Patents by Inventor Laurence O. Stine
Laurence O. Stine 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).
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Patent number: 6143915Abstract: A hybrid reactor arrangement provides a reactive design that achieves higher acrylonitrile yield and lower catalyst circulating rate. The hybrid reactor design first passes a mixture of reactants and catalyst through a circulating bubbling bed reaction section. Heat exchange coils or other cooling medium in the bubbling bed reactor section maintain temperature in a range that will maximize the selectivity of reactants to the acrylonitrile product. The bubbling bed reactor section provides the initial conversion of the reactant. A circulating fluidized bed reaction zone finishes the conversion of reactants to a high yield under conditions that reduce the occurrence of secondary reactions that could otherwise produce unwanted by-products. The circulating fluidized bed reactor section maintains nearly plug flow conditions that allow continued conversion of unreacted feed components through primary reactions while limiting the time for secondary reactions to continue and diminish the final yield of products.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Lubo Zhou, W. Patrick Dennler, Anil R. Oroskar, Bipin V. Vora, Hayim Abrevaya, Laurence O. Stine
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Patent number: 6080903Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.8 and higher carbon number alkene oligomers by the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins is improved by the addition of heavy paraffins to the oligomerization zone. The recycle of the heavy paraffins extends the catalyst activity and improves the catalyst life. The non-reactive paraffin stream may be recycled through the process with minimal losses and make-up.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Brian S. Muldoon, Stevem C. Gimre, Robert R. Frame
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Patent number: 6072093Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.8 and higher olefins by the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins is improved by the addition of cycloparaffins to the oligomerization zone. The recycle of the cycloparaffins extends the catalyst activity and improves the catalyst life. Cyclohexane provides an excellent solvent for removing deposits from the catalyst with chemical inertness to the process and a boiling range that allows its essentially complete recovery when producing nonenes and higher olefins from propylene feeds.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Patrick S. O'Neill, Laurence O. Stine, Brian S. Muldoon, Steven C. Gimre, Robert R. Frame
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Patent number: 5990367Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.8 and higher olefins by the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins is improved by the addition of heavy paraffins to the oligomerization zone. The recycle of the heavy paraffins extends the catalyst activity and improves the catalyst life.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Brian S. Muldoon, Steven C. Gimre, Robert R. Frame
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Patent number: 5895830Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.8 alkene isomers by the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins is improved by the addition of heavy paraffins to the oligomerization zone. The recycle of the heavy paraffins improves the selectivity of the oligomerization for C.sub.8 olefin isomers that have a high octane number when saturated and reduces catalyst fouling. The saturated octane number of the resulting C.sub.8 isomers is particularly improved when the oligomerization zone is operated at reduced temperature conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Brian S. Muldoon, Steven C. Gimre, Robert R. Frame
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Patent number: 5856604Abstract: A process for the production motor fuel components from isoparaffins by dehydrogenation, oligomerization and saturation uses a single compressor to provide all feed and recycle requirements within the process arrangement. The single compressor can be employed for the integration of all three processes while surprisingly reducing equipment requirements throughout the integrated process arrangement. The compressor raises the effluent pressure of the effluent from the dehydrogenation zone to a level that eliminates the need for any additional compression for the recycle of hydrogen to the saturation zone, eliminates the need for refrigeration to recover butanes from the dehydrogenation zone effluent and allow an essentially complete elimination of heavies from the feed to the oligomerization reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Steven C. Gimre
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Patent number: 5847252Abstract: A process for the production motor fuel components from isoparaffins by dehydrogenation, oligomerization and saturation uses a combination of low severity dehydrogenation, first and second feed input locations and a primary separation column that receives feed and effluent components to deliver a dehydrogenation zone feed and a motor fuel products. A separation column receives the an isobutane input stream and a product containing effluent stream to distill a dehydrogenation zone input steam. The dehydrogenation zone operates at low severity conditions to produce the effluent stream that compliments the operation of an oligomerization zone by delivering an effluent stream that is higher in pressure and contains inert paraffinic diluent materials. The oligomerization effluent passes to a saturation reaction zone that provides a saturated effluent stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1995Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Bipin V. Vora, Harold U. Hammershaimb
