.g. an organoaluminum compound, at rates such that the molar catalyst feed ratio of said aluminum to said divalent metal is maintained at a first value during the pre-conditioning and startup period and at a second, higher, value during the operating period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Cecil O. Carter
  • Patent number: 4537874
    Abstract: A catalyst for the production of unsaturated aldehydes is provided which is represented by the general formulaBi.sub.a W.sub.b Fe.sub.c Mo.sub.d A.sub.e B.sub.f C.sub.g D.sub.h O.sub.xwherein Bi represents bismuth, W represents tungsten, Fe represents iron, Mo represents molybdenum, O represents oxygen, A represents nickel and/or cobalt, B represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and thallium, C represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, arsenic, boron, antimony, tin, cerium, lead and niobium, D presents at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, zirconium and titanium, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h and x represent the atomic ratios of the individual elements, and when d is taken as 12, a=0.1-10.0, b=0.5-10.0 (provided that a/b=0.01-6.0), c=0.1-10.0, e=2.0-20.0, f=0.001-10.0, g=0-10.0, and h=0-30, and x takes a number determined by the atomic valences of the individual elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Kagaku Kogyo Co Ltd
    Inventors: Takahisa Sato, Masahiro Takata, Michio Ueshima, Isao Nagai
  • Patent number: 4538015
    Abstract: A process is provided for conducting organic compound conversion over a catalyst comprising a crystalline zeolite which has been treated by impregnation with an ammoniacal aluminum fluoride solution, contact with an ammonium salt solution, and calcination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph N. Miale, Clarence D. Chang
  • Patent number: 4537677
    Abstract: Emulsions of fluorosilicone fluids in mineral oil are disclosed. These emulsions are stabilized by a polydimethylsiloxane- polybutadiene copolymer or a polydimethylsiloxane-hydrogenated polybutadiene copolymer. The emulsions are an effective foam suppressant for organic liquids, especially crude petroleum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph W. Keil
  • Patent number: 4537676
    Abstract: A method for reducing the concentration of metal contaminants, such as vanadium and nickel, in the distillate from a petroleum fraction is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the petroleum fraction in a contacting zone with an effective amount of sulfur dioxide of a sulfur dioxide precursor at a temperature ranging between about 200.degree. C. and 450.degree. C. for a period of time ranging between about 0.01 and 5 hours after which the fraction is passed to a vacuum separation zone and separated into a distillate having a relatively low metals content and a bottoms having a relatively high metals content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Roby Bearden, Gordon F. Stuntz