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: 20110269620
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: UOP, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel N. Myers, Paolo Palmas, David Nathan Myers
  • Patent number: 8007728
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking system. The fluid catalytic cracking system can include a reaction zone including a riser having a top and a bottom adapted to receive spent catalyst at a first elevation and regenerated catalyst at a second elevation. Typically, the first elevation is lower than the second elevation. Additionally, the fluid catalytic cracking system can include a gas distributor contained near the bottom of the riser in communication with a hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert Mehlberg, Keith Allen Couch, Paul Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7972565
    Abstract: An apparatus for stripping gases from catalyst material comprises baffles having a second face that extends toward a downcomer channel between baffles to spread catalyst out on adjacent baffles for better contact with stripping gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jason P. Lambin, Keith A. Couch, Paolo Palmas, Giovanni Spinelli
  • Patent number: 7947230
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for spreading catalyst over a regenerator vessel. Nozzles disposed angular to a header of the distributor spread catalyst throughout a full cross section of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Lawrence A. Lacijan, Sujay R. Krishnamurthy, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Paul S. Nishimura, Lisa M. Wolschlag
  • Publication number: 20110056871
    Abstract: A process for distributing a deflecting media into an axial center of a riser to push catalyst outwardly toward the feed injectors ensures better contacting between hydrocarbon feed and catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Keith A. Couch, Paolo Palmas, Jason P. Lambin, Giovanni Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20110058989
    Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a deflecting media into an axial center of a riser to push catalyst outwardly toward the feed injectors ensures better contacting between hydrocarbon feed and catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Keith A. Couch, Paolo Palmas, Jason P. Lambin, Giovanni Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20100243529
    Abstract: An FCC process comprising an enlarged riser section and a distributor in an elevated position and with an opening in its tip away from riser walls may reduce coke build-up along the interior walls of a riser. Catalytic mixing may be improved, which could reduce riser coking by increasing hydrocarbon contact with catalyst before contacting the riser wall. Increasing the distance between the introduction of the hydrocarbon and the riser wall may increase this likelihood for hydrocarbon-catalyst contact. Highly contaminated hydrocarbons cause greater coking than do normal hydrocarbons and this FCC process may be effective in decreasing riser coking on such heavy hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Hedrick, Paolo Palmas
  • Patent number: 7758817
    Abstract: An FCC process and apparatus comprising an enlarged riser section and a distributor in an elevated position and with an opening in its tip away from riser walls may reduce coke build-up along the interior walls of a riser. Catalytic mixing may be improved, which could reduce riser coking by increasing hydrocarbon contact with catalyst before contacting the riser wall. Increasing the distance between the introduction of the hydrocarbon and the riser wall may increase this likelihood for hydrocarbon-catalyst contact. Highly contaminated hydrocarbons cause greater coking than do normal hydrocarbons and this FCC process and apparatus may be effective in decreasing riser coking on such heavy hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Hedrick, Paolo Palmas
  • Patent number: 7744744
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for regenerating cracking catalyst may include a regenerator, a distributor penetrating the bottom of the regenerator, a spent catalyst conduit, a return standpipe, and a recirculating standpipe, wherein the return standpipe and the recirculating standpipe are connected to the upper half of the regenerator. An apparatus for regenerating cracking catalyst may include a spent catalyst standpipe and a recirculation standpipe positioned on an inner side of the regenerator vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Frank S. Rosser, Jr., Patrick D. Walker
  • Publication number: 20100147744
    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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert Mehlberg
  • Publication number: 20100150788
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for spreading catalyst over a regenerator vessel. Nozzles disposed angular to a header of the distributor spread catalyst throughout a full cross section of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Lawrence A. Lacijan, Sujay R. Krishnamurthy, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Paul S. Nishimura, Lisa M. Wolschlag
  • Publication number: 20100152020
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for spreading catalyst over a regenerator vessel. Nozzles disposed angular to a header of the distributor spread catalyst throughout a full cross section of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Lawrence A. Lacijan, Sujay R. Krishnamurthy, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Paul S. Nishimura, Lisa M. Wolschlag
  • Publication number: 20100152515
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking system. The fluid catalytic cracking system can include a reaction zone including a riser having a top and a bottom adapted to receive spent catalyst at a first elevation and regenerated catalyst at a second elevation. Typically, the first elevation is lower than the second elevation. Additionally, the fluid catalytic cracking system can include a gas distributor contained near the bottom of the riser in communication with a hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert Mehlberg, Keith Allen Couch, Paul Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20100075829
    Abstract: A process for stripping gases from catalyst material in which catalyst travels down baffles at a first acute angle and then at a second acute angle on the same baffle. Traveling down the baffle at the second angle assures the catalyst will cross a downcomer channel and land on an adjacent baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jason P. Lambin, Keith A. Couch, Paolo Palmas, Giovanni Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20100074806
    Abstract: An apparatus for stripping gases from catalyst material comprises baffles having a second face that extends toward a downcomer channel between baffles to spread catalyst out on adjacent baffles for better contact with stripping gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jason P. Lambin, Keith A. Couch, Paolo Palmas, Giovanni Spinelli
  • Patent number: 7622626
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for conversion of oxygenates to olefins comprising contacting within a reactor the oxygenates with a catalyst to produce light olefins and wherein the reactor comprises at least two zones, a first zone wherein gas circulates at a faster rate than a second zone wherein a gas circulates at a slower rate; and inserting a quantity of inert gas into the second zone to increase circulation of any materials located in said second zone. The invention prevents accumulation of undesirable by-products within stagnant zones within the reactor and reduces the amount of coke deposited on catalyst or on surfaces within these zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Daniel N. Myers, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7622625
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for conversion of oxygenates to olefins comprising contacting within a reactor the oxygenates with a catalyst to produce light olefins and wherein the reactor comprises at least two zones, a first zone wherein gas circulates at a faster rate than a second zone wherein a gas circulates at a slower rate; and inserting a quantity of inert gas into the second zone to increase circulation of any materials located in said second zone. The invention prevents accumulation of undesirable by-products within stagnant zones within the reactor and reduces the amount of coke deposited on catalyst or on surfaces within these zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Daniel N. Myers
  • Patent number: 7601304
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for injecting a plurality of uniform jets into an extended dispersion of moving catalyst particles within a reactor vessel. The apparatus comprises a plurality of outer conduits each for carrying atomizing fluid. A plurality of tips in the outer conduits each include a plurality of orifices for spraying a mixture of feed and atomizing fluid. Inner conduits with outlets within the outer conduits delivers feed to the tips of the outer conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Daniel N. Myers, Todd P. Mitchell, James W. Althoff
  • Publication number: 20080207973
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for conversion of oxygenates to olefins comprising contacting within a reactor the oxygenates with a catalyst to produce light olefins and wherein the reactor comprises at least two zones, a first zone wherein gas circulates at a faster rate than a second zone wherein a gas circulates at a slower rate; and inserting a quantity of inert gas into the second zone to increase circulation of any materials located in said second zone. The invention prevents accumulation of undesirable by-products within stagnant zones within the reactor and reduces the amount of coke deposited on catalyst or on surfaces within these zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Daniel N. Myers, Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20080081006
    Abstract: An FCC process and apparatus may include injecting hydrocarbon feedstock at different radial positions inside a riser. Multiple distributors may be used to position the openings for injecting feedstock at multiple radial positions. In addition, the openings may be away from riser peripheral wall and at different elevations along the riser wall or extending up from the riser bottom. The different opening positions introduce the feedstock across a larger area of the cross-section of the riser, which may improve the feedstock dispersion and mixing with catalyst. Improved mixing may increase conversion of the feedstock. Larger FCC units generally have greater riser diameters that may cause problems for feedstock dispersion and decrease the ability for the feedstock to mix with catalyst. Injecting the feedstock at multiple radial positions may improve feedstock dispersion in larger FCC units and increase mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel N. Myers, Paolo Palmas, Daniel R. Johnson, Peter J. Van Opdorp