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Patent number: 5811608Abstract: A process for the production of saturated oligomers by the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins and the saturation of the heavy olefins is improved by the recycle of the heavy paraffins to the oligomerization zone. The recycle of the heavy paraffins improves the selectivity of the oligomerization for C.sub.8 paraffin products and reduces catalyst fouling. The reduced catalyst fouling can be used to operate the oligomerization zone at lower pressure and facilitate its integration with a dehydrogenation zone for the production of the light olefin stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Brian S. Muldoon, Steven C. Gimre, Robert R. Frame
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Patent number: 5491277Abstract: Paraffins and other hydrocarbons are alkylated using a solid bed catalyst in a process featuring a reaction zone operated at mixed-phase conditions which allow the heat of reaction to vaporize a portion of the liquid phase feed hydrocarbon passing downward through it thus facilitating recycling of the feed hydrocarbon. The feed hydrocarbon recovered from the reaction zone effluent is recycled as a liquid, preferably admixed with hydrogen, with the feed olefin being preferably introduced near the top of the reactor as a vapor. The catalyst preferably contains a metal hydrogenation function effective to selectively hydrogenate C.sub.6 -plus olefins produced as by-products.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1993Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: UOPInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Harold U. Hammershaimb, Joseph A. Kocal
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Patent number: 5273646Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the activity of a catalyst effective in sweetening a hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans. The process involves adding to the hydrocarbon fraction an effective amount of an aqueous solution comprising ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Assignee: UOPInventors: Robert R. Frame, Jeffery C. Bricker, Laurence O. Stine, Thomas A. Verachtert
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Patent number: 5234578Abstract: The simultaneous use of lift gas in a riser zone that, operates above 975.degree. F. (525.degree. C.) and directly transfers catalyst and hydrocarbons to a series of cyclone separators, the stripping of spent catalyst in a heated stripper zone for the recovery of additional hydrocarbon vapors, and the immediate quenching of a converted hydrocarbon feed upon leaving a cyclone separator raises the octane and product yield in an FCC process. The process uses the specific steps of passing regenerated catalyst particles into the lower section of a substantially vertical riser conversion zone at a temperature greater than 975.degree. F. and accelerating the particles up the riser by contact with a lift gas comprising C.sub.3 and lighter hydrocarbons to a velocity of at least 1.2 meters per second. A series of injection nozzles introduce the feed into the moving catalyst in an upper portion of the riser in an amount that will maintain an average temperature of at least 520.degree. C. in the riser.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1991Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: UOPInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Charles L. Hemler, Carlos A. Cabrera, David A. Lomas
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Patent number: 5204306Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst which is useful in oxidizing mercaptans present in a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The catalyst consists of an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds. The counter ion of the onium compound is halide, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, citrate and tartrate. The catalyst is used in a liquid-liquid process to sweeten a sour hydrocarbon fraction.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1991Date of Patent: April 20, 1993Assignee: UOPInventors: Robert R. Frame, Jeffery C. Bricker, Laurence O. Stine, Thomas A. Verachtert
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Patent number: 5180484Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid-liquid process for treating a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds. A preferred onium compound is a quaternary ammonium compound with an especially preferred compound being a quaternary ammonium halide.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1991Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: UOPInventors: Robert R. Frame, Jeffery C. Bricker, Laurence O. Stine, Thomas A. Verachtert
