Patents by Inventor James R. Lattner

James R. Lattner 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: 8344197
    Abstract: In a process for the production of para-xylene, methanol is preheated to a first temperature, an aromatic feedstock comprising toluene and/or benzene is preheated to a second temperature and the preheated methanol and aromatic feedstocks are fed to a reactor at a first methanol to aromatic feedstock molar ratio. The preheated aromatic feedstock is contacted with the preheated methanol under alkylation conditions in the reactor in the presence of a catalyst so that the methanol reacts with the aromatic feedstock to produce an effluent comprising para-xylene. During the reaction, a temperature is measured within the reactor and is compared with a predetermined optimal temperature. The methanol to aromatic feedstock molar ratio is then adjusted in a manner to reduce any difference between the measured and predetermined optimal temperatures in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Mark P. Hagemeister, Jon Edmond Randolph Stanat, John Di-Yi Ou, Xiaobo Zheng, Lu Han
  • Publication number: 20120310024
    Abstract: In a process for dealkylating a poly-alkylated aromatic compound, a feed comprising at least one poly-alkylated aromatic compound selected from polypropylbenzene, polybutylbenzene, and polycyclohexylbenzene is introduced into a reaction zone. The feed is then contacted in the reaction zone with an acid catalyst under conditions effective to dealkylate at least a portion of the poly-alkylated aromatic compound and produce a first reaction product comprising at least one mono-alkylated aromatic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Kun Wang, James R. Lattner
  • Publication number: 20120302798
    Abstract: A dehydrogenation process for the dehydrogenation of at least one dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon, the process comprising contacting a feed comprising the at least one dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst composition comprising a support and at least one dehydrogenation component wherein said conditions include a temperature of from 400° C. to 750° C. and a pressure of at least 50 psig (345 kPag).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Lorenzo C. Decaul, Sabato Miseo, James R. Lattner, Tan-Jen Chen, Terry E. Helton, Teng Xu
  • Publication number: 20120277472
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenation process that may be used in connection with the production of phenol. In the process, a composition comprising: (i) cyclohexylbenzene; and (ii) a hydrogenable component are contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. The hydrogenable component can be one or more of an olefin, a ketone or phenol. The hydrogenation catalyst has hydrogenation component and a support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Keith H. Kuechler, James R. Lattner, Edmund J. Mozeleski
  • Patent number: 8299314
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for integrating a catalyst regeneration system with a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses, preferably, a plurality of multiple riser reactor units. One embodiment of the present invention is a reactor system including a plurality of reactor units, at least one reactor unit preferably comprising a plurality of riser reactors. The system also includes a regenerator for converting an at least partially deactivated catalyst to a regenerated catalyst. A first conduit system transfers the at least partially deactivated catalyst from the reactor units to the regenerator, and a second conduit system transfers regenerating catalysts from the regenerator to the plurality of reactor units. Optionally, catalysts from a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses may be directed to a single stripping unit and/or a single regeneration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Michael Peter Nicoletti, James R. Lattner, Dennis George Alexion, Peter K. Paik
  • Patent number: 8227653
    Abstract: The invention relates to olefin oligomerization methods and methods for reducing/inhibiting fouling in olefin oligomerization reactions comprising: contacting, in an oligomerization reactor (e.g., under oligomerization conditions), an alpha-olefin feed, a catalyst having an olefin selectivity of at least 90 mol % to a desired oligomerization product, a polymer anti-foulant, and optionally a diluent; selectively producing an effluent comprising the desired oligomerization product, unreacted olefin, and alpha-olefin-based polymer byproduct that causes fouling. The amount of polymer anti-foulant can be chosen to limit fouling to ?20 g/kg desired oligomerization product, to remediate ?3 grams fouled polymer/kg desired oligomerization product, and/or to reduce/inhibit polymer fouling by ?10% over a selective oligomerization with substantially no added polymer anti-foulant. Advantageously, desired oligomerization product so obtained can also be polymerized/copolymerized with an alpha-olefin such as ethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Weber, James R. Lattner, Laughlin G. McCullough, Randell W. Dickey, Steven D. Brown, Peter N. Loezos
  • Patent number: 8222459
    Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexanone, cyclohexylbenzene is oxidized to produce cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and then the resultant cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is cleaved to produce an effluent stream comprising phenol and cyclohexanone. At least a portion of the effluent stream is then fed to at least one hydrogenation reaction zone, where the effluent stream portion is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least part of the phenol in the effluent portion into cyclohexanone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, John S. Buchanan, James R. Lattner, Sadi Mizrahi
  • Publication number: 20120036889
