Patents by Inventor Frederic Hoffmann
Frederic Hoffmann 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: 6284939Abstract: This invention pertains to a continuous catalytic process, for example, for the metathesis of olefins that uses a catalyst circulating in a moving bed in at least one reaction zone operating in the liquid phase and in a regenerator, with a lift to transfer the deactivated catalyst emerging from the reaction zone to the regenerator, whereby said process is characterized by the fact that the transfer is accomplished by a gas that does not react with the catalyst and with the stripping off of at least a portion of the organic matter that is adsorbed on the deactivated catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Frédéric Hoffmann, Philippe Mege, Dominique Commereuc
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Patent number: 6277335Abstract: The invention concerns a process and unit for regenerating a catalyst for the production of aromatic compounds, in particular for reforming, the catalyst being in a moving bed, comprising combustion, oxychlorination and calcining steps, in which at least one chlorinating agent, at least one oxygen-containing gas, and water are introduced into the oxychlorination step such that the H2O/HCl molar ratio is 1 to 50, the oxychlorination step being carried out in the presence of an oxychlorination gas containing less than 21% of oxygen and at least 50 ppm by weight of chlorine (based on HCl), and at a temperature of 350-600° C., and in which the combustion step is carried out in at least two combustion zones, each zone being separated from the adjacent zones, and at least one gas charged with oxygen is introduced into each zone, the gases produced being extracted from each zone, and in which the severity of the operating conditions increases in the direction of flow of the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Institut Francais de PetroleInventors: Marianne Capelle, Jean-Marie Deves, Frédéric Hoffmann, Michel Thery, François-Xavier Brunet, Emmanuelle Bromet
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Publication number: 20010008220Abstract: Device (DME) or panel for collecting, distributing, mixing or drawing off several fluids, at least one main fluid and at least two secondary fluids, that comprises at least:Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2001Publication date: July 19, 2001Applicant: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Gilles Ferschneider, Jean-Christophe Viguie, Olivier Callebert, Frederic Hoffmann
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Patent number: 6224762Abstract: Device (DME) or panel for collecting, distributing, mixing or drawing off several fluids, at least one main fluid and at least two secondary fluids, that comprises at least: means for collecting a main fluid (3, 9), at least two injection and/or draw-off rails (6, 7) that allow the passage of secondary fluids, at least two mixing chambers (11a, 11b) that communicate with injection and/or draw-off rails (6, 7) with orifices or passages (6i, 7i), means (12, 4) for redistributing the fluid that is obtained from said mixing chambers, means (5a, 5b) for separating collecting and redistributing means and draw-off rails (6, 7) are arranged one above the other, and mixing chambers (11a, 11b) are arranged on both sides of the rails and symmetrically relative to the orifices that have an injection function.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Gilles Ferschneider, Jean-Christophe Viguie, Olivier Callebert, Frédéric Hoffmann
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Patent number: 6048814Abstract: The invention concerns a process and unit for regenerating a catalyst for the production of aromatic compounds, in particular for reforming, the catalyst being in a moving bed, comprising combustion, oxychlorination and calcining steps, in which at least one chlorinating agent, at least one oxygen-containing gas, and water are introduced into the oxychlorination step such that the H.sub.2 O/HCl molar ratio is 1 to 50, the oxychlorination step being carried out in the presence of an oxychlorination gas containing less than 21% of oxygen and at least 50 ppm by weight of chlorine (based on HCl), and at a temperature of 350-600.degree. C., and in which the combustion step is carried out in at least two combustion zones, each zone being separated from the adjacent zones, and at least one gas charged with oxygen is introduced into each zone, the gases produced being extracted from each zone, and in which the severity of the operating conditions increases in the direction of flow of the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Marianne Capelle, Jean-Marie Deves, Frederic Hoffmann, Michel Thery, Fran.cedilla.ois-Xavier Brunet, Emmanuelle Bromet
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Patent number: 5773379Abstract: The invention concerns a process for thermal regulation in a continuous fluidized bed treatment process for a powdered solid, wherein the solid is treated in a fluidized bed treatment zone, at least a portion of the solid is extracted from said zone and transported to an external heat exchanger (21) containing at least one array (22) of thermal exchange tubes in which vaporizable cooling fluid circulates, fluidized or mobile bed thermal regulation by indirect heat exchange with the fluid is carried out and the portion of regulated solid is extracted for recycling into the treatment zone or to another treatment zone (1). More precisely, said portion of solid is circulated in descending mode by means of an inert or non inert fluidization fluid across the array of tubes (22) which are wound such that the current of solid intersects said tubes and that the cooling fluid is circulated in one direction in the array of tubes.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Regis Bonifay, Thierry Gauthier, Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann
