Patents by Inventor John R. Adams
John R. Adams 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: 6995296Abstract: A process for the alkylation of alkane with olefin or olefin precursor such as an oligomer of tertiary olefin comprising contacting a liquid system comprising acid catalyst, isoparaffin and olefin in concurrent downflow into contact in a reaction zone with a disperser mesh under conditions of temperature and pressure to react said isoparaffin and said olefin to produce an alkylate product is disclosed. Preferably, the liquid system is maintained at about its boiling point in the reaction zone. Unexpectedly, the olefin oligomers have been found to function as olefin precursors and not as olefins in the reaction. Thus, for example, a cold acid alkylation using an oligomer of isobutene (principally dimer and trimer) with isobutane produces isooctane with the isobutane reacting with the constituent isobutene units of the oligomers on a molar basis. The product isooctane is essentially the same as that produced in the conventional cold acid process.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Mitchell E. Loescher, John R. Adams, Abraham P. Gelbein
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Patent number: 6858770Abstract: A process for the alkylation of alkane with olefin or olefin precursor such as an oligomer of tertiary olefin comprising contacting a liquid system comprising acid catalyst, isoparaffin and olefin in concurrent downflow into contact in a reaction zone with a disperser mesh under conditions of temperature and pressure to react said isoparaffin and said olefin to produce an alkylate product is disclosed. Preferably, the liquid system is maintained at about its boiling point in the reaction zone. Unexpectedly, the olefin oligomers have been found to function as olefin precursors and not as olefins in the reaction. Thus, for example, a cold acid alkylation using an oligomer of isobutene (principally dimer and trimer) with isobutane produces isooctane with the isobutane reacting with the constituent isobutene units of the oligomers on a molar basis. The product isooctane is essentially the same as that produced in the conventional cold acid process.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Mitchell E. Loescher, John R. Adams, Abraham P. Gelbein
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Publication number: 20040260136Abstract: A process for the alkylation of alkane with olefin or olefin precursor such as an oligomer of tertiary olefin comprising contacting a liquid system comprising acid catalyst, isoparaffin and olefin in concurrent downflow into contact in a reaction zone with a disperser mesh under conditions of temperature and pressure to react said isoparaffin and said olefin to produce an alkylate product is disclosed. Preferably, the liquid system is maintained at about its boiling point in the reaction zone. Unexpectedly, the olefin oligomers have been found to function as olefin precursors and not as olefins in the reaction. Thus, for example, a cold acid alkylation using an oligomer of isobutene (principally dimer and trimer) with isobutane produces isooctane with the isobutane reacting with the constituent isobutene units of the oligomers on a molar basis. The product isooctane is essentially the same as that produced in the conventional cold acid process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Mitchell E. Loescher, John R. Adams, Abraham P. Gelbein
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Publication number: 20040171901Abstract: A process for the alkylation of alkane with olefin or olefin precursor such as an oligomer of tertiary olefin comprising contacting a liquid system comprising acid catalyst, isoparaffin and olefin in concurrent downflow into contact in a reaction zone with a disperser mesh under conditions of temperature and pressure to react said isoparaffin and said olefin to produce an alkylate product is disclosed. Preferably, the liquid system is maintained at about its boiling point in the reaction zone. Unexpectedly, the olefin oligomers have been found to function as olefin precursors and not as olefins in the reaction. Thus, for example, a cold acid alkylation using an oligomer of isobutene (principally dimer and trimer) with isobutane produces isooctane with the isobutane reacting with the constituent isobutene units of the oligomers on a molar basis. The product isooctane is essentially the same as that produced in the conventional cold acid process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Mitchell E. Loescher, John R. Adams, Abraham P. Gelbein
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Publication number: 20040052703Abstract: An internal static mixing system such as a disperser of mesh wire or expanded metal co-knit with a multi filament material selected from inert polymers, catalytic polymers, catalytic metals or mixtures in combination with a vertical reactor having a reaction zone and the disperser disposed in said reaction zone, particularly for carrying out paraffin alkylation using acid catalyst is disclosed. The wire mesh provides the structural integrity of the system as well as the open space required in reactors for the movement of vapors and liquids though the system. The disperser may be in sheets, bundles or bales or positioned within a frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Abraham P. Gelbein, John R. Adams
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Publication number: 20040030207Abstract: A process for removing acetylenic compounds using unsulfided metallic nickel or unsulfided metallic nickel modified with metallic Mo, Re, Bi or mixtures in which the catalyst is used alone or is used in combination with other acetylenic selective catalysts. The unsulfided metallic nickel catalyst or modified catalyst must be the first catalyst to contact the hydrocarbon stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIESInventors: J. Yong Ryu, John R. Adams, Willibrord A. Groten
