Patents by Inventor John H. Brophy

John H. Brophy 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: 9108904
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting a hydrocarbon reactant to a product comprising an oxygenate or a nitrile, the process comprising: (A) flowing a reactant composition comprising the hydrocarbon reactant, and oxygen or a source of oxygen, and optionally ammonia, through a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to convert the hydrocarbon reactant to the product, the hydrocarbon reactant undergoing an exothermic reaction in the microchannel reactor; (B) transferring heat from the microchannel reactor to a heat exchanger during step (A); and (C) quenching the product from step (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Frederick A. Pesa, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch
  • Patent number: 8338325
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for conducting reactions in which a reactant contacts a tethered catalyst and/or tethered chiral auxiliary in a microchannel and is converted to product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch
  • Patent number: 8106249
    Abstract: Methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) is provided wherein conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Matthew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Publication number: 20110152597
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Matthew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 7754935
    Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can be dehydrogenated, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Gary Roberts, G. Bradley Chadwell, Matthew B. Schmidt, Anna Lee Tonkovich
  • Patent number: 7744829
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Matthew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 7604781
    Abstract: Multiphasic reactions, especially those reactions using a phase transfer catalyst, are conducted in microchannel apparatus. Advantageously, these reactions can be conducted with two, planar microlayers of reactants in adjacent laminar flow streams. Microchannel apparatus and methods for conducting unit operations such as reactions and separations in microchannel apparatus is also described. Microchannel apparatus can provide advantages for controlling reactions and separating products, solvents or reactants in multiphase reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Bruce F. Monzyk
  • Publication number: 20090012341
    Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can dehydrogenationed, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Matthew B. Schmidt, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20090004076
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Mathew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 7405338
    Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can dehydrogenationed, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Matthew B. Schmidt, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Patent number: 7402719
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Matthew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 7294734
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting a hydrocarbon reactant to a product comprising an oxygenate or a nitrile, the process comprising: (A) flowing a reactant composition comprising the hydrocarbon reactant, and oxygen or a source of oxygen, and optionally ammonia, through a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to convert the hydrocarbon reactant to the product, the hydrocarbon reactant undergoing an exothermic reaction in the microchannel reactor; (B) transferring heat from the microchannel reactor to a heat exchanger during step (A); and (C) quenching the product from step (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Frederick A. Pesa, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch
  • Patent number: 7118920
    Abstract: Multiphasic reactions, especially those reactions using a phase transfer catalyst, are conducted in microchannel apparatus. Advantageously, these reactions can be conducted with two, planar microlayers of reactants in adjacent laminar flow streams. Microchannel apparatus and methods for conducting unit operations such as reactions and separations in microchannel apparatus is also described. Microchannel apparatus can provide advantages for controlling reactions and separating products, solvents or reactants in multiphase reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Bruce F. Monzyk
  • Publication number: 20040220434
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting a hydrocarbon reactant to a product comprising an oxygenate or a nitrile, the process comprising: (A) flowing a reactant composition comprising the hydrocarbon reactant, and oxygen or a source of oxygen, and optionally ammonia, through a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to convert the hydrocarbon reactant to the product, the hydrocarbon reactant undergoing an exothermic reaction in the microchannel reactor; (B) transferring heat from the microchannel reactor to a heat exchanger during step (A); and (C) quenching the product from step (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Frederick A. Pesa, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch
  • Publication number: 20040199039
    Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can dehydrogenationed, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Matthew B. Schmidt, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20040132613
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for conducting reactions in which a reactant contacts a tethered catalyst and/or tethered chiral auxiliary in a microchannel and is converted to product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch
  • Publication number: 20040082804
    Abstract: Multiphasic reactions, especially those reactions using a phase transfer catalyst, are conducted in microchannel apparatus. Advantageously, these reactions can be conducted with two, planar microlayers of reactants in adjacent laminar flow streams. Microchannel apparatus and methods for conducting unit operations such as reactions and separations in microchannel apparatus is also described. Microchannel apparatus can provide advantages for controlling reactions and separating products, solvents or reactants in multiphase reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Bruce F. Monzyk
  • Publication number: 20040034266
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Matthew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 5387668
    Abstract: A process for preparing polyketones by polymerizing a mixture of carbon monoxide and one or more olefins in the presence of a group VIII metal catalyst which is prepared by reacting together:(a) a source of a group VIII metal, and(b) an amine, phosphine, arsine or stibine, characterized in that the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a hydrocarbyl aluminoxane is disclosed.The group VIII metal is preferably palladium. The aluminoxane can be of the formula [(R.sup.3 R.sup.4 Al).sub.2 O].sub.n " or [R.sup.5 AlO].sub.n ".sub.+2, where n" is 2-40 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Neil A. Cooley, Michael J. Green
  • Patent number: 5336826
    Abstract: Higher hydrocarbons are produced from methane by reacting the methane at elevated temperature, suitably in the range from 600.degree. to 800.degree. C., with an oxygen-containing gas having a ratio of methane to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion in the presence as catalyst of a lithium-doped material which under the reaction conditions is a physically base-stable, non-melting, oxygen-stable compound of an element of Groups III to VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements including the rare earth elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Steven R. Wade