Patents by Inventor Wenyih Frank Lai

Wenyih Frank 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: 20140024523
    Abstract: In a process for producing a molecular sieve material, water, at least one source of an oxide of a tetravalent and/or a trivalent element and at least one structure directing agent is mixed in a reactor equipped with a mixer having a Froude number of at least 1, to produce a molecular sieve synthesis mixture having a solids content of at least about 20 wt %. The molecular sieve synthesis mixture is heated in the reactor while agitating the mixture with said mixer to form crystals of said molecular sieve material and the molecular sieve crystals are subsequently recovered from the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBILE CHEMICAL COMPANY-LAW TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay, Stephen J. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20140024868
    Abstract: A process is described for producing an M41S family molecular sieve. The process comprises preparing a synthesis mixture capable of forming said molecular sieve in a reactor, which is equipped with a mixer having a Froude number of at least 1, said synthesis mixture having a solids content of at least 20 wt %. The synthesis mixture is heated in the reactor while agitating the mixture with said mixer to form a product mixture comprising water and crystals of said molecular sieve material. Thereafter at least part of the water is removed from the product mixture in the reactor so as to decrease the water content of the product mixture inside the reactor by at least 5 wt %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Stephen J. McCarthy, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Publication number: 20130324760
    Abstract: A method of crystallizing a crystalline molecular sieve having a pore size in the range of from about 2 to about 19 ?, said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element (Y), at least one hydroxide source (OH?), and water, said mixture having a solid-content in the range of from about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. %; and (b) treating said mixture to form the desired crystalline molecular sieve with stirring at crystallization conditions sufficient to obtain a weight hourly throughput from about 0.005 to about 1 hr?1, wherein said crystallization conditions comprise a temperature in the range of from about 200° C. to about 500° C. and a crystallization time less than 100 hr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ivy D. Johnson, Wenyih Frank Lai
  • Patent number: 8557219
    Abstract: A method of crystallizing a crystalline molecular sieve having a pore size in the range of from about 2 to about 19 ?, said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element (Y), at least one hydroxide source (OH?), and water, said mixture having a solid-content in the range of from about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. %; and (b) treating said mixture to form the desired crystalline molecular sieve with stirring at crystallization conditions sufficient to obtain a weight hourly throughput from about 0.005 to about 1 hr?1, wherein said crystallization conditions comprise a temperature in the range of from about 200° C. to about 500° C. and a crystallization time less than 100 hr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Ivy D. Johnson, Wenyih Frank Lai
  • Publication number: 20130157840
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a molecular sieve composition having a first and second crystalline molecular sieve, made by the method comprising: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, the reaction mixture having the following molar composition: Y:X2=2 to infinity, preferably from about 2 to about 1000, OH?:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.1 to 1, M+:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Patent number: 8425762
    Abstract: An MCM-41 catalyst having a crystalline framework containing SiO2 and a Group IV metal oxide, such as TiO2 or ZrO2 is provided. The catalyst is low in acidity and is suitable for use in processes involving aromatic saturation of hydrocarbon feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. McCarthy, Wenyih Frank Lai, Michel A. Daage
  • Publication number: 20130096358
    Abstract: In a process for producing a phosphorus-modified zeolite catalyst, an aqueous reaction mixture comprising a source of silica and a source of an organic directing agent effective to direct the synthesis of a desired zeolite is heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce crystals of the desired zeolite. Wet zeolite crystals can then be separated from the reaction mixture and, without removing all the water from the wet zeolite crystals, the zeolite can be converted into the ammonium form by ion exchange, and the crystals can be treated with a phosphorus compound. The phosphorus-treated, ammonium-exchanged zeolite can then be formed into a catalyst to be heated in one or more stages to remove the water and organic directing agent from the zeolite crystals and to convert the zeolite to the hydrogen form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: WENYIH FRANK LAI, MERCI A. HAMILTON, STEPHEN J. McCARTHY
