Patents by Inventor Charles M. Sorensen

Charles M. Sorensen 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).

  • Publication number: 20040118747
    Abstract: Desulfurization reactors, and fuel desulfurization systems incorporating them, comprise monolithic sulfur-adsorbent reactor packings having internal void spaces bounded by internal fuel contacting surfaces that support or contain active sulfur adsorbents for sulfur trapping, the reactors providing efficient fuel feed desulfurization at high liquid and/or gas feed rates and low pressure drops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Willard A. Cutler, Lin He, Lorraine K. Owens, Charles M. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6716339
    Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbons such as gas oil feedstocks are hydrotreated by passing feedstreams comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid hydrocarbons through a catalyst bed comprising honeycomb or similarly structured monolithic hydrotreating catalysts at controlled superficial liquid linear velocities and gas:liquid feedstream ratios; good hydrotreating selectivity and high one-pass conversion rates for sulfur and other heteroatoms are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Charles M. Sorensen, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040004031
    Abstract: Systems and processes for the hydrotreatment of pyrolysis gasoline comprising reactors, monolithic catalyst beds and hydrogen-containing treatment gases that allow for improved efficiency and productivity over conventional trickle bed processes and systems for such hydrotreatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Thorsten R. Boger, Shantanu Roy, Charles M. Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20030162650
    Abstract: Structured zeolite coated structures comprising thick porous inorganic zeolite coatings disposed on monolithic support structures, which can be honeycomb shaped, are disclosed. The zeolite coatings have open interconnected pores of controlled pore size and are characterized by improved durability, physical integrity, and adherence sufficient to enable use as supports for catalysts in liquid phase applications under harsh reaction conditions. Methods for making zeolite coated structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Paulo Marques, Christophe Remy, Charles M. Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20030146131
    Abstract: Systems, processes, and reactors for the catalytic reforming of naphtha are provided. Embodiments of the invention include reactors comprising monolithic catalyst having honeycomb-type structure that allows for improved efficiency, productivity, and reaction selectivity over conventional catalytic reforming technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Thorsten R. Boger, Charles M. Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20030100448
    Abstract: Monolithic metallic catalyst substrates offering improved heat conductivity are provided from metal powder extrusion batches of copper, tin, zinc, aluminum, iron, silver, nickel, and mixtures and alloys thereof by extrusion through a honeycomb extrusion die followed by drying and firing in a two stage firing process to oxidize organic extrusion batch components, remove residual oxides from the porous wall structure, and consolidate the metal powders to strong, integral honeycomb support structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Willard A. Cutler, Lin He, Anthony R. Olszewski, Charles M. Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20030015457
    Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbons such as gas oil feedstocks are hydrotreated by passing feedstreams comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid hydrocarbons through a catalyst bed comprising honeycomb or similarly structured monolithic hydrotreating catalysts at controlled superficial liquid linear velocities and gas:liquid feedstream ratios; good hydrotreating selectivity and high one-pass conversion rates for sulfur and other heteroatoms are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Charles M. Sorensen,
  • Publication number: 20020119082
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for maintaining a volumetric gas to liquid ratio in a segmented gas/liquid flow along a reactor of monolithic catalyst beds in series. The present invention includes the steps of: initiating the segmented gas/liquid flow at a first end of the reactor by introducing feed liquid and feed gas both at a predetermined volume and a predetermined flow rate; injecting an additional amount of gas at least once into any of the spaces between catalyst beds; and combining the segments of the segmented gas/liquid flow at a second end of the reactor. The injection of gas is controlled such that the segmented gas/liquid flow can be maintained near or at the Taylor regime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Didier Letourneur, Charles M. Sorensen, Pierre Woehl
  • Patent number: 5865986
    Abstract: This is a process for upgrading a petroleum naphtha fraction. The naphtha is subjected to reforming and the reformate is cascaded to a benzene and toluene synthesis zone over a benzene and toluene synthesis catalyst comprising a molecular sieve of low acid activity. The preferred molecular sieve is steamed ZSM-5. The benzene and toluene synthesis zone is operated under conditions compatible with the conditions of the reformer such as pressures of above about 50 psig (446 kPa) and temperatures above about 800.degree. F. (427.degree. C). In one aspect of the invention, the benzene and toluene synthesis catalyst includes a metal hydrogenation component such as cobalt, nickel, platinum or palladium. In one mode of operation, the benzene and toluene synthesis catalyst replaces at least a portion of the catalyst of the reformer. The process produces a product containing an increased proportion of benzene and toluene, and a reduced proportion of C8 aromatics, particularly ethylbenzenes, as compared to the reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: John Scott Buchanan, Jane C. Cheng, David G. Freyman, Werner Otto Haag, Mohsen N. Harandi, Dominick N. Mazzone, Roger A. Morrison, Norman J. Rouleau, Charles M. Sorensen, Hye Kyung C. Timken, Robert Adams Ware
  • Patent number: 5288924
