Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Alan W. Klaassen
  • Patent number: 8324437
    Abstract: An unleaded aviation fuel composition, containing at least one saturated branched aliphatic hydrocarbon having a carbon number in the C4 to C10 range, further contains sufficient m-xylene to yield a fuel having a MON of at least 98. A process is further provided for producing the unleaded aviation fuel composition by admixing a m-xylene enriched liquid with alkylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Hemighaus, William Cannella
  • Patent number: 8211375
    Abstract: The invention is a fluid distribution device for coupling with a fluid distribution conduit or chimney for improving the distribution of downwardly flowing poly-phase mixture including at least one gas phase and at least one liquid phase, above at least one catalyst bed of granular solid catalytic material. The fluid distribution device for receiving the liquid and gas phases has one or more openings in the top and/or upper portion of its height through which a gas phase can enter and has a gas conduit that opens to a mixing cavity within the device. The fluid distribution device further comprises one or more lateral openings for liquid ingress. The lateral opening or openings allow the liquid to enter a liquid conduit that opens to the internal mixing cavity. The mixing cavity allows intimate contact between the liquid and gas phases. Therefore the flow distribution device of the invention provides improved tolerance for tray out of levelness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Krishniah Parimi, Steven X. Song, Ralph E. Killen, Ronald K. Meeker, Steven A. Souers
  • Patent number: 8206577
    Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander E. Kuperman, Jinyi Han
  • Patent number: 8167281
    Abstract: A tray deck with a distillation column includes a sump suspended from the tray deck for receiving a liquid mixture from the tray deck, at least one vapor opening for rising vapor through the tray deck and at least one vapor baffle for receiving vapor passing through the vapor opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Alphonzo George Nelson
  • Patent number: 8056637
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is modified to permit the passage of a downhole treatment chemical through the valve while bypassing a valve closure member which is maintained within the safety valve in operative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Larnach
  • Patent number: 7543613
    Abstract: A system and a process are provided for transferring a cryogenic fluid such as liquefied natural gas between a floating transport vessel and a storage vessel. The fluid is transferred through at least one submerged/subsea/subsurface catenary flexible conduit, the conduits being configured to avoid damage from waves and abrasion or contact with the other conduits, the vessels, or other objects. A conduit transfer vessel is provided for storing the conduit in the water, delivering the conduit to each transport vessel, but standing off from the transport vessel during cryogenic fluid transfer, and then retrieving the conduit from the transport vessel, which greatly improves the safety of the cryogenic fluid transfer operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, David T. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6663768
    Abstract: An integrated process for preparing a lubricating oil base stock includes an isomerization step followed by a solvent dewaxing step. A waxy feed is isomerized to an intermediate pore point, which is at least 6° C. above a target pour point, over a select molecular sieve having specified pore properties. The isomerized oil is then solvent dewaxed to a very low pour point. This process produces a dewaxed lubricating oil base stock which has an exceptionally high viscosity index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Patent number: 6579441
    Abstract: A base oil feed having a tendency to form a haze at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures is contacted with a solid adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the haze precursors, thereby reducing the haze-forming tendency of the base oil feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Biscardi, Darren P. Fong
  • Patent number: 6468418
    Abstract: A base oil feed having a tendency to form a haze at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures is contacted with a solid adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the haze precursors, thereby reducing the haze-forming tendency of the base oil feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Biscardi, Kamala R. Krishna, John M. Rosenbaum, Nadine L. Yenni, R. Larry Howell, Krishnia Parimi
  • Patent number: 6468417
    Abstract: A dewaxed oil having a tendency to form a haze at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures is contacted with a solid adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the haze precursors, thereby reducing the haze-forming tendency of the dewaxed oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Biscardi, Kamala R. Krishna, John M. Rosenbaum, Nadine L. Yenni, R. Larry Howell
  • Patent number: 6359018
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon stream from Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon product without having to remove particulate contaminants such as catalyst fines from hot Fischer-Tropsch wax is disclosed. The process involves performing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, preferably under conditions which favor formation of wax and heavy products (i.e., using a catalyst with high chain growth probabilities), and obtaining a waxy heavy fraction including particulate contaminants. The fraction is subjected to hydroprocessing conditions, preferably upflow hydroprocessing conditions, using a catalyst bed which, through judicious selection of hydroprocessing catalysts and/or flow conditions, permits passage of the particulate contaminants. The particulates are then removed from the upgraded liquid product, for example by filtration, distillation and/or centrifugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc
    Inventors: Dennis J. O'Rear, Krishniah Parimi, Richard O. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6224747
    Abstract: A VGO stream is hydrocracking in a hydrocracking reaction zone within an integrated hydroconversion process. Effluent from the hydrocracking reaction zone is combined with a light aromatic-containing feed stream, and the blended stream hydrotreated in a hydrotreating reaction zone. The hydrocracked effluent serves as a heat sink for the hydrotreating reaction zone. The integrated reaction system provides a single hydrogen supply and recirculation system for use in two reaction systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Cash, Arthur J. Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 6200462
    Abstract: A process for reverse gas flow to obtain high conversion, selective hydrotreating and product selectivity in hydroprocessing reactor systems is disclosed. In the integrated process, hydrogen recovered from a hydrotreating reactor is purified and used as a source of hydrogen for a hydrocracking reaction zone. Hydrogen recovered from the hydrocracking reaction zone is recovered without substantial cooling and used as a source of hydrogen for the hydrotreating reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Cash, Hyung-Jae A. Yoon
  • Patent number: 6179995
    Abstract: An integrated residuum hydroconversion process which includes a residuum hydrotreater and a desulfurized oil hydrocracker produces high quantities of high quality middle distillate fuels. Distillate range products from the residuum hydrotreater are hydrocracked, while catalyst fouling from heavy aromatics present in the hydrotreated products is minimized. The process includes a single hydrogen supply and recovery loop for increased cost and energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Cash, Martin J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6096190
    Abstract: A refinery stream such as a VGO is hydrocracking in a hydrocracking reaction zone within an integrated hydroconversion process. Effluent from the hydrocracking reaction zone is combined with a second refinery stream, and the blended stream hydrotreated in a hydrotreating reaction zone. The hydrocracked effluent serves as a heat sink for the hydrotreating reaction zone. The integrated reaction system provides a single hydrogen supply and recirculation system for use in two reaction systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis R. Cash
  • Patent number: 6030921
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel platinum palladium alloy catalyst useful in hydrofinishing and hydrocracking non low sulfur content feedstock and the process of hydrofinishing and hydrocracking such non low sulfur content feedstock feeds. The catalyst maintains the activity of a palladium catalyst with the sulfur tolerance of a platinum catalyst without the need for the higher reaction temperatures normally associated with platinum based catalysts and thus avoid the higher rates of undesirable cracking reactions in the fabrication of a lubricating base oil stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Ziemer
  • Patent number: 5997732
    Abstract: Severely contaminated white mineral oils which fail the RCS specification are treated using an acid-treated bentonite clay, such as TONSIL CO 630G. The white oil products produced in the treatment may be a USP grade white oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Nadine Yenni, Chan Vu
  • Patent number: 5993644
    Abstract: A process is provided for preparing high quality Group II and Group III lubricating base oils from a sulfur containing feedstock using mild hydrotreating followed by isomerization/dewaxing followed by hydrogenation over a sulfur resistant hydrogenation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jirong Xiao, Phil Winslow, James N. Ziemer
  • Patent number: 5958220
    Abstract: A distributor assembly for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon is presented. The distributor assembly has a circular plate with a plurality of hollow risers bound thereto for distributing hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon through openings in the circular plate member. Each of the hollow risers has a tubular opening In its associated side. The distributor assembly is connected to an internal wall of a reactor. A method is also presented for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising flowing a mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon into a reactor zone to produce evolved hydrogen-containing gas; and flowing the mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon through a plurality of tubular zones while admixing simultaneously therewith the evolved hydrogen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Reynolds, Bruce E. Stangeland, Krishniah Parimi, Robert W. Bachtel
  • Patent number: 5942104
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing non-zeolitic molecular sieves using inexpensive reagents and at lower manufacturing cost. The method includes using a low density, small size particulate hydrated alumina, such as aluminum hydroxide, in place of aluminum alkoxides and other more costly reagents. The preferred particulate hydrated alumina has a density of less than 1.0 g/cm.sup.3, an average particle size of less than about 40 microns and an alkali content of less than 0.12 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller