Patents by Inventor Russell C. Schulz

Russell C. Schulz 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: 10792583
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fractionation technology that is used to create purified phenol and acetone products. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fractionation technology that is used to create crude acetone and crude phenol streams using a dividing wall column intended to remove cumene, alpha-methyl styrene and water from the product side of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Chad A. Williams, James W. Harris, Nikunj Manubhai Patel
  • Publication number: 20190299116
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fractionation technology that is used to create purified phenol and acetone products. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fractionation technology that is used to create crude acetone and crude phenol streams using a dividing wall column intended to remove cumene, alpha-methyl styrene and water from the product side of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Chad A. Williams, James W. Harris, Nikunj Manubhai Patel
  • Patent number: 10358406
    Abstract: The present invention relates to process and apparatus for removing aldehydes from acetone. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for removing aldehydes from acetone by reacting the aldehydes with caustic in an acetone column and washing the organic phase with a plurality of water streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: UOP LLC, AdvanSix Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Williams, Michael J. Petragnani, Russell C. Schulz, Daniel R. Wright
  • Publication number: 20190002383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to process and apparatus for removing aldehydes from acetone. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for removing aldehydes from acetone by reacting the aldehydes with caustic in an acetone column and washing the organic phase with a plurality of water streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Chad A. Williams, Michael J. Petragnani, Russell C. Schulz, Daniel R. Wright
  • Publication number: 20180022668
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to methods for treating an organic feed. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods for reducing the water content of an organic feed before the organic feed enters a hydrogenation zone, thereby by improving the activity, conversion, and life of the hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation zone product stream is then sent to a phenol recovery zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Chad A. Williams, Patrick J. Bullen, Clint H. Vericker, Russell C. Schulz, Jose L. Miramontes
  • Patent number: 9815756
    Abstract: This present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for use of a single dividing wall distillation column for phenol fractionation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for phenol fractionation by combining crude acetone column and cumene-AMS column into a single dividing wall distillation column. The proper allocation of steam or water injection, chemical treatment reactor and internal liquid phase separator, the positioning of the side draw enables high yield of acetone and phenol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, Charlotte Y. Fang, Russell C. Schulz, Xin X. Zhu, Scott R. Keenan, Chad A. Williams, Heather D. Tsihlis, Jose L. Miramontes, Robert E. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20170283350
    Abstract: This present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for use of a single dividing wall distillation column for phenol fractionation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for phenol fractionation by combining crude acetone column and cumene-AMS column into a single dividing wall distillation column. The proper allocation of steam or water injection, chemical treatment reactor and internal liquid phase separator, the positioning of the side draw enables high yield of acetone and phenol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, Charlotte Y. Fang, Russell C. Schulz, Xin X. Zhu, Scott R. Keenan, Chad A. Williams, Heather D. Tsihlis, Jose L. Miramontes, Robert E. Tsai
  • Patent number: 7141701
    Abstract: A process for decomposing a cumene oxidation product mixture containing cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and dimethylphenolcarbinol (DMPC) to produce phenol and acetone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, Russell C. Schulz, Patrick J. Bullen, Constante P. Tagamolila, Steven P. Lankton, Gary A. Peterson, Michael E. Fettis
  • Patent number: 7141700
    Abstract: A process for the decomposition of a cumene oxidation product mixture to produce phenol and acetone with reduced by-product formation by introducing the cumene oxidation mixture into an inlet of a decomposing vessel containing indirect heat exchange surfaces wherein the cumene oxidation product mixture and a circulating stream are admixed, reacted and cooled by passage around the indirect heat exchange surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Schmidt, Russell C. Schulz, Patrick J. Bullen, Constante P. Tagamolila, Steven P. Lankton, Gary A. Peterson, Michael E. Fettis
  • Patent number: 6339179
    Abstract: A process for producing alkyl aromatics using a transalkylation reaction zone and an alkylation reaction zone is disclosed. One portion of the transalkylation reaction zone effluent passes to an alkylation reaction zone where an aromatic substrate is alkylated to the desired alkyl aromatic. At least a portion of the alkylation reaction zone effluent and another portion of the transalkylation reaction zone effluent pass to a product recovery zone. This process decreases the capital and operating costs of recycling aromatic substrate to the transalkylation and/or alkylation reaction zone while maintaining operational flexibility. This process is well suited for solid transalkylation and alkylation catalysts. Ethylbenzene and cumene may be produced by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Gregory J. Gajda, Guy B. Woodle, Andrew S. Zarchy
  • Patent number: 6281399
    Abstract: A process for producing isopropyl aromatics using a transalkylation reaction zone and an alkylation reaction zone is disclosed. Portions of the transalkylation reaction zone effluent pass to a multibed alkylation reaction zone where aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent are alkylated to the desired isopropyl aromatics. At least a portion of the transalkylation reaction zone effluent passes to an alkylation bed other than the first alkylation bed of the multibed alkylation reaction zone. This process decreases the capital and operating costs of recycling the aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent. This process is well suited for solid transalkylation and alkylation catalysts. Cumene may be produced by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Gregory J. Gajda, Guy B. Woodle
