Patents by Inventor Brien Stears
Brien 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).
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Patent number: 9834496Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9776170Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Mark P. Kaminsky, Andrzej Malek, Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears, Isa K. Mbaraka, Devon C. Rosenfeld
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Patent number: 9758454Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Daniela Ferrari, Brien A. Stears, Yu Liu
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Publication number: 20170248364Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Isa K. Mbaraka, William L. Jackson, JR., Martin A. Cogswell, Mark Siddoway, Brien A. Stears
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Publication number: 20170204028Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Daniela Ferrari, Brien A. Stears, Yu Liu
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Patent number: 9687765Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Matthew Pretz, Mark W. Stewart, Don F. Shaw, Brien A. Stears, Madhusudhan M. Kodam, Ben Freireich
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Patent number: 9512049Abstract: Processes for the production of alkenes are provided. The processes make use of methane as a low cost starting material.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Max Markus Tirtowidjojo, Brien A. Stears, William J. Kruper, Jr., Kurt F. Hirsekorn, Debashis Chakraborty
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Publication number: 20160289144Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Matthew T. Pretz, Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears, Mark W. Stewart
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Publication number: 20160288093Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Mark P. Kaminsky, Andrzej Malek, Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears, Isa K. Mbaraka, Devon C. Rosenfeld
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Patent number: 9346011Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventors: William J. Koros, Liren Xu, Mark K. Brayden, Marcos V. Martinez, Brien A. Stears
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Publication number: 20150298037Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Matthew Pretz, Mark W. Stewart, Don F. Shaw, Brien A. Stears, Madhusudhan M. Kodam, Ben Freireich
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Publication number: 20150202601Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Lin Luo, Brien A. Stears
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Publication number: 20150053079Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicants: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Georgia Tech Research CorporationInventors: William J. Koros, Liren Xu, Mark K. Brayden, Marcos V. Martinez, Brien A. Stears
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Publication number: 20140336431Abstract: Processes for the production of alkenes are provided. The processes make use of methane as a low cost starting material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Max Markus Tirtowidjojo, Brien Stears, William J. Kruper, JR., Kurt Frederick Hirsekorn, JR., Debashis Chakraborty
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Publication number: 20140200385Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8674149Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Robert G. Bowman, Eric E. Stangland, Mark E. Jones, Dean M. Millar, Simon G. Podkolzin, Brien A. Stears, Richard M. Wehmeyer
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Patent number: 8129436Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20110201841Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2009Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Robert G. Bowman, Eric E. Stangland, Mark E. Jones, Dean M. Millar, Simon G. Podkolzin, Brien A. Stears, Richard M. Wehmeyer
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Publication number: 20100069515Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: 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