Patents by Inventor Dana L. Pilliod
Dana L. Pilliod 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: 10906851Abstract: Para-xylene is separated from a mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene by a separation process. An ortho-selective adsorbent is used to reduce the ortho-xylene concentration of the xylenes, prior to contact of the xylenes and ethylbenzene with a para-selective adsorbent. The stream rich in ortho-xylene may be isomerized in the liquid phase to increase the amount of para-xylene therein. The para-xylene-depleted stream may be treated in the vapor phase to remove the ethylbenzene and then subjected to isomerization in the liquid phase to produce a stream having a higher than equilibrium amount of para-xylene.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignees: EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL PATENTS INC., GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATTONInventors: Meha Rungta, Robert G. Tinger, Jeevan S. Abichandani, Dana L. Pilliod, John R. Porter, Anthony Go, Sankar Nair, Ke Zhang
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Patent number: 10786756Abstract: The process involves the use of two rotary valves to implement Varicol operation of a simulated moving bed apparatus to separate a product from at least one multicomponent feed. In a particular embodiment, paraxylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The use of the Varicol process further enhances the separation of the desired product and provides flexibility with a simulated moving bed apparatus using dual rotary valves.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignees: EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL PATENTS INC., GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Michael W. Weber, Siwei Guo, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Jason Bentley, Gaurav Agrawal, Michael Salciccioli, Dana L. Pilliod
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Publication number: 20200181042Abstract: Para-xylene is separated from a mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene by a separation process. An ortho-selective adsorbent is used to reduce the ortho-xylene concentration of the xylenes, prior to contact of the xylenes and ethylbenzene with a para-selective adsorbent. The stream rich in ortho-xylene may be isomerized in the liquid phase to increase the amount of para-xylene therein. The para-xylene-depleted stream may be treated in the vapor phase to remove the ethylbenzene and then subjected to isomerization in the liquid phase to produce a stream having a higher than equilibrium amount of para-xylene.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2017Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Meha RUNGTA, Robert G. TINGER, Jeevan S. ABICHANDANI, Dana L. PILLIOD, John R. PORTER, Anthony GO, Sankar NAIR, Ke ZHANG
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Patent number: 10392324Abstract: A process to separate paraxylene from a mixture of paraxylene, metaxylene, orthoxylene, and ethylbenzene in a commercial simulated moving bed apparatus in a reduced number of beds is provided, allowing an additional separation to be conducted in the remaining beds. This additional separation may separate another xylene isomer, ethylbenzene, or a non-aromatic C8+ hydrocarbon from the raffinate stream produced by the first separation. A PowerFeed process is used to recover paraxylene in a first adsorption zone containing 8-16 beds of a conventional 24-bed simulated moving bed adsorption apparatus, and then a second separation may be conducted in a second adsorption zone containing the remaining beds.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignees: EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL PATENTS INC., GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Michael W. Weber, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Michael Salciccioli, John R. Porter, Gaurav Agrawal, Dana L. Pilliod, Siwei Guo, Jason Bentley
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Patent number: 10358401Abstract: Para-xylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatics using a simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorption process, wherein a MOF is used as an adsorbent and an alkane or alkene having 7 or less carbon atoms, such as hexane or heptane is used as desorbent. Because of the difference in boiling points of a hexane or heptane desorbent as compared to conventional desorbents such as toluene or para-diethylbenzene, less energy is required to separate hexane or heptane from C8 aromatics by distillation than the energy required to separate toluene or diethylbenzene from C8 aromatics by distillation.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignees: EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL PATENTS INC., GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Meha Rungta, Jeevan S. Abichandani, Dana L. Pilliod, Robert G. Tinger, Anthony Go, Ke Zhang, Sankar Nair, Jason Gee, David Sholl
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Patent number: 10351489Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering paraxylene in which a first simulated moving bed adsorption unit is used to produce two extract streams—one rich in paraxylene and a paraxylene-rich extract stream that is lean in ethylbenzene and an ethylbenzene-rich extract stream that is lean in paraxylene- and a paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream. A significant amount of the ethylbenzene is removed in the ethylbenzene-rich extract stream (at least enough to limit buildup in the isomerization loop), so the paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream may be isomerized in the liquid phase. Avoiding vapor phase isomerization saves energy and capital, as liquid phase isomerization requires less energy and capital than the vapor phase isomerization process due to the requirement of vaporizing the paraxylene-depleted stream and the use of hydrogen, which requires an energy and capital intensive hydrogen recycle loop.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Michael Salciccioli, Gaurav Agrawal, Michael W. Weber, Dana L. Pilliod, Catherine M. Dorsi
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Publication number: 20190185394Abstract: A process to separate paraxylene from a mixture of paraxylene, metaxylene, orthoxylene, and ethylbenzene in a commercial simulated moving bed apparatus in a reduced number of beds is provided, allowing an additional separation to be conducted in the remaining beds. This additional separation may separate another xylene isomer, ethylbenzene, or a non-aromatic C8+ hydrocarbon from the raffinate stream produced by the first separation. A PowerFeed process is used to recover paraxylene in a first adsorption zone containing 8-16 beds of a conventional 24-bed simulated moving bed adsorption apparatus, and then a second separation may be conducted in a second adsorption zone containing the remaining beds.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Michael W. WEBER, Yoshiaki KAWAJIRI, Michael SALCICCIOLI, John R. PORTER, Gaurav AGRAWAL, Dana L. PILLIOD, Siwei GUO, Jason BENTLEY
