Including A Unitary, Monolithic Catalyst Bed Patents (Class 422/633)
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Patent number: 10926235Abstract: A reactor includes: a main reactor core including main reaction flow channels through which the raw material fluid flows, and main temperature control flow channels through which the heat medium flows along a flow direction of the raw material fluid flowing in the main reaction flow channel; and a pre-reactor core including pre-reaction flow channels of which an outlet side connects with an inlet side of the main reaction flow channels and through which the raw material fluid flows, and pre-temperature control flow channels of which an inlet side connects with an outlet side of the main reaction flow channels and through which the product serving as the heat medium flows along a flow direction of the raw material fluid flowing in the pre-reaction flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: IHI CORPORATIONInventors: Akihisa Yano, Tatsuya Oka, Hiroyuki Kamata, Shigeki Sakakura, Nobuyuki Honma, Yusuke Takeuchi
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Patent number: 9034282Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytic reactor including: at least one first architecture/microstructure including a ceramic and/or metal cellular architecture having a pore size of 2 to 80 ppi and a macroporosity of more than 85%, and a microstructure having a grain size of 100 nm to 5 microns, and skeleton densification of more than 95%, and a catalytic layer; and at least one second architecture/microstructure including a spherical or cylindrical architecture having a pore size of 0.1 to 100 ?m and a macroporosity of less than 60%, and a microstructure having a grain size of 20 nm to 10 ?m and a skeleton densification of 20% to 90%, and a catalytic layer; the first and second architecture/microstructure being stacked inside said reactor.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pascal Del-Gallo, Daniel Gary, Mathieu Cornillac, Aude Cuni
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Patent number: 9023297Abstract: A plant for preparing monosilane (SiH4) by catalytic disproportionation of trichlorosilane (SiHCl3) includes a reaction column having a feed line for trichlorosilane and a discharge line for silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) formed, and at least one condenser via which monosilane produced can be discharged from the reaction column, wherein the reaction column has at least two reactive/distillative reaction regions operated at different temperatures and containing different catalytically active solids, at least one of the reaction regions containing a catalytically active solid based on vinylpyridine, and at least one of the reaction regions containing a catalytically active solid based on styrene.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Schmid Silicon Technology GmbHInventors: Adolf Petrik, Christian Schmid, Jochem Hahn
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Patent number: 9012707Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the autothermal gas-phase dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon-comprising gas stream by means of an oxygen-comprising gas stream over a heterogeneous catalyst configured as a monolith to give a reaction gas mixture and regeneration of the catalyst in a reactor in the form of a cylinder or prism, wherein the reactor is operated alternately in the production mode of the autothermal gas-phase dehydrogenation and in the regeneration mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Gerhard Olbert, Ulrike Wegerle, Grigorios Kolios, Albena Kostova
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Publication number: 20150071835Abstract: A non-adiabatic catalytic reactor for reacting a fluid includes a tube comprising an inlet, an outlet, a first wall, a diameter, a length, and a tube axis. The reactor also includes a plurality of structured packings disposed within the tube, and a plurality of mixing regions disposed within the tube. The structured packings and the mixed regions are arranged in an alternating pattern. Each structured packing includes one or more second walls defining channels for fluid flow through the structured packing, the channels being substantially parallel to the tube axis, the one or more second walls of the structured packing including a catalyst. At least one of the mixing regions permits mixing of first fluid proximate the first wall with second fluid farther from the first wall than the first fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventor: Jonathan Jay Feinstein
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Patent number: 8940253Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed in a hydrotreating unit and hydrocracking a second hydrocarbon stream in a hydrocracking unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit may share the same recycle gas compressor. A make-up hydrogen stream may also be compressed in the recycle gas compressor. The second hydrocarbon stream may be a diesel stream from the hydrotreating unit. The diesel stream may be a diesel and heavier stream from a bottom of a hydrotreating fractionation column.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Paul R. Zimmerman, Peter Kokayeff
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Patent number: 8882863Abstract: A fuel reformulation system for an engine comprising an annular body for a flow of fluids therethrough connected to the engine, a source of fuel for flowing through at least a portion of the annular body, and a catalytic member connected to the annular body for the flow of any fluids thereacross from the annular body.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Dean Modroukas, Jason S. Tyll, John C. Leylegian, Florin Girlea, Richard Perlman
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Patent number: 8863385Abstract: A reactor including a monolith having a plurality of fins in an annular arrangement for receiving fluid flow through the reactor. The monolith is disposed within a generally cylindrical outer tube, and around a corrugated inner tube. The reactor includes a device for urging the monolith radially outward, so as to maintain contact between the monolith and the outer tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited CompanyInventors: William A. Whittenberger, David A. Becker, Randall J. Bartos
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Patent number: 8852538Abstract: A reactor in the form of a cylinder or prism wherein the interior of the reactor is divided by a cylindrical or prismatic gastight housing G which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reactor into an inner region having one or more catalytically active zones, in which in each case a packing composed of monoliths stacked on top of one another, next to one another and behind one another and before each catalytically active zone in each case a mixing zone having solid internals are provided, and an outer region B arranged coaxially to the inner region A, wherein the inner region A is insulated from the outer region B of the reactor by means of a microporous high-performance insulation material having a thermal conductivity 1 at temperatures up to 700° C. of less than 0.05 W/m*K is proposed.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Gerhard Olbert, Ulrike Wegerle, Grigorios Kolios, Carlos Tellaeche Herranz, Reinhold Höchst, Andrea Gienger, Roland Bauer
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Publication number: 20140241960Abstract: A mixing unit has a stacked member having mixing elements that are stacked in a stacking direction and that extend in an extending direction, a first plate, and a second plate disposed opposite the first plate. The stacked member is sandwiched between the first plate and the second plate. Each of the mixing elements has first through holes. The second plate comprises an opening portion that communicates with the first through holes in the stacked member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Isel Co., Ltd.Inventor: Noboru Mochizuki
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Publication number: 20140171709Abstract: A reactor for gas-phase dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon-comprising stream with an oxygen-comprising stream over a monolithic heterogeneous catalyst. Catalytically active zone(s) comprising monoliths packed next to one another and/or above one another and a mixing zone having fixed internals upstream of each catalytically active zone. Feed line(s) for the hydrocarbon-comprising gas stream to be dehydrogenated at the lower end of the reactor. Independently regulable feed line(s), which supply distributor(s), for the oxygen-comprising gas stream into each of the mixing zones and discharge line(s) for the reaction gas mixture of the autothermal gas-phase dehydrogenation at the upper end of the reactor. The interior wall of the reactor is provided with insulation. The catalytically active zone(s) is accessible from the outside of the reactor via manhole(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Gerhard Olbert, Carlos Tellaeche Herranz, Norbert Asprion, Alexander Weck, Ellen Dahlhoff
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Patent number: 8753589Abstract: Methane reacts with steam generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a first catalytic reactor; the resulting gas mixture undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a second catalytic reactor. In the steam/methane reforming, the gas mixture passes through a narrow channel having mean and exit temperatures both in the range of 750° C. to 900° C., residence time less than 0.5 second, and the channel containing a catalyst, so that only reactions having comparatively rapid kinetics will occur. Heat is provided by combustion of methane in adjacent channels. The ratio of steam to methane may be about 1.5. Almost all methane will undergo the reforming reaction, almost entirely forming carbon monoxide. After Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the remaining hydrogen may be fed back to the combustion channels. The steam for the reforming step may be generated from water generated by the chemical reactions, by condensing products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and by condensing water vapor generated in combustion.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: CompactGTL LimitedInventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, Clive Derek Lee-Tuffnell, Jason Andrew Maude, John William Stairmand, Ian Frederick Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20140134547Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco
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Patent number: 8697016Abstract: A reactor in the form of an essentially horizontal cylinder for carrying out an autothermal gas-phase dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon-comprising gas stream by means of an oxygen-comprising gas stream to give a reaction gas mixture over a heterogeneous catalyst configured as monolith is disclosed herein. The interior of the reactor is divided by a detachable, cylindrical or prismatic housing which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reactor, gastight in the circumferential direction and open at two end faces of the housing into an inner region, having one or more catalytically active zones. In each case, a packing composed of monoliths may be stacked on top of one another, next to one another, and above one another and before each catalytically active zone. Also in each case, a mixing zone having solid internals and an outer region arranged coaxially to the inner region are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Grigorios Kolios, Wilhelm Ruppel, Ulrike Wegerle, Jasmina Kessel, Wolfgang Gerlinger, Godwind Tafara Peter Mabande, Goetz-Peter Schindler, Albena Kostova, Gerhard Olbert, Peter Pfab
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Patent number: 8697015Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for distributing a mixed phase fluid to a monolith catalyst bed within a reactor, wherein a mixed phase fluid may be generated by a nozzle tray comprising a plurality of nozzles, the mixed phase fluid may be distributed by the nozzles to a mixed phase distributor system, and the mixed phase fluid may be further distributed by the mixed phase distributor system to a plurality of monolith channels within the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Krishniah Parimi, Steven Xuqi Song, Moinuddin Ahmed, Thien Duyen Thi Nguyen
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Publication number: 20140044614Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor system, comprising a heat-exchange unit and a reaction unit that are assembled together into a structure. The heat-exchange unit has a plurality of plate or corrugated-plate heat exchangers, and is formed so as to attachable/detachable to/from the reaction unit and insertable into the latter. Accordingly, a catalyst may be attached to a heat-transfer surface of a heat exchanger by a washcoat method or the like, thus maximizing heat-transfer efficiency and enabling the easy removal or reattachment of the catalyst when the enabling the easy removal or reattachment of the catalyst at the end of the lifespan of the catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGYInventors: Kyoung Su Ha, Geun Jae Kwak, Jae-Hoon Jung, Joo Young Cheon, Ki Won Jun
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Publication number: 20140044613Abstract: A novel catalytic reactor is provided for controlling the contact of a limiting reactant with a catalyst surface. A first flow vessel defines an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the interior surface has a catalyst deposited on at least a portion thereof. A second flow vessel is positioned within the first flow vessel and the second flow vessel defines a porous surface designed to deliver a fluid uniformly to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first flow vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: William C. Pfefferle, Shahrokh Etemad
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Patent number: 8486166Abstract: Fuel reforming catalysts 28 generate a hydrogen-containing reformed gas when they come into contact with exhaust gas that contains a reforming fuel. Upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors 58, 60 are respectively installed upstream and downstream of the fuel reforming catalysts 28. The upstream air-fuel ratio sensor 58 outputs a upstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration. The downstream air-fuel ratio sensor 60 outputs a downstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration by using zirconia's oxygen detection capability and a change of a diffusion layer's hydrogen-concentration-dependent oxygen detection capability. An ECU 50 detects the hydrogen concentration without being affected by the oxygen concentration through the use of the upstream sensor signal in which only the oxygen concentration is reflected and the downstream sensor signal in which the oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration are reflected.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Yahagi, Isamu Nakada, Keiichiro Aoki, Takanori Sasaki
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Patent number: 8475729Abstract: A method of forming a honeycomb reactor or reactor component is disclosed, including the steps of providing a honeycomb structure having cells divided by cell walls, providing an array of cutting tools arrayed in a pattern so as to be able to simultaneously align with a first plurality of the cell walls at a first end of the structure, and cutting the walls of the first plurality, reducing their height. Systems utilizing the reactors or reactor components thus formed are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventor: James Scott Sutherland
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Publication number: 20130150644Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reactor components and their use, e.g., in regenerative reactors. A process and apparatus for utilizing different wetted areas along the flow path of a fluid in a pyrolysis reactor, e.g., a thermally regenerating reactor, such as a regenerative, reverse-flow reactor, is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Keusenkothen, Frank Hershkowitz, Gary D. Mohr, ChangMin Chun, Jeffrey W. Frederick
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Patent number: 8383054Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Paul W. Neagle, Dongming Qiu, Matthew B. Schmidt, Steven T. Perry, David J. Hesse, Robert J. Luzenski, G. Bradley Chadwell, Ying Peng, James A. Mathias, Nathan P. Gano, Richard Q. Long, Wm. Allen Rogers, Ravi Arora, Wayne W. Simmons, Barry L. Yang, David J. Kuhlmann, Yong Wang, Thomas D. Yuschak, Thomas Forte, John Arthur Monahan, Robert Jetter
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Patent number: 8377156Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a method for operating a fuel reformer. The method may generally include directing a fluid stream around a reactor assembly of the fuel reformer to cool the reactor assembly, and mixing a heated reformate stream produced by the reactor assembly with the fluid stream to cool the heated reformate stream.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Hasan Karim, Abdul Rafey Khan
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Publication number: 20130035531Abstract: A reactor in the form of a cylinder or prism wherein the interior of the reactor is divided by a cylindrical or prismatic gastight housing G which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reactor into an inner region having one or more catalytically active zones, in which in each case a packing composed of monoliths stacked on top of one another, next to one another and behind one another and before each catalytically active zone in each case a mixing zone having solid internals are provided, and an outer region B arranged coaxially to the inner region A, wherein the inner region A is insulated from the outer region B of the reactor by means of a microporous high-performance insulation material having a thermal conductivity 1 at temperatures up to 700° C. of less than 0.05 W/m*K is proposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Gerhard Olbert, Ulrike Wegerle, Grigorios Kolios, Carlos Tellaeche Herranz, Reinhold Höchst, Andrea Gienger, Roland Bauer
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Patent number: 8252251Abstract: The present subject matter discloses a fluid cooled reformer for gas turbine systems and a method for cooling both a fuel reformer and a heated reformate stream produced by such fuel reformer. The fluid cooled reformer may include a pressure vessel and a reactor assembly disposed within the pressure vessel. The reactor assembly may include a reactor and may be configured to receive and reform an oxygen/fuel mixture to produce a heated reformate stream. Additionally, the fluid cooled reformer may include an inlet configured to direct a fluid stream into the pressure vessel. At least a portion of the fluid stream may be used to cool the reactor assembly. A reformate cooling section may be disposed downstream of the reactor of the reactor assembly and may be configured to cool the heated reformate stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Hasan Karim, Abdul Rafey Khan
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Patent number: 8211387Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Vijay Anant Deshpande, Curtis L. Krause, Paul Francis Martin, Kevin Hoa Nguyen, James F. Stevens, William Spencer Wheat
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Patent number: 8197777Abstract: The invention describes combustors and steam reformers and methods of combustion and steam reforming. For example, integrated combustion reactors are described in which heat from combustion is transferred to an endothermic reaction. Thermally efficient reactors and methods of alcohol steam reforming are also described. Also described is an integrated combustor/reformer containing a methanation catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Jamelyn D. Holladay, Yong Wang, Ya-Huei Chin, Max Phelps
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Patent number: 8158074Abstract: Described here is a system (8; 9; 50) of walls for catalytic beds of reactors (1) for the heterogeneous synthesis of chemical compounds characterized in that it comprises a wall (14) of predetermined thickness in direct contact with a catalytic bed (7) for containing it, said wall having a plurality of portions (17) permeable to gases and a plurality of portions (19; 54; 55) impermeable to gases, said portions (17) permeable to gases each being equipped with a plurality of slits (18; 52, 53; 60; 70) of a size such as to allow the free passage of the synthesis gases through them but not the passage of the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Ammonia Casale S.A.Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Enrico Rizzi, Mirco Tarozzo
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Patent number: 8133458Abstract: A reactor for converting methane, ammonia and oxygen and alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxides into alkaline or alkaline earth cyanides by two-stage reactions comprising a first stage with a gas inlet, wherein the first stage is formed by a cone with distribution plates providing an even gas distribution over the catalyst material wherein the distribution plates are located between the gas inlet of the reactor and catalyst material and the distribution plates being perforated with a number of holes, with the distribution plates spaced from each other in the flow direction of the gas, the first distribution plate(s) functioning mainly to distribute the gas, whereas the last distribution plate works as a heat radiation shield and as a distribution plate facing the catalyst material, and wherein the catalyst material is present in the form of catalyst gauze fixed by catalyst weights.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: EICPROC ASInventor: Erik Fareid
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Patent number: 8124035Abstract: Continuous processes for monoalkylating aromatic compound with an aliphatic feedstock comprising aliphatic olefin of 8 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule are effected using at least 3 reaction zones in series, each containing solid alkylation catalyst with effluent cooling between reaction zones, each of which reaction zones is supplied a portion of the fresh aliphatic feedstock, such that the Reaction Zone Delta T in each reaction zone is less than about 15° C. The overall aromatic compound to olefin molar ratio is less than about 20:1. The alkylation product has desirable linearity and low amounts of dimers, dealkylated compounds and diaryl compounds even though a low aromatic compound to olefin molar ratio is used.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Mark G. Riley
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Patent number: 8057749Abstract: A device for carrying out exothermal chemical reactions wherein a gas phase is guided across a fixed bed and allowed to react, comprising a housing and an exchangeable unit wherein the reaction takes place.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbHInventors: Achim Fischer, Harald Heinzel, Christoph Weckbecker, Klaus Huthmacher
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Patent number: 8029748Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignees: Velocys, Inc, Celanese International CorporationInventors: Terry Mazanec, Victor J. Johnston, Michael Huckman, Sean P. Fitzgerald, James A. Foster, Daniel Lindley, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Francis P. Daly, Leslie Wade, Tony Hammock, Thomas Yuschak, Bin Yang, Kai Jarosch
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Publication number: 20110120853Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a reactor apparatus for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock, said apparatus including: a reactor component comprising a refractory material in oxide form, the refractory material having a melting point of no less than 2060° C. and which remains in oxide form when exposed to a gas having carbon partial pressure of 10?22 bar and oxygen partial pressure of 10?10 bar, at a temperature of 1200° C.; wherein said refractory material has no less than 4 vol % formed porosity, measured at 20° C., based upon the bulk volume of said refractory material. In another embodiment, the refractory material has total porosity in the range of from 4 to 60 vol %.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Frank Hershkowitz, Paul F. Keusenkothen, Shiun Ling, Gary David Mohr
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Patent number: 7897124Abstract: Biogases such as natural gas and other gases capable of being biologically derived by digestion of organic matter are converted to a clean-burning hydrocarbon liquid fuel in a continuous process wherein a biogas is fed to a reaction vessel where the biogas contacts a liquid petroleum fraction and a transition metal catalyst immersed in the liquid, vaporized product gas is drawn from a vapor space above the liquid level, condensed, and fed to a product vessel where condensate is separated from uncondensed gas and drawn off as the liquid product fuel as uncondensed gas is recycled to the reaction vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Inventors: Rudolf W. Gunnerman, Peter W. Gunnerman