Patents by Inventor Paolo Palmas

Paolo Palmas 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: 20130252803
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing streams of regenerated and carbonized catalyst utilizes a ramp or bend provided on only one of the catalyst conduits to provide mixing advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Johnson, Paolo Palmas
  • Publication number: 20130250716
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing streams of regenerated and carbonized catalyst involves passing a catalyst stream around an insert in a lower section of a riser. The insert fosters mixing of the catalyst streams to reduce their temperature differential before contacting hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Lev Davydov
  • Publication number: 20130252805
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing streams of regenerated and carbonized catalyst involves passing a catalyst stream around an insert in a lower section of a riser. The insert fosters mixing of the catalyst streams to reduce their temperature differential before contacting hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Lev Davydov
  • Publication number: 20130248420
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for fluid catalytic cracking. The process can include sending a first catalyst from a first riser reactor and a second catalyst from a second riser reactor to a regeneration vessel having a first stage and a second stage. The first catalyst may be sent to the first stage and the second catalyst may be sent to the second stage of the regeneration vessel. Generally, the first stage is positioned above the second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: UOP, LLC
    Inventor: Paolo Palmas
  • Patent number: 8535610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for mixing spent catalyst and recycled regenerated catalyst in a regenerator vessel. Mixing is conducted in a confined space to which catalyst is delivered from catalyst conduits protruding through the wall of the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Daniel R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8513149
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are presented for drying a catalyst in a reactor-regenerator system. The process includes a continuous operating system with catalyst circulating between a reactor and regenerator, and the catalyst is dried before returning the catalyst to the reactor. The process uses air that is split between the drying stage and the combustion stage without adding equipment outside of the regenerator, minimizing energy, capital cost, and space requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David N. Myers, Daniel N. Myers, Paolo Palmas, Laura E. Leonard, Wolfgang A. Spieker
  • Patent number: 8506795
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for fluid catalytic cracking. The process may include providing a torch oil to a stripping section of a first reaction zone, which in turn can communicate at least a partially spent catalyst to a regeneration zone for providing additional heat duty to the regeneration zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert L. Mehlberg, Laura E. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8499702
    Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ensyn Renewables, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Daniel N. Myers, Sid Kulprathipanja, Stanley Joseph Frey, Barry Freel
  • Publication number: 20130172170
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes are provided for stripping gaseous hydrocarbons from particulate material. One process comprises the step of contacting particles that contain hydrocarbons with a stripping vapor in countercurrent flow to remove at least a portion of the hydrocarbons with the stripping vapor to form stripped particles. Contacting the particles includes advancing the particles down a sloping element of a structured packing toward a reinforcing rod that is disposed adjacent to a lower section of the sloping element. The particles are advanced down through an opening formed in the sloping element proximate the reinforcing rod. The particles are contacted with the stripping vapor that is rising up through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC.
    Inventors: Mitchell John Kowalczyk, Paolo Palmas
  • Patent number: 8470081
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for separating particulate solids from a gas stream. The process can include regenerating a catalyst in a regenerator, separating particulate solids in first and second cyclone stages, passing the gas stream from the second cyclone stage to an external third stage separator, and passing the gas stream from the external third stage separator to a cyclone recirculator to obtain a clean gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Paolo Palmas, Richard A. Johnson, II
  • Publication number: 20130158326
    Abstract: A process for improving the yield of ethylene and propylene from a light naphtha feedstock includes obtaining light naphtha feedstock from a primary cracking zone having a cracking catalyst. The light naphtha feedstock is contacted with an olefin catalyst in an olefin producing zone to produce an ethylene- and propylene-rich stream. After reacting with the olefin catalyst, the ethylene- and propylene-rich stream is separated from the olefin catalyst from in a separator zone. At least a portion of the olefin catalyst is regenerated by combusting coke deposited on a surface of the olefin catalyst in an oxygen-containing environment, and at least a portion of the olefin catalyst is heated. These portions could be the same one or they could be different. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the olefin catalyst could be neither regenerated nor heated. The olefin catalyst is returned to the olefin producing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Brian W. Hedrick, Zhihao Fei, Paolo Palmas, Laura E. Leonard, Vincenza Myers
  • Publication number: 20130148465
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing streams of regenerated and carbonized catalyst involves passing a catalyst stream into and out of a chamber in a lower section of a riser. The chamber fosters mixing of the catalyst streams to reduce their temperature differential before contacting hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lisa M. Wolschlag, Lev Davydov, Paolo Palmas, Robert L. Mehlberg, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Daniel R. Johnson, Chad R. Huovie, Michael S. Sandacz, Peter J. Van Opdorp, Thomas W. Lorsbach, Karthikeyan Paramanandam
  • Publication number: 20130148463
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing streams of regenerated and carbonized catalyst involves passing a catalyst stream into and out of a chamber in a lower section of a riser. The chamber fosters mixing of the catalyst streams to reduce their temperature differential before contacting hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Lisa M. Wolschlag, Paolo Palmas, Robert L. Mehlberg, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Daniel R. Johnson, Chad R. Huovie, Michael S. Sandacz, Peter J. Van Opdorp, Thomas W. Lorsbach, Karthikeyan Paramanandam
  • Publication number: 20130150233
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing streams of regenerated and carbonized catalyst involves passing a catalyst stream into and out of a chamber in a lower section of a riser. The chamber fosters mixing of the catalyst streams to reduce their temperature differential before contacting hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lisa M. Wolschlag, Lev Davydov, Paolo Palmas, Robert L. Mehlberg, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Daniel R. Johnson, Chad R. Huovie, Michael S. Sandacz, Peter J. Van Opdorp, Thomas W. Lorsbach, Karthikeyan Paramanandam
  • Publication number: 20130148464
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing streams of regenerated and carbonized catalyst involves passing a catalyst stream into and out of a chamber in a lower section of a riser. The chamber fosters mixing of the catalyst streams to reduce their temperature differential before contacting hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Lisa M. Wolschlag, Paolo Palmas, Robert L. Mehlberg, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Daniel R. Johnson, Chad R. Huovie, Michael S. Sandacz, Peter J. Van Opdorp, Thomas W. Lorsbach, Karthikeyan Paramanandam
  • Patent number: 8415264
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for regenerating catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. Generally, the process includes providing a feed to a riser of a reaction vessel, and providing a stream to a distributor positioned within a void proximate to an inlet receiving unregenerated catalyst in a regenerator. The feed can include at least one of a gas oil, a vacuum gas oil, an atmospheric gas oil, a coker gas oil, a hydrotreated gas oil, a hydrocracker unconverted oil, and an atmospheric residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Daniel N. Myers, Paolo Palmas, David Nathan Myers
  • Publication number: 20130078581
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for controlling heat for rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material are provided herein. The apparatus comprises a reactor, a reheater for forming a fluidized bubbling bed comprising an oxygen-containing gas, inorganic heat carrier particles, and char and for burning the char into ash to form heated inorganic particles. An inorganic particle cooler is in fluid communication with the reheater. The inorganic particle cooler comprises a shell portion and a tube portion. The inorganic particle cooler is configured such that the shell portion receives a portion of the heated inorganic particles and the tube portion receives a cooling medium for indirect heat exchange with the portion of the heated inorganic particles to form partially-cooled heated inorganic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Paolo Palmas, Vincenza Myers
  • Publication number: 20130075072
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for controlling heat for rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material are provided herein. The apparatus comprises a reheater for containing a fluidized bubbling bed comprising an oxygen-containing gas, inorganic heat carrier particles, and char and for burning the char into ash to form heated inorganic particles. An inorganic particle cooler is in fluid communication with the reheater to receive a first portion of the heated inorganic particles. The inorganic particle cooler is configured to receive a cooling medium for indirect heat exchange with the first portion of the heated inorganic particles to form first partially-cooled heated inorganic particles that are fluidly communicated to the reheater and combined with a second portion of the heated inorganic particles to form second partially-cooled heated inorganic particles. A reactor is in fluid communication with the reheater to receive the second partially-cooled heated inorganic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Paolo Palmas
  • Publication number: 20130062184
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material are provided herein. The method comprises the step of contacting a carbonaceous feedstock with heated inorganic heat carrier particles at reaction conditions effective to rapidly pyrolyze the carbonaceous feedstock to form a product stream comprising pygas, pyrolysis oil, and solids. The solids comprise char and cooled inorganic heat carrier particles. The reaction conditions include a reactor pressure of about 70 kPa gauge or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Paolo Palmas
  • Patent number: 8394259
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The fluid catalytic cracking unit can include a first riser, a second riser, and a disengagement zone. The first riser can be adapted to receive a first feed terminating at a first reaction vessel having a first volume. The second riser may be adapted to receive a second feed terminating at a second reaction vessel having a second volume. Generally, the first volume is greater than the second volume. What is more, the disengagement zone can be for receiving a first mixture including at least one catalyst and one or more products from the first reaction vessel, and a second mixture including at least one catalyst and one or more products from the second reaction vessel. Typically, the first mixture is isolated from the second mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert L. Mehlberg