Patents Examined by Philip Louie
  • Patent number: 9561990
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to make light olefins, in a combined XTO-OC process, from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising: a0) providing a first portion and a second portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock, a) providing a catalyst comprising zeolitic molecular sieves containing at least 10 membered ring pore openings or larger in their microporous structure, b) providing an XTO reaction zone, an OC reaction zone and a catalyst regeneration zone, said catalyst circulating in the three zones, such that at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst is passed to the OC reaction zone, at least a portion of the catalyst in the OC reaction zone is passed to the XTO reaction zone and at least a portion of the catalyst in the XTO reaction zone is passed to the regeneration zone; c) contacting the first portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Total Research Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Nikolai Nesterenko, Walter Vermeiren, Giacomo Grasso, Sander Van Donk, Wolfgang Garcia
  • Patent number: 9556082
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to make light olefins, in a combined XTO-OC process, from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising: a0) providing a first portion and a second portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock, a) providing a catalyst comprising zeolitic molecular sieves containing at least 10 membered ring pore openings or larger in their microporous structure, b) providing an XTO reaction zone, an OC reaction zone and a catalyst regeneration zone, said catalyst circulating in the three zones, such that at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst is passed to the OC reaction zone, optionally at least a portion of the catalyst in the OC reaction zone is passed to the XTO reaction zone and at least a portion of the catalyst in the XTO reaction zone is passed to the regeneration zone; c) contacting the first portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-contain
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Nikolai Nesterenko, Walter Vermeiren, Giacomo Grasso, Sander Van Donk, Wolfgang Garcia
  • Patent number: 9556384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting biochemical products obtained from a process of hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, which includes feeding an aqueous mixture of biomass from a preheating tube for the aqueous mixture of biomass to a vertical reactor with a predetermined level of floatation and an area for accumulation of steam and gases in the upper part thereof, wherein said method for extracting biochemical products is characterized in that it includes (a) heating the aqueous mixture of biomass to, or above, evaporation temperature in said vertical reactor and/or in a previous stage of preheating the aqueous mixture of biomass, increasing the generation of stream and/or gases at the predetermined flotation level of the vertical reactor, (b) extracting the steam and/or gases generated in the previous stage and accumulated in the upper part of the vertical reactor, and (c) cooling the gases and/or condensing the steam extracted in the previous stage at different levels of temperature and pr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: INGELIA, S.L.
    Inventors: Martin Hitzl, Michael Renz, Avelino Corma Canos
  • Patent number: 9533921
    Abstract: A method for converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon, the method comprising contacting said alcohol with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 550° C., wherein said alcohol can be produced by a fermentation process, said metal is a positively-charged metal ion, and said metal-loaded zeolite catalyst is catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC.
    Inventors: Chaitanya K. Narula, Brian H. Davison, Martin Keller
  • Patent number: 9533291
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing hydrocarbon chain length. The method comprises providing a feedstock comprising fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters with hydrocarbon chain length below C23 into a reaction zone in which ketonization is conducted in the presence of a hydrotreatment catalyst under hydrogen pressure. The obtained ketones have a hydrocarbon chain length of from C24 to C43. The present invention further provides a method for simultaneous production of base oil components and fuel components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Neste Oyj
    Inventors: Jukka Myllyoja, Pekka Aalto, Rami Piilola
  • Patent number: 9528051
    Abstract: A process for reforming hydrocarbons is presented. The process involves applying process controls over the reaction temperatures to preferentially convert a portion of the hydrocarbon stream to generate an intermediate stream, which will further react with reduced endothermicity. The intermediate stream is then processed at a higher temperature, where a second reforming reactor is operated under substantially isothermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 9505678
    Abstract: A process for producing aromatics from a hydrocarbon source in the presence of supercritical water comprising the steps of mixing a pressurized, pre-heated water stream with a pressurized, pre-heated petroleum feedstock, the pressurized, pre-heated water stream at a pressure above the critical pressure of water and a temperature above the critical temperature of water, feeding the combined stream to a supercritical water reactor to create a modified stream, cooling and depressurizing the modified stream, separating the depressurized stream in a vapor-liquid separator, condensing the vapor stream, separating the condensed stream into a water recovery stream and a light product recovery stream, extracting the aromatics from the light product recovery stream, depressurizing the liquid stream, separating the depressurized liquid stream in a heavy separator into an upgraded product stream, and recycling part of the upgraded product stream to the pressurized, pre-heated petroleum feedstock as a product recycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Joo-Hyeong Lee, Emad N. Shafei, Faisal M. Al-Faqeer
