Patents by Inventor Rocco A. Fiato

Rocco A. Fiato 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: 20010047041
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions, especially Fischer-Tropsch reactions. The steps of the process begin with the activation, or reactivation, of a deactivated catalyst, or with the preparation and activation of a fresh catalyst. In accordance with the latter, the steps of the process comprise, first contacting, in one or more steps, a powder or preformed, particulate refractory inorganic support with a liquid, or solution in which there is dispersed or dissolved a compound, or salt of a catalytically active metal, or metals, to impregnate and deposit the metal, or metals, upon the support, or powder. The metal, or metals, impregnated support is calcined following each impregnation step to form oxides of the deposited metal, or metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Abert L?apos;Vovoch Lapidus, Alla Jurievna Krylova, Michel A. Daage, Russell J. Koveal, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5985178
    Abstract: A process for making a synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 and CO in the presence of a reforming catalyst comprising a supported non-noble Group VIII metal catalytic component from a feed including a low molecular weight alkane, and preferably methane as in natural gas, O.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and CO.sub.2 without catalyst deactivation is achieved by partially oxidizing and steam reforming the feed in the presence of the catalyst. The feed H.sub.2 O to hydrocarbon carbon mole ratio is less than 2. The mole ratio of the combined feed CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O to hydrocarbon carbon ranges from 0.5-2.5 and that of the feed H.sub.2 O to CO.sub.2 ranges from 0.35-6. Synthesis gas having H.sub.2 to CO mole ratios less than 2:1 and even less than 1.5:1 are easily achieved with net CO.sub.2 consumption, which also makes the process environmentally beneficial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: David C. Long, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5844005
    Abstract: Hydrogen containing tail gas from a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor is used as a hydrogen containing catalyst rejuvenating gas. If CO is present, the CO content, is less than 10 mole % of the gas and the H.sub.2 to CO mole ratio is greater than 3:1. At least a portion of the water and liquid hydrocarbons are removed from the tail gas, before it is used to rejuvenate the reversibly deactivated catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Richard F. Bauman, Charles W. DeGeorge, Rocco A. Fiato, Stephen C. Leviness
  • Patent number: 5721910
    Abstract: The present invention is a database and a method of producing that database which can be used to determine the meaning of scientific or technical documents, such as patents and/or technical or scientific publications and/or abstracts of these patents or publications, and to assign the technical documents to one or more scientific or technical categories within a multidimensional hierarchical model which reflects the business, scientific or technical interests of a business, scientific or technical entity or specialty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Sandra S. Unger, Sibylle Pagnucco, Roger W. Cohen, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5496531
    Abstract: High surface purity heat transfer solids are formed, suitably by washing and treating particulate refractory inorganic solids, notably alumina, which contains as impurities up to about 0.5 wt. % silicon and/or up to about 500 wppm boron, with an acid, or dilute acid solution sufficient to reduce the concentration of silicon and boron in the outer peripheral surface layer of the particles, e.g., as measured inwardly toward the center of a particle to a depth of about 50 .ANG. using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to no greater than about 5 atom percent silicon and boron, preferably about 2 atom percent silicon and boron, based on the total number of cations within said outer peripheral surface layer, thereby reducing the tendency of said particles to sinter and agglomerate in the conversion of said hydrocarbon to hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a fluidized bed synthesis gas operation vis-a-vis particles otherwise similar except that the particles are not treated with the acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Davis, LeRoy R. Clavenna, Geoffrey R. Say, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5476877
    Abstract: A particulate, precalcined low silica content zirconia, especially one stabilizer with yttria, is useful as a catalyst support or as a heat transfer solids component for conducting chemical reactions at high temperature, in oxidizing, reducing or hydrothermal conditions, especially in syn gas operations. An admixture of precalcined particulate low silica content zirconia, particularly a low silica content yttria-stabilized zirconia, is employed in a preferred embodiment as a heat transfer solid, in concentrations ranging generally from about 10 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. % with a particulate catalyst notably a nickel-on-alumina catalyst, in concentration ranging generally from about 0. 1 wt. % to about 90 wt. %. Such an admixture provides a particularly useful catalytic contact mass in high temperature oxidizing, reducing and hydrothermal environments, notably in conducting synthesis gas generation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: LeRoy R. Clavenna, Stephen M. Davis, Rocco A. Fiato, Geoffrey R. Say
  • Patent number: 5466364
    Abstract: The daylight stability, foaming characteristics, color, engine performance test behavior, oxygenates content, and thermal stability of wax isomerate oils and/or hydrocarbon synthesis liquid products are improved by the process of contacting the aforesaid wax isomerate oil and/or hydrocarbon synthesis liquid products with a silica adsorbent, said silica adsorbent being characterized by possessing a pore size of at least about 100 .ANG., preferably at least about 125 .ANG., most preferably at least about 150 .ANG., an alkali/alkaline earth ion concentration, excluding sodium, of greater than about 125 ppm, an iron content of less than about 40 ppm and a zirconium content of less than about 130 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Bal K. Kaul, Craig Y. Sabottke, Rocco A. Fiato, Edward Niessen
  • Patent number: 5397806
    Abstract: A method of preparing catalyst compositions of cobalt composited with ternary metal oxide supports of substituted titania having the general formula Co/Ti.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.2 where x ranges from 0.01 to 0.14 and M is selected from the group consisting of silicon, zirconium, and tantalum and wherein the titania is an anatase polymorph stable under oxidative regeneration temperatures from about 400.degree. to about 750.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Enrique Iglesia, Rocco A. Fiato, Gerald B. Ansell
  • Patent number: 5395406
    Abstract: A structurally modified alumina useful as a catalyst support, or heat transfer solid for fluidized bed synthesis gas processing. A Group IIA metal, or metals, particularly magnesium and barium, is composited with a particulate alumina to provide a catalyst support, or alumina heat transfer solid, having increased resistance to sintering and agglomeration; properties which promote defluidization of the bed in conducting fluidized bed reactions at high temperatures. The particles of preference are represented by formulas (1) and (2), a composite particle being represented by formula (1), as follows:M.sub.x Al.sub.2 O.sub.3+x (1)with the core of the particle being represented by formula (2), as follows:M.sub.y Al.sub.2 O.sub.3+y (2)where in formulas (1) and (2) M is a Group IIA metal, x is a number ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.4 and is representative of the number of moles of the metal M per mole of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 y is a number equal to or greater than zero, and x is greater than y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: LeRoy R. Clavenna, Stephen M. Davis, Rocco A. Fiato, Geoffrey R. Say
  • Patent number: 5395813
    Abstract: A particulate, precalcined low silica content zirconia, especially one stabilized with yttria, is useful as a catalyst support or as a heat transfer solids component for conducting chemical reactions at high temperature, in oxidizing, reducing or hydrothermal conditions, especially in syn gas operations. An admixture of precalcined particulate low silica content zirconia, particularly a low silica content yttria-stabilized zirconia, is employed in a preferred embodiment as a heat transfer solid, in concentrations ranging generally from about 10 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. %, with a particulate catalyst, notably a nickel-on-alumina catalyst, in concentration ranging generally from about 0.1 wt. % to about 90 wt. %. Such an admixture provides a particularly useful catalytic contact mass in high temperature oxidizing, reducing and hydrothermal environments, notably in conducting synthesis gas generation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: LeRoy R. Clavenna, Stephen M. Davis, Rocco A. Fiato, Geoffrey R. Say
  • Patent number: 5360778
    Abstract: High surface purity heat transfer solids are formed, suitably by washing and treating particulate refractory inorganic solids, notably alumina, which contains as impurities up to about 0.5 wt. % silicon and/or up to about 500 wppm boron, with an acid, or dilute acid solution sufficient to reduce the concentration of silicon and boron in the outer peripheral surface layer of the particles, e.g., as measured inwardly toward the center of a particle to a depth of about 50 .ANG. using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to no greater than about 5 atom percent silicon and boron, preferably about 2 atom percent silicon and boron, based on the total number of cations within said outer peripheral surface layer, thereby reducing the tendency of said particles to sinter and agglomerate in the conversion of said hydrocarbon to hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a fluidized bed synthesis gas operation vis-a-vis particles otherwise similar except that the particles are not treated with the acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Davis, LeRoy R. Clavenna, Geoffrey R. Say, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5360777
