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: 8127938
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having one or more compounds with a boiling point of about 140-about 450° C. The apparatus can include an extraction zone and a regeneration zone. The extraction zone can include at least one settler. Each settler can have a height and a length. Typically the length is greater than the height. Also, the settler can form a boot, which can be adapted to receive a feed at one end. The regeneration zone may include a regenerator for an ionic liquid. The regenerator can include a column adapted to provide a regenerated ionic liquid to the extraction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David Nathan Myers, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Luigi Laricchia, John Patrick Brady
  • Patent number: 8062509
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for desorbing one or more polynuclear aromatics from at least one fraction from a hydrocracking zone using an adsorption zone. The adsorption zone can include first and second vessels. Generally, the process includes passing the at least one fraction from an effluent of the hydrocracking zone through the first vessel containing a first activated carbon, and passing a petroleum fraction boiling in the range of about 200-about 400° C. for desorbing the one or more polynuclear aromatics through the second vessel containing a second activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Christopher D. Gosling, Maureen L. Bricker
  • Publication number: 20110243824
    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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Lisa M. King, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Tom N. Kalnes, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 8017545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a chemical compound comprising nickel, aluminum, oxygen and sulfur having a general formula Ni2xAl2O2x+3?zSz, wherein 0.5?x?3 and 0?z?2x. The material is effective for the removal of S-compounds from gaseous streams, effective for catalyzing a water gas shift reaction and suppresses the formation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen under conditions where a water gas shift reaction is catalyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Lisa M. King
  • Publication number: 20110155637
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt Vanden Bussche, Christopehr P. Nicholas, Joseph A. Kocal, Warren K. Bennion
  • Publication number: 20110155644
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Joseph A. Kocal, Warren K. Bennion
  • Publication number: 20110155645
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Warren K. Bennion
  • Publication number: 20110155638
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Joseph A. Kocal, Warren K. Bennion
  • Publication number: 20110155635
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Warren K. Bennion
  • Publication number: 20110155647
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Kurt Vanden Bussche, Christopher P. Nicholas, Warren K. Bennion
  • Publication number: 20110147265
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more polynuclear aromatics from at least one reformate stream from a reforming zone. The PNAs may be removed using an adsorption zone. The adsorption zone can include first and second vessels. Generally, the process includes passing the at least a portion of an effluent of the reforming zone through the first vessel containing a first activated carbon. The adsorption zone is operated at a temperature of at least 370° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Mark P. Lapinski, Mark D. Moser
  • Publication number: 20110152589
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more polynuclear aromatics from at least one reformate stream from a reforming zone. The PNAs may be removed using an adsorption zone. The adsorption zone can include first and second vessels each vessel containing an activated carbon adsorbent. Generally, the process includes passing the at least a portion of an effluent of the reforming zone through the first vessel containing a first activated carbon adsorbent wherein the first activated carbon adsorbent comprises iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Mark P. Lapinski, Mark D. Moser
  • Patent number: 7935324
    Abstract: The present invention involves a catalytic process for purifying a gas stream comprising purifying the gas stream at a temperature from about 250° to 550° C. by removing sulfur compounds and including a gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to produce a partially purified gas stream. The warm gas stream purification involves COS hydrolysis and hydrogenation to H2S, the removal of H2S, and a CO gas shift to convert CO to CO2 to produce a partially purified stream. Then the carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed from the partially purified gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Tom N. Kalnes, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, John P. Brady, Robert B. James, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100327224
    Abstract: The present invention involves a process and materials for desulfurization of a gaseous stream comprising contacting the gas stream with a manganese aluminate catalyst. The manganese aluminate catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of Mn2xAl2O2x+3, Mn(2?y)(MnO)yAl2O(5?y), Mn(4?y)(MnO)yAl2O(7?y), Mn(6?y)(MnO)yAl2O(9?y), Mn(1?z)(MnO)zAlO(3?z) and intermediates thereof, wherein x?0.5, 0?y?2 and 0?z?1. Preferably, x is between 1 and 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Lisa M. King
  • Patent number: 7811474
    Abstract: The present invention involves a process and materials for simultaneous desulfurization and water gas shift of a gaseous stream comprising contacting the gas stream with a nickel aluminate catalyst. The nickel aluminate catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of Ni2xAl2O2x+3, Ni(2?y)Ni0yAl2O(5?y), Ni(4?y)Ni0yAl2O(7?y), Ni(6?y)Ni0yAl2O(9?y), and intermediates thereof, wherein x?0.5 and 0.01?y?2. Preferably, x is between 1 and 3. More preferably, the nickel containing compound further comprises Ni2xAl2O2x+3?zSz wherein 0?z?2x.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Lisa M. King, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Publication number: 20100243532
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having one or more compounds with a boiling point of about 140-about 450° C. The apparatus can include an extraction zone and a regeneration zone. The extraction zone can include at least one settler. Each settler can have a height and a length. Typically the length is greater than the height. Also, the settler can form a boot, which can be adapted to receive a feed at one end. The regeneration zone may include a regenerator for an ionic liquid. The regenerator can include a column adapted to provide a regenerated ionic liquid to the extraction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: David Nathan Myers, Manuela Serban, Kurt Vanden Bussche, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Luigi Laricchia, John Patrick Brady
  • Patent number: 7759282
    Abstract: The present invention involves a process and materials for simultaneous desulfurization and water gas shift of a gaseous stream comprising contacting the gas stream with a nickel aluminate catalyst. The nickel aluminate catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of Ni2xAl2O2x+3, Ni(2?y)Ni0yAl2O(5?y), Ni(4?y)Ni0yAl2O(7?y), Ni(6?y)Ni0yAl2O(9?y), and intermediates thereof, wherein x?0.5 and 0.01?y?2. Preferably, x is between 1 and 3. More preferably, the nickel containing compound further comprises Ni2xAl2O2x+3?zSz wherein 0?z?2x.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Lisa M. King, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 7749377
    Abstract: A process for denitrogenating diesel fuel includes contacting diesel fuel containing one or more nitrogen compounds with an acid ionic liquid in an extraction zone to selectively remove the nitrogen compound(s) and produce a denitrogenated diesel fuel effluent containing denitrogenated diesel fuel and acid ionic liquid containing nitrogen species; and separating denitrogenated diesel fuel from the denitrogenated diesel fuel effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Joseph A. Kocal
  • Publication number: 20100150805
    Abstract: This invention involves highly porous, stable metal oxide felt materials that are used as catalytic supports for a number of different applications including dehydrogenation of light paraffins to olefins, selective hydrogenation of dienes to olefins, hydrogenation of carboxylic acids, oxidation or ammoxidation reactions, epoxidation of light olefins and removal of sulfur compounds from gas streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Manuela Serban, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Publication number: 20100148121
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor containing catalysts that are situated on or within a cloth like material which is either in a filter cake-like shape or a spiral wound reactor configuration. One application is the desulfurization of synthesis gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Robert B. James, JR., Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban