Patents by Inventor Brien A. Stears

Brien A. Stears has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9834496
    Abstract: Increase propane dehydrogenation activity of a partially deactivated dehydrogenation catalyst by heating the partially deactivated catalyst to a temperature of at least 660° C., conditioning the heated catalyst in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and, optionally, stripping molecular oxygen from the conditioned catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Pretz, Lin Luo, Susan Domke, Howard W. Clark, Richard A. Pierce, Andrzej M. Malek, Mark W. Stewart, Brien A. Stears, Albert E. Schweizer, Jr., Guido Capone, Duncan P. Coffey, Isa K. Mbaraka
  • Patent number: 9776170
    Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst suitable for use in alkane dehydrogenation has an active layer that includes alumina and gallia. The active layer is dispersed on a support such as alumina or silica-modified alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark P. Kaminsky, Andrzej Malek, Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears, Isa K. Mbaraka, Devon C. Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 9758454
    Abstract: Convert dichloroisopropyl ether into a halogenated derivative by contacting the dichloroisopropyl ether with a source of hydrogen and a select heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst under process conditions selected from a combination of a temperature within a range of from 50 degrees centigrade (° C.) to 350° C., a pressure within a range of from atmospheric pressure (0.1 megapascals) to 1000 pounds per square inch (6.9 MPa), a liquid feed volume flow to catalyst mass ratio between 0.5 and 10 L/Kg*h and a volume hydrogen/volume liquid ratio between 100 and 5000 ml gas/ml liquid. The halogenated derivative is at least one of 1-chloro-2-propanol and 1,2-dichloropropane 1, and glycerin monochlorohydrin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daniela Ferrari, Brien A. Stears, Yu Liu
  • Publication number: 20170248364
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for recovery of C2 and C3 components in an on-purpose propylene production system utilizing a packed rectifier with a countercurrent stream to strip C2 and C3 components from a combined de-ethanizer overhead lights vapor and cracked gas vapor stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Isa K. Mbaraka, William L. Jackson, JR., Martin A. Cogswell, Mark Siddoway, Brien A. Stears
  • Publication number: 20170204028
    Abstract: Convert dichloroisopropyl ether into a halogenated derivative by contacting the dichloroisopropyl ether with a source of hydrogen and a select heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst under process conditions selected from a combination of a temperature within a range of from 50 degrees centigrade (° C.) to 350° C., a pressure within a range of from atmospheric pressure (0.1 mega-pascals) to 1000 pounds per square inch (6.9 MPa), a liquid feed volume flow to catalyst mass ratio between 0.5 and 10 L/Kg*h and a volume hydrogen/volume liquid ratio between 100 and 5000 ml gas/ml liquid. The halogenated derivative is at least one of 1-chloro-2-propanol and 1,2-dichloropropane 1, and glycerin monochlorohydrin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daniela Ferrari, Brien A. Stears, Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 9687765
    Abstract: An improved process and an improved apparatus for minimizing attrition of catalyst particles, especially propane dehydrogenation catalyst particles, entrained in a combined flow of such particles and an entraining gas in a catalyst recovery means during separation of such particles from the entraining gas, by use of a pre-treatment step in which the combined flow is at a rate between 7.6 and 15.2 meters per second are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Pretz, Mark W. Stewart, Don F. Shaw, Brien A. Stears, Madhusudhan M. Kodam, Ben Freireich
  • Patent number: 9512049
    Abstract: Processes for the production of alkenes are provided. The processes make use of methane as a low cost starting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Max Markus Tirtowidjojo, Brien A. Stears, William J. Kruper, Jr., Kurt F. Hirsekorn, Debashis Chakraborty
  • Publication number: 20160289144
    Abstract: Manage sulfur present as sulfur or a sulfur compound in a hydrocarbon feedstream while effecting dehydrogenation of hydrocarbon(s) (e.g. propane) contained in the hydrocarbon feedstream to its/their corresponding olefin (e.g. propylene where the hydrocarbon is propane) without subjecting the feedstream to desulfurization before it contacts a fluidizable dehydrogenation catalyst that is both a desulfurant and a dehydrogenation catalyst and comprises gallium and platinum on an alumina or alumina-silica catalyst support with optional alkaline or alkaline earth metal such as potassium. Contact with such a catalyst yields a desulfurized crude olefin product that corresponds to the hydrocarbon and has a reduced amount of sulfur or sulfur compounds relative to the sulfur or sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstream prior to contact with the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew T. Pretz, Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears, Mark W. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20160288093
    Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst suitable for use in alkane dehydrogenation has an active layer that includes alumina and gallia. The active layer is dispersed on a support such as alumina or silica-modified alumina.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Mark P. Kaminsky, Andrzej Malek, Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears, Isa K. Mbaraka, Devon C. Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 9346011
    Abstract: A hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, a process for preparing the hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, and a process for effecting separation of an olefin from a gaseous mixture that comprises the olefin in admixture with its corresponding paraffin and optionally one or more gaseous components selected from hydrogen, an olefin other than the olefin and a paraffin other than the corresponding paraffin. The process and membrane may also be used to effect separation of the olefin(s) from remaining feedstream components subsequent to an olefin-paraffin separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventors: William J. Koros, Liren Xu, Mark K. Brayden, Marcos V. Martinez, Brien A. Stears
  • Publication number: 20150298037
    Abstract: An improved process and an improved apparatus for minimizing attrition of catalyst particles, especially propane dehydrogenation catalyst particles, entrained in a combined flow of such particles and an entraining gas in a catalyst recovery means during separation of such particles from the entraining gas, by use of a pre-treatment step in which the combined flow is at a rate between 7.6 and 15.2 meters per second are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew Pretz, Mark W. Stewart, Don F. Shaw, Brien A. Stears, Madhusudhan M. Kodam, Ben Freireich
