Patents Assigned to Syntroleum Corporation
  • Publication number: 20050016899
    Abstract: An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process for production of a synthetic lubricant basestock incorporating light Fischer-Tropsch products by oligomerizing such light Fischer-Tropsch products is provided. Synthetic lubricant basestock produced by an integrated Fischer-Tropsch process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Armen Abazajian
  • Patent number: 6812179
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a slurry Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, which needs regeneration, involves de-waxing and drying the catalyst sufficiently to produce a free-flowing catalyst powder that is fluidizable; fluidizing the catalyst powder; treating the catalyst powder with an oxygen treatment; reducing the catalyst powder with a reducing gas to form a reduced catalyst powder; and mixing the reduced catalyst powder with hydrocarbons to form a regenerated, slurry catalyst. The oxidation and reduction steps may be repeated. An oxygen treatment includes using a fixed O2 level with ramped temperatures, fixed temperatures with increased O2 levels, or a combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Jui-Hsin R. Huang, Kenneth L. Agee, Kym B. Arcuri, Paul F. Schubert
  • Publication number: 20040198618
    Abstract: A drilling fluid including at least about 2 wt % olefin, at least about 5 wt % n-paraffins, and at least about 2 wt % isoparaffins, wherein the isoparaffins are substantially wholly terminal monomethyl branched is provided. A method for producing the drilling fluid, and a method for drilling a borehole using the drilling fluid are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Armen N. Abazajian, Robert Freerks
  • Patent number: 6797243
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas into Fischer-Tropsch products includes a stationary Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a voidage ratio greater than approximately 0.45 or 0.6 and may further have a catalyst concentration for a given reactor volume of at least 10 percent. A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst has a structured shape promoting non-Taylor flow and/or producing a productivity in the range of 200-4000 vol CO/vol. Catalyst/hour or greater over at least a 600 hour run of a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with the catalyst therein. A system for converting synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbon products through the Fisher-Tropsch reaction has a reactor for receiving synthesis gas directly or as a saturated hydrocarbon liquid or a combination, and a stationary, structured Fischer-Tropsch catalyst disposed within the reactor for converting at least a portion of the synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Kym B. Arcuri, Kenneth L. Agee, Mark A. Agee
  • Patent number: 6794417
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for treatment and disposal of water produced by converting a lighter hydrocarbon to a heavier hydrocarbon using a Fischer-Tropsch process. The system and method also provide for disposal of contaminants associated with the conversion process using a combustion chamber of at least one gas turbine. Water produced by the Fischer-Tropsch process may be used to wash or scrub synthesis gas in a synthesis gas water wash column prior to the synthesis gas entering a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. Contaminated water from the synthesis gas water wash column may be directed to a water stripping column which uses steam from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor to scrub or clean the contaminated water. A stream of contaminated steam and undesired contaminants preferably exits from the water stripping column and is directed to the combustion chamber of at least one gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: John T. O'Beck, Rex C. Tendick
  • Publication number: 20040176654
    Abstract: A synthetic olefin/paraffin mixture useful for the production of linear alkybenzene and linear alkybenzene sulfonates. An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process to manufacture linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Armen Abazajian
  • Publication number: 20040167234
    Abstract: An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process having improved alcohol processing capability is provided. The integrated Fischer-Tropsch process includes, optionally, synthesis gas production, Fischer-Tropsch reaction, Fischer-Tropsch reaction product recovery and, optionally, separation, catalytic dehydration of primary and internal alcohols, and, optionally, hydro-processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Armen N. Abazajian, H. Lynn Tomlinson, Peter Z. Havlik, Milton D. Clingan
  • Patent number: 6512018
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch-based process and system for converting light hydrocarbons into heavier hydrocarbons uses a plurality of different synthesis gas generators. The process includes preparing a first synthesis gas having a H2:CO ratio greater than 2:1; removing a portion of the hydrogen from the first synthesis gas; preparing a second synthesis gas with a CO2 recycle wherein the second synthesis gas has a H2:CO ratio less than 2:1; adding the removed hydrogen to the second synthesis gas to increase the H2:CO ratio of the second synthesis gas; and using a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to convert the first synthesis gas and the second synthesis gas to heavier hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Edwin Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20020177629
