Patents by Inventor Michael C. Clark

Michael C. Clark 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: 20100081853
    Abstract: A process for alkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound to produce a monoalkylated aromatic compound, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one reaction zone having a water content with at least one alkylation catalyst having an activity and a selectivity for said monoalkylated benzene, said alkylation catalyst comprising a porous crystalline molecular sieve of a MCM-22 family material, said MCM-22 family material is characterized by having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Michael C Clark
  • Publication number: 20100076237
    Abstract: A process for alkylation or transalkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound having reactive impurities with an alkylating agent to produce a monoalkylated aromatic compound, comprising the steps of contacting at least a portion of said alkylatable aromatic compounds and said alkylating agent with a first molecular sieve catalyst in a guard bed under suitable conditions to remove said reactive impurities and form a first effluent comprising monoalkylated aromatic compound, unreacted alkylatable aromatic compounds and unreacted alkylating agent; contacting said first effluent with a second molecular sieve catalyst different from said first molecular sieve catalyst in said reaction zone under suitable alkylation or transalkylation conditions to produce additional said monoalkylated aromatic compounds; and maintaining said water content from about 1 wppm to about 10 wt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda
  • Publication number: 20100069693
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an alkylaromatic compound in a multistage reaction system comprising at least first and second series-connected alkylation reaction zones, each containing an alkylation catalyst. A first feed comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and a second feed comprising an alkene are introduced into the first alkylation reaction zone. The first and second alkylation reaction zones are operated under conditions of temperature and pressure effective to cause alkylation of the aromatic compound with the alkene in the presence of the alkylation catalyst, the temperature and pressure being such that the aromatic compound is at least partly in the liquid phase. The alkylation catalyst in the first alkylation reaction zone, which may be a reactor guard bed, has more acid sites per unit volume of catalyst than the alkylation catalyst in the second reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda, Chung-Ming Chi, Maruti Bhamdarkar, Brian Maerz, Matthew J. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20100056834
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for, and a method of, recovering linear butenes from a mixed feed comprising providing a first mixed feed comprising linear butenes and isobutene; contacting the first mixed feed with an oligomerization catalyst such as an MWW family zeolite in a first oligomerization reactor to produce a second mixed feed comprising the linear butenes, C8 olefins and higher oligomers, and a reduced amount of isobutene relative to the first mixed feed; and separating the second mixed feed to produce a first effluent of first purified linear butenes, and a second effluent of C8 olefins and higher oligomers. The oligomerization reactor may be a converted isobutene-to-methyl-t-butylether reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Katherine Sullivan Phillion, Garland B. Brignac, Michael C. Clark, Glenn J. Moloney, Donald J. Norris, Benjamin S. Umansky
  • Patent number: 7652184
    Abstract: A process for alkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound to produce a monoalkylated aromatic compound, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one reaction zone having a water content with at least one alkylation catalyst having an activity and a selectivity for said monoalkylated benzene, said alkylation catalyst comprising a porous crystalline molecular sieve of a MCM-22 family material, said MCM-22 family material is characterized by having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Clark
  • Patent number: 7649122
    Abstract: A process for alkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound to produce a monoalkylated aromatic compound, comprising the steps of (a) contacting at least one the alkylatable aromatic compound and at least one the alkylating agent with at least one molecular sieve catalyst under suitable alkylation or transalkylation conditions in at least one reaction zone, to produce at least one effluent which comprises the monoalkylated aromatic compound, wherein the suitable alkylation or transalkylation conditions comprise a water content being in a range from about 1 wppm to about 10 wt. % based on the combined weight of the alkylatable aromatic compound and the alkylating agent; and (b) maintaining the water content in the reaction zone; wherein the cycle length of the molecular sieve catalyst operated inside the range of the water content is greater than the cycle length of the molecular sieve catalyst operated outside the range of the water content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda
  • Patent number: 7645913
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an alkylaromatic compound in a multistage reaction system comprising at least first and second series-connected alkylation reaction zones, each containing an alkylation catalyst. A first feed comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and a second feed comprising an alkene are introduced into the first alkylation reaction zone. The first and second alkylation reaction zones are operated under conditions of temperature and pressure effective to cause alkylation of the aromatic compound with the alkene in the presence of the alkylation catalyst, the temperature and pressure being such that the aromatic compound is at least partly in the liquid phase. The alkylation catalyst in the first alkylation reaction zone, which may be a reactor guard bed, has more acid sites per unit volume of catalyst than the alkylation catalyst in the second reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda, Chung-Ming Chi, Maruti Bhandarkar, Brian Maerz, Matthew J. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20090306446
    Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound in an alkylation reaction zone, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first catalytic particulate material having a ratio of surface area over surface volume ratio greater than about 79 cm?1, (b) providing said alkylation reaction zone with an alkylatable aromatic compound, an alkylating agent, and said first catalytic particulate material; and (c) contacting said alkylatable aromatic compound and said alkylating agent with said catalytic particulate material in said alkylation reaction zone maintained under alkylation conditions, to form a product comprised of said monoalkylated aromatic compound and polyalkylated aromatic compound(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL PATENTS INC.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Christine N. Elia, Frederick Y. Lo, Yun-Feng Chang
  • Publication number: 20090286670
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved catalyst and a method for its manufacture. The catalyst comprises an acidic, porous crystalline material and has a Proton Density Index of greater than about 1.0, for example from greater than 1.0 to about 2.0, e.g. from about 1.01 to about 1.85. This catalyst may be used to effect conversion in chemical reactions, and is particularly useful in a process for selectively producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound comprising the step of contacting an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agent under at least partial liquid phase conditions. The acidic, porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise an acidic, crystalline molecular sieve having the structure of zeolite Beta, an MWW structure type material, e.g. MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49 MCM-56, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Matthew J. Vincent, Teng Xu
  • Publication number: 20090281361
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for conversion of feedstock comprising organic compounds to desirable conversion product at organic compound conversion conditions in the presence of catalyst comprising an acidic, porous crystalline material and having a Proton Density Index of greater than 1.0, for example, from greater than 1.0 to about 2.0, e.g. from about 1.01 to about 1.85. The acidic, porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise a porous, crystalline material or molecular sieve having the structure of zeolite Beta, an MWW structure type material, e.g. MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49, MCM-56, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Teng Xu, Matthew J. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20090266215
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a portable saw table assembly for cutting a material longitudinally, laterally, and at various angles thereto. The assembly includes a first and a second table rail being parallel and spaced from each other and each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A saw rail is moveably supported by the first and the second table rails for moving longitudinally along the table rails between the proximal and the distal ends and a mounting plate is moveably supported by the saw rails to allow movement of the mounting plate laterally along the saw rail between the first table rail and the second table rail. A saw plate is rotateably supported by the mounting plate for carrying a saw to cut the material. A guide bar is disposed diagonally relative to the first and the second table rails and engages the saw plate to guide the saw plate diagonally in response to simultaneous movement of the saw rail longitudinally and the mounting plate laterally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: J. Richard Logan, Clyde G. Allen, Michael C. Clark
  • Patent number: 7581477
    Abstract: A saw table includes a clamping mechanism for clamping a work piece on the saw table. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping bar having a first end and a second end. A longitudinal axis is defined between the first and second ends. A first pivoting arm is operatively connected to one of the ends of the clamping bar to support the clamping bar for rotation about a pivot axis. A biasing device biases the clamping bar about the pivot axis to clamp the work piece between the clamping bar and a table base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Tapco International
    Inventors: Clyde G Allen, Aundrea Nurenberg, Todd M. Lajewski, Michael C. Clark, Richard J. Logan
  • Patent number: 7555976
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a portable saw table assembly for cutting a material longitudinally, laterally, and at various angles thereto. The assembly includes a first and a second table rail being parallel and spaced from each other and each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A saw rail is moveably supported by the first and the second table rails for moving longitudinally along the table rails between the proximal and the distal ends and a mounting plate is moveably supported by the saw rails to allow movement of the mounting plate laterally along the saw rail between the first table rail and the second table rail. A saw plate is rotateably supported by the mounting plate for carrying a saw to cut the material. A guide bar is disposed diagonally relative to the first and the second table rails and engages the saw plate to guide the saw plate diagonally in response to simultaneous movement of the saw rail longitudinally and the mounting plate laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: J. Richard Logan, Clyde G. Allen, Michael C. Clark
  • Publication number: 20090137855
    Abstract: A process is described for producing an alkylaromatic compound in a multistage reaction system comprising at least first and second series-connected alkylation reaction zones each containing an alkylation catalyst. A first feed comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and a second feed comprising an alkene and one or more alkanes are introduced into said first alkylation reaction zone. The operating conditions, e.g. temperature and pressure, of the first alkylation reaction zone are controlled effective to cause the alkylatable aromatic compound to be partly in the vapor phase and partly in the liquid phase, and the ratio of the volume of liquid to the volume of vapor of the feed in each zone to be from about 0.1 to about 10. The aromatic compound and the alkene of the feed are reacted in the presence of the alkylation catalyst to form an effluent comprising the alkylaromatic compound, unreacted alkylatable aromatic compound, any unreacted alkene and the alkane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Brian Maerz
