Patents by Inventor Steve A. Wilcher

Steve A. Wilcher 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).

  • Process for the isomerization of benzene containing feed streams
    Patent number: 5962755
    Abstract: A process for saturating benzene in a light paraffin isomerization process can accommodate varying quantities of benzene through the incorporation of progressive steps that control temperatures in the isomerization zone while performing a majority of the saturation within an immediately upstream benzene saturation zone. The process is suited for saturating benzene to very low levels while feedstream concentrations of benzenes may vary from 2 to 25 wt % throughout a given period of operation. The process can accommodate rapid swings in benzene concentration that may occur on a daily basis. The invention is particularly suited for the use of a sulfated zirconia catalyst that allows the utilization of existing reactor vessels in an isomerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Uop LLC
    Inventors: Paul George Blommel, Christopher David Gosling, Steve A. Wilcher
  • Process for the isomerization of benzene containing feed streams
    Patent number: 5763713
    Abstract: A process for saturating benzene in a light paraffin isomerization process can accommodate varying quantities of benzene through the incorporation of progressive steps that control temperatures in the isomerization zone while performing a majority of the saturation within an immediately upstream benzene saturation zone. The process is suited for saturating benzene to very low levels while feedstream concentrations of benzenes may vary from 2 to 25 wt % throughout a given period of operation. The process can accommodate rapid swings in benzene concentration that may occur on a daily basis. The invention is particularly suited for the use of a sulfated zirconia catalyst that allows the utilization of existing reactor vessels in an isomerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul George Blommel, Christopher David Gosling, Steve A. Wilcher