Patents Assigned to Syntroleum Corporation
  • Patent number: 8026401
    Abstract: A process for producing a hydrocarbon from biomass. A feed stream having free fatty acids, fatty acid esters or combinations thereof is provided. The feed stream is heated in the presence of a first catalyst to produce a partially hydrodeoxygenated stream. The partially hydrodeoxygenated stream is heated in the presence of a second catalyst to produce an effluent stream containing the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Abhari, Peter Havlik
  • Patent number: 7968757
    Abstract: A process for hydrocracking biomass, and the hydrocarbons produced therefrom. A feed stream having free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, or combinations thereof is contacted with a first catalyst under hydrogen pressure and heat. The hydrocarbon product stream which is comprised predominantly of n-paraffins is separated into heavy and light fractions. The heavy fraction is contacted with a second catalyst under hydrogen pressure and heat to produce an effluent stream which is combined with the light n-paraffin fraction to form a unique middle distillate product useful as a diesel or jet fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Abhari, Lynn Tomlinson, Peter Havlik, Nathan Jannasch
  • Patent number: 7928035
    Abstract: A modified catalyst support exhibiting attrition resistance and/or deaggregation resistance is provided. A catalyst composition including the modified catalyst support is also provided. A process to produce a modified catalyst support including treatment of a support slurry with a solution of monosilicic acid is provided. A process to use a catalyst including the modified catalyst support in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Heinz J. Robota, Shelly Goodman
  • Patent number: 7851663
    Abstract: A method for producing petroleum jelly from hydrocarbons. The method converts the hydrocarbon source into a synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is converted into at least a light-hydrocarbons stream and a heavy-hydrocarbons stream, which both include a plurality of paraffins and a plurality of olefins. The plurality of paraffins is reacted with the plurality of olefins in the presence of a dialkyl peroxide initiator to form the petroleum jelly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Ramin Abhari
  • Patent number: 7846323
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for producing an isoparaffinic product useful as jet fuel from a renewable feedstock. The method may also include co-producing a jet fuel and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fraction from a renewable feedstock. The method includes hydrotreating the renewable feedstock to produce a hydrotreating unit heavy fraction that includes n-paraffins and hydroisomerizing the hydrotreating unit heavy fraction to produce a hydroizomerizing unit heavy fraction that includes isoparaffins. The method also includes recycling the hydroisomerizing unit heavy fraction through the hydroisomerization unit to produce an isoparaffinic product that may be fractionated into a jet fuel and an LPG fraction. The present invention also relates to a jet fuel produced from a renewable feedstock having improved cold flow properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Abhari, Lynn Tomlinson, Peter Havlik, Nathan Jannasch
  • Patent number: 7776207
    Abstract: A process for producing alkyl aromatic middle distillate fuels is described. The process includes (a) catalytically converting paraffinic naphtha to a composition containing benzene and olefins; (b) processing the olefin/benzene composition in an aromatic alkylation reactor to produce alkyl-benzene components (c) separating the alkyl aromatics from the unconverted naphtha; and (d) optionally recycling the unconverted paraffinic naphtha to the dehydrogenation/amortization reactor of step a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Abhari, Paul Ahner
  • Patent number: 7655135
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing contaminants from a hydroprocessing feed stream. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of removing contaminants from a hydroprocessing feed stream which originates in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor using a guard bed that employs a temperature profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Z. Havlik, Nathan Jannasch, Paul Ahner, H. Lynn Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 7442231
    Abstract: An electricity generation system is disclosed for utilization with a natural gas purification system. In one embodiment, a gas-driven engine which is substantially powered by a low-BTU gas produced in a natural gas purification process is mechanically coupled to an electric motor and is utilized to drive the electrical motor. The electric motor generates electrical energy that can be utilized to power substantially all or a portion of the purification process' electrical load. The generated electricity may be used to supply major or minor loads of the gas purification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: J. Mark Landrum
  • Publication number: 20080188576
    Abstract: A system having a movable platform including synthesis gas production, synthetic crude production and product upgrading is provided. The system may include one or more movable platforms on which the various production and/or upgrading facilities are located. A process for converting natural gas to hydrocarbon products is also provided where the process occurs on a movable platform. The process may occur on one or more operationally connected vessels. The movable platform may be any of a number of movable or transportable bases on which process equipment may be placed and/or in which hydrocarbon products may be stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: H. Lynn Tomlinson, E. Gary Roth, Kenneth Agee, Ed Sheehan, Ad van Loenhout, Linda Zeelenberg, Arjan Gerritse, Peter van Sloten
  • Patent number: 7399329
    Abstract: A process for the production of a synthesis gas from a light hydrocarbon feed, steam and an oxygen-containing stream is provided in which the feed components are mixed to form a feed mixture. The process provides an inert disengaging zone separating the mixing zone from an active catalyst zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Kym Arcuri
  • Publication number: 20080161427
    Abstract: A transportable GTL processing facility constructed on an inland barge is provided. Also provided is a process for producing liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas utilizing a transportable GTL processing facility. The facility and process may be used to access and convert stranded natural gas in an economical fashion into liquid hydrocarbons. Further provided is a transportable GTL processing facility and process for producing liquid hydrocarbons wherein the liquid hydrocarbons are upgraded into transportation fuels and other locally usable materials. Water facilities of the transportable GTL processing facility are supplied from the sea near the barge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Agee, Juan Inga, John Hutton, Ed Sheehan, Ad van Loenhout, Linda Zeelenberg, Arjan Gerritse, Peter van Sloten
  • Publication number: 20080083651
    Abstract: A process for producing alkyl aromatic middle distillate fuels is described. The process includes (a) catalytically converting paraffinic naphtha to a composition containing benzene and olefins; (b) processing the olefin/benzene composition in an aromatic alkylation reactor to produce alkyl-benzene components (c) separating the alkyl aromatics from the unconverted naphtha; and (d) optionally recycling the unconverted paraffinic naphtha to the dehydrogenation/amortization reactor of step a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ramin Abhari, Paul Ahner
  • Patent number: 7351751
    Abstract: A process for the startup of an ATR which does not contain an ignition means is provided. Also provided is a process to ascertain ATR catalyst activity prior to introduction of sufficient oxidant to form a flammable feed mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Kym Arcuri, Kurt Schimelpfenig, Jim Leahy, Michael Morgan
  • Publication number: 20080028634
    Abstract: A system for drying fuel feedstocks, comprising a heat exchanger to heat an initial nitrogen gas and a combustion turbine engine for producing a combustion turbine exhaust. An apparatus for forming a pulverized fuel receives the heated nitrogen gas and combustion turbine exhaust, forming a steam and nitrogen mixture with the pulverized fuel source. A filter receives the mixture for filtering the dried fuel feedstock from the steam and nitrogen. The system further comprises a blower for applying a vacuum to the filter to separate the steam and nitrogen mixture into a discharge stream for and a recycle stream for mixing with additional dry nitrogen gas prior to mixing with combustion turbine exhaust in a continuous process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Leahy
  • Publication number: 20080028631
    Abstract: A system for drying fuel feedstocks, comprising a heat exchanger to heat an initial nitrogen gas and a combustion turbine engine for producing a combustion turbine exhaust. An apparatus for forming a pulverized fuel receives the heated nitrogen gas and combustion turbine exhaust, forming a steam and nitrogen mixture with the pulverized fuel source. A filter receives the mixture for filtering the dried fuel feedstock from the steam and nitrogen. The system further comprises a blower for applying a vacuum to the filter to separate the steam and nitrogen mixture into a discharge stream for and a recycle stream for mixing with additional dry nitrogen gas prior to mixing with combustion turbine exhaust in a continuous process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Leahy
  • Publication number: 20080021118
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved hydrocarbon recovery process of the Fischer-Tropsch process overhead stream using a scrubber system. Described is a process for recovering Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons from a reactor exit gas produced from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis operation. The process includes (a) passing the reactor exit gas to a gas/liquid contactor; and (b) withdrawing a lean tail gas stream, a light hydrocarbon stream, and a water stream from the scrubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Inga, Tsungani Record
  • Patent number: 7314503
    Abstract: A process for the removal of inert gases, such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, from methane-containing gases, such as natural gas, including a first stage removal which lowers the total combined inert content to about less than 30% and a second stage removal utilizing a pressure swing adsorption process comprising one or more adsorbent beds comprising contracted titanosilicate-1 adsorbent, wherein the purified methane-containing gas contains less than about 6% total combined inerts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: J. Mark Landrum, Branch J. Russell, Kenneth Agee, Stephen LeViness
  • Patent number: 7311815
    Abstract: A method of preparing high linear paraffin or high end-chain monomethyl content products is accomplished by converting synthesis gas in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to hydrocarbon products. These may be hydrotreated to provide an n-paraffin content of greater than 50% by weight, with substantially all branched paraffins being monomethyl end-chain branched paraffins. At least one non-linear paraffin isomer, which may be a monomethyl paraffin isomer, may be separated from the hydrocarbon products through distillation to provide an n-paraffin product having an n-paraffin content percentage by weight of the n-paraffin product that is greater than the initial n-paraffin content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Armen N. Abazajian
  • Publication number: 20070259973
    Abstract: An optimized Fischer-Tropsch process utilizing a diluted synthesis and one or more Fischer-Tropsch reactors having an overall CO conversion of at least 90%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Agee, Rafael Espinoza
  • Publication number: 20070254968
    Abstract: A method for delivery, replacement and removal of Fischer-Tropsch catalyst from a gas-to-liquid (GTL) facility utilizing a Fischer-Trosch reaction. Embodiments also relate to a method for delivery, replacement and removal of Fischer-Tropsch catalyst from a transportable GTL facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Agee, Kym Arcuri