Patents by Inventor Joseph E. Zimmermann

Joseph E. Zimmermann 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: 10160698
    Abstract: A process is presented for the dehydrogenation of paraffins. The process utilizes heated air for the combustion of a fuel within the dehydrogenation reactor to provide the heat of reaction for oxidative dehydrogenation. The nitrogen in the air is utilized as a diluent. A paraffin feedstream is mixed with a fuel, and the fuel/paraffin feedstream is mixed with an oxidant air stream at the inlet of dehydrogenation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zimmermann, Bryan J. Egolf, J. W. Adriaan Sachtler, Rajeswar Gattupalli, Charles M. Brabson
  • Patent number: 9962682
    Abstract: A process for the providing a regenerant gas stream for a regenerable adsorbent used to remove water and hydrogen sulfide from a reactor effluent in a catalytic dehydrogenation process is described. The reactor effluent is compressed in a compressor to provide a compressed effluent. The compressed effluent may be treated to remove chlorides, and then passed to a dryer zone having a regenerable adsorbent. A regenerant gas stream is used to desorb the water and hydrogen sulfide and the spent regenerant stream may be passed to a cleaning zone having a sorbent configured to remove hydrogen sulfide from the spent regenerant stream. The cleaned regenerant gas stream may be recycled to the dryer zone to desorb and/or regenerate the regenerable adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180118638
    Abstract: A process is presented for the dehydrogenation of paraffins. The process utilizes heated air for the combustion of a fuel within the dehydrogenation reactor to provide the heat of reaction for oxidative dehydrogenation. The nitrogen in the air is utilized as a diluent. A paraffin feedstream is mixed with a fuel, and the fuel/paraffin feedstream is mixed with an oxidant air stream at the inlet of dehydrogenation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zimmermann, Bryan J. Egolf, J. W. Adriaan Sachtler, Rajeswar Gattupalli, Charles M. Brabson
  • Publication number: 20170050176
    Abstract: A process for the providing a regenerant gas stream for a regenerable adsorbent used to remove water and hydrogen sulfide from a reactor effluent in a catalytic dehydrogenation process is described. The reactor effluent is compressed in a compressor to provide a compressed effluent. The compressed effluent may be treated to remove chlorides, and then passed to a dryer zone having a regenerable adsorbent. A regenerant gas stream is used to desorb the water and hydrogen sulfide and the spent regenerant stream may be passed to a cleaning zone having a sorbent configured to remove hydrogen sulfide from the spent regenerant stream. The cleaned regenerant gas stream may be recycled to the dryer zone to desorb and/or regenerate the regenerable adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
  • Patent number: 9517447
    Abstract: A process for the providing a regenerant gas stream for a regenerable adsorbent used to remove water and hydrogen sulfide from a reactor effluent in a catalytic dehydrogenation process is described. The reactor effluent is compressed in a compressor to provide a compressed effluent. The compressed effluent may be treated to remove chlorides, and then passed to a dryer zone having a regenerable adsorbent. A regenerant gas stream is used to desorb the water and hydrogen sulfide and the spent regenerant stream may be passed to a cleaning zone having a sorbent configured to remove hydrogen sulfide from the spent regenerant stream. The cleaned regenerant gas stream may be recycled to the dryer zone to desorb and/or regenerate the regenerable adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160346761
    Abstract: A process for the providing a regenerant gas stream for a regenerable adsorbent used to remove water and hydrogen sulfide from a reactor effluent in a catalytic dehydrogenation process is described. The reactor effluent is compressed in a compressor to provide a compressed effluent. The compressed effluent may be treated to remove chlorides, and then passed to a dryer zone having a regenerable adsorbent. A regenerant gas stream is used to desorb the water and hydrogen sulfide and the spent regenerant stream may be passed to a cleaning zone having a sorbent configured to remove hydrogen sulfide from the spent regenerant stream. The cleaned regenerant gas stream may be recycled to the dryer zone to desorb and/or regenerate the regenerable adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160090337
    Abstract: A process is presented for the dehydrogenation of paraffins. The process utilizes the combustion of a fuel within the dehydrogenation reactor to provide the heat of reaction for dehydrogenation. The process controls the combustion through limiting the oxidant concentration. A paraffin feedstream is mixed with a fuel, and the fuel/paraffin feedstream is mixed with an oxidant stream at the inlet of each dehydrogenation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Bryan J. Egolf, Rajeswar Gattupalli, Bipin V. Vora, Charles M. Brabson, J.W. Adriaan Sachtler, Joseph E. Zimmermann, David N. Myers
  • Patent number: 9211517
    Abstract: A catalyst retainer includes an inner particle retention device having apertures and a first non-apertured section; and an outer particle retention device having apertures and a second non-apertured section. The inner and the outer particle retention devices are spaced apart to define a particle retaining space of the retainer. The first non-apertured section and the second non-apertured section define a blanked-off section of the particle retaining space, and the blanked-off section is spaced from an end of the particle retaining space. The catalyst retainer also includes a louver with at least a portion located between the blanked-off section and the end of the particle retaining space. The louver extends into the particle retaining space at an angle with respect to an inner surface of the inner particle retention device. The louver introduces the fluid to the top catalyst free surface in a more uniform manner and hence prevents particle movement and attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Hadjira Iddir, Michael J. Vetter, Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20150078970
