Patents by Inventor Saleh A. Elomari

Saleh A. Elomari 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).

  • ENHANCED BIODIESEL FUEL HAVING IMPROVED LOW-TEMPERATURE PROPERTIES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20100154292
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to novel biodiesel fuel compositions having enhanced low-temperature properties. The present invention is additionally directed to methods (i.e., processes) for making such enhanced biodiesel fuels by improving the low-temperature properties of ester-based biodiesel fuels via in situ enhancement and/or additive enhancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Guangci Zhou, Curt Munson, Saleh Elomari, Stephen H. Roby
  • PROCESS FOR HYDROCARBON CONVERSION USING, A METHOD TO MAKE, AND COMPOSITIONS OF, AN ACID CATALYST
    Publication number: 20100152506
    Abstract: A process for hydrocarbon conversion, comprising: contacting a hydrocarbon with an acid catalyst containing greater than 15 wt % conjunct polymer. The acid catalyst has a molar ratio of Al to a heteroatom selected from the group of N, P, O, S, and combinations thereof greater than 2.0. The hydrocarbon is converted during the contacting. Also a method to make a catalyst having greater than 15 wt % conjunct polymer and a high molar ratio of Al to the heteroatom, wherein an acidic ionic liquid catalyst is made that is effective for catalyzing a reaction. There are also provided catalyst compositions having greater than 15 wt % conjunct polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Svne Ivar Hommeltoft, Saleh Elomari, Howard S. Lacheen
  • PROCESS TO MAKE A LIQUID CATALYST HAVING A HIGH MOLAR RATIO OF ALUMINUM TO NITROGEN
    Publication number: 20100152518
    Abstract: A process to make a liquid catalyst having a molar ratio of Al to N greater than 2.0, comprising: a) using an ammonium-based ionic liquid catalyst to catalyze a reaction, wherein the ammonium-based ionic liquid catalyst builds up an impurity during the reaction; and b) mixing the ammonium-based ionic liquid catalyst, having an impurity, with aluminum. There is also provided a process for isoparaffin/olefin alkylation, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst comprises a quaternary ammonium ionic liquid salt; and wherein the ionic liquid catalyst has a molar ratio of Al to N greater than 2.0 when held at a temperature at or below 25° C. for at least two hours. There is also provided a method for making a catalyst having a molar ratio of Al to N greater than 2.0, and a process for hydroconversion comprising maintaining a level of conjunct polymer in an ionic liquid catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Howard S. Lacheen, Saleh Elomari
  • IONIC LIQUID CATALYST HAVING A HIGH MOLAR RATIO OF ALUMINUM TO NITROGEN
    Publication number: 20100152027
    Abstract: An ionic liquid catalyst is provided comprising an ammonium chloroaluminate salt, and having a molar ratio of Al to N greater than 2.0 when held at a temperature at or below 25° C. for at least two hours. There is also provided an ionic liquid catalyst comprising an alkyl-pyridinium haloaluminate and an impurity, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst has a molar ratio of Al to N greater than 2.0 when held at a temperature at or below 25° C. for at least two hours. In a third embodiment, there is provided an ionic liquid system for isoparaffin/olefin alkylation, comprising a quaternary ammonium chloroaluminate, a conjunct polymer, and a hydrogen chloride. The ionic liquid system has a molar ratio of Al to N from 2.1 to 8.0. Less than 0.1 wt % AlCl3 precipitates from the ionic liquid system when it is held for three hours or longer at or below 25° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Howard S. Lacheen, Saleh Elomari
  • RECOVERY AND USE OF CONJUNCT POLYMERS FROM IONIC LIQUID CATALYSTS
    Publication number: 20100147740
    Abstract: A process comprising regenerating a used ionic liquid catalyst, recovering conjunct polymer from the regenerated catalyst and using at least a portion of the conjunct polymer is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Saleh A. Elomari, Hye-Kyung C. Timken
  • REDUCTION OF ORGANIC HALIDE CONTAMINATION IN HYDROCARBON PRODUCTS
    Publication number: 20100147746
    Abstract: A method for reducing halide concentration in a hydrocarbon product having an organic halide content which is made by a hydrocarbon conversion process using a halogen-containing acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising contacting at least a portion of the hydrocarbon product with an aqueous caustic solution under conditions to reduce the halide concentration in the hydrocarbon product is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Driver, Saleh A. Elomari, Hye-Kyung C. Timken
  • Regeneration of ionic liquid catalyst
    Patent number: 7737067
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used ionic liquid catalyst comprising a cationic component and an anionic component, which catalyst has been deactivated by conjunct polymers complexed with the anionic component comprising the steps of adding a reagent which is capable of replacing the complexed conjunct polymer with the cationic component of the catalyst, said reagent being added in an amount sufficient to react with a suitable amount of both free and complexed anionic components in the used catalyst and removing the replaced conjunct polymer to produce a regenerated ionic liquid catalyst is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Thomas V. Harris, William Schinski
  • Regeneration of acidic catalysts
    Patent number: 7732363
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic catalyst which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers by removing the conjunct polymers so as to increase the activity of the catalyst is disclosed. Methods for removing the conjunct polymers include hydrogenation, addition of a basic reagent and alkylation. The methods are applicable to all acidic catalysts and are described with reference to certain ionic liquid catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Thomas V. Harris
  • Process for ionic liquid catalyst regeneration
    Patent number: 7732364
    Abstract: A regeneration process for re-activating an ionic liquid catalyst, which is useful in a variety of reactions, especially alkylation reactions, and which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers. The process includes a reaction step and a solvent extraction step. The process comprises (a) providing the ionic liquid catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the ionic liquid catalyst is bound to conjunct polymers; and (b) reacting the ionic liquid catalyst with aluminum metal to free the conjunct polymers from the ionic liquid catalyst in a stirred reactor or a fixed reactor. The conjunct polymer is then separated from the catalyst phase by solvent extraction in a stirred extraction or packed column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Bong-Kyu Chang, Huping Luo, Moinuddin Ahmed, Krishniah Parimi, Saleh Elomari
  • Oligomerizing and alkylating with an ionic liquid at a molar ratio of olefin to isoparaffin of at least 0.8
    Patent number: 7732654
    Abstract: We provide a process for making a fuel or lubricant component, comprising: performing alkylation and oligomerization by contacting a stream comprising one or more olefins and one or more isoparaffins, wherein a molar ratio of the one or more olefins to the one or more isoparaffins in the stream is at least 0.8, an acidic chloroaluminate ionic liquid catalyst, and a halohalide; and recovering the fuel or lubricant component having a Bromine Number of less than 4. We provide a process comprising performing concurrent alkylation and oligomerization. We also provide a process for making a lubricant component having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of at least 6.9 mm2/s, a VI of at least 134, a cloud point less than or equal to ?28° C., and a Bromine Number of less than or equal to 6.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Russell R. Krug
  • Regeneration of ionic liquid catalyst by hydrogenation using metal and acid
    Patent number: 7727925
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers comprising combining the used catalyst, a metal and a Broensted acid which acts a source of hydrogen in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions for a time sufficient to hydrogenate at least a portion of the conjunct polymer is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Thomas V. Harris
  • ELECTROCHEMICAL REMOVAL OF CONJUNCT POLYMERS FROM CHLOROALUMINATE IONIC LIQUIDS
    Publication number: 20100130804
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent ionic liquid catalyst including (a) applying a voltage across one or more pairs of electrodes immersed in a spent ionic liquid catalyst comprising conjunct polymer-metal halide complexes to provide freed conjunct polymers and a regenerated ionic liquid catalyst; and (b) separating the freed conjunct polymers from the regenerated ionic liquid catalyst is described. An alkylation process incorporating the regeneration process is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Hye-Kyung C. Timken, Saleh Elomari, Thomas V. Harris, James N. Ziemer
  • Process to make base oil from thermally cracked waxy feed using ionic liquid catalyst
    Patent number: 7723556
    Abstract: We provide a process for making a base oil, comprising: a) selecting an olefin feed produced by thermal cracking of a waxy feed; b) oligomerizing the olefin feed in an ionic liquid oligomerization zone at a set of oligomerization conditions to form an oligomer; and c) alkylating the oligomer in the presence of an isoparaffin, in an ionic liquid alkylation zone, at a set of alkylation conditions to form an alkylated oligomeric product having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 6.9 mm2/s or greater, a VI of at least 134, and a Bromine Number of less than 4. We provide a process to make base oil from an olefin feed produced in a FCC unit. We also provide a process to make two or more viscosity grades of base oil from an olefin feed produced by thermal cracking of a waxy feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Russell R. Krug, Stephen J. Miller
  • SYNTHESIS OF DIESTER-BASED LUBRICANTS FROM ENZYMATICALLY-DIRECTED EPOXIDES
    Publication number: 20100120642
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via esterification of epoxide intermediates, and wherein the epoxide intermediates are generated via an enzymatically-driven mechanism. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicants: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., NOVOZYMES A/S
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh A. Elomari, Zhen Zhou, Jesper Brask, Kim Borch
  • Regeneration of ionic liquid catalyst by hydrogenation using a supported catalyst
    Patent number: 7691771
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising the steps of contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a supported hydrogenation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component on a support in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the used catalyst is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Harris, Saleh Elomari
  • Regeneration of ionic catalyst by hydrogenation using a homogeneous catalyst
    Patent number: 7678727
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising the steps of contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the used catalyst is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Harris, Saleh Elomari
  • Regeneration of ionic liquid catalyst using a metal in the absence of added hydrogen
    Patent number: 7674739
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst with at least one metal in a regeneration zone in the absence of added hydrogen under regeneration conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst is described. In one embodiment, regeneration is conducted in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Thomas V. Harris, Hye Kyung C. Timken, Steven E. Trumbull
  • Regeneration of ionic liquid catalysts
    Patent number: 7674740
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst with an isoparaffin-containing stream and Broensted acid in a reaction zone under alkylation conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Harris, Saleh Elomari
  • Ionic liquid catalyst having enhanced activity
    Patent number: 7666811
    Abstract: A process for producing acidic ionic liquid catalyst having enhanced activity comprising combining fresh acidic ionic liquid catalyst, a metal and a Broensted acid in a reaction zone for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst is disclosed. A process for producing acidic ionic liquid catalyst having enhanced activity comprising the steps of combining fresh ionic liquid catalyst, a metal and HCl in a reaction zone for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the fresh ionic liquid catalyst; removing reaction product from the reaction zone and recovering at least a portion of the treated ionic liquid catalyst is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Thomas V. Harris
  • Regeneration of ionic liquid catalyst by hydrogenation using a metal or metal alloy catalyst
    Patent number: 7651970
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst which has, been deactivated comprising the steps of contacting the used chloroaluminate ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a metal hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst is described. In one embodiment, hydrogenation is conducted in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Elomari, Thomas V. Harris