Patents by Inventor Bhupender S. Minhas

Bhupender S. Minhas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7799964
    Abstract: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) can be recovered from various streams using a multiple membrane recovery process producing hydrogen stream at high yield and high purity and a C3+ LPG stream at high yield with low energy expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, David W. Staubs
  • Publication number: 20100132359
    Abstract: A sorption system is disclosed that includes a sorbent material and a fluid, in which the sorbent material and fluid in combination have a pressure index of at least 1.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Ian A. Cody, Don E. Stratton, Sebastian C. Reyes, Charanjit S. Paur, Erick D. Gamas-Castellanos, Mohsen S. Yeganeh, Thomas F. Degnan
  • Publication number: 20100037773
    Abstract: A process and system for removing polar components from a process stream in a refinery process without cooling the process stream are disclosed. The process stream is fed to a first adsorber unit to remove contaminants containing sulfur from the process stream. The process stream is processed within the first adsorber unit to remove sulfur containing contaminants. The process stream is processed with the first adsorber unit at substantially the same elevated temperature. The process stream is processed within the first adsorber unit by exposing the process stream to at least one of a metal oxide and a mixed metal oxide to remove the sulfur containing contaminants from the process stream and produce a metal sulfide and a desulfurized process stream. The metal sulfide may be exposed to a stream of oxygen to regenerate the at least one of a metal oxide and a mixed metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Bhupender S. MINHAS, Frederick Y. LO, Ian A. CODY, Donald E. STRATTON
  • Publication number: 20080237129
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recycling acid used to remove nitrogen contaminants from hydrocarbons using polymeric membranes to separate spent acid from the acid extraction of hydrocarbons into acid for recycle and acid for regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Dennis G. Peiffer, Jeffrey S. Beck, David L. Stern, Tomas R. Melli
  • Publication number: 20070232847
    Abstract: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) can be recovered from various streams using a multiple membrane recovery process producing hydrogen stream at high yield and high purity and a C3+ LPG stream at high yield with low energy expenditure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, David W. Staubs
  • Patent number: 7107942
    Abstract: A fuel system for on-board vehicle fuel separation to supply engine fuel compositions formulated as a function of driving cycle conditions. The invention results in improvements in one or more of feed efficiency and combustion emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Walter Weissman, Randall D. Partridge, Bhupender S. Minhas, Guido Sartori, Takanori Ueda, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kazuhiro Akihama, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20040222157
    Abstract: A method for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water, the method comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Dennis G. Peiffer, Jorge L. Soto, David L. Stern, Tomas R. Melli, Jeffrey S. Beck, Steven Ackerman, David C. Dalrymple, Alexander D.S. Fremuth, Walter Weissman, Frederick J. Krambeck
  • Patent number: 6711893
    Abstract: A gasoline in a material fuel tank is separated into a high-RON fuel having a higher octane value than the material fuel and a low-RON fuel having a lower octane value than the material fuel, by a separator device equipped with a separation membrane. Using a fuel switching mechanism, one or both of the high-RON fuel and the low-RON fuel are supplied to the engine in accordance with the state of operation of the engine. As the octane value of a fuel can be changed in accordance with the engine operation state, the state of combustion in the engine improves, so that both an increase in engine output and an improvement in an exhaust property can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Takanori Ueda, Takeshi Okumura, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kazuhiro Akihama, Masahiro Taki, Satoshi Yamazaki, Walter Weissman, Bhupender S. Minhas
  • Patent number: 6702945
    Abstract: Methods for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using an ionic membrane are provided. Preferred ionic membranes are Nafion®-type (polymers of perfluorosulfonic acid) membranes and derivatives thereof. Preferred applications include the removal of sulfur contaminants from light cracked naphthas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Saxton, Bhupender S. Minhas
  • Publication number: 20040026321
    Abstract: A process for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using a membrane is provided. Preferred hydrocarbon mixtures are oil refining fractions such as light cracked naphtha. Membranes are composed of either ionic or non-ionic materials and preferentially permeate sulfur compounds over other hydrocarbons. A single or multi-stage membrane system separates the hydrocarbon mixture into a sulfur-rich fraction and a sulfur-lean fraction. The sulfur-lean fraction may be used in fuel mixtures and the sulfur-rich fraction may be further treated for sulfur reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Michael R. Chuba, Robert J. Saxton
  • Patent number: 6649061
