Catalytic Patents (Class 208/113)
  • Publication number: 20110155642
    Abstract: This invention concerns a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process with reduced carbon monoxide emission which modifies the regeneration phase of the spent catalyst by using pure oxygen without the need for dilution when burning coke adhering to the catalyst. In addition, this invention improves the reconditioning stage of the catalyst, incorporating a reconditioner supplementary to a conventional reconditioner which employs nitrogen as a carrier gas in the reconditioning of the already regenerated catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Wilson Kenzo Huziwara, Leonardo Fialho de Mello, Oscar Rene Chamberlain Pravia, Gustavo Torres Moure, Odnei Cesar Macalossi, Luiz Carlos Casavechia
  • Patent number: 7964173
    Abstract: The present invention provides feedstock compositions for use of the production of an activated carbon for electric double layer capacitor electrodes or the production of needle coke, comprising a first heavy oil with an initial boiling point of 300° C. or higher, an asphalten content of 12 percent by mass or less, a saturate content of 50 percent by mass or more and a sulfur content of 0.3 percent by mass or less, produced as a residue resulting from vacuum-distillation of a petroleum-based oil and a second heavy oil with an initial boiling point of 150° C. or higher and a sulfur content of 0.5 percent by mass or less, produced by subjecting a hydrocarbon oil to fluidized catalytic cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Nippon Oil Corporation, Nippon Petroleum Refining Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Oyama, Kazuhisa Nakanishi, Tamotsu Tano, Keiji Higashi, Ippei Fujinaga, Hiromitsu Hashisaka, Kiwamu Takeshita, Masaki Fujii, Hideki Ono
  • Publication number: 20110139683
    Abstract: Disclosed is an FCC apparatus and process in which coked catalyst is recycled to the base of the riser to contact fresh feed through a passage disposed within the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Sandacz
  • Patent number: 7959888
    Abstract: The present invention provides a raw coke having such a structure that the graphitized product resulting from graphitization of the raw coke at a temperature of 2800° C. under an inactive gas atmosphere will have ratios of the crystallite size to the lattice constant of 360 or less in the (002) plane and 1500 or less in the (110) plane, as a raw coke providing active carbon produced by alkali-activating the raw coke, which is reduced in remaining alkali content and can simplify washing operation because washing liquid can easily pass through the activated carbon, or as a raw coke for the production of needle coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Nippon Oil Corporation, Nippon Petroleum Refining Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Oyama, Kazuhisa Nakanishi, Tamotsu Tano, Keiji Higashi, Ippei Fujinaga, Hiromitsu Hashisaka, Toshitaka Fujii, Takashi Noro, Akio Sakamoto, Kiwamu Takeshita, Keizou Ikai, Masaki Fujii, Hideki Ono
  • Patent number: 7959792
    Abstract: A composition for promoting the oxidation of CO and minimizing NOx emissions during FCC processes comprises (i) acidic oxide support, (ii) at least one precious metal for promoting CO oxidation, and (iii) metals or metal oxides capable of reducing NOx production during CO oxidation, at least one precious metal (ii) being primarily distributed in the central interior of particulate additive and the metals or metal oxides (iii) being primarily distributed in the particulate additive as a shell around the precious metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Marius Vaarkamp, David Matheson Stockwell
  • Patent number: 7947168
    Abstract: A method for recovering NH3 present in a sour water stream containing odiferous compounds such as pyridines, indoles, ketones and mercaptans produced during an upgrading process for upgrading bitumen from oil sands into synthetic crude comprising treating the sour water stream in a sour water treatment unit to produce a NH3-rich stream and a H2S-rich stream; and hydrotreating the NH3-rich stream in a hydrotreater in the presence of hydrogen to remove the odiferous compounds such as pyridines, indoles, ketones and mercaptans and produce a treated NH3-rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Syncrude Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: John Machin, Daniel Rusnell, Paul Won, Monica Morphy, Xin Alex Wu, Brenda Crickmore, Craig McKnight
  • Patent number: 7943038
    Abstract: Processes for producing one or more olefins are provided. In one or more embodiments, a doped catalyst can be prepared by fluidizing one or more coked-catalyst particles in the presence of one or more oxidants to provide a fluidized mixture. At least a portion of the coke can be removed from the coked-catalyst particles to provide regenerated catalyst particles. One or more doping agents can be distributed throughout the fluidized mixture, depositing on the surface of the regenerated catalyst particles to provide doped catalyst particles. One or more hydrocarbon feeds can be fluidized with the doped catalyst particles to provide a reaction mixture which can be cracked to provide a first product containing propylene, ethylene, and butane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Pritham Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 7943037
