Patents by Inventor Ralph D. Gillespie

Ralph D. Gillespie 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: 7875757
    Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent and the isomerization zone effluent are each separated to form a light ends stream and a product stream. The light ends streams are combined for processing in a net gas re-contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Douglas A. Nafis, Gregory F. Maher, Lynn H. Rice, William D. Schlueter, Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn
  • Patent number: 7601881
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a heteropoly anion structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 7538064
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a hetropoly anion structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20080280755
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a hetropoly anion structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 7435329
    Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent and the isomerization zone effluent are each separated to form a light ends stream and a product stream. The light ends streams are combined for processing in a net gas re-contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Douglas A. Nafis, Gregory F. Maher, Lynn H. Rice, William D. Schlueter, Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn
  • Publication number: 20080245704
    Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent and the isomerization zone effluent are each separated to form a light ends stream and a product stream. The light ends streams are combined for processing in a net gas re-contacting zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas A. Nafis, Gregory F. Maher, Lynn H. Rice, William D. Schlueter, Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn
  • Patent number: 7414007
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a hetropoly anion structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 7399896
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a hetropoly anion structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20080128327
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a heteropoly anion structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 7345214
    Abstract: A catalyst for opening naphthenic rings has been developed. The catalyst comprises ruthenium and platinum as the active catalytic metals and a modifier with cerium being a preferred modifier. At least 50% of the platinum and ruthenium components are present as particles wherein more ruthenium is present on the surface of the particles than in the center. All of these components are dispersed on a metal oxide support such as aluminas. A ring opening process using the catalyst is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Feng Xu, Lorenz J. Bauer, Ralph D. Gillespie, Maureen L. Bricker, Steven A. Bradley
  • Patent number: 7341872
    Abstract: A vessel arrangement having a base and multiple vessels suited for simultaneously conducting a plurality of isolated experimental reactions or treatments at atmospheric process conditions or elevated temperatures and pressure condition has been developed. A component of a first material is introduced into one independent vessel through an opening in its top of the first vessel and another component of a second material is introduced into a different independent vessel through its top. Both vessels are removably located about a base at different first locations. Transformation of the components in the vessels then occurs to produce different materials therein. After completion of the experiments a displacement medium simultaneously urges the vessels from their respective locations about the base for discard or reuse after any necessary cleaning. Typically at least one property of the materials from the vessels is determined either within the vessel or after recovery of the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Brent J. Anderson, Ralph D. Gillespie, Maureen L. Bricker
  • Patent number: 7326819
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn
  • Patent number: 7288411
    Abstract: A process for simultaneously testing a plurality of catalysts using combinatorial chemistry has been developed. The process involves containing the plurality of catalysts in an array of parallel reactors with each reactor containing a bed of catalyst. Each bed of catalyst is then simultaneously contacted, at reaction conditions, with a reactant to form an effluent of each reactor. The reactant or an inert fluid is at a space velocity sufficient to fluidize the catalyst beds. Each of the effluents is analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Duncan E. Akporiaye, Arne Karlsson, Ivar M. Dahl, Rune Wendelbo, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Gavin P. Towler, Ralph D. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 7041866
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component comprising at least one Group III A (IUPAC 13) component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Ralph D. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 7022889
    Abstract: A process for the isomerization of a feedstream comprising C5–C6 hydrocarbons where the process involves charging hydrogen and a feedstream comprising at least normal C5–C6 hydrocarbons into an isomerization zone and contacting said hydrogen and feedstream with an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the feedstream hydrocarbons and produce an isomerization effluent stream comprising at least normal pentane, normal hexane, methylbutane, dimethylbutane, and methylpentane has been discovered. The catalyst used is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB (IUPAC 4) of the Periodic Table, a first component selected from the group consisting of at least one lanthanide-series element, mixtures thereof, and yttrium, and a second component selected from the group of platinum-group metals and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn, Lynn H. Rice
  • Patent number: 7015175
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum and a refractory-oxide binder having at least one platinum-group metal component dispersed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: James G. Vassilakis, Richard R. Rosin, Steven A. Bradley, Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn, Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 6979396
    Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent is combined with the isomerization zone effluent to form a combined effluent stream and separated into a product stream enriched in C5 and heavier hydrocarbons and an overhead stream enriched in C4 and lighter boiling compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn, Richard R. Rosin, Lynn H. Rice, Margaret A. Stine
  • Patent number: 6977322
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element, yttrium or mixtures thereof, which is preferably ytterbium or holmium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Ralph D. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 6927188
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn
  • Patent number: 6881873
    Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ralph D. Gillespie, Michelle J. Cohn