With Autorefrigeration Patents (Class 585/715)
  • Patent number: 11655423
    Abstract: A process for separating an alkylation product includes introducing a liquid phase alkylation product from an alkylation reaction unit into a first heat-exchanger directly or after being pressurized with a pressure pump and heat-exchanged with a vapor phase stream from the column top of a high-pressure fractionating column, then into a second heat-exchanger and subsequently into the high-pressure fractionating column. The vapor phase stream from the column top of the high-pressure fractionating column is heat-exchanged with the liquid phase alkylation product to be separated, a liquid phase stream from the column bottom of the high-pressure fractionating column is introduced into a low-pressure fractionating column and subjected to fractionation under a condition of 0.2 MPa-1.0 MPa, a low-carbon alkane is obtained from the column top of the low-pressure fractionating column, and a liquid phase stream obtained from the column bottom of the low-pressure fractionating column is an alkylation oil product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION, RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM PROCESSING, SINOPEC
    Inventors: Qing Yuan, Junyi Mao, Zhenxing Zhu, Tao Huang, Zhihai Zhao, Yongxiang Li, Lifeng Hu, Xiaojin Tang
  • Patent number: 11453623
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a process for the production of alkylaromatics that may be performed using a loop reactor comprising the steps of: introducing an alkylatable aromatic compound; introducing an olefin; introducing a catalyst; adjusting the alkylatable aromatic compound to a pre-reaction temperature that is below a desired reaction temperature; optionally, adjusting the olefin to a second pre-reaction temperature that is below the desired reaction temperature; optionally, adjusting the catalyst to a third pre-reaction temperature that is below the desired reaction temperature; initially contacting the catalyst and olefin under conditions to control the temperature of the reaction of the catalyst and olefin; mixing and/or circulating the alkylatable aromatic compound, the olefin and the catalyst; and maintaining the alkylatable aromatic compound and olefin at the desired reaction temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Indorama Ventures Oxides LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Weaver
  • Patent number: 10119703
    Abstract: Methods for vaporizing hydrocarbon fuel and delivering the hydrocarbon fuel in either a vaporized phase or a supercritical phase to, for example, a combustion chamber are provided herein. A method of vaporizing a hydrocarbon fuel, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is in a liquid phase at a first temperature and a first pressure, and wherein the first temperature of the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel is less than its intrinsic oxidation or endothermic reaction temperature, the method may include lowering a pressure of the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel from the first pressure to a second pressure; and heating the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel from the first temperature to a second temperature, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel at the second temperature and the second pressure is in a substantially completely vaporized phase substantially without thermally oxidizing the hydrocarbon fuel, and wherein the hydrocarbon fuel in the substantially completely vaporized phase does not form carbonaceous contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: David A. Clark
  • Patent number: 9453167
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing hydrocarbon streams containing organic nitrogen species are provided. In an embodiment, a method for processing a hydrocarbon stream containing organic nitrogen species includes adding an aqueous acidic solution to a hydrocarbon feed stream to form a reaction stream. The method further includes contacting the reaction stream with a reaction surface and reacting the aqueous acidic solution and the organic nitrogen species to form an ammonium sulfate rich stream and a lean nitrogen naphtha stream. Also, the method includes separating an ammonium sulfate rich aqueous phase and an oil phase from the ammonium sulfate rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Steven F. Zink
  • Patent number: 8937208
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for cooling a vent stream from a receiver. Generally, the process may include providing a refrigerant including at least one compound contained in the receiver so the refrigerant leaking into the receiver can be compatible with the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert L. Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 8383874
    Abstract: A reactor for the autorefrigerant alkylation process has a reactor vessel with a lower end inlet for the refrigerant reactant and the sulfuric acid and a series of inlets for the olefin reactant at vertically spaced intervals. A flow path for the reactants is provided by co-acting baffles which define sequential reaction zones. The baffles interact with a rotary mixer with multiple impellers to provide agitation. Outlets for the vaporized refrigerant and the reaction effluent are provided at the upper end of the vessel. In the alkylation process, the liquid isoparaffin hydrocarbon reactant/refrigerant with a sulfuric acid alkylation catalyst is introduced into the lower end and passed along the extended reactant flow path with the olefin reactant introduced at intervals along the path. The reaction mixture flows in the sequence of serial reaction zones within the reactor to promote mixing of the isoparaffin reactant with the acid catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ramon A. Strauss, Ramesh R. Hemrajani, Guido L. Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20100331598
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an acid alkylation system. The system can include a cooler-reactor and a settler. The settler can have a height and a width. Usually, the height exceeds the width. Generally, the cooler-reactor receives a feed of at least one of a stream including an olefin and a stream including an isobutane. Typically, at least a portion of one of the streams is bypassed around the cooler-reactor to the settler to control the temperature within the settler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Daryl Dunham, Dale James Shields
  • Patent number: 7119243
    Abstract: An alkylation process in which a recycle stream is cooled by heat exchange with the alkylation reactor effluent is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Mehlberg, Dale J. Shields, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 6943276
    Abstract: An alkylation process in which a recycle stream is cooled by heat exchange with the alkylation reactor effluent is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Mehlberg, Dale J. Shields, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 6664432
    Abstract: The acid catalyzed—effluent refrigerated alkylation of hydrocarbons in a shell and bare tube type alkylation reactor is improved by providing the bare tubes with internal inserts capable of increasing turbulence and mixing of refrigerant within the tubes whereby heat transfer in the process is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Steven Ackerman, Ian M. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20030216604
    Abstract: The acid catalyzed-effluent refrigerated alkylation of hydrocarbons in a shell and bare tube type alkylation reactor is improved by providing the bare tubes with internal inserts capable of increasing turbulence and mixing of refrigerant within the tubes whereby heat transfer in the process is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Ackerman, Ian M. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5811625
    Abstract: The use of flow restrictors at the inlet of reactor cooling tubes significantly improves heat transfer and process performance in an acid catalyzed alkylation reaction process. Improved vaporization of the stream is achieved by equalizing the liquid distribution and the ratio of liquid and vapor entering each tube to overcome poor boiling film heat transfer. The invention relocates available pressure drop for equally subdividing the flow entering the heat exchanger into a plurality of heat exchanger inlet streams. Flow restrictors provide pressure drop at the inlets to each tube. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in contactors for the sulfuric acid catalyzed alkylation of olefinic and isoparaffinic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Elias G. Ragi, Thomas J. Godry
  • Patent number: 5625112
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for indirectly heating a mixed phase stream by contact with a boiling surface located on the inside of the plurality of heat exchange tubes. Improved vaporization of the stream is achieved by equalizing the liquid distribution and the ratio of liquid and vapor entering each tube to overcome poor boiling film heat transfer. The invention uses a means for subdividing the flow entering the heat exchanger into a plurality of streams with each of the divided streams discharging directly into a heat exchange tube. The means for dividing the stream can include baffle arrangements or plugs providing pressure drop at the inlets to the tubes. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in contactors for the sulfuric acid catalyzed alkylation of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Elias G. Ragi, Thomas J. Godry
  • Patent number: 4769511
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in an alkylation process involving effluent refrigeration in which an enhanced boiling surface heat exchanger is utilized in the alkylation reaction zone so as to carry out the reaction at its optimum reaction temperature and at a positive compressor suction pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick S. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 4293729
    Abstract: Improvements in heat exchanging of distillation steps in sulfuric acid alkylation processes; removing water from the vaporous overhead fraction of a sulfuric acid alkylation process distillation step or deisobutanizer to enable mixing thereof with the vaporous hydrocarbon effluent from the reaction zone which contains sulfur dioxide vapors sulfur trioxide and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 mist, thus permitting mixing of the vaporous fraction and effluent for compression before use as a compressed heat exchanging medium in the alkylation process; sulfuric acid alkylation with deisobutanizer tower overhead effluent acid wash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Stratford/Graham Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Norman P. Kolb, Orlando Webb
  • Patent number: 4218575
    Abstract: Improvements in alkylation effluent flash vaporization systems used in processes of alkylating isoparaffinic hydrocarbons with olefinic hydrocarbons in the presence of acid catalyst and an excess of isoparaffinic hydrocarbons; improvements in heat sources used in such alkylation effluent flash vaporization systems, specifically utilizing hot and compressed isoparaffinic hydrocarbon vapors generally available in such systems from such sources as fractionation (deisobutanizer) overhead or vapor flashing processes utilized in cooling the reaction step or both; improvements in alkylation effluent flash vaporization systems which reduce the load on the conventional step of retrieving excess isoparaffinic hydrocarbons from the alkylation reaction effluent for recycle to the reaction step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Stratford/Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Orlando Webb, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4214114
    Abstract: A process for the acid-catalyzed alkylation of an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon with an olefinic hydrocarbon is disclosed. The alkylation is effected at alkylation reaction conditions resulting in an alkylation reaction mixture containing a vapor phase generated by the exothermic heat of reaction. The vapor phase so generated has a cooling effect permitting the alkylation reaction to be effected at lower temperatures more conducive to higher quality alkylation product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Don B. Carson
  • Patent number: 4209656
    Abstract: A process for alkylating isoparaffin hydrocarbon with olefin hydrocarbon in the presence of a sulfuric acid alkylation catalyst wherein hydrocarbon effluent from an alkylation reaction zone is treated in the liquid phase with bauxite or similar adsorbent for removing acid alkyl sulfates, neutral alkyl sulfate and other corrosive species, wherein treated alkylation effluent is flashed at reduced pressure in indirect heat exchange contact with alkylation reaction mixture in said alkylation reaction zone for refrigerating said reaction mixture, and wherein flashed vapors and unflashed liquid are fractionated for recovery of isoparaffin recycle and alkylated hydrocarbon product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald F. Prescott, Charles T. Lewis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4167535
    Abstract: Field butanes, otherwise introduced into an isostripping column, also utilized to recover alkylate product from unreacted isobutane, are separately fractionated to provide an isobutane concentrate and a normal butane concentrate. The former is increased in pressure and reacted with the olefinic feed stream in admixture with HF-acid catalyst. The latter is introduced into the reaction zone wherein it is vaporized via indirect contact with the reaction mixture. Vaporous normal butane is introduced into the fractionation facility wherein the exothermic heat of reaction serves to separate the field butane stream. Alkylation reactions can thus be conducted at sub-ambient temperatures which results in an alkylate product of improved quality. This technique also obviates the necessity for a cooling water system, thus eliminating the possibility of HF-acid contamination of water bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1979
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Don B. Carson