    Abstract: A heavy residual petroleum feed boiling above 650° F.+ (345° C.+) is subjected to membrane separation to produce a produce a permeate which is low in metals and Microcarbon Residue (MCR) as well as a retentate, containing most of the MCR and metals, the retentate is then subjected to hydroconversion at elevated temperature in the presence of hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure not higher than 500 psig (3500 kPag) using a dispersed metal-on-carbon catalyst to produce a hydroconverted effluent which is fractionated to give naphtha, distillate and gas oil fractions. The permeate from the membrane separation may be used as FCC feed either as such or with moderate hydrotreatment to remove residual heteroatoms. The process has the advantage that the hydroconversion may be carried out in low pressure equipment with a low hydrogen consumption as saturation of aromatics is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Martin L. Gorbaty, David T. Ferrughelli, Edward W. Corcoran, Stephen M. Cundy
  • Publication number: 20110108462
    Abstract: A catalyst composition prepared based on high solids formulation containing a zeolite, a binder precursor, a matrix and a slurring agent and a process for preparing a shaped catalyst product to be used in fluid catalytic cracking process for converting a heavier hydrocarbon fraction into a lighter hydrocarbons, particularly gasoline and light olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Yun-Feng Chang
  • Publication number: 20110108458
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for catalytically converting two feed streams. The feed to a first catalytic reactor may be contacted with product from a second catalytic reactor to effect heat exchange between the two streams and to transfer catalyst from the product stream to the feed stream. The feed to the second catalytic reactor may be a portion of the product from the first catalytic reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Laura E. Leonard, Jibreel A. Qafisheh, Robert L. Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 7935245
    Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing refinery carbon dioxide emissions by improving the overall synthesis gas yield in a fluid catalytic cracking unit having a reactor and a regenerator are discussed. In one example, a method comprises introducing spent catalyst and a feed gas comprising oxygen to the regenerator at gasification conditions. The method further comprises heating the spent catalyst to burn coke therefrom to produce a synthesis gas. The method further comprises combining the synthesis gas with a dry gas comprising hydrogen, creating the overall synthesis gas and thereby increasing the yield of the overall synthesis gas produced in the FCC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignees: UOP LLC, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7931798
    Abstract: A heavy residual petroleum feed boiling above 650° F.+ (345° C.+) is subjected to hydroconversion at elevated temperature in the presence of hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure not normally higher than 500 psig (3500 kPag) using a dispersed metal-on-carbon catalyst to produce a hydroconverted effluent which is fractionated to form a low boiling fraction and a relatively higher boiling fraction which is subjected to membrane separation to produce a permeate which is low in metals and Microcarbon Residue (MCR) as well as a retentate, containing most of the MCR and metals. The process has the advantage that the hydroconversion may be carried out in low pressure equipment with a low hydrogen consumption as saturation of aromatics is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Martin L. Gorbaty, David T. Ferrughelli, Edward W. Corcoran, Stephen M. Cundy, Andrew Kaldor
  • Publication number: 20110089081
    Abstract: A process for producing fuel by cracking a plastics-derived liquid, which is obtained from a pyrolysis process, using a dolomite catalyst. The plastics-derived liquid is produced by the pyrolysis of plastic waste, such as of one or more of polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene. The plastic-derived liquid is first subjected to a semi-batch catalytic cracking reaction over a very low cost dolomite catalyst to obtain high quality oil for fuel, which comprises mainly light and heavy naphtha. Moreover, the catalytic cracking reaction is conducted at operating temperatures lower than 320° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Jumluck Srinakruang
  • Patent number: 7921631
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method of recovering energy from a FCC unit having a reactor and a regenerator for overall CO2 reduction is provided. The method comprises cooling syngas to a predetermined low temperature to define cooled syngas. A turbo-expander including a first compressor is provided. The turbo-expander train is configured to combust and expand gas to drive the first compressor. The cooled syngas is compressed with the first compressor to define compressed syngas. A first stream of gas comprising CO2 and a second stream of gas comprising CO are separated from the compressed syngas. O2 and the first and second streams of gas are introduced to the turbo-expander train. The first stream of gas is expanded and the second stream of gas is combusted and expanded with the O2 to recover energy, driving the first compressor and producing the syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: UOP LLC, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20110073525
