Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Kocal

Joseph A. Kocal 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: 5344997
    Abstract: A fluorided silica-alumina catalyst, particularly one with a silica:alumina ratio in the range of 1:1-9:1 containing from 1 to 6 weight percent fluoride, is particularly effective in the liquid phase alkylation of benzene by linear olefins to produce linear alkyl benzenes at temperatures no greater than 140.degree. C. These catalysts also are effective in the liquid phase alkylation of alkylatable aromatics generally with a variety of alkylating agents, including olefins, alcohols, and alkyl halides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5334793
    Abstract: It has been found that the aromatic byproducts normally formed in the dehydrogenation of normal paraffins to linear monoolefins are detrimental in the usual processes of aromatic alkylation using the dehydrogenation product mixture as an alkylation feedstock. In particular, when solids are used as the alkylation catalysts with recycle of the unreacted feedstock to the dehydrogenation reactor the aromatic byproducts increase to a level where they exert a significant decrease in the stability of the alkylation catalyst. When the aromatic byproducts are removed in whole or in part alkylation may be performed at a substantially lower temperature, which affords alkylated aromatics whose alkyl portion has greater linearity than that observed at a higher alkylation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5310713
    Abstract: Catalytic composites of the reaction product of a metal halide having Friedel-Crafts activity with the bound surface hydroxyl group of inorganic oxides and containing a zerovalent metal with hydrogenation activity, often are effective catalysts in motor fuel alkylation which, however, undergo rapid deactivation. Deactivated catalysts are readily regenerable by treating the composite from which alkylate feedstock has been removed with hydrogen at temperatures in the range of 10 to 300.degree. C. Multiple regenerations are possible without appreciable activity loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Masami Kojima, Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5276231
    Abstract: An improved process for the production of alkylated aromatic compounds by paraffin dehydrogenation and aromatic alkylation is disclosed. Aromatic by-products normally formed in paraffin dehydrogenation are selectively removed using at least one aromatics removal zone. Removal of these aromatic by-products significantly reduces the deactivation rate of solid alkylation catalysts. The improved process produces a detergent alkylate product that is significantly more linear than that produced by the prior art process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kocal, Donald J. Korous
  • Patent number: 5258564
    Abstract: A process for converting C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatics is described. The process uses a catalyst which contains a zeolite, an aluminum phosphate binder and a gallium component. Examples of zeolites which can be used are the ZSM family of zeolites, with ZSM-5 being a specific example. The catalyst is characterized in that it is tolerant to exposure to hydrogen at temperatures of about 500.degree. to about 700.degree. C. The catalyst's tolerance to hydrogen exposure is the result of treating the catalyst with an aqueous solution of a weakly acidic ammonium salt or a dilute acid solution at a temperature of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. for a time of about 1 to about 48 hours, followed by calcination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kocal, Tamotsu Imai, Paul J. Kuchar, Christopher D. Gosling
  • Patent number: 5245094
    Abstract: It has been found that the aromatic byproducts normally formed in the dehydrogenation of normal paraffins to linear monoolefins are detrimental in the usual processes of aromatic alkylation using the dehydrogenation product mixture as an alkylation feedstock. In particular, when solids are used as the alkylation catalysts with recycle of the unreacted feedstock to the dehydrogenation reactor the aromatic byproducts increase to a level where they exert a significant decrease in the stability of the alkylation catalyst. When the aromatic byproducts are removed in whole or in part alkylation may be performed at a substantially lower temperature, which affords alkylated aromatics whose alkyl portion has greater linearity than that observed at a higher alkylation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5212127
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reactivating a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst. Dehydrocyclodimerization catalysts which contain an aluminum phosphate binder can be deactivated when they are exposed to hydrogen at temperatures above 500.degree. C. The instant process restores substantially all of the catalyst's lost activity. The process involves treating the catalyst with an aqueous solution of a weakly acidic ammonium salt or a dilute acid solution at a temperature of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. for a time of about 1 to about 48 hours. An ammonium nitrate solution is preferred. Next the catalyst is calcined at a temperature of about 500.degree. to about 700.degree. C. for a time of about 1 to about 15 hours to provide a reactivated catalyst. The catalyst can be reactivated several times using this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kocal, Christopher D. Gosling, Paul J. Kuchar, Tamotsu Imai
  • Patent number: 5196574
    Abstract: A fluorided silca-alumina catalyst, particularly one with a silica:alumina ratio in the range of 1:1-9:1 containing from 1 to 6 weight percent fluoride, is particularly effective in the liquid phase alkylation of benzene to produce linear alkyl benzenes at temperatures no greater than 140.degree. C. Conversions in excess of 98% with selectivity exceeding 85% and linearity exceeding 90% may be achieved readily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5169812
    Abstract: A catalyst for converting C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatics is described. The catalyst contains a zeolite, an aluminum phosphate binder and a gallium component. Examples of zeolites which can be used are the ZSM family of zeolites, with ZSM-5 being a specific example. The catalyst is characterized in that it is tolerant to exposure to hydrogen at tempertures of about 500.degree. to about 700.degree. C. The catalyst's tolerance to hydrogen exposure is the result of treating the catalyst with an aqueous solution of a weakly acidic ammonium salt or a dilute acid solution at a temperature of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. for a time of about 1 to about 48 hours, followed by calcination. A process for preparing the catalyst is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kocal, Tamotsu Imai, Paul J. Kuchar, Christopher D. Gosling
  • Patent number: 5160032
    Abstract: This invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion process using a catalyst consisting essentially of a layered clay homogeneously dispersed in an inorganic oxide matrix. The clay is dispersed in such a way that the clay layers are completely surrounded by the inorganic oxide matrix. The inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, silica, zirconia, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and mixtures thereof. The clay can be a natural clay such as montmorillonite, a metal exchanged clay (Fe.sup.+3 exchanged) or a pillared clay such as aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) pillared clay. The hydrocarbon conversion process is carried out by contacting a hydrocarbon feed with the catalyst at hydrocarbon conversion conditions to give a hydroconverted product. Examples of the hydrocarbon conversion processes are alkylation and hydrocracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Jennifer S. Holmgren, Stanley A. Gembicki, Michael W. Schoonover, Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5114895