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Patent number: 5686049Abstract: A catalyst, e.g., a cracking catalyst, and a part of the regeneration fumes are drawn off from the dense catalytic bed of a second regenerator (9) and are introduced by force of gravity into an external exchanger (21) at a junction point beneath the level of the dense bed of the second regenerator. The heat exchange takes place in the bottom part of the exchanger below the junction point. Between the bottom end of the exchanger and the region above the junction point a dense bed zone is formed at a level which is substantially at the height of the dense bed in the regenerator and a discharge zone (27), of suitable size, for the regeneration gases and fluidization gas. The gases and fumes from the exchanger are removed in the diluted fluidized phase from the second regenerator through a conduit (28), while the catalyst is recycled into the bed of the first regenerator through a conduit (34).Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1995Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Regis Bonifay, Frederic Hoffmann, Renaud Pontier, Thierry Gauthier
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Patent number: 5449496Abstract: The invention relates to a downflow fluid cracking process and apparatus, particularly suitable for use in the catalytic cracking of heavy hydrocarbon charges. More specifically, removal of at least partly regenerated catalyst, which must be recycled to the reactor 1 from a dense phase 17a contained in a regenerator 17, and the introduction of the catalyst into the upper part 3 of the reactor 1 takes place under conditions such that the density of the thus formed gas-solid suspension is between 80 and 500 kg/m.sup.3 prior to its contacting with the charge, which is introduced by the injectors 5.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1994Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann, Pierre Galtier
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Patent number: 5344554Abstract: The invention relates to a downflow fluid cracking process and apparatus. More specifically, sampling takes place of the at least partly regenerated catalyst, which must be recycled to the reactor 1 from a dense phase 17a, contained in a regenerator 17 and the stage of introducing the catalyst into the upper part 3 of the reactor 1 takes place under conditions such that the density of the thus formed gas-solid suspension is between 80 and 500 kg/m.sup.3 prior to its contacting with the charge, which is introduced by the injectors 5.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1991Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann, Pierre Galtier
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Patent number: 5324696Abstract: A catalyst, e.g., a cracking catalyst, and a part of the regeneration fumes are drawn off from the dense catalytic bed of a second regenerator (9) and are introduced by force of gravity into an external exchanger (21) at a junction point beneath the level of the dense bed of the second regenerator. The heat exchange takes place in the bottom part of the exchanger below the junction point. Between the bottom end of the exchanger and the region above the junction point a dense bed zone is formed at a level which is substantially at the height of the dense bed in the regenerator and a discharge zone (27), of suitable size, for the regeneration gases and fluidization gas. The gases and fumes from the exchanger are removed in the diluted fluidized phase from the second regenerator through a conduit (28), while the catalyst is recycled in to the bed of the first regenerator through a conduit (34).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Regis Bonifay, Frederic Hoffmann, Renaud Pontier, Thierry Gauthier
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Patent number: 5286690Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for fluidised bed regeneration of a catalyst containing coke.The catalyst and some of the regeneration fumes are drawn off from the dense bed of a regenerator (1) and are introduced by gravity into an external exchanger at a junction point below the level of the dense bed of the regenerator. Heat exchange is carried out in the lower part of the exchanger (7) below the junction point. From the bottom end of the exchanger up to above the junction point a dense bed zone is created the level of which is established substantially at the height of the dense bed in the regenerator and a zone (15) of suitable size for the escape of regeneration gases and fluidisation gas. The gases and fumes are drawn off into the dilute fluidised phase (18) of the regenerator through a duct (17) while the catalyst is recycled to the dense bed of the regenerator through a different duct (25) from that in which the fluidisation air is circulating.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1992Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Frederic Hoffmann, Regis Bonifay
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Patent number: 5120691Abstract: A process and apparatus for the heat regulation of fluidized or fluid catalyst beds are described, the apparatus having a fluid bed heat exchanger. According to the invention, a pulverulent solid is made to flow essentially from the base of an enclosure (1) into a heat exchanger (6) having an internal separating partition (22) which defines two elongated, adjacent compartments (23, 24) communicating at their lower part. In the compartment in which the pulverulent solid flows downwards, the fluidization speed or rate is between 0.1 cm to 2 m/s, whereas in the compartment wherein the pulverulent solid rises again into the heat exchanger (6), the fluidization speed is between 0.1 and 6 m/s. The invention can be used for refining reaction (e.g., catalytic reforming), for the regeneration of a fluidized bed catalytic cracking catalyst of a petroleum or oil charge, or for the combustion of coal.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1990Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann
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Patent number: 4967843Abstract: A method and device for producing effluent contained in a submarine geological formation which enables a submarine transfer of a petroleum output over short and medium distances between, for example, a hydrocarbon deposit and a hydrocarbon processing platform located over a larger deposit developed previously. At least one wellhead of the wells in the geological formation is connected to a production line feeding into the processing platform, with a pumping module being provided in the form of a jet pump connecting the wellheads to the production line whereby the hydrocarbons are pumped from the outlets of the well heads to the processing zone by the jet pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1988Date of Patent: November 6, 1990Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Jacques Corteville, Frederic Hoffmann
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Patent number: 4965232Abstract: A catalyst regeneration process effected in an apparatus which comprises two regeneration chambers, a heat exchanger, means for withdrawing from the second chamber a controlled fraction of hot catalyst for the purpose of maintaining the temperature in that chamber substantially at a first desirable value of less than 950.degree. C., and preferably at 910.degree. C., means for transferring this fraction of hot catalyst to the heat exchanger for the purpose of cooling it, means for the discharge of the cooled catalyst from the heat exchanger and the reinjection of the cooled catalyst into the first chamber, and means, controlled by the means for measuring the temperature in the first chamber, for regulating the supply of combustion fluid to the first chamber for the purpose of maintaining said temperature substantially at a second desired value lower than 730.degree. C. and preferably ranging from 650.degree. to 710.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1989Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignees: Compagnie de Raffinage et de Distribution Total France, Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Jean-Louis Mauleon, Jean-Bernard Siguad, Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann
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Patent number: 4930754Abstract: A security railing is formed from thick wall polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC) having PVC tee, cross and elbow fittings providing flush joints. A PVC joint aligner and strengthener is inserted in and extends across each joint, The joints and aligners are chemically welded to form a unitary structure. Joint aligners may include a steel core.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1988Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Inventors: John L. Caron, Frederic Hoffmanns
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Patent number: 4860825Abstract: A device for positioning a tool or instrument in a duct and recovering the tool or instrument therefrom by causing a vector fluid to flow through the device. The device includes a tubular element adapted to be connected to the tool or instrument and an annular sealing arrangement mounted on the tubular element for sealing the tubular element in the duct. The tubular element includes an arrangement for selecting a direction of movement of the tool or instrument which includes a closing device for cooperating with a resilient conjugate piece and a device for reversing a direction of movement of the closing device. The cooperation of the closing device with the resilient conjugate piece occurs in at least three states. In the first state, the fluid flows through the tubular element in a first direction; in the second state, the fluid flow is stopped in a direction opposite to the first direction of fluid flow; and, in the third state, the fluid is stopped in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1989Date of Patent: August 29, 1989Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Jacques Corteville, Andre Pauc, Frederic Hoffmann
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Patent number: 4723890Abstract: An articulated jet pump is provided usable more particularly in TFL techniques for activating hydrocarbon or water-producing wells. The pump of the invention may be positioned in production tubing by travelling through this tubing as far as the chosen position and comprises a nozzle adapted for being fed with drive fluid, the nozzle having an outlet orifice which cooperates with a mixer-diffuser assembly placed in an extension of the nozzle. The pump is formed from at least two elements articulated together at the level of the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1986Date of Patent: February 9, 1988Assignee: Institut Francais de PetroleInventors: Jacques Corteville, Frederic Hoffmann, Andre Pauc