Patents by Inventor Wenyih F. Lai

Wenyih F. Lai 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: 20230383022
    Abstract: Processes for making saturated isomerized polyalphaolefm by concurrently isomerizing and hydrogenating unsaturated polyalphaolefm in the presence of a high activity catalyst. Such processes can include contacting at least one unsaturated polyalphaolefm with a catalyst capable of both isomerizing and hydrogenating the polyalphaolefm, wherein the catalyst includes a zeolite or mesoporous material, the zeolite having a silica to alumina mole ratio of from about 5 to about 100 and an alpha value of from about 10 to about 1,000, and the mesoporous material having a collidine uptake of from about 100 ??moles/g to about 500 ?moles/g, wherein a Group VIB to VIIIB metal is incorporated in the catalyst at a concentration of from about 0.01 wt % to about 60.00 wt %, and wherein the zeolite is selected from the group consisting of ZSM-48, ZSM-23, ZSM-12, ZSM-35, ZSM-11, ZSM-57, Beta zeolite, Mordenite zeolite, USY zeolite, zeolite having a MWW framework, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Mark H. Li, Renyuan Yu, Patrick C. Chen, Anatoly I. Kramer, Wenyih F. Lai
  • Patent number: 11827579
    Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene. In an embodiment, a process utilizes a methylation catalyst system comprising a molecular sieve catalyst and an auxiliary catalyst. The auxiliary catalyst comprises a metal element selected from Group 2, Group 3, the lanthanide series, the actinide series, and mixtures and combinations thereof. The auxiliary catalyst may comprise the oxide of the metal element. Deactivation of the molecular sieve catalyst can be reduced with the inclusion of the auxiliary catalyst in the methylation catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Seth M. Washburn, Hsu Chiang, Umar Aslam, Wenyih F. Lai, Doron Levin, Tan-Jen Chen
  • Publication number: 20230249167
    Abstract: Catalyst composition which comprises a first zeolite having a BEA* framework type and a second zeolite having a MOR framework type and a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m2/g is disclosed. These catalyst compositions are used to remove catalyst poisons from untreated feed streams having one or more impurities which cause deactivation of the downstream catalysts employed in hydrocarbon conversion processes, such as those that produce mono-alkylated aromatic compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew S. Ide, Doron Levin, Wenyih F. Lai, Ivy D. Johnson, Scott J. Weigel, Brett T. Loveless
  • Patent number: 11701645
    Abstract: A catalyst comprising a microporous crystalline metallosilicate having a Constraint Index of 12, or 10, or 8, or 6 or less, a binder, a Group 1 alkali metal or a compound thereof and/or a Group 2 alkaline earth metal or a compound thereof, a Group 10 metal or a compound thereof, and, optionally, a Group 11 metal or a compound thereof; wherein the catalyst is calcined in a first calcining step before the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof; and wherein the first calcining step includes heating the catalyst to first temperatures of greater than 500° C.; and wherein the catalyst is calcined in a second calcining step after the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof wherein the second calcining step includes heating the catalyst to temperatures of greater than 400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Jeremy W. Bedard, Xiaoying Bao, Andrew P. Palermo, Nitish Mittal, Maria Milina, Doron Levin, William R. Gunther, Wenyih F. Lai, Tilman W. Beutel
  • Publication number: 20230212094
    Abstract: Processes for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the process can include feeding a gaseous hydrocarbon feed that can include meta-xylene, ortho-xylene, or both into a conversion zone. The process can also include contacting the gaseous hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst that can include a ZSM-11 zeolite in the conversion zone under conversion conditions to effect isomerization of at least a portion of any meta-xylene, or at least a portion of any ortho-xylene, or both to produce a conversion product rich in para-xylene. In some embodiments, the ZSM-11 zeolite can have an alpha value of 1 to 3,000 and a molar ratio of silica to alumina of from 15 to 200.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Eric D. Metzger, Mayank Shekhar, Wenyih F. Lai, Paul Podsiadlo, Dominick A. Zurlo, Kathleen M. Keville
  • Patent number: 11654423
    Abstract: Catalyst composition which comprises a first zeolite having a BEA* framework type and a second zeolite having a MOR framework type and a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m2/g is disclosed. These catalyst compositions are used to remove catalyst poisons from untreated feed streams having one or more impurities which cause deactivation of the downstream catalysts employed in hydrocarbon conversion processes, such as those that produce mono-alkylated aromatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Ide, Doron Levin, Wenyih F. Lai, Ivy D. Johnson, Scott J. Weigel, Brett T. Loveless
  • Patent number: 11332420
    Abstract: Processes are described for isomerizing one or more C14-C24 alpha olefins to produce an isomerization mixture comprising one or more C14-C24 internal olefins comprising contacting an olefinic feed comprising the one or more C14-C24 alpha olefins with a catalyst under isomerization conditions, wherein the catalyst comprises a microporous crystalline aluminosilicate having an MWW framework. The resulting isomerization mixture typically exhibits a low pour point with maintained biodegradability properties as compared to the olefinic feed, and is particularly useful in drilling fluid and paper sizing compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Raymond Hill, Jr., Renyuan Yu, Elizabeth G. Mahoney, Anatoly I. Kramer, Wenyih F. Lai, Paul F. Keusenkothen, Nan Hu, Andrew P. Broenen, James R. Lattner
  • Publication number: 20220144725
    Abstract: Novel MEL framework type zeolites can be made to have small crystallite sizes and desirable silica/SiO2 molar ratios. Catalyst compositions comprising such MEL framework type zeolites can be particularly advantageous in isomerization C8 aromatic mixtures. An isomerization process for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons can advantageously utilize a catalyst composition comprising a MEL framework type zeolite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Podsiadlo, Eric D. Metzger, Wenyih F. Lai, Ali A. Kheir, Dominick A. Zurlo, Jocelyn A. Gilcrest, Kathleen M. Keville
  • Publication number: 20220134318
    Abstract: Novel MEL framework type zeolites can be made to have small crystallite sizes and desirable silica/SiCb molar ratios. Catalyst compositions comprising such MEL framework type zeolites can be particularly advantageous in isomerization C8 aromatic mixtures. An isomerization process for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons can advantageously utilize a catalyst composition comprising a MEL framework type zeolite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Wenyih F. Lai, Paul Podsiadlo, Eric D. Metzger, Ivy D. Johnson, Ali A. Kheir, Dominick A. Zurlo, Kathleen M. Keville
  • Publication number: 20220126279
    Abstract: Methods and corresponding catalysts are provided for conversion of an aromatic feed containing C8+ aromatics (particularly C9+ aromatics) to form a converted product mixture comprising, e.g., benzene and/or xylenes. The aromatic feed can be converted in the presence of a catalyst that includes a silica binder, a mixture of a first zeolite having an MEL framework (such as ZSM-11 and/or an MFI framework (such as ZSM-5), and a second zeolite having an MOR framework, such as mordenite, particularly a mordenite synthesized using TEA or MTEA as a structure directing agent, and a metal. The catalyst can further include one or more metals supported on the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph E. Gatt, Maryam Peer, Natalie A. Fassbender, William J. Knaeble, Jocelyn A. Gilcrest, Wenyih F. Lai, Paul Podsiadlo, Thomas J. Ferro, Doron Levin, Benjamin C. Gamoke
  • Publication number: 20220126278
    Abstract: Methods and corresponding catalysts are provided for conversion of an aromatics feed containing C8+ aromatics, particularly C9+ aromatics, to form a converted product mixture comprising, e.g., benzene and/or xylenes. The aromatic feed can be converted in the presence of a catalyst that includes a mixture of a first zeolite having an MEL framework, such as ZSM-11, and a second zeolite having a MOR framework, such as mordenite, particularly a mordenite synthesized using TEA or MTEA as a structure directing agent. The weight ratio of the first zeolite to the second zeolite in the catalyst can be from 0.3 to 1.2, or from 0.3 to 1.1, or from 0.3 to 1.0. The catalyst can further include one or more metals supported on the catalyst, such as a combination of metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Maryam Peer, Joseph E. Gatt, Preeti Kamakoti, William J. Knaeble, Wenyih F. Lai, Paul Podsiadlo, Dominick A. Zurlo, Thomas J. Ferro, Doron Levin, Benjamin C. Gamoke
  • Patent number: 11312669
    Abstract: A process for olefin oligomerization can include: contacting a feedstock comprising at least one C3 to C20 olefin/paraffin under oligomerization conditions in the presence of a Si/Al ZSM-23 catalyst having no amine treatment and a Si/Al2 molar ratio of 20 to 60 and/or a Si/Al/Ti ZSM-23 catalyst having no amine treatment, a Si/Al2 molar ratio of 20 to 60, and a Ti/Al molar ratio of 0.1 to 3; and recovering an oligomeric product comprising dimers having a branching index of less than 2.1, trimers having a branching index of less than 2.1, and tetramers having a branching index of less than 2.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Shiwen Li, Alan A. Galuska, Jennifer A. Carvajal Diaz, Mika L. Shiramizu, Wenyih F. Lai, Lara A. Truter
  • Publication number: 20220119324
    Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene. In an embodiment, a process utilizes a methylation catalyst system comprising a molecular sieve catalyst and an auxiliary catalyst. The auxiliary catalyst comprises a metal element selected from Group 2, Group 3, the lanthanide series, the actinide series, and mixtures and combinations thereof. The auxiliary catalyst may comprise the oxide of the metal element. Deactivation of the molecular sieve catalyst can be reduced with the inclusion of the auxiliary catalyst in the methylation catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Seth M. Washburn, Hsu Chiang, Umar Aslam, Wenyih F. Lai, Doron Levin, Tan-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 11261141
    Abstract: Processes are described for isomerizing one or more C4-C24 alpha olefins to produce an isomerization mixture comprising one or more C4-C24 internal olefins comprising contacting an olefinic feed comprising the one or more C4-C24 alpha olefins with a catalyst under isomerization conditions, wherein the catalyst comprises a microporous crystalline aluminosilicate selected from the group consisting of ZSM-5, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-48, ZSM-57, and mixtures or combinations thereof, and wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate has a SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of less than or equal to about 100. The resulting isomerization mixture typically exhibits a lower pour point and maintained biodegradability properties as compared to the olefinic feed, and is particularly useful in drilling fluid and paper sizing compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly I Kramer, Renyuan Yu, Brett Thomas Loveless, Wenyih F. Lai, Mechilium J. G. Janssen
  • Patent number: 11236027
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes for conversion of a feedstock comprising C8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products in which the feedstock and optionally hydrogen are contacted in the presence of the catalyst composition under conversion conditions effective to dealkylate and transalkylate said C8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce said lighter aromatic products comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite, a first metal, and a second metal, and is treated with a source of sulfur and/or a source of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Christine N. Elia, Wenyih F. Lai, Hari Nair, Joshua I. Cutler, Chuansheng Bai, Nicholas S. Rollman
  • Publication number: 20210394163
    Abstract: A catalyst comprising a microporous crystalline metallosilicate having a Constraint Index of 12, or 10, or 8, or 6 or less, a binder, a Group 1 alkali metal or a compound thereof and/or a Group 2 alkaline earth metal or a compound thereof, a Group 10 metal or a compound thereof, and, optionally, a Group 11 metal or a compound thereof; wherein the catalyst is calcined in a first calcining step before the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof; and wherein the first calcining step includes heating the catalyst to first temperatures of greater than 500° C.; and wherein the catalyst is calcined in a second calcining step after the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof wherein the second calcining step includes heating the catalyst to temperatures of greater than 400° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Jeremy W. Bedard, Xiaoying Bao, Andrew P. Palermo, Nitish Mittal, Maria Milina, Doron Levin, William R. Gunther, Wenyih F. Lai, Tilman W. Beutel
  • Publication number: 20210370276
    Abstract: A catalyst comprising a microporous crystalline aluminosilicate having a Constraint Index less than or equal to 12, a Group 1 alkali metal or a compound thereof and/or a Group 2 alkaline earth metal or a compound thereof, a Group 10 metal or a compound thereof, and optionally a Group 11 metal or a compound thereof; wherein the total amount of Group 1 and/or Group 2 metal is present at a ratio that is optimized for the desirable chemical conversion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Xiaoying Bao, Nitish Mittal, Doron Levin, Wenyih F. Lai, Jocelyn A. Gilcrest
  • Publication number: 20210355047
    Abstract: A process for olefin oligomerization can include: contacting a feedstock comprising at least one C3 to C20 olefin/paraffin under oligomerization conditions in the presence of a Si/Al ZSM-23 catalyst having no amine treatment and a Si/Al2 molar ratio of 20 to 60 and/or a Si/Al/Ti ZSM-23 catalyst having no amine treatment, a Si/Al2 molar ratio of 20 to 60, and a Ti/Al molar ratio of 0.1 to 3; and recovering an oligomeric product comprising dimers having a branching index of less than 2.1, trimers having a branching index of less than 2.1, and tetramers having a branching index of less than 2.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Shiwen Li, Alan A. Galuska, Jennifer A. Carvajal Diaz, Mika L. Shiramizu, Wenyih F. Lai, Lara A. Truter
  • Patent number: 11053176
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing mixed xylenes and C9+ hydrocarbons in which an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising benzene and/or toluene is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether under alkylation conditions in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylated aromatic product stream comprising the mixed xylenes and C9+ hydrocarbons. The mixed xylenes are subsequently converted to para-xylene, and the C9+ hydrocarbons and its components may be supplied as motor fuels blending components. The alkylation catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range from greater than zero up to about 3. The molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon to alkylating agent is in the range of greater than 1:1 to less than 4:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Tan-Jen Chen, Wenyih F. Lai, Anthony Go
  • Publication number: 20210198165
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes for conversion of a feedstock comprising C8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products in which the feedstock and optionally hydrogen are contacted in the presence of the catalyst composition under conversion conditions effective to dealkylate and transalkylate said C8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce said lighter aromatic products comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite, a first metal, and a second metal, and is treated with a source of sulfur and/or a source of steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Christine N. Elia, Wenyih F. Lai, Hari Nair, Joshua I. Cutler, Chuansheng Bai, Nicholas S. Rollman