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Publication number: 20030176755Abstract: A process for the alkylation of alkane with olefin or olefin precursor such as an oligomer of tertiary olefin comprising contacting a liquid system comprising acid catalyst, isoparaffin and olefin in concurrent downflow into contact in a reaction zone with a disperser mesh under conditions of temperature and pressure to react said isoparaffin and said olefin to produce an alkylate product is disclosed. Preferably, the liquid system is maintained at about its boiling point in the reaction zone. Unexpectedly, the olefin oligomers have been found to function as olefin precursors and not as olefins in the reaction. Thus, for example, a cold acid alkylation using an oligomer of isobutene (principally dimer and trimer) with isobutane produces isooctane with the isobutane reacting with the constituent isobutene units of the oligomers on a molar basis. The product isooctane is essentially the same as that produced in the conventional cold acid process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Mitchell E. Loescher, John R. Adams, Abraham P. Gelbein
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Patent number: 6620965Abstract: A process for producing vinyl acetate comprising reacting ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen together in at least partially liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst comprising a noble metal component.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: John R. Adams, Willibrord A. Groten, Speros P. Nemphos
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Publication number: 20030070157Abstract: A method for estimating effort and cost to maintain a software application, group of applications or an aggregate system of applications entails determining a system size (in function points) and productivity level (in function points per hour or full-time equivalent). The productivity level takes into consideration the maintenance tasks to be performed as well as personnel attributes, such as capability and experience pertaining to the task. The effort equals the product of an effort multiplier and the system size divided by the productivity level. The effort multiplier takes into account maintenance complexities that may result in added effort and cost. The cost is determined by applying prevailing rates and fees to the calculated effort. As the maintained system is developed and enhanced, and as portions of the system are retired, the system size and productivity level are re-assessed and the effort and cost to maintain the system, as modified, are re-computed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: John R. Adams, Kathleen D. Kear
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Patent number: 6242661Abstract: A process for the separation of isobutene, otherwise inseparable from butene-1 by fractionation, in high purity from butenes contained in a mixed hydrocarbon stream containing butene-1, butene-2 and small amounts of butadiene in which the mixed hydrocarbon stream is fed to distillation column reactor containing an alumina supported palladium oxide catalyst. The column is operated to tend to exclude butene-2 from contact with the catalyst and to maintain butene-1 in contact with the catalyst to isomerize the butene-1 to butene-2. As butene-2 is produced it is distilled away from the catalyst, upsetting the equilibrium and allowing for a greater than equilibrium amount of butene-2. The isobutene and isobutane are concurrently separated from the butene-2. Additionally, any butadiene in the feed is hydrogenated to butenes. The bottoms is rich in butene-2.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: Gary G. Podrebarac, John R. Adams
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Patent number: 6033633Abstract: In a boiling point reactor wherein reactants react exothermically to vaporize a portion of the reaction mixture in a fixed catalyst bed, a cooling coil is provided within the bed which condenses a portion of the vaporized reaction mixture. The condensing heat transfer coefficient within the bed is thus increased dramatically and efficient heat removal is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventor: John R. Adams
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Patent number: 6026914Abstract: A method is presented for accurately surveying and determining the profile of the path of a subterranean wellbore containing a constant density fluid extending contiguously throughout. A first pressure sensor, associated with a downhole tool, is traversed station-by-station along the wellbore for measuring the pressure of the fluid within the wellbore at each station. A second pressure sensor is located within the wellbore fluid at a known elevation. The elevation of the first pressure sensor, at a station, is determined by adding the calculated differential height to the known absolute elevation of the second sensor. As each elevation is referenced to the second sensor, no cumulative errors are incurred. If the density of the fluid is unknown, a third pressure sensor within the wellbore fluid can be provided at a known elevation different from that of the second sensor. The areal position of each station is determined by conventional means associated with the downhole tool.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research AuthorityInventors: John R. Adams, Ross Hay