    Abstract: A method for starting up a fixed bed propylene hydration reactor containing shape selective metallosilicate catalyst particles for the production of isopropanol and/or diisopropyl ether is disclosed comprising the following sequential steps: contacting a feedstream comprising propane with catalyst particles in a hydration reactor; then introducing a feedstream comprising isopropanol into the reactor to displace propane. Next, a feedstream comprising propylene is introduced into the reactor under etherification conditions. Finally, a feedstream is introduced in the reactor comprising water under etherification and hydration reaction conditions whereby diisopropyl ether and isopropanol are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Charles M. Sorensen, James A. Stoos, Robert A. Ware
  • Patent number: 5157192
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of tertiary alcohols to C.sub.8 + olefin products over a zeolite catalyst, such as zeolite Beta. The process is particularly useful for the conversion of t-butyl alcohol to 2,2,4-trimethyl pentene. A two-step partial oxidation/dimerization process to yield C.sub.8 + olefin products is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Charles M. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5144084
    Abstract: Olefins are converted to alcohols and/or ethers employing, as catalyst, an acidic zeolite which has been bound with an essentially non-acidic refractory oxide of at least one metal of Group IVA and/or IVB of the Period Table of the Elements, e.g., silica, titania, zirconia and/or germania.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Sorensen, Philip Varghese, David O. Marler
  • Patent number: 5132020
    Abstract: A process for the sorption of alcohols by using zeolite Beta as a sorbent. The process is useful for separating alcohols, such as isopropanol and phenol, from an aqueous solution. the process is also useful for separating alcohols from an alcohol-containing vapor stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
    Inventor: Charles M. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5105023
    Abstract: A process for converting light olefin to alcohol(s), ether(s) or mixtures of alcohol(s) and ether(s) which comprises contacting a feed containing at least one light olefin with water in the vapor and/or liquid phase under olefin hydration conditions in the presence of acidic zeolite MCM-22 as olefin hydration catalyst to produce said alcohol(s) and/or ether(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
    Inventors: David O. Marler, Charles M. Sorensen, Philip Varghese
  • Patent number: 5080691
    Abstract: Light olefins are converted to gasoline with a high enough content of ethers to provide a significant octane improvement over a base (or `cracking`) gasoline (clear RON=90-92; clear MON=79-80). One portion of the olefins is hydrated to produce alcohols, and the other is used to synthesize an olefin-rich gasoline. The alcohols are used to etherify the gasoline. The combination of unit operations minimizes the energy needed to run the process for which no external solvent is needed. The process capitalizes on the higher solubility in gasoline of ethanol, propanol and butanol, compared to methanol. Besides having very low solubility in gasoline, etherification with methanol or ethanol produces an inadequately rewarding increase in octane number, compared to propanol or isopropanol. Taking advantage of the inherent chemical and physical properties of C.sub.3 -C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
    Inventors: Charles M. Sorensen, Sadi Mizrahi, Samuel A. Tabak
  • Patent number: 5078751
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for upgrading C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 olefin-containing gasoline to a high octane motor gasoline blending component.C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefins are hydrated to alcohols and then selectively removed from the aqueous hydration reactor effluent stream via liquid extraction with the gasoline feedstream. The alcohol enriched gasoline extract stream is then etherified and unreacted alcohols are extracted to yield a high octane gasoline blending component free of metal-bearing additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Sadi Mizrahi, Charles M. Sorensen, Samuel A. Tabak
  • Patent number: 4967020
    Abstract: A process for converting propylene to isopropyl alcohol by contacting water with a propylene-containing feed at a mole ratio of water to propylene of at least about 0.5:1 (water:olefin), usually about 1:1-10:1 in the vapor and/or liquid phase under propylene hydration conditions. The hydration is carried out in the presence of a relatively constrained intermediate pore size zeolite such as ZSM-35 or ferrierite as the hydration catalyst. The zeolite is used in the acid form and with a crystal size of not more than 0.2.mu. to give high activity for conversion to isopropyl alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: David O. Marler, Charles M. Sorensen, Philip Varghese
  • Patent number: 4906787
    Abstract: Olefins undergo conversion in the presence of water and recycled alcohol to a mixture of alcohol and ether which is then subjected to various downstream operations including distillation and extraction or decantation to provide an ether-rich product containing little if any alcohol or water. The foregoing process is especially suitable to the conversion of propylene and propylene-containing streams to diisopropyl ether which is useful, inter alia, as an octane improver for gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy J. Huang, Charles M. Sorensen, Philip Varghese
  • Patent number: 4886918
    Abstract: Light olefin is introduced at multiple points of entry into a conversion unit subdivided into first and second reaction zones. Reaction of olefin with water takes place in the first reaction zone under conditions intended to promote the production of alcohol therein and in the second reaction zone, alcohol produced in the first reaction zone is both dehydrated and reacted with olefin under conditions intended to promote the production of ether therein. The same or different shape selective acidic zeolites are employed as catalysts in both reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Sorensen, Philip Varghese
  • Patent number: 4754100
    Abstract: An improved process is described for converting propane to more valuable hydrocarbons such as butanes and C.sub.5.sup.+ aliphatics over an acidic catalyst having the structure of ZSM-5 by adding a mono- olefin to the propane feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Sorensen, Rene B. LaPierre, Roger A. Morrison, Philip Varghese