Patents Examined by Nadine Preisch
  • Patent number: 6042717
    Abstract: An FCC feed injection arrangement injects feed transversely from the sides of a restricted opening into a stream of FCC catalyst to provide good feed and catalyst contacting in an arrangement that simplifies external pipe configurations and maintenance of the feed injection system. The invention forms a venturi or restricted opening by forming a generally square opening between two parallel extended chords on opposite sides of the riser. A venturi area may be built out of refractory lining or other abrasion resistant structures. The invention may use horizontally extended pipes that are tangentially positioned apart from each other across from the restricted opening to provide a simple construction for the feed injection arrangement. The pipes are easily inserted and withdrawn from the riser to permit easy maintenance of the nozzles in the highly erosive environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William H. Radcliffe, Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 6039863
    Abstract: A particulate catalyst is regenerated by upward transport in a combustor having an extended length and separated from combustion gases with a single stage of cyclones. The extended length combustor ends with a termination device arranged to tangentially discharge particulate catalyst and gases into an open disengaging vessel and to achieve a high separation efficiency. Initial high separation efficiency provided by the termination device permits a single downstream stage of cyclones to reduce particulate emissions to acceptable levels. The combination of the separation device and the extended combustor can accommodate changes in particulate densities in the extended combustor without inducing cyclone overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Paolo Palmas
  • Patent number: 6040258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new crystalline zeolite CIT-5 prepared using a N(16) methylsparteinium cation templating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Masahito Yoshikawa, Mark E. Davis
  • Patent number: 6034018
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for decreasing the emissions of chlorine-containing species from a moving bed process for regenerating spent catalyst particles with a recycle gas stream. A recycle gas stream contacts spent catalyst particles at regeneration conditions, thereby producing a flue gas stream. The flue gas stream which contains chlorine-containing species contacts spent catalyst particles at sorption conditions. The spent catalyst particles sorb the chlorine-containing species from the flue gas stream, thereby producing the recycle gas stream. A portion of the recycle gas stream is vented from the process. This method captures and returns to the process the chlorine-containing species that would be lost from the process and that would need to be replaced by the injection of make-up chlorine-containing species. This method results in a significant savings in capital and operating costs of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Delmar W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6027635
    Abstract: A process for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbons in a reactor with at least two rows which are parallel to each other in which at least one row is supplied with a non hydrocarbon fluid containing steam to decoke the reaction zone at least in part. At least one other row is supplied with a gaseous mixture containing at least one hydrocarbon and water, to pyrolyze said mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Institute Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Christian Busson, Henri Delhomme
  • Patent number: 6028235
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely, conveniently, and inexpensively liberating gas from gas hydrates includes the use of a device, provided adjacent to or in the bulk gas hydrates, for exposing the gas hydrates to heat from a gas or liquid (preferably steam). The gas hydrates can be directly exposed to the gas or liquid or indirectly exposed through a thermally conductive coil or channel. The heat from the gas or liquid dissociates the gas hydrates into the corresponding gas component and water component. After liberation, the gas component can be collected for further storage, transport, or use. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving at least a portion of the gas or liquid through the device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat. The device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat also can be movable, so it can be maintained in close proximity to or in contact with the gas hydrates for continued efficient gasification of the hydrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Frederick Heinemann, David Da-Teh Huang, Jinping Long, Roland Bernard Saeger
  • Patent number: 6028236
    Abstract: The process for slowing the growth and/or agglomeration of hydrates in a fluid comprising water and gases comprises adding gas hydrate growth and/or agglomeration inhibitors comprising an essentially water soluble polymer, characterized by a total number of rotational degrees of freedom per statistical repeat unit RDFTm of over 9, preferably over 10, and a degree of polymerization DP of a statistical repeat unit in the range 18/RDFTm to 200,000, preferably in the range 20/RDFTm to 100,000. The growth and/or agglomeration inhibitor(s) is/are generally incorporated into the fluid to be treated in a concentration of 0.05% to 5% by weight with respect to the amount of water in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Herve Toulhoat, Anne Sinquin
  • Patent number: 6013847
    Abstract: Benzene is hydrogenated using a platinum containing catalyst in the presence of water and an organic chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Fan-Nan Lin
  • Patent number: 6013598
    Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts for hydrodesulfurizing naphtha streams. The catalysts are comprised of a suitable support material, and about 1 to about 10 wt. % MoO.sub.3, about 0.1 to about 5 wt. % CoO supported on a suitable support material. They are also characterized as having an average medium pore diameter from about 60 .ANG. to 200 .ANG., a Co/Mo atomic ratio of about 0.1 to about 1.0, a MoO.sub.3 surface concentration of about 0.5.times.10.sup.-4 to about 3.0.times.10.sup.-4 g MoO.sub.3 /m.sup.2, and an average particle size of less than about 2.0 mm in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Mark P. Lapinski, Kenneth L. Riley, Clyde L. Aldridge, Michele S. Touvelle
  • Patent number: 6007706
    Abstract: A process for the purification of a fluid stream containing a sulphur contaminant, such as hydrogen sulphide, and mercury, phosphine, stibine, and/or arsenic compounds as a second contaminant wherein said fluid stream is passed through a bed of a particulate absorbent containing a sulphide of a variable valency metal, especially copper, that is more electropositive than mercury, to remove said second contaminant and then the sulphur contaminant is removed from at least part of the effluent from that bed by passing that part of the effluent through a bed of a particulate sulphur absorbent comprising a compound selected from oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and basic carbonates of said variable valency metal is disclosed. The removal of the sulphur contaminant converts said variable valency metal compound to the corresponding sulphide. The resulting bed of variable valency metal sulphide is subsequently used for the removal of the second contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Peter John Herbert Carnell, Edwin Stephen Willis
  • Patent number: 6004454
    Abstract: This invention discloses a dispersing-type catalyst for catalytic hydrocring of heavy oil and residuum, the preparation method thereof and a suspension bed hydrocracking process for hydrocracking of heavy oil and residuum using said catalyst. Said catalyst comprises 2 to 15 wt % Mo, 0.1 to 2 wt % Ni and 0.1-3 wt % P. The preparation method comprises dissolving oxides or salts of metals such as Mo, Ni in water. The process comprises mixing the heavy oil and residuum feedstock with the catalyst, heating the mixture and introducing the mixture into a suspension bed reactor, performing the hydrocracking reaction at 380-460.degree. C. under 10-15 MPa of hydrogen pressure, in which the catalyst is added in an amount to provide 150-150O ppm active metals. The yield of light oil according to the process is more than 70 wt %, substantially without coking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignees: China Petro-Chemical Corporation, Fushun Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, SINOPEC
    Inventors: Li Yuansheng, Wang Jun, Jiang Lijing, Zhang Zhongqing, Liu Jiduan, Ren Shuyan, Zhao Bo, Jia Yongzhong
  • Patent number: 6002062
    Abstract: Ethynylcyclopropane is prepared from (1,1-dimethoxyethyl)cyclopropane by a two-stage elimination of methanol. Ethynylcyclopropane is an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active ingredients, for example, antiviral agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Lonza AG
    Inventors: Dominique Michel, Paul Hanselmann
  • Patent number: 5997724
    Abstract: A shale oil modifier is made of a crude shale oil dehydrogenated sufficiently to attain a viscosity of between about 1200-1800 poise at 60.degree. C. The crude shale oil has sufficient basic nitrogen content so that the dehydrogenated crude shale oil exhibits non-Newtonian properties when mixed with asphalt cements. Preferably, the basic nitrogen content is about 2%-2.5% by weight. The shale oil modifier is made by a process which includes providing a crude shale oil and subjecting the crude shale oil to a two stage distillation followed by a vacuum distillation and collecting the residual fraction. The residual fraction is dehydrogenated with air until a select viscosity, preferably between about 1200-1800 poise at 60.degree. C. is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: The New Paraho Corporation
    Inventor: Larry A Lukens
  • Patent number: 5997726
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon catalytic cracking process in which, a substantial portion of the hydrocarbons is pulverized and placed in contact with a specific contact zone, which is composed of: a mixing chamber having a maximum section S.sub.2, the upper part of which is fed with a heated regenerated catalyst through an upper opening delimiting a catalyst-flow section S.sub.1, and a descending-flow reaction area, in which the solid-gas mixture emanating from the mixing chamber is poured through an intermediate opening having a section S.sub.3 located in the lower part of said chamber. The ratios S.sub.2 /S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 /S.sub.3 have values of between 1.5 and 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Fersing, Mariano Del Pozo, Thierry Gauthier
  • Patent number: 5994606
    Abstract: A method for dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon, which comprises selectively oxidizing hydrogen in a gas mixture which is obtained by subjecting a feed hydrocarbon to a dehydrogenation reaction in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst and which comprises a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon, an unreacted feed hydrocarbon and hydrogen, by contacting the gas mixture with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, and further subjecting a hydrocarbon-containing gas obtained by the oxidation reaction to a dehydrogenation reaction, wherein a catalyst comprising a component having platinum and/or palladium supported on a carrier obtained by calcining at least one member selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide and niobium oxide, at a temperature of from 800.degree. C. to 1,500.degree. C., is used as the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoatsu Iwakura, Makoto Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 5989457
    Abstract: A catalyst for the production of synthesis gas (CO and H.sub.2) by reaction of CO.sub.2 and CH.sub.4 and/or other light hydrocarbons, having a support material with at least 80 wt. % ZrO.sub.2 of oxides selected from the group of Y, La, Al, Ca, Ce and Si, as well as of a coating with metals of Group VIII which is applied physically by adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft & K.T.I. Group B.V.