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition, a method of preparing the composition and a catalyst using the composition. The composition consists essentially of a layered clay homogeneously dispersed in an inorganic oxide matrix. The clay is dispersed in such a way that the clay layers are completely surrounded by the inorganic oxide matrix. The inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, silica, zirconia, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and mixtures thereof. The clay can be a natural clay such as montmorillonite, a metal exchanged clay (Fe.sup.+3 exchanged) or a pillared clay such as aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) pillared clay. The composition can be used as a catalyst for alkylation or hydrocracking or metals can be dispersed on it to provide a catalyst which is also useful for hydrocracking or alkylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Jennifer S. Holmgren, Stanley A. Gembicki, Michael W. Schoonover, Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5043511
    Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be prepared by reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with an alkylating agent such as an olefin or alkyl halide in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. The alkylation catalyst of the present invention comprises a clay which has been coextruded with a multi-valent metal and preferably a metal selected from the group consisting of Groups IIIA, IIIB and IVB of the Periodic Table. The resultant extrudate is then impregnated with a dissimilar multi-valent metal selected from the above named groups followed by calcination to form the desired composite. By utiilzing this catalytic composite in an alkylation reaction it is possible to obtain improved yields of alkyl aromatic compounds which may then be used in the preparation of biodegradable detergents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Tamotsu Imai, Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5034564
    Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be prepared by reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with an alkylating agent such as an olefin, alkyl halide or alkyl alcohol in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. The alkylation catalyst of the present invention comprises a pillared clay and a binder which has been prepared by dispersing a clay in a metallic pillaring agent sol, separating the resultant pillared clay, washing and drying said pillared clay, forming a dough of said pillared clay and a binder compound, extruding said dough extudate. By utilizing this catalytic composite it is possible to obtain improved selectivity of the desired alkyl aromatic compound which may then be used in the preparation of biodegradable detergents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 5003121
    Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be prepared by reacting an aromatic compound with an alkylating agent such as an olefin in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. The alkylation catalyst of the present invention comprises a composite which has been prepared by coextruding a clay component and at least one multi-valent metal component in which the metal is selected from the group consisting of Groups IIIA, IIIB and IVB of the Periodic Table, followed by drying the resultant extrudate and calcination thereof. By utilizing a catalyst which has been prepared by this method in an alkylation reaction it is possible to obtain an improved alkylate selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Tamotsu Imai, Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 4921946
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed which extends the useful life of a regenerable zeolite-containing hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. In one aspect of this process, a hydrocarbon feed containing fluorides is passed through a fluoride removal system which reduces the fluoride concentration of the feed to below 100 ppb. The hydrocarbon feed containing less than 100 ppb fluorine is then converted over a regenerable zeolite-containing hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. The zeolite-containing hydrocarbon conversion catalyst is regenerated with an oxygen-containing gas stream as necessary to burn off carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst so as to return the zeolite catalyst to a high level of activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kocal, David C. Martindale, Paul J. Kuchar
  • Patent number: 4891466
    Abstract: A novel liquid acid catalyzed alkylation process utilizing a liquid acid catalyst comprising a surfactant and a liquid acid is disclosed which incorporates a fixed bed of contact material to improve the alkylation reaction zone efficiency. The fixed bed of contact material also allows the process to be efficiently operated at lower acid to olefin mole/mole feed ratios than normally used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 4835333
    Abstract: A novel hydrofluoric acid-catalyzed motor fuel alkylation process and catalyst is disclosed which incorporates from 0.5 to 5 vol. % of a cationic or anionic surfactant component in an HF containing acid alkylation catalyst to enable the process to be operated at an olefin-to-acid volumetric feed ratio greater than 1.0 while producing a motor alkylate product with a good octane number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 4795728
    Abstract: A novel hydrofluoric acid-catalyzed motor fuel alkylation process and catalyst is disclosed which incorporates from 0.5 to 5 vol. % of a cationic or anionic surfactant component in an HF containing acid alkylation catalyst to enable the process to be operated at an olefin-to-acid volumetric feed ratio greater than 1.0 while producing a motor alkylate product with a good octane number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 4795845
    Abstract: A process for catalytic dehydrocyclodimerization and regeneration of the catalyst. C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 aliphatic hydrocarbons are reacted to produce aromatics, using a catalyst of a composition especially adapted to minimize deposition of coke on the catalyst. The catalyst is comprised of alumina which contains phosphorus, gallium, and a crystalline aluminosilicate having a silica to alumina ratio of at least 12. The use of this catalyst has resulted in a five-fold reduction in the rate of coke deposition, compared to a conventional dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst. However, the activity of this catalyst once it becomes deactivated is only recovered by burning the coke accumulated upon the deactivated catalyst at catalyst regeneration conditions in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Martindale, Joseph A. Kocal, Tai-Hsiang Chao
  • Patent number: 4783567
    Abstract: A novel liquid acid catalyzed alkylation process is disclosed which incorporates a fixed bed of contact material to improve the alkylation reaction zone efficiency. The fixed bed of contact material also allows the process to be efficiently operated at lower acid to olefin mole/mole feed ratios than normally used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Kocal