Patents by Inventor Jim Merrill

Jim 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).

  • Patent number: 9556083
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James Butler, Xin Xiao, Jim Merrill
  • Publication number: 20110301396
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James Butler, Xin Xiao, Jim Merrill
  • Patent number: 7569738
    Abstract: Methods and systems for extending the life of a dehydrogenation catalyst are described herein. For example, one embodiment includes providing a reaction vessel loaded with a dehydrogenation catalyst with a feedstream via a conduit in operable communication with the reaction vessel. The feedstream may include an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and the dehydrogenation catalyst may be adapted to convert the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon to a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The feedstream may be contacted with an aqueous catalyst life extender, wherein the aqueous catalyst life extender enters the conduit at a linear velocity sufficient to prevent vaporization of the catalyst life extender in the conduit prior to contact with the feedstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ledoux, Jim Butler, Jim Merrill, Clint Persick, Ashley Rabalais
  • Publication number: 20090054715
    Abstract: Methods and systems for extending the life of a dehydrogenation catalyst are described herein. For example, one embodiment includes providing a reaction vessel loaded with a dehydrogenation catalyst with a feedstream via a conduit in operable communication with the reaction vessel. The feedstream may include an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and the dehydrogenation catalyst may be adapted to convert the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon to a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The feedstream may be contacted with an aqueous catalyst life extender, wherein the aqueous catalyst life extender enters the conduit at a linear velocity sufficient to prevent vaporization of the catalyst life extender in the conduit prior to contact with the feedstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ledoux, Jim Butler, Jim Merrill, Clint Persick, Ashley Rabalais
  • Publication number: 20090023966
    Abstract: Alkylation processes are described herein. The alkylation process generally includes contacting an input stream including benzene with an alkylation catalyst and an alkylating agent to form an alkylation output stream including ethylbenzene. The alkylation process further includes contacting at least a portion of the alkylation output stream with a transalkylation catalyst and a benzene source to form a transalkylation output stream, wherein the benzene source is selected to minimize the amount of alkylation catalyst poisons contacting the alkylation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Jim Merrill, Marcus Ledoux, Michael Betbeze
  • Publication number: 20080058566
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Xin Xiao, Jim Merrill
  • Publication number: 20060194991
    Abstract: Alkylation processes are described herein. The alkylation process generally includes contacting an input stream including benzene with an alkylation catalyst and an alkylating agent to form an alkylation output stream including ethylbenzene. The alkylation process further includes contacting at least a portion of the alkylation output stream with a transalkylation catalyst and a benzene source to form a transalkylation output stream, wherein the benzene source is selected to minimize the amount of alkylation catalyst poisons contacting the alkylation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Butler, Jim Merrill, Marcus Ledoux, Michael Betbeze
  • Publication number: 20060183953
    Abstract: Methods and systems for extending the life of a dehydrogenation catalyst are described herein. For example, one embodiment includes providing a reaction vessel loaded with a dehydrogenation catalyst with a feedstream via a conduit in operable communication with the reaction vessel. The feedstream may include an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and the dehydrogenation catalyst may be adapted to convert the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon to a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The feedstream may be contacted with an aqueous catalyst life extender, wherein the aqueous catalyst life extender enters the conduit at a linear velocity sufficient to prevent vaporization of the catalyst life extender in the conduit prior to contact with the feedstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Marcus Ledoux, Jim Butler, Jim Merrill, Clint Persick, Ashley Rabalais