Patents by Inventor Kenneth Clem

Kenneth Clem 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).

  • Publication number: 20070260100
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of making molecular sieve catalyst particles, molecular sieve slurries that can be used in such methods, molecular sieve catalyst compositions and their use in catalytic hydrocarbon conversion processes. In one of its aspects, the invention provides a method of making molecular sieve catalyst particles, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution or suspension of an aluminum-containing inorganic oxide precursor in a liquid medium; b) combining the solution or suspension of aluminum-containing inorganic oxide precursor with a molecular sieve, and optionally other formulating agents, to form a catalyst formulation slurry; c) aging the catalyst formulation slurry to generate in said slurry a percentage, or increase in said slurry the existing percentage, of aluminum atoms of the aluminum-containing precursor in the form of oligomers having a sharp 27 Al NMR peak at 62-63 ppm; and d) forming molecular sieve catalyst particles from the catalyst formulation slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Cheng, Stephen Vaughn, Kenneth Clem, Luc Martens, Weiguo Hu
  • Publication number: 20070249885
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of making molecular sieve catalyst particles, molecular sieve slurries that can be used in such methods, molecular sieve catalyst compositions and their use in catalytic hydrocarbon conversion processes. In one of its aspects, the invention provides a method of making molecular sieve catalyst particles, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution or suspension of an aluminum-containing inorganic oxide precursor in a liquid medium; b) combining the solution or suspension of aluminum-containing inorganic oxide precursor with a molecular sieve, and optionally other formulating agents, to form a catalyst formulation slurry; c) aging the catalyst formulation slurry to generate in said slurry a percentage, or increase in said slurry the existing percentage, of aluminum atoms of the aluminum-containing precursor in the form of oligomers having a sharp 27Al NMR peak at 62-63 ppm; and d) forming molecular sieve catalyst particles from the catalyst formulation slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen Vaughn, Kenneth Clem, Luc Martens, Weiguo Hu
  • Publication number: 20070238911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to a molecular sieve catalyst composition of a molecular sieve, a binder and a matrix material, wherein the weight ratio of the binder to the molecular sieve is controlled to provide an improved attrition resistant catalyst composition, particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Stephen Vaughn, Luc Martens, Kenneth Clem
  • Publication number: 20070072767
    Abstract: The invention provides low metal content molecular sieve catalyst compositions, processes for making such catalysts, and processes for using such catalysts in the conversion of an oxygenate into one or more light olefins. Preferably, the catalyst composition comprises a matrix material having a low metal content. By utilizing matrix materials having low metal contents, the amount of metal-catalyzed side reaction byproducts formed in a reaction system, particularly in an oxygenate-to-olefin reaction system, can be advantageously reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Stephen Vaughn, Richard Hall, Kenneth Clem, Jack Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070049782
    Abstract: A gas-solids reaction system with termination devices to connect a riser with one or more separation devices. The termination devices have a radius of curvature that is at least 1.0 times as great as the diameter of the conduit forming the termination device. The termination devices can be openly or closely coupled to the separation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Rutton Patel, Arun Sharma, E. Jones, James Beech, Richard Walter, Donald Shaw, Kenneth Clem, Nicolas Coute
  • Publication number: 20070037692
    Abstract: A method for maintaining the activity of silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve catalyst particles during oxygenate to olefin conversion reactions. The SAPO catalyst particles are regenerated under targeted conditions in the presence of platinum to provide controlled, steady state regeneration while minimizing catalyst damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: James Beech, Jesse Goellner, Michael Risch, Peter Loezos, Kenneth Clem, Michael Nicoletti
  • Publication number: 20060217581
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of converting oxygenates to olefin products. The methods provided include steps for protecting against deactivation of active molecular sieve catalysts during the conversion process. In particular, the invention provides for methods of regenerating coked catalyst to minimize catalyst deactivation due to contact with moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Stephen Vaughn, Kenneth Clem, James Beech, Pete Loezos
  • Publication number: 20060217582
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of converting oxygenates to olefin products. The methods provided include steps for protecting against deactivation of active molecular sieve catalysts during the conversion process. In particular, the invention provides for methods of regenerating coked catalyst to minimize catalyst deactivation due to contact with moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Stephen Vaughn, Kenneth Clem, James Beech, Peter Loezos, Richard Hall, Jesse Goellner
  • Publication number: 20060205587
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a hardened molecular sieve catalyst composition, a method of making the composition and a method of using the composition. The catalyst composition is made by mixing together molecular sieve, liquid, and an effective hardening amount of a dried molecular sieve catalyst to form a slurry. The slurry is dried, and then calcined to form the hardened molecular sieve catalyst composition. The hardened molecular sieve catalyst is highly attrition resistant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen Vaughn, Luc Martens, Kenneth Clem
