Patents by Inventor Todd P. Mitchell

Todd P. Mitchell 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: 8128807
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for fluid catalytic cracking, including, fluidizing a hydrocarbon stream in a riser, cracking the hydrocarbon stream with catalyst in the riser to produce a cracked stream and spent catalyst, separating the cracked stream and the spent catalyst in a primary separator to obtain a cracked stream with a first concentration of spent catalyst, and transporting the cracked stream with the first concentration of spent catalyst through a conduit to a multi-cyclone separator comprising multiple cyclones extending through a tube sheet to obtain a cracked stream with a second concentration of spent catalyst. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for catalytic cracking including a riser, a primary separator, a disengagement vessel surrounding the primary separator to collect the catalyst, a gas conduit having a first end in fluid connection with the disengagement vessel, and a multi-cyclone separator comprising a plurality of cyclones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kelly D. Seibert, Todd P. Mitchell, Mindy B. Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20100187158
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for fluid catalytic cracking, including, fluidizing a hydrocarbon stream in a riser, cracking the hydrocarbon stream with catalyst in the riser to produce a cracked stream and spent catalyst, separating the cracked stream and the spent catalyst in a primary separator to obtain a cracked stream with a first concentration of spent catalyst, and transporting the cracked stream with the first concentration of spent catalyst through a conduit to a multi-cyclone separator comprising multiple cyclones extending through a tube sheet to obtain a cracked stream with a second concentration of spent catalyst. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for catalytic cracking including a riser, a primary separator, a disengagement vessel surrounding the primary separator to collect the catalyst, a gas conduit having a first end in fluid connection with the disengagement vessel, and a multi-cyclone separator comprising a plurality of cyclones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kelly D. Seibert, Todd P. Mitchell, Mindy B. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7718140
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for fluid catalytic cracking, including, fluidizing a hydrocarbon stream in a riser, cracking the hydrocarbon stream with catalyst in the riser to produce a cracked stream and spent catalyst, separating the cracked stream and the spent catalyst in a primary separator to obtain a cracked stream with a first concentration of spent catalyst, and transporting the cracked stream with the first concentration of spent catalyst through a conduit to a multi-cyclone separator comprising multiple cyclones extending through a tube sheet to obtain a cracked stream with a second concentration of spent catalyst. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for catalytic cracking including a riser, a primary separator, a disengagement vessel surrounding the primary separator to collect the catalyst, a gas conduit having a first end in fluid connection with the disengagement vessel, and a multi-cyclone separator comprising a plurality of cyclones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kelly D. Seibert, Todd P. Mitchell, Mindy B. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7601304
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for injecting a plurality of uniform jets into an extended dispersion of moving catalyst particles within a reactor vessel. The apparatus comprises a plurality of outer conduits each for carrying atomizing fluid. A plurality of tips in the outer conduits each include a plurality of orifices for spraying a mixture of feed and atomizing fluid. Inner conduits with outlets within the outer conduits delivers feed to the tips of the outer conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Daniel N. Myers, Todd P. Mitchell, James W. Althoff
  • Patent number: 6503461
    Abstract: An injector of a type routinely used in an FCC unit for dispersing a feed into a fluidized stream of catalyst particles is given additional versatility and maintainability through the use of internal connections of a low profile type. The injector apparatus has at least one connection that is positioned inside a retaining sleeve and connects the discharge tip of the injector to the piping that extends outside the sleeve and delivers the feed to the injector. The connection can join materials that are not amenable to welding in a space that is too confined for a flange connection. The connection combines the ductile properties of the carbon steel or stainless steel for the feed piping with an abrasion resistant but brittle material that will extend the life of the nozzle tip. Such relatively brittle materials include ceramics. The injector will also routinely incorporate an internal sleeve for separating two different fluids that enter the injector independently and undergo mixing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Burgard, Gary A. Schulz, Todd P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5518695
    Abstract: This invention is a vented riser arrangement for multiple cyclones having an open inlet configuration that reduces the space requirements of the cyclone and eliminates the extended inlet conduit. The inlet configuration extends the outer cylindrical wall of the cyclone in a semicircular path that extends past the interior of the cyclone by a distance that cuts off the path of solids by-passing into the cyclone. The configuration eliminates the need for a cyclone inlet conduit that enlarged the required transverse area necessary to house the riser and the cyclones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Randall F. Goodspeed, Todd P. Mitchell, Paolo Palmas, Kalidas Puppala