Patents by Inventor Michael E. Olbrich

Michael E. Olbrich 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: 5264187
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described whereby a caustic-treated hydrocarbon feed mixture having a contaminating concentration of water and sulfur compounds is treated by separating the hydrocarbon feed into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is contacted with an adsorbent material to produce a reactor feed stream having a significant reduction in the concentration of the contaminating water and sulfur compounds. The reactor feed stream is thereafter contacted in the presence of hydrogen under suitable isomerization conditions with an isomerization catalyst to produce an isomerate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Olbrich, Rebecca L. Jones, Roger W. Fenstermaker
  • Patent number: 5254748
    Abstract: A method for integrating several petroleum refining processes so as to efficiently produce tertiary alkyl ether compounds from a feed stream containing both saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons is disclosed. An important step for forming isoolefins in the integrated process involves simultaneous catalytic conversion of an isoparaffin to an isoolefin and an n-olefin to an n-paraffin in a combination hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactor. The thus produced isoolefin is reacted with a primary alcohol to form the desired tertiary alkyl ether compound in an ether forming process. Other conversion process included in the overall integration are an isomerization process to convert n-paraffins to isoparaffins and optionally an alkylation process to convert isoparaffins and olefins to an alkylate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Harvey D. Hensley, Richard L. Anderson, Michael E. Olbrich
  • Patent number: 5143888
    Abstract: A method for improving the activity of a dehydrogenation and dehydrocyclization catalyst composition and a process for improving the conversion and selectivity of paraffin hydrocarbons to olefin and aromatic compounds. The novel processes comprise adding calcium aluminate to a catalyst composition comprising a zinc aluminate support and a catalyst metal, and optionally a promoter metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Olbrich
  • Patent number: 5082987
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described whereby a caustic-treated hydrocarbon feed mixture having a contaminating concentration of water and sulfur compounds is treated by separating the hydrocarbon feed into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is contacted with an adsorbent material to produce a reactor feed stream having a significant reduction in the concentration of the contaminating water and sulfur compounds. The reactor feed stream is thereafter contacted in the presence of hydrogen under suitable isomerization conditions with an isomerization catalyst to produce an isomerate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Olbrich, Rebecca L. Jones, Roger W. Fenstermaker
  • Patent number: 5073662
    Abstract: A method for improving the activity of a dehydrogenation and dehydrocyclization catalyst composition and a process for improving the conversion and selectivity of paraffin hydrocarbons to olefin and aromatic compounds. The novel processes comprise adding calcium aluminate to a catalyst composition comprising a zinc aluminate support and a catalyst metal, and optionally a promoter metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Olbrich
  • Patent number: 4926005
    Abstract: In a process for dehydrogenating alkanes having 2-5 carbon atoms per molecule in the presence of steam and a catalyst composition comprising Group IIA and/or IIB metal aluminate, Group VIII metal(s) and Group IVA metal compound(s), the improvement comprises the step of pretreating the alkane containing feed with a material comprising a Group IIA and/or Group IIB metal aluminate under non-dehydrogenating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Olbrich, Dwight L. McKay, Dean P. Montgomery, deceased, by B. Jean, administratrix Montgomery
  • Patent number: 4902849
    Abstract: In a process for dehydrogenating alkanes containing 2-5 carbon atoms per molecule in the presence of steam and a catalyst composition comprising IIA and/or IIB metal aluminate, a noble metal and a Group IVA metal oxide, the improvement comprises the step of contacting the catalyst composition, after it has been oxidatively regenerated, with a reducing gas comprising free hydrogen and steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Dwight L. McKay, Michael E. Olbrich