    Inventors: Kulathu-Iyer Seshan, Julian Richard H. Ross, Patrick Dennis L. Mercera, Erzeng Xue
  • Patent number: 5989410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the pour point of a feedstock that comprises paraffins of more than 10 carbon atoms, in which the feedstock that is to be treated is brought into contact with a catalyst that comprises the IM-5 zeolite and at least one hydro-dehydrogenating element, at a temperature of between 170 and 500.degree. C., a pressure of between 1 and 250 bar, and an hourly volume velocity of between 0.05 and 100 h.sup.-1, in the presence of hydrogen at a ratio of 50 to 2000 l/l of feedstock. The oils that are obtained have good pour points and high viscosity indices (VI). The process can also be applied to gas-oils and other feedstocks whose pour points need to be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Eric Benazzi, Nathalie George-Marchal, Christophe Gueret, Patrick Briot, Alain Billon, Pierre Marion
  • Patent number: 5981820
    Abstract: A process and catalyst for isomerizing olefins are disclosed. The process and catalyst are particularly useful for isomerizing alkenyl bridged ring compounds to the corresponding alkyladiene bridged ring compounds. In one embodiment, the isomerization catalyst comprises an oxygen treated mixture of an alkali metal on a dried support having a surface area of 125 to 195 m.sup.2 /g when the support consists essentially of alumina wherein the alumina precursor is a large crystallite pseudoboehmite. The catalyst is particularly useful for isomerizing 5-vinyl-2-norbornene to 5-ethylidiene-2-norbornene. The catalyst is very active and highly selective and resistant to catalyst poisons. The process contacts the catalyst with an alkenyl bridged ring compound and yields the corresponding alkyladiene bridged ring compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Smith, Christopher Lynn Becker
  • Patent number: 5980729
    Abstract: A hydrocracking process wherein a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and a hot hydrocracking zone effluent containing hydrogen is passed to a denitrification and desulfurization reaction zone to produce hydrogen sulfide and ammonia to thereby clean up the fresh feedstock. The resulting hot, uncooled effluent from the denitrification and desulfurization zone is hydrogen stripped in a stripping zone maintained at essentially the same pressure as the preceding reaction zone with a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream to produce a vapor stream comprising hydrogen, hydrocarbonaceous compounds boiling at a temperature below the boiling range of the fresh feedstock, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, and a liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Vasant P. Thakkar
  • Patent number: 5981816
    Abstract: The inhibiting or retarding hydrate formation, growth and/or agglomeration in a fluid comprising water and gases, is accomplished by addition of at least one hydrosoluble homopolymer or copolymer derived from at least one nitrogen-containing monomer selected from cationic monomers, for example those containing at least one quaternary ammonium moiety, amphoteric monomers, for example those containing at least one quaternary ammonium moiety and at least one carboxylate or sulphonate moiety, and various neutral monomers, said hydrosoluble homopolymer or copolymer being neutral or anionic, or consisting of a polyampholyte. The homopolymer, copolymer or mixture of polymers optionally mixed with an alcohol is generally incorporated into the fluid to be treated at a concentration of 0.05% to 5% by weight with respect to the quantity of water in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Anne Sinquin, Marie Velly, Jean-Pierre Durand