Patents by Inventor Daniel H. Wei

Daniel H. Wei 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: 9963407
    Abstract: A process of oxidative dehydrogenation in a fluidized riser reactor is described. Hydrocarbon feed and catalyst are fed to the bottom of the fluidized riser reactor. Part of the hydrogen produced in the dehydrogenation reaction is oxidized using oxygen introduced into the riser reactor through oxygen injection ports to produce the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Laurence O. Stine, Bipin V. Vora, Malek Y. S. Ibrahim, Daniel H. Wei
  • Publication number: 20140371504
    Abstract: A process of oxidative dehydrogenation in a fluidized riser reactor is described. Hydrocarbon feed and catalyst are fed to the bottom of the fluidized riser reactor. Part of the hydrogen produced in the dehydrogenation reaction is oxidized using oxygen introduced into the riser reactor through oxygen injection ports to produce the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Laurence O. Stine, Bipin V. Vora, Malek Y.S. Ibrahim, Daniel H. Wei
  • Publication number: 20140371503
    Abstract: A single stage dehydrogenation reactor system including a charge heater and one or more reactors is described. The hydrocarbon feed is combined with hydrogen and heated in a charge heater to a temperature lower than the dehydrogenation temperature to avoid thermal cracking. Before entering the dehydrogenation reactors, oxygen is added. The oxidative preheat then takes place in the presence of the dual functional catalyst which has dehydrogenation and selective oxidation activities. The oxygen selectively burns hydrogen and raises the reaction temperature, and the dehydrogenation reaction then occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel H. Wei, Laurence O. Stine
  • Publication number: 20140296587
    Abstract: A process is present for increasing the yields of 1,3 butadiene. The process includes recovering 1,3 butadiene from a cracking unit that generates a crude C4 stream. The 1,3 butadiene is separated and the remaining C4 process stream components are further reacted and dehydrogenated to generate 1,3 butadiene in a subsequent process stream. The subsequent process stream is recycled to recover the additional 1,3 butadiene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Bipin V. Vora, Daniel H. Wei, Steven L. Krupa
  • Patent number: 8603399
    Abstract: An improved processing system of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. The system further comprises acid gas removal means to remove acid gases from the cracked product gas and that the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20100087693
    Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7687671
    Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20100048965
    Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7663012
    Abstract: The average cycle propylene selectivity of an oxygenate to propylene (OTP) process using one or more fixed beds of a dual-function oxygenate conversion catalyst is substantially enhanced by the use of moving bed reactor technology in the hydrocarbon synthesis portion of the OTP flow scheme in lieu of fixed bed technology coupled with the selection of a catalyst on-stream cycle time of 200 hours or less. Those provisions hold the build-up of coke deposits on the catalyst to a level which does not substantially degrade dual-function catalyst activity, oxygenate conversion and propylene selectivity, thereby enabling maintenance of propylene average cycle yield at essentially start-of-cycle levels. The propylene average cycle yield improvement enabled by the present invention over that achieved by the fixed bed system of the prior art using the same or a similar catalyst system is of the order of about 1.5 to 5.5 wt-% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20100021357
    Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20080242910
    Abstract: The average cycle propylene selectivity of an oxygenate to propylene (OTP) process using one or more fixed beds of a dual-function oxygenate conversion catalyst is substantially enhanced by the use of moving bed reactor technology in the hydrocarbon synthesis portion of the OTP flow scheme in lieu of fixed bed technology coupled with the selection of a catalyst on-stream cycle time of 200 hours or less. Those provisions hold the build-up of coke deposits on the catalyst to a level which does not substantially degrade dual-function catalyst activity, oxygenate conversion and propylene selectivity, thereby enabling maintenance of propylene average cycle yield at essentially start-of-cycle levels. The propylene average cycle yield improvement enabled by the present invention over that achieved by the fixed bed system of the prior art using the same or a similar catalyst system is of the order of about 1.5 to 5.5 wt-% or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7405337
    Abstract: The average cycle propylene selectivity of an oxygenate to propylene (OTP) process using one or more fixed or moving beds of a dual-function oxygenate conversion catalyst with recycle of one or more C4+ olefin-rich fractions is substantially enhanced by the use of selective hydrotreating technology on these C4+ olefin-rich recycle streams to substantially eliminate detrimental coke precursors such as dienes and acetylenic hydrocarbons. This hydrotreating step helps hold the build-up of detrimental coke deposits on the catalyst to a level which does not substantially degrade dual-function catalyst activity, oxygenate conversion and propylene selectivity, thereby enabling a substantial improvement in propylene average cycle yield. The propylene average cycle yield improvement enabled by the present invention over that achieved by the prior art using the same or a similar catalyst system but without the use of the hydrotreating step on the C4+ olefin-rich recycle stream is of the order of about 1.5 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7371915