  • Publication number: 20150202601
    Abstract: A catalyst comprising a Group IIIA metal, a Group VIII noble metal, and an optional promoter metal, on a support selected from silica, alumina, silica-alumina compositions, rare earth modified alumina, and combinations thereof, doped with iron, a Group VIB metal, a Group VB metal, or a combination thereof, offers decreased reactivation time under air soak in comparison with otherwise identical catalysts. Reducing reactivation time may, in turn, reduce costs, both in inventory and capital.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears
  • Publication number: 20150053079
    Abstract: A hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, a process for preparing the hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, and a process for effecting separation of an olefin from a gaseous mixture that comprises the olefin in admixture with its corresponding paraffin and optionally one or more gaseous components selected from hydrogen, an olefin other than the olefin and a paraffin other than the corresponding paraffin. The process and membrane may also be used to effect separation of the olefin(s) from remaining feedstream components subsequent to an olefin-paraffin separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicants: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Koros, Liren Xu, Mark K. Brayden, Marcos V. Martinez, Brien A. Stears
  • Publication number: 20140336431
    Abstract: Processes for the production of alkenes are provided. The processes make use of methane as a low cost starting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Max Markus Tirtowidjojo, Brien Stears, William J. Kruper, JR., Kurt Frederick Hirsekorn, JR., Debashis Chakraborty
  • Publication number: 20140200385
    Abstract: Increase propane dehydrogenation activity of a partially deactivated dehydrogenation catalyst by heating the partially deactivated catalyst to a temperature of at least 660° C, conditioning the heated catalyst in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and, optionally, stripping molecular oxygen from the conditioned catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Matthew T. Pretz, LIn Luo, Susan Domke, Howard W. Clark, Richard A. Pierce, Andrzej M. Malek, Mark W. Stewart, Brien A. Stears, Albert E. Schweizer, JR., Guido Capore, Duncan P. Coffey, Isa K. Mbaraka
  • Patent number: 8674149
    Abstract: Oxidatively halogenate methane by placing a feedstream that comprises methane, a source of halogen, a source of oxygen and, optionally, a source of diluent gas in contact with a first catalyst (e.g. a solid super acid or a solid super base) that has greater selectivity to methyl halide and carbon monoxide than to methylene halide, trihalomethane or carbon tetrahalide. Improve overall selectivity to methyl halide by using a second catalyst that converts at least part of the feedstream to a mixture of methyl halide, methylene halide, trihalomethane, carbon tetrahalide and unreacted oxygen, and placing that mixture in contact with the first catalyst which converts at least a portion of the methylene halide, trihalomethane and carbon tetrahalide to carbon monoxide, hydrogen halide and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Bowman, Eric E. Stangland, Mark E. Jones, Dean M. Millar, Simon G. Podkolzin, Brien A. Stears, Richard M. Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 8129436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for simplifying manufacture of a mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate product from synthesis gas. The mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate product contains ethanol and other oxygenates with two or more carbon atoms per molecule. The method includes stripping a portion of carbon dioxide and inert gases contained in a mixed alcohol synthesis reaction product using a methanol-containing stream, such as one produced as part of the method, as a medium to absorb said carbon dioxide and inert gases and recycling light products and heavy products to one or more of synthesis gas generation, mixed alcohol synthesis and separation of desired mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate products from other components of a mixed alcohol synthesis stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Max M. Tirtowidjojo, Barry B. Fish, Hendrik L. Pelt, Dennis W. Jewell, Mark D. Bearden, John G. Pendergast, Jr., Jon H. Siddall, Brien A. Stears, Haivan D. Tran, Jan W. Verwijs, Aaltje Verwijs-van den Brink, legal representative, Lena Verwijs, legal representative, Hendrika Gerrita Verwijs, legal representative, Richard M. Wehmeyer
  • Publication number: 20110201841
    Abstract: Oxidatively halogenate methane by placing a feedstream that comprises methane, a source of halogen, a source of oxygen and, optionally, a source of diluent gas in contact with a first catalyst (e.g. a solid super acid or a solid super base) that has greater selectivity to methyl halide and carbon monoxide than to methylene halide, trihalomethane or carbon tetrahalide. Improve overall selectivity to methyl halide by using a second catalyst that converts at least part of the feedstream to a mixture of methyl halide, methylene halide, trihalomethane, carbon tetrahalide and unreacted oxygen, and placing that mixture in contact with the first catalyst which converts at least a portion of the methylene halide, trihalomethane and carbon tetrahalide to carbon monoxide, hydrogen halide and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Robert G. Bowman, Eric E. Stangland, Mark E. Jones, Dean M. Millar, Simon G. Podkolzin, Brien A. Stears, Richard M. Wehmeyer
  • Publication number: 20100069515
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for simplifying manufacture of a mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate product from synthesis gas. The mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate product contains ethanol and other oxygenates with two or more carbon atoms per molecule. The method includes stripping a portion of carbon dioxide and inert gases contained in a mixed alcohol synthesis reaction product using a methanol-containing stream, such as one produced as part of the method, as a medium to absorb said carbon dioxide and inert gases and recycling light products and heavy products to one or more of synthesis gas generation, mixed alcohol synthesis and separation of desired mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate products from other components of a mixed alcohol synthesis stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Max M. Tirtowidjojo, Barry B. Fish, Hendrik L. Pelt, Dennis W. Jewell, Mark D. Bearden, John G. Pendergast, JR., Jon H. Siddall, Brien A. Stears, Haivan D. Tran, Jan W. Verwijs, Richard M. Wehmeyer