Including An Alkylation Step Patents (Class 585/323)
  • Publication number: 20130131415
    Abstract: A method of producing an alkylaromatic by the alkylation of an aromatic with ethanol, such as producing ethylbenzene by an alkylation reaction of benzene, is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Aspen Texada, William Sheets
  • Publication number: 20130116492
    Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing alkyl aromatic compounds. The process comprises contacting an alkane under dehydrogenation conditions in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst, e.g., a pincer iridium catalyst, to form olefins, and then contacting the olefins generated with an aromatic compound under alkylation conditions. Both reactions are conducted in a single reactor, and occur simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NJ
    Inventors: Alan Stuart Goldman, Long Van Dinh, William L. Schinski
  • Patent number: 8431759
    Abstract: A process for increasing the production of monoalkylbenzenes is presented. The process includes utilizing a transalkylation process to convert dialkylbenzenes to monoalkylbenzenes. The transalkylation process recycles a portion of the effluent stream from the transalkylation reactor back to the feed of the transalkylation reactor. The recycled dialkylbenzenes and a portion of the recycled benzene are converted to monoalkylbenzenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen W. Sohn, Mark G. Riley
  • Patent number: 8426661
    Abstract: Methods of forming ethylbenzene are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes contacting dilute ethylene with benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene, wherein such contact occurs in a liquid phase reaction zone and recovering ethylbenzene from the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20130096357
    Abstract: A process for increasing the production of monoalkylbenzenes is presented. The process includes utilizing a transalkylation process to convert dialkylbenzenes to monoalkylbenzenes. The transalkylation process recycles a portion of the effluent stream from the transalkylation reactor back to the feed of the transalkylation reactor. The recycled dialkylbenzenes and a portion of the recycled benzene are converted to monoalkylbenzenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: UOP LLC
  • Patent number: 8414851
    Abstract: The apparatus converts ethylene in a dilute ethylene stream and dilute benzene in an aromatic containing stream via alkylation to heavier hydrocarbons. The catalyst may be a zeolite such as UZM-8. The catalyst is resistant to feed impurities such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon oxides, and hydrogen and selectively converts benzene. At least 40 wt-% of the ethylene in the dilute ethylene stream and at least 20 wt-% of the benzene in the dilute benzene stream can be converted to heavier hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20130079573
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for co-production of linear alkylbenzene and biofuel from a natural oil are provided. A method comprises the step of deoxygenating the natural oils to form a stream comprising paraffins. A first portion of the paraffins are dehydrogenated to provide mono-olefins. Then, benzene is alkylated with the mono-olefins under alkylation conditions to provide an alkylation effluent comprising alkylbenzenes and benzene. Thereafter, the alkylbenzenes are isolated to provide the alkylbenzene product. A second portion of the paraffins is processed to form biofuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Matthew James Griffiths, Amarendra Anumakonda
  • Publication number: 20130072734
    Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound in an alkylation reaction zone, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first catalytic particulate material which comprises MCM-56 and having a ratio of surface area over surface volume ratio greater than about 79 cm?1; (b) providing said alkylation reaction zone with an alkylatable aromatic compound, an alkylating agent, and said first catalytic particulate material; and (c) contacting said alkylatable aromatic compound and said alkylating agent with said catalytic particulate material in said alkylation reaction zone maintained under alkylation conditions, to form a product comprised of said monoalkylated aromatic compound and polyalkylated aromatic compound(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Frederick Y. Lo, Christine N. Elia, Yun-Feng Chang
  • Publication number: 20130023708
    Abstract: Processes for making CX to CY olefins are provided. The processes include reacting a feedstock comprising C5 and C6 olefins under dimerization or oligomerization conditions to provide a dimerization or oligomerization product. The product is separated into a stream comprising unreacted C5 and C6 paraffins, a stream comprising C10 to CX-1 olefins, and a stream comprising CX to CY olefins, wherein X is at least 14 and Y is greater than X and less than or equal to 36.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Debarshi Majumder, Stephen Wayne Sohn, Bryan K. Glover, Andrea G. Bozzano
  • Publication number: 20130011893
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of ethylbenzene which comprises: a reaction step in which benzene is reacted with ethanol, or a mixture of ethanol and ethylene, at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, preferably in gaseous phase or in mixed gas-liquid phase, in the presence of a catalytic system containing a zeolite belonging to the BEA family, and a separation step of the product obtained. According to a preferred aspect, ethanol deriving from biomasses is used, in particular ethanol obtained from the fermentation of sugars deriving from biomasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: VERSALIS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Maria Angela Mantegazza, Fabrizio Bordes, Roberto Buzzoni
  • Patent number: 8344200
    Abstract: A process for the purification of aromatic streams is provided that includes a new start up procedure that in embodiments significantly reduces impurities in an aromatics feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Brown
  • Patent number: 8334419
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for conversion of feedstock comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and an alkylating agent to desired alkylaromatic conversion product under at least partial liquid phase conversion conditions in the presence of specific catalyst comprising a porous crystalline material, e.g., a crystalline aluminosilicate, and binder in the ratio of crystal/binder of from about 20/80 to about 60/40. The porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise a crystalline molecular sieve having the structure of Beta, an MCM-22 family material, e.g., MCM-49, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Frederick Y. Lo, Christine N. Elia, Matthew J. Vincent
  • Patent number: 8318999
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for making styrene or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source that is selected from the group consisting of methanol, formaldehyde, formalin, trioxane, methylformcel, paraformaldehyde, methylal, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph Thorman, James Butler
  • Publication number: 20120296131
    Abstract: A process for making styrene in a pre-existing facility including an infrastructure capable of producing styrene, wherein the infrastructure includes at least one dehydrogenation unit. The process includes coupling an alkylation unit including an alkylation reactor to the infrastructure and contacting toluene with a C1 source in the presence of a first catalyst and a co-feed in the alkylation reactor to form a first product stream comprising styrene and ethylbenzene. The styrene and ethylbenzene from the first product stream are routed for further processing to a portion of the pre-existing facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph E. Pelati
  • Publication number: 20120296130
    Abstract: A process for making styrene is disclosed that includes reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst in a first reactor producing a first product stream. The first product stream is separated in one or more separation units, wherein a liquid fraction including styrene and ethylbenzene is fed to a second reactor and a gas fraction including carbon monoxide and hydrogen is fed to a third reactor. The gas fraction is oxidized in the third reactor producing a third product stream including carbon dioxide. The third product stream is fed into the second reactor, wherein styrene and ethylbenzene are produced in a second product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Pelati
  • Publication number: 20120296132
    Abstract: A process for making styrene including reacting toluene with a C1 source in the presence of a catalyst and a co-feed including at least one oxidizing agent in a reactor to form a product stream including ethylbenzene and styrene and, optionally, at least one de-oxidized oxidizing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Sivadinarayana Chinta
  • Publication number: 20120296133
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane in one or more microreactors is disclosed. In one embodiment a method of revamping an existing styrene production facility by adding one or more microreactors capable of reacting toluene with methane to produce a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and/or styrene is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 8314282
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting toluene with methane to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and further processing the ethylbenzene to form styrene in an existing styrene production facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Joseph E. Pelati
  • Publication number: 20120283497
    Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound in an alkylation reaction zone, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first catalytic particulate material which comprises MCM-56 and having a ratio of surface area over surface volume ratio greater than about 79 cm?1; (b) providing said alkylation reaction zone with an alkylatable aromatic compound, an alkylating agent, and said first catalytic particulate material; and (c) contacting said alkylatable aromatic compound and said alkylating agent with said catalytic particulate material in said alkylation reaction zone maintained under alkylation conditions, to form a product comprised of said monoalkylated aromatic compound and polyalkylated aromatic compound(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Christine N. Elia, Frederick Y. Lo, Yun-Feng Chang
  • Publication number: 20120277509
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for making styrene and/or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst in one or more reactors to form a product stream comprising styrene and/or ethylbenzene where the catalyst time on stream prior to regeneration is less than 1 hour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Thorman, James Butler, Sivadinarayana Chinta
  • Publication number: 20120271084
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. Representative methods comprise fractionating a transalkylation effluent, exiting a transalkylation reaction zone and comprising C8 and C9 aromatic hydrocarbons, to provide a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction and a C9 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction. The methods may further comprise (i) recycling the C9 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction to the transalkylation reaction zone and/or (ii) separating, in a xylene separation zone, isomers of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons in the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched fraction, into a para-xylene-enriched extract and a para-xylene-depleted raffinate. Performance in the transalkylation reaction zone is improved and/or downstream processing requirements in an aromatics complex are mitigated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: ROBERT HAIZMANN, PAUL ALVIN SECHRIST
  • Patent number: 8269053
    Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane in one or more microreactors is disclosed. In one embodiment a method of revamping an existing styrene production facility by adding one or more microreactors capable of reacting toluene with methane to produce a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and/or styrene is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 8258357
    Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated process for the efficient production of olefins from C4 feedstocks comprising butane and more particularly to a method of producing propylene and butadiene. The process combines a dehydrogenation unit with an olefin conversion unit to convert butane feedstock to propylene and butadiene products. The combined catadiene-OCT process produces yields of propylene from normal butane in excess of 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kerman Dukandar, David Spence, Sunil Panditrao
  • Patent number: 8258360
    Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic product in a reactor by reacting a mixed phase mixture of an alkylatable aromatic compound feedstock with another feedstock comprising alkene component in a reaction zone containing an alkylation catalyst. An effluent comprising the monoalkylated aromatic product and polyalkylated aromatic compounds exits from the reaction zone in liquid phase. The polyalkylated aromatic compounds can be separated as feed stream for transalkylation reaction in a transalkylation reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc., Stone & Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda, Brian Maerz
  • Patent number: 8247616
    Abstract: A method of producing phenol, acetone and alpha-methyl styrene. A mixture of cumene hydroperoxide and dimethylbenzyl alcohol is provided. The mixture is subjected to a first stage reaction in the presence of about 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % water and about 20 to 400 ppm sulfuric acid at a reactor pressure of about 450 to 760 mm Hg, a temperature of about 60 to 85° C., and a residence time of 4 to 45 minutes to produce a composition having an acetone to phenol mole ratio of about 1 to 1.5. The composition is subjected to a second stage reaction in the presence of about 0.5 to 3 wt. % additional water with a second stage reactor temperature of about 110 to 150° C. and a residence time of 0.5 to 30 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Keenan, Michael K. Hagans
  • Patent number: 8247627
    Abstract: In a process for producing phenol and/or cyclohexanone, benzene and hydrogen are contacted with a first catalyst in a hydroalkylation step to produce a first effluent stream comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexane, and unreacted benzene. At least part of the first effluent stream is supplied to a first separation system to divide the first effluent stream part into a cyclohexylbenzene-rich stream and a C6 product stream comprising unreacted benzene and cyclohexane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, J. Scott Buchanan, Jane C. Cheng, Tan-Jen Chen, Lorenzo C. DeCaul, Terry E. Helton, Jon E. Stanat, Francisco M. Benitez
  • Patent number: 8247629
    Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound in an alkylation reaction zone, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first catalytic particulate material having a ratio of surface area over volume ratio greater than about 79 cm?1, (b) providing said alkylation reaction zone with an alkylatable aromatic compound, an alkylating agent, and said first catalytic particulate material; and (c) contacting said alkylatable aromatic compound and said alkylating agent with said catalytic particulate material in said alkylation reaction zone maintained under alkylation conditions, to form a product comprised of said monoalkylated aromatic compound and polyalkylated aromatic compound(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Christine N. Elia, Frederick Y. Lo, Yun-Feng Chang
  • Patent number: 8227654
    Abstract: In a process for reducing the amount of benzene produced in a startup procedure for purification of an aromatic feedstream, the improvement comprising a start-up procedure including contacting said catalyst with said feedstream at elevated LHSV for a period of time sufficient to reduce benzene and/or toluene levels to a predetermined level, and proceeding under normal operational conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy F. Kinn, Michael C. Clark
  • Patent number: 8222468
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for conversion of feedstock comprising organic compounds to desirable conversion product at organic compound conversion conditions in the presence of catalyst comprising an acidic, porous crystalline material and having a Proton Density Index of greater than 1.0, for example, from greater than 1.0 to about 2.0, e.g. from about 1.01 to about 1.85. The acidic, porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise a porous, crystalline material or molecular sieve having the structure of zeolite Beta, an MWW structure type material, e.g. MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49, MCM-56, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Teng Xu, Matthew J. Vincent
  • Patent number: 8217214
    Abstract: Disclosed are ethylbenzene processes in which a series-arranged or combined vapor phase alkylation/transalkylation reaction zone is retrofitted to have a vapor phase alkylation reactor and a liquid phase transalkylation reactor, and in which a parallel-arranged vapor phase alkylation reactor and vapor phase transalkylation reactor is retrofitted to have a vapor phase alkylation reactor and liquid phase transalkylation reactor, wherein the xylenes content of the ethylbenzene product is less than 700 wppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc., Stone & Weber, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Vijay Nanda, Carlos N. Lopez, Brian Maerz, Maruti Bhandarkar
  • Patent number: 8207388
    Abstract: A catalytic composition is described for the transalkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons comprising a zeolite and an inorganic binder, characterized by an extra-zeolitic porosity, i.e. the porosity obtained by adding the mesoporosity and the macroporosity fractions present in the catalytic composition, higher than or equal to 0.7 cc/g, which is such as to consist for a fraction of at least 30% of pores having a diameter greater than 100 nanometers. These catalytic compositions have a crushing strength not lower than 1.7 kg/mm and an apparent density not higher than 0.5 g/cc. A process is also described for the transalkylation of polyalkylated aromatic hydrocarbons which uses these catalytic compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Polimeri Europa S.p.A.
    Inventors: Elena Bencini, Gianni Girotti
  • Publication number: 20120149959
    Abstract: A process is presented for controlling the output of monoalkylated benzenes. The alkylbenzenes are linear alkylbenzenes and the process controls the 2-phenyl content of the product stream. The control of the process to generate a linear alkylbenzene with a 2-phenyl content within a desired range by recycling a portion of the effluent from the alkylation reactor to the inlet of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Riley, Stephen W. Sohn, Deng-Yang Jan
  • Patent number: 8193111
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for desorbing an adsorbent bed. The process can include passing a desorbent stream through the adsorbent bed to remove at least one of a nitrile compound and an oxygenate compound. Generally, the desorbent stream after desorbing is combined with a feed stream for an alkylation zone after a selective hydrogenation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Charles P. Luebke, David N. Myers, Steven L. Krupa
  • Patent number: 8183424
    Abstract: In a process for producing xylene by transalkylation of a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock with a C6 and/or C7 aromatic hydrocarbon, the C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock, at least one C6 and/or C7 aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen are contacted with a first catalyst comprising (i) a first molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range of about 3 to about 12 and (ii) at least first and second different metals or compounds thereof of Groups 6 to 12 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Contacting with the first catalyst is conducted under conditions effective to dealkylate aromatic hydrocarbons in the feedstock containing C2+ alkyl groups and to saturate C2+ olefins formed so as to produce a first effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Levin, April D. Ross, James H. Beech, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120108873
    Abstract: A method of making a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed. A process for making styrene or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivadinarayana Chinta, Joseph L. Thorman
  • Patent number: 8119848
    Abstract: A process for treating an alkylation feedstock comprising olefins, n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, and impurities including one or more of butadiene, oxygenates, nitrogen-containing compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds, the process including: contacting an alkylation feedstock containing at least one of oxygenates and nitrogen-containing compounds with water to produce a hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced concentration of the at least one of oxygenates and nitrogen-containing compounds and an aqueous fraction comprising at least a portion of the at least one of oxygenates and nitrogen-containing compounds; separating water from the hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced concentration to produce a hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced water content; contacting the hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced water content with an oligomerization catalyst in a first oligomerization reaction zone under oligomerization conditions to react at least a portion of the olefins to form a reactor effluent comprising olefin oli
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: William M. Cross, Jr., Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Gary G. Podrebarac
  • Patent number: 8110161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of alkylated aromatic compounds comprising introducing olefin and aromatic compounds into at least first and second vertically spaced catalytic reaction zones in an alkylation unit under alkylation reaction conditions to provide an alkylated product, wherein the second catalytic reaction zone is positioned above the first catalytic reaction zone; wherein aromatic compound from each of the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones are contacted with a cooling means for re-condensing at least a portion of the aromatic compounds vaporized from the exothermic heat of reaction of the alkylation process; and wherein the olefin is introduced into the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones via respective first and second olefin feed streams at respective olefin feed rates such as to maintain olefin partial pressures at inlets to at least first and second catalytic reaction zones which vary by less than about ten percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin John Schwint
  • Publication number: 20110306809
    Abstract: The process converts ethylene in a dilute ethylene stream and dilute benzene in an aromatic containing stream via alkylation to heavier hydrocarbons. The catalyst may be a zeolite such as UZM-8. The catalyst is resistant to feed impurities such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon oxides, and hydrogen and selectively converts benzene. At least 40 wt-% of the ethylene in the dilute ethylene stream and at least 20 wt-% of the benzene in the dilute benzene stream can be converted to heavier hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Nicholas, Alakananda Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20110306800
    Abstract: An improved method for the production of phenol, acetone and alpha-methyl styrene (AMS) from a cumene hydroperoxide and dimethylbenzyl alcohol (DMBA) mixture is described, wherein 0.5-5% additional water by weight is added prior to the final DMBA dehydration step, carried out in the presence of about 20-400 ppm mineral acid catalyst at 110-150° C. for 0.5 to 40 minutes residence time. The use of additional water allows greater flexibility in maintaining optimum temperature in the second stage over a much broader turndown range with fixed equipment, decreases the residual dicumyl peroxide (DCP) at the yield optimum for a given temperature, and increases the overall yield of AMS at optimum conditions at a given temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Roy Keenan, Michael Keith Hagans
  • Publication number: 20110306810
    Abstract: Processes for catalytically synthesizing ethylbenzene from ethanol and benzene comprising: 1) reacting a first mixture comprising ethanol and benzene with at least one catalyst chosen from binder-containing alkylation catalysts and binder-free alkylation catalysts in an alkylation reactor to obtain a second mixture comprising residual benzene, ethylbenzene, diethylbenzene, and water; 2) passing the second mixture successively through a benzene recovery tower, an ethylbenzene recovery tower, and a polyethylbenzene recovery tower to obtain separated water, separated benzene, separated ethylbenzene, and separated diethylbenzene; and 3) reacting a third mixture with at least one transalkylation catalyst in a transalkylation reactor, wherein the third mixture comprises at least some of the separated benzene and at least some of the separated diethylbenzene at a weight ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Weimin Yang, Hongmin Sun, Wenjie Liu, Bin Zhang, Zhenhao Shen, Mingyao Huan, Hongyu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110282121
    Abstract: A process for the production of a mixture of alkylbenzenes in the presence of an aromatic feedstock and an olefinic stream produced from an ethylene feedstock is described, with said process comprising at least: a) A first stage for oligomerization of said ethylene feedstock that consists of at least one hydrocarbon effluent that comprises a mixture of olefins having a number of carbon atoms that is for the most part between 4 and 30, whereby said mixture of olefins comprises a C10-C24 olefinic fraction that has a mean linearity that is greater than 60%, in the presence of a homogeneous catalytic system, b) A second stage for oligomerization of the effluent that is obtained from said stage a) that consists of at least one hydrocarbon effluent that comprises a mixture of olefins having a number of carbon atoms that is for the most part between 4 and 30, whereby said mixture of olefins comprises a C10-C24 olefinic fraction that has a mean linearity that is less than 50%, in the presence of a homogeneous cata
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Emmanuelle Guillon, Eric Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20110282120
    Abstract: A process for oligomerizing isobutene comprises contacting a feedstock comprising isobutene with a catalyst comprising a MCM-22 family molecular sieve under conditions effective to oligomerize the isobutene, wherein said conditions including a temperature from about 45° C. to less than 140° C. The isobutene may be a component of a hydrocarbon feedstock containing at least one additional C4 alkene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: John Scott Buchanan, Jane Chi-Ya Cheng, Jihad Mohammed Dakka, Jon Edmond Stanat
  • Patent number: 8057664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having at least 50 wt. % of C8 aromatics, comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, James R. Waldecker, Khavinet Lourvanij
  • Publication number: 20110275871
    Abstract: A process for the production of alkylbenzenes in the presence of an aromatic feedstock and an olefinic stream produced from an ethanol feedstock, itself produced from a renewable source obtained from biomass, is described, with said process comprising at least: a) A stage for purification of said ethanol feedstock, b) A stage for dehydration of said purified ethanol feedstock, obtained from said stage a), into an effluent that is for the most part ethylene, c) At least one stage for separation of the water that is present in said effluent that is for the most part ethylene obtained from said stage b), d) A first stage for oligomerization of said effluent that is for the most part ethylene in the presence of at least one catalyst that comprises at least one element of group VIII, e) A second stage for oligomerization of at least some of the effluent that is obtained from said stage d) in the presence of at least one amorphous catalyst or at least one zeolitic catalyst, f) A stage for fractionation of the ef
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Eric SANCHEZ, Emmanuelle Guillon
  • Patent number: 8052938
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Tom N. Kalnes, Paul T. Barger, Gavin P. Towler, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 8048388
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing para-xylene, comprising (a) contacting a pygas feedstock and methylating agent with a catalyst under reaction conditions to produce a product having para-xylene, wherein the product has higher para-xylene content than the para-xylene content of the pygas feedstock; and (b) separating the para-xylene from the product of the step (a), wherein the catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1-15 sec?1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 8 kPa-a and the pygas comprises from about 1 to about 65 wt % benzene and from about 5 to 35 wt % toluene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Harold Brown, John Scott Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8048294
    Abstract: A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock, the process comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes at least one molecular sieve and at least one clay, and wherein said catalyst is sufficient to reduce more than 50% of the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Harold Brown, Gary David Mohr, Michael Christopher Clark, Selma Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8048295
    Abstract: A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feed containing bromine-reactive contaminants that has improved cycle length and utilizes a crystalline molecular sieve catalyst. The process is carried out by contacting the hydrocarbon feed under conversion conditions with a catalyst shaped in the form of an elongated aggregate comprising a crystalline molecular sieve having a MWW or *BEA framework type. The shortest cross-sectional dimension of the elongated aggregate is less about 1/10 inch (2.54 millimeters).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Brown, Jose G. Santiesteban, Bryson J. Sundberg, Terry E. Helton, Daria N. Lissy, Jean W. Beeckman, Arthur P. Werner
  • Publication number: 20110245558
    Abstract: Cumene production methods are disclosed, based on the alkylation of benzene with propylene, in which byproducts of the alkylation reaction are advantageously reduced to achieve a high cumene selectivity. This may be attained by (i) reducing the portion of the total alkylation effluent that is recycled, after cooling, to the alkylation reaction zone for quenching or direct heat exchange and/or (ii) reducing the benzene:propylene molar ratio of the alkylation feedstock. To manage the temperature differential across catalyst bed(s) in the alkylation reaction zone, indirect heat exchange may be used to remove heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20110245559
    Abstract: The process converts FCC olefins to heavier compounds. The heavier compounds are more easily separated from the unconverted paraffins. The heavier compounds can be recycled to an FCC unit or delivered to a separate FCC unit. Suitable conversion zones are oligomerization and aromatic alkylation zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joao Jorge da Silva Ferreira Alves, James E. Rekoske, Christopher P. Nicholas