Appeal No. 2004-1800
Application No. 10/100,522
or ether. The oxygen containing hydrocarbon is added in an amount such that the
aromatics and/or C8 and heavier hydrocarbons products produced with the light
olefin product are reduced in an amount below what they would have been had the
oxygen containing compound not been employed.
According to the Examiner, Butter describes a process of converting a feed
containing olefins and/or paraffins which are co-fed with alcohol or ether
compounds. The Examiner asserts that Butter does not discloses the purpose of the
alcohol or ether co feed. Nonetheless, the Examiner asserts the alcohol or ether co-
feed of Butter would function the same as the claimed invention. (Answer, pp. 2-3).
Contrary to the Examiner’s position, Butter discloses the purpose of the
alcohol or ether co-feed is to provide water vapor to maintain the activity of the
zeolite catalyst. (Cols. 8-9). Butter in example 12 exhibits the advantages of water
present to dilute the hydrocarbon. However, there is no disclosure that alcohol or
ether would be a suitable diluent for the hydrocarbon and provide the water vapor
discussed in columns 8 and 9 of the reference.
Appellants asserts that Butter does not describe a method of forming a light
olefin product by the catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon. Rather, Butter discloses
the conversion of lower olefins to higher olefins. (Brief, pp. 4-5). The Examiner
cites Butter’s example 14 as describing a hydrocarbon cracking process. This
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