Patents by Inventor Robert B. James, Jr.
Robert B. James, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 8603399Abstract: An improved processing system of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. The system further comprises acid gas removal means to remove acid gases from the cracked product gas and that the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Patent number: 8128887Abstract: A coating applied to at least a portion of the surfaces of reactors, reactor internals, other reactor components, and/or heater tubes is provided in order to minimize the formation of metal catalyzed coke in hydrocarbon conversion processes operating at temperatures at about 350° C. (662° F.) or greater and in reducing environments. These coatings may comprise Nickel coatings or complexes thereof, such as Ni—Al, Ni—Cr/Cr carbide, as well as aluminum painted coatings that are applied in a reduction cure process (e.g., application temperatures of about 600° C. (1112° F.)). Additionally, where H2S is necessary for the process, such as to minimize thermal cracking, the coatings also reduce corrosion of base metal due to sulfidation attack and eliminate the requirement of continuous replacement of reactor internals and other components.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Steven A. Bradley, Robert B. James, Jr., David W. Alley
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Patent number: 7935324Abstract: The present invention involves a catalytic process for purifying a gas stream comprising purifying the gas stream at a temperature from about 250° to 550° C. by removing sulfur compounds and including a gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to produce a partially purified gas stream. The warm gas stream purification involves COS hydrolysis and hydrogenation to H2S, the removal of H2S, and a CO gas shift to convert CO to CO2 to produce a partially purified stream. Then the carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed from the partially purified gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Manuela Serban, Tom N. Kalnes, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, John P. Brady, Robert B. James, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100148121Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor containing catalysts that are situated on or within a cloth like material which is either in a filter cake-like shape or a spiral wound reactor configuration. One application is the desulfurization of synthesis gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Robert B. James, JR., Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Manuela Serban
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Publication number: 20100143225Abstract: The present invention involves a catalytic process for purifying a gas stream comprising purifying the gas stream at a temperature from about 250° to 550° C. by removing sulfur compounds and including a gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to produce a partially purified gas stream. The warm gas stream purification involves COS hydrolysis and hydrogenation to H2S, the removal of H2S, and a CO gas shift to convert CO to CO2 to produce a partially purified stream. Then the carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed from the partially purified gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Manuela Serban, Tom N. Kalnes, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, John P. Brady, Robert B. James, JR.
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Publication number: 20100087693Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Patent number: 7687671Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Publication number: 20100061902Abstract: A coating applied to at least a portion of the surfaces of reactors, reactor internals, other reactor components, and/or heater tubes is provided in order to minimize the formation of metal catalyzed coke in hydrocarbon conversion processes operating at temperatures at about 350° C. (662° F.) or greater and in reducing environments. These coatings may comprise Nickel coatings or complexes thereof, such as Ni—Al, Ni—Cr/Cr carbide, as well as aluminum painted coatings that are applied in a reduction cure process (e.g., application temperatures of about 600° C. (1112° F.)). Additionally, where H2S is necessary for the process, such as to minimize thermal cracking, the coatings also reduce corrosion of base metal due to sulfidation attack and eliminate the requirement of continuous replacement of reactor internals and other components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Steven A. Bradley, Robert B. James, JR., David W. Alley
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Publication number: 20100048965Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Publication number: 20100021357Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock for increased production or yield of light olefins. Such processing involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent cracking of heavier olefins wherein at least a portion of the products from each of the reactors is elevated in pressure, using a common compressor, prior to being routed to a common product fractionation and recovery section. In one particular embodiment, the cracked product gas can be treated to remove acid gas therefrom. In another embodiment, the olefin cracking reactor is a moving bed reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, JR., Daniel H. Wei, Bryan K. Glover
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Publication number: 20100012552Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for producing a gasoline. The process can include contacting a feed having a naphtha and recycling at least a portion of the reaction zone effluent to the one or more reforming reaction zones. Generally, the reformate includes no more than about 15%, by volume, benzene, with a UZM-8 catalyst in one or more reforming reaction zones to produce a reaction zone effluent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Robert B. James, JR., Deng-Yang Jan, Robert J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7638040Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of a contaminated hydrocarbons, wherein the contamination includes metals, finely divided solids and non-distillable components. The process further includes hydroprocessing the oil to remove deleterious compounds, to produce high quality reusable lubricants, solvents and fuels and to improve the quality of water byproduct.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Mark Van Wees, Robert B. James, Jr., Tom N. Kalnes, Gavin P. Towler
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Publication number: 20090000985Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of a contaminated hydrocarbons, wherein the contamination includes metals, finely divided solids and non-distillable components. The process further includes hydroprocessing the oil to remove deleterious compounds, to produce high quality reusable lubricants, solvents and fuels and to improve the quality of water byproduct.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Mark Van Wees, Robert B. James, JR., Tom N. Kalnes, Gavin P. Towler
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Patent number: 7128883Abstract: The use of two transalkylation catalysts to react aromatic compounds of carbon number nine (and heavier carbon numbers) with benzene to form carbon number eight aromatics is disclosed. The two catalyst system preserves ethyl-group species on the heavier aromatics that would otherwise de-ethylate over most gas-phase transalkylation catalysts to form undesired ethane gas with benzene or toluene. Thus, by using a transalkylation step to save ethylbenzene, a greater yield of para-xylene or other carbon number eight aromatics may be achieved within an integrated complex. An apparatus and process for the two transalkylation catalyst system is disclosed with a liquid-phase unit and a gas-phase unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Robert B. James, Jr.