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Patent number: 6002058Abstract: A process for the alkylation of benzene contained in a mixed refinery stream is disclosed wherein the refinery stream is first subjected to hydrogenation of higher olefins prior to alkylation of the benzene with selected types and quantities of lower olefins. Streams containing sulfur compounds may be pretreated by hydrodesulfurization. All of the process steps are advantageously carried out in distillation column reactors to take advantage of that mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: Dennis Hearn, Robert P. Arganbright, Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., John R. Adams
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Patent number: 5942456Abstract: A catalytic distillation structure containing (1) a solid catalytic material comprising a catalyst component and (2) a structure. The total volume of open space for the catalytic distillation structure should be at least 10 volume % and preferably at least 20 volume % up to about 65 volume %. The catalytic material may be a mixture of two or more catalysts or the individual catalyst may occupy separate and distinct areas of the structure without physical mixing of the catalysts. The structural element may contain substantially rigid elements and porous containers which contain the catalytic material. The structural element may be comprised of the porous containers. Other catalytic distillation structures may comprises the porous containers for the catalysts and a resilient material such as demister wire.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1996Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: Clifford S. Crossland, John R. Adams
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Patent number: 5925685Abstract: Catalytic distillation reactions are improved by having an inert condensing component present in the reaction which is boiling and condensing within the reaction which washes the catalyst in the system and, in the case of gaseous reactants, occludes a portion of the reactants to facilitate the reaction without unduly high pressures. The inert condensing component is boiling at the conditions within the reactor and is taken overhead for condensation and return as reflux. The inert condensing component may occlude the gaseous reactants allowing for better contact with the catalyst and provides the benefits of concurrent reaction and distillation, for example, the reaction of CO and H.sub.2 over a copper catalyst to produce methanol using propane as the inert condensing component.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1997Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: John R. Adams, Thomas P. Hickey
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Patent number: 5894076Abstract: A process for the alkylation of benzene contained in a mixed refinery stream is disclosed wherein the refinery stream is first subjected to hydrogenation of higher olefins prior to alkylation of the benzene with selected types and quantities of lower olefins. Streams containing sulfur compounds may be pretreated by hydrodesulfurization. All of the process steps are advantageously carried out in distillation column reactors to take advantage of that mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: Dennis Hearn, Robert P. Arganbright, Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., John R. Adams
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Patent number: 5886055Abstract: A process for the production of methanol is disclosed wherein the gaseous reactants of CO, H.sub.2 and optimally CO.sub.2 are reacted in a distillation column reactor in the presence of an inert C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 component, which is boiling at the reaction temperature within the catalyst bed. The inert component is taken overhead along with the methanol and separated therefrom for reflux of the inert component back to the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: Speros P. Nemphos, Willibrord A. Groten, John R. Adams
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Patent number: 5840259Abstract: In a boiling point reactor wherein reactants react exothermically to vaporize a portion of the reaction mixture in a fixed catalyst bed, a cooling coil is provided within the bed which condenses a portion of the vaporized reaction mixture. The condensing heat transfer coefficient within the bed is thus increased dramatically and efficient heat removal is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1993Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventor: John R. Adams
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Patent number: 5792891Abstract: An alkene skeletal isomerization process is employed in an integrated process for the production of tertiary ether, e.g., tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) from the reaction of isoamylenes (iC.sub.5.sup.= 's) with methanol in the presence of an acid cation exchange resin. A light naphtha from a fluid catalytic cracking unit is used as the source of the iC.sub.5.sup.= 's in a process which separates the C.sub.5 containing fraction from the light naphtha, selectively hydrogenates the di-olefins contained in the C.sub.5 containing fraction, reacts the iC.sub.5.sup.= 's contained in the C.sub.5 containing fraction with methanol to form TAME, separates the TAME from the unreacted materials as a product, separates methanol from the unreacted materials, isomerizes a portion of the nC.sub.5.sup.= 's to iC.sub.5.sup.= 's , for example using a zeolite or an alumina treated with methanol, and use of the isomerization product as feed for a TAME reactor.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Catalytic Distillation TechnologiesInventors: John R. Adams, Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Dennis Hearn, Edward M. Jones, Jr., Robert P. Arganbright
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Patent number: D451048Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Inventor: John R Adams