    Abstract: A process for converting a gaseous hydrocarbon feed comprising methane to an aromatic hydrocarbon is integrated with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or pipeline gas production. In the integrated process, the gaseous hydrocarbon feed is supplied to a conversion zone comprising at least one dehydroaromatization catalyst and is contacted with the catalyst under conversion conditions to produce a gaseous effluent stream comprising at least one aromatic compound, unreacted methane and H2. The gaseous effluent stream is then separated into a first product stream comprising said at least one aromatic compound and a second product stream comprising unreacted methane and H2. The second product stream is further separated into a methane-rich stream and a hydrogen-rich stream and at least part of the methane-rich stream is passed to LNG and/or pipeline gas production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Robert D. Denton, Garth M. Norman, James R. Lattner
  • Publication number: 20120016097
    Abstract: The invention relates to olefin oligomerization methods and methods for reducing/inhibiting fouling in olefin oligomerization reactions comprising: contacting, in an oligomerization reactor (e.g., under oligomerization conditions), an alpha-olefin feed, a catalyst having an olefin selectivity of at least 90 mol % to a desired oligomerization product, a polymer anti-foulant, and optionally a diluent; selectively producing an effluent comprising the desired oligomerization product, unreacted olefin, and alpha-olefin-based polymer byproduct that causes fouling. The amount of polymer anti-foulant can be chosen to limit fouling to ?20 g/kg desired oligomerization product, to remediate ?3 grams fouled polymer/kg desired oligomerization product, and/or to reduce/inhibit polymer fouling by ?10% over a selective oligomerization with substantially no added polymer anti-foulant. Advantageously, desired oligomerization product so obtained can also be polymerized/copolymerized with an alpha-olefin such as ethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michael W. Weber, James R. Lattner, Laughlin G. Mccullough, Randell W. Dickey, Steven D. Brown, Peter N. Loezos
  • Patent number: 8084648
    Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, hydrogen and a liquid feed comprising benzene are introduced into a reaction zone and are contacted in the reaction zone under hydroalkylation conditions to produce cyclohexylbenzene. An effluent stream comprising cyclohexylbenzene and unreacted benzene is removed from the reaction zone and is divided into at least first and second portions, wherein the mass ratio of the effluent stream first portion to the effluent stream second portion is at least 2:1. The effluent stream first portion is then cooled and the cooled effluent stream first portion is recycled to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Jane C. Cheng, Tan-Jen Chen, James R. Lattner
  • Patent number: 8076524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing olefin comonomers from ethylene. The comonomer generated can be used in a subsequent process, such as a polyethylene polymerization reactor. The comonomer generated can be transported, optionally without isolation or storage, to a polyethylene polymerization reactor. One method includes the steps of: feeding ethylene and a catalyst in a solvent/diluent to one or more comonomer synthesis reactors; reacting the ethylene and the catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to produce an effluent comprising a desired comonomer; forming a gas stream comprising unreacted ethylene, and a liquid/bottoms stream comprising the comonomer, optionally by passing the effluent to one or more downstream gas/liquid phase separators; and purifying at least a portion of said liquid/bottoms stream by removing at least one of solid polymer, catalyst, and undesirable olefins therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, John F. Walzer, Jr., Krishnan Sankaranarayanan, John Scott Buchanan, Milind Bholanath Ajinkya, Stephen M Wood, Anastasios I Skoulidas, Jay L Reimers, Timothy Daniel Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20110301387
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing phenol or a substituted phenol and a co-product comprising the steps of (i) contacting a first stream comprising an alkylaromatic compound with a second stream comprising an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a first catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under conditions to convert at least a portion of said alkylaromatic compound to an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide, (ii) producing an effluent stream comprising said cyclic imide, said alkylaromatic hydroperoxide, and said alkylaromatic compound wherein said effluent stream has an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide concentration of from 10 to 40 wt %; and (iii) contacting in a second reactor at least a portion of said effluent stream with a second catalyst to convert said alkylaromatic hydroperoxide to a product stream comprising phenol and said co-product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Kun Wang, Francisco M. Benitez, James R. Lattner, Jihad M. Dakka, Edmund J. Mozeleski, Stephen Zushma
  • Patent number: 8058371
    Abstract: Processes for polymerizing propylene. About 40 wt % to about 80 wt % propylene monomer, based on total weight of propylene monomer and diluent, and about 20 wt % to about 60 wt % diluent, based on total weight of propylene monomer and diluent, can be fed into a reactor. The propylene monomer can be polymerized in the presence of a metallocene catalyst and an activator within the reactor at a temperature of about 80° C. or more and a pressure of about 13 MPa or more to produce a polymer product in a homogenous system. About 20 wt % to about 76 wt % (preferably About 28 wt % to about 76 wt %) propylene monomer, based on total weight of the propylene monomer, diluent, and polymer product, can be present at the reactor exit at steady state conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Brant, Gary L. Casty, Gabor Kiss, Raymond A. Cook, James R. Lattner