    Abstract: A catalyst retainer includes an inner particle retention device having apertures and a first non-apertured section; and an outer particle retention device having apertures and a second non-apertured section. The inner and the outer particle retention devices are spaced apart to define a particle retaining space of the retainer. The first non-apertured section and the second non-apertured section define a blanked-off section of the particle retaining space, and the blanked-off section is spaced from an end of the particle retaining space. The catalyst retainer also includes a louver with at least a portion located between the blanked-off section and the end of the particle retaining space. The louver extends into the particle retaining space at an angle with respect to an inner surface of the inner particle retention device. The louver introduces the fluid to the top catalyst free surface in a more uniform manner and hence prevents particle movement and attrition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Hadjira Iddir, Michael J. Vetter, Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8927799
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene from a propane rich hydrocarbon source is presented. The process converts a propane rich stream and uses less equipment and energy for the separation and production of propylene. The process uses a non-noble metal catalyst and utilizes a continuous reactor-regeneration system to keep the process on line for longer periods between maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David N. Myers, Daniel N. Myers, Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8753577
    Abstract: Processing scheme and arrangement for increasing the relative yield of light olefins involves integration of the cracking a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to produce an effluent comprising a range of hydrocarbon products including C4-C7 olefins and the subsequent cracking at least a portion of the C4-C7 olefins to produce additional light olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zimmermann, Charles P. Luebke, John B. Baker
  • Patent number: 8747768
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan K. Glover, Guy B. Woodle, Joseph E. Zimmermann, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 8563793
    Abstract: Processes utilizing the integration of (i) processes and the associated equipment used to purify and recover propylene from propane- and/or C4+-containing refinery hydrocarbon streams, with (ii) catalytic dehydrogenation are disclosed. This integration allows for elimination of some or all of the conventional fractionation section of the dehydrogenation process, normally used to purify propylene from unconverted propane in the reactor effluent. Significant capital and utility savings are therefore attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zimmermann, Larry C. Erickson, Gregory J. Nedohin
  • Publication number: 20120108877
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene from a propane rich hydrocarbon source is presented. The process converts a propane rich stream and uses less equipment and energy for the separation and production of propylene. The process uses a non-noble metal catalyst and utilizes a continuous reactor-regeneration system to keep the process on line for longer periods between maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David N Myers, Daniel N. Myers, Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8066868
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for the processing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock via fluidized catalytic cracking with selected hydrocarbon fractions including light olefins being obtained via absorption and separation product recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8025858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of light olefins comprising olefins having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms per molecule from a feedstock containing heavier olefins. An intermediate cut from a fractionation column is used as olefinic feed to an olefin cracking process preferably after undergoing selective hydrogenation of diolefins. In one embodiment, a liquid side draw from a fractionation column is selectively hydrogenated and then returned to the fractionation column from which a vapor side draw containing olefins is cracked in the olefin cracking reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Douglas G. Stewart, Joseph E. Zimmermann, Angelo P. Furfaro, Bipin V. Vora
  • Publication number: 20100331589
    Abstract: Processes utilizing the integration of (i) processes and the associated equipment used to purify and recover propylene from propane- and/or C4+-containing refinery hydrocarbon streams, with (ii) catalytic dehydrogenation are disclosed. This integration allows for elimination of some or all of the conventional fractionation section of the dehydrogenation process, normally used to purify propylene from unconverted propane in the reactor effluent. Significant capital and utility savings are therefore attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph E. ZIMMERMANN, Larry C. Erickson, Gregory J. Nedohin
  • Publication number: 20100158765
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan K. Glover, Guy B. Woodle, Joseph E. Zimmermann, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 7695696
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan K. Glover, Guy B. Woodle, Joseph E. Zimmermann, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 7687677
    Abstract: A processing scheme and arrangement for enhanced olefin production involves recovering thermal energy from a reactor effluent stream resulting from the dehydrogenation of a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon. The process involves contacting the reactor effluent stream with a circulating fluid stream in a first contact cooling zone to produce a product stream and to form a heated circulating fluid stream. Thermal energy is recovered from the heated circulating fluid stream via indirect heat exchange with a first process stream in a first heat exchange zone to form a cooled circulating fluid stream. The cooled circulating fluid stream can be subsequently cooled and at least a first portion thereof returned to the first contact cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Dennis E. O'Brien, Joseph E. Zimmermann, Douglas G. Stewart