    Abstract: A process for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using a membrane is provided. Preferred hydrocarbon mixtures are oil refining fractions such as light cracked naphtha. Membranes are composed of either ionic or non-ionic materials and preferentially permeate sulfur compounds over other hydrocarbons. A single or multi-stage membrane system separates the hydrocarbon mixture into a sulfur-rich fraction and a sulfur-lean fraction. The sulfur-lean fraction may be used in fuel mixtures and the sulfur-rich fraction may be further treated for sulfur reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Michael R. Chuba, Robert J. Saxton
  • Patent number: 6622663
    Abstract: A fuel system for on-board vehicle fuel separation to supply engine fuel compositions formulated as a function of driving cycle conditions. The invention results in improvements in one or more of feed efficiency and combustion emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Walter Weissman, Randall D. Partridge, Bhupender S. Minhas, Guido Sartori, Takanori Ueda, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kazuhiro Akihama, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20020139719
    Abstract: Methods for the separation of sulfur compounds from a liquid hydrocarbon mixture using a hydrophilic, non-ionic membrane are provided. The membrane can also be composed of water-soluble material. Preferred membranes include polyvinylpyrrolidone and cellulose triacetate membranes. The liquid hydrocarbon mixture may be light cracked naphtha.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Robert J. Saxton, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Johannes G. Wijmans
  • Publication number: 20020139111
    Abstract: A gasoline in a material fuel tank is separated into a high-RON fuel having a higher octane value than the material fuel and a low-RON fuel having a lower octane value than the material fuel, by a separator device equipped with a separation membrane. Using a fuel switching mechanism, one or both of the high-RON fuel and the low-RON fuel are supplied to the engine in accordance with the state of operation of the engine. As the octane value of a fuel can be changed in accordance with the engine operation state, the state of combustion in the engine improves, so that both an increase in engine output and an improvement in an exhaust property can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Ueda, Takeshi Okumura, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kazuhiro Akihama, Masahiro Taki, Satoshi Yakazaki, Walter Weissman, Bhupender S. Minhas
  • Publication number: 20020139321
    Abstract: A fuel system for on-board vehicle fuel separation to supply engine fuel compositions formulated as a function of driving cycle conditions. The invention results in improvements in one or more of feed efficiency and combustion emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Walter Weissman, Randall D. Partridge, Bhupender S. Minhas, Guido Sartori, Takanori Ueda, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kazuhiko Akihama, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20020130079
    Abstract: Methods for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using an ionic membrane are provided. Preferred ionic membranes are Nafion®-type (polymers of perfluorosulfonic acid) membranes and derivatives thereof. Preferred applications include the removal of sulfur contaminants from light cracked naphthas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert J. Saxton, Bhupender S. Minhas
  • Publication number: 20020111524
    Abstract: A process for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using a membrane is provided. Preferred hydrocarbon mixtures are oil refining fractions such as light cracked naphtha. Membranes are composed of either ionic or non-ionic materials and preferentially permeate sulfur compounds over other hydrocarbons. A single or multi-stage membrane system separates the hydrocarbon mixture into a sulfur-rich fraction and a sulfur-lean fraction. The sulfur-lean fraction may be used in fuel mixtures and the sulfur-rich fraction may be further treated for sulfur reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Michael R. Chuba, Robert J. Saxton
  • Patent number: 5429748
    Abstract: An improved asymmetric membrane fashioned from a polyimide for the liquid separation of solvents from lube oil. The membrane is based on a fully imidized polymer based on 5(6)-amino-1-(4'-aminophenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindane polymer and benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Lloyd S. White, I-Fan Wang, Bhupender S. Minhas
  • Patent number: 5264166
    Abstract: An improved asymmetric membrane fashioned from a polyimide for the liquid separation of solvents from lube oil. The membrane is based on a fully imidized polymer based on 5(6)-amino-1-(4'-aminophenyl)-1,3-trimethylindane polymer and benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Lloyd S. White, I-Fan Wang, Bhupender S. Minhas
  • Patent number: 5096468
    Abstract: High performance cellulose acetate butyrate gas separation membranes are prepared from a casting solution containing from about 10 to 30 percent polymer, 35 to 70 percent solvent, and 15 to 30 percent pore-forming agents. A film casting solution is cast onto a substantially flat support surface and a dense layer is formed on the exposed film surface. The film is gelled, washed, and dried to produce a particularly useful gas separation membrane. The cellulose acetate polymers used in this preparation have molecular weights of at least about 20,000, and have about 10 to about 45% butyryl groups, about 2 to about 35% acetyl groups, and about 0.8 to about 2 percent hydroxyl groups, by weight. The membranes may be used for separating a feed gas into a permeate fraction and a residual fraction, and are particularly useful for separating gases in the purge gas stream of ammonia plants to recover a permeate which is relatively rich in hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Bhupender S. Minhas