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for treatment and disposal of water produced by converting a lighter hydrocarbon to a heavier hydrocarbon using a Fischer-Tropsch process. The system and method also provide for disposal of contaminants associated with the conversion process using a combustion chamber of at least one gas turbine. Water produced by the Fischer-Tropsch process may be used to wash or scrub synthesis gas in a synthesis gas water wash column prior to the synthesis gas entering a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. Contaminated water from the synthesis gas water wash column may be directed to a water stripping column which uses steam from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor to scrub or clean the contaminated water. A stream of contaminated steam and undesired contaminants preferably exits from the water stripping column and is directed to the combustion chamber of at least one gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: John T. O'Beck, Rex C. Tendick
  • Patent number: 6344491
    Abstract: A method for producing a synthesis gas from a light hydrocarbon stream using air or oxygen-enriched air as an oxidant in a high pressure autothermal reactor and converting the synthesis gas in a Fischer-Tropsch process using a supported cobalt catalyst to produce heavy paraffins wherein the required process pressure is supplied by charging the reactant streams to the autothermal reactor at a high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Beer, Michael D. Briscoe
  • Publication number: 20010047040
    Abstract: A system and method for converting normally gaseous, light hydrocarbons into heavier, longer-chain hydrocarbons includes a turbine; a first synthesis gas subsystem; a second synthesis gas subsystem that receives thermal energy from the turbine and which preferably includes a steam reformer; and a synthesis subsystem for receiving synthesis gas from the first synthesis gas subsystem and the second synthesis gas subsystem and for producing the heavier hydrocarbons. A method includes using a plurality of synthesis gas subsystems to prepare synthesis gas for delivery to and conversion in a synthesis subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Syntroleum Corporation, Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Agee, Mark A. Agee
  • Publication number: 20010021724
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas into Fischer-Tropsch products includes a stationary Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a voidage ratio greater than approximately 0.45 or 0.6 and may further have a catalyst concentration for a given reactor volume of at least 10 percent. A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst has a structured shape promoting non-Taylor flow and/or producing a productivity in the range of 200-4000 vol CO/vol. Catalyst/hour or greater over at least a 600 hour run of a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with the catalyst therein. A system for converting synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbon products through the Fisher-Tropsch reaction has a reactor for receiving synthesis gas directly or as a saturated hydrocarbon liquid or a combination, and a stationary, structured Fischer-Tropsch catalyst disposed within the reactor for converting at least a portion of the synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Kym B. Arcuri, Kenneth L. Agee, Mark A. Agee
  • Patent number: 6277894
    Abstract: A system and method for converting normally gaseous, light hydrocarbons into heavier, longer-chain hydrocarbons includes a turbine; a first synthesis gas subsystem; a second synthesis gas subsystem that receives thermal energy from the turbine and which preferably includes a steam reformer; and a synthesis subsystem for receiving synthesis gas from the first synthesis gas subsystem and the second synthesis gas subsystem and for producing the heavier hydrocarbons. A method includes using a plurality of synthesis gas subsystems to prepare synthesis gas for delivery to and conversion in a synthesis subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Agee, Mark A. Agee
  • Patent number: 6277338
    Abstract: A system for converting light hydrocarbons to heavier hydrocarbons having a synthesis gas production unit and a hydrocarbon synthesis unit. For one application the synthesis gas production unit includes a turbine unit with a compression section, an autothermal reformer fluidly coupled to the compression section for producing synthesis gas and combusting at least a portion the gas therein, and an expansion section of the turbine unit fluidly coupled to the autothermal reformer for developing energy from the output of the autothermal reformer. A water separation unit is preferably fluidly coupled to the synthesis gas production unit for removing water from the synthesis gas. The water is directed to an oxygen/hydrogen separator to produce oxygen and hydrogen. Another water separation unit may also be coupled to the output from the hydrocarbon synthesis unit for removing water from the heavier hydrocarbons and directing the water to the oxygen/hydrogen separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Agee, Larry J. Weick