  • Publication number: 20060149110
    Abstract: A method for maintaining the activity of silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve catalyst particles during oxygenate to olefin conversion reactions. After regeneration of SAPO catalyst particles, the regenerated particles are mixed with particles having coke on their surface in a manner that maintains their catalytic activity at a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Shun Fung, Richard Hall, Hafedh Kochkar, Karl Strohmaier, Nicolas Coute, Kenneth Clem
  • Publication number: 20060130444
    Abstract: A multi-stage gas-solids separator is configured so that the higher density (solids) output flows of two or more of the separator stages are merged together. The multi-stage separator is preferably composed of cyclone separators, with the diplegs of at least two of the cyclone separator stages merged together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, James Beech, Nicolas Coute, Jesse Goellner, Kenneth Clem
  • Publication number: 20060129011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Clem, Stephen Vaughn, Teng Xu, Jeffrey White
  • Publication number: 20060079723
    Abstract: A catalyst composition for use in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins comprises a first molecular sieve comprising a CHA framework type material and a second molecular sieve comprising an AFI framework type material, wherein said second molecular sieve is present in an amount up to 0.75% by weight of said first molecular sieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Machteld Mertens, Marcel Janssen, Luc Martens, Kenneth Clem
  • Publication number: 20060079724
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Loezos, Shun Fung, Stephen Vaughn, Kenneth Clem, James Beech, Nicolas Coute, Marcel Janssen, Luc Martens, Karl Strohmaier
  • Publication number: 20060079397
    Abstract: A catalyst composition for use in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins comprises a first molecular sieve comprising a CHA framework type material and a second molecular sieve comprising an AFI framework type material, wherein said second molecular sieve is present in an amount up to 0.75% by weight of said first molecular sieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Machteld Mertens, Marcel Janssen, Luc Martens, Kenneth Clem
  • Publication number: 20060011514
    Abstract: There is provided a coated zeolite catalyst in which the accessibility of the acid sites on the external surfaces of the zeolite is controlled and a process for converting hydrocarbons utilizing the coated zeolite catalyst. The zeolite catalyst comprises core crystals of a first zeolite and a discontinuous layer of smaller size second crystals of a second zeolite which cover at least a portion of the external surface of the first crystals The coated zeolite catalyst finds particular application in hydrocarbon conversion processes where catalyst activity in combination with zeolite structure are important for reaction selectivity, e.g., catalytic cracking, alkylation, disproportional of toluene, isomerization, and transalkylation reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Jannetje van den Berge, Gary Mohr, Kenneth Clem, Wilfried Mortier, Machteld Mertens, Michael Bradford
  • Publication number: 20060004240
    Abstract: This invention relates to processes for converting oxygenates to olefins that include a step of pretreating catalyst, which comprises molecular sieve and one or more active metal oxides of one or more metals, with a hydrocarbon composition to provide an integrated hydrocarbon co-catalyst within the molecular sieve. The combination of molecular sieve and hydrocarbon co-catalyst converts oxygenate to an olefin product with high selectivity to light olefins (i.e., ethylene or propylene, or mixture thereof).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Nicolas Coute, Kenneth Clem, Doron Levin, James Vartuli
  • Publication number: 20050245780
    Abstract: This invention provides an attrition resistant metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst composition, methods of making the catalyst composition and processes for using the catalyst composition. The metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst composition is highly attrition resistant in dried as well as fully calcined forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Yun-Feng Chang, Stephen Vaughn, Kenneth Clem, Luc Martens, Alistair Westwood, Jeffery Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20050233895
    Abstract: A silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is disclosed that comprises first and second intergrown phases of a CHA framework type and an AEI framework type, wherein said first intergrown phase has an AEI/CHA ratio of from about 5/95 to about 40/60 as determined by DIFFaX analysis, the second intergrown phase has an AEI/CHA ratio of about 30/70 to about 55/45 as determined by DIFFaX analysis and said molecular sieve has a silica to alumina molar ratio (Si/Al2) from about 0.13 to about 0.24.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Machteld Mertens, An Verberckmoes, Marcel Janssen, Yun-Feng Chang, Luc Martens, Stephen Vaughn, Kenneth Clem, Wilfried Mortier
  • Publication number: 20050176579
    Abstract: A method for maintaining the activity of silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve catalyst particles during oxygenate to olefin conversion reactions. After regeneration of SAPO catalyst particles, the regenerated particles are mixed with particles having coke on their surface in a manner that maintains their catalytic activity at a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Shun Fung, Richard Hall, Hafedh Kochkar, Karl Strohmaier, Nicolas Coute, Kenneth Clem