Patents by Inventor Michael R. Van de Cotte

Michael R. Van de Cotte 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: 11884616
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for reforming hydrocarbons to reduce the impact of contaminants created by non-catalyst coking. The reaction zone receives sulfur to inhibit the impact, and a control index is used to control the determine conditions with generally lower pressures. Additionally, a compression zone, pressure control zone and combustion zone operation are provided for the operation of the reaction zone at the generally lower pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan J. Egolf, Christopher D. DiGiulio, William Yanez, Ka L. Lok, Elie J. Fayad, Haibo Yu, Kristen E. Allaire, Falaah Falih, Jeffrey R. Grott, Sujay R. Krishnamurthy, Hari S. Bajpai, Phillip F. Daly, Matthew R. Zuraski, Hosoo Lim, Joseph Peterson, Michael R. Van de Cotte, Steven A. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20230212095
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for reforming hydrocarbons to reduce the impact of contaminants created by non-catalyst coking. The reaction zone receives sulfur to inhibit the impact, and a control index is used to control the determine conditions with generally lower pressures. Additionally, a compression zone, pressure control zone and combustion zone operation are provided for the operation of the reaction zone at the generally lower pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan J. Egolf, Christopher D. DiGiulio, William Yanez, Ka L. Lok, Elie J. Fayad, Haibo Yu, Kristen E. Allaire, Falaah Falih, Jeffrey R. Grott, Sujay R. Krishnamurthy, Hari S. Bajpai, Phillip F. Daly, Matthew R. Zuraski, Hosoo Lim, Joseph Peterson, Michael R. Van de Cotte, Steven A. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20230203385
    Abstract: A start-up method for contacting a feed stream with fluidized catalyst is disclosed. The start-up method comprises reacting a feed stream over a catalyst to produce a gas stream and spent catalyst. The gas stream is separated from the spent catalyst. The separated gas stream is passed to a compressor. The operating condition associated with the compressor is measured. Based on the measured operating condition associated with the compressor, one or both of a supplemental hydrocarbon stream and a supplemental hydrogen gas stream is provided to the compressor to meet a predetermined operating condition associated with the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Steven C. Kozup, Michael R. Van de Cotte, Adam J Kanyuh
  • Publication number: 20230191311
    Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for operating a centrifugal gas compressor. A storage tank containing a liquid buffer material is provided and used to offset density fluctuations in the gas stream passed to the compressor. The storage tank may contain a component of the high-pressure gas stream provided by the compressor, such as carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Bradley Russell, Michael R. Van de Cotte, William Cady, Nasser Khazeni
  • Patent number: 10458329
    Abstract: A power generation process for use in a processing unit that includes the steps of: using a regenerator to produce a flue gas stream; removing catalyst particles from the flue gas stream; routing the flue gas stream to a combustor/expander unit after performing the step of removing catalyst particles; and using rotation of the turbine of the combustor/expander unit as a source of rotary power. Preferably, the combustor/expander unit includes a combustion chamber and a power recovery turbine housed within a single casing. In certain embodiments, the flue gas stream is routed between the regenerator and the combustor/expander without passing through a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Xin X. Zhu, Joao Jorge da Silva Ferreira Alves, Paolo Palmas, Richard A. Johnson, II, Michael R. Van de Cotte
  • Patent number: 10315971
    Abstract: Systems and processes for heat recovery associated with the separation of hydrocarbon components. Two compressors are used to compress a portion of an overhead vapor stream from a fractionation column. A pressure of the liquid portion of the compressed overhead is reduced and used to recover heat from an overhead of another separation zone having a fractionation column. Once the heat has been recovered the stream is recompressed. The recovered heat may be removed from the recompressed stream in a reboiler of another fractionation column. The fractionation columns may comprise a deethanizer stripper, propane-propylene splitter, and a depropanizer column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen T. King, Michael R. Van de Cotte, Adam J. Kanyuh, Steven C. Kozup
  • Publication number: 20190003343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for using a waste heat stream in an aromatics complex. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for using waste heat to drive multiple compressor services within an aromatics complex to achieve energy savings and provide low grade heat that is otherwise wasted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Donald A. Eizenga, Michael R. Van de Cotte, Leonid Bresler, Jason T. Corradi
  • Publication number: 20180185766
