Patents by Inventor James R. Butler

James R. Butler 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).

  • Method for production of styrene from toluene and syngas
    Patent number: 8212095
    Abstract: A method for the production of styrene comprising reacting toluene and syngas in one or more reactors is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Pelati, James R. Butler
  • Stabilization of pygas for storage
    Patent number: 8187346
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing pyrolysis gasoline in storage involves adding an effective amount of a quinone methide compound to the pyrolysis gasoline. The quinone methide does not require oxygen for activity. Embodiments of the quinone methide do not contain nitrogen and will have a reduced tendency for ammonia production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Depolymerizatin of Plastic Materials
    Publication number: 20120108863
    Abstract: A styrene monomer reclamation process and system is disclosed. The styrene monomer reclamation process includes providing a waste plastic. The waste plastic includes styrenic polymers. The waste plastic is formed into polymer particles. At least a portion of the polymer particles are dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer stream. The dissolved polymer particles are depolymerized to form a styrene monomer stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Tippet, James R. Butler, James Assef, John Ashbaugh, Jason Clark, Michel Duc, Jean-Bernard Cary
  • Processes using dividing wall distillation column
    Patent number: 8153853
    Abstract: A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Removal of Hydrogen From Dehydrogenation Processes
    Publication number: 20120078024
    Abstract: A process and system for dehydrogenating certain hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process includes contacting a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon with steam in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst to form hydrogen and a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon. Some of the hydrogen is then removed and some of the remaining dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon is dehydrogenated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, James N. Waguespack, Jason Clark
  • TOLUENE DISPROPORTIONATION USING Nb/MORDENITE CATALYST
    Publication number: 20120071317
    Abstract: A molecular sieve catalyst useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons containing niobium is disclosed, along with a process for the disproportionation of toluene to benzene and xylene using such catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Rosa Hall, Xin Xiao
  • Process for liquid phase alkylation
    Patent number: 8134036
    Abstract: A method for the liquid-phase alkylation of an aromatic substrate is disclosed. A reaction zone has at least one catalyst bed containing a first catalyst modified by the inclusion of a rare earth metal ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology Inc
    Inventors: Joseph E. Pelati, James R. Butler, Marcus Ledoux
  • PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF ETHYLBENZENE FROM TOLUENE AND METHANE
    Publication number: 20120059206
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting toluene with methane to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and further processing the ethylbenzene to form styrene in an existing styrene production facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Joseph E. Pelati
  • PROCESS FOR TOLUENE AND METHANE COUPLING IN A MICROREACTOR
    Publication number: 20120046508
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane in one or more microreactors is disclosed. In one embodiment a method of revamping an existing styrene production facility by adding one or more microreactors capable of reacting toluene with methane to produce a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and/or styrene is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Method for Production of Styrene from Toluene and Syngas
    Publication number: 20110319687
    Abstract: A method for the production of styrene comprising reacting toluene and syngas in one or more reactors is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Pelati, James R. Butler
  • Dilute Ethylene Alkylation of Benzene
    Publication number: 20110306813
    Abstract: Methods of forming ethylbenzene are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes contacting dilute ethylene with benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene, wherein such contact occurs in a reaction zone containing a gaseous phase and recovering ethylbenzene from the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • CHEMICAL PRODUCTION PROCESSES UTILIZING SYNGAS FROM PLASMA PYROLYSIS
    Publication number: 20110306684
    Abstract: Chemical production processes are described herein. The chemical production processes generally include providing municipal solid waste; subjecting the municipal solid waste to plasma pyrolysis to form an intermediate for chemical production, wherein the intermediate includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen; and transferring the intermediate from the plasma pyrolysis to a chemical or liquid fuel production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James N. Waguespack, James R. Butler
  • Process for production of ethylbenzene from toluene and methane
    Patent number: 8076527
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting toluene with methane to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and further processing the ethylbenzene to form styrene in an existing styrene production facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Joseph E. Pelati
  • Process for toluene and methane coupling in a microreactor
    Patent number: 8071836
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane in one or more microreactors is disclosed. In one embodiment a method of revamping an existing styrene production facility by adding one or more microreactors capable of reacting toluene with methane to produce a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and/or styrene is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Toluene disproportionation using Nb/mordenite catalyst
    Patent number: 8063259
    Abstract: A molecular sieve catalyst useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons containing niobium is disclosed, along with a process for the disproportionation of toluene to benzene and xylene using such catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Rosa Hall, Xin Xiao
  • Stacked Bed Hydrotreating Reactor System
    Publication number: 20110278201
    Abstract: Methods and systems for diesel formation are described herein. The diesel hydrotreating systems generally include a hydrodesulfurization unit having a catalyst system disposed therein and adapted to contact an input stream with the catalyst system therein to form diesel. The catalyst system generally includes a plurality of catalysts including a first catalyst including a hydrodesulfurization catalyst having a first pore diameter and a second catalyst having a second pore diameter, wherein the second pore diameter is larger than the first pore diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Kelly, James R. Butler
  • ASPHALT COMPOSITIONS AND THE PREPARATION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20110269877
    Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William D. Lee, James R. Butler
  • Regenerable Composite Catalysts for Hydrocarbon Aromatization
    Publication number: 20110257452
    Abstract: A composite catalyst for aromatization of hydrocarbons includes a molecular sieve catalyst and metal dehydrogenation catalyst present as discrete catalysts in a physical admixture. The molecular sieve catalyst can be a zeolite and the metal dehydrogenation catalyst can be in the form of a nanostructure, such as zinc oxide nanopowder. The catalyst can convert hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as alkanes and alkenes, to aromatics and can be regenerated in-situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Olga Khabashesku, James R. Butler, Darak Wachowicz, Callum Bailey
  • Regenerable Composite Catalysts for Paraffin Aromatization
    Publication number: 20110253596
    Abstract: A composite catalyst for aromatization of paraffins includes a molecular sieve catalyst and metal dehydrogenation catalyst present as discrete catalysts in a physical admixture. The molecular sieve catalyst can be a zeolite and the metal dehydrogenation catalyst can be in the form of a nanoctructure, such as zinc oxide nanopowder. The catalyst can convert feedstocks such as LPG to aromatics and can be regenerated in-situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Olga Khabashesku, James R. Butler, Darek Wachowicz, Callum Bailey
  • Ear plug
    Patent number: D650062
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Just Plugs, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Butler, John J. Brown