Patents by Inventor Stephen H. Brown

Stephen H. Brown 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: 20120006723
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and system for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing vacuum resid comprising: (a) subjecting a vacuum resid to a first thermal conversion in a thermal conversion reactor (such as delayed coker, fluid coker, Flexicoker™, visbreaker and catalytic hydrovisbreaker) where at least 30 wt % of the vacuum resid is converted to material boiling below 1050° F. (566° C.); (b) introducing said thermally converted resid to a vapor/liquid separator, said separator being integrated into a steam cracking furnace, to form a vapor phase and liquid phase; (c) passing said vapor phase to the radiant furnace in said steam cracking furnace; and (d) recovering at least 30 wt % olefins from the material exiting the radiant furnace (based upon the weight of the total hydrocarbon material exiting the radiant furnace).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: S. Mark Davis, Richard C. Stell, Jiunn-Shyan Liou, Stephen H. Brown, Paul F. Keusenkothen, Arthur R. Dinicolantonio, John J. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 8057664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having at least 50 wt. % of C8 aromatics, comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, James R. Waldecker, Khavinet Lourvanij
  • Patent number: 8048295
    Abstract: A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feed containing bromine-reactive contaminants that has improved cycle length and utilizes a crystalline molecular sieve catalyst. The process is carried out by contacting the hydrocarbon feed under conversion conditions with a catalyst shaped in the form of an elongated aggregate comprising a crystalline molecular sieve having a MWW or *BEA framework type. The shortest cross-sectional dimension of the elongated aggregate is less about 1/10 inch (2.54 millimeters).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Jose G. Santiesteban, Bryson J. Sundberg, Terry E. Helton, Daria N. Lissy, Jean W. Beeckman, Arthur P. Werner
  • Patent number: 7972498
    Abstract: The invention concerns integration of hydroprocessing and steam cracking. A feed comprising crude or resid-containing fraction thereof is treated by hydroprocessing and visbreaking and then passed to a steam cracker to obtain a product comprising olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Paul F Keusenkothen, Stephen H. Brown, Julian A. Wolfenbarger, James E. Graham, James N. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20110152594
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a refined hydrocarbon that includes providing a feed including methanol, dimethyl ether or a mixture thereof, and contacting the feed with a methanol conversion catalyst under suitable conditions to yield an intermediate composition including olefins having at least two carbon atoms. The intermediate composition is introduced to an oligomerization catalyst under suitable conditions to yield gasoline boiling range components and distillate boiling range components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Stephen H. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20110054128
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling production of olefins in an oxygenates-to-olefins reaction by combining in a reactor methanol and a molecular sieve, a AlPO or SAPO in certain embodiments, under conditions to produce at least ethylene and propylene having a first ethylene/propylene ratio; adding to the reactor a first amount of a C1 to C5 aldehyde; and withdrawing from the reactor a first amount of ethylene and propylene having a second ethylene/propylene ratio, wherein the second ethylene/propylene ratio is greater than the first ethylene/propylene ratio. The aldehyde is added at the same time, or co-feed, with the methanol under the same reaction conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Guang CAO, Thomas H. Colle, Luc R.M. Martens, Stephen H. Brown, Teng Xu
  • Patent number: 7897828
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for separating a heavy hydrocarbon stream to produce at least one permeate product stream and at least one retentate product stream. The process utilizes an ultrafiltration process to designed to maximize the quality of the permeate and retenate product streams as well as process embodiments which improve permeate production quantities as well as improve the quality of the product streams obtained by the separations process. In preferred embodiments, the process includes configuration and operational parameters to maximize permeate yield and selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kirk C. Nadler, Daniel P. Leta, Halou Oumar-Mahamat, Edward W. Corcoran, Stephen H. Brown, Eric B. Sirota, John H. Hollenbach, Anjaneya S. Kovvali
  • Patent number: 7880046
    Abstract: Water reacts on molecular sieve catalysts used in oligomerization reactions and forms oxygenated compounds, in particular organic acids that may cause corrosion problems downstream of the reactor, in particular in distillation tower overhead systems and downstream thereof. A lowering of the presence of water in the feed prior to contacting thereof with the molecular sieve brings a significant reduction in corrosion downstream. At the same time, it has a significant beneficial effect on catalyst activity and brings a significant extension of catalyst life. Lowering water in the feed is particularly effective when organic nitrogen-containing Lewis bases are present in the feed, even at low levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Godsmark, Georges M. K. Mathys, Hubertus J. Beckers, Raphael F. Caers, Roger Eijkhoudt, Stephen H. Brown
  • Patent number: 7868219
    Abstract: A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99.50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e.g., non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C4? hydrocarbons and the C7+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Nick A. Collins
  • Publication number: 20100274067
    Abstract: The invention relates to regeneration of catalysts used in the purification of aromatics streams. It has been surprisingly found that retaining small amount of coke on the catalyst reduces regeneration costs and improves regeneration effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Terry E. Helton
  • Publication number: 20100274064
    Abstract: According to the invention, trace olefins and dienes are removed from aromatic plant feedstocks by contacting the catalyst using conditions outside the ordinary range used for this application today.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen H. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100270212
    Abstract: A process for the purification of aromatic streams is provided that includes a new start up procedure that in embodiments significantly reduces impurities in an aromatics feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen H. Brown
  • Patent number: 7815793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having at least 50 wt. % of C8 aromatics, comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, James R. Waldecker, Khavinet Lourvanij
  • Publication number: 20100210886
    Abstract: A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99.50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e.g., non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C4? hydrocarbons and the C7+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Nick A. Collins
  • Patent number: 7763765
    Abstract: A gas-solids reaction system is provided for improving product recovery in a multiple reactor reaction system. An oxygenate feedstock, desirably of high concentration in oxygenate, is reacted with a catalyst having a low to modest acidity and a Si/Al2 ratio of from 0.10 to 0.32. The reaction occurs in a reaction zone of a fluidized bed reactor at an oxygenate partial pressure of at least 45 psia and a reactor gas superficial velocity of at least 10 ft/s, conveying catalyst through the reaction zone to a circulation zone. The catalyst undergoes displacement with an inert gas in the circulation zone at a displacement gas superficial velocity of at least 0.03 m/s, after which at least a portion, preferably a large portion is returned to the reaction zone. The catalyst has a residence time in the circulation zone of at least twice that of the residence time of catalyst in the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, James H. Beech, Doron Levin, Stephen N. Vaughn, Stephen H. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100179363
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for impregnating a molecular sieve primary catalyst with an aromatic co-catalyst, the method comprising contacting the small pore molecular sieve primary catalyst having a porous framework structure with a combination of from at least 50 wt % to about 99.9 wt % of an aromatic co-catalyst and from about 0.1 wt % to less than 50 wt % of a polar impregnation agent containing one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, and boron, under conditions sufficient to impregnate the porous framework structure of the primary catalyst with the aromatic co-catalyst (and optionally also with the polar impregnation agent), thus forming an integrated catalyst system. Methods for converting oxygenates to olefins using said integrated catalyst system are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Guang Cao, Teng Xu
  • Patent number: 7744750
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having less than 5 wppm oxygenates-oxygen, comprising the step of contacting the feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions to form a first effluent, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, James R. Waldecker, Khavinet Lourvanij
  • Patent number: 7741526
    Abstract: A feedstock containing at least 1 wt % butenes, at least 1 wt % pentenes, at least 1 wt % hexenes, at least 10 wppm C4 dienes, at least 10 wppm C5 dienes, and optionally at least 10 wppm C6 dienes can be selectively hydrogenated over a catalyst (e.g., a noble metal) to form a stream containing 100 wppm to 4000 wppm total dienes. The hydrogenated stream, and an olefinic recycle stream having less than 10 wt. % C1+ moieties, can be contacted with a molecular sieve catalyst, e.g., at a recycle to feed ratio between 0.1 and 3.0, at a WHSV of at least 1.0 based on olefin in the feed, and at a reactor ?T no greater than 40° F. (22° C.), thus forming a reaction product that can then be separated into a distillate, e.g., having from 1 wt % to 30 wt % non-normal C9 olefins, and the aforementioned olefinic recycle stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Stephen H. Brown, Marc P. Puttemans, Steven E. Silverberg, An A. Verberckmoes
  • Patent number: 7737314
    Abstract: A process for producing an ethylbenzene product having a purity of at least 99.50 percent based on the weight of ethylbenzene present in the product by the ethylation of the benzene present in non-extracted feed, e.g., non-extracted hydrocarbon composition. The non-extracted feed is substantially free of both C4? hydrocarbons and the C7+ aromatic hydrocarbons and contains benzene and benzene coboilers. The process is carried out in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acid-active catalyst containing MCM-22 family molecular sieve, and under specified conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Nick A. Collins
  • Publication number: 20100032346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having at least 50 wt. % of C8 aromatics, comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, James R. Waldecker, Khavinet Lourvanij