    Abstract: The average cycle propylene selectivity of an oxygenate to propylene (OTP) process using one or more fixed beds of a dual-function oxygenate conversion catalyst is substantially enhanced by the use of moving bed reactor technology in the hydrocarbon synthesis portion of the OTP flow scheme in lieu of fixed bed technology coupled with the selection of a catalyst on-stream cycle time of 200 hours or less. Those provisions hold the build-up of coke deposits on the catalyst to a level which does not substantially degrade dual-function catalyst activity, oxygenate conversion and propylene selectivity, thereby enabling maintenance of propylene average cycle yield at essentially start-of-cycle levels. The propylene average cycle yield improvement enabled by the present invention over that achieved by the fixed bed system of the prior art using the same or a similar catalyst system is of the order of about 1.5 to 5.5 wt-% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7371916
    Abstract: The average propylene selectivity per on-stream cycle of an alcoholic oxygenate to propylene (OTP) process using one or more fixed beds of a dual-function oxygenate conversion catalyst is substantially enhanced by the use of a feed pretreatment step involving a catalytic etherification reaction, by switching to moving bed reactor technology in the olefin synthesis portion of the OTP flow scheme in lieu of fixed bed technology and by the selection of a catalyst on-stream cycle time of 300 hours or less. These provisions hold the build-up of coke deposits on the dual-function catalyst to a level which does not substantially degrade catalyst activity, oxygenate conversion and propylene selectivity, thereby enabling maintenance of propylene average cycle yield at essentially start-of-cycle levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 6756340
    Abstract: A novel catalyst composite is disclosed. Also disclosed is a use for the novel composite. The catalyst composite comprises a Group VIII noble metal component, a Group IA or IIA metal component, and a component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium, or mixtures thereof, all on an alumina support comprising essentially theta-alumina, having a surface area from about 50 to about 120 m2/g, an apparent bulk density of at 0.5 g/cm3 and a mole ratio of the Group VIII noble metal component to the component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium or mixtures thereof in the range from about 1.5 to about 1.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Daniel H. Wei, J. W. Adriaan Sachtler, Bipin V. Vora
  • Publication number: 20030202934
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon dehydrogenation process utilizing a novel catalyst composite. The catalyst composite comprises a Group VIII noble metal component, a Group IA or IIA metal component, and a component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium, or mixtures thereof, all on an alumina support comprising essentially theta-alumina, having a surface area from about 50 to about 120 m2/g, an apparent bulk density of at 0.5 g/cm3 and a mole ratio of the Group VIII noble metal component to the component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium or mixtures thereof in the range from about 1.5 to about 1.7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Daniel H. Wei, J. W. Adriaan Sachtler, Bipin V. Vora
  • Publication number: 20030191351
    Abstract: A novel catalyst composite is disclosed. Also disclosed is a use for the novel composite. The catalyst composite comprises a Group VIII noble metal component, a Group IA or IIA metal component, and a component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium, or mixtures thereof, all on an alumina support comprising essentially theta-alumina, having a surface area from about 50 to about 120 m2/g, an apparent bulk density of at 0.5 g/cm3 and a mole ratio of the Group VIII noble metal component to the component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium or mixtures thereof in the range from about 1.5 to about 1.7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Daniel H. Wei, J. W. Adriaan Sachtler, Bipin V. Vora
  • Patent number: 6548721
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for completely destroying oxygenates in a feed stream. The feed stream of oxygenates typically includes olefins and it is reacted with hydrogen over a catalyst comprising a top row of Group VIII metal and a Group VI-B metal. Olefins are essentially completely saturated and any sulfur compounds present in the feed are completely converted to hydrogen sulfide. A preferred catalyst includes 2 to 5 wt-% nickel, 5 to 15 wt-% molybdenum, at least 5.5 wt-% sulfur, less than 0.05 wt-% phosphorus and no more than 0.3 wt-% silicon. The catalyst has low acidity and therefore does not promote the cracking of desired oligomeric products. The deoxygenation process is preferably a saturation process that follows an oligomerization process in which light olefins are oligomerized to heavy olefins. The saturation catalyst preferably has lower acidity which causes minimal cracking of desired oligomeric products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Beth Mc Culloch, Jennifer L. Gordon, Peter Kokayeff, Suheil F. Abdo, Daniel H. Wei