Patents by Inventor James T. Merrill
James T. Merrill 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: 9556084Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, James T. Merrill
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Publication number: 20140128651Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 8680354Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 8637720Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are discussed herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a first preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The first preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a Y zeolite. The systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James T. Merrill, Marcus Ledoux
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Publication number: 20140005454Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 8552238Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 8524969Abstract: A method for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons to alkenes, such as n-pentene to piperylene and n-butane to butadiene at pressures less than atmospheric utilizing a dehydrogenation catalyst are disclosed. Embodiments involve operating the dehydrogenation reactor at a pressure of 1,000 mbar or less.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James Butler, Olga Khabashesku, James T. Merrill
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Publication number: 20130225888Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, James T. Merrill
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Publication number: 20130217937Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are discussed herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a first preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The first preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a Y zeolite. The systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James T. Merrill, Marcus Ledoux
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Patent number: 8426662Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are discussed herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a first preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The first preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a Y zeolite. The systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James T. Merrill, Marcus Ledoux
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Patent number: 7696395Abstract: Process for the production of an isoprene containing rubber compound by dehydrogenation of an isoamylene containing feedstock supplied to a dehydrogenation reactor containing a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst comprising iron and potassium and having a pore diameter of at least 500 nanometers. The dehydrogenation reactor is operated at a temperature of at least 570° C. to dehydrogenate the isoamylene to produce isoprene. The product containing isoprene and unreacted isoamylene is recovered from the dehydrogenation reactor. Isoprene is polymerized to produce an isoprene containing rubber product. An unreacted feed component containing isoamylene is separated from the rubber product and recycled to the dehydrogenation reactor.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventor: James T. Merrill
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Publication number: 20100022816Abstract: A method for the dehydrogenation of isoamylene to isoprene at pressures less than atmospheric utilizing a dehydrogenation catalyst is disclosed. Embodiments involve operating the dehydrogenation reactor at a pressure of 1,000 mbar or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventor: James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 7569741Abstract: Methods and systems for petrochemical feedstream purification are described herein. The methods generally include providing a petrochemical feedstock, wherein the petrochemical feedstock includes a concentration of polar impurities, contacting the petrochemical feedstock with a washing agent to remove at least a portion of the polar impurities therefrom, separating the washing agent from the petrochemical feedstock to form a purified feedstock and passing the purified feedstock to a petrochemical process. In one embodiment, the petrochemical feedstock includes benzene and the washing agent includes water.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James R. Butler, James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 7507385Abstract: Process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of a C2 or C3 alkyl aromatic in which a feedstock containing the alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. Within the reactor, the feedstock flows through at least a portion of the reactor along a spiral flow path extending longitudinally of the reactor. The resulting vinyl aromatic product is then recovered from a downstream or outlet section of the reactor. The spiral flow path through which the feedstock is passed is located at least adjacent the inlet side of the reactor and at least a portion of the spiral flow path contains a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst. The spiral flow path may extend throughout a major portion of the elongated tubular reactor and may contain a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst in a substantial portion there.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James R. Butler, James T. Merrill, Adrian M. Jacobsen
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Publication number: 20080306320Abstract: Process for the production of an isoprene containing rubber compound by dehydrogenation of an isoamylene containing feedstock supplied to a dehydrogenation reactor containing a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst comprising iron and potassium and having a pore diameter of at least 500 nanometers. The dehydrogenation reactor is operated at a temperature of at least 570° C. to dehydrogenate the isoamylene to produce isoprene. The product containing isoprene and unreacted isoamylene is recovered from the dehydrogenation reactor. Isoprene is polymerized to produce an isoprene containing rubber product. An unreacted feed component containing isoamylene is separated from the rubber product and recycled to the dehydrogenation reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventor: James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 7105711Abstract: A process for the reduction of a phenylacetylene contaminant in the presence of a styrene monomer. A styrene monomer stream containing a minor amount of phenylacetylene is supplied to a hydrogenation reactor. A hydrogenation gas comprising hydrogen is also supplied to the hydrogenation reactor. The styrene monomer stream and the hydrogen are brought into contact with a catalyst bed containing a catalyst comprising a reduced copper compound on a theta alumina support. The hydrogenation reactor is operated at a temperature of at least 60° C. and a pressure of at least 30 psig to hydrogenate phenylacetylene to styrene. A product is recovered from the hydrogenation reactor having a substantially reduced phenylacetylene content and an enhanced styrene content. The hydrogenation gas comprises a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventor: James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 6960279Abstract: Disclosed is the observation that 7-aryl-quinone methides and 4-tert-butylcatechol, when used in combination in a vinyl aromatic monomer to inhibit polymerization,do not inhibit polymerization to the same extend as each would if used separately. Stated another way, a phenomenon has been observed that when these two compounds are used together, they can, to a large extent, render each other unable to inhibit polymerization in a vinyl aromatic monomer. Also disclosed are methods of preventing adverse results of this interaction when undesired and a method of using this interaction to prepare a reactive vinyl aromatic monomer having a concentration of 4-tert-butylcatechol that would otherwise inhibit polymerization. The invention is disclosed to be useful with the production and storage of any vinyl aromatic monomer and is disclosed to be particularly useful with the production and storage of styrene monomer.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventor: James T. Merrill
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Patent number: 6897346Abstract: A process for the transalkylation of polyalkylated aromatic compounds over a high porosity zeolite-Y molecular sieve having a surface area of no more than 500 m2/g. A feedstock comprising a polyalkylated aromatic component, including polyalkylbenzenes in which the predominant alkyl substituents contain from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, is supplied to a transalkylation reaction zone containing the high porosity zeolite-Y catalyst. Benzene is also supplied to the transalkylation zone, and the reaction zone is operated under temperature and pressure conditions to maintain the polyalkylated aromatic component in the liquid phase and which are effective to cause disproportionation of the polyalkylated aromatic component to arrive a disproportionation product having a reduced polyalkylbenzene content and an enhanced monoalkylbenzene content.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1999Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James T. Merrill, James R. Butler
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Patent number: 6864399Abstract: The alkylation of benzene-containing feedstock over a zeolite beta alkylation catalyst which is formulated with a silica binder and has an average regeneration coefficient of at least 95% for at least three regenerations. The alkylation reaction is carried out in the liquid phase or supercritical region with a C2-C4 alkylating agent, specifically ethylene. The catalyst exhibits a regeneration coefficient of at least 95% after ethylation of the benzene with ethylene at a benzene/ethylene mole ratio of less than 10. The ethylation of benzene occurs at an initial designated primary activity. The operation of the reaction zone is continued until the activity of the catalyst for the ethylation of benzene decreases by a value of at least 0.1% and not more 1% from the initial designated primary activity.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: James T. Merrill, James R. Butler
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Publication number: 20040228780Abstract: Process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of a C2 or C3 alkyl aromatic in which a feedstock containing the alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. Within the reactor, the feedstock flows through at least a portion of the reactor along a spiral flow path extending longitudinally of the reactor. The resulting vinyl aromatic product is then recovered from a downstream or outlet section of the reactor. The spiral flow path through which the feedstock is passed is located at least adjacent the inlet side of the reactor and at least a portion of the spiral flow path contains a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst. The spiral flow path may extend throughout a major portion of the elongated tubular reactor and may contain a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst in a substantial portion there.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: James R. Butler, James T. Merrill, Adrian M. Jacobsen