Patents by Inventor Dennis J. O'Rear

Dennis J. O'Rear 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: 7862893
    Abstract: A granular solid wax particle, comprising a) a highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. and comprising at least 40 weight percent n-paraffins, and b) an inorganic powder coating on the wax particle. Also, a process for making a fuel or a base oil, comprising transporting the granular solid wax particles in a transport vessel to a distant location where the granular solid wax particles are processed into the fuel or the base oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. O'Rear, Gunther H. Dieckmann
  • Publication number: 20100263263
    Abstract: In the present invention, a fuel composition and a process for making the same are disclosed. Specifically, in the present invention, triglycerides useful for distillate fuels are described along with their method for preparation from Fischer-Tropsch acid by-products and the glycerol by-product from biodiesel generation. By using these two by-product streams, the overall efficiency of both processes is improved and a new source of distillate fuels is created. These triglycerides can be used to improve the lubricity of Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fuels. In addition, these triglycerides also have low melting points and have viscosities compatible with distillate fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7785378
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate suitable for use as a turbine fuel having a flash point 38° C. minimum measured by ASTM D 56 and a freeze point of ?40° C. or less and further containing not less than 0.01 wt. % oxygen in each of 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, and 1-heptanol and not more than about 0.01 wt. % oxygen in C8+ linear alcohols. Preferably, the Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate will have a freeze point of at least ?47° C., and more preferably the freeze point of the Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate will be not less than ?50° C. All the wt. % oxygen amounts are on a water free basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20100205854
    Abstract: In the present invention, a fuel composition and a process for making the same are disclosed. Specifically, in the present invention, triglycerides useful for distillate fuels are described along with their method for preparation from Fischer-Tropsch acid by-products and the glycerol by-product from biodiesel generation. By using these two by-product streams, the overall efficiency of both processes is improved and a new source of distillate fuels is created. These triglycerides can be used to improve the lubricity of Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fuels. In addition, these triglycerides also have low melting points and have viscosities compatible with distillate fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7754065
    Abstract: Processes for transporting wax including the steps of producing granular solid wax particles, having a powder coating, that are resistant to breakage or clumping; loading the particles into a transport vessel; transporting the particles; and unloading the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7754066
    Abstract: Method for making base oil, comprising transporting a height of greater than 7.5 meters of granular solid wax particles comprising a highly paraffinic wax with defined boiling points and a powder coating to a distant location, and hydroprocessing the transported wax. Also, a method comprising: a) selecting a Fischer-Tropsch wax having a broad boiling range, b) powder coating the wax, and c) transporting and d) hydroprocessing the wax. Also, a method comprising forming inorganic powder coated granular solid wax particles that withstand heavy loads without clumping or sticking together from highly paraffinic wax, wherein the amount of powder is between 0.1 and 5 wt %, transporting, and hydroprocessing the solid wax particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc
    Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7744742
    Abstract: The process as described herein produces a moderately aromatic isoparaffinic base oil from a distillate range product. This process comprises: (a) providing a distillate range paraffin feed comprising paraffins and cycloparaffins; (b) mildly reforming the distillate range paraffin feed to convert at least a portion of the cycloparaffins to alkylaromatics and provide a mildly reformed distillate range stream; (c) treating a stream comprising the mildly reformed distillate range stream in a molecular redistribution reactor to provide a distributed stream; (d) dewaxing at least a portion of the distributed stream to provide a dewaxed stream; (e) combining at least a portion of the dewaxed stream with the stream to be processed in the molecular redistribution reactor to provide the distributed stream; and (f) isolating a moderately aromatic isoparaffinic base oil from the dewaxed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20100160700
    Abstract: Improved processes and catalysts are described for the conversion of oxygenate-containing olefinic Fischer Tropsch naphtha into aromatics. This involves removal of the oxygenates without complete saturation of the olefins followed by aromatization of the oxygenate-depleted olefinic naphtha preferably over a catalyst that is tolerant to oxygenates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis J O'Rear, Cong-Yan Chen, Stephen J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100159554
    Abstract: In the present invention, integrated processes for producing a biofuel are disclosed. Specifically, processes integrating photobioreactors with anaerobic digestion are disclosed. Anaerobic digestion can convert biomass into a biofuel. However, anaerobic digestion also produces carbon dioxide (CO2). Because it is a greenhouse gas, the production of carbon dioxide is not desirable. Algae can be grown in a photobioreactor as long as light, carbon dioxide, and water are provided. In the present invention, the anaerobic digestion process is integrated with the photobioreactor process thereby providing a useful solution for the carbon dioxide that is generated and providing a source of carbon dioxide for the photobioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7608181
    Abstract: The invention provides distillate fuel blend components with improved seal swell and lubricity properties obtained from Fischer Tropsch products. The blends contain a highly paraffinic distillate fuel component and distillate-boiling alkylcycloparaffins and/or distillate-boiling alkylaromatics. The invention further provides processes for obtaining such blends using the products of Fischer Tropsch processes. Finally, the invention provides methods for improving seal swell and lubricity properties for distillate fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090173662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to transportable product for the transportation of paraffinic wax and methods of transporting using this transportable product. The transportable product comprises 90 to 20 weight % of a liquid comprising >50 weight % alcohol and having a true vapor pressure of ?14.7 psia when measured at 20° C., and 10 to 80 weight % of wax particles, wherein the wax particles comprise ?75 weight % of wax particles larger than 0.1 mm. The transportable product and methods of transporting according to the present invention are able to accommodate a relatively high weight % of paraffinic wax particles in the transportable product while avoiding interparticle adhesion and clumping by ensuring that the wax particles are not too small and the amount of small wax particles is not excessive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Mark R. Buetzow, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090156696
    Abstract: An integrated process is described in which at least a portion of CO2 is captured from both the feedstock and a process stream in a GTL facility. This integrated process provides for lower costs in CO2 capture than can be done by separate processes. At least a portion of the captured CO2 can then be prevented from being emitted into the environment by sequestration or reaction of the CO2 to other than a CO2 product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090137854
    Abstract: The process as described herein produces a moderately aromatic isoparaffinic base oil from a distillate range product. This process comprises: (a) providing a distillate range paraffin feed comprising paraffins and cycloparaffins; (b) mildly reforming the distillate range paraffin feed to convert at least a portion of the cycloparaffins to alkylaromatics and provide a mildly reformed distillate range stream; (c) treating a stream comprising the mildly reformed distillate range stream in a molecular redistribution reactor to provide a distributed stream; (d) dewaxing at least a portion of the distributed stream to provide a dewaxed stream; (e) combining at least a portion of the dewaxed stream with the stream to be processed in the molecular redistribution reactor to provide the distributed stream; and (f) isolating a moderately aromatic isoparaffinic base oil from the dewaxed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090084028
    Abstract: A granular solid wax particle, comprising a) a highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. and comprising at least 40 weight percent n-paraffins, and b) an inorganic powder coating on the wax particle. Also, a process for making a fuel or a base oil, comprising transporting the granular solid wax particles in a transport vessel to a distant location where the granular solid wax particles are processed into the fuel or the base oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7501019
    Abstract: A granular solid wax particle comprising a highly paraffinic wax having a low T10 boiling point less than 427° C. and an inorganic powder coating; optionally with a layer of higher boiling wax over the highly paraffinic wax having a low T10 boiling point, and an inorganic powder coating over the layer of higher boiling wax. In separate embodiments, a highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. or a highly paraffinic wax having a needle penetration greater than 3 mm/10 at 25° C. is coated with a powder that adsorbs the wax without being encapsulated by the wax in a hot drop wax test. Also, a process for transporting highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. as granular solid wax particles. And, a method of making base oil from granular solid wax particles transported from a distant location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7488411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to transportable product for the transportation of paraffinic wax and methods of transporting using this transportable product. The transportable product comprises 90 to 20 weight % of a liquid comprising ?50 weight % water and having a pH of >5 and a true vapor pressure of ?14.7 psia when measured at 20° C., and 10 to 80 weight % of wax particles, wherein the wax particles comprise ?75 weight % of wax particles larger than 0.1 mm. The transportable product and methods of transporting according to the present invention are able to accommodate a relatively high weight % of paraffinic wax particles in the transportable product while avoiding interparticle adhesion and clumping by ensuring that the wax particles are not too small and the amount of small wax particles is not excessive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Mark R. Buetzow, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090031617
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods for making fuels from biomass comprising triglyceride species, whereby the biomass is subjected to partial hydrodeoxygenation and (optionally) catalytic isomerization. The partial-hydrodeoxygenation of the triglyceride species produces a fuel that retains some oxygenates for enhanced lubricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090028775
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20090029446
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7479168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable blended diesel fuel comprising an olefinic diesel fuel blending stock. The olefinic diesel fuel blending stock of the invention comprises olefins in an amount of 2 to 80 weight percent, non-olefins in an amount of 20 to 98 weight percent wherein the non-olefins are substantially comprised of paraffins, oxygenates in an amount of at least 0.012 weight percent and sulfur in an amount of less than 1 ppm. To provide acceptable stability, the blended diesel fuel comprising the olefinic diesel fuel blending stock comprises a sulfur-free antioxidant. The blended diesel fuel comprising the olefinic diesel fuel blending stock and sulfur-free antioxidant added has a peroxide content of less than 5 ppm when stored at 60° C. for 4 weeks. The present invention also relates to processes for making the stable blended diesel fuel and olefinic diesel fuel blending stocks as defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. O'Rear, John E. Sundberg