  • Patent number: 8008412
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process to polymerize olefins comprising contacting propylene, at a temperature of 65° C. to 150° C. and a pressure of 1.72 to 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Brant, Kiss Gabor, Chris B. Friedersdorf, James R. Lattner, Gary L. Casty
  • Patent number: 8003839
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line method for generating comonomer, from monomer, such as ethylene. The comonomer generated is stored prior to transporting to a polyethylene polymerization reactor. The in-line method includes the steps of providing an in-line comonomer synthesis reactor and a downstream gas/liquid phase separator prior to the polymerization reactor; feeding ethylene monomer and a catalyst in a solvent and/or diluent to the comonomer synthesis reactor; reacting the ethylene monomer and the catalyst in solvent and/or diluent under reaction conditions to produce an effluent stream including ethylene monomer and comonomer; passing the effluent stream from the comonomer synthesis reactor to the downstream gas/liquid phase separator to separate a gas stream from a bottom stream, wherein the gas stream is a mixture of ethylene monomer and comonomer; and passing the gas stream to the polymerization reactor to provide the necessary comonomer input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John Scott Buchanan, Krishnan Sankaranarayanan, Milind B. Ajinkya, Stephen M. Wood, Anastasios I. Skoulidas, James R. Lattner, John F. Walzer
  • Patent number: 7982085
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line method for generating comonomer from monomer, such as ethylene. The comonomer generated is directly transported, without isolation or storage, to a polyethylene polymerization reactor. The in-line method includes the steps of providing an in-line comonomer synthesis reactor and a downstream gas/liquid phase separator prior to the polymerization reactor; feeding ethylene monomer and a catalyst in a solvent and/or diluent to the comonomer synthesis reactor; reacting the ethylene monomer and the catalyst in solvent and/or diluent under reaction conditions to produce an effluent stream including ethylene monomer and comonomer; passing the effluent stream from the comonomer synthesis reactor to the downstream gas/liquid phase separator to separate a gas stream from a bottom stream, wherein the gas stream is a mixture of ethylene monomer and comonomer; and passing the gas stream to the polymerization reactor to provide the necessary comonomer input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John Scott Buchanan, Timothy D. Shaffer, James R. Lattner, John F. Walzer
  • Publication number: 20110172466
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, a reaction medium comprising a hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a reaction zone and in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide. During the oxidation process, a portion of the reaction medium is continuously or intermittently removed from the reaction zone, is stripped of water and organic acid impurities and then returned to the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL PATENTS INC.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Mark Hagemeister, Jon E.R. Stanat, John S. Buchanan, Jihad M. Dakka, Stephen Zushma
  • Publication number: 20110152577
    Abstract: In a process for producing sec-butylbenzene, a C4 olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising isobutene and at least one n-butene is contacted with methanol and/or water in the presence of an acid catalyst to selectively oxygenate isobutene to produce an effluent stream rich in n-butene and containing less isobutene than the feedstock. The effluent stream is then contacted with benzene under alkylation conditions and in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce alkylation stream comprising sec-butylbenzene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Jon E.R. Stanat, James R. Lattner, Jane C. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20110105805
    Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is oxidized to produce cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and then the resultant cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is cleaved to produce an effluent stream comprising phenol and cyclohexanone. At least a portion of the effluent stream is then fed to at least one dehydrogenation reaction zone, where the effluent stream portion is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least part of the cyclohexanone in the effluent portion into phenol and hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Jon E. Stanat, Tan-Jen Chen, Jihad M. Dakka, James R. Lattner
  • Publication number: 20110092756
    Abstract: In a process for the production of para-xylene, an aromatic feedstock comprising toluene and/or benzene is reacted with methanol under alkylation conditions in a reactor in the presence of a fluidized bed of solid catalyst particles to produce a vapor phase effluent comprising para-xylene, water, unreacted toluene and/or benzene and solid catalyst fines. The vapor phase effluent is contacted with a liquid hydrocarbon quench stream under conditions to condense a minor portion of the vapor phase effluent and produce a condensate which contains at least some of the catalyst fines and which is substantially free of an aqueous phase. The condensate containing said catalyst fines is then separated from the remainder of the vapor phase effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Mark P. Hagemeister, Christopher Gordon Smalley, Jon Edmond Randolph Stanat, Timothy Paul Bender, Masaaki Sugita, Rathna P. Davuluri, Lu Han