Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Nafis

Douglas A. Nafis 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: 20160168054
    Abstract: An integrated process for gasoline production is described. The process includes introducing a feed comprising n-C5 hydrocarbons into a disproportionation reaction zone in the presence of a disproportionation catalyst to form a disproportionation mixture comprising iso-C4 and C6+ disproportionation products and unreacted n-C5 hydrocarbons. An iso-C4 hydrocarbon stream and an olefin feed are introduced into an alkylation reaction zone in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylation mixture comprising alkylate and unreacted iso-C4 paraffins. The disproportionation mixture and the alkylation mixture are combined, and the combined mixture is separated into at least a stream comprising the alkylate product, an iso-C4 stream, and an unreacted n-C5 hydrocarbon stream. The iso-C4 stream is recycled to the alkylation reaction zone, and the unreacted n-C5 hydrocarbon stream is recycled to the disproportionation reaction zone. The stream comprising the alkylate product is recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Stuart Smith, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Bryan K. Glover, Susie C. Martins
  • Patent number: 9328036
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The process includes contacting a hydrocarbon feed with an acidic catalyst under hydrocarbon conversion conditions in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. The hydrocarbon feed reacts to form a mixture comprising reaction products, the acidic catalyst, and deactivated acidic catalyst containing conjunct polymer. The mixture is separated into at least two streams, a first stream comprising the reaction products and a second stream comprising the deactivated acidic catalyst. The reaction products are recovered. The deactivated acidic catalyst is contacted with at least one silane or borane compound in a regeneration zone under regeneration conditions, the conjunct polymer reacting with the at least one silane or borane compound resulting in a catalyst phase and an organic phase containing the conjunct polymer and at least one silyl or boryl compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Erin M. Broderick, Douglas A. Nafis, Kaitlin M. DeSalvo, Stuart Smith, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Patent number: 9221043
    Abstract: A method of regenerating an acidic catalyst is described. A borane compound is contacted with an acidic catalyst that contains conjunct polymer, which releases the conjunct polymer from the acidic catalyst. The acidic catalyst can then be re-activated with acid. The conjunct polymer can be separated from the borane compound, and the borane compound can be recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Erin M. Broderick, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Susie C. Martins, Kaitlin M. DeSalvo, Douglas A. Nafis
  • Publication number: 20150315095
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The process includes contacting a hydrocarbon feed with an acidic catalyst under hydrocarbon conversion conditions in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. The hydrocarbon feed reacts to form a mixture comprising reaction products, the acidic catalyst, and deactivated acidic catalyst containing conjunct polymer. The mixture is separated into at least two streams, a first stream comprising the reaction products and a second stream comprising the deactivated acidic catalyst. The reaction products are recovered. The deactivated acidic catalyst is contacted with at least one silane or borane compound in a regeneration zone under regeneration conditions, the conjunct polymer reacting with the at least one silane or borane compound resulting in a catalyst phase and an organic phase containing the conjunct polymer and at least one silyl or boryl compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Erin M. Broderick, Douglas A. Nafis, Kaitlin M. DeSalvo, Stuart Smith, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20150314281
    Abstract: A method of regenerating an acidic catalyst is described. A borane compound is contacted with an acidic catalyst that contains conjunct polymer, which releases the conjunct polymer from the acidic catalyst. The acidic catalyst can then be re-activated with acid. The conjunct polymer can be separated from the borane compound, and the borane compound can be recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Erin M. Broderick, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Susie C. Martins, Kaitlin M. DeSalvo, Douglas A. Nafis
  • Patent number: 9156028
    Abstract: A process for making an alkylate is presented. The process includes mixing an isoparaffin stream with an olefin stream in an alkylation reactor. The alkylation reactor includes a catalyst for performing the reaction. The catalyst is an ionic liquid that is a quaternary phosphonium based ionic liquid, and the reaction is performed at or near ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Patent number: 9156747
    Abstract: A process for making an alkylate is presented. The process includes mixing an isoparaffin stream with an olefin stream in an alkylation reactor. The alkylation reactor includes a catalyst for performing the reaction. The catalyst is an ionic liquid that is a quaternary phosphonium based ionic liquid, and the reaction is performed at or near ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20150274613
    Abstract: An integrated hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The process includes contacting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a hydrocarbon cracking catalyst in a fluidized reactor zone to produce light olefins to form a fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) effluent stream comprising a range of hydrocarbons. The FCC effluent stream is separated to form at least a stream rich in C4 hydrocarbons which comprises isobutane and 1-butene. The stream rich in C4 hydrocarbons is introduced into an alkylation reaction zone where the isobutane and the 1-butene are alkylated to form a reaction product mixture comprising dimethylhexanes and C9+ hydrocarbons. The reaction product mixture is dehydrocyclized to form a stream rich in xylenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Trung Pham, Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis
  • Patent number: 9120092
    Abstract: A method of regenerating an acidic catalyst is described. A silane compound is contacted with an acidic catalyst that contains conjunct polymer, which releases the conjunct polymer from the acidic catalyst. The acidic catalyst can then be re-activated with acid. The conjunct polymer can be separated from the silane compound, and the silane compound can be recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Erin M. Broderick, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Susie C. Martins, Kaitlin M. DeSalvo, Douglas A. Nafis
  • Patent number: 9096618
    Abstract: A method of regenerating a silyl or boryl compound is described. The silyl or boryl compound is contained in an organic phase with conjunct polymer. The silyl or boryl compound is chemically reduced with a hydrogen containing compound in a silane or borane regeneration zone under regeneration conditions to form at least one regenerated silane or borane compound and a metal salt compound. The regenerated silane or borane compound is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Erin M. Broderick
  • Publication number: 20140213435
    Abstract: Quaternary phosphonium haloaluminate compounds according to Formula (I): wherein R1-R3 are the same alkyl group; R4 is different than R1-R3 and is chosen from a C4-C12 alkyl; and X is a halogen, are provided herein for use as an ionic liquid catalyst for reacting olefins and isoparaffins to generate an alkylate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20140113804
    Abstract: Quaternary phosphonium haloaluminate compounds according to Formula (I): are provided herein, wherein R1-R3 are the same or different and each is chosen from a hydrocarbyl; R4 is different than R1-R3 and is chosen from a hydrocarbyl; and X is a halogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Cytec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20130345483
    Abstract: A process for making an alkylate is presented. The process includes mixing an isoparaffin stream with an olefin stream in an alkylation reactor. The alkylation reactor includes a catalyst for performing the reaction. The catalyst is an ionic liquid that is a quaternary phosphonium based ionic liquid, and the reaction is performed at or near ambient temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20130345484
    Abstract: A process for making an alkylate is presented. The process includes mixing an isoparaffin stream with an olefin stream in an alkylation reactor. The alkylation reactor includes a catalyst for performing the reaction. The catalyst is an ionic liquid that is a quaternary chloroaluminate based ionic liquid, and the reaction is performed at or near ambient temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20130345482
    Abstract: A process for making an alkylate is presented. The process includes mixing an isoparaffin stream with an olefin stream in an alkylation reactor. The alkylation reactor includes a catalyst for performing the reaction. The catalyst is an ionic liquid that is a quaternary phosphonium based ionic liquid, and the reaction is performed at or near ambient temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Susie C. Martins, Douglas A. Nafis, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20120230882
    Abstract: Alkylation systems and processes are provided herein that include a slurry reactor. The slurry reactor receives a reactor feed slurry including catalyst and liquid isobutane, a olefin feed, and a circulating reactor vapor stream, where the slurry reactor produces a reactor liquid effluent stream, the reactor liquid effluent stream including catalyst, isobutane, and a liquid alkylate product. The catalyst in the reactor feed slurry can be regenerated catalyst from a catalyst regenerator. The catalyst can be regenerated after being removed from the liquid alkylate product and isobutane in the reactor liquid effluent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Douglas A. Nafis, Lev Davydov, David N. Myers, Carl J. Stevens, Daniel N. Myers
  • Publication number: 20110060178
    Abstract: Alkylation systems and processes are provided herein that include a slurry reactor. The slurry reactor receives a reactor feed slurry including catalyst and liquid isobutane, a olefin feed, and a circulating reactor vapor stream, where the slurry reactor produces a reactor liquid effluent stream, the reactor liquid effluent stream including catalyst, isobutane, and a liquid alkylate product. The catalyst in the reactor feed slurry can be regenerated catalyst from a catalyst regenerator. The catalyst can be regenerated after being removed from the liquid alkylate product and isobutane in the reactor liquid effluent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas A. Nafis, Lev Davydov, David N. Myers, Carl J. Stevens, Daniel N. Myers
  • Patent number: 7875757
    Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent and the isomerization zone effluent are each separated to form a light ends stream and a product stream. The light ends streams are combined for processing in a net gas re-contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Douglas A. Nafis, Gregory F. Maher, Lynn H. Rice, William D. Schlueter, Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn
  • Patent number: 7575668
    Abstract: A process for selective hydrocracking of kerosene to produce naphtha and isobutane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Douglas A. Nafis
  • Patent number: 7435329
    Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent and the isomerization zone effluent are each separated to form a light ends stream and a product stream. The light ends streams are combined for processing in a net gas re-contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Douglas A. Nafis, Gregory F. Maher, Lynn H. Rice, William D. Schlueter, Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn