Patents by Inventor Robert J. Farrauto

Robert J. Farrauto 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: 20160023193
    Abstract: Novel catalysts, substantially free of Cu and Zn, useful for the reformation of methanol and steam into H2 for use in hydrogen fuel cells and their use are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Qinglin Zhang, Robert J. Farrauto, Christopher R. Castellano
  • Patent number: 9174199
    Abstract: Novel catalysts, substantially free of Cu and Zn, useful for the reformation of methanol and steam into H2 for use in hydrogen fuel cells and their use are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Qinglin Zhang, Robert J. Farrauto, Christopher R. Castellano
  • Patent number: 8926942
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating hydrogen and separating carbon dioxide from a feed stream including hydro-carbons and water are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes the following: providing a catalytic chamber including a monolithic structure having surfaces coated with carbon dioxide adsorbing materials and one or more washcoated layers of combined steam reforming, water gas shift, and combustion catalysts; directing the feed stream into said catalytic chamber; controlling the feed stream so that it has a temperature range that allows the reactive generation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas but does not cause substantial development of coke between hydrocarbons in the feed stream and said surfaces of said monolithic structure; and adsorbing said carbon dioxide generated by heating the feed stream, wherein said carbon dioxide is adsorbed onto carbon dioxide adsorbing materials on said surfaces of said monolithic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Marco J. Castaldi, Robert J. Farrauto, Tuncel M. Yegulalp
  • Patent number: 8445402
    Abstract: An improved catalyst suitable as a preferential oxidation catalyst is obtained by adding platinum, copper, and iron to a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Shore, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 8221693
    Abstract: A two stage-carbon monoxide preferential oxidation article and method that uses a single injection of an O2-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Shore, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Publication number: 20100303713
    Abstract: Novel catalysts, substantially free of Cu and Zn, useful for the reformation of methanol and steam into H2 for use in hydrogen fuel cells and their use are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: QINGLIN ZHANG, ROBERT J. FARRAUTO, CHRISTOPHER R. CASTELLANO
  • Publication number: 20100284904
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating hydrogen and separating carbon dioxide from a feed stream including hydro-carbons and water are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes the following: providing a catalytic chamber including a monolithic structure having surfaces coated with carbon dioxide adsorbing materials and one or more washcoated layers of combined steam reforming, water gas shift, and combustion catalysts; directing the feed stream into said catalytic chamber; controlling the feed stream so that it has a temperature range that allows the reactive generation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas but does not cause substantial development of coke between hydrocarbons in the feed stream and said surfaces of said monolithic structure; and adsorbing said carbon dioxide generated by heating the feed stream, wherein said carbon dioxide is adsorbed onto carbon dioxide adsorbing materials on said surfaces of said monolithic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Marco J. Castaldi, Robert J. Farrauto, Tuncel M. Yegulalp
  • Publication number: 20100113261
    Abstract: A water gas shift catalyst comprising a platinum group metal dispersed on an inorganic oxide support modified with a carbon-containing burn-out additive and a rare earth oxide. A water gas shift catalyst containing alumina, a platinum group metal, and oxides of Pr and Nd are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: BASF CATALYSTS LLC
    Inventors: Oleg Mikhailovich Ilinich, Robert J. Farrauto, Wolfgang Friedrich Reuttinger, Xiaolin Yang
  • Patent number: 7704486
    Abstract: A water gas shift catalyst comprising a platinum group metal dispersed on an inorganic oxide support modified with a carbon-containing burn-out additive and a rare earth oxide. A water gas shift catalyst containing alumina, a platinum group metal, and oxides of Pr and Nd are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Oleg Mikhailovich Ilinich, Robert J. Farrauto, Wolfgang Friedrich Ruettinger, Xiaolin Yang
  • Patent number: 7357911
    Abstract: Operating conditions for generating hydrogen by the water-gas shift reaction have been found which reduce the aging of Pt—Re bimetallic water-gas shift catalysts. The process parameters provide a stable operation in residential fuel processors and in hydrogen generators for on-site hydrogen generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Catalysts LLC
    Inventors: Wolfgang Friedrich Ruettinger, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 7074375
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon gas such as methane and LPG is desulfurized in the presence of oxygen and an oxidation catalyst to convert sulfur compounds in the gas to sulfur oxides. The sulfur oxides are then trapped downstream of the oxidation by an adsorbent. The amount of oxygen added to the hydrocarbon gas to promote oxidation is such that the sulfur compounds are selectively oxidized and the oxidation of the hydrocarbon gas is minimized to reduce hydrogen formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan K. Lampert, Lawrence Shore, Robert J. Farrauto, Shinn Hwang
  • Patent number: 6977067
    Abstract: Provided is a method of generating a hydrogen-rich reformate from a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising olefins and alkanes (e.g., LPG). An inlet gas stream containing the hydrocarbon feed stream and an oxygen containing gas stream, is preheated to a temperature of from 180 to 300° C. The preheated inlet gas stream is then contacted with a sulfur tolerant partial oxidation catalyst to form a pre-reformed gas stream, which is preferably maintained below about 400° C. The pre-reformed gas stream is then subjected to a reforming process to form the hydrogen-rich reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Shinn H. Hwang, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 6913739