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Patent number: 6958425Abstract: The use of transalkylation catalysts to react heavy aromatic compounds of carbon number nine (and heavier carbon numbers) with benzene to form carbon number eight aromatics is disclosed. The catalyst system preserves ethyl-group species on the heavier aromatics that are otherwise de-ethylated over most gas-phase transalkylation catalysts to form undesired ethane gas with benzene or toluene. The catalyst system also promotes methyl-group species transalkylation at selected conditions. Thus, by using the transalkylation system, a greater yield of para-xylene or other carbon number eight aromatics may be achieved overall within an integrated aromatics complex.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Paula L. Bogdan, Robert B. James, Jr., Gregory F. Maher
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Patent number: 6855854Abstract: The use of two transalkylation catalysts to react aromatic compounds of carbon number nine (and heavier carbon numbers) with benzene to form carbon number eight aromatics is disclosed. The two catalyst system preserves ethyl-group species on the heavier aromatics that would otherwise de-ethylate over most gas-phase transalkylation catalysts to form undesired ethane gas with benzene or toluene. Thus, by using a transalkylation step to save ethylbenzene, a greater yield of para-xylene or other carbon number eight aromatics may be achieved within an integrated complex. An apparatus and process for the two transalkylation catalyst system is disclosed with a liquid-phase unit and a gas-phase unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Robert B. James, Jr.
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Patent number: 6060631Abstract: A process for the conversion of plastic to produce a synthetic crude oil by means of separating a liquefied plastic into a lower boiling fraction and a higher boiling fraction containing non-distillable particulate matter which is admixed with a hydrocarbonaceous recycle stream and filtered. The filtered stream having a reduced concentration of finely divided particulate matter and the distillable lower boiling stream together with hydrogen is contacted with a hydro-demetallization catalyst in a hydro-demetallization zone. The effluent from the hydro-demetallization zone is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in a hydrocracking zone to produce lower boiling hydrocarbons suitable for use as a synthetic crude oil and to produce gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds. A recovered hydrogen-rich gaseous stream is preferably recycled to the hydro-demetallization zone. The gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds are removed by scrubbing the hydrocracking zone effluent with an aqueous stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Robert B. James, Jr., Tom N. Kalnes
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Patent number: 5969201Abstract: A process for the conversion of plastic to produce a synthetic crude oil by means of contacting the plastic with a hydrocarbonaceous recycle stream in a liquefying zone operated at liquefying conditions to produce a liquefied stream of plastic containing non-distillable particulate matter and at least a portion thereof is filtered. The filtered stream having a reduced concentration of finely divided particulate matter and the balance, if any, of the original liquefied stream together with hydrogen is contacted with a hydro-demetallization catalyst in a hydro-demetallization zone at hydro-demetallization conditions to produce gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds. The effluent from the hydro-demetallization zone is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in a hydrocracking zone to produce lower boiling hydrocarbons suitable for use as a synthetic crude oil. A recovered hydrogen-rich gaseous stream is preferably recycled to the hydro-demetallization zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr.
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Patent number: 5904838Abstract: A process for the simultaneous conversion of waste lubricating oil and pyrolysis oil derived from organic waste to produce a synthetic crude oil by means of contacting the combined feed with a hot hydrogen-rich gaseous stream to increase the temperature of the combined feed to vaporize at least a portion of the distillable organic compounds contained therein which is immediately hydrogenated in a hydrogenation reaction zone. The resulting effluent from the hydrogenation reaction zone is then introduced into a hydroprocessing zone to produce higher hydrogen-content hydrocarbons and to remove heterogeneous components such as sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen and halide, for example. The resulting effluent is cooled and partially condensed to produce a gaseous stream containing hydrogen and gaseous water-soluble inorganic compounds and a liquid stream containing hydrocarbon compounds.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1998Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr.
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Patent number: 5723706Abstract: A process for the conversion of a halogenated organic feedstock to produce a stream of hydrocarbonaceous compounds having an exceedingly low concentration of halogenated organic compounds and an aqueous stream containing hydrogen halide.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: UOPInventors: Robert S. Brasier, Robert B. James, Jr.