  • Patent number: 6265453
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch-based hydrocarbon conversion process involves compressing air in a compressor section of a gas turbine, delivering a portion of the compressed air to a combustor of the gas turbine, delivering a portion of the compressed air to a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon conversion unit, extracting thermal energy from the combustor and delivering it to the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon conversion unit, converting light hydrocarbons into heavier hydrocarbons in the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon conversion unit, and delivering combustion gases from the combustor to an expansion section of the gas turbine. A heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) may also be used to harness waste heat from the expansion section. A conversion system for converting light hydrocarbons into heavier hydrocarbons includes a turbine from which heat energy is removed and used to assist in converting hydrocarbons and whereby greater throughput of the turbine is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Paul E. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6262131
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas into Fischer-Tropsch products includes a stationary Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a voidage ratio greater than approximately 0.45 or 0.6 and may further have a catalyst concentration for a given reactor volume of at least 10 percent. A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst has a structured shape promoting non-Taylor flow and/or producing a productivity in the range of 200-4000 vol CO/vol. Catalyst/hour or greater over at least a 600 hour run of a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with the catalyst therein. A system for converting synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbon products through the Fisher-Tropsch reaction has a reactor for receiving synthesis gas directly or as a saturated hydrocarbon liquid or a combination, and a stationary, structured Fischer-Tropsch catalyst disposed within the reactor for converting at least a portion of the synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Kym B Arcuri, Kenneth L. Agee, Mark A. Agee
  • Patent number: 6239184
    Abstract: A process for extending the life of a Fisher-Tropsch catalyst in a process for converting synthesis gas produced in an autothermal reactor by the substoichiometric oxidation of a light hydrocarbon gas by removing ammonia from the synthesis gas prior to passing the synthesis gas to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Beer, James F. Leahy, Greg A. Lisewsky, Kernan J. McHugh, Michael D. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 6225358
    Abstract: A system for converting lighter hydrocarbons to heavier hydrocarbons has a synthesis gas subsystem for receiving air and light hydrocarbons and producing a synthesis gas; a synthesis subsystem for receiving synthesis gas from the synthesis gas subsystem and producing heavier hydrocarbons therefrom and an aqueous byproduct stream having contaminates; and a stripper subsystem for receiving the aqueous byproduct stream and removing contaminates therefrom, wherein the stripper subsystem includes a concentrator column for concentrating contaminates in an aqueous by product stream, and a stripper column for stripping contaminates from a concentrated aqueous byproduct stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Edwin Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6201030
    Abstract: A method of regenerating a finely-divided particulate catalyst involves the use of an external regeneration system comprising first and second regeneration stations. The method is particularly adapted to regenerating supported catalysts used in Fischer-Tropsch slurry reactors. A slurry-containing partially spent catalyst is flowed from the reactor and alternately regenerated in one of the first and second regeneration stations. The alternate use of the stations for catalyst regeneration permits one station to receive partially deactivated slurry from the reactor while the other station returns regenerated slurry to the reactor. The operation of the reactor thus may be continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Beer
  • Patent number: 6169120
    Abstract: An extended catalyst life two-stage hydrocarbon synthesis process wherein a first synthesis gas stream is reacted in a first stage reactor in the presence of a suitable catalyst to produce liquid hydrocarbon products and a gaseous stream; the gaseous stream is cooled and water and liquid hydrocarbons are separated from the gaseous stream to produce a second synthesis gas stream which is then passed to a second stage reactor for the production of additional liquid hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Beer