    Abstract: Material delivery systems and methods are disclosed. Material delivery system includes delivery vessel, metering device, dispense mechanism, and mixer. The delivery vessel is configured to dispense material to a unit and metering device provides a metric indicative of the dispensed material to the unit. The dispense mechanism is configured to couple the delivery vessel to the unit. The mixer is coupled to the delivery vessel and configured to sufficiently mix the material with an activating agent. The method includes dispensing metered material from a dispense mechanism of a delivery vessel coupled to a mixer, wherein a metric is indicative of the dispensed material to the unit; sufficiently mixing the metered material with an activating agent in the mixer to activate the material, the mixer coupled to the unit; and delivering the activated material to the unit via the mixer. Systems and method also include providing material to plurality of units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Evans
  • Publication number: 20110073524
    Abstract: A steam cracking process is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a liquid hydrocarbon feed with a solid adsorbent to produce a treated feed and cracking the treated feed in a steam cracker to produce olefins and other hydrocarbon products. The process reduces coking in the convection tubes and extends the run length of the cracker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Viktor J. Cybulskis, Kenneth M. Webber
  • Patent number: 7914666
    Abstract: An FCC process producing lower NOx emissions during regeneration by using excess oxygen levels at less than or equal to about 0.5 mol-% and a plenum temperature above about 730° C. (about 1350° F.). The process may further include limiting the Pt content in the catalyst to less than or equal to about 0.5 ppm. NOx emissions, NO to NO2, produced through this process may be equal to or less than 25 ppmv. The process may also include adjusting the metal content of the feedstock for such metals as antimony, nickel, or vanadium. Additional variables for reducing NOx emissions that may be used in conjunction with this process may include increasing the flue gas residence time, injecting NH3 into the flue gas, adding or using NOx-reducing catalysts, increasing stripping of the catalyst, and increasing the catalyst zeolite to matrix ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mehlberg, Frank Rosser, Jr., Zhihao Fei, Carl Stevens
  • Patent number: 7914610
    Abstract: In an FCC process in which swirl arms are used to discharge gas and catalyst from a riser, a baffle is used to direct descending catalyst away from a wall of a disengaging vessel proximate a stripping section comprising elongated strips of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert L. Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 7909986
    Abstract: Reduced emissions of gas phase reduced nitrogen species in the off gas of an FCC regenerator operated in a partial or incomplete mode of combustion is achieved by contacting the off gas with an oxidative catalyst/additive composition having the ability to reduce gas phase nitrogen species to molecular nitrogen and to oxidize CO under catalytic cracking conditions. The oxidative catalyst/additive composition is used in an amount less than the amount necessary to prevent afterburn. Fluidizable particles of the oxidative catalyst/additives are circulated throughout the partial or incomplete burn FCC unit along with the FCC catalyst inventory. The flue gas having a reduced content of gas phase reduced nitrogen species and NOx is passed to a downstream CO boiler, preferably a low NOx CO boiler. In the CO boiler, as CO is oxidized to CO2, a reduced amount of gas phase reduced nitrogen species is oxidized to NOx, thereby providing an increase in the overall reduction of NOx emitted into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: George Yaluris, John Allen Rudesill
  • Patent number: 7906015
    Abstract: Reduced emissions of gas phase reduced nitrogen species in the off gas of an FCC regenerator operated in a partial or incomplete mode of combustion is achieved by contacting the off gas with an oxidative catalyst/additive composition having the ability to reduce gas phase nitrogen species to molecular nitrogen and to oxidize CO under catalytic cracking conditions. The oxidative catalyst/additive composition is used in an amount less than the amount necessary to prevent afterburn. Fluidizable particles of the oxidative catalyst/additives are circulated throughout the partial or incomplete burn FCC unit along with the FCC catalyst inventory. The flue gas having a reduced content of gas phase reduced nitrogen species and NOx is passed to a downstream CO boiler, preferably a low NOx CO boiler. In the CO boiler, as CO is oxidized to CO2, a reduced amount of gas phase reduced nitrogen species is oxidized to NOx, thereby providing an increase in the overall reduction of NOx emitted into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: George Yaluris, John Allen Rudesill
  • Patent number: 7906077
    Abstract: Disclosed is an FCC apparatus and process in which spent catalyst is recycled to the base of the riser to contact fresh feed through a passage disposed within the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Sandacz
