Patents by Inventor George A. Huff, Jr.

George A. Huff, Jr. 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: 8889747
    Abstract: A process for recovering heat uses a product stream from a Fischer Tropsch synthesis reactor as the coolant in the same Fischer Tropsch reactor. This stream is then used as the working fluid in an associated organic Rankine cycle. In this manner, the waste heat from the Fischer Tropsch reactor can be efficiently converted into shaft work within the Fischer Tropsch plant. The Fischer Tropsch fluid can then be recycled into the plant product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: BP Corporation North America Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kevin J. DiGenova, George A. Huff, Jr., Barbara B. Botros, John G. Brisson
  • Publication number: 20130090395
    Abstract: A process for recovering heat uses a product stream from a Fischer Tropsch synthesis reactor as the coolant in the same Fischer Tropsch reactor. This stream is then used as the working fluid in an associated organic Rankine cycle. In this manner, the waste heat from the Fischer Tropsch reactor can be efficiently converted into shaft work within the Fischer Tropsch plant. The Fischer Tropsch fluid can then be recycled into the plant product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin J. DiGenova, George A. Huff, JR., Barbara B. Botros, John G. Brisson
  • Patent number: 7618468
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Leslie R. Wolf, John C. Eckstrom, Douglas N. Rundell, Michael Hodges, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 7381858
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for production of purified products from a fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics by means of integration of perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. The perm-selective separations of the invention comprise of one or more devices using polymeric perm-selective membrane devices to separate a meta-xylene enriched stream from fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics thereby producing a fluid comprising the remaining aromatic compounds which advantageously includes para-xylene. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of very pure meta-xylene and para-xylene co-products from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Bo Chen, Craig W. Colling, Jeffrey T. Miller
  • Patent number: 7358414
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for recovery of purified products from a fluid mixture by means of integrated perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. More particularly, integrated processes of the invention comprise separations by means of one or more devices using polymeric membranes coupled with recovery of purified products by means of fractional crystallization and/or selective sorption. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of a very pure aromatic isomer when processing aromatic starting materials, for example, a pure para-xylene product from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Miller, Bo Chen, Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Jr., Marvin L. Cadwell
  • Patent number: 7300476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Leslie R. Wolf, John C. Eckstrom, Douglas N. Rundell, Michael Hodges, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 7070694
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures. Broadly, apparatus of the invention is an integrated fractional distillation and perm-selective membrane separation apparatus. More particularly, the integrated apparatus comprises a fractional distillation column and one or more membrane device utilizing solid perm-selective membranes. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, a desired non-permeate stream, and one or more distillate products from a fluid mixture containing at least two compounds of different boiling point temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Jr., Stephen J. Pietsch
  • Patent number: 6986802
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures utilizing perm-selective membranes. Broadly, apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of membrane modules comprising a solid perm-selective membrane and equipment for controlling enthalpy of selected fluids within the apparatus. Advantageously, the membrane modules are disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and at least one intermediate group. Apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, and/or a desired non-permeate stream, from fluid mixtures of two or more compounds which when subjected to appropriately altered conditions of temperature and/or pressure exhibit a bubble point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Colling, Bo Chen, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6881325
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with a soluble quaternary ammonium salt containing halogen, sulfate, or bisulfate anion, and an immiscible aqueous phase comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide, and at least one member of the group consisting of phosphomolybdic acid and phosphotungstic acid, in a liquid reaction mixture under conditions suitable for reaction of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George Ernest Morris, Andrew Richard Lucy, William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6872231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Leslie R. Wolf, John C. Eckstrom, Douglas N. Rundell, Michael Hodges, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 6830691
    Abstract: Economical processes of the present invention are for separation of fluid mixtures to recover desired products using apparatus comprising a plurality of membrane modules disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and optionally one or more intermediate group. Advantageously integrated processes of the invention with the membrane modules in multiple groups are employed for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product and a desired non-permeate product from a mixture containing organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Jr., John V. Bartels
  • Patent number: 6827845
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with an immiscible phase comprising at least one organic peracid or precursors of organic peracid in a liquid phase reaction mixture maintained substantially free of catalytic active metals and/or active metal-containing compounds and under conditions suitable for oxidation of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6673230
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels which are liquid at ambient conditions by selective oxygenation of refinery feedstocks comprising a mixture of organic compounds. The organic compounds are oxygenated in a liquid reaction medium with an oxidizing agent and heterogeneous oxygenation catalyst system which exhibits a capability to enhance the incorporation of oxygen into a mixture of liquid organic compounds to form a mixture comprising hydrocarbons, oxygenated organic compounds, water of reaction, and acidic co-products. The mixture is separated to recover at least a first organic liquid of low density and at least a portions of the catalyst metal, water of reaction and acidic co-products. Advantageously, the organic liquid is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate solution, or other soluble chemical base capable to neutralize and/or remove acidic co-products of oxidation, and recover oxygenated product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Gary P. Hagen, George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 6555724
    Abstract: A catalyst and a process employing such catalyst for the dehydrogenation of paraffinic hydrocarbons are disclosed, wherein the catalyst comprises a platinum group metal component, a zinc component and a magnesium component on a support comprising ZSM or borosilicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6197717
    Abstract: A process and catalyst are provided for dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feedstock and producing an olefinic product. The process comprises contacting the feedstock at dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of a platinum group metal, from about 0.02 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent of zinc, and a support component comprising borosilicate and an alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff, Jr., Mark P. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 6103103
    Abstract: A process and catalyst are provided for dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feedstock and producing an olefinic product. The process comprises contacting the feedstock at dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of a platinum group metal, from about 0.02 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent of zinc, and a support component comprising borosilicate and an alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff, Jr., Mark P. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 6096116
    Abstract: A sorbent material, an activated carbon canister and a method are described which can be utilized to remove organic compounds from a vaporous stream with a relatively greater degree of safety, as compared to previously known methods. In the invention, essentially dry and wetted activated carbon particles are intermixed in a substantially homogeneous mixture which inhibits accidental combustion. The heat capacity of wetted carbon particles retards the heating of nearby unwetted particles, so as to inhibit the ignition of the nearby unwetted particles. The presence of wetted particles intermixed in the substantially homogeneous mixture has relatively little effect on the hydrocarbon adsorption performance of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Om P. Mahajan, Don M. Washecheck, John A. Mahoney, Howard Wong, Stanley W. Sorrels
  • Patent number: 6048451
    Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced from a feedstock which is comprised of a mixture of hydrocarbons and contains organic sulfur compounds as unwanted impurities. The process comprises converting at least a portion of the sulfur-containing impurities to sulfur-containing products of higher boiling point by treatment with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid catalyst and removing at least a portion of these higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Suitable alkylating agents include alcohols and olefins. In a preferred embodiment, catalytic cracking products which contain aromatic sulfur compounds as impurities are used as a feedstock for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Bruce D. Alexander, Douglas N. Rundell, William J. Reagan, Ozie S. Owen, Jin S. Yoo
  • Patent number: 6025534
    Abstract: A method is provided for regenerating a fixed bed of olefin polymerization catalyst which can be performed without taking the catalyst bed out of service. The method involves the use of two different olefin-containing feedstocks, wherein the first feedstock is a conventional olefin-containing feedstock which contains little if any content of aromatic compounds. The second feedstock contains a significant concentration of aromatic compounds. In the practice of the invention, the second feedstock is substituted for the first feedstock whenever catalyst regeneration is deemed appropriate, and the flow of the second feedstock to the catalyst bed is continued for a period of time which is effective to at least partially regenerate the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony M. Valente, David B. Johnson, George A. Huff, Jr., Robert L. Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 5932778
    Abstract: A method is provided which can be used to quickly and easily take a fixed-bed of solid acid olefin polymerization catalyst out of service without causing any significant catalyst deactivation. The method involves substituting a substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon fluid for at least a portion of the olefin-containing feedstock to the polymerization process, wherein the substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon fluid boils within the range from about 20.degree. to about 250.degree. C. and contains at least about 5 vol. % aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony M. Valente, David B. Johnson, George A. Huff, Jr.