  • Patent number: 8398955
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of preparing a crystalline molecular sieve comprising: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, the reaction mixture having the following molar composition: Y:X2=2 to infinity, preferably from about 2 to about 1000, OH?:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.1 to 1, M+:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Publication number: 20130029832
    Abstract: This invention relates to stabilized aggregates of small primary crystallites of zeolite Y that are clustered into larger secondary particles. At least 80% of the secondary particles may comprise at least 5 primary crystallites. The size of the primary crystallites may be at most about 0.5 micron, or at most about 0.3 micron, and the size of the secondary particles may be at least about 0.8 micron, or at least about 1.0 ?m. The silica to alumina ratio of the resulting stabilized aggregated Y zeolite may be 4:1 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert E. Kay, Jason Wu, Kun Wang, Robert C. Lemon
  • Publication number: 20130026070
    Abstract: This invention relates to hydrocracking catalysts utilizing stabilized aggregates of small primary crystallites of zeolite Y that are clustered into larger secondary particles. At least 80% of the secondary particles may comprise at least 5 primary crystallites. The size of the primary crystallites may be at most about 0.5 micron, or at most about 0.3 micron, and the size of the secondary particles may be at least about 0.8 micron, or at least about 1.0 ?m. The silica to alumina ratio of the resulting stabilized aggregated Y zeolite may be 4:1 or more. This invention also relates to the use of such catalysts in hydrocracking processes for the conversion of heavy oils into lighter fuel products. The invention is particularly suited for the selective production of diesel range products from gas oil range feedstock materials under hydrocracking conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Christopher G. Oliveri, Wenyih Frank Lai, Ajit B. Dandekar, Scott J. Weigel, Jason Wu, Robert E. Kay
  • Publication number: 20130029833
    Abstract: This invention relates to aggregates of small primary crystallites of zeolite Y that are clustered into larger secondary particles. At least 80% of the secondary particles may comprise at least 5 primary crystallites. The size of the primary crystallites may be at most about 0.5 micron, or at most about 0.3 micron, and the size of the secondary particles may be at least about 0.8 micron, or at least about 1.0 ?m. The silica to alumina ratio of the resulting stabilized aggregated Y zeolite may be 4:1 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert E. Kay
  • Patent number: 8080234
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a molecular sieve of the MCM-22 family, said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, at least one directing-agent (R), water, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element, said mixture having the following mole composition: Y:X2=10 to infinity H2O:Y=1 to 20 OH?:Y=0.001 to 2 M+:Y=0.001 to 2 R:Y=0.001 to 0.34 wherein Y is a tetravalent element, X is a trivalent element, M is an alkali metal; (b) treating said mixture at crystallization conditions for less than 72 hr to form a treated mixture having said molecular sieve, wherein said crystallization conditions comprise a temperature in the range of from about 160° C. to about 250° C.; and (c) recovering said molecular sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Publication number: 20110263918
    Abstract: The invention concerns a xylenes isomerization process for the production of equilibrium or near-equilibrium xylenes. The process utilizes a catalyst comprising HZSM-5 or MCM-49 and process conditions including a temperature of less than 295° C. and a pressure sufficient to maintain the xylenes in liquid phase. In embodiments, the process can be operated in a continuous mode with ppm levels of dissolved H2 in the feed and in other embodiments in a cyclic mode without the H2 in feed but with periodic regenerations using a feed having low ppm levels of H2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John Di-Yi Ou, April D. Ross, Doron Levin, Mohan Kalyanaraman, Wenyih Frank Lai
  • Patent number: 8021643
    Abstract: An MCM-22 family molecular sieve having an X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MCM-22 family molecular sieve including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstroms and at least one peak between 26.6° and 29° (2?). The peak between 26.6° to 29° (2?) has a two theta (2?) of about 26.9°. A method of manufacturing an MCM-22 family molecular sieve, said method comprising the steps of (a) combining at least one silicon source, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, at least one directing-agent (R), water, and optionally one aluminum source, to form a mixture having the following mole composition: Si:Al2=10 to infinity H2O:Si=1 to 20 OH?:Si=0.001 to 2 M+:Si=0.001 to 2 R:Si=0.001 to 0.34 wherein M is an alkali metal; (b) treating said mixture at crystallization conditions for less than 72 hr to form a treated mixture having said MCM-22 family molecular sieve, wherein said crystallization conditions comprises a temperature range from about 160° C. to about 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Patent number: 8017540
