Patents by Inventor Pamela Harvey

Pamela Harvey 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: 20080275280
    Abstract: A zeolite catalyst is prepared by treating a zeolite with a phosphorus compound to form a phosphorus-treated zeolite. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. or higher and combined with an inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. The zeolite-binder mixture is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound zeolite catalyst. The bound zeolite may exhibit at least two 31P MAS NMR peaks with maxima at from about 0 to about ?55 ppm, with at least one peak having a maximum at from about ?40 to about ?50 ppm. Zeolites containing 10-oxygen ring pores that have been prepared in such a way may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the bound zeolite catalyst with an aromatic alkylation feed of an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey
  • Patent number: 7446069
    Abstract: A method of modifying a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst to increase selectivity of the catalyst for para-isomers in aromatic alkylation reactions is provided. The method includes contacting a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst with a fluoride-containing compound. The fluoride-containing zeolite catalyst can be used in aromatic alkylation to provide di-alkyl aromatic products. A method of preparing a xylene product is also accomplished by providing a fluoride-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst within a reactor. The fluoride-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is contacted with a toluene/methanol feed under reaction conditions conditions suitable for toluene methylation to form a xylene product containing at least 50% para-xylene by total mixed xylenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Pamela Harvey
  • Publication number: 20080176736
    Abstract: A zeolite catalyst is prepared by treating a zeolite with a phosphorus compound to form a phosphorus-treated zeolite. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. or higher and combined with an inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. The zeolite-binder mixture is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound zeolite catalyst. The bound zeolite may exhibit at least two 31P MAS NMR peaks with maxima at from about 0 to about ?55 ppm, with at least one peak having a maximum at from about ?40 to about ?50 ppm. Zeolites containing 10-oxygen ring pores that have been prepared in such a way may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the bound zeolite catalyst with an aromatic alkylation feed of an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey
  • Patent number: 7399727
    Abstract: A catalyst is formed from a phosphorus-containing ZSM-5-type zeolite. The ZSM-5-type zeolite has a silica/alumina molar ratio of at least 200. The phosphorus-containing ZSM-5-type zeolite also has a phosphorus content of at least 8% by weight of zeolite and has multiple phosphorus species exhibited by at least two 31P MAS NMR peaks with maxima at from about 0 to about ?50 ppm. The catalyst may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the catalyst with a feed of an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey
  • Patent number: 7368410
    Abstract: A zeolite catalyst is prepared by treating a zeolite with a phosphorus compound to form a phosphorus-treated zeolite. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. or higher and combined with an inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. The zeolite-binder mixture is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound zeolite catalyst. The bound zeolite may exhibit at least two 31P MAS NMR peaks with maxima at from about 0 to about ?55 ppm, with at least one peak having a maximum at from about ?40 to about ?50 ppm. Zeolites containing 10-oxygen ring pores that have been prepared in such a way may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the bound zeolite catalyst with an aromatic alkylation feed of an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey
  • Publication number: 20080009406
    Abstract: A method of treating a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst is carried out by treating a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst having a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least about 200 with a phosphorus compound. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is calcined and steamed. Steaming of the catalyst is carried out at a temperature of less than about 300° C. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst has less than 0.05% by weight of the catalyst of any other element other than phosphorus provided from any treatment of the ZSM-5 zeolite with a compound containing said other element. The catalyst may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the catalyst with feed of an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent within a reactor under reactor conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. Water cofeed may be introduced water into the reactor during the aromatic alkylation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Ashim Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey, Roncalli Twomey
  • Patent number: 7304194
    Abstract: A method of treating a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst is carried out by treating a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst having a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least about 200 with a phosphorus compound. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is calcined and steamed. Steaming of the catalyst is carried out at a temperature of less than about 300° C. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst has less than 0.05% by weight of the catalyst of any other element other than phosphorus provided from any treatment of the ZSM-5 zeolite with a compound containing said other element. The catalyst may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the catalyst with feed of an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent within a reactor under reactor conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. Water cofeed may be introduced water into the reactor during the aromatic alkylation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey, Roncalli J. Twomey
