Patents by Inventor Manuela Serban

Manuela Serban 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: 9024098
    Abstract: A process for the production of aromatics through the reforming of a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process utilizes the differences in properties of components within the hydrocarbon stream to increase the energy efficiency. The differences in the reactions of different hydrocarbon components in the conversion to aromatics allows for different treatments of the different components to reduce the energy used in reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche
  • Patent number: 8940660
    Abstract: The present invention involves both separated beds (or physical mixture) and a process for treating a fuel gas comprising sending the fuel gas to a separated bed (or physical mixture), in which the separated beds comprise a first bed of a sulfur sorbent and a second bed of a water gas shift catalyst (a physical mixture of a sulfur sorbent and a water gas shift catalyst). The process comprises first sending the fuel gas to the first bed to remove sulfur compounds from said fuel gas and then the fuel gas goes to the second bed to undergo a water gas shift reaction in which carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide and water is converted to hydrogen. (or sending the fuel gas simultaneously to the physical mixture to remove simultaneously the sulfur compounds and to react CO with water to CO2 and hydrogen).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Patent number: 8926827
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser
  • Patent number: 8926828
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Antoine Negiz, Kurt M. VandenBussche
  • Patent number: 8926829
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Antoine Negiz, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer, Gregory J. Gajda
  • Patent number: 8912110
    Abstract: One embodiment is a catalyst for catalytic reforming of naphtha. The catalyst can have a noble metal including one or more of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium, an alkali or alkaline-earth metal, a lanthanide-series metal, and a support. Generally, an average bulk density of the catalyst is about 0.300 to about 1.00 gram per cubic centimeter. The catalyst has a platinum content of less than about 0.375 wt %, a tin content of about 0.1 to about 2 wt %, a potassium content of about 100 to about 600 wppm, and a cerium content of about 0.1 to about 1 wt %. The lanthanide-series metal can be distributed at a concentration of the lanthanide-series metal in a 100 micron surface layer of the catalyst less than two times a concentration of the lanthanide-series metal at a central core of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Mark P. Lapinski
  • Patent number: 8882994
    Abstract: A process is presented for the increasing the yields of aromatics from reforming a hydrocarbon feedstream. The process includes splitting a naphtha feedstream into a light hydrocarbon stream, and a heavier stream having a relatively rich concentration of naphthenes. The heavy stream is reformed to convert the naphthenes to aromatics and the resulting product stream is further reformed with the light hydrocarbon stream to increase the aromatics yields. The process includes passing a catalyst stream in a counter-current flow relative to the hydrocarbon process stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Manuela Serban, Mark P. Lapinski, Mary Jo Wier, Gregory J. Gajda
  • Patent number: 8883108
    Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst material, and its method of making and manufacture, useful for a diversity of chemical production processes as well as various emission control processes. More specifically, it relates to a catalyst composition, preferably comprising a metal oxide felt substrate, with one or more functional surface active constituents integrated on and/or in the substrate surface, which can be used in the removal of sulfur and sulfur compounds from hot gases as well as acting to trap solid particulates and trace metals within these hot gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Lisa M. King, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Tom N. Kalnes, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Publication number: 20140187831
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser
  • Publication number: 20140187832
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Antoine Negiz, Kurt M. VandenBussche
  • Patent number: 8709236
    Abstract: A process for removing a nitrogen compound from a fuel feed, such as vacuum gas oil or diesel fuel, wherein the process includes contacting the fuel feed comprising the nitrogen compound with a fuel-immiscible caprolactamium ionic liquid to produce a fuel and fuel-immiscible caprolactamium ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil or a diesel effluent having a reduced nitrogen content relative to the vacuum gas oil or diesel feed. The invention provides an alternate use for caprolactamium ionic liquid that is produced in large quantities for the manufacture of caprolactam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alan B. Levy, Lihao Tang, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Patent number: 8680351
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Antoine Negiz, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 8679321
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. VandenBussche, Mark D. Moser
  • Patent number: 8679320
    Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Antoine Negiz, Kurt M. VandenBussche
  • Patent number: 8608949
    Abstract: A process for removing a metal from a vacuum gas oil feed includes contacting the vacuum gas oil feed comprising the metal with a VGO-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a vacuum gas oil and VGO-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the vacuum gas oil feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Joseph A. Kocal, Warren K. Bennion
  • Patent number: 8608943
    Abstract: A process for removing a nitrogen compound from a vacuum gas oil feed includes contacting the vacuum gas oil feed comprising the nitrogen compound with a VGO-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid to produce a vacuum gas oil and VGO-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent having a reduced nitrogen content relative to the vacuum gas oil feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Joseph A. Kocal, Warren K. Bennion
  • Patent number: 8608951
    Abstract: A process for removing a metal from a crude oil includes contacting the crude oil containing the metal with a crude-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a crude oil and crude-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a crude oil effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the crude oil feed. Optionally, a de-emulsifier is added to at least one of the contacting and separating steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Warren K. Bennion
  • Patent number: 8608952
    Abstract: A process for de-acidifying a hydrocarbon feed includes contacting the hydrocarbon feed containing an organic acid with a feed-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid to produce a hydrocarbon and feed-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid mixture and separating the mixture to produce a hydrocarbon effluent having a reduced organic acid content relative to the hydrocarbon feed. Optionally, a de-emulsifier is added to at least one of the contacting and separating steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Warren K. Bennion
  • Patent number: 8608950
    Abstract: A process for removing a metal from a resid feed includes contacting the resid feed comprising the metal with a resid-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a resid and resid-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a resid effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the resid feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Warren K. Bennion
  • Patent number: 8580107
    Abstract: A process for removing a sulfur compound from a vacuum gas oil feed includes contacting the vacuum gas oil feed comprising the sulfur compound with a VGO-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a vacuum gas oil and VGO-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent having a reduced sulfur content relative to the vacuum gas oil feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Joseph A. Kocal, Warren K. Bennion