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Patent number: 5157181Abstract: Moving bed hydrocarbon conversion processes are disclosed wherein a carbonaceous material is deposited on a solid catalyst used in the conversion process to form a coked catalyst which is regenerated in a regeneration zone in order to remove the carbonaceous deposit material from the catalyst and provide a regenerated catalyst having an increased number of active catalyst sites relative to the coked catalyst. The regenerated catalyst is then added to the reaction zone at a rate effective to enhance the conversion to desired products without enhancing the conversion to undesired by-products. When a radial flow reaction zone is employed a relatively constant amount of active catalyst sites can be maintained through the reaction zone by increasing the thickness of annulus through which the catalyst flows in the lower section of the reaction zone wherein the catalyst is more severely coked and has fewer active catalyst sites.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1990Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: UOPInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Howard E. Fullerton, Thomas R. Fritsch, Paul T. Barger
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Patent number: 5120427Abstract: Potential problems associated with the formation of polynuclear aromatic compounds during hydrocracking of residual oils are eliminated by operating at high conversion rates with a high hydrogen concentration followed by a unique separation method. The feed to the final product recovery column is preferably highly vaporized before or within the column. All of the net bottoms stream of the product recovery column, which is equal to less than 5 vol. percent of the feed, is withdrawn from the process. Only PNA free distillate is recycled.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1990Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: UOPInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Mark E. Reno, William H. Munro, Simon J. Hamper
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Patent number: 5093296Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid-liquid process for treating a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds. A preferred onium compound is a quaternary ammonium compound with an especially preferred compound being a quaternary ammonium halide. This invention also relates to a catalyst comprising an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound, for oxidizing mercaptans contained in a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The aqueous solution which is the catalyst can also be used to improve the activity of a fixed bed mercaptan oxidation catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1990Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: UOPInventors: Robert R. Frame, Jeffery C. Bricker, Laurence O. Stine, Thomas A. Verachtert
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Patent number: 5064525Abstract: This invention relates to a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The process involves two steps. In one step the mercaptans in the sour hydrocarbon fraction are reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a selective hydrogenolysis catalyst to selectively hydrogenolyse the tertiary mercaptans. In another step, the mercaptans are oxidized by reacting them with an oxidizing agent in the presence of oxidation catalyst and a basic component. The selective hydrogenolysis step and the oxidation step may be carried out in any order, i.e., either hydrogenolysis first followed by oxidation or vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1991Date of Patent: November 12, 1991Assignee: UOPInventors: Robert R. Frame, Jeffery C. Bricker, Laurence O. Stine
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Patent number: 5039398Abstract: Although high naphthenic acid hydrocarbon feedstocks normally need to be washed with caustic prior to being sweetened in a fixed bed mercaptan-to-disulfide oxidation process to avoid bed plugging, the prewash can be eliminated if aqueous ammonia is used concurrent with and as a part of the sweetening process. Aqueous ammonia injected into a sour hydrocarbon stream prior to the sweetening zone not only eliminates bed plugging, but affords an aqueous phase from which naphthenic acids may be recovered easily and economically. The ammonia also can be recovered for reuse, affording a process with considerably enhanced economic return.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1990Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Assignee: UOPInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Jeffery C. Bricker, Gregory J. Thompson, Thomas A. Verachtert
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Patent number: 4961839Abstract: Potential problems associated with the formation of polynuclear aromatic compounds during hydrocracking of residual oils are eliminated by operating at high conversion rates with a high hydrogen concentration followed by a unique separation method. The feed to the final product recovery column is highly vaporized. All of the net bottoms stream of the product recovery column, which is equal to less than 5 vol. percent of the feed, is withdrawn from the process. Only PNA free distillate is recycled.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1988Date of Patent: October 9, 1990Assignee: UOPInventors: Laurence O. Stine, Mark E. Reno, William H. Munro, Simon J. Hamper
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Patent number: 4913802Abstract: This invention relates to a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with a catalytic composite, ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide. There is a synergistic effect between the ammonium hydroxide and the quaternary ammonium hydroxide. Use of ammonium hydroxide instead of an alkaline hydroxide allows the waste stream to be re-used in other parts of the refinery, and allows for easier disposal of the waste stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1989Date of Patent: April 3, 1990Assignee: UOPInventors: Jeffery C. Bricker, Laurence O. Stine, Thomas A. Verachtert