  • Patent number: 7285511
    Abstract: A method of modifying a zeolite catalyst to increase para-xylene selectivity of the zeolite catalyst in toluene methylation reactions is provided. The method includes forming a slurry of a ZSM-5-type zeolite and an aqueous solution of a phosphorus compound. Water is removed from the slurry to provide a non-steamed, phosphorus treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst without deposition of phosphorus onto the catalyst by organophosphorus vapor deposition. The resulting non-steamed, phosphorus treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst has a pore volume of from 0.2 ml/g or less and provides greater than 80% para-xylene selectivity of mixed xylenes when used in toluene methylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Gopalakrishnan Juttu, Pamela Harvey, Neeta Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 7279608
    Abstract: A method of converting methanol to a xylene product is achieved by providing a reactor containing a non-steamed, phosphorus-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst. The catalyst is contacted with a toluene/methanol feed under reactor conditions suitable for the methylation of toluene. Water cofeed is introduced into the reactor during the methylation reaction under conditions that provide substantially no structural aluminum loss of the catalyst from such introduction of water to provide a selectivity for methanol of at least 40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey
  • Patent number: 7244869
    Abstract: A catalyst for use in aromatic alkylation, such as toluene alkylation with methanol, is comprised of a zeolite with pore size from about 5.0 to about 7.0 ? containing a hydrogenating metal. The catalyst may be used in preparing an alkyl aromatic product by providing the catalyst within a reactor. The catalyst may be contacted with an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent in the presence of hydrogen under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The catalyst may also be treated to further increase its stability. This is accomplished by heating the hydrogenating metal loaded zeolite catalyst in the presence of a reducing agent prior to use in an aromatic alkylation reaction to a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 500° C. for about 0.5 to about 10 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Gopalakrishnan Juttu, Pamela Harvey
  • Publication number: 20070149384
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bound phosphorus-modified zeolite catalyst. Zeolite is treated with a phosphorus compound to form the phosphorus-treated zeolite. Binder material is treated with a mineral acid prior to being bound with the phosphorus-modified zeolite. The binder material includes inorganic oxide materials, such as alumina, clay, aluminum phosphate and silica-alumina, in particular, a binder of alumina or clay or their combinations. The mineral acid includes hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is combined with the acid-treated inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. Water is added to form an extrudable paste which maybe shaped and is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound phosphorus-modified zeolite catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Ashim Ghosh, Pamela Harvey, Neeta Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 7196237
    Abstract: A method of modifying a zeolite catalyst to increase selectivity of the catalyst is achieved by dissolving alumina in a phosphorus-containing acid solution, and treating the zeolite catalyst with the dissolved alumina solution. A method of preparing an aromatic product, such as a xylene product, is also achieved by contacting the modified zeolite catalyst with an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene, and an alkylating agent, such as methanol, under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. For xylene products the aromatic hydrocarbon may be toluene and the reaction conditions may be suitable for at least one of toluene methylation and transalkylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Pamela Harvey
  • Publication number: 20070032690
    Abstract: A zeolite catalyst is prepared by treating a zeolite with a phosphorus compound to form a phosphorus-treated zeolite. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. or higher and combined with an inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. The zeolite-binder mixture is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound zeolite catalyst. The bound zeolite may exhibit at least two 31P MAS NMR peaks with maxima at from about 0 to about ?55 ppm, with at least one peak having a maximum at from about ?40 to about ?50 ppm. Zeolites containing 10-oxygen ring pores that have been prepared in such a way may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the bound zeolite catalyst with an aromatic alkylation feed of an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Ashim Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey
  • Publication number: 20060252633
    Abstract: A method of treating a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst is carried out by treating a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst having a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least about 200 with a phosphorus compound. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is calcined and steamed. Steaming of the catalyst is carried out at a temperature of less than about 300° C. The phosphorus-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst has less than 0.05% by weight of the catalyst of any other metal other than phosphorus provided from any treatment of the ZSM-5 zeolite with a compound containing said other metal. The catalyst may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the catalyst with feed of an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent within a reactor under reactor conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. Water cofeed may be introduced water into the reactor during the aromatic alkylation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Ashim Ghosh, Neeta Kulkarni, Pamela Harvey, Roncalli Twomey
  • Patent number: 7105713
    Abstract: A method of modifying a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst to increase selectivity of the catalyst for para-isomers in aromatic alkylation reactions is provided. The method includes contacting a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst with a fluoride-containing compound. The fluoride-containing zeolite catalyst can be used in aromatic alkylation to provide di-alkyl aromatic products. A method of preparing a xylene product is also accomplished by providing a fluoride-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst within a reactor. The fluoride-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is contacted with a toluene/methanol feed under reaction conditions conditions suitable for toluene methylation to form a xylene product containing at least 50% para-xylene by total mixed xylenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Pamela Harvey
  • Publication number: 20060189477
    Abstract: A method of modifying a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst to increase selectivity of the catalyst for para-isomers in aromatic alkylation reactions is provided. The method includes contacting a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst with a fluoride-containing compound. The fluoride-containing zeolite catalyst can be used in aromatic alkylation to provide di-alkyl aromatic products. A method of preparing a xylene product is also accomplished by providing a fluoride-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst within a reactor. The fluoride-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is contacted with a toluene/methanol feed under reaction conditions conditions suitable for toluene methylation to form a xylene product containing at least 50% para-xylene by total mixed xylenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Ashim Ghosh, Pamela Harvey
  • Patent number: 7084318
    Abstract: A method of preparing a xylene product is carried out in a reactor containing a phosphorus-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst. The method includes initiating a unique start-up of a toluene methylation reaction by contacting the catalyst with a toluene/methanol feed and a cofeed of hydrogen introduced into the reactor at certain start-up conditions. By utilizing the start-up conditions high selectivity for p-xylene can be achieved while providing stable catalytic activity over extended periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Pamela Harvey
  • Publication number: 20060155155
    Abstract: A catalyst for use in aromatic alkylation, such as toluene alkylation with methanol, is comprised of a zeolite with pore size from about 5.0 to about 7.0 ? containing a hydrogenating metal. The catalyst may be used in preparing an alkyl aromatic product by providing the catalyst within a reactor. The catalyst may be contacted with an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent in the presence of hydrogen under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The catalyst may also be treated to further increase its stability. This is accomplished by heating the hydrogenating metal loaded zeolite catalyst in the presence of a reducing agent prior to use in an aromatic alkylation reaction to a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 500° C. for about 0.5 to about 10 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Ashim Ghosh, Gopalakrishnan Juttu, Pamela Harvey
  • Patent number: 7060644
    Abstract: A catalyst for use in aromatic alkylation, such as toluene alkylation with methanol, is comprised of a zeolite with pore size from about 5.0 to about 7.0 ? containing a hydrogenating metal. The catalyst may be used in preparing an alkyl aromatic product by providing the catalyst within a reactor. The catalyst may be contacted with an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent in the presence of hydrogen under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The catalyst may also be treated to further increase its stability. This is accomplished by heating the hydrogenating metal loaded zeolite catalyst in the presence of a reducing agent prior to use in an aromatic alkylation reaction to a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 500 ° C. for about 0.5 to about 10 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Gopalakrishnan Juttu, Pamela Harvey
  • Patent number: 7060864
    Abstract: A method of preparing a xylene product is carried out by providing a reactor containing a non-steamed, phosphorus-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst. The catalyst is contacted with a toluene/methanol feed and a cofeed of hydrogen under reactor conditions suitable for the methylation of toluene. Water is introducing into the reactor during the methylation reaction under conditions that provide substantially no structural aluminum loss of the catalyst from such introduction of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Pamela Harvey