    Abstract: A method of preparing a crystalline molecular sieve is provided, which method comprises (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, said reaction mixture having the following mole composition: Y:X2=10 to infinity OH?:Y=0.001 to 2 M+:Y=0.001 to 2 ?wherein M is an alkali metal and the amount of water is at least sufficient to permit extrusion of said reaction mixture; (b) extruding said reaction mixture to form a pre-formed extrudate; and (c) crystallizing said pre-formed extrudate under vapor phase conditions in a reactor to form said crystalline molecular sieve whereby excess alkali metal hydroxide is removed from the pre-formed extrudate during crystallization. The crystalline molecular sieve product is useful as catalyst in hydrocarbon conversion processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Patent number: 8003074
    Abstract: A process for producing ZSM-48 comprises crystallizing an aqueous reaction mixture comprising at least one source of silica, at least one source of alumina, at least one source of hydroxyl ions, at least one source of diquaternary alkylammonium, R2+, ions having the formula: (CH3)3N+(CH2)5N+(CH3)3 and optionally ZSM-48 seed crystals, wherein said reaction mixture has a composition including the following molar ratios: R2+:SiO2 less than 0.1 SiO2:Al2O3 less than 100 OH?:SiO2 less than 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Wieslaw J. Roth, Robert E. Kay, Christine N. Elia
  • Publication number: 20110038789
    Abstract: An MCM-22 family molecular sieve having an X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MCM-22 family molecular sieve including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstroms and at least one peak between 26.6° and 29° (2?). The peak between 26.6° to 29° (2?) has a two theta (2?) of about 26.9°. A method of manufacturing an MCM-22 family molecular sieve, said method comprising the steps of (a) combining at least one silicon source, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, at least one directing-agent (R), water, and optionally one aluminum source, to form a mixture having the following mole composition: Si:Al2=10 to infinity H2O:Si=1 to 20 OH?:Si=0.001 to 2 M+:Si=0.001 to 2 R:Si=0.001 to 0.34 wherein M is an alkali metal; (b) treating said mixture at crystallization conditions for less than 72 hr to form a treated mixture having said MCM-22 family molecular sieve, wherein said crystallization conditions comprises a temperature range from about 160° C. to about 250° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Publication number: 20110034749
    Abstract: A process is described for synthesizing a porous, crystalline material having the framework structure of ZSM-12 of the formula: (n)YO2:X2O3 wherein X is a trivalent element, Y is a tetravalent element and n is between about 80 and about 250. In the process, a mixture capable of forming said material is prepared comprising sources of alkali or alkaline earth metal (M), an oxide of trivalent element (X), an oxide of tetravalent element (Y), hydroxyl ions (OFF), water and tetraethylammonium cations (R), wherein said mixture has a composition, in terms of mole ratios, within the following ranges: YO2/X2O3=100 to 300; H2O/YO2=5 to 15; OH?/YO2=0.10 to 0.30; M/YO2=0.05 to 0.30; and R/YO2=0.10 to 0.20. The mixture is reacted at a temperature of at least about 300° F. (149° C.) for a time of less than about 50 hours to form crystals of the crystalline material and the crystalline material is then recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Jeffrey T. Elks, Robert E. Kay
  • Patent number: 7883686
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a crystalline MCM-22 family molecular sieve having a platelet aggregates morphology wherein greater than 50 wt % of the molecular sieve having a crystal diameter greater than 1 ?m as measured by the SEM. The crystalline MCM-22 family molecular sieve of this disclosure, wherein the platelet aggregates morphology is rosette habit morphology, or multiple layer plate's morphology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay, Mohan Kalyanaraman
  • Publication number: 20110021856
    Abstract: A method of preparing a crystalline molecular sieve is provided, which method comprises (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, said reaction mixture having the following mole composition: Y:X2=10 to infinity OH?:Y=0.001 to 2 M+:Y=0.001 to 2 wherein M is an alkali metal and the amount of water is at least sufficient to permit extrusion of said reaction mixture; (b) extruding said reaction mixture to form a pre-formed extrudate; and (c) crystallizing said pre-formed extrudate under vapor phase conditions in a reactor to form said crystalline molecular sieve whereby excess alkali metal hydroxide is removed from the pre-formed extrudate during crystallization. The crystalline molecular sieve product is useful as catalyst in hydrocarbon conversion processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay