Patents by Inventor Robert Mehlberg

Robert Mehlberg 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: 11517869
    Abstract: In an apparatus for fluid catalytic cracking a riser having a top and a bottom for fluidizing and cracking a hydrocarbon feed stream by contact with catalyst exits an outlet at the top of the riser. A downer in communication with the outlet of the riser receives cracked hydrocarbon product and catalyst. A swirl duct in communication with the downer has a discharge opening below the outlet for discharging said cracked hydrocarbon product and catalyst. A stream of hydrocarbon feed and a catalyst is passed upwardly in a riser. A stream of gaseous hydrocarbon products and catalyst is directedly downwardly and then the stream of gaseous hydrocarbon products and catalyst are directed to flow in an angular direction to separate gaseous hydrocarbon products from the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mehlberg, Michael A. Stine, Lev Davydov, Sathit Kulprathipanja
  • Publication number: 20220370975
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a feed distributor comprising a side cluster of orifices instead of or in combination with an end cluster of orifices for distributing hydrocarbon feed into a catalyst stream. A side cluster of orifices in conjunction with an end cluster of orifices on a feed distributor can distribute hydrocarbon feed into a riser over a greater cross-sectional extent enabling emission of smaller droplet sizes which provide better conversion with less coke production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Zhihao Fei, Robert Mehlberg, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Sathit Kulprathipanja, Michael S. Sandacz
  • Publication number: 20220096983
    Abstract: In an FCC apparatus and process gas and catalyst exit from a riser, are disengaged from each other and the catalyst is stripped. Product gases are evacuated from catalyst that can over crack the product gases to other undesired products. A baffle in or above the stripping section can direct product gases into a passage that evacuates the product gases to product recovery in isolation from the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Robert Mehlberg, Matthew R. Wojtowicz, Michael A. Stine
  • Patent number: 11285417
    Abstract: In an FCC apparatus and process gas and catalyst exit from a riser, are disengaged from each other and the catalyst is stripped. Product gases are evacuated from catalyst that can over crack the product gases to other undesired products. A baffle in or above the stripping section can direct product gases into a passage that evacuates the product gases to product recovery in isolation from the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Robert Mehlberg, Matthew R. Wojtowicz, Michael A. Stine
  • Patent number: 11261143
    Abstract: In an FCC apparatus in which swirl arms are used to discharge gas and catalyst from a riser, the swirling movement of the catalyst particles is inhibited while impeding the catalyst particles and gaseous products from exiting the disengaging chamber and entering a reactor annulus. The catalyst particles and gaseous products pass through a tunnel comprising a vertical wall to enter the reactor annulus. The vertical wall presents a face that is opposed to the angular direction in which the catalyst particles and gaseous products swirl. A baffle may be located at the intersection between the reactor annulus and the disengaging chamber to deflect catalyst laterally in a stripping section after exiting the reactor annulus. The baffle may be equipped with openings to fluidize the large proportion of catalyst passing over this region to effectively pre-strip this catalyst before it enters a stripping section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Lev Davydov, Robert Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 11214741
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process for cracking multiple feedstocks in a FCC apparatus comprising a first set of feed distributors having first distributor tips and a second set of feed distributors having second distributor tips is provided. A first feed is injected into the riser from first distributor tips. A second feed is injected into the riser from second distributor tips. The first distributor tips and the second distributor tips are positioned at different radii in the riser. The first feed and the second feed are cracked in the riser in the presence of an FCC catalyst to provide a cracked effluent stream. The first distributor tips and the second distributor tips are located into a region of lower catalyst density and a region of higher catalyst density respectively in the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Robert Mehlberg, Matthew R. Wojtowicz, Patrick D. Walker, Sakthivelan Maadasamy Durai, Sathit Kulprathipanja
  • Publication number: 20210261870
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process for cracking multiple feedstocks in a FCC apparatus comprising a first set of feed distributors having first distributor tips and a second set of feed distributors having second distributor tips is provided. A first feed is injected into the riser from first distributor tips. A second feed is injected into the riser from second distributor tips. The first distributor tips and the second distributor tips are positioned at different radii in the riser. The first feed and the second feed are cracked in the riser in the presence of an FCC catalyst to provide a cracked effluent stream. The first distributor tips and the second distributor tips are located into a region of lower catalyst density and a region of higher catalyst density respectively in the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Lev Davydov, Robert Mehlberg, Matthew R. Wojtowicz, Patrick D. Walker, Sakthivelan Maadasamy Durai, Sathit Kulprathipanja
  • Publication number: 20200406208
    Abstract: In an apparatus for fluid catalytic cracking a riser having a top and a bottom for fluidizing and cracking a hydrocarbon feed stream by contact with catalyst exits an outlet at the top of the riser. A downer in communication with the outlet of the riser receives cracked hydrocarbon product and catalyst. A swirl duct in communication with the downer has a discharge opening below the outlet for discharging said cracked hydrocarbon product and catalyst. A stream of hydrocarbon feed and a catalyst is passed upwardly in a riser. A stream of gaseous hydrocarbon products and catalyst is directedly downwardly and then the stream of gaseous hydrocarbon products and catalyst are directed to flow in an angular direction to separate gaseous hydrocarbon products from the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Mehlberg, Michael A. Stine, Lev Davydov, Sathit Kulprathipanja
  • Publication number: 20200325087
    Abstract: In an FCC apparatus in which swirl arms are used to discharge gas and catalyst from a riser, the swirling movement of the catalyst particles is inhibited while impeding the catalyst particles and gaseous products from exiting the disengaging chamber and entering a reactor annulus. The catalyst particles and gaseous products pass through a tunnel comprising a vertical wall to enter the reactor annulus. The vertical wall presents a face that is opposed to the angular direction in which the catalyst particles and gaseous products swirl. A baffle may be located at the intersection between the reactor annulus and the disengaging chamber to deflect catalyst laterally in a stripping section after exiting the reactor annulus. The baffle may be equipped with openings to fluidize the large proportion of catalyst passing over this region to effectively pre-strip this catalyst before it enters a stripping section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Mohammad Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Lev Davydov, Robert Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 10722861
    Abstract: Reactor systems for use with ionic liquid catalyst. The reactor systems include one or more stages, which include a reactor and a heat exchanger, and a separation zone. The reactor and the heat exchanger may have a vertical orientation. Additionally, a separation vessel may also include a vertical orientation. The heat exchanger may allow for linear flow of process fluid to control residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Eric Leeton, Kurt Detrick, Christian D. Freet, David S. Lafyatis, Robert Mehlberg, Sean G. Mueller, Gregory J. Schrad, Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 10563135
    Abstract: Processes for oligomerizing olefins to produce diesel. The oligomerization zone temperature is controlled to counteract catalyst deactivation caused by coking, by contaminants such as cyclo C5 and/or cyclo C6 hydrocarbons, or both. The temperature is increased in increments to ensure that that the oligomerization zone is producing product at a target product yield with a target product quality, which may be measured by a product cetane number. The target product yield is at least 50 wt % and a target product cetane number may be at least 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Zhihao Fei, Steven L. Krupa, Hosoo Lim, Charles P. Luebke, Robert Mehlberg, Christopher P. Nicholas, Lisa M. Wolschlag
  • Publication number: 20180264431
    Abstract: Reactor systems for use with ionic liquid catalyst. The reactor systems include one or more stages, which include a reactor and a heat exchanger, and a separation zone. The reactor and the heat exchanger may have a vertical orientation. Additionally, a separation vessel may also include a vertical orientation. The heat exchanger may allow for linear flow of process fluid to control residence time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Eric Leeton, Kurt Detrick, Christian D. Freet, David S. Lafyatis, Robert Mehlberg, Sean G. Mueller, Gregory J. Schrad, Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 9815049
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The method involves introducing a reactant into a reaction zone containing an ionic liquid catalyst. The reaction zone has at least two zones. The mass transfer resistance in the second zone is greater than the mass transfer resistance in the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David S. Lafyatis, Sean G. Mueller, Zhanping Xu, Douglas A. Nafis, Robert Mehlberg, Kurt Detrick, Avram M. Buchbinder
  • Publication number: 20170240821
    Abstract: Processes for oligomerizing olefins to produce diesel. The oligomerization zone temperature is controlled to counteract catalyst deactivation caused by coking, by contaminants such as cyclo C5 and/or cyclo C6 hydrocarbons, or both. The temperature is increased in increments to ensure that that the oligomerization zone is producing product at a target product yield with a target product quality, which may be measured by a product cetane number. The target product yield is at least 50 wt % and a target product cetane number may be at least 35.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Zhihao Fei, Steven L. Krupa, Hosoo Lim, Charles P. Luebke, Robert Mehlberg, Christopher P. Nicholas, Lisa M. Wolschlag
  • Publication number: 20170144141
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The method involves introducing a reactant into a reaction zone containing an ionic liquid catalyst. The reaction zone has at least two zones. The mass transfer resistance in the second zone is greater than the mass transfer resistance in the first zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: David S. Lafyatis, Sean G. Mueller, Zhanping Xu, Douglas A. Nafis, Robert Mehlberg, Kurt Detrick, Avram M. Buchbinder
  • Patent number: 9434894
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing hydrocarbons are described. The method includes fractionating a hydrocarbon stream to form at least two fractions. The first fraction is reformed to form a reformate stream, and the reformate stream is introduced into an aromatics processing zone to produce aromatic products. At least a portion of the second fraction is cracked in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. A selectively hydrogenated light naphtha stream is formed by separating the cracked hydrocarbon stream into at least two streams and selectively hydrogenating the light naphtha stream, or selectively hydrogenating the cracked hydrocarbon stream and separating the hydrogenated cracked hydrocarbon stream into at least two streams. Aromatics are extracted from the selectively hydrogenated light naphtha stream forming an extract stream and a raffinate stream. The extract stream is hydrotreated, sent to the aromatics processing zone to produce additional aromatic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mehlberg, Robert Jason Lee Noe, Antoine Negiz, Steven F. Zink
  • Publication number: 20150368571
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing hydrocarbons are described. The method includes fractionating a hydrocarbon stream to form at least two fractions. The first fraction is reformed to form a reformate stream, and the reformate stream is introduced into an aromatics processing zone to produce aromatic products. At least a portion of the second fraction is cracked in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. A selectively hydrogenated light naphtha stream is formed by separating the cracked hydrocarbon stream into at least two streams and selectively hydrogenating the light naphtha stream, or selectively hydrogenating the cracked hydrocarbon stream and separating the hydrogenated cracked hydrocarbon stream into at least two streams. Aromatics are extracted from the selectively hydrogenated light naphtha stream forming an extract stream and a raffinate stream. The extract stream is hydrotreated, sent to the aromatics processing zone to produce additional aromatic products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Mehlberg, Robert Jason Lee Noe, Antoine Negiz, Steven F. Zink
  • Publication number: 20130131412
    Abstract: A process and catalyst for improving the yield of propylene from residual oil feedstock includes obtaining residual oil feedstock from a vacuum distillation tower. The residual oil feedstock has contaminant metals such as sodium or vanadium. The residual oil feedstock is contacted with a cracking catalyst in a catalytic cracking zone to make products. A ZSM-5 zeolite, a binder, a filler and a metal trap are components of the cracking catalyst. The metal trap has a trapping agent in an outer shell of the catalyst, a trapping agent in the ZSM-5 binder or combinations thereof. After reacting, the cracking catalyst is separated from the products in a separator zone, then regenerated by combusting coke deposited on a surface of the cracking catalyst in an oxygen-containing environment. The cracking catalyst is returned to the catalytic cracking zone. The catalyst with the metal trap is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mehlberg, Erick D. Gamas-Castellanos, Chad R. Huovie
  • Publication number: 20120136187
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The fluid catalytic cracking unit can include a first riser, a second riser, and a disengagement zone. The first riser can be adapted to receive a first feed terminating at a first reaction vessel having a first volume. The second riser may be adapted to receive a second feed terminating at a second reaction vessel having a second volume. Generally, the first volume is greater than the second volume. What is more, the disengagement zone can be for receiving a first mixture including at least one catalyst and one or more products from the first reaction vessel, and a second mixture including at least one catalyst and one or more products from the second reaction vessel. Typically, the first mixture is isolated from the second mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert Mehlberg
  • Publication number: 20110282124
    Abstract: An embodiment can be a process for catalytically cracking a hydrocarbon feed. The process can include providing the hydrocarbon feed including an effective amount of one or more C4-C6 olefins for producing at least one light olefin to a riser. Typically, at least about 99%, by mole, of the hydrocarbon feed is a gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert Mehlberg, Keith Allen Couch, Paul Nishimura