Patents by Inventor Robert J. L. Noe
Robert J. L. Noe 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: 10647932Abstract: Process and apparatuses for producing benzene and para-xylene from a reformate stream is provided. The process comprises separating the reformate stream to provide a first stream comprising C4 and lighter hydrocarbons and a second stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons. The second steam is provided to a reformate splitter to provide a reformate bottoms stream comprising C8+ aromatic hydrocarbons and a reformate overhead stream comprising C7? aromatic hydrocarbons. The reformate overhead stream is passed to an aromatics extraction unit to provide an aromatics extract stream comprising benzene and toluene and a raffinate stream comprising non-aromatic hydrocarbons. The reformate bottoms stream and one of the first stream and the raffinate stream is passed to an olefin reduction zone, wherein the reformate bottoms stream and one of the first stream and the raffinate stream are contacted with an olefin saturation catalyst under olefin saturation conditions to produce an olefin-treated reformate stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Jalesh Kalra, Robert J. L. Noe
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Publication number: 20180265791Abstract: Process and apparatuses for producing benzene and para-xylene from a reformate stream is provided. The process comprises separating the reformate stream to provide a first stream comprising C4 and lighter hydrocarbons and a second stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons. The second steam is provided to a reformate splitter to provide a reformate bottoms stream comprising C8+ aromatic hydrocarbons and a reformate overhead stream comprising C7? aromatic hydrocarbons. The reformate overhead stream is passed to an aromatics extraction unit to provide an aromatics extract stream comprising benzene and toluene and a raffinate stream comprising non-aromatic hydrocarbons. The reformate bottoms stream and one of the first stream and the raffinate stream is passed to an olefin reduction zone, wherein the reformate bottoms stream and one of the first stream and the raffinate stream are contacted with an olefin saturation catalyst under olefin saturation conditions to produce an olefin-treated reformate stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Jalesh Kalra, Robert J. L. Noe
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Patent number: 8552247Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. According to the invention, an improved extractive distillation (extractive-distillation) process is disclosed for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes from heavy (C9+) hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to an improved extractive-distillation process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Robert J. L. Noe, Bruce R. Beadle, Lawrence E. Sullivan
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Patent number: 8481795Abstract: A process for aromatic transalkylation and olefin reduction of a feed stream is disclosed. Transalkylation conditions produce xylenes and reduced olefins in the feed. The process may be used in a xylene production facility to minimize or avoid the necessity of feedstock pretreatment such as hydrotreating, hydrogenation, or treating with clay and/or molecular sieves.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Robert J. L. Noe
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Patent number: 8350114Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a separation system. The separation system can include an adsorption zone, a rotary valve, a transition zone, and one or more pipes. Usually, the transition zone includes one or more lines communicating the rotary valve with the adsorption zone. The rotary valve alternatively may distribute an input of a feed or a desorbent to the adsorption zone or alternatively can receive an output of a raffinate or an extract from the adsorption zone in a line, and a remnant may remain in the line from a previous input or output. One or more pipes outside the transition zone communicating with the rotary valve can form at least one pipe volume receiving an input for dislodging a remnant or for receiving a remnant from the line. The remnant may be different from the input or output.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Douglas G. Stewart, Grace Chao, Braden E. Smith, Stephen W. Sohn, Robert J. L. Noe
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Patent number: 8282816Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for minimizing a solvent in a raffinate stream of an extractive distillation column. The process can include providing sufficient separation in the extractive distillation column between a reflux stream having an effective amount of water and a stream having an effective amount of solvent. Usually, the reflux stream has no more than about 2,000 ppm, by weight, solvent based on the weight of the reflux stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Robert J. L. Noe
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Publication number: 20120247943Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. According to the invention, an improved extractive distillation (extractive-distillation) process is disclosed for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes from heavy (C9+) hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to an improved extractive-distillation process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Robert J.L. Noe, Bruce R. Beadle, Lawrence E. Sullivan
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Patent number: 8273938Abstract: A process is presented for the selective separation and recovery of large normal paraffins from a heavy kerosene boiling point fraction. The process includes passing the heavy kerosene fraction through an adsorption separation system for separating the normal paraffins from the paraffin mixture. The recovered extract and raffinate streams are mixed with a diluent made up of a lighter hydrocarbon. The subsequent diluted extract and raffinate streams are passed through first fractionation columns to separate the desorbent from the diluent and the heavier paraffins. The mixture of the diluent and heavier paraffins is passed through a second set of fractionation columns to separate the diluent and the heavier paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Robert J. L. Noe, Stephen W. Sohn, Jeffrey L. Pieper, Douglas G. Stewart
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Patent number: 8211312Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a separation system. The separation system can include an adsorption zone, a rotary valve, a transition zone, and one or more pipes. Usually, the transition zone includes one or more lines communicating the rotary valve with the adsorption zone. The rotary valve alternatively may distribute an input of a feed or a desorbent to the adsorption zone or alternatively can receive an output of a raffinate or an extract from the adsorption zone in a line, and a remnant may remain in the line from a previous input or output. One or more pipes outside the transition zone communicating with the rotary valve can form at least one pipe volume receiving an input for dislodging a remnant or for receiving a remnant from the line. The remnant may be different from the input or output.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Douglas George Stewart, Grace Chao, Braden E. Smith, Stephen W. Sohn, Robert J. L. Noe
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Publication number: 20120130142Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an extraction process. The extraction process can include extracting with a solvent degradable due to contact with oxygen, and automatically measuring the solvent to detect changes in the solvent color due to degradation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: UOP, LLCInventors: Bruce R. Beadle, Robert J.L. Noe, Edward M. Casey
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Publication number: 20120090731Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a separation system. The separation system can include an adsorption zone, a rotary valve, a transition zone, and one or more pipes. Usually, the transition zone includes one or more lines communicating the rotary valve with the adsorption zone. The rotary valve alternatively may distribute an input of a feed or a desorbent to the adsorption zone or alternatively can receive an output of a raffinate or an extract from the adsorption zone in a line, and a remnant may remain in the line from a previous input or output. One or more pipes outside the transition zone communicating with the rotary valve can form at least one pipe volume receiving an input for dislodging a remnant or for receiving a remnant from the line. The remnant may be different from the input or output.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Douglas George Stewart, Grace Chao, Braden E. Smith, Stephen W. Sohn, Robert J.L. Noe
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Publication number: 20120083638Abstract: A process for aromatic transalkylation and olefin reduction of a feed stream is disclosed. Transalkylation conditions produce xylenes and reduced olefins in the feed. The process may be used in a xylene production facility to minimize or avoid the necessity of feedstock pretreatment such as hydrotreating, hydrogenation, or treating with clay and/or molecular sieves.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Edwin P. Boldingh, Robert J.L. Noe
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Publication number: 20110282125Abstract: A process is presented for the selective separation and recovery of large normal paraffins from a heavy kerosene boiling point fraction. The process includes passing the heavy kerosene fraction through an adsorption separation system for separating the normal paraffins from the paraffin mixture. The recovered extract and raffinate streams are mixed with a diluent made up of a lighter hydrocarbon. The subsequent diluted extract and raffinate streams are passed through first fractionation columns to separate the desorbent from the diluent and the heavier paraffins. The mixture of the diluent and heavier paraffins is passed through a second set of fractionation columns to separate the diluent and the heavier paraffins.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: UOP LLCInventors: Robert J.L. Noe, Stephen W. Sohn, Jeffrey L. Pieper, Douglas G. Stewart
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Patent number: 7960601Abstract: A process is presented for the selective separation and recovery of large normal paraffins from a heavy kerosene boiling point fraction. The process includes passing the heavy kerosene fraction through an adsorption separation system for separating the normal paraffins from the paraffin mixture. The recovered extract and raffinate streams are mixed with a diluent made up of a lighter hydrocarbon. The subsequent diluted extract and raffinate streams are passed through first fractionation columns to separate the desorbent from the diluent and the heavier paraffins. The mixture of the diluent and heavier paraffins is passed through a second set of fractionation columns to separate the diluent and the heavier paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Robert J. L. Noe, Stephen W. Sohn, Jeffrey L. Pieper, Douglas G. Stewart
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Publication number: 20100270213Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for minimizing a solvent in a raffinate stream of an extractive distillation column. The process can include providing sufficient separation in the extractive distillation column between a reflux stream having an effective amount of water and a stream having an effective amount of solvent. Usually, the reflux stream has no more than about 2,000 ppm, by weight, solvent based on the weight of the reflux stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventor: Robert J.L. Noe
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Publication number: 20100249484Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a separation system. The separation system can include an adsorption zone, a rotary valve, a transition zone, and one or more pipes. Usually, the transition zone includes one or more lines communicating the rotary valve with the adsorption zone. The rotary valve alternatively may distribute an input of a feed or a desorbent to the adsorption zone or alternatively can receive an output of a raffinate or an extract from the adsorption zone in a line, and a remnant may remain in the line from a previous input or output. One or more pipes outside the transition zone communicating with the rotary valve can form at least one pipe volume receiving an input for dislodging a remnant or for receiving a remnant from the line. The remnant may be different from the input or output.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Douglas George Stewart, Grace Chao, Braden E. Smith, Stephen W. Sohn, Robert J.L. Noe
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Publication number: 20100125162Abstract: A process is presented for the selective separation and recovery of large normal paraffins from a heavy kerosene boiling point fraction. The process includes passing the heavy kerosene fraction through an adsorption separation system for separating the normal paraffins from the paraffin mixture. The recovered extract and raffinate streams are mixed with a diluent made up of a lighter hydrocarbon. The subsequent diluted extract and raffinate streams are passed through first fractionation columns to separate the desorbent from the diluent and the heavier paraffins. The mixture of the diluent and heavier paraffins is passed through a second set of fractionation columns to separate the diluent and the heavier paraffins.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Robert J. L. Noe, Stephen W. Sohn, Jeffrey L. Pieper, Douglas G. Stewart
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Publication number: 20090320928Abstract: A method for operating a multi-track rotary valve having plural tracks for the separate introduction to vessels of at least 3 feed streams and the separate recovery from the vessels of at least 3 product streams and for simultaneous change of the flow paths of the streams. At least one stream is selected and maintained at lower pressure than the other streams so that any leakage flows from the other streams to the at least one selected stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: UOP LLCInventor: Robert J. L. Noe
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Patent number: 5912395Abstract: The capacity of a simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process is increased by flushing the contents of the transfer line just previously used to remove the raffinate stream from the adsorbent chamber back into the adsorbent chamber. This step is performed immediately upstream of the point of raffinate withdrawal. Preferably the feed stream to the process is used as the flushing liquid. This flush step eliminates the passage of a quantity of the raffinate material into the adsorbent chamber when the process conduit is subsequently used to charge the feed stream to the adsorbent chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Robert J.L. Noe
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Patent number: 5595665Abstract: A head flush apparatus for a pressure vessel uses an equalization chamber that channels the fluid generated by the head flush into a low volume chamber and withdraws fluid from the pressure vessel through the low volume chamber. Withdrawing fluid generated by the head flush and channeling the fluid through the low volume chamber reduces or eliminates the circulation of fluid between the equalization chamber and the adjacent process chamber and minimizes the amount of contamination that can result from any circulation of fluid resulting from pressure fluctuations. The withdrawal of fluid through the low volume chamber also provides a non-contaminating path for withdrawing leakage from the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: UOPInventor: Robert J. L. Noe