  • Publication number: 20110056870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated fluid catalytic cracking process (FCC) which allows hydrocarbon blends to be obtained having a high quality as fuel. In particular, it relates to an integrated process comprising a fluid catalytic cracking step wherein hydrocarbon cuts of an oil origin are converted into blends with a high content of light cycle oil (LCO) having a high quality in terms of density and nature of the aromatic products contained, which, after a separation and a hydrotreating step, is subjected to upgrading by treatment with hydrogen and a catalyst comprising one or more metals selected from Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh and Re and a silicoaluminate of an acidic nature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giacomo Rispoli, Alberto Moggi, Giovanni Faraci, Paolo Pollesel
  • Publication number: 20110056871
    Abstract: A process for distributing a deflecting media into an axial center of a riser to push catalyst outwardly toward the feed injectors ensures better contacting between hydrocarbon feed and catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Keith A. Couch, Paolo Palmas, Jason P. Lambin, Giovanni Spinelli
  • 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: 7892416
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermodynamic cracking process wherein the cracking takes place in a cyclone reactor and in a riser of varying areas under the influence of a rotating and turbulent fluidised energy carrier which is put in motion in a fluidised regenerator by injection of combustion gases or air. A cracking unit is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ellycrack AS
    Inventor: Olav Ellingsen
  • Patent number: 7893311
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a catalyst excellent in product producibility and selectivity, and in coking degradation resistance and regeneration degradation resistance, which is for production of ethylene and propylene through catalytic conversion from a hydrocarbon material. The invention relates to a method for producing ethylene and propylene through catalytic conversion from an olefin, by contacting a hydrocarbon material with a zeolite-containing shaped catalyst satisfying the following requirements (1) to (6), in a reactor: (1) the zeolite is an intermediate pore-size zeolite having a pore size of from 5 to 6.5 angstroms, (2) the zeolite does not substantially contain a proton, (3) the zeolite contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to the Group IB of the Periodic Table, (4) the zeolite-containing shaped catalyst comprises silica as a binder, (5) the zeolite-containing shaped catalyst has a side-crush strength of at least 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Takamatsu, Kouji Nomura
  • Patent number: 7883618
    Abstract: Systems and processes for producing one or more olefins. A feed containing 90% by weight or more C4 and higher hydrocarbons can be cracked at conditions sufficient to provide an olefinic mixture and an aromatic mixture. The olefinic mixture can comprise 90% by weight or more C1 to C3 hydrocarbons. The aromatic mixture can comprise 90% by weight or more C4 and higher hydrocarbons and one or more aromatics. The aromatic mixture can be contacted with one or more solvents to selectively separate at least a portion of the one or more aromatics therefrom to provide an aromatic-rich mixture and an aromatic-lean mixture. At least a portion of the aromatic-lean mixture can be recycled to the feed prior to cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Alan Claude, Anand Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7884257
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a catalyst for long-term, high-yield and stable production of ethylene and propylene in an efficient and simple method of catalytic conversion from a hydrocarbon material. The invention relates to a method for producing ethylene and propylene by contacting a hydrocarbon material that contains an olefin having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms in an amount of at least 20% by weight, with a zeolite-containing shaped catalyst satisfying the following requirements (1) to (4), in a reactor for catalytic conversion of that olefin: (1) the zeolite is an intermediate pore-size zeolite having a pore size of from 5 to 6.5 angstroms, (2) the zeolite does not substantially contain a proton, (3) the zeolite contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to the Group IB of the Periodic Table, (4) the zeolite has a silica/alumina molar ratio (SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio) of from 800 to 2,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Takamatsu, Kouji Nomura
  • Publication number: 20110017639
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact riser separation system for Fluid Catalytic Cracking reactors possessing an external riser system wherein the riser enters the reactor from outside the reactor vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: STONE & WEBSTER PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Eusebius Anku Gbordzoe, Chris Robert Santner
  • Publication number: 20110017636
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. At least an additive material selected from inhibitor additives, anti-foam agents, stabilizers, metal scavengers, metal contaminant removers, metal passivators, and sacrificial materials, in an amount of less than 1 wt. % of the heavy oil feedstock, is added to at least one of the contacting zones. In one embodiment, the additive material is an anti-foam agent. In another embodiment, the additive material is a sacrificial material for trapping heavy metals in the heavy oil feed and/or deposited coke, thus prolonging the life of the slurry catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph V. Nguyen, Bo Kou, Julie Chabot, Erin Maris, Axel Brait, Rahul S. Bhaduri, Alexander E. Kuperman
  • Patent number: 7875756
    Abstract: A process for producing lower olefins is disclosed. The technical problem is to overcome the defects presented in the prior art including high reaction pressure, high reaction temperature, low yield and selectivity of lower olefins as the target products, poor stability and short life of catalyst, and limited suitable feedstocks. The disclosed process, which is carried out under the conditions of catalytic cracking olefins and adopts as a feedstock an olefins-enriched mixture containing one or more C4 or higher olefins and optionally an organic oxygenate compound, comprises the steps of: a) letting the feedstock contact with a crystalline aluminosilicate catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of at least 10, to thereby produce a reaction effluent containing lower olefins; and b) separating lower olefins from the reaction effluent; wherein, the reaction pressure is from ?0.1 MPa to <0 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Shanghai Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology Sinopec
    Inventors: Zaiku Xie, Juntao Liu, Siqing Zhong, Wenwei Wu
  • Patent number: 7867321
    Abstract: An improved cyclone system for disengaging solid and gaseous particles in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes with reduced coke formation in disengager vessels, without favoring release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages, said system comprising legless cyclones 42 fitted with external collector pipes 43, is described. The collector pipes 43 optimize the purge of gases coming from the disengager vessel 49, reducing the time the hydrocarbons remain inside the disengager vessel 49, thus preventing overcracking and subsequent coke formation. Positioning of the external collector pipes 43 prevents release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Emanuel Freire Sandes, Paulo Sérgio Freire, José Geraldo Furtado Ramos, Aurélio Medina Dubois, José Mozart Fusco, Eduardo Cardoso de Melo Guerra, Wilson Kenzo Huziwara
  • Patent number: 7868214
    Abstract: A process for producing olefins from a feedstock comprising a petroleum and non-petroleum fraction has been developed. The process comprises first pretreating the feedstock to remove contaminants such as alkali metals and then cracking the purified feedstock in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) zone operated at conditions to provide C2-C5 olefins. Alternatively, the non-petroleum fraction can first be treated and then mixed with petroleum fraction to provide the feedstock which is then catalytically cracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Terry L. Marker
  • Patent number: 7867378
    Abstract: A method is described for co-processing of ethanol and hydrocarbons from petroleum refining, which are introduced separately in two reaction zones of a reactor of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit. The process combines conversion of ethanol into ethene and conversion of hydrocarbons into other lighter hydrocarbon fractions, to produce ethene in quantities of 15 to 90 wt % in the fuel gas fraction obtained during the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras
    Inventors: Andrea de Rezende Pinho, Julio Amilcar Ramos Cabral, Luiz Fernando Leite
  • Patent number: 7867381
    Abstract: A feedstream to an FCC unit is treated to remove or reduce the content of polynuclear aromatics and nitrogen-containing compounds by contacting the feedstream with an adsorbent compound selected from attapulgus clay, alumina, silica gel and activated carbon in a fixed bed or slurry column and separating the treated feedstream that is lower in the undesired compounds from the adsorbent material. The adsorbent can be mixed with a solvent for the undesired compounds and stripped for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Omer Refa Koseoglu
  • Publication number: 20110000819
    Abstract: A process, apparatus and system for forming light olefins, the process including heating a resid-containing hydrocarbon feedstock containing at least 10 ppmw of metals to vaporize at least 90 wt. % of said hydrocarbon feedstock; separating in a knockout drum a hydrocarbon vapor portion having less than 10 ppmw metals from a non-vaporized resid-containing portion; and feeding said hydrocarbon vapor to a catalytic cracking process to form light olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Paul F. Keusenkothen
  • Patent number: 7863212
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon, characterized in that the catalytic cracking is carried out in the presence of a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst carrying a rare earth element in an amount ranging from 0.4 to 20 in terms of atomic ratio relative to the aluminum of the zeolite using a reactor which permits continuous regeneration of the catalyst and which is of a fluidized bed type, a moving bed type, or a transfer line reaction type under reaction conditions involving a reaction temperature ranging from 500 to 700° C., a reaction pressure ranging from 50 to 500 kPa, a steam to hydrocarbon mass ratio ranging from 0.01 to 2, and a contacting time ranging from 0.1 to 10 seconds. With this process, the generation of by-products such as aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy hydrocarbons can be inhibited and light olefins such as ethylene and propylene can be selectively produced in a stable manner for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Wakui
  • Publication number: 20100326880
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion process additive and related processes, such as upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon material and making sponge coke. The hydrocarbon conversion process additive works with thermal processes, catalytic processes, or thermal-catalytic processes. The hydrocarbon process conversion additive includes lignin or macromolecular substructures of lignin like para-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, or sinapyl alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Sudhakar Chakka, Bang Xu
  • Publication number: 20100314290
    Abstract: A method is provided to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase the output of more valuable hydrocarbon products in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: CO2 Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Elvin, Iraj Isaac Rahmim
  • Publication number: 20100288674
    Abstract: A method is described for controlling instability of operation in a de-ethanizer tower (13) in the gas recovery unit in fluid catalytic cracking units and delayed coking units. The method comprises the step of intervening in the de-ethanizer tower (13) when instability occurs in it, and adjusting the material balance of water in such a way that the excess of water in the feed load stream (9) is removed only as an azeotrope. The intervention is performed by introducing into the feed load stream (9) of the de-ethanizer tower (13) a volume fraction (18) of a flow of hydrocarbon, which may be either dry hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons with a low level of water content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Mario de Sousa Almeida, Neyde Alexandra Fraga Marques, Francisco Carlos da Costa Barros, Claudine Toledo Alvares da Silva Costa
  • Publication number: 20100276337
    Abstract: Compositions for reduction of NOx generated during a catalytic cracking process, preferably, a fluid catalytic cracking process, are disclosed. The compositions comprise a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst composition, preferably containing a Y-type zeolite, and a particulate NOx reduction composition containing ferrierite zeolite particles. Preferably, the NOx reduction composition contains ferrierite zeolite particles bound with an inorganic binder. In the alternative, the ferrierite zeolite particles are incorporated into the cracking catalyst as an integral component of the catalyst. NOx reduction compositions in accordance with the invention are very effective for the reduction of NOx emissions released from the regenerator of a fluid catalytic cracking unit operating under FCC process conditions without a substantial change in conversion or yield of cracked products. Processes for the use of the compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: George Yaluris, Michael Scott Ziebarth, Xinjin Zhao
  • Patent number: 7824540
    Abstract: Process for upgrading a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising the steps of (a) preparing a slurry comprising the hydrocarbon feed having a boiling range above 350° C. and solid particles comprising a rehydratable material, (b) thermally treating said slurry at a temperature in the range of 250 to 550° C., (c) optionally separating the thermally treated slurry into (I) a lower boiling fraction and (ii) a higher boiling fraction containing the solid particles and formed coke, if any, and (d) separating the solid particles and formed coke, if any, from the thermally treated slurry resulting from step b) or the higher boiling fraction of step c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Erik Jeroen Laheij, Dennis Stamires, Michael F. Brady, Francisco René Mas Cabre, Oscar René Chamberlain Pravia, Henrique Soares Cerqueira, Fabió Lopes De Azevedo
  • Publication number: 20100270205
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a high energy density jet fuel composition, having a smoke point about 18 mm as determined by ASTM D1322 and a thermal stability of no more than 25 mm Hg as determined by ASTM D 3241, and a method for making a jet fuel composition, wherein the net heat of combustion is determined by the aromatics content, cycloparaffins content, and normal plus or iso paraffins content in the jet fuel composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Jaime Lopez, Janine Lichtenberger, William J. Cannella, Curtis L. Munson
  • Patent number: 7820032
    Abstract: The main distinctive feature of the method lies in the fact that the hydrocarbon material is affected through primary and principal excitation by means of electromagnetic vibrations. The primary influence upon the hydrocarbon material is carried out prior to its feeding for thermal cracking, while the, principal influence is fulfilled in the rectifying column. For the method to be implemented, the primary excitation source in the installation is realized in a form of an electromagnetic oscillator, and the rectifying column is realized with possibility of resonance excitation provided, being the main exciter of the hydrocarbon material. The invention makes it possible to increase the percentage of output of lighter fractions, as well as to raise the quality of processing of raw materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Nikolai Gennadievich Shlyachtin
  • Patent number: 7820034
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for partially upgraded heavy oil diluent production. A crude heavy oil and/or bitumen feed is supplied to an FCC unit having a low activity catalyst and low conversion number. A distillate fraction is supplied for use as diluent to end users. The distillate fraction and FCC unit gas oil products can be supplied to a hydrotreater for upgrading and collected as a synthetic crude product stream. An asphaltene fraction can be supplied to a gasifier for the recovery of power, steam and hydrogen, which can be supplied to the hydrotreater or otherwise within the process or exported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Gerard Bruha
  • Patent number: 7811446
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method of recovering energy from a FCC unit having a reactor and a regenerator for overall CO2 reduction is provided. The method comprises cooling syngas to a predetermined low temperature to define cooled syngas. A turbo-expander including a first compressor is provided. The turbo-expander train is configured to combust and expand gas to drive the first compressor. The cooled syngas is compressed with the first compressor to define compressed syngas. A first stream of gas comprising CO2 and a second stream of gas comprising CO are separated from the compressed syngas. O2 and the first and second streams of gas are introduced to the turbo-expander train. The first stream of gas is expanded and the second stream of gas is combusted and expanded with the O2 to recover energy, driving the first compressor and producing the syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: UOP LLC, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 7807045
    Abstract: A layered composition which can be used in various processes has been developed. The composition comprises an inner core such as a cordierite core and an outer layer comprising a refractory inorganic oxide, a fibrous component and an inorganic binder. The refractory inorganic oxide layer can be alumina, zirconia, titania, etc. while the fibrous component can be titania fibers, silica fibers, carbon fibers, etc. The inorganic oxide binder can be alumina, silica, zirconia, etc. The layer can also contain catalytic metals such as gold and platinum plus other modifiers. The layered composition is prepared by coating the inner core with a slurry comprising the refractory inorganic oxide, fibrous component, an inorganic binder precursor and an organic binding agent such as polyvinyl alcohol. The composition can be used in various hydrocarbon conversion processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Dean E. Rende, James E. Rekoske, Jeffery C. Bricker, Jeffrey L. Boike, Masao Takayama, Kouji Hara, Nobuyuki Aoi
  • Publication number: 20100243529
    Abstract: An FCC process comprising an enlarged riser section and a distributor in an elevated position and with an opening in its tip away from riser walls may reduce coke build-up along the interior walls of a riser. Catalytic mixing may be improved, which could reduce riser coking by increasing hydrocarbon contact with catalyst before contacting the riser wall. Increasing the distance between the introduction of the hydrocarbon and the riser wall may increase this likelihood for hydrocarbon-catalyst contact. Highly contaminated hydrocarbons cause greater coking than do normal hydrocarbons and this FCC process may be effective in decreasing riser coking on such heavy hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Hedrick, Paolo Palmas
  • Publication number: 20100243528
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a method for revamping a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The method can include communicating an expander powered by a regeneration zone flue gas stream with a wet gas compressor transferring a stream including one or more hydrocarbons from a receiver of the fluid catalytic cracking unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Leonard E. Bell, Keith Allen Couch
  • Publication number: 20100243527
    Abstract: Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes are described, in which hydroprocessed hydrocarbon streams or other hydrocarbon feed streams having a low coking tendency are subjected to direct heat exchange with the FCC reactor effluent, for example in the FCC main column. The processes operate with sufficient severity such that little or no net FCC main column bottoms liquid (e.g., with a 343° C. (650° F.) distillation cut point) is generated. Regeneration temperatures with the representative low coking tendency feeds are beneficially increased by using an oxygen-enriched regeneration gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: David A. Lomas, Peter J. Van Opdorp