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Publication number: 20190184311Abstract: The process involves the use of two rotary valves to implement Varicol operation of a simulated moving bed apparatus to separate a product from at least one multicomponent feed. In a particular embodiment, paraxylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The use of the Varicol process further enhances the separation of the desired product and provides flexibility with a simulated moving bed apparatus using dual rotary valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Michael W. WEBER, Siwei GUO, Yoshiaki KAWAJIRI, Jason BENTLEY, Gaurav AGRAWAL, Michael SALCICCIOLI, Dana L. PILLIOD
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Patent number: 10300404Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for recovering paraxylene in which a first simulated moving bed adsorption unit is used to produce a paraxylene-rich extract stream that also contains a significant amount of the ethylbenzene and a paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream. Because a significant amount of the ethylbenzene is removed in the paraxylene-rich extract stream (at least enough to limit buildup in the isomerization loop), the paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream may be isomerized in the liquid phase. Avoiding vapor phase isomerization saves energy and capital, as liquid phase isomerization requires less energy and capital than the vapor phase isomerization process due to the requirement of vaporizing the paraxylene-depleted stream and the use of hydrogen, which requires an energy- and capital-intensive hydrogen recycle loop.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Catherine M. Dorsi, Gaurav Agrawal, Michael W. Weber, Dana L. Pilliod, John R. Porter
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Patent number: 10059644Abstract: The present invention is an improved process and apparatus for producing para-xylene, particularly with respect to a process that involves the methylation of toluene and/or benzene to selectively produce para-xylene, wherein streams having differing amounts of ethylbenzene are separately treated in the recovery of para-xylene. A first hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene is provided to a first para-xylene adsorption section, and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and less EB than the first hydrocarbon feed is provided to a second para-xylene adsorption section. Segregating the feeds with differing ethylbenzene contents increases the overall efficiency of the adsorption of para-xylene by the adsorption units. Efficiency and energy savings may be further improved by subjecting the lower-content ethylbenzene stream to liquid phase isomerization.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Dana L. Pilliod, Michel Molinier
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Patent number: 10059643Abstract: A process for producing para-xylene (PX) comprises supplying a hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene (EB) to a PX recovery unit, where a PX-rich stream and at least one PX-depleted stream are recovered from the feed. The PX-depleted stream is then separated into an EB-rich stream and an EB-depleted stream in a divided wall column. The EB-depleted stream is then isomerized under at least partial liquid phase conditions to produce a first isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream, and the EB-rich stream is isomerized under at least partial vapor phase conditions to produce a second isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the PX recovery unit to recover additional PX and the process is repeated to define a so-called xylene isomerization loop.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Timothy P. Bender, John R. Porter, Dana L. Pilliod
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Publication number: 20180215684Abstract: Para-xylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatics using a simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorption process, wherein a MOF is used as an adsorbent and an alkane or alkene having 7 or less carbon atoms, such as hexane or heptane is used as desorbent. Because of the difference in boiling points of a hexane or heptane desorbent as compared to conventional desorbents such as toluene or para-diethylbenzene, less energy is required to separate hexane or heptane from C8 aromatics by distillation than the energy required to separate toluene or diethylbenzene from C8 aromatics by distillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2016Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Meha RUNGTA, Jeevan S. ABICHANDANI, Dana L. PILLIOD, Robert G. TINGER, Anthony GO, Ke ZHANG, Sankar NAIR, Jason GEE, David SHOLL
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Patent number: 9896398Abstract: A simulated moving bed process using dual, parallel rotary valves configured or plumbed to be operated independently in which the step times of the rotary valves are staggered. In embodiments, the second rotary valve is programmed to step about halfway through the step time of the first rotary valve. Staggering the step time of the parallel rotary valves, rather than utilizing simultaneous stepping, results in increased net composite paraxylene concentration of the extract stream, allowing for increased capacity of the simulated moving bed process and/or reduced energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: John R. Porter, Timothy P. Bender, Dana L. Pilliod
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Publication number: 20180002252Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering paraxylene in which a first simulated moving bed adsorption unit is used to produce two extract streams—one rich in paraxylene and a paraxylene-rich extract stream that is lean in ethylbenzene and an ethylbenzene-rich extract stream that is lean in paraxylene- and a paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream. A significant amount of the ethylbenzene is removed in the ethylbenzene-rich extract stream (at least enough to limit buildup in the isomerization loop), so the paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream may be isomerized in the liquid phase. Avoiding vapor phase isomerization saves energy and capital, as liquid phase isomerization requires less energy and capital than the vapor phase isomerization process due to the requirement of vaporizing the paraxylene-depleted stream and the use of hydrogen, which requires an energy and capital intensive hydrogen recycle loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Michael Salciccioli, Gaurav Agrawal, Michael W. Weber, Dana L. Pilliod, Catherine M. Dorsi