    Abstract: Systems and processes for heat recovery associated with the separation of hydrocarbon components. Two compressors are used to compress a portion of an overhead vapor stream from a fractionation column. A pressure of the liquid portion of the compressed overhead is reduced and used to recover heat from an overhead of another separation zone having a fractionation column. Once the heat has been recovered the stream is recompressed. The recovered heat may be removed from the recompressed stream in a reboiler of another fractionation column. The fractionation columns may comprise a deethanizer stripper, propane-propylene splitter, and a depropanizer column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen T. King, Michael R. Van de Cotte, Adam J. Kanyuh, Steven C. Kozup
  • Publication number: 20150367276
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and system for regenerating a solvent used to remove carbon dioxide from feed gases, such as natural gas and synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more hydraulic turbochargers to transfer energy from a higher energy solvent stream to a lower energy solvent stream. This energy is converted to electricity for use in powering parts of the process and system. This provides for a significant reduction in operating expenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Lubo Zhou, William J. Lechnick, Michael R. Van de Cotte, Nagaraju Palla
  • Publication number: 20150252725
    Abstract: A power generation process for use in a processing unit that includes the steps of: using a regenerator to produce a flue gas stream; removing catalyst particles from the flue gas stream; routing the flue gas stream to a combustor/expander unit after performing the step of removing catalyst particles; and using rotation of the turbine of the combustor/expander unit as a source of rotary power. Preferably, the combustor/expander unit includes a combustion chamber and a power recovery turbine housed within a single casing. In certain embodiments, the flue gas stream is routed between the regenerator and the combustor/expander without passing through a compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Xin X. Zhu, Joao Jorge da Silva Ferreira Alves, Paolo Palmas, Richard A. Johnson II, Michael R. Van de Cotte
  • Patent number: 9085499
    Abstract: The present process comprises a means for energy savings in one or more process pumps by driving the one or more pumps with a variable-speed driving means. The invention is particularly useful in the separation of an adsorbed product from a mixture of components using simulated-moving-bed adsorption associated with a large circulating stream pumped with variable-speed driving means for conservation of energy relative to the known art. The improvement is particularly applicable to a process for the separation of para-xylene from mixed C8 aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stanley J. Frey, Lewis H. Pettengill, Michael R. Van de Cotte
  • Publication number: 20130116495
    Abstract: The present process comprises a means for energy savings in one or more process pumps by driving the one or more pumps with a variable-speed driving means. The invention is particularly useful in the separation of an adsorbed product from a mixture of components using simulated-moving-bed adsorption associated with a large circulating stream pumped with variable-speed driving means for conservation of energy relative to the known art. The improvement is particularly applicable to a process for the separation of para-xylene from mixed C8 aromatics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stanley J. Frey, Lewis H. Pettengill, Michael R. Van de Cotte
  • Patent number: 7967896
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and system for regenerating a solvent used to remove carbon dioxide from feed gases, such as natural gas and synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more hydraulic turbochargers to transfer energy from a higher energy solvent stream to a lower energy solvent stream. This provides for a significant reduction in operating expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William J. Lechnick, Nagaraju Palla, Paul A. Sechrist, Lamar A. Davis, Michael R. Van de Cotte
  • Publication number: 20090241773
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and system for regenerating a solvent used to remove carbon dioxide from feed gases, such as natural gas and synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more hydraulic turbochargers to transfer energy from a higher energy solvent stream to a lower energy solvent stream. This provides for a significant reduction in operating expenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: William J. Lechnick, Nagaraju Palla, Paul A. Sechrist, Lamar A. Davis, Michael R. Van de Cotte
  • Publication number: 20090241778
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and system for regenerating a solvent used to remove carbon dioxide from feed gases, such as natural gas and synthesis gas. The process and system employs an eductor or ejector as an alternative to the prior art's vacuum compressor that is placed on the vapor stream from a vapor flash. This process and system saves substantial capital and operating costs over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: William J. Lechnick, Lamar A. Davis, Michael R. Van de Cotte, John P. Brady