Solids Contacting And Mixing Patents (Class 208/250)
  • Patent number: 7172685
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon desulfurization system employing regenerable solid sorbent particulates in a fluidized bed desulfurization reactor. The sulfur-loaded sorbent particulates are continuously withdrawn from the reactor and transferred to a regenerator. A novel solids transport mechanism provides for the safe and effective transfer of the sulfur-loaded sorbent particulates from the high pressure hydrocarbon environment of the reactor to the low pressure oxygen environment of the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Max W. Thompson, Behzad Jazayeri, Robert Zapata, Manuel Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7094333
    Abstract: A method for removing thiophene and thiophene compounds from liquid fuel includes contacting the liquid fuel with an adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs the thiophene and thiophene compounds. The adsorption takes place at a selected temperature and pressure, thereby producing a non-adsorbed component and a thiophene/thiophene compound-rich adsorbed component. The adsorbent includes either a metal or a metal cation that is adapted to form ?-complexation bonds with the thiophene and/or thiophene compounds, and the preferential adsorption occurs by ?-complexation. A further method includes selective removal of aromatic compounds from a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Ralph T. Yang, Arturo J. Hernandez-Maldonado, Frances H. Yang, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7029574
    Abstract: A method for removing thiophene and thiophene compounds from liquid fuel includes contacting the liquid fuel with an adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs the thiophene and thiophene compounds. The adsorption takes place at a selected temperature and pressure, thereby producing a non-adsorbed component and a thiophene/thiophene compound-rich adsorbed component. The adsorbent includes either a metal or a metal ion that is adapted to form ?-complexation bonds with the thiophene and/or thiophene compounds, and the preferential adsorption occurs by ?-complexation. A further method includes selective removal of aromatic compounds from a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Ralph T. Yang, Frances H. Yang, Akira Takahashi, Arturo J. Hernandez-Maldonado
  • Patent number: 6673239
    Abstract: A system and process for removing water and heteroatom-containing compounds from hydrocarbons and for regenerating the adsorbent used in the system and process is disclosed and includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a water adsorbent and a heteroatom-containing compound adsorbent. The regeneration includes passing an isoparaffin over the water-adsorbent, then passing the isoparaffin over the heteroatom-containing compound adsorbent; and, optionally; cooling the effluent; separating such into a hydrocarbon phase and a water phase in a settler; removing a portion of the hydrocarbon phase for mixing with water; returning the hydrocarbon/water mixture to the settler; removing some of the hydrocarbon phase from the settler to form a recycle isoparaffin stream for use as a portion of the stripping stream; and removal of a portion of the water phase from the settler to form a waste water stream containing water and heteroatom-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Marvin M. Johnson, Bruce B. Randolph
  • Patent number: 6531052
    Abstract: Sulfur species are removed from hydrocarbon fluids by a process that includes contacting the fluid with a solid adsorbent having a porous substrate impregnated with silver oxide. The solid adsorbent preferably comprises activated alumina. The solid adsorbent may be regenerated with a two step process including: 1) heating the adsorbent in an inert atmosphere, preferably an atmosphere containing nitrogen, so that sulfur species are stripped from the adsorbent without oxidizing them, and 2) heating the adsorbent in an oxidizing atmosphere, preferably an atmosphere containing approximately 20% oxygen, so that the silver contained on the adsorbent is re-oxidized, forming silver oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Frye, Dana L. Rehms, Elise M. Mophett
  • Patent number: 6482316
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for reducing the amount of sulfur in hydrocarbon streams comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a hydrocarbon stream comprising hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds with an adsorbent selective for adsorption of said sulfur compounds, under adsorption conditions capable of retaining said sulfur compounds on said adsorbent and obtaining an adsorption effluent comprising a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream, (b) collecting said desulfurized hydrocarbon stream, (c) desorbing said sulfur compounds from said adsorbent by passing a desorbent through said adsorbent under desorption conditions to obtain a desorption effluent comprising sulfur compounds and said desorbent, (d) treating said desorption effluent to remove said sulfur compounds from said desorption effluent and collecting a desulfurized desorbent effluent comprising desorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Kaul Krishan Bal
  • Publication number: 20020139719
    Abstract: Methods for the separation of sulfur compounds from a liquid hydrocarbon mixture using a hydrophilic, non-ionic membrane are provided. The membrane can also be composed of water-soluble material. Preferred membranes include polyvinylpyrrolidone and cellulose triacetate membranes. The liquid hydrocarbon mixture may be light cracked naphtha.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Robert J. Saxton, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Johannes G. Wijmans
  • Publication number: 20020134706
    Abstract: A process for removing sulfur from a H2S-containing gas stream is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the process comprises incorporating a short contact time catalytic partial oxidation reactor, a cooling zone, and a condenser into a conventional refinery or gas plant process, such as a natural gas desulfurizer, a hydrotreater, coker or fluid catalytic cracker, in which sulfur removal is needed in order to produce a more desirable product. An H2S-containing gas stream is fed into a short contact time reactor where the H2S is partially oxidized over a suitable catalyst in the presence of O2 to elemental sulfur and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Joe D. Allison, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 6416658
    Abstract: A process for concurrently fractionating and hydrotreating of a full range naphtha stream. The full boiling range naphtha stream is subjected to simultaneous hydrodesulfurization and splitting into a light boiling range naphtha and a heavy boiling range naphtha, which have been treated to covert mercaptans in the fractions to H2S, which is separated with and separated from the light naphtha wherein the improvement is a further hydrodesulfurization by contacting the light boiling range naphtha with hydrogen in countercurrent flow in a fixed bed of hydrodesulfurization catalyst to remove recombinant mercaptans which are formed by the reverse reaction of H2S with olefins in the naphtha during the initial hydrodesulfurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Mario J. Maraschino, Montri Vichailak, Bertrand Klussman, Harjeet Virdi
  • Patent number: 6274031
    Abstract: A novel circulatable sorbent material suitable for use in a transport desulfurization system for removing sulfur from a fluid stream containing sulfur and the use thereof in such a transport desulfurization system. The transport desulfurization process utilizes a circulatable particulate material containing alumina, silica, zinc oxide and a metal oxide which is contacted with a fluid stream and thereafter separated and reused with a portion being regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Gyanesh P. Khare, Donald R. Engelbert, Bryan W. Cass
  • Patent number: 6056871
    Abstract: A novel circulatable sorbent material suitable for use in a transport desulfurization system for removing sulfur from a fluid stream containing sulfur and the use thereof in such a transport desulfurization system. The transport desulfurization process utilizes a circulatable particulate material containing alumina, silica zinc oxide and a metal oxide which is contacted with a fluid stream and thereafter separated and reused with a portion being regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Gyanesh P. Khare, Donald R. Engelbert, Bryan W. Cass
  • Patent number: 5851383
    Abstract: A light hydrocarbon stream, such as a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 stream recovered from an FCC unit, is catalytically treated for the selective hydrogenation of dienes and for the removal of mercaptans by thioetherification. The effluent of the reaction zone is fractionated to remove light ends and thioethers in a dual section fractionation zone, with the interconnection of the sections facilitating a reduction in capital and operating costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Stanley J. Frey
  • Patent number: 5843300
    Abstract: Removal of organic sulfur compounds, especially aromatic sulfur compounds from an FCC feedstock with minimal adsorption of aromatic hydrocarbons is achieved using a zeolite X exchanged with alkali or alkaline earth cations. KX is an especially effective adsorbent. Where the KX is loaded with a group VIII metal, particular palladium or platinum, the adsorbent is effectively regenerated by treatment with hydrogen at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Herman A. Zinnen, Laszlo T. Nemeth, Jennifer R. Holmgren, Blaise J. Arena
  • Patent number: 5659106
    Abstract: Mercaptans and olefins are removed from paraffin-rich feed streams through the use of dual zone catalytic distillation in the substantial absence of hydrogen. The mercaptans are reacted with the olefins using a first catalyst such as a sulphonated resin to form less volatile thioethers removed as part of a net bottoms stream. The remaining olefins are oligomerized in a higher catalyst zone preferably employing a catalyst, such as a dealuminated Y zeolite, having a higher oligomerization activity at the imposed conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Stanley J. Frey, Masami Kojima
  • Patent number: 5300211
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed to effect dehydrocyclization of paraffins in a process combination comprising a first reforming zone and a sulfur-removal zone utilizing a manganese component to preclude sulfur from the feed to a second reforming zone. The process combination shows substantial benefits over prior art processes in the stability of the extremely sulfur-sensitive catalyst utilized in the second reforming zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Michael B. Russ, Roger L. Peer, Joseph Zmich, Chi-Chu D. Low
  • Patent number: 5271835
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving catalyst performance and yields in the manufacture of motor gasoline components. More particularly the process is directed to the removal of H.sub.2 S, sulfur compounds, trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile from a hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 product fraction from a fluid catalytic cracking unit which may be used subsequently in an etherification process for the production of ethers such as MTBE and TAME and/or an alkylation process for the production of alkylate. The hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to an amine treating zone, a mercaptan sulfur removal zone and an adsorption zone for the removal of sulfur compounds, water and trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile. The regeneration of the adsorption zone includes the contacting of the sorbent with a heated regenerant vapor stream. The spent regenerant vapor stream is condensed to provide a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
  • Patent number: 5157201
    Abstract: A method of removing sulfur components from a hydrocarbon stream which involves contacting a hydrocarbon stream including an initial amount of at least one sulfur species selected from the group consisting of mercaptans, organic sulfides, and disulfides with a catalyst capable of adsorbing the sulfur species in the absence of extraneously added hydrogen and under conditions suitable for removing the at least one sulfur species from the hydrocarbon stream by the catalyst to form a resultant hydrocarbon stream containing a reduced amount of the at least one sulfur species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Norris
  • Patent number: 4719006
    Abstract: Arsenic can be continuously removed from shale oil by passing the shale oil through a first guard bed containing catalyst capable of substantially reducing the arsenic content of the oil, until the desired amount of arsenic is removed. The flow of the shale oil is thereafter directed to an intercommunicating second guard bed containing another or similar catalyst capable of substantially reducing the arsenic content of the oil. Concurrently, the spent catalyst in the first bed is regenerated in situ so that continuous upgrading of the shale oil is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Shri K. Goyal
  • Patent number: 4597774
    Abstract: A method of operating a fluidized bed in which a bed of particulate combustible material is disposed on a perforated plate and air is introduced through the plate and into the bed to fluidize and promote the combustion of the material. Additional particulate material, of a size less than that of said combustible particulate material, is introduced to the bed so that it is entrained in the air to maintain the combustible material in the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Juan A. Garcia-Mallol, Brian T. Sinn
  • Patent number: 4540842
    Abstract: Pentane derived from fractionation of sulfur-containing natural gasoline is desulfurized to low levels of sulfur, e.g., 1 ppm or below, in a process comprised of contacting the pentane in a first zone with molecular sieve adsorbent to remove dimethylsulfide and then in a second zone with activated carbon to remove carbon disulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: El Paso Products Company
    Inventor: George C. Allen
  • Patent number: 4318802
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removal of mercaptans from mercaptan-containing low boiling hydrocarbon mixture wherein said mixtures are fed to a contact zone containing a crystalline metal silicate which in dehydrated form has a composition in terms of moles of the oxides:(1.0.+-.0.3)(R).sub.2/n 0.[aFe.sub.2 O.sub.3.bAl.sub.2 O.sub.3.cGa.sub.2 O.sub.3. y(dSiO.sub.2.eGeO.sub.2)],where R is one or more mono- or bivalent cations and a, b, c, d, e, y and n are defined as hereinafter disclosed. The disclosed silicate crystalline metal silicate is (a) thermally stable up to a temperature above 600.degree. C.; (b) exhibits a specified X-ray powder diffraction pattern showing the reflections set out in Table A of the specification; (c) in the formula which represents the composition of the silicate expressed in terms of moles of the oxides, the (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3)/SiO.sub.2 molar ratio is lower than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Petrus F. A. Van Grinsven, Martin F. M. Post
  • Patent number: 4313821
    Abstract: A process for removing undesirable elements, e.g. nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, from the light organic liquid product derived from a solvent refined coal liquefaction process, while preserving octane number, which comprises the steps of (1) subjecting the light liquids to an ion-exchange resin treatment and (2) contacting the resulting ion-exchanged liquids with a zeolite acting as an adsorbent under specified conditions of space velocity, temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Garwood, Sterling E. Voltz, Ellen L. Wu
  • Patent number: 4255162
    Abstract: Sulfur-containing fuels are converted to substantially sulfur-free combustible gas in an integrated process involving part combustion in a dense phase fluidized conversion bed of particles comprising alkaline earth metal oxides. An oxygen-containing gas is passed into the base of the bed to maintain a relatively high fuel/air ratio. Sulfur is chemically fixed in the particles by reaction to form alkaline earth metal sulfide. Particles containing alkaline earth metal sulfide are circulated from one region of the conversion bed to one region of a dense phase fluidized regeneration bed operated at a higher temperature and fluidized by passing into the base thereof an oxygen-containing gas which exothermically regenerates chemically active alkaline earth metal oxide from the sulfide liberating gases which have a low oxygen content and a relatively high content of sulfur moieties (e.g. SO.sub.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Gerald Moss