Patents by Inventor Bruce E. Staehle

Bruce E. Staehle 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).

  • Apparatus for improving the separation of fluids of different densities
    Patent number: 4828707
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving the separation of fluids having different densities which apparatus employs a velocity reducing distributor for directing fluids in a vertical direction through a bed of packing to coalesce the fluids and a means to alter the direction of flow of the coalesced fluids to a horizontal direction. The disclosed apparatus is of particular advantage with respect to the gravitational separation of fluids having different densities which comprise an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbonaceous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Bruce E. Staehle, David L. Holbrook
  • Apparatus for improving the separation of fluids of different densities
    Patent number: 4717481
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving the separation of fluids having different densities which apparatus employs a velocity reducing distributor for directing fluids in a vertical direction through a bed of packing to coalesce the fluids and a means to alter the direction of flow of the coalesced fluids to a horizontal direction. The disclosed apparatus is of particular advantage with respect to the gravitational separation of fluids having different densities which comprise an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbonaceous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Staehle, David L. Holbrook
  • Mercaptan extraction process
    Patent number: 4705620
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating a sour hydrocarbon stream comprising extracting the mercaptans contained in said hydrocarbon stream with an alkaline solution in an extraction zone, oxidizing the mercaptans to disulfides in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, separating said disulfide from said alkaline solution, reducing the residual disulfides in said alkaline solution to mercaptans and recycling said alkaline solution to the extraction zone. Two ways are disclosed to effect the reduction of the disulfides to mercaptans: (1) hydrogenation with a supported metal catalyst and (2) electrochemical reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Bricker, Bruce E. Staehle
  • Catalytic oxidation of mercaptan in petroleum distillate
    Patent number: 4502949
    Abstract: A process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptan which comprises reacting mercaptan contained in the hydrocarbon fraction with an oxidizing agent by contacting the hydrocarbon fraction and the oxidizing agent with a supported metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and anhydrous ammonia in the absence of an aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Frame, Russell W. Johnson, Bruce E. Staehle