    Abstract: Alumina heat transfer solids are admixed with a catalyst, or catalysts, and used in conducting high temperature fluidized bed reactions, particularly in a process for the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a low molecular weight hydrocarbon by contact with a fluidized bed of catalyst and said heat transfer solids at high temperature in the presence of oxygen, or steam, or both oxygen and steam. The particulate heat transfer solids are characterized as having a performance index, PI, greater than 20, preferably greater than 40, as characterized by the formula PI=[(i).times.(ii).times.(iii).times.(iv)].sup.-1 where (i) the peripheral outer surface of the particle contains <5 atom % (Si+B) as impurities, and (ii) <20 atom % Na, Fe, Ca and Ti as impurities, where the bulk concentrations of the (Si+B) is sufficient to migrate into and contaminate the outer surface layer of the particles at process conditions. Moreover the (iii) tapped bulk density of the particles range from about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Davis, LeRoy R. Clavenna, Rocco A. Fiato, Geoffrey R. Say
  • Patent number: 5348717
    Abstract: A process utilizing a particulate catalyst, or particulate catalyst admixed with particulate heat transfer solids for conducting high temperature fluidized bed syn gas operations. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are produced from a low molecular weight hydrocarbon by contact thereof, at high temperature in the presence of oxygen, or steam and oxygen, with a fluidized bed comprising said particulate solids. In one of its forms, barium hexaluminate is employed as a heat transfer solid, in concentrations ranging generally from about 10 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. %, in admixture with a particulate catalyst containing a metal, or metals, component catalytic for the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide from low molecular weight hydrocarbons contacted with a fluidized bed of the catalyst at high temperature hydrothermal conditions. The catalyst, suitably one having a barium hexaluminate carrier component, is employed in concentration ranging generally from about 0.1 wt. % to about 90 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: LeRoy R. Clavenna, Stephen M. Davis, Geoffrey R. Say, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5248701
    Abstract: A copper promoted cobalt manganese spinel useful for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of olefins and higher paraffins is prepared from an aqueous solution of cobalt and manganese salts of at least one alpha-hydroxy aliphatic carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Enrique Iglesia, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5185378
    Abstract: New copper-potassium promoted iron-zinc catalysts wherein the iron:zinc atomic ratio is 5:1 or greater, exhibit improved activity, selectivity and stability in the synthesis of alpha-olefins from hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Sabato Miseo, Enrique Iglesia, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5169821
    Abstract: A method of preparing catalyst compositions of cobalt composited with ternary metal oxide supports of substituted titania having the general formula Co/Ti.sub.x M.sub.1-x O.sub.2 where x ranges from 0.01 to 0.14 and M is selected from the group consisting of silicon, zirconium, and tantalum and wherein the titania is an anatase polymorph stable under oxidative regeneration temperatures from about 400.degree. to about 750.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Enrique Iglesia, Rocco A. Fiato, Gerald B. Ansell
  • Patent number: 5162284
    Abstract: A copper promoted cobalt manganese spinel useful for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of olefins and higher paraffins is prepared from an aqueous solution of cobalt and manganese salts of at least one alpha-hydroxy aliphatic carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Enrique Iglesia, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5160456
    Abstract: Synthesis gas, hydrogen and carbon monixide, as produced in a fluid-bed or spouted-bed process by reacting methane or a lower alkane with steam and oxygen in the presence of essentially non-catalytic, heat carrying solids with periodic addition of a steam-reforming catalyst for maintaining a level of activity sufficient within 250.degree. F. of the approach to equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gerard C. Lahn, Frederick J. Kaiser, Jr., Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5143647
    Abstract: Start-up procedure for FBSG process involving starting up under oxidizing conditions with Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 (no Ni) particles in the bed and the switching to reducing conditions prior to adding Ni/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst. This procedure will prevent catalyst particle agglomeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Say, James H. Taylor, David C. Long, Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 5140049
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 olefins from a feed stream consisting of H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 using an iron-carbide based catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Rocco A. Fiato, Stuart L. Soled, Gary W. Rice, Sabato Miseo