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Publication number: 20180002253Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for recovering paraxylene in which a first simulated moving bed adsorption unit is used to produce a paraxylene-rich extract stream that also contains a significant amount of the ethylbenzene and a paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream. Because a significant amount of the ethylbenzene is removed in the paraxylene-rich extract stream (at least enough to limit buildup in the isomerization loop), the paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream may be isomerized in the liquid phase. Avoiding vapor phase isomerization saves energy and capital, as liquid phase isomerization requires less energy and capital than the vapor phase isomerization process due to the requirement of vaporizing the paraxylene-depleted stream and the use of hydrogen, which requires an energy- and capital-intensive hydrogen recycle loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Catherine M. Dorsi, Gaurav Agrawal, Michael W. Weber, Dana L. Pilliod, John R. Porter
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Patent number: 9850186Abstract: A process for producing paraxylene is provided. The process includes separating a first mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons in a simulated moving bed apparatus using a desorbent to produce (i) an extract comprising ?50.0 wt % of the paraxylene in the first mixture; (ii) a desorbent-rich raffinate comprising ?75 wt % of the desorbent withdrawn, and (iii) an desorbent-lean raffinate comprising ?25 wt % of the desorbent withdrawn in the desorbent-rich and desorbent-lean raffinates. The desorbent-lean raffinate can then, without an intervening separation step, be passed to a refinery process or a vapor phase isomerization reaction to produce an effluent comprising paraxylene in a greater concentration than the desorbent-lean raffinate. The desorbent-rich raffinate can be passed to a liquid phase isomerization reaction to produce an effluent comprising paraxylene in a greater concentration than the desorbent-rich raffinate.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Gaurav Agrawal, Michael W. Weber, Michael Salciccioli, John R. Porter, Dana L. Pilliod, Timothy P. Bender
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Publication number: 20170247301Abstract: A process for producing paraxylene is provided. The process includes separating a first mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons in a simulated moving bed apparatus using a desorbent to produce (i) an extract comprising ?50.0 wt % of the paraxylene in the first mixture; (ii) a desorbent-rich raffinate comprising ?75 wt % of the desorbent withdrawn, and (iii) an desorbent-lean raffinate comprising ?25 wt % of the desorbent withdrawn in the desorbent-rich and desorbent-lean raffinates. The desorbent-lean raffinate can then, without an intervening separation step, be passed to a refinery process or a vapor phase isomerization reaction to produce an effluent comprising paraxylene in a greater concentration than the desorbent-lean raffinate. The desorbent-rich raffinate can be passed to a liquid phase isomerization reaction to produce an effluent comprising paraxylene in a greater concentration than the desorbent-rich raffinate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Gaurav Agrawal, Michael W. Weber, Michael Salciccioli, John R. Porter, Dana L. Pilliod, Timothy P. Bender
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Publication number: 20170050898Abstract: A process for producing para-xylene (PX) comprises supplying a hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene (EB) to a PX recovery unit, where a PX-rich stream and at least one PX-depleted stream are recovered from the feed. The PX-depleted stream is then separated into an EB-rich stream and an EB-depleted stream in a divided wall column. The EB-depleted stream is then isomerized under at least partial liquid phase conditions to produce a first isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream, and the EB-rich stream is isomerized under at least partial vapor phase conditions to produce a second isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the PX recovery unit to recover additional PX and the process is repeated to define a so-called xylene isomerization loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Timothy P. Bender, John R. Porter, Dana L. Pilliod
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Publication number: 20170050899Abstract: The present invention is an improved process and apparatus for producing para-xylene, particularly with respect to a process that involves the methylation of toluene and/or benzene to selectively produce para-xylene, wherein streams having differing amounts of ethylbenzene are separately treated in the recovery of para-xylene. A first hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene is provided to a first para-xylene adsorption section, and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and less EB than the first hydrocarbon feed is provided to a second para-xylene adsorption section. Segregating the feeds with differing ethylbenzene contents increases the overall efficiency of the adsorption of para-xylene by the adsorption units. Efficiency and energy savings may be further improved by subjecting the lower-content ethylbenzene stream to liquid phase isomerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Dana L. Pilliod, Michel Molinier
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Publication number: 20170036973Abstract: A simulated moving bed process using dual, parallel rotary valves configured or plumbed to be operated independently in which the step times of the rotary valves are staggered. In embodiments, the second rotary valve is programmed to step about halfway through the step time of the first rotary valve. Staggering the step time of the parallel rotary valves, rather than utilizing simultaneous stepping, results in increased net composite paraxylene concentration of the extract stream, allowing for increased capacity of the simulated moving bed process and/or reduced energy consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: John R. Porter, Timothy P. Bender, Dana L. Pilliod