Patents by Inventor Bruce Leo Williams

Bruce Leo Williams 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: 10328420
    Abstract: Crystalline zeolites having a FER framework type wherein the crystallites have a dimension in the c-axis of about 500 nanometers (nm) or less, a method for their preparation and a process for the co-production of acetic acid and dimethyl ether comprising the step of contacting methyl acetate and methanol in the presence of catalysts comprising the crystalline zeolites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Clark, Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Publication number: 20180036722
    Abstract: Crystalline zeolites having a FER framework type wherein the crystallites have a dimension in the c-axis of about 500 nanometres (nm) or less, a method for their preparation and a process for the co-production of acetic acid and dimethyl ether comprising the step of contacting methyl acetate and methanol in the presence of catalysts comprising the crystalline zeolites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Clark, Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 9873112
    Abstract: Process for the co-production of acetic acid and dimethyl ether by contacting methyl acetate and methanol in the presence of a catalyst containing a crystalline zeolite having a FER framework type. The zeolite has crystallites having a dimension of about 500 nm or less in the c-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: BP CHEMICALS LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Clark, Evert Jan Ditzel, David John Law, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 9302253
    Abstract: Process for the co-production of acetic acid and dimethyl ether products from a mixture of methanol and methyl acetate by contacting the mixture at a temperature from 200 to 260° C., with a catalyst composition containing a zeolite possessing a 2-dimensional channel system. The catalyst system contains at least one channel having a 10-membered ring and a silica:alumina molar ratio of at least 22:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: BP CHEMICALS LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Clark, David John Law, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Publication number: 20150375217
    Abstract: Crystalline zeolites having a FER framework type wherein the crystallites have a dimension in the c-axis of about 500 nanometres (nm) or less, a method for their preparation and a process for the co-production of acetic acid and dimethyl ether comprising the step of contacting methyl acetate and methanol in the presence of catalysts comprising the crystalline zeolites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Clark, Evert Jan DITZEL, David John LAW, Bruce Leo WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20150352535
    Abstract: A process for the co-production of acetic acid and dimethyl ether products from a mixture of methanol and methyl acetate by contacting the mixture at a temperature from 200 to 260° C., with a catalyst composition comprising a zeolite possessing a 2-dimensional channel system comprising at least one channel having a 10-membered ring and a silica:alumina molar ratio of at least 22:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Clark, David John Law, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 7718811
    Abstract: A process for reacting in a fluid bed reactor at least one oxidisable reactant with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytically active fluidised bed of solid particles. In the process a molecular oxygen-containing gas having an oxygen concentration greater than that of air is introduced into the fluidised bed whilst the fluidised bed is maintained in a turbulent regime. The process is suitable for oxidation, ammoxidation and carboxylation processes, including the production of maleic anhydride, acrylonitrile, ethylene, acetic acid and vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Ineos Europe Limited
    Inventors: Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, George Fredrick Salem, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Publication number: 20090030225
    Abstract: A process for reacting in a fluid bed reactor at least one oxidisable reactant with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytically active fluidised bed of solid particles. In the process a molecular oxygen-containing gas having an oxygen concentration greater than that of air is introduced into the fluidised bed whilst the fluidised bed is maintained in a turbulent regime. The process is suitable for oxidation, ammoxidation and carboxylation processes, including the production of maleic anhydride, acrylonitrile, ethylene, acetic acid and vinyl acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, George Fredrick Salem, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Publication number: 20080249331
    Abstract: A microspheroidal support for the manufacture of a vinyl acetate catalyst which support comprises substantially inert microspheroidal particles of a mixture of silica and 0.5 to 5 wt % (based on the total weight of the support) of aluminium oxide. A vinyl acetate catalyst comprising the microspheroidal support, palladium, at least one metal, M, selected from the group consisting of gold, cerium, copper and mixtures thereof and at least one metal. A, selected from the group consisting of Group I, Group II, lanthanide and transition metal promoters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Edward Allan, John William Couves, George Frederick Salem, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 7262322
    Abstract: An oxidation process for the production of alkenes and carboxylic acids from a feed comprising alkene and/or alkane, carbon monoxide, a molecular oxygen containing gas and optionally water in the presence of an oxidation catalyst in which the level of carbon monoxide is maintained between 1% and 20% by volume of the total feed to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Ewen James Ferguson, Andrew Richard Lucy, Mark Stephen Roberts, Diana Rachel Taylor, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 7211688
    Abstract: Process for producing an alkyl carboxylate, comprising contacting in an oxidation reaction zone a C2 to C4 alkane, a molecular oxygen-containing gas, the corresponding alkene and optionally water, in the presence of at least one catalyst active for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a first product stream comprising alkene, unreacted alkane, carboxylic acid and water; separating in a first separation means at least a portion of the product stream produced in the oxidation reaction zone into a gaseous stream comprising alkene and unreacted alkane and a liquid stream comprising carboxylic acid and water; and separating by chemical treatment at least a portion of the gaseous stream obtained from the first separation means into respective streams rich in alkene and alkane; wherein the chemical treatment comprises the steps of: (1) contacting the alkene/alkane gaseous stream with a solution of a metal salt capable of selectively chemically absorbing the alkene t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Robert William Clarke, Robert Croll, Andrew Richard Lucy, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 7189871
    Abstract: A process for reacting in a fluid bed reactor at least one oxidizable reactant with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytically active fluidized bed of solid particles. In the process a molecular oxygen-containing gas having an oxygen concentration greater than that of air is introduced into the fluidized bed while the fluidized bed is maintained in a turbulent regime. The process is suitable for oxidation, ammoxidation and carboxylation processes, including the production of maleic anhydride, acrylonitrile, ethylene, acetic acid and vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, George Fredrick Salem, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 7145033
    Abstract: A process for reacting in a fluid bed reactor at least one oxidizable reactant with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytically active fluidized bed of solid particles. In the process a molecular oxygen-containing gas having an oxygen concentration greater than that of air is introduced into the fluidized bed while the fluidized bed is maintained in a turbulent regime. The process is suitable for oxidation, ammoxidation and carboxylation processes, including the production of maleic anhydride, acrylonitrile, ethylene, acetic acid and vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, George Fredrick Salem, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 6913734
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting (a) at least one gaseous reactant and (b) at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of reactants, coolants and mixtures thereof in the presence of a fluidized bed of catalyst, in which the liquid is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone and the gaseous reactant is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone adjacent the support means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Stanley John Becker, Timothy Crispin Bristow, Robert William Clarke, Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, Ian All Beattie Reid, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 6602476
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for heat exchange with fluid beds comprises heat-exchange tubes located longitudinally with respect to the axis of a fluidization zone with a rectangular pitch, one side of which having a length at least one and a half times the length of the other side and/or with a triangular pitch, having two sides each at least one and a half times the length of the shortest side reduces the impact of the heat-exchange tubes on the fluidization characteristics of the fluid bed. The invention is particularly suitable for oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a fluid bed of fluidizable catalyst, such as (a) the acetoxylation of olefins, (b) the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid and/or the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, (c) the ammoxidation of propylene and/or propane to acrylonitrile and (d) the oxidation of C4's to maleic anhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Stanley John Becker, Timothy Crispin Bristow, Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Publication number: 20030109746
    Abstract: A process for reacting in a fluid bed reactor at least one oxidisable reactant with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytically active fluidised bed of solid particles. In the process a molecular oxygen-containing gas having an oxygen concentration greater than that of air is introduced into the fluidised bed whilst the fluidised bed is maintained in a turbulent regime. The process is suitable for oxidation, ammoxidation and carboxylation processes, including the production of maleic anhydride, acrylonitrile, ethylene, acetic acid and vinyl acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, George Fredrick Salem, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 6448432
    Abstract: A process for the fluid bed production of vinyl acetate which comprises reacting ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas in a fluid bed reactor at elevated temperature in the presence of a fluidised bed of catalyst, in which process, catalyst is added to said fluidised bed of catalyst, wherein the overall catalytic activity of the fluidised bed of catalyst is controlled to a pre-determined value by adjusting the activity and/or adjusting the rate of addition of said added catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventor: Bruce Leo Williams
  • Publication number: 20020074107
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for heat exchange with fluid beds comprises heat-exchange tubes located longitudinally with respect to the axis of a fluidization zone with a rectangular pitch, one side of which having a length at least one and a half times the length of the other side and/or with a triangular pitch, having two sides each at least one and a half times the length of the shortest side reduces the impact of the heat-exchange tubes on the fluidization characteristics of the fluid bed. The invention is particularly suitable for oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a fluid bed of fluidizable catalyst, such as (a) the acetoxylation of olefins, (b) the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid and/or the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, (c) the ammoxidation of propylene and/or propane to acrylonitrile and (d) the oxidation of C4's to maleic anhydride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Stanley John Becker, Timothy Crispin Bristow, Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 6350901
    Abstract: In a process for production of vinyl acetate in which ethylene, liquid acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas are fed to a fluid bed reactor containing a catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal, a promoter and a co-promoter, stickiness of the catalyst is reduced by limiting the amount of co-promoter to up to 6% by weight of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Simon James Kitchen, George Frederick Salem, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: RE44206
    Abstract: An oxidation process for the production of alkenes and carboxylic acids from a feed comprising alkene and/or alkane, carbon monoxide, a molecular oxygen containing gas and optionally water in the presence of an oxidation catalyst in which the level of carbon monoxide is maintained between 1% and 20% by volume of the total feed to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Ewen James Ferguson, Andrew Richard Lucy, Mark Stephen Roberts, Diana Rachel Taylor, Bruce Leo Williams