  • Patent number: 9493718
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon feeds can be hydrotreated in a continuous gas-phase environment and then dewaxed in a liquid-continuous reactor. The liquid-continuous reactor can advantageously be operated in a manner that avoids the need for a hydrogen recycle loop. A contaminant gas can be added to the hydrogen input for the liquid-continuous reactor to modify the hydrogen consumption in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard C. Dougherty, Michael A. Hayes, Benjamin S. Umansky, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9469581
    Abstract: Biobased p-cymene and methods of producing same, which can further be converted to terephtalate. Further, a method is described for converting crude sulfate turpentine recovered from chemical wood pulping into p-cymene and eventually to terephtalic acid of biological origin, and products thereof respectively. In said method, both conversion and desulfurization is realized in one reaction step. The disclosure is also related to use of zeolite catalysts in said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Jari Räsänen, Tapani Penttinen, Ali Harlin, Reetta Kaila
  • Patent number: 9469815
    Abstract: A process for catalytic cracking of a pyrolysis oil derived from material comprising biomass. In one embodiment, the process comprises subjecting a feed comprising the pyrolysis oil to a hydrodeoxygenation step to prepare an at least partially deoxygenated pyrolysis oil; heating a hydrocarbon feed to a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 50° C. to equal to or less than 200° C. to prepare a preheated hydrocarbon feed; mixing the at least partially deoxygenated pyrolysis oil and the preheated hydrocarbon feed to prepare a feed mixture; and contacting the feed mixture with a catalytic cracking catalyst in a catalytic cracking reactor at a temperature of at least 400° C. to prepare a product stream containing one or more cracked products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gang Wang, Jinsen Gao, Yantao Bi
  • Patent number: 9458067
    Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, hydrogen and benzene are introduced to a first hydroalkylation reaction zone which contains a hydroalkylation catalyst and which is operated under at least partly liquid phase conditions sufficient to effect hydroalkylation of benzene to produce a mixed liquid/vapor phase effluent comprising cyclohexylbenzene and unreacted benzene, wherein at least a portion of the unreacted benzene is in the vapor phase. At least a portion of the effluent is cooled to condense a liquid phase stream containing at least some of the cyclohexylbenzene in the effluent portion and leave a residual stream containing at least some of the unreacted benzene and cyclohexylbenzene. At least a portion of the liquid stream is recycled to the first hydroalkylation reaction zone or to contact the mixed phase effluent exiting the first hydroalkylation reaction zone. Other methods of cooling the reaction effluent are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Becker, Hari Nair, James R. Lattner, Keith H. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 9453166
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for fluid hydrocarbon product, and more specifically, to compositions and methods for fluid hydrocarbon product via catalytic pyrolysis. Some embodiments relate to methods for the production of specific aromatic products (e.g., benzene, toluene, naphthalene, xylene, etc.) via catalytic pyrolysis. Some such methods may involve the use of a composition comprising a mixture of a solid hydrocarbonaceous material and a heterogeneous pyrolytic catalyst component. In some embodiments, an olefin compound may be co-fed to the reactor and/or separated from a product stream and recycled to the reactor to improve yield and/or selectivity of certain products. The methods described herein may also involve the use of specialized catalysts. For example, in some cases, zeolite catalysts may be used. In some instances, the catalysts are characterized by particle sizes in certain identified ranges that can lead to improve yield and/or selectivity of certain products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: George H. Huber, Anne Mae Gaffney, Jungho Jae, Yu-Ting Cheng
  • Patent number: 9447332
    Abstract: A method of producing olefins and aromatic compounds from a feedstock includes introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock and a catalyst composition that is suitable for converting the feedstock to at least one of olefins and aromatic compounds within a reactor. The reactor has a reactor flow path having a length L between the inlet and outlet. The temperature in the reactor is monitored in at least one location that is at or adjacent to the inlet at a temperature-monitoring distance that is from 0.3 L or less from the inlet. In response to the monitored temperatures one or more parameters are modified. At least a portion of the feedstock is allowed to be converted to at least one of olefins and aromatic compounds within the reactor, which are removed as a product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ravichander Narayanaswamy, Krishna Kumar Ramamurthy, P. S. Sreenivasan
  • Patent number: 9428695
    Abstract: A method of producing olefins and aromatic compounds from a feedstock is accomplished by introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock and a catalyst composition within a reactor. At least a portion of the reactor is at a reactor temperature of from 470° C. to 730° C. The catalyst composition is comprised of a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst and a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst, wherein the amount of ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst makes up from greater than 0 wt. % of the total weight of the FCC catalyst and the ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. At least a portion of the feedstock is converted to products of at least one of olefins and aromatic compounds within the reactor, with at least some of the products being contained in a liquid product stream. At least a portion of the liquid product stream is directed to different downstream processes to increase production of at least one of olefins and aromatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ravichander Narayanaswamy, Krishna Kumar Ramamurthy, P. S. Sreenivasan
  • Patent number: 9416068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing liquid fuel having a high alkane content and a low oxygenized compound content, said method comprising at least: a first step of treating 2-methylfuran with a catalyst and water in reaction conditions in order to form a mixture of products with at least ten carbon atoms; and a second step of catalytic hydrogenation and dehydration of the product or the mixture obtained in step 1, using suitable hydrogenation and dehydration catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS (CSIC), UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA
    Inventors: Avelino Corma Canos, Michael Renz, Olalla De La Torre Alfaro
  • Patent number: 9388344
    Abstract: A method comprising providing a carbohydrate feed; contacting at least a portion of the carbohydrate feed directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce a first reaction product comprising a stable hydroxyl intermediate; contacting at least a portion of the first reaction product comprising the stably hydroxyl intermediates with a dehydrogenation catalyst to form a second reaction product; and contacting at least a portion of the second reaction product with a condensation catalyst comprising a base functionality to form a fuel blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Juben Nemchand Chheda, Lorna Beatriz Ortiz-Soto, Joseph Broun Powell
  • Patent number: 9382483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing hydrocarbon components, comprising: providing a feedstock comprising tall oil and terpene-based compounds; subjecting the feedstock and a hydrogen gas feed to a hydroprocessing treatment in the presence of a hydroprocessing catalyst to produce hydrocarbon components including n-paraffins, and subjecting the hydrocarbon components including n-paraffins to isomerisation in the presence of a dewaxing catalyst to form a mixture of hydrocarbon components. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing the process. The invention further relates to a use of the hydrocarbon components produced by the process as a fuel or as an additive in fuel compositions. The invention also relates to a use of a NiW catalyst on a support selected from Al2O3, zeolite, zeolite-Al2O3, and Al2O3—SiO2 for producing fuel or an additive for fuel compositions from a feedstock comprising tall oil and terpene-based compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pekka Knuuttila, Jaakko Nousiainen, Arto Rissanen
  • Patent number: 9382171
    Abstract: A process is described for producing a catalyst composition comprising an iridium component dispersed on a support. In the process, silica- o group to form an organic iridium complex on the support. The treated support is then heated in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature of about 325° C. to about 475° C. to partially decompose the organic metal complex on the support. The treated support is then heated in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of about 350° C. to about 500° C. to convert the partially decomposed organic iridium complex into the desired iridium component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Sabato Miseo, Joseph E. Baumgartner, Christine E. Kliewer, Jane C. Cheng
  • Patent number: 9382172
    Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under hydroalkylation conditions effective to form a first effluent stream comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexane, and benzene. At least a portion of the cyclohexane from the first effluent stream is then contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions effective to convert at least some of the cyclohexane into benzene contained in a second effluent stream. At least some of the hydrogen is supplied to the process so as to contact the dehydrogenation zone (e.g., the dehydrogenation catalyst) before contacting the hydroalkylation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Becker, James R. Lattner, Keith H. Kuechler, Hari Nair
  • Patent number: 9381495
    Abstract: A process is described for making renewable isobutene and renewable isoprene, comprising converting a mixed acid feed including acetic acid and propionic acid to a product mixture including isobutene and at least one or both of 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene in the presence of a catalyst, separating isobutene from the product mixture and dehydrogenating either or both of the 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene in the remainder to provide isoprene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Junming Sun, Changjun Liu, Yong Wang, Kevin Martin, Padmesh Venkitasubramanian