    Abstract: The invention provides processes for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide from an input gas stream that contains carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen. The process includes the step of contacting the input gas stream with a preferential oxidation catalyst. The preferential oxidation catalysts are copper-based catalysts containing low concentrations of platinum group metals. In some embodiments, the processes of the invention are conducted using preferential oxidation catalysts having an oxide support on which is dispersed copper or an oxide thereof, a platinum group metal and a reducible metal oxide. In other embodiments, the processes of the invention are conducted with a preferential oxidation catalysts having a cerium oxide support on which is dispersed copper or an oxide thereof and a platinum group metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Shore, Wolfgang F. Ruettinger, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 6903050
    Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a non-pyrophoric catalyst having about 2 to 20 wt. % of a copper component, wherein at least 50 wt. % of the copper component is in the form of a copper oxide, aluminum oxide-spinel. The catalyst can be prepared by forming a mixture of a copper precursor and an alumina precursor, coextruding the mixture, drying the coextrudate and calcining the dried coextrudate at a temperature of at least 600° C. In other aspects, the invention also relates to processes for the activation of copper-based catalysts and for the regeneration of deactivated copper-based catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Oleg M. Ilinich, Wolfgang F. Ruettinger, Ronald T. Mentz, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 6849572
    Abstract: A layered catalyst member useful for catalytically generating a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon feed. The layered catalyst member comprises a monolith substrate containing at least one layer of a steam reforming catalyst in contact with at least one layer of a catalytic partial oxidation catalyst. The steam reforming catalyst comprises one or more platinum group metal components and the catalytic partial oxidation catalyst comprises palladium components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: H. Shinn Hwang, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 6790432
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for producing hydrogen from an input gas stream containing carbon monoxide and steam that includes contacting the input gas stream with a catalyst. The catalyst contains an inorganic oxide support; a platinum group metal dispersed on the inorganic oxide support; and a methane suppressing dispersed on the inorganic oxide support. The methane suppressing component is selected from the group consisting of oxides of tin, oxides of gallium and combinations thereof. Also provided are preferred catalyst preparations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang F. Ruettinger, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Publication number: 20040156778
    Abstract: Provided is a method of generating a hydrogen-rich reformate from a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising olefins and alkanes (e.g., LPG). An inlet gas stream containing the hydrocarbon feed stream and an oxygen containing gas stream, is preheated to a temperature of from 180 to 300° C. The preheated inlet gas stream is then contacted with a sulfur tolerant partial oxidation catalyst to form a pre-reformed gas stream, which is preferably maintained below about 400° C. The pre-reformed gas stream is then subjected to a reforming process to form the hydrogen-rich reformate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: ENGELHARD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinn H. Hwang, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Publication number: 20040106837
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon gas such as methane and LPG is desulfurized in the presence of oxygen and an oxidation catalyst to convert sulfur compounds in the gas to sulfur oxides. The sulfur oxides are then trapped downstream of the oxidation by an adsorbent. The amount of oxygen added to the hydrocarbon gas to promote oxidation is such that the sulfur compounds are selectively oxidized and the oxidation of the hydrocarbon gas is minimized to reduce hydrogen formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: ENGELHARD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jordan K. Lampert, Lawrence Shore, Robert J. Farrauto, Shinn Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040082669
    Abstract: Provided is a method for operating a water-gas shift reactor that extends the useful operating life of copper-based catalysts contained therein. Methods of the invention are especially useful, for example, in operating water-gas shift reactors that are subject to frequent cycles of startups and shutdowns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Friedrich Ruettinger, Oleg Mikhailovich Ilinich, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Publication number: 20040082471
    Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a non-pyrophoric catalyst having about 2 to 20 wt. % of a copper component, wherein at least 50 wt. % of the copper component is in the form of a copper oxide, aluminum oxide-spinel. The catalyst can be prepared by forming a mixture of a copper precursor and an alumina precursor, coextruding the mixture, drying the coextrudate and calcining the dried coextrudate at a temperature of at least 600° C. In other aspects, the invention also relates to processes for the activation of copper-based catalysts and for the regeneration of deactivated copper-based catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Oleg M. Ilinich, Wolfgang F. Ruettinger, Ronald T. Mentz, Robert J. Farrauto