Patents by Inventor Keith H. Kuechler

Keith H. Kuechler 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: 7763765
    Abstract: A gas-solids reaction system is provided for improving product recovery in a multiple reactor reaction system. An oxygenate feedstock, desirably of high concentration in oxygenate, is reacted with a catalyst having a low to modest acidity and a Si/Al2 ratio of from 0.10 to 0.32. The reaction occurs in a reaction zone of a fluidized bed reactor at an oxygenate partial pressure of at least 45 psia and a reactor gas superficial velocity of at least 10 ft/s, conveying catalyst through the reaction zone to a circulation zone. The catalyst undergoes displacement with an inert gas in the circulation zone at a displacement gas superficial velocity of at least 0.03 m/s, after which at least a portion, preferably a large portion is returned to the reaction zone. The catalyst has a residence time in the circulation zone of at least twice that of the residence time of catalyst in the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, James H. Beech, Doron Levin, Stephen N. Vaughn, Stephen H. Brown
  • Patent number: 7741526
    Abstract: A feedstock containing at least 1 wt % butenes, at least 1 wt % pentenes, at least 1 wt % hexenes, at least 10 wppm C4 dienes, at least 10 wppm C5 dienes, and optionally at least 10 wppm C6 dienes can be selectively hydrogenated over a catalyst (e.g., a noble metal) to form a stream containing 100 wppm to 4000 wppm total dienes. The hydrogenated stream, and an olefinic recycle stream having less than 10 wt. % C1+ moieties, can be contacted with a molecular sieve catalyst, e.g., at a recycle to feed ratio between 0.1 and 3.0, at a WHSV of at least 1.0 based on olefin in the feed, and at a reactor ?T no greater than 40° F. (22° C.), thus forming a reaction product that can then be separated into a distillate, e.g., having from 1 wt % to 30 wt % non-normal C9 olefins, and the aforementioned olefinic recycle stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen H. Brown, Marc P. Puttemans, Steven E. Silverberg, An A. Verberckmoes
  • Publication number: 20100113847
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon fluid composition that comprises species of at least two different carbon numbers, an aerobic biodegradability of greater than 40% at 28 days, a cetane number of less than 60, and a certain boiling point range; and a process for making the hydrocarbon fluid composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Ralph M. Kowalik, Thomas A. Gribschaw, Keith H. Kuechler, Ronald R. Hill, JR.
  • Patent number: 7692049
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon composition comprises at least 90 wt. % of C9 to C20 non-normal olefins, non-normal saturates or combinations thereof based on the weight of the hydrocarbon composition, at least 2 wt. % and not greater than 25 wt. % of C9 hydrocarbons based on the weight of the hydrocarbon composition, and less than 15 wt. % of C17+ hydrocarbons based on the weight of the hydrocarbon composition, wherein said hydrocarbon composition has a specific gravity at 15° C. of at least 0.730 and less than 0.775. The composition is produced by oligomerization of at least one C3 to C8 olefin and an olefinic recycle stream containing no more than 10 wt. % of C10+ non-normal olefins. The composition is useful in producing fuel blends, such as jet fuel and diesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen Harold Brown, An Amandine Verberckmoes, Marc P. Puttemans, Steven E. Silverberg
  • Patent number: 7678954
    Abstract: In a process for producing a hydrocarbon composition, a feed comprising at least one C3 to C8 olefin and an olefinic recycle stream rich in C9? hydrocarbons is contacted with a crystalline molecular sieve catalyst having an average crystal size no greater than 0.05 micron and an alpha value between about 100 and about 600 in at least one reaction zone under olefin oligomerization conditions including an inlet temperature between about 150° C. and about 350° C., a pressure of at least 2,860 kPa and a recycle to feed weight ratio of about 0.1 to about 3.0. The contacting produces an oligomerization effluent stream, which is separated into at least a hydrocarbon product stream rich in C9+ hydrocarbons and the olefinic recycle stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen Harold Brown, Helge Jaensch, Georges M. Mathys, Shifang Luo, Jane C. Cheng
  • Patent number: 7678953
    Abstract: A process for producing a hydrocarbon composition that comprises contacting a feed stream, that comprises at least one C3 to C8 olefin, and an olefinic recycle stream, that comprises a first olefinic recycle stream and no more than 10 wt % of C10+ non-normal olefins, with a molecular sieve catalyst in a reaction zone under olefin oligomerization conditions producing an oligomerization effluent stream; separating the oligomerization effluent stream to produce a first olefinic stream, that has a weight ratio of C4?/(C5-C8) molecules from about 0.8 to about 1.2 times the weight ratio of C4?/(C5-C8) molecules found in the oligomerization effluent stream, and a first hydrocarbon product stream, that comprises at least 1 wt % and no more than 30 wt % of C9 non-normal olefin; and splitting the first olefinic stream to produce the first olefinic recycle stream and a first purge stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen Harold Brown, An Amandine Verberckmoes, Marc P. Puttemans, Steven E. Silverberg
  • Patent number: 7667086
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon fluid composition that comprises species of at least two different carbon numbers, an aerobic biodegradability of greater than 40% at 28 days, a cetane number of less than 60, and a certain boiling point range; and a process for making the hydrocarbon fluid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph M. Kowalik, Thomas A. Gribschaw, Keith H. Kuechler, Ronald R. Hill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7531705
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for adding heat to a reactor system used to convert oxygenates to olefin, in which supplemental heat is added with a heating fuel, e.g., a torch oil, having low autoignition temperature, low sulfur, and low nitrogen content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Keith H. Kuechler, Richard E. Walter
  • Publication number: 20080287717
    Abstract: A feedstock containing at least 1 wt % butenes, at least 1 wt % pentenes, at least 1 wt % hexenes, at least 10 wppm C4 dienes, at least 10 wppm C5 dienes, and optionally at least 10 wppm C6 dienes can be selectively hydrogenated over a catalyst (e.g., a noble metal) to form a stream containing 100 wppm to 4000 wppm total dienes. The hydrogenated stream, and an olefinic recycle stream having less than 10 wt. % C1+ moieties, can be contacted with a molecular sieve catalyst, e.g., at a recycle to feed ratio between 0.1 and 3.0, at a WHSV of at least 1.0 based on olefin in the feed, and at a reactor ?T no greater than 40° F. (22° C.), thus forming a reaction product that can then be separated into a distillate, e.g., having from 1 wt % to 30 wt % non-normal C9 olefins, and the aforementioned olefinic recycle stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen H. Brown, Marc P. Puttemans, Steven E. Silverberg, An A. Verberckmoes
  • Patent number: 7402718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process for making olefin(s) using a molecular sieve catalyst composition. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for converting a feedstock comprising an oxygenate in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition, wherein the feedstock is free of or substantially free of metal salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel J. G. Janssen, Teng Xu, Cor F. Van Egmond, Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen N. Vaughn, James Harding Beech, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7361799
    Abstract: A process is described for producing olefins from a vapor product stream from an oxygenate to olefin conversion reaction, the vapor product stream comprising C2 to C4 olefins, C5+ hydrocarbons, at least one oxygenate and water. In the process, the vapor product stream is cooled to remove water therefrom and produce a first vapor effluent stream. The first vapor effluent stream is then cooled and compressed to produce a condensed liquid effluent stream comprising C5+ hydrocarbons and at least one oxygenate, and a residual vapor effluent stream comprising C2 to C4 olefins. At least part of the condensed liquid effluent stream is contacted with a liquid water-containing stream in a liquid-liquid contacting device to at least partly separate said condensed liquid effluent stream, or portion thereof, into an aqueous phase rich in said at least one oxygenate and an organic phase rich in said C5+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Jeffrey L. Brinen, Philip Andrew Ruziska
  • Patent number: 7332639
    Abstract: A process is described for producing an olefins stream from a first vapor effluent stream from an oxygenate to olefin conversion reaction, said first vapor effluent stream comprising C2 and C3 olefins, C4 hydrocarbons, and C2 to C6 carbonyl compounds. In the process, the temperature and pressure of the first vapor effluent stream are adjusted to produce a second vapor effluent stream having a pressure ranging from about 100 psig to about 350 psig (790 to 2514 kPa) and a temperature ranging from about 70° F. to about 120° F. (21 to 49° C.), said second vapor effluent stream containing about 50 wt. % or more C4 hydrocarbons based upon the total weight of C4 hydrocarbons in the first vapor effluent stream. The second vapor effluent stream is then washed with a liquid alcohol-containing stream to produce a third vapor effluent stream, whereafter the third vapor effluent stream is washed with liquid water to provide a fourth vapor effluent stream comprising the C2 and C3 olefins and about 1.0 wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Jeffrey L. Brinen, Philip A. Ruziska
  • Publication number: 20070282018
    Abstract: A method of producing synthesis gas for methanol synthesis that comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a hydrogen stream that has greater than 5 mol % methane from an external process; (b) feeding into a reforming reactor: (i) a feed gas that comprises methane, (ii) water in a specified amount, (iii) oxygen in a specified amount, and (iv) the hydrogen stream in a specified amount; (c) reacting the feed gas, water, oxygen and the hydrogen stream in the reactor; and (d) withdrawing from the reactor the synthesis gas that is at a specific temperature, has less than 3 mol % methane, and has a stoichiometric number of from 1.9 to 2.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher David William Jenkins, James R. Lattner, Michael J. Veraa, Keith H. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 7304197
