Patents by Inventor Leon Yuan

Leon Yuan 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: 8241492
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a simulated moving bed chromatography device comprises a minimum of one stationary pipe with a plurality of inlet/outlet channels, a rotary device next to the stationary pipes, a stationary radial flow segmented vessel communicates with the rotary device, a fluid moving device and a drive means to rotate the rotary device. The counter movement of the stationary phase and the fluid is simulated by rotating the rotary device in the same direction as the circulating fluid flow, and the fluid flows through the flow distribution segments, the stationary phase segments, the outer fluid transfer segments, holes or by passes of the improved partition plates in the flow distribution segments/compartments and outer fluid transfer segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Patent number: 8231834
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a unit for regenerating a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst for a hydrocarbon conversion zone can generally include passing the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst through, sequentially, a catalyst-disengaging zone having a first atmosphere, an adsorption zone having a second atmosphere, and a regeneration zone including a combustion zone; introducing an inert gas between the first atmosphere and the second atmosphere; and passing a flue gas from the combustion zone to the adsorption zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David M. Fecteau, Leon Yuan
  • Patent number: 8182772
    Abstract: This specification discloses a radial flow continuous reaction/regeneration apparatus. Through employing a rotary device to individually and annularly distributing process fluid and regeneration fluid into a stationary segmented reaction/regeneration box and receiving effluents individually and annularly from the same stationary reaction/regeneration box, the mentioned radial flow continuous reaction/regeneration apparatus can be operated continuously and efficiently without the need for shutting down for regeneration. This radial flow continuous reaction/regeneration apparatus is not only used to separate components by adsorption, such as dehumidification, but also is used in chemical processes to carry out catalytic reaction, regenerate catalyst and used as filtration device to trap particles by changing the filler in the stationary reaction/regeneration box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Patent number: 8075227
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of solid particulate matter from a low pressure system to a high pressure system is presented. The apparatus simplifies the particle transfer process, and is useful for systems where solid catalyst particles are cycled through a reactor and a regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Patent number: 8071497
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a refinery or a petrochemical production facility. The refinery or petrochemical production facility can include: a) a catalyst regeneration zone; b) a halogen removal zone; and c) an elimination zone for at least one of a dioxin and a furan compound, wherein at least a portion of an effluent from the halogen removal zone is combined with a stream comprising oxygen from the catalyst regeneration zone or halogen removal zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leon Yuan, Steven M. Poklop, William D. Schlueter
  • Publication number: 20110217130
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of solid particulate matter from a low pressure system to a high pressure system is presented. The apparatus simplifies the particle transfer process, and is useful for systems where solid catalyst particles are cycled through a reactor and a regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Patent number: 7981272
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream in a reforming unit can include passing a gas including a halogen-containing material from a product separation zone through an adsorption zone to remove at least some of the halogen-containing material before the gas enters a first reforming stage having at least one fixed bed reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Dziabis, Leon Yuan, David J. Fecteau
  • Publication number: 20110083936
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a refinery or a petrochemical production facility. The refinery or petrochemical production facility can include: a) a catalyst regeneration zone; b) a halogen removal zone; and c) an elimination zone for at least one of a dioxin and a furan compound, wherein at least a portion of an effluent from the halogen removal zone is combined with a stream comprising oxygen from the catalyst regeneration zone or halogen removal zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leon Yuan, Steven M. Poklop, William D. Schlueter
  • Publication number: 20100329949
    Abstract: This specification discloses a radial flow continuous reaction/regeneration apparatus. Through employing a rotary device to individually and annularly distributing process fluid and regeneration fluid into a stationary segmented reaction/regeneration box and receiving effluents individually and annularly from the same stationary reaction/regeneration box, the mentioned radial flow continuous reaction/regeneration apparatus can be operated continuously and efficiently without the need for shutting down for regeneration. This radial flow continuous reaction/regeneration apparatus is not only used to separate components by adsorption, such as dehumidification, but also is used in chemical processes to carry out catalytic reaction, regenerate catalyst and used as filtration device to trap particles by changing the filler in the stationary reaction/regeneration box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Publication number: 20100226832
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a unit for regenerating a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst for a hydrocarbon conversion zone can generally include passing the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst through, sequentially, a catalyst-disengaging zone having a first atmosphere, an adsorption zone having a second atmosphere, and a regeneration zone including a combustion zone; introducing an inert gas between the first atmosphere and the second atmosphere; and passing a flue gas from the combustion zone to the adsorption zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: DAVID J. FECTEAU, LEON YUAN
  • Patent number: 7780928
    Abstract: An improved radial or cross flow moving bed regenerator or reactor, in which the solid particle residence time in the vessels can be changed in different section of the regenerator or reactor. The improvement results from the placement of one or multiple screen inserts which divides the radial or cross flow bed into separate solid flow channels. The residence time of the solid in each solid flow channels are optimized based on the regeneration or reaction requirement by changing the location, orientation and geometry of the screen inserts. As a result of the optimization of solid residence time in different section in the radial flow bed, the efficiency of a regenerator or a reactor is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Patent number: 7745364
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a process for regenerating a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst for a hydrocarbon conversion zone can generally include passing the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst through, sequentially, a catalyst-disengaging zone having a first atmosphere, an adsorption zone having a second atmosphere, and a regeneration zone including a combustion zone; introducing an inert gas between the first atmosphere and the second atmosphere; and passing a flue gas from the combustion zone to the adsorption zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Fecteau, Leon Yuan
  • Publication number: 20100014946
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for transporting solid particulate matter from a lower pressure vessel to a higher pressure vessel are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow control vessel disposed between the lower and higher pressure vessels with valves for transferring solids between the vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Publication number: 20090320370
    Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of a catalytic reforming recycle gas compressor by combining a high molecular weight light hydrocarbon process stream from a unit operation associated with the catalytic reforming process with a lower molecular weight reactor off gas recycle stream to form a combined recycle gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: David J. Fecteau, Leon Yuan, William D. Schlueter
  • Patent number: 7638101
    Abstract: This invention relates to regeneration of coked catalyst by combustion so that the catalyst can be reused in a hydrocarbon conversion reaction. The completion of coke burn is generally measured with a combination of temperature or change in oxygen concentration. Dropping outlet temperatures require time to wait for increases in inlet temperature to correspondingly move down the regenerator. Faster response times might be expected from increasing oxygen concentration, but a small increase in concentration can lead to a significant increase in peak burn temperature which negatively impacts catalyst life. Controlled peak burning is difficult over the entire bed by merely controlling inlet and outlet oxygen concentrations. The invention accordingly combines a measured lag time for temperature travel with an inlet temperature ramping step to ensure complete coke combustion with high oxygen efficiency, thus providing a rapid regeneration that permits more time for operation at desired reaction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leon Yuan, James L. Bixby, Kyle P. Austin, Brian D. Nabozny
  • Patent number: 7600950
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of solid particulate matter from a low pressure system to a high pressure system is presented. The apparatus simplifies the particle transfer process, and is useful for systems where solid catalyst particles are cycled through a reactor and a regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Publication number: 20090142148
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of solid particulate matter from a low pressure system to a high pressure system is presented. The apparatus simplifies the particle transfer process, and is useful for systems where solid catalyst particles are cycled through a reactor and a regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Publication number: 20090110517
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting solid particulate matter from a lower pressure vessel to a higher pressure vessel are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow control vessel disposed between the lower and higher pressure vessels with valves for transferring solids between the vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Publication number: 20090110616
    Abstract: An improved radial or cross flow moving bed regenerator or reactor, in which the solid particle residence time in the vessels can be changed in different section of the regenerator or reactor. The improvement results from the placement of one or multiple screen inserts which divides the radial or cross flow bed into separate solid flow channels. The residence time of the solid in each solid flow channels are optimized based on the regeneration or reaction requirement by changing the location, orientation and geometry of the screen inserts. As a result of the optimization of solid residence time in different section in the radial flow bed, the efficiency of a regenerator or a reactor is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Patent number: 7410565
    Abstract: The chloride retention of an alumina catalyst over the course of operation and regeneration can be controlled and stabilized by incorporating a small amount of a component selected from the group including phosphorus, boron, titanium, silicon, and zirconium. Steam treatments have been used to simulate commercial hydrothermal stability and a small amount of the stabilizer component has been discovered which balances chloride retention. Moreover, in a multi-catalyst hydrocarbon conversion process, such as the two-step reforming of naphtha, it has been discovered that proper selection of a catalyst having lower chloride retention in combination with another catalyst having higher chloride retention results in a process with increased yield and/or higher octane gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark P. Lapinski, Leon Yuan, Mark D. Moser