CLAIMS
`
`1.
`
`A method for removing a contaminant from a process system, comprising
`
`the steps of:
`
`(i) providing a carrier gas source;
`
`(ii) providing a non-aqueous solvent source;
`
`(iii) delivering the carrier gas and the non-aqueous solvent from their respective
`
`sources to the process system; and
`
`(iv) removing said contaminant out of said system, wherein substantial amount of
`
`said contaminant is dissolved in said solvent in a vapor or liquid state as it
`
`is being removed from said system.
`
`2.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein the process system is selected from the
`
`group consisting of a reactor, an absorbent chamber containing a molecular sieve, and a
`
`pressure vessel.
`
`3.
`
`The method of Claim 2, wherein the process system contains a medium
`
`containing at least one material selected the group consisting of a catalyst, a support
`
`material, a molecular sieve and a desiccant.
`
`4.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein the process system comprises a reactor
`
`circuit used in a refining hydrotreating process and associated equipment.
`
`5.
`
`The method of Claim 1 wherein said associated equipment is at least one
`
`member selected from the group consisting of a shell and tube exchanger, a fired heater, a
`
`distillation tower, and an interconnecting piping.
`
`6.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier gas is at least one member
`
`selected from the group consisting of inert gas, purchase fuel gas and hydrogen.
`
`7.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier gas is at least one dry gas with
`
`the chemical formula CnHzn+z, wherein n is an integer greater than O but less than 6.
`
`Docket No.: 490127
`
`15
`
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`

`

`8.
`
`The method of claim 7 wherein the carrier gas is at least one gas selected
`
`from the group consisting of ethane and methane.
`
`9.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein the contaminant is an organic
`
`contaminant.
`
`10.
`
`The method of claim 9 wherein said organic contaminant comprises at
`
`least one member selected from the group consisting of crude oil and its derivatives,
`
`hydrocarbons and noxious gases.
`
`11.
`
`The method of claim 10, wherein said organic contaminant is a noxious
`
`gas, said noxious gas being at least one member selected from the group consisting of
`
`hydrogen sulfide, benzene, carbon monoxide, and a light end hydrocarbon, said light end
`
`hydrocarbon being capable ofresulting in a positive reading when tested for the Lower
`
`Explosive Limit ( or "LEL'').
`
`12.
`
`The method of claim 1, wherein the carrier gas is circulated through the
`
`system using a compressor.
`
`13.
`
`The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the equipment in the
`
`system is adjusted to a range of between 225 F and 400 F prior to the introduction of the
`
`solvent.
`
`14.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is introduced into the carrier
`
`gas by connecting the gas and solvent sources.
`
`15.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is a non-polar organic solvent.
`
`16.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is a C 1-C50 hydrocarbon.
`
`17.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises at least one member
`
`selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, paraffinic, isoparaffinic, aromatic,
`
`naphthenic, olefinic, diene, terpene, polymeric or halogenated hydrocarbon, and wherein
`
`the solvent is a naturally occurring, synthetic or processed organic solvent.
`
`DocketNo.: 490127
`
`16
`
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`

`

`18.
`
`The method of claim 17 wherein the solvent is a natural terpene or its
`
`hydrogenated derivatives.
`
`19.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is a processed solvent selected
`
`from the group consisting of an aromatic solvent, virgin naphtha, terpene and hexane.
`
`20.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises one or more organic
`
`compounds.
`
`21.
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is delivered to the system as a
`
`vapor and the volumetric or weight ratio of said solvent vapor and the carrier gas is
`
`accurately controlled.
`
`22.
`
`The method of claim 21 wherein the weight ratio between said solvent
`
`vapor and said carrier gas is in the range of about 0.1 to about 6.
`
`23.
`
`The method of claim 21 wherein the weight ratio between said solvent
`
`vapor and said carrier gas is in the range of about 2 to about 4.
`
`Docket No.: 490127
`
`17
`
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`

`PTOISB108a (07-09)
`Doc code: IDS
`Approved for use through 07/31/2012. 0MB 0651-0031
`Doc description: Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Filed
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid 0MB control number.
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`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`( Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)
`
`Application Number
`
`12478580
`
`Filing Date
`
`First Named Inventor
`
`Art Unit
`
`Examiner Name
`
`2009-06-04
`I Cody Nath
`
`1792
`I Saeed T. Chaudhry
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`490127
`
`Examiner Cite
`Initial*
`No
`
`Patent Number
`
`Kind
`Code1
`
`Issue Date
`
`Name of Patentee or Applicant
`of cited Document
`
`Pages,Columns,Lines where
`Relevant Passages or Relevant
`Figures Appear
`
`U.S.PATENTS
`
`I Remove I
`
`1
`
`2289351
`
`1942-07-14
`
`Dixon Enslo, et al.
`
`2
`
`3084076
`
`1963-04-02
`
`Loucks
`
`3
`
`3667487
`
`1972-06-06
`
`Schoenbeck, et al.
`
`4
`
`3897800
`
`1975-08-05
`
`Tymer, et al.
`
`5
`
`4238428
`
`1980-12-09
`
`Sansaki, et al.
`
`6
`
`4276914
`
`1981-07-07
`
`Albertson
`
`7
`
`4464189
`
`1984-08-07
`
`Tedder
`
`8
`
`5356482
`
`1994-10-18
`
`Mehta, et al.
`
`EFSWeb2.1.16
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`

`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`( Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)
`
`Application Number
`
`12478580
`
`Filing Date
`
`First Named Inventor
`
`Art Unit
`
`Examiner Name
`
`2009-06-04
`I Cody Nath
`
`1792
`I Saeed T. Chaudhry
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`490127
`
`9
`
`5389156
`
`1995-02-14
`
`Mehta, et al.
`
`10
`
`5425814
`
`1995-06-20
`
`Krajicek, et al.
`
`11
`
`5540784
`
`1996-07-30
`
`Ranes
`
`12
`
`5762719
`
`1998-06-09
`
`D'Muhala, et al.
`
`13
`
`6017492
`
`2000-01-25
`
`Hashimoto
`
`14
`
`6058974
`
`2000-05-09
`
`Blomgren
`
`15
`
`6283133
`
`2001-09-04
`
`Furuta, et al.
`
`16
`
`6858090
`
`2005-02-22
`
`Hebert
`
`17
`
`6872263
`
`2005-03-29
`
`Jansen, et al.
`
`18
`
`6936112
`
`2005-08-30
`
`Jansen, et al.
`
`19
`
`6978793
`
`2005-12-27
`
`Krueger
`
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`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`( Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)
`
`Application Number
`
`12478580
`
`Filing Date
`
`First Named Inventor
`
`Art Unit
`
`Examiner Name
`
`2009-06-04
`I Cody Nath
`
`1792
`I Saeed T. Chaudhry
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`490127
`
`20
`
`4609041
`
`1986-09-02
`
`Magda
`
`21
`
`3574319
`
`1971-04-13
`
`Morgenthaler
`
`22
`
`7198103
`
`2007-04-03
`
`Campbell
`
`23
`
`5104556
`
`1992-04-14
`
`AI-Yazdi
`
`24
`
`4049057
`
`1977-09-20
`
`Hewes
`
`25
`
`4933089
`
`1990-06-12
`
`Newton
`
`26
`
`6972274
`
`2005-12-06
`
`Slikta, et al.
`
`27
`
`6534449
`
`2003-03-18
`
`Gilmour, et al.
`
`28
`
`5678631
`
`1997-10-21
`
`Salisbury, et al.
`
`29
`
`5670460
`
`1997-09-23
`
`Neely, et al.
`
`30
`
`5183581
`
`1993-02-02
`
`Khalil, et al.
`
`EFSWeb2.1.16
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`

`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`( Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)
`
`Application Number
`
`12478580
`
`Filing Date
`
`First Named Inventor
`
`Art Unit
`
`Examiner Name
`
`2009-06-04
`I Cody Nath
`1792
`I Saeed T. Chaudhry
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`490127
`
`31
`
`4975208
`
`1990-02-04
`
`Walkins
`
`32
`
`6893509
`
`2005-05-17
`
`Sears, et al.
`
`If you wish to add additional U.S. Patent citation information please click the Add button.
`
`U.S.PATENT APPLICATION PUBLICATIONS
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`I
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`Examiner Cite
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`Publication Number
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`Kind Publication
`Code1 Date
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`Name of Patentee or Applicant
`of cited Document
`
`Pages,Columns,Lines where
`Relevant Passages or Relevant
`Figures Appear
`
`1
`
`20020139738
`
`2002-10-03
`
`Jujie, et al.
`
`2
`
`20040238006
`
`2004-12-02
`
`Sears, et al.
`
`3
`
`20040102351
`
`2004-05-27
`
`Jansen, et al
`
`I
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`Include name of the author (in CAPITAL LETTERS), title of the article (when appropriate), title of the item
`(book, magazine, journal, serial, symposium, catalog, etc), date, pages(s), volume-issue number(s),
`publisher, city and/or country where published.
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`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`( Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)
`
`Application Number
`
`12478580
`
`Filing Date
`
`First Named Inventor
`
`Art Unit
`
`Examiner Name
`
`2009-06-04
`I Cody Nath
`
`1792
`I Saeed T. Chaudhry
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`490127
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`Select File History in related US Patent Application Serial No.: 10/447,441, dated May 28, 2003 through March 8,
`2005, 98 pages
`
`Select File History in related US Patent Application Serial No.: 11/138,096, dated May 26, 2003 through June 28,
`2006, 122 pages
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`D
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`D
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`Select File History in related US Patent Application Serial No.: 11/278, 168, dated March 31, 2006 through June 26,
`2007, 128 pages
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`D
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`14, 2005, 82 pages
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`Select File History in related US Patent Application Serial No.: 10/304,370, dated November 26, 2002 through May 16, D
`2005, 144 pages
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`EXAMINER SIGNATURE
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`Examiner Signature I
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`*EXAMINER: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through a
`citation if not in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant.
`
`I Date Considered
`
`1 See Kind Codes of USPTO Patent Documents at www.USPTO.GOV or MPEP 901.04. 2 Enter office that issued the document, by the two-letter code (WIPO
`Standard ST.3). 3 For Japanese patent documents, the indication of the year of the reign of the Emperor must precede the serial number of the patent document.
`4 Kind of document by the appropriate symbols as indicated on the document under WIPO Standard ST.16 if possible. 5 Applicant is to place a check mark here i
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`

`UNITED STA IBS p A IBNT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STA TES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria., Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`12/478,580
`
`06/04/2009
`
`Cody Nath
`
`490127
`
`9766
`
`12/06/2011
`
`7590
`30954
`LATHROP & GAGE LLP
`2345 GRAND Boulevard
`SUIIB 2400
`KANSAS CITY, MO 64108
`
`EXAMINER
`
`CHAUDHRY, SAEED T
`
`ART UNIT
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`1711
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`12/06/2011
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`patent@lathropgage.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`Page 9 of 62
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`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`
`12/478,580
`
`Examiner
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`NATH ET AL.
`
`Art Unit
`
`1711
`SAEED T. CHAUDHRY
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address -(cid:173)
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE ;J. MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`1 )0 Responsive to communication(s) filed on __ .
`2a)O This action is FINAL.
`2b)[8] This action is non-final.
`3)0 An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`__ ; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)0 Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Ex parte Quayle, 1935 G.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`5)[8] Claim(s) 1-23 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s) __ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`6)0 Claim(s) __ is/are allowed.
`7)[8] Claim(s) 1-23 is/are rejected.
`8)0 Claim(s) __ is/are objected to.
`9)0 Claim(s) __ are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)0 The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11 )0 The drawing(s) filed on __ is/are: a)O accepted or b)O objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`12)0 The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PT0-152.
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`13)0 Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`a)O All b)O Some * c)O None of:
`1.0 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.0 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. __ .
`3.0 Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`*Seethe attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment{s)
`1) [8] Notice of References Cited (PT0-892)
`2) 0 Notice of Draftsperson's Patent Drawing Review (PT0-948)
`3) [8] Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 10-22-2009.
`
`4) 0 Interview Summary (PT0-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date. __ .
`5) 0 Notice of Informal Patent Application
`6) 0 Other: __ .
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 03-11)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20111128
`
`Page 10 of 62
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/478,580
`Art Unit: 1711
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Page 2
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. § 102 that form the basis for
`the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless --
`(a) the invention was known or used by others in this country, or patented or described in a printed
`publication in this or a foreign country, before the invention thereof by the applicant for a patent.
`(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public
`use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application for patent in the United
`States.
`( c) he has abandoned the invention.
`(d) the invention was first patented or caused to be patented, or was the subject of an inventor's certificate,
`by the applicant or his legal representatives or assigns in a foreign country prior to the date of the
`application for patent in this country on an application for patent or inventor's certificate filed more than
`twelve months before the filing of the application in the United States.
`( e) the invention was described in a patent granted on an application for patent by another filed in the
`United States before the invention thereof by the applicant for patent, or on an international application by
`another who has fulfilled the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of section 37l(c) of this title
`before the invention thereof by the applicant for patent.
`(f) he did not himself invent the subject matter sought to be patented.
`(g) before the applicant's invention thereof the invention was made in this country by another who had not
`abandoned, suppressed, or concealed it. In determining priority of invention there shall be considered not
`only the respective dates of conception and reduction to practice of the invention, but also the reasonable
`diligence of one who was first to conceive and last to reduce to practice, from a time prior to conception by
`the other.
`
`Claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 9-11, and 13-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being
`
`anticipated by Jansen et al.
`
`Jansen et al. (6,936,112 and 2004/0102351) disclose a method for cleaning contaminants
`
`from vessel by providing a steam source (equivalent to a gas); providing an organic solvent such
`
`as terpene (read as a non-aqueous solvent); delivering the steam (carrier gas) and terpene (non(cid:173)
`
`aqueous solvent) from the sources and removing contaminants dissolved in solvent in vapor or
`
`liquid form (see claim 1). The claimed process utilizes "comprising" langue which does not
`
`exclude other steps as disclosed by Jansen et al.
`
`Page 11 of 62
`
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/478,580
`Art Unit: 1711
`
`Page 3
`
`The process may be used to clean (i) the shell and tube sides of one exchanger at once
`
`(see col. 3, line 29). The vaporous cleaning agent solubilizes the light end hydrocarbons such as
`
`benzene that are p[resent in the heat exchangers (see col. 10, lines 35-39). The metal surfaces are
`
`usually heavily coated with petroleum residues (see col. 10, lines 49-51), which read on the
`
`claimed organic contaminants and hydrocarbons in claims 9-11. The heat exchanger is preheated
`
`to a temperature of 225 degrees F (see col. 9, line 65 through col. 10, line 4), Which read on the
`
`claimed temperature in claim 13. The solvent is introduces into the steam (carrier gas) by
`
`connecting the steam (gas) and solvent sources by administer 11 (see fig. 5, and col. 8, lines 41-
`
`42). A second ingredient in the cleaning agent is an additive such as surfactant, which are
`
`organic compounds (see col. 6, line 66 through col. 7, line 24) as claimed in claim 20. Jansen et
`
`al. disclose to clean heat exchanger, which are pressure vessel, which read on the claimed
`
`pressure vessel as claimed in claim 2. Also, Jansen et al. disclose to clean heat exchanger of
`
`refinery. Therefore, read on the claimed circuit in refining process and associated equipment as
`
`claimed in claim 4.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections
`set forth in this Office action:
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in
`section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are
`such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person
`having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the
`manner in which the invention was made.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are
`
`applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. I03(a) are summarized as
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`follows:
`
`1.
`2.
`
`Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
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`Application/Control Number: 12/478,580
`Art Unit: 1711
`
`Page 4
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`3.
`4.
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`Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
`nonobviousness.
`
`Claims 12 and 21-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
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`Jansen et al.
`
`Jansen et al. were discussed supra. However, the reference fails to specify a compressor
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`and ratio of solvent with carrier gas.
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`It would have been obvious at the time applicant invented the claimed process to
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`substitute a compressor with pump as disclosed by Jansen et al. to increase the pressure in the
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`system, which would increase the cleaning effect and reduce the time of cleaning. Further, one of
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`ordinary skill in the art would have manipulated the ration of the gas and the solvent with routine
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`experimentation for efficient and better results, since Jansen et al. disclosed a controller 11 for
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`controlling the solvent and gas supply into the system.
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`Claim 3 and 6-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
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`Jansen et al. in view of Kawakami et al.
`
`Jansen et al. were discussed supra. However, the reference fails to clean catalyst, a
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`support material.
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`Kawakami et al. (6,273,102) disclose a method for cleaning catalyst of a reactor with
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`solvent such as limonene (see col. 3, lines 21-24 and 59). The reference also, disclose that the
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`cleaning agent such a limonene is discharged by a recycle hydrogen gas circulating in the gas
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`circulation pipe (see col. 6, lines 50-53).
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`It would have been obvious at the time applicant invented the claimed process to
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`incorporate the cited steps of cleaning catalyst with solvent such as limonene as disclosed by
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`Kawakami et al. into the process of Jansen et al for purpose of removing contaminants from a
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`Page 13 of 62
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`Application/Control Number: 12/478,580
`Art Unit: 1711
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`Page 5
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`catalyst, since both the references are concerned with removing contaminants with solvent. One
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`of ordinary skill in the art would have expected that liquid solvent remove the contaminants from
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`the surface of catalyst then solvent in vapor form would also provide the same cleaning effect.
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`Further, it would have been obvious to substitute hydrogen gas as disclosed by
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`Kawakami et al. instead of steam since one of ordinary skill in the art would have expected that
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`hydrogen gas would give same results since it is just a carrier gas for the solvent, which provide
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`the solvent in vaporize form. Also, one would expect that methane or ethane gases as a carrier
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`gas would have not given any unexpected results, since these gases are only utilize for carrying
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`solvent through the equipment as Jansen et al. has disclosed.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`examiner should be directed to Saeed T. Chaudhry whose telephone number is (571) 272-
`1298. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday from 9:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`supervisor, Mr. Michael Barr, can be reached on (571)-272-1414. The fax phone number for
`non-final is (571)-273-8300.
`When filing a FAX in Gp 1700, please indicate in the Header (upper right) "Official"
`for papers that are to be entered into the file, and "Unofficial" for draft documents and other
`communication with the PTO that are for entry into the file of the application. This will
`expedite processing of your papers.
`Any inquiry of a general nature or relating to the status of this application should be
`directed to the Group receptionist whose telephone number is (571) 272-1700.
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published
`applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information
`for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information
`about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access
`to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197
`(toll-free).
`
`/Saeed T Chaudhry/
`Examiner, Art Unit 1711
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`Page 14 of 62
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`

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`PATENT
`Attorney Docket No.: 490127
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant: Nath, Cody
`
`Examiner:
`
`Chaudhry, Saeed T.
`
`Serial No.
`
`12/478,580
`
`Group Art Unit: 1711
`
`Filed:
`
`June 4, 2009
`
`Confirmation No.: 9766
`
`For: Process For Removing Hydrocarbons And
`Noxious Gasses From Reactors And Media(cid:173)
`Packed Equipment
`
`Mail Stop Amendment
`Commissioner For Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`March 5, 2012
`
`RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION
`
`This paper is being submitted in response to the Office Action mailed December 6,
`
`2011.
`
`Amendments to the Claims begin on page 2 of this response.
`
`Remarks begin on page 5 of this response.
`
`Page 1 of 7
`Response to Office Action in U.S. Patent Application 12/478,580
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`Page 15 of 62
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`Atty. Docket No. 490127
`
`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
`
`Please amend the claims as follows:
`
`1.
`
`(Currently amended) A method for removing a contaminant from a process
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`system, comprising the steps of:
`
`(i) providing a carrier gas source, said carrier gas source supplying a carrier gas that is
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`substantially free of water;
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`(ii) providing a non-aqueous solvent source;
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`(iii) delivering the carrier gas and the non-aqueous solvent from their respective
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`sources to the process system; and
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`(iv) removing said contaminant out of said system, wherein substantial amount of
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`said contaminant is dissolved in said solvent in a vapor or liquid state as it is
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`being removed from said system.
`
`2.
`
`(Original) The method of Claim 1, wherein the process system is selected
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`from the group consisting of a reactor, an absorbent chamber containing a molecular sieve,
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`and a pressure vessel.
`
`3.
`
`(Original) The method of Claim 2, wherein the process system contains a
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`medium containing at least one material selected the group consisting of a catalyst, a support
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`material, a molecular sieve and a desiccant.
`
`4.
`
`(Original) The method of Claim 1, wherein the process system comprises a
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`reactor circuit used in a refining hydrotreating process and associated equipment.
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`5.
`
`(Original) The method of Claim 1 wherein said associated equipment is at
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`least one member selected from the group consisting of a shell and tube exchanger, a fired
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`heater, a distillation tower, and an interconnecting piping.
`
`6.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier gas is at least one
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`member selected from the group consisting of inert gas, purchase fuel gas and hydrogen.
`
`Page 2 of 7
`Response to Office Action in U.S. Patent Application 12/478,580
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`Page 16 of 62
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`Atty. Docket No. 490127
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`7.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier gas is at least one dry
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`gas with the chemical formula CnH2n+2, wherein n is an integer greater than O but less than 6.
`
`8.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 7 wherein the carrier gas is at least one gas
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`selected from the group consisting of ethane and methane.
`
`9.
`
`(Original) The method of Claim 1, wherein the contaminant is an organic
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`contaminant.
`
`10.
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`(Original) The method of claim 9 wherein said organic contaminant comprises
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`at least one member selected from the group consisting of crude oil and its derivatives,
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`hydrocarbons and noxious gases.
`
`11.
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`(Original) The method of claim 10, wherein said organic contaminant is a
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`noxious gas, said noxious gas being at least one member selected from the group consisting
`
`of hydrogen sulfide, benzene, carbon monoxide, and a light end hydrocarbon, said light end
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`hydrocarbon being capable of resulting in a positive reading when tested for the Lower
`
`Explosive Limit (or "LEL").
`
`12.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1, wherein the carrier gas is circulated through
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`the system using a compressor.
`
`13.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the equipment
`
`in the system is adjusted to a range of between 225 F and 400 F prior to the introduction of
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`the solvent.
`
`14.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is introduced into the
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`carrier gas by connecting the gas and solvent sources.
`
`15.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is a non-polar organic
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`solvent.
`
`16.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is a Cl-C50
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`hydrocarbon.
`
`Page 3 of 7
`Response to Office Action in U.S. Patent Application 12/478,580
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`Atty. Docket No. 490127
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`17.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises at least one
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`member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, paraffinic, isoparaffinic, aromatic,
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`naphthenic, olefinic, diene, terpene, polymeric or halogenated hydrocarbon, and wherein the
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`solvent is a naturally occurring, synthetic or processed organic solvent.
`
`18.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 17 wherein the solvent is a natural terpene or
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`its hydrogenated derivatives.
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`19.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is a processed solvent
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`selected from the group consisting of an aromatic solvent, virgin naphtha, terpene and
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`hexane.
`
`20.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises one or more
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`organic compounds.
`
`21.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is delivered to the
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`system as a vapor and the volumetric or weight ratio of said solvent vapor and the carrier gas
`
`is accurately controlled.
`
`22.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 21 wherein the weight ratio between said
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`solvent vapor and said carrier gas is in the range of about 0.1 to about 6.
`
`23.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 21 wherein the weight ratio between said
`
`solvent vapor and said carrier gas is in the range of about 2 to about 4.
`
`Page 4 of 7
`Response to Office Action in U.S. Patent Application 12/478,580
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`Atty. Docket No. 490127
`
`Claims 1-23 are pending. Claim 1 has been amended to recite that the carrier gas
`
`source supplying a carrier gas that is substantially free of water. Support can be found in
`
`REMARKS
`
`Paragraph 17 on page 4 of the Specification as originally filed.
`
`No new matter has been added by these amendments.
`
`I.
`
`Claim Rejections-35 U.S.C. §102
`
`Claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 9-11, and 13-20 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. §102(b) as being
`
`unpatentable over U.S. Patent 6,936,112 issued to Jansen et al., which was published as a
`
`U.S. patent application publication document# 2004/0102351 (collectively referred to as
`
`"Jansen" hereinafter). Applicant respectfully disagrees. However, in order to expedite the
`
`prosecution of the instant case, Application has amended Claim 1 by reciting that the carrier
`
`gas source supplying a carrier gas that is substantially free of water. The present application
`
`discloses and claims a process for removing a contaminant from a process system by
`
`delivering a carrier gas and a non-aqueous solvent from their respective sources to the
`
`process system. The instant application further teaches that the carrier gas is preferably free
`
`of water and may be selected from the group consisting of an inert gas, purchase fuel gas and
`
`hydrogen. See, e.g., Claim 6 of the instant application. Jansen does not teach or suggest a
`
`carrier gas that is free of water. For the sake of argument, even if we assume that the steam
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`as taught in Jansen is equivalent to the carrier gas as recited in the instant claims, there was
`
`no mention in Jansen that the steam is free of water, but instead, the reference uses vaporized
`
`water from preexisting refinery sources as the chemical carrier in every disclosed
`
`embodiment. More specifically, Jansen discusses that a plant's "typical 150psi steam lines