  • Patent number: 6232515
    Abstract: A process for producing ethyl aromatics using a transalkylation reaction zone and an alkylation reaction zone is disclosed. Portions of the transalkylation reaction zone effluent pass to a multibed alkylation reaction zone where aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent are alkylated to the desired ethyl aromatics. At least a portion of the transalkylation reaction zone effluent passes to an alkylation bed other than the first alkylation bed of the multibed alkylation reaction zone. This process decreases the capital and operating costs of recycling the aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent. This process is well suited for solid transalkylation and alkylation catalysts. Ethylbenzene may be produced by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Gregory J. Gajda, Guy B. Woodle
  • Patent number: 6150578
    Abstract: A separation arrangement for a cumene process that operates with a relatively wet feed to an alkylation zone and relatively dry feed to a transalkylation zone reduces utilities and capital expenses for the separation and recycle of distinct wet and dry components by using an arrangement that first separates effluent from the trans alkylation and alkylation reaction zone in a benzene column before performing light ends and drying in a downstream depropanizer column. The arrangement uses a portion of the net overhead stream from the benzene column as a wet recycle stream for return to the alkylation reaction zone and sends another portion of the benzene net overhead to the depropanizer to supply a dry benzene recycle for the trans alkylation reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Perry K. Ho, Russell C. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6096935
    Abstract: A process for producing alkyl aromatics using a transalkylation reaction zone and an alkylation reaction zone is disclosed. The transalkylation reaction zone effluent passes to the alkylation reaction zone where aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent are alkylated to the desired alkyl aromatics. This process decreases the capital and operating costs of recycling the aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent. This process is well suited for solid transalkylation and alkylation catalysts. Ethylbenzene and cumene may be produced by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Gregory J. Gajda
  • Patent number: 6008422
    Abstract: A process for producing alkylaromatics using a multibed alkylation reaction zone is disclosed. The alkylation reaction zone effluent is divided into three portions, the first being recirculated to the inlet of the reaction zone, the second being cooled and recirculated to one or more other beds in the reaction zone, and the third being passed to a product recovery zone where the alkylaromatic is recovered. This process insures that all of the catalyst beds operate in an optimum temperature range. This in turn insures that byproduct formation is minimized and catalyst life is maximized. Ethylbenzene and cumene may be produced by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Perry K. Ho
  • Patent number: 5998684
    Abstract: A separation arrangement for a cumene process that operates with a relatively wet feed to an alkylation zone and relatively dry feed to a transalkylation zone reduces utilities and capital expenses for the separation and recycle of distinct wet and dry components by using an arrangement that first separates effluent from the trans alkylation and alkylation reaction zone in a benzene column before performing light ends and drying in a downstream depropanizer column. The arrangement uses a portion of the net overhead stream from the benzene column as a wet recycle stream for return to the alkylation reaction zone and sends another portion of the benzene net overhead to the depropanizer to supply a dry benzene recycle for the trans alkylation reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Perry K. Ho, Russell C. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5487816
    Abstract: A process to separate in a fractionation zone an admixture comprising phenol, alpha-methylstyrene and water to produce an alpha-methylstyrene stream containing a minimum of phenol. The pH of the overhead aqueous phase is adjusted with a base to greater than about 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Russell C. Schulz, Constante P. Tagamolila, Patrick J. Bullen
  • Patent number: 5336821
    Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons such as cumene and ethylbenzene is disclosed. A portion of the effluent stream from an alkylation reactor passes through an indirect heat exchanger to transfer heat to a flashed stream containing the product aromatic hydrocarbons. The heat exchanger recovers the exothermic heat of reaction from the effluent stream for use elsewhere in the process. This method of heat exchange is especially useful in alkylation processes where the temperature of the effluent stream is relatively low, such as where the alkylation reactor contains a zeolite catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Richard R. DeGraff, Peter J. Van Opdorp, Russell C. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5220103
    Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of a cumene feed for cumene oxidation from a fresh cumene stream and a recycle cumene stream containing trace quantities of at least one organic acid compound by a dilute caustic wash of the contaminated cumene streams followed by a water wash of the cumene streams in a single vessel with multiple contacting sections. A portion of the water wash is supplied by a waste water stream from an oxidate wash zone having trace quantities of cumene hydroperoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Constante P. Tagamolila, Russell C. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5120902
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cumene feed for cumene oxidation from a fresh cumene stream and a recycle cumene stream containing trace quantities of at least one organic acid compound by means of introducing the fresh cumene stream and the recycle cumene stream containing trace quantities of an organic acid compound into a lower zone of a generally vertical elongated countercurrent contacting zone having a caustic/hydrocarbon contacting section in a lower portion of the countercurrent contacting zone and a water/hydrocarbon contacting section in an upper portion of the countercurrent contacting zone; introducing a water stream to provide water to the water/hydrocarbon contacting section; including an aqueous caustic scrubbing solution to provide caustic solution to the caustic/hydrocarbon contacting section; removing spent aqueous caustic solution from the countercurrent contacting zone; and removing and recovering a cumene feed from the countercurrent contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Constante P. Tagamolila, Russell C. Schulz