Patents by Inventor Bruce T. Kelley

Bruce T. Kelley 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: 9423174
    Abstract: A system for removing acid gases from a raw gas stream the system includes a cryogenic distillation tower. The tower receives and separates the raw gas stream into an overhead methane stream and a bottom liquefied acid gas stream. Refrigeration equipment downstream of the cryogenic distillation tower cools the overhead methane stream and returns a portion of the overhead methane stream to the cryogenic distillation tower as liquid reflux. The system also may include a first molecular sieve bed upstream of the distillation tower and a second molecular sieve bed downstream of the distillation tower. The first molecular sieve bed adsorbs water while the second molecular sieve bed adsorbs additional acid gases from the cooled overhead methane stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Paul Scott Northrop, Bruce T Kelley, Charles J Mart
  • Publication number: 20150328578
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, particularly, removing oil contamination from such streams prior to use in a dry gas seal. The methods and systems may include at least one kinetic swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, calcination, and inert purge processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and other utilities. The adsorbent materials used include a high surface area solid structured microporous and mesoporous materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Preeti Kamakoti, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Bruce T. Kelley, P. Scott Northrop, Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul L. Tanaka, Martin N. Webster, Wieslaw J. Roth, Edward W. Corcoran, JR.
  • Patent number: 9126138
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, particularly, removing oil contamination from such streams prior to use in a dry gas seal. The methods and systems may include at least one kinetic swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, calcination, and inert purge processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and other utilities. The adsorbent materials used include a high surface area solid structured microporous and mesoporous materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Preeti Kamakoti, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Bruce T. Kelley, Paul Scott Northrop, Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul Lawrence Tanaka, Martin N. Webster, Wieslaw Jerzy Roth, Edward W. Corcoran
  • Patent number: 9034079
    Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for removal of CO2 from natural gas streams through a combination of a selective adsorbent material containing an effective amount of a non-adsorbent filler, adsorbent contactor design, and adsorption cycle design. The removal of contaminants from gas streams, preferably natural gas streams, using rapid-cycle swing adsorption processes, such as rapid-cycle pressure swing adsorption (RC-PSA). Separations at high pressure with high product recovery and/or high product purity are provided through a combination of judicious choices of adsorbent material, gas-solid contactor, system configuration, and cycle designs. For example, cycle designs that include steps of purge and staged blow-down as well as the inclusion of a mesopore filler in the adsorbent material significantly improves product (e.g., methane) recovery. An RC-PSA product with less than 10 ppm H2S can be produced from a natural gas feed stream that contains less than 1 mole percent H2S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Robert A. Johnson, Bruce T. Kelley, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Thomas N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8906138
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, nitrogen process streams, and other types of streams. The methods and systems may include at least one swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, and rapid-cycle adsorption processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and for other utilities. The systems and processes of the present disclosure are further applicable to high pressure gaseous streams, for example, up to about 600 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul L. Tanaka, Bruce T. Kelley, Stanley O. Uptigrove, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 8865100
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for monetizing energy. More specifically, the invention is directed to the economically efficient utilization of remote or stranded natural gas resources. The invention includes importing a high energy density material into an energy market and distributing the high energy density material (HEDM) therein. The HEDM is produced from reduction of a material oxide such as boria into the HEDM, which may be boron. The reduction utilizes remote hydrocarbon resources such as stranded natural gas resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Harry W. Deckman, Stephen Mark Davis, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Publication number: 20140208797
    Abstract: A gas processing facility for the liquefaction of a natural gas feed stream is provided. The facility comprises a gas separation unit having at least one fractionation vessel. The gas separation unit employs adsorbent beds for adsorptive kinetic separation. The adsorbent beds release a methane-rich gas feed stream. The facility also includes a high-pressure expander cycle refrigeration system. The refrigeration system compresses the methane-rich gas feed stream to a pressure greater than about 1,000 psia. The refrigeration system also chills the methane-rich gas feed stream in one or more coolers, and then expands the chilled gas feed stream to form a liquefied product stream. Processes for liquefying a natural gas feed stream using AKS and a high-pressure expander cycle refrigeration system are also provided herein. Such processes allow for the formation of LNG using a facility having less weight than conventional facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Harry W. Deckman, Moses K. Minta
  • Publication number: 20140033919
    Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for removal of C02 from natural gas streams through a combination of a selective adsorbent material containing an effective amount of a non-adsorbent filler, adsorbent contactor design, and adsorption cycle design. The removal of contaminants from gas streams, preferably natural gas streams, using rapid-cycle swing adsorption processes, such as rapid-cycle pressure swing adsorption (RC-PSA). Separations at high pressure with high product recovery and/or high product purity are provided through a combination of judicious choices of adsorbent material, gas-solid contactor, system configuration, and cycle designs. For example, cycle designs that include steps of purge and staged blow-down as well as the inclusion of a mesopore filler in the adsorbent material significantly improves product (e.g., methane) recovery. An RC-PSA product with less than 10 ppm H2S can be produced from a natural gas feed stream that contains less than 1 mole percent H2S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Robert A. Johnson, Bruce T. Kelley, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Thomas N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8545602
    Abstract: The removal of one or more of the gases CO2, N2 and H2S from gas mixtures containing at least one of said gases with use of an 8-ring zeolite having a Si:Al ratio from about 1:1 to about 1000:1. The preferred gas mixture is a natural gas feedstream and the preferred 8-ring zeolite is DDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ronald R. Chance, Sebastian C. Reyes, Harry W. Deckman, Gregory J. DeMartin, Bruce T. Kelley, Paul S. Northrop, Eugene R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8529662
    Abstract: A process for the separation of one or more heavy hydrocarbon gases from a gas mixture containing heavy hydrocarbon gas components and methane. The process is conducted in swing adsorption apparatus containing adsorbent contactor having a plurality of flow channels and wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactors, is in the mesopore and macropore range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Paul S. Northrop, Ronald R. Chance, Harry W. Deckman, Edward W. Corcoran, Jr., Eugene R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8529663
    Abstract: The present invention relates the separation of a target gas from a mixture of gases through the use of engineered structured adsorbent contactors in pressure swing adsorption and thermal swing adsorption processes. Preferably, the contactors contain engineered and substantially parallel flow channels wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactor, excluding the flow channels, is in the mesopore and macropore range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Sebastian C. Reyes, Harry W. Deckman, Ronald R. Chance, Gregory J. DeMartin, Frank Hershkowitz, Eugene R. Thomas, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley, Edward W. Corcoran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8529664
    Abstract: The separation of a target gas selected from a high pressure gas mixture containing said target gas as well as a product gas using a swing adsorption process unit. A turboexpander is used upstream of the swing adsorber to reduce the pressure of the high pressure gas mixture. A compressor is optionally used downstream of the swing adsorber to increase the pressure of the target gas-containing stream for injecting into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley, Eugene R. Thomas, Ronald R. Chance, Paul S. Northrop, Edward W. Corcoran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8444750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the separation of one or more of CO2, N2, and H2S gas components from a gas mixture containing at least a second gas using a swing adsorption process unit. The adsorbent contactors of the swing adsorption process unit are engineered structured adsorbent contactors having a plurality of flow channels wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactors is in the mesopore and macropore range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Ronald R. Chance, Sebastian C. Reyes, Gregory J. DeMartin, Eugene R. Thomas, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley, Edward W. Corcoran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8409332
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ryan Lively, Ronald R. Chance, William J. Koros, Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20130036905
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Lively, Ronald R. Chance, William J. Koros, Harry Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Patent number: 8257474
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ryan Lively, Ronald R. Chance, William J. Koros, Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20120204599
    Abstract: A system for removing acid gases from a raw gas stream includes an acid gas removal system (AGRS) and a sulfurous components removal system (SCRS). The acid gas removal system receives a sour gas stream and separates it into an overhead gas stream comprised primarily of methane, and a bottom acid gas stream comprised primarily of carbon dioxide. The sulfurous components removal system is placed either upstream or downstream of the acid gas removal system. The SCRS receives a gas stream and generally separates the gas stream into a first fluid stream comprising hydrogen sulfide, and a second fluid stream comprising carbon dioxide. Where the SCRS is upstream of the AGRS, the second fluid stream also includes primarily methane. Where the SCRS is downstream of the AGRS, the second fluid stream is principally carbon dioxide. Various types of sulfurous components removal systems may be utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Scott Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley, Charles J. Mart
  • Publication number: 20120152117
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Lively, Ronald R. Chance, William J. Koros, Harry Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20120079852
    Abstract: A system for removing acid gases from a sour gas stream is provided. The system includes an acid gas removal system and a heavy hydrocarbon removal system. The acid gas removal system receives the sour gas stream and separates the sour gas stream into an overhead gas stream comprised primarily of methane, and a bottom acid gas stream comprised primarily of acid gases such as carbon dioxide. The heavy hydrocarbon removal system may be placed upstream or downstream of the acid gas removal system or both. The heavy hydrocarbon removal system receives a gas stream and separates the gas stream into a first fluid stream comprising heavy hydrocarbons and a second fluid stream comprising other components. The components of the second fluid stream will depend on the composition of the gas stream. Various types of heavy hydrocarbon removal systems may be utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Scott Northrop, Edward L. Kimble, Charles J. Mart, Paul W. Sibal, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Patent number: 8133308
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, ExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ryan Lively, Ronald R. Chance, William J. Koros, Harry Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley