Patents by Inventor Robert B. James

Robert B. James 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: 10214464
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Patent number: 9809662
    Abstract: Processes for producing a polypropylene product by using a lower purity propylene stream. An operating parameter of the separation zone for a dehydrogenation zone effluent may be adjusted or controlled to lower the purity of the propylene stream produced by the separation zone. The reflux rate of propylene-propane splitter may be reduced. The duty of the reboiler for the propylene-propane splitter may be lowered. The number of stages in the propylene-propane splitter may be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Adam J. Kanyuh, Michael J. Banach, Robert B. James
  • Publication number: 20170233310
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Patent number: 9689615
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Publication number: 20160355617
    Abstract: Processes for producing a polypropylene product by using a lower purity propylene stream. An operating parameter of the separation zone for a dehydrogenation zone effluent may be adjusted or controlled to lower the purity of the propylene stream produced by the separation zone. The reflux rate of propylene-propane splitter may be reduced. The duty of the reboiler for the propylene-propane splitter may be lowered. The number of stages in the propylene-propane splitter may be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Adam J. Kanyuh, Michael J. Banach, Robert B. James
  • Publication number: 20140353208
    Abstract: A method of hydrocarbon conversion is described. The hydrocarbon feed is decontaminated using an ionic liquid and introduced into a conversion zone. The conversion of the decontaminated feed is increased compared to the conversion of the contaminated feed and the yield of the desired product made from the decontaminated hydrocarbon feed is increased compared to the yield of the desired product made from the contaminated hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Rajeswar R. Gattupalli, Beckay J. Mezza, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Robert B. James, Massimo Sangalli, Peter Van Opdorp
  • Publication number: 20140058162
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Publication number: 20140058149
    Abstract: High efficiency processes for producing olefins, alkynes, and hydrogen co-production from light hydrocarbons are disclosed. In one version, the method includes the steps of combusting hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion zone of a pyrolytic reactor to create a combustion gas stream, transitioning a velocity of the combustion gas stream from subsonic to supersonic in an expansion zone of the pyrolytic reactor, injecting a light hydrocarbon into the supersonic combustion gas stream to create a mixed stream including the light hydrocarbon, transitioning the velocity of the mixed stream from supersonic to subsonic in a reaction zone of the pyrolytic reactor to produce acetylene, and catalytically hydrogenating the acetylene in a hydrogenation zone to produce ethylene. In certain embodiments, the carbon efficiency is improved using methanation techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Antoine Negiz, Robert B. James, Carl J. Stevens, Paul T. Barger
  • Patent number: 8414798
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process for producing syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a gas stream comprising methane are provided. The process comprises the step of contacting the gas stream with a two-component catalyst system comprising an apatite component and a perovskite component at reaction conditions effective to convert the methane to the syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Colleen Costello, Lisa King, Paul Barger, Deng-Yang Jen, Robert B. James, Kurt Vanden Bussche
  • Publication number: 20120104322
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process for producing syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a gas stream comprising methane are provided. The process comprises the step of contacting the gas stream with a two-component catalyst system comprising an apatite component and a perovskite component at reaction conditions effective to convert the methane to the syngas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Colleen Costello, Lisa King, Paul Barger, Deng-Yang Jan, Robert B. James, Kurt Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 4397383
    Abstract: There is provided a safety insert for use on an escalator having moving steps, each of which defines at the top a plurality of upstanding, spaced-apart teeth separated by a plurality of grooves, the escalator including a side skirt closely adjacent the sides of the steps. The safety insert is of a resilient material, and is a one-piece, elongated member of constant section. The section includes a lower portion which is sized and shaped so as to be receivable snugly within the furthest sideward groove in a step, and also includes an upper portion which extends above the tops of the teeth when the lower portion is received in its groove. The upper portion projects obliquely upwardly and sidewardly from the lower portion, and terminates in an abutment region which, which the lower portion is received within its groove, is spaced inwardly from the escalator side skirt and spaced above the tooth immediately outward of the groove in which the lower portion is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Inventor: Robert B. James