Patents by Inventor Gavin P. Towler

Gavin P. Towler 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: 20120083639
    Abstract: Processes for maximizing high-value aromatics production utilizing stabilized crude benzene withdrawal are provided. Aromatic reactor effluent comprising a C5? fraction and a C6 to C10 fraction is separated into a benzene-rich stream and liquid and vapor streams depleted in benzene, one of the liquid streams depleted in benzene being a benzene-depleted C6? fraction. At least a portion of the C5? fraction from the benzene-rich stream is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 8137533
    Abstract: A process is presented for the selective catalytic cracking of naphtha to light olefins. The process includes contacting a naphtha feedstream with a mixture of catalysts to reduce the amount of recycle, and especially the recycle of light paraffins. The mixture of catalysts includes a first molecular sieve made up from a small pore zeolite having a pore index between 13 and 26, and a second molecular sieve made up from an intermediate pore zeolite having a pore index between 26 and 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Hayim Abrevaya
  • Patent number: 8052938
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Tom N. Kalnes, Paul T. Barger, Gavin P. Towler, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 8047509
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses, for example reactors and distillation columns (as well as reactive distillation apparatuses), comprising a vessel with one or more vortex contacting stages, are described. The one or more stages provide high interfacial area for the effective contacting of the different phases, in addition to the effective disengagement of these phases after contacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Gavin P. Towler
  • Publication number: 20110230698
    Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of paraffins is presented. The process utilizes a rapid recycling of dehydrogenation catalyst between the dehydrogenation reactor and the catalyst regeneration unit. The process comprises preheating a combined hydrogen and paraffin hydrocarbon feedstream and passing the combined stream to a dehydrogenation reactor. The hydrocarbon feedstream and the catalyst pass through the reactor at a rate to limit the average residence time of the catalyst in the reactor. The catalyst is cycled to a regeneration unit, and passed through the regeneration unit to limit the average residence time of the catalyst in the regeneration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Cynthia K. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8007661
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided arrangements are provided for the processing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock via hydrocarbon cracking processing with selected hydrocarbon fractions being obtained via absorption-based product recovery while minimizing or avoiding loss of light olefins via system purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: UOP LLC, SNI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, David A. Wegerer, Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7973209
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements for the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and obtaining light olefins substantially free of carbon dioxide via amine treatment and employing fractionation processing are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, John P. Brady, William J. Lechnick, Michael A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7951984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Tom N. Kalnes, Paul T. Barger, Gavin P. Towler, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20110118516
    Abstract: A process for producing a feedstock for gasolines having very little aromatic concentrations is disclosed. The present process uses by-product olefins and alkanes to produce an alkylate for use in gasoline blending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John J. Senetar, David A. Wegerer, Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7935245
    Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing refinery carbon dioxide emissions by improving the overall synthesis gas yield in a fluid catalytic cracking unit having a reactor and a regenerator are discussed. In one example, a method comprises introducing spent catalyst and a feed gas comprising oxygen to the regenerator at gasification conditions. The method further comprises heating the spent catalyst to burn coke therefrom to produce a synthesis gas. The method further comprises combining the synthesis gas with a dry gas comprising hydrogen, creating the overall synthesis gas and thereby increasing the yield of the overall synthesis gas produced in the FCC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignees: UOP LLC, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7932204
    Abstract: Systems and methods of improving synthesis gas quality in a fluid catalytic cracking unit are disclosed. In one example, a method comprises reacting a first stage regeneration gas comprising oxygen with spent catalyst from a reactor in a first stage of a regenerator to consume the oxygen in the first stage regeneration gas. This reaction produces a synthesis gas output and partially regenerated catalyst. The method further comprises reacting a second stage regeneration gas comprising oxygen with the partially regenerated catalyst in a second stage of the regenerator to regenerate the partially regenerated catalyst. This reaction produces the first stage regeneration gas for reaction with the spent catalyst in the first stage of the regenerator. Through the first and second stage reactions, the spent catalyst is regenerated and the synthesis gas quality is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: UOP LLC, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7910070
    Abstract: A process and system for separating and saturating benzene from a reforming reactor effluent begins with introducing the reforming reactor effluent to a combined stabilizer and naphtha splitter. An overhead stream comprising light ends, a sidecut stream comprising C4? C5 compounds, a bottoms stream comprising C7+ compounds and a heart cut stream comprising C4, C5, C6 compounds including benzene are all removed from the combined stabilizer and naphtha splitter. The heart cut stream is introduced to a side stripper to produce a side stripper overhead stream reduced in benzene and a side stripper bottoms stream enriched in benzene. At least a portion of the side stripper bottoms stream enriched in benzene is introduced into a hydrogenation zone to saturate benzene and generate a hydrogenation zone effluent reduced in benzene. The side stripper overhead stream may be recycled to the combined stabilizer and naphtha splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Cynthia K. Zimmerman, Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7902412
    Abstract: A process for producing a feedstock for gasolines having very little aromatic concentrations is disclosed. The present process uses by-product olefins and alkanes to produce an alkylate for use in gasoline blending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John J. Senetar, David A. Wegerer, Gavin P. Towler
  • Publication number: 20110027141
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Tom N. Kalnes, Paul T. Barger, Gavin P. Towler, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20110028771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Tom N. Kalnes, Paul T. Barger, Gavin P. Towler, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20110021851
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for desorbing an adsorbent bed. The process can include passing a desorbent stream through the adsorbent bed to remove at least one of a nitrile compound and an oxygenate compound. Generally, the desorbent stream after desorbing is combined with a feed stream for an alkylation zone after a selective hydrogenation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Charles P. Luebke, David N. Myers, Steven L. Krupa
  • Patent number: 7837857
    Abstract: A method for obtaining jet fuel from diesel fuel is provided, the method comprising subjecting the diesel fuel to hydrocracking to convert at least a portion of the diesel fuel into a mixture of light hydrocarbons, kerosene, naphtha and a liquefied petroleum gas, isolating the kerosene, recovering jet fuel from the kerosene, subjecting at least a portion of the mixture of kerosene, naphtha and a liquefied petroleum gas to steam forming to obtain a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, and recycling hydrogen contained in the synthesis gas to the hydrocracking step. A modular system for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Rajeev Gautam, William H. Keesom, Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7834227
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Tom N. Kalnes, Paul T. Barger, Gavin P. Towler, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20100258427
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses, for example reactors and distillation columns (as well as reactive distillation apparatuses), comprising a vessel with one or more vortex contacting stages, are described. The one or more stages provide high interfacial area for the effective contacting of the different phases, in addition to the effective disengagement of these phases after contacting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Gavin P. TOWLER
  • Patent number: 7789658
    Abstract: A fired heater has two types of burners. The first burner is located in a duct which provides oxygen-containing gas to the heater to be combusted with the fuel provided by the burner. The second burner is located in the heater and provides both air and fuel for combustion. The heater may be located downstream of a gas turbine engine that cogenerates electricity and provides the oxygen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Randy S. Stier, Christopher Naunheimer