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for converting oxygenate to olefins which comprises: contacting a feedstock comprising oxygenate with a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve under conditions effective to produce a vaporous product comprising the olefins, water and unreacted oxygenate; condensing the vaporous product to provide a liquid stream rich in the water and unreacted oxygenate, and an olefins-rich vapor stream; introducing at least part of the liquid stream to a feed tray in a fractionation tower which provides an oxygenate-rich overhead product and a water-rich liquid bottoms product; providing a liquid, oxygenate-rich stream comprising at least about 20 wt % oxygenate above the feed tray; and passing the olefins-rich vapor stream through a recovery train to recover at least some of the olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Jeffrey L. Brinen, James Richardson Lattner, Allen Scott Gawlik
  • Patent number: 7288692
    Abstract: A process is described for producing olefins from a vapor product stream from an oxygenate to olefin conversion reaction, the vapor product stream comprising C2 to C4 olefins, C5+ hydrocarbons, at least one oxygenate and water. In the process, the vapor product stream is cooled to remove water therefrom and produce a first vapor effluent stream. The first vapor effluent stream is then cooled and compressed to produce a condensed liquid effluent stream comprising C5+ hydrocarbons and at least one oxygenate, and a residual vapor effluent stream comprising C2 to C4 olefins. At least part of the condensed liquid effluent stream is contacted with a liquid water-containing stream in a liquid-liquid contacting device to at least partly separate said condensed liquid effluent stream, or portion thereof, into an aqueous phase rich in said at least one oxygenate and an organic phase rich in said C5+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemcial Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Jeffrey L. Brinen, Philip A. Ruziska
  • Patent number: 7279012
    Abstract: A process for producing olefins comprises providing a vapor product stream from an oxygenate to olefin reaction, the vapor product stream comprising C2 to C4 olefins, C2 to C6 carbonyl compounds and water. The vapor product stream is cooled to provide a first vapor effluent stream comprising no more than 10 wt. % water, and a liquid water-rich stream. The first vapor effluent stream, and a first wash flash vapor stream, are compressed from a first pressure to a second pressure greater than said first pressure to form a second vapor effluent stream, which is then cooled to form a cooled second effluent stream that is at least partially in the vapor state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Jeffrey L. Brinen, Philip Andrew Ruziska
  • Publication number: 20070232844
    Abstract: A gas-solids reaction system is provided for improving product recovery in a multiple reactor reaction system. An oxygenate feedstock, desirably of high concentration in oxygenate, is reacted with a catalyst having a low to modest acidity and a Si/Al2 ratio of from 0.10 to 0.32. The reaction occurs in a reaction zone of a fluidized bed reactor at an oxygenate partial pressure of at least 45 psia and a reactor gas superficial velocity of at least 10 ft/s, conveying catalyst through the reaction zone to a circulation zone. The catalyst undergoes displacement with an inert gas in the circulation zone at a displacement gas superficial velocity of at least 0.03 m/s, after which at least a portion, preferably a large portion is returned to the reaction zone. The catalyst has a residence time in the circulation zone of at least twice that of the residence time of catalyst in the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, James H. Beech, Doron Levin, Stephen N. Vaughn, Stephen H. Brown
  • Patent number: 7247764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process for making olefin(s) using a molecular sieve catalyst composition. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for converting a feedstock comprising an oxygenate in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition, wherein the feedstock is free of or substantially free of metal salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel J. G. Janssen, Teng Xu, Cor F. Van Egmond, Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen N. Vaughn, James Harding Beech, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7230151
    Abstract: This invention is to a process of making olefin, particularly ethylene and propylene, from an oxygenate feed. The invention uses two or more zeolite catalysts. Examples of zeolite catalysts include a first catalyst containing of ZSM-5, and a second catalyst containing a 10-ring molecular sieve, including but not limited to, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, ZSM35, ZSM-48, and mixtures thereof. The ZSM-5 can be unmodified, phosphorous modified, steam modified having a micropore volume reduced to not less than 50% of that of the unsteamed ZSM-5, or various mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Luc R. M. Martens, Keith H. Kuechler, James R. Lattner
  • Patent number: 7195741
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrocarbon conversion apparatus. The apparatus comprises the following: a plurality of riser reactors, each of the riser reactors having a first end into which a catalyst can be fed and a second end through which the catalyst can exit the riser reactor, a separation zone into which the second ends of the riser reactors extend, the separation zone being provided to separate the catalyst from products of a reaction conducted in the hydrocarbon conversion apparatus; and at least one catalyst return in fluid communication with the separation zone and the first ends of the riser reactors, the catalyst return being provided to transfer the catalyst from the separation zone to the first ends of the riser reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Jeffrey S. Smith, Nicolas P. Coute, Keith H. Kuechler