Patents by Inventor Frank S. Modica

Frank S. Modica 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: 10744492
    Abstract: A process is provided for removing contaminants from olefin containing C4 streams. The streams are contacted with an X based zeolite adsorbent comprising greater than 88% X zeolite at a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than 2.5 and an alkali metal salt present in excess of an amount required to achieve full exchange of cation sites on the X based zeolite. The resulting alkali oxide on a volatile free basis is less than 1% (by mass) of the X based adsorbent. The contaminants that are removed include sulfur, oxygenate, and nitrogen based contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Caskey, Munish Kumar Sharma, Jayant K. Gorawara, Pijus Kanti Roy, Frank S. Modica
  • Publication number: 20200023341
    Abstract: A process is provided for removing contaminants from olefin containing C4 streams. The streams are contacted with an X based zeolite adsorbent comprising greater than 88% X zeolite at a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than 2.5 and an alkali metal salt present in excess of an amount required to achieve full exchange of cation sites on the X based zeolite. The resulting alkali oxide on a volatile free basis is less than 1% (by mass) of the X based adsorbent. The contaminants that are removed include sulfur, oxygenate, and nitrogen based contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen R. Caskey, Munish Kumar Sharma, Jayant K. Gorawara, Pijus Kanti Roy, Frank S. Modica
  • Patent number: 7811964
    Abstract: A process for preparing a naphtha reforming catalyst has been developed. The process involves the use of a chelating ligand such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The aqueous solution of the chelating ligand and a tin compound is used to impregnate a support, e.g., alumina extrudates. A platinum-group metal is also an essential component of the catalyst. Rhenium may also be a component. A reforming process using the catalyst has enhanced yield, activity, and stability for conversion of naphtha into valuable gasoline and aromatic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leonid B. Galperin, Frank S. Modica, Thomas K. McBride, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090158660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenolysis process and catalyst for conversion of ethane to methane in a natural gas stream when such streams contain large quantities of ethane. Such natural gas streams include the product of the in situ treatment of oil shale to produce oil and gas. Hydrogenolysis catalysts have been identified that produce high yields of ethane at low light-off temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Paul T. Barger, David W. Penner, Mark E. Schott, Frank S. Modica
  • Patent number: 7456130
    Abstract: A process for preparing a naphtha reforming catalyst has been developed. The process involves the use of a chelating ligand such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The aqueous solution of the chelating ligand and a tin compound is used to impregnate a support, e.g., alumina extrudates. A platinum-group metal is also an essential component of the catalyst. Rhenium may also be a component. A reforming process using the catalyst has enhanced yield, activity, and stability for conversion of naphtha into valuable gasoline and aromatic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leonid B. Galperin, Frank S. Modica, Thomas K. McBride, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7423190
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, rhenium, tin and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Maureen L. Bricker, Robert B. Larson, Frank S. Modica, James E. Rekoske
  • Patent number: 7414163
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, iridium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production where high atomic ratios of germanium to iridium are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Maureen L. Bricker, Robert B. Larson, Frank S. Modica, James E. Rekoske
  • Patent number: 7411102
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, palladium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production provided that sufficient palladium is contained in the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Maureen L. Bricker, Frank S. Modica
  • Patent number: 7381674
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, iridium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production where high atomic ratios of germanium to iridium are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Maureen L. Bricker, Robert B. Larson, Frank S. Modica, James E. Rekoske
  • Patent number: 7378364
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, palladium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production provided that sufficient palladium is contained in the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Maureen L. Bricker, Frank S. Modica
  • Patent number: 7378365
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, rhenium, tin and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Maureen L. Bricker, Robert B. Larson, Frank S. Modica, James E. Rekoske
  • Publication number: 20080026930
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, palladium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production provided that sufficient palladium is contained in the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Maureen L. Bricker, Frank S. Modica
  • Publication number: 20080027257
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, palladium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production provided that sufficient palladium is contained in the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Maureen L. Bricker, Frank S. Modica
  • Publication number: 20080027258
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, rhenium, tin and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Maureen L. Bricker, Robert B. Larson, Frank S. Modica, James E. Rekoske
  • Publication number: 20080026931
    Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, rhenium, tin and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Edwin P Boldingh, Maureen L. Bricker, Robert B. Larson, Frank S. Modica, James E. Rekoske
  • Patent number: 6972348
    Abstract: A catalyst, and a process for using the catalyst, that effectively converts and transalkylates indane and C10 and heavier polycyclic aromatics into C8 aromatics is herein disclosed. The catalyst comprises a solid-acid support such as mordenite plus a metal component such as rhenium. The catalyst provides excellent conversion of such heavy aromatic species as naphthalene, which is also observed by a decrease in the ending-boiling-point of a hydrocarbon stream passed over the catalyst. The same catalyst is also effective for transalkylation of lighter aromatics, thus yielding a valuable xylenes product stream out of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Edwin P. Boldingh, Frank S. Modica, Gregory F. Maher
  • Patent number: 6872300
    Abstract: A process for preparing a naphtha reforming catalyst has been developed. The process involves the use of a chelating ligand such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The aqueous solution of the chelating ligand and a tin compound is used to impregnate a support, e.g., alumina extrudates. A platinum-group metal is also an essential component of the catalyst. Rhenium may also be a component. A reforming process using the catalyst has enhanced yield, activity, and stability for conversion of naphtha into valuable gasoline and aromatic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leonid B. Galperin, Frank S. Modica, Thomas K. McBride, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6506510
    Abstract: A novel integrated system for the co-production of heat and electricity for residences or commercial buildings is based on the cracking of hydrocarbons to generate hydrogen for a fuel cell. Compared to prior art reforming methods for hydrogen production, the cracking reaction provides an input stream to the fuel cell that is essentially free of CO, a known poison to the anode catalyst in many fuel cell designs, such as PEM fuel cells. The cracking reaction is coupled with an air or steam regeneration cycle to reactivate that cracking catalyst for further use. This regeneration can provide a valuable source of heat or furnace fuel to the system. A novel control method for system adjusts the durations of the cracking and regeneration cycles to optimize the recovery of reaction heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Sioui, Gavin P. Towler, Anil R. Oroskar, Lubo Zhou, Stephen R. Dunne, Santi Kulprathipanja, Leonid B. Galperin, Frank S. Modica, Timur V. Voskoboinikov
  • Patent number: 5916129
    Abstract: Exhaust gas emissions from an internal combustion engine are controlled through the use of a heat exchanger, a sulfur oxide absorbent, and two catalytic converter zones. The exhaust gas is passed sequentially through: (1) a first catalytic converter zone, (2) the sulfur oxide absorbent, and (3) a second catalytic converter zone. The heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from the first catalytic converter zone to the second catalytic converter zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Frank S. Modica, Mark K. Barr, George A. Huff, Roger H. Cayton, Bruce D. Alexander, Richard A. Kretchmer
  • Patent number: 5687565
    Abstract: Exhaust gas emissions from an internal combustion engine are controlled through the use of a heat exchanger, a sulfur oxide absorbent, and a catalytic converter. The exhaust gas is contacted with the sulfur oxide absorbent before it is passed to the catalytic converter, and the heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the exhaust gas before the exhaust gas is contacted with the sulfur oxide absorbent. The heat extracted from the exhaust gas by the heat exchanger is then used to heat the catalytic converter. In a preferred embodiment, the exhaust gas is also contacted with a hydrocarbon adsorbent which: (1) adsorbs organic compounds, such as hydrocarbons, from the exhaust gas at the low temperatures which are typical of an engine cold-start, and (2) desorbs them at the higher temperatures which are reached after sustained engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Frank S. Modica, Mark K. Barr, George A. Huff, Roger H. Cayton, Bruce D. Alexander, Richard A. Kretchmer