Patents by Inventor Joseph L. Thorman

Joseph L. Thorman 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: 9764996
    Abstract: A method of making a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed. A process for making styrene or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Patent number: 9371257
    Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The reactor surfaces that contact the reactants and products do not provide a significant detrimental catalyzing effect. In an embodiment the reactor contains an inert lining or a portion of the reactor inner surface is treated to reduce the detrimental catalytic effects. In an embodiment the reactor contains a lining that includes an oxidative catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Patent number: 9227887
    Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler, Joe Hunter, Taylor Rives
  • Publication number: 20150152026
    Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The reactor surfaces that contact the reactants and products do not provide a significant detrimental catalyzing effect. In an embodiment the reactor contains an inert lining or a portion of the reactor inner surface is treated to reduce the detrimental catalytic effects. In an embodiment the reactor contains a lining that includes an oxidative catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Publication number: 20140288341
    Abstract: A method of making a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed. A process for making styrene or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Publication number: 20140256537
    Abstract: A process for making styrene including providing toluene, a co-feed, and a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst having acid sites and reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst and the co-feed to form a product stream containing ethylbenzene and styrene, wherein the C1 source is selected from methanol, formaldehyde, formalin, trioxane, methylformcel, paraformaldehyde, methylal, dimethyl ether, and wherein the co-feed removes at least a portion of the acid sites on the catalyst. The co-feed can be selected from the group of aniline, amines, cresol, anisol, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Publication number: 20140257005
    Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler, Joe Hunter, Taylor Rives
  • Publication number: 20140257004
    Abstract: A process for making styrene is disclosed that includes providing toluene, a co-feed, and a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst, reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst and the co-feed to form a product stream containing ethylbenzene and styrene. The co-feed can be selected from the group of water, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 8796497
    Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler, Joe Hunter, Taylor Rives
  • Patent number: 8791040
    Abstract: A method of making a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed. A process for making styrene or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Patent number: 8785705
    Abstract: A process for making styrene is disclosed that includes providing toluene, a co-feed, and a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst, reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst and the co-feed to form a product stream containing ethylbenzene and styrene. The co-feed can be selected from the group of water, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 8785706
    Abstract: A process for making styrene including providing toluene, a co-feed, and a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst having acid sites and reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst and the co-feed to form a product stream containing ethylbenzene and styrene, wherein the C1 source is selected from methanol, formaldehyde, formalin, trioxane, methylformcel, paraformaldehyde, methylal, dimethyl ether, and wherein the co-feed removes at least a portion of the acid sites on the catalyst. The co-feed can be selected from the group of aniline, amines, cresol, anisol, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Patent number: 8759243
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include multi-component catalyst systems, polymerization processes and heterophasic copolymers formed by the processes. The multi-component catalyst system generally includes a first catalyst component selected from Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems including a diether internal electron donor and a metallocene catalyst represented by the general formula XCpACpBMAn, wherein X is a structural bridge, CpA and CpB each denote a cyclopentadienyl group or derivatives thereof, each being the same or different and which may be either substituted or unsubstituted, M is a transition metal and A is an alkyl, hydrocarbyl or halogen group and n is an integer between 0 and 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Coffy, Michel Daumerie, Kenneth Blackmon, William J. Gauthier, Jun Tian, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Patent number: 8729328
    Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler, Joe Hunter, Taylor Rives
  • Publication number: 20140066677
    Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler, Joe Hunter, Taylor Rives
  • Publication number: 20120296141
    Abstract: A process for making styrene including providing toluene, a co-feed, and a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst having acid sites and reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst and the co-feed to form a product stream containing ethylbenzene and styrene, wherein the C1 source is selected from methanol, formaldehyde, formalin, trioxane, methylformcel, paraformaldehyde, methylal, dimethyl ether, and wherein the co-feed removes at least a portion of the acid sites on the catalyst. The co-feed can be selected from the group of aniline, amines, cresol, anisol, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Publication number: 20120296137
    Abstract: A process for making styrene is disclosed that includes providing toluene, a co-feed, and a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst, reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst and the co-feed to form a product stream containing ethylbenzene and styrene. The co-feed can be selected from the group of water, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman, James R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20120123068
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an olefinic polymer comprising contacting at least one olefinic C3+ monomer and a catalyst composition comprising a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, dicyclopentyl dimethoxysilane as a first electron donor, and a second electron donor selected from the group consisting of methyl trimethoxysilane, methyl triethoxysilane, dimethyl dimethoxysilane, and mixtures thereof, under reaction conditions suitable to form an olefinic polymer. The polymer prepared using this method may exhibit significantly broadened molecular weight distribution than that achieved using any of the silane compounds alone, and may also exhibit desirable melt flow characteristics and xylene solubles levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Thorman, Kenneth P. Blackmon
  • Publication number: 20120108873
    Abstract: A method of making a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed. A process for making styrene or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Publication number: 20120108771
    Abstract: It has been discovered that using n-butylmethyldimethoxysilane (BMDS) as an external electron donor for succinate-containing Ziegler-Natta catalysts can provide a catalyst system that may prepare polypropylene films with improved properties. The catalyst systems of the invention provide for controlled chain defects/defect distribution and thus a regulated microtacticity along with broadened molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Blackmon, Joseph L. Thorman, Shabbir Ahmedbhai Malbari, Michael Wallace