Patents by Inventor Christopher Naunheimer

Christopher Naunheimer 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: 20110147264
    Abstract: Systems and processes for the hydroprocessing of a hydrocarbonaceous feed are provided that utilize a plurality of moving bed reactors. The reactors may be moving bed radial flow reactors. A hydrogen injection point can be provided prior to each reactor by providing a mixer that mixes hydrogen with a hydrocarbonaceous feed, or with the effluent stream from an upstream reactor, to produce a reactor feed stream. Catalyst can be provided from the reaction zone of one reactor to the reaction zone of a downstream reactor through catalyst transfer pipes, and can be regenerated after passing through the reaction zones of the reactors. The moving bed reactors can be stacked in one or more reactor stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Clayton C. Sadler, Mary Jo Wier, Laurence O. Stine, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7906081
    Abstract: A milled plate is presented that is provided for use in a radial flow reactor. The milled plate has narrow slots milled in the plate on the solid particle side and slots of slightly greater width milled on the fluid side of the plate. The plates provide strength to support the pressure from solid particles that currently is not present in wire screen meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7901640
    Abstract: A new reactor design is presented for a counter-current flowing reactor. The reactor has a catalyst flowing down through the reactor, and over baffles. Gas is admitted under the baffles and flows up through the solid catalyst bed. The design includes slotted plates that extend from the bottom of the baffle in the reactor to a position near the catalyst outlet. The gas flows through the slotted plates and is directed up through the catalyst bed, while directing the flowing catalyst to the catalyst outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7887264
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7878737
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7878736
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent particle flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7874769
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Publication number: 20100316541
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include an apparatus for transferring catalyst from a regeneration zone to a reaction zone in a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The hydrocarbon conversion unit can include a transfer vessel, and first, second, and third lines. The transfer vessel can transfer regenerated catalyst from the regeneration zone at a first pressure to the reaction zone at a second pressure where the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. Generally, the first line communicates the catalyst to the transfer vessel and is coupled to a first valve to allow catalyst into the transfer vessel and the second line communicates the catalyst from the transfer vessel and is coupled to a second valve to allow catalyst out of the transfer vessel. The third line for allowing the passage of gas therethrough may be at a pressure higher than the first pressure having a first portion communicating with the transfer vessel and having a second portion coupled to third and fourth valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Fecteau, Paul A. Sechrist, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7841807
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent particle flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7841808
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7811447
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a method of controlling a catalyst transfer vessel cycle of loading and unloading based on an expected level of a catalyst in a downstream vessel for a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The method can include calculating an expected catalyst level in the downstream vessel based on the unloading of the catalyst transfer vessel to adjust a setpoint to change the catalyst transfer vessel cycle of loading and unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Fecteau, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7803326
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include an apparatus for transferring catalyst from a regeneration zone to a reaction zone in a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The hydrocarbon conversion unit can include a transfer vessel, and first, second, and third lines. The transfer vessel can transfer regenerated catalyst from the regeneration zone at a first pressure to the reaction zone at a second pressure where the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. Generally, the first line communicates the catalyst to the transfer vessel and is coupled to a first valve to allow catalyst into the transfer vessel and the second line communicates the catalyst from the transfer vessel and is coupled to a second valve to allow catalyst out of the transfer vessel. The third line for allowing the passage of gas therethrough may be at a pressure higher than the first pressure having a first portion communicating with the transfer vessel and having a second portion coupled to third and fourth valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Fecteau, Paul A. Sechrist, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7789658
    Abstract: A fired heater has two types of burners. The first burner is located in a duct which provides oxygen-containing gas to the heater to be combusted with the fuel provided by the burner. The second burner is located in the heater and provides both air and fuel for combustion. The heater may be located downstream of a gas turbine engine that cogenerates electricity and provides the oxygen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Randy S. Stier, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Publication number: 20100189517
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Naunheimer
  • Publication number: 20100187823
    Abstract: A fired heater has two types of burners. The first burner is located in a duct which provides oxygen-containing gas to the heater to be combusted with the fuel provided by the burner. The second burner is located in the heater and provides both air and fuel for combustion. The heater may be located downstream of a gas turbine engine that cogenerates electricity and provides the oxygen-containing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Randy S. Stier, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Publication number: 20100187159
    Abstract: Moving bed hydrocarbon conversion processes are provided for contacting a catalyst moving downward through a reaction zone with a hydrocarbon feed, withdrawing the catalyst from the reaction zone and conveying the catalyst to a regeneration zone wherein the catalyst moves downward. The catalyst is withdrawn from the regeneration zone and passed downward to an upper zone of a particle transfer apparatus wherein the transfer of catalyst from the upper zone through a middle zone to a lower zone is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through an upper valveless conduit, and a valve in a lower valved conduit. The catalyst from the lower zone of the particle transfer apparatus is conveyed to the reactions zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7749467
    Abstract: A radial flow reactor fluid duct distribution apparatus is presented. The apparatus includes a plate of sufficient thickness to impart strength to the fluid flow duct and is milled to have narrow slots allowing fluid to flow through the plate, while preventing the passage of catalyst through the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Michael J. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20100155020
    Abstract: Systems and processes for providing a blended cooling air stream to a cooling zone cooler in a continuous catalyst regeneration system are provided that include removing a first effluent stream from a regeneration tower, providing the first effluent stream to a regeneration cooler; providing a first air stream to the regeneration cooler to form a heated first air stream, combining at least a portion of the heated first air stream with a second air stream to form a blended cooling air stream, and providing the blended cooling air stream to a cooling zone cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Ka Lok, Christopher Naunheimer, Matthew Zuraski
  • Publication number: 20100158771
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Naunheimer
  • Publication number: 20100150669
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist