Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Edward T. Mickelson
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Patent number: 8173826Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an enrichment process that involves a separation and/or fractionation and/or enrichment of monounsaturated fatty acid/ester molecules from polyunsaturated fatty acid/ester molecules or, correspondingly, monounsaturated molecules from saturated molecules. Such processes are at least partially based on ?(pi)-complexation between metal ions and unsaturated bonds of the extractible molecules (fatty acids/esters), wherein a greater degree of unsaturation provides for greater coordinating (bond) strength and corresponding selectivity in the associated ?-complexation with metal ions.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Prakhar Prakash, Michael Driver, Zunqing He
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Patent number: 8147766Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for processing biomass to selectively yield a variety of hydrocarbon molecules and hydrogen as products, wherein some or all of these products can be further utilized for other biomass processing sub-processes, particularly wherein they lead to the generation of biofuels and/or other high-value products.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Kerry K. Spilker, Roger Vogel, James F. Stevens, Peter C. Ricci
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Patent number: 8147567Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to novel biodiesel fuel compositions having enhanced low-temperature properties. The present invention is additionally directed to methods (i.e., processes) for making such enhanced biodiesel fuels by improving the low-temperature properties of ester-based biodiesel fuels via in situ enhancement and/or additive enhancement.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Guangci Zhou, Curt Munson, Saleh A. Elomari, Stephen H. Roby
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Patent number: 8142524Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to novel fuel compositions and to methods (i.e., processes) for enhancing the combustion efficiency and/or other properties of diesel fuels, particularly wherein such diesel fuels are, or comprise, biodiesel, such biodiesel typically having poorer low-temperature properties than traditional (petroleum) diesel. Generally, such fuel compositions are provided by the creation and inclusion of a quantity of one or more epoxy-ester species, such species serving as combustion improvers for the fuel composition of which they are part.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Stephen H. Roby, Guangci Zhou
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Patent number: 8124572Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils, wherein such processing comprises conversion of triglycerides to free fatty acids and the separation of these fatty acids by saturation type. Such separation by type enables the efficient preparation of both lubricants and transportation fuels from a common source using a single integrated method and/or system.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Stephen Joseph Miller
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Patent number: 8076122Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to processes that integrate CO2-producing conversions of hydrocarbonaceous assets with biofuels processes that utilize CO2 photosynthesis. In some embodiments such processes involve the absorption of CO2 in an absorption liquid. In some such embodiments such absorption is carried out in an absorption tower. In some other such embodiments, there is a subsequent desorption of the CO2. Generally, at least some of the CO2 captured by the absorption liquid is used to grow microbes or diatom species.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
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Patent number: 8076121Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to processes that integrate CO2-producing conversions of hydrocarbonaceous assets with biofuels processes that utilize CO2 in photosynthesis. In some embodiments, such processes involve the absorption of CO2 in an absorption liquid. In some such embodiments, such absorption is carried out in an absorption tower. In some other such embodiments, there is a subsequent desorption of the CO2. Generally, at least some of the CO2 captured by the absorption liquid is used to grow microbes or diatom species.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
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Patent number: 7960598Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for processing biomass to selectively yield a variety of hydrocarbon molecules and hydrogen as products, wherein some or all of these products can be further utilized for other biomass processing sub-processes, particularly wherein they lead to the generation of biofuels and/or other high-value products.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Kerry K. Spilker, Roger Vogel, James F. Stevens, Peter C. Ricci
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Patent number: 7960596Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Stephen Joseph Miller
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Patent number: 7960597Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Stephen Joseph Miller
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Patent number: 7931703Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to novel biodiesel fuel compositions having enhanced low-temperature properties. The present invention is additionally directed to methods (i.e., processes) for making such enhanced biodiesel fuels by improving the low-temperature properties of ester-based biodiesel fuels via in situ enhancement and/or additive enhancement.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Stephen H. Roby, Guangci Zhou
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Patent number: 7871967Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh A. Elomari
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Patent number: 7867959Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via direct esterification of epoxide intermediates. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and tatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Zhen Zhou, Saleh A. Elomari
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Patent number: 7838272Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for integrating gas-to-liquids (GTL) processing with biofuels production. In some embodiments of the present invention, carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by GTL processing is used to support grovel (via photosynthesis) of microalgae. In some such embodiments, the microalgae can be further processed to yield a diesel fuel that can be used either by itself, or mixed with fuel produced by the GTL processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Stephen Joseph Miller
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Patent number: 7834226Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for producing biofuels via biomass, waste plastic, and/or Fischer-Tropsch product feeds. Such methods and systems are an improvement over the existing art at least in that they are feed-tolerant (i.e., allow for variability) and provide an economy of scale, while typically retaining the environmental benefits associated with such processing of such feeds.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Stephen Joseph Miller
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Patent number: 7815694Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils, wherein such processing comprises conversion of triglycerides to free fatty acids and the separation of these fatty acids by saturation type. Such separation by type enables the efficient preparation of both lubricants and transportation fuels from a common source using a single integrated method and/or system.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Stephen Joseph Miller
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Patent number: 7735378Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to the in situ measurement of fluid density and/or flow rate in tubular conduits, wherein such measurement comprises measuring dynamic fluid level and/or load (weight) in a region of the conduit and correlating these measurements of the fluid with a density and/or flow rate. Such measurements are typically directed toward drilling fluids transported within the tubular conduits—particularly the return flow, wherein the fluid comprises extraneous material (e.g., cuttings, etc.) which can alter the density and flow rate of the drilling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignees: FSI International Corp Limited, Mezurx Pty LtdInventors: Christian Singfield, Catalin D. Ivan, Mark Morgan
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Patent number: 7507326Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for hydroprocessing Fischer-Tropsch products. The invention in particular relates to an integrated method for producing liquid fuels from a hydrocarbon stream provided by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The method involves separating the Fischer-Tropsch products into a light fraction (FT condensate) and a heavy fraction. The heavy fraction is subjected to hydrocracking conditions, preferably through multiple catalyst beds, to reduce the chain length. The products of the hydrocracking reaction following the last catalyst bed are subjected to a separation step. The lighter material is combined with the Fischer-Tropsch condensate and hydrotreated. The hydrotreatment conditions hydrogenate double bonds, reduce oxygenates to paraffins, and desulfurize and denitrify the products. The heavier material from the separation step is sent to the lube plant for hydroisomerization, or is subjected to subsequent fraction steps to produce fuels and middle distillates.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Darush Farshid, Richard O. Moore, Jr.
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Patent number: 6756026Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for growing carbon fiber from single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) molecular arrays. The carbon fiber which comprises an aggregation of substantially parallel carbon nanotubes may be produced by growth (elongation) of a suitable seed molecular array. The first step is to open the growth end of the SWNTs in the molecular array. Next, a transition metal catalyst is added to the open-ended seed array. In the next step, the SWNT molecular array with catalyst deposited on the open tube ends is subjected to tube growth (extension) conditions. The carbon supply necessary to grow the SWNT molecular array into a continuous fiber is supplied to the SWNT molecular array tip heated to a temperature sufficient to cause growth to any desired length. The continuous carbon fiber can also be grown from more than one separately prepared molecular arrays or templates.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Daniel T. Colbert, Hongjie Dai, Jason H. Hafner, Andrew G. Rinzler, Richard E. Smalley, Kenneth A. Smith, Jie Liu, Ting Guo, Pavel Nikolaev, Andreas Thess
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Patent number: 6752977Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of single-wall carbon nanotubes and the purified single-wall carbon nanotube material. Known methods of single-wall carbon nanotube production result in a single-wall carbon nanotube product that contains single-wall carbon nanotubes in addition to impurities including residual metal catalyst particles and amounts of small amorphous carbon sheets that surround the catalyst particles and appear on the sides of the single-wall carbon nanotubes and “ropes” of single-wall carbon nanotubes. The purification process removes the extraneous carbon as well as metal-containing residual catalyst particles. The process employs steps including a gas-phase oxidation of the amorphous carbon and subsequent liquid-phase reaction of a halogen-containing acid with the metal-containing species. Optionally, the single-wall carbon nanotube material may be annealed dry or in the presence of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Richard E. Smalley, Robert H. Hauge, Wan-Ting Chiang