Patents by Inventor Michael J. Vetter

Michael J. Vetter 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: 20090154632
    Abstract: A radial flow reactor fluid duct distribution apparatus is presented. The apparatus includes a plate of sufficient thickness to impart strength to the fluid flow duct and is milled to have narrow slots allowing fluid to flow through the plate, while preventing the passage of catalyst through the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Michael J. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20090142240
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with openings disposed within the partitions. The openings are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the openings to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet openings, and the design prevents the loss of particles through the openings during cooldown of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul A. Sechrist, Bing Sun
  • Publication number: 20090110615
    Abstract: A radial flow reactor design is presented. The reactor has individual and interchangeable screens that are arrayed circumferentially around the inside of the reactor. The reactor includes a plurality of screens held out from the reactor wall to form a circumferential screen, with channels defined between the reactor wall and the circumferential screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Jeffrey E. Burgard
  • Publication number: 20090068072
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with openings disposed within the partitions. The openings are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the openings to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet openings, and the design prevents the loss of particles through the openings during cooldown of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul A. Sechrist, Bing Sun
  • Publication number: 20080274024
    Abstract: An apparatus is for directing a fluid into a radial reactor is and which maintains a bed of solid particulate material within a reactor. The apparatus comprises a duct for directing fluid into a reactor and has a screenless face for the egress of the fluid, while providing for the retention of solid particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Publication number: 20080219898
    Abstract: A secondary containment system is used with a screenless reactor. The secondary containment system includes a screen sized to prevent the passage of catalyst particles, and is affixed to the screenless reactor with supports to hold the screen a desired distance from the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph H. Gregor, Michael J. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20080152551
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, and which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes panels for covering fluid inlet and outlet apertures and for retaining solid particles within the contacting bed. The apparatus is designed to promote the flow of solid particles through the bed and to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet and outlet apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: John J. Senetar, Michael J. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20080107575
    Abstract: A radial flow reactor and process for reacting fluid is disclosed. The reactor includes a series of peripheral inlet distributor members which direct fluid flow radially inwardly to an annular catalyst bed. Each inlet distributor member includes an elongate body defining an interior, the body including a screen wall facing the catalyst bed; an opposing outer wall spaced radially outwardly from screen wall, an inlet to introduce fluid into the interior; and a perforated baffle wall positioned between the outer wall and screen wall. The perforated baffle wall divides the interior into a first chamber for guiding flow from the inlet in an axial direction along the elongate body and a second chamber for guiding flow radially inwardly from the baffle wall toward the screen wall. The baffle wall is effective to reduce a pressure gradient along the screen, thereby improving flow uniformity and optimizing use of catalyst material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, William J. Koves, Steven M. Poklop
  • Patent number: 6969496
    Abstract: An apparatus provides for increased feed throughput without loss of conversion or selectivity by increasing the catalyst volume in a final reactor of at least three reaction zones. The catalyst volume of the final reactor may be larger because the inner and outer screens that define a radial flow bed are extended. A low LHSV is maintained by increasing the catalyst volume in the final reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul R. Cottrell, Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6884400
    Abstract: A reactor and regeneration for effecting radial flow contact of a reactant stream with catalyst particles movable as an annular-form bed by gravity flow and for reducing stresses in the bed is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Austin, James A. Szczurek, Larry D. Richardson, David M. Kazell, Charles T. Ressl, Michael J. Vetter, Gary A. Dziabis, Paul R. Cottrell, Mary Jo Wier
  • Publication number: 20020164278
    Abstract: An apparatus provides for increased feed throughput without loss of conversion or selectivity by increasing the catalyst volume in a final reactor of at least three reaction zones. The catalyst volume of the final reactor may be larger because the inner and outer screens that define a radial flow bed are extended. A low LHSV is maintained by increasing the catalyst volume in the final reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul R. Cottrell, Joseph E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6472577
    Abstract: A method increases the feed throughput for a process of dehydrogenating light hydrocarbons without loss of conversion or selectivity by increasing the catalyst volume in only the final reactor of at least three reaction zones. The catalyst volume of the final reactor may be increased relative to the other reactors by extending the inner and outer screens that define a radial flow bed therein. Maintaining a low LHSV by increasing the catalyst volume in only the final reactor greatly reduces the expense of improving the capacity and yield of such a process. This method provides the most benefit to moving bed reactor systems since modifications are limited to the last reactor. A further benefit is derived from the simplified method of raising only a section of the last reactor to increase the catalyst volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zimmermann, Paul R. Cottrell, Michael J. Vetter