Patents by Inventor Jeffrey L. Andrews
Jeffrey L. Andrews 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: 11760705Abstract: A transalkylation process co-feeds benzene at a relatively high proportion with C9+ aromatics in a feed stream to a transalkylation reactor. At lower proportions (?5 wt %) of benzene, ring loss is greater for benzene than toluene and ring loss is increased by increasing the proportion of benzene in the feed stream. When the benzene is co-fed in a proportion sufficiently greater than 5 weight percent of the feed stream, ring loss is unexpectedly reduced.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Paul Podsiadlo, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Michel Molinier
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Patent number: 11331658Abstract: Processes for activating precious metal-containing catalysts. The processes can decrease the amount of high purity hydrogen required for starting up a catalytic conversion process such as transalkylation of heavy aromatics, without detrimental impact to the metal activity. The processes can include a low temperature treatment step with a high purity first gas, such as hydrogen generated by electrolysis and/or reformer hydrogen diluted with high purity inert gas, and a high temperature treatment step with a low purity second gas such as the reformer hydrogen. Also, the processes can include mixing a hydrogen gas of high or low purity with a high purity inert gas to form a gas mixture with a proportion of hydrogen no less than 2% and a reduced carbon monoxide concentration relative to the low purity hydrogen, and contacting the catalyst with the gas mixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Paul Podsiadlo, Robert G. Tinger, Todd E. Detjen, Jesus A. Ramos, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Travis D. Sparks
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Publication number: 20210163379Abstract: A transalkylation process co-feeds benzene at a relatively high proportion with C9+ aromatics in a feed stream to a transalkylation reactor. At lower proportions (?5 wt %) of benzene, ring loss is greater for benzene than toluene and ring loss is increased by increasing the proportion of benzene in the feed stream. When the benzene is co-fed in a proportion sufficiently greater than 5 weight percent of the feed stream, ring loss is unexpectedly reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Paul Podsiadlo, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Michel Molinier
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Publication number: 20200306744Abstract: Processes for activating precious metal-containing catalysts. The processes can decrease the amount of high purity hydrogen required for starting up a catalytic conversion process such as transalkylation of heavy aromatics, without detrimental impact to the metal activity. The processes can include a low temperature treatment step with a high purity first gas, such as hydrogen generated by electrolysis and/or reformer hydrogen diluted with high purity inert gas, and a high temperature treatment step with a low purity second gas such as the reformer hydrogen. Also, the processes can include mixing a hydrogen gas of high or low purity with a high purity inert gas to form a gas mixture with a proportion of hydrogen no less than 2% and a reduced carbon monoxide concentration relative to the low purity hydrogen, and contacting the catalyst with the gas mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Paul Podsiadlo, Robert G. Tinger, Todd E. Detjen, Antonio O. Ramos, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Travis D. Sparks
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Publication number: 20200308087Abstract: A process for making p-xylene comprising co-feeding toluene with C8 aromatics into a vapor phase isomerization unit can improve xylenes loss and benzene selectivity in ethylbenzene conversionType: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Daniel J. Benedict, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Mika L. Shiramizu, Nora B. Sennett
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Patent number: 10781149Abstract: Disclosed is a transalkylation process for making an aromatic material between a light aromatic material and a heavier aromatic material in the presence of hydrogen and a transalkylation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component and a transalkylation component. The process comprises conducting the transalkylation reaction under conditions conducive to reducing the amount of cyclic compounds in the transalkylation reaction mixture in the beginning phase of the operation that is different from the conditions after the beginning phase. The invention is useful, e.g., in transalkylation between toluene and C9+ aromatic feed materials to produce xylenes and/or benzene.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Hari Nair
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Patent number: 10450243Abstract: A process is provided for producing xylene by transalkylation including introducing sulfur into a reactor containing a catalyst system prior to first introduction of hydrocarbon feedstock into the reactor; introducing hydrocarbon feedstock into the reactor upon the concentration of sulfur downstream of the catalyst system meeting a predetermined sulfur breakthrough concentration; continuing sulfur introduction for a period of time after first introducing hydrocarbon feedstock into the reactor; reducing the concentration of sulfur introduced upon ?T decreasing to or below a predetermined sulfur reduction threshold; and discontinuing sulfur introduction upon ?T decreasing to or below a predetermined sulfur shutoff threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Xiaobo Zheng, Robert G. Tinger, Timothy P. Bender, Kathleen M. Keville, Jeffrey L. Andrews
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Patent number: 9738573Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C9+-aromatics to C8?-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeevan S. Abichandani, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Robert G. Tinger, Dennis J. Stanley, George J. Wagner
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Patent number: 9469579Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent under conditions effective to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the methylated effluent stream to produce a para-xylene depleted stream and part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a first isomerized stream, while part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under vapor phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a second isomerized stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the para-xylene recovery step.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Timothy P. Bender, Robert G. Tinger, Dennis J. Stanley, George J. Wagner
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Publication number: 20160264495Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent under conditions effective to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the methylated effluent stream to produce a para-xylene depleted stream and part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a first isomerized stream, while part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under vapor phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a second isomerized stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the para-xylene recovery step.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Timothy P. Bender, Robert G. Tinger, Dennis J. Stanley, George J. Wagner
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Publication number: 20160185686Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C9+-aromatics to C8?-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeevan S. Abichandani, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Robert G. Tinger, Dennis J. Stanley, George J. Wagner
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Publication number: 20160176786Abstract: A process is provided for producing xylene by transalkylation including introducing sulfur into a reactor containing a catalyst system prior to first introduction of hydrocarbon feedstock into the reactor; introducing hydrocarbon feedstock into the reactor upon the concentration of sulfur downstream of the catalyst system meeting a predetermined sulfur breakthrough concentration; continuing sulfur introduction for a period of time after first introducing hydrocarbon feedstock into the reactor; reducing the concentration of sulfur introduced upon ?T decreasing to or below a predetermined sulfur reduction threshold; and discontinuing sulfur introduction upon ?T decreasing to or below a predetermined sulfur shutoff threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Xiaobo Zheng, Robert G. Tinger, Timothy P. Bender, Kathleen M. Keville, Jeffrey L. Andrews
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Publication number: 20160176787Abstract: Disclosed is a transalkylation process for making an aromatic material between a light aromatic material and a heavier aromatic material in the presence of hydrogen and a transalkylation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component and a transalkylation component. The process comprises conducting the transalkylation reaction under conditions conducive to reducing the amount of cyclic compounds in the transalkylation reaction mixture in the beginning phase of the operation that is different from the conditions after the beginning phase. The invention is useful, e.g., in transalkylation between toluene and C9+ aromatic feed materials to produce xylenes and/or benzene.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Hari Nair
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Publication number: 20160101405Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7— aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Michel Molinier
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Patent number: 9302953Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C9+-aromatics to C8?-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemicals Patents Inc.Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeevan S. Abichandani, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Timothy P. Bender, Robert G. Tinger, Dennis J. Stanley, George J. Wagner
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Patent number: 9295970Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Michel Molinier
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Patent number: 9260360Abstract: The invention relates to minimizing ammonia poisoning of a catalyst and to a xylene isomerization process using said catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Chunshe Cao, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Michel Molinier
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Patent number: 9249068Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Michel Molinier
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Publication number: 20150376088Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C9+-aromatics to C8?-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Michel Molinier, Jeevan S. Abichandani, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Timothy P. Bender, Robert G. Tinger, Stanley J. Dennis, George J. Wagner
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Publication number: 20150376086Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Robert G. Tinger, Jeffrey L. Andrews, Michel Molinier