  • Patent number: 7525002
    Abstract: A process for the production of high octane number gasoline from light refinery olefins, typically from the catalytic cracking unit, and benzene-containing aromatic streams such as reformate. A portion of the light olefins including ethylene and propylene is polymerized to form a gasoline boiling range product and another portion is used to alkylate the light aromatic stream. The alkylation step may be carried out in successive stages with an initial low temperature stage using a catalyst comprising an MWW zeolite followed by a higher temperature stage using a catalyst comprising an intermediate pore size zeolite such as ZSM-5. Using this staged approach, the alkylation may be carried out in the vapor phase. Alternatively, the alkylation may be carried out in the liquid phase using the heavier olefins (propylene, butene) dissolved into the aromatic stream by selective countercurrent extraction; a separate alkylation step using the ethylene not taken up in the extraction is carried out at a higher temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Umansky, Michael C. Clark, Ajit B. Dandekar
  • Patent number: 7516638
    Abstract: A portable hand tool includes a frame for guiding a sheet of material, e.g., sheet metal. A pair of shafts are spaced from each other and are selectively slideable relative to the frame to define a plurality of adjustment positions. A pair of rollers are respectively mounted to the shafts for deforming the sheet of material between the rollers. An adjustment rod is mounted to and extends outwardly from the frame. A support interconnects the shafts and an adjustment device is rotatably engaged with the support. A coupling device is disposed about the adjustment rod and is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the coupling device couples the adjustment rod and the adjustment device to lock the shafts and rollers laterally relative to the frame. In the disengaged position, the shafts and rollers are slideable relative to the frame between the adjustment positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Roush, Michael C. Clark
  • Patent number: 7516068
    Abstract: A method for audio collection and speech recognition includes providing a plurality of listening devices, the listening devices including at least one microphone capsule, a signal pre-amplifier, a processor, and a transmitter/receiver; placing the plurality of listening devices throughout a geographic area; capturing audio by at least one of the plurality of listening devices; receiving a report from a listening device regarding a level-of-audibility of captured audio; comparing a signal strength of a signal received by two or more listening devices; ranking detected signals from two or more listening devices; selecting an optimal signal from the captured audio; and transferring the optimal audio signal from a listening device receiving the optimal audio signal to a consuming device via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael C. Clark
  • Patent number: 7501547
    Abstract: A process is described for producing an alkylaromatic compound in a multistage reaction system comprising at least first and second series-connected alkylation reaction zones each containing an alkylation catalyst. A first feed comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and a second feed comprising an alkene and one or more alkanes are introduced into said first alkylation reaction zone. The first alkylation reaction zone is operated under conditions of temperature and pressure effective to cause alkylation of the aromatic compound with the alkene in the presence of the alkylation catalyst, the temperature and pressure being such that the aromatic compound is partly in the vapor phase and partly in the liquid phase. An effluent comprising the alkylaromatic compound, unreacted alkylatable aromatic compound, any unreacted alkene and the alkane is withdrawn from the first alkylation reaction zone and then supplied to the second alkylation reaction zone without removal of the alkane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc., Badger Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Brian Maerz
  • Patent number: 7498474
    Abstract: A process for the production of high octane number gasoline from light refinery olefins and benzene-containing aromatic streams such as reformate. The process achieves good utilization of both the ethylene and the propylene present in the mixed olefin feed from the unsaturated gas plant while reducing gasoline benzene levels. The light olefins including ethylene and propylene are reacted with the light aromatic stream containing benzene and other single ring aromatic compounds to form a gasoline boiling range product containing akylaromatics. The reaction is carried out with a two-catalyst system which comprises a member of the MWW family of zeolites and an intermediate pore size zeolite such as ZSM-5 using a fixed catalyst bed in both stages. Use of the two catalyst system enables the conversion of the ethylene and propylene components of the olefin feed to be converted to alkylaromatics under favorable conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Umansky, Michael C. Clark, Ajit B. Dandekar, Christine N. Elia
  • Publication number: 20090036722
    Abstract: A process is described for producing an alkylaromatic compound, in which a first feed comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and a second feed comprising an alkene are introduced into a first alkylation reaction zone comprising a first alkylation catalyst. The first alkylation reaction zone is operated under conditions effective to cause alkylation of the alkylatable aromatic compound by the alkene to produce said alkylaromatic compound, the conditions being such that the alkylatable aromatic compound is at least predominantly in the vapor phase. A first effluent comprising the alkylaromatic compound and unreacted alkylatable aromatic compound is withdrawn from the first alkylation reaction zone and at least part of the unreacted alkylatable aromatic compound is treated to remove catalyst poisons therefrom and produce a treated unreacted alkylatable aromatic stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda, Maruti Bhandarkar, Joseph C. Peters, Chung-Ming Chi, Brian Maerz