Patents by Inventor Jerry J. Weers

Jerry J. Weers 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).

  • Publication number: 20120053101
    Abstract: Maleated fatty acids that are functionalized with materials such as polyols, alkanolamines and/or alkylene oxides have been discovered to improve the properties of various fluids. In a non-limiting example, functionalized maleated fatty acids having acid numbers less than 10 may improve the lubricity of fuels and lubricants, such as hydrocarbon fuels and lubricants, when added thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jianzhong Yang, Paul J. Biggerstaff, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20120043256
    Abstract: Solid organic acids may be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents to form dispersions; the dispersions in turn may be introduced into crude oil. A wash water may be added to the crude oil to create an emulsion. The organic acids may transfer metals and/or amines from a hydrocarbon phase into an aqueous phase in an electrostatic desalter which resolves the emulsion into the two phases. Suitable solid organic acids include, but are not necessarily limited to, C2-C4 alpha hydroxyacids, such as, but not necessarily limited to, glycolic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and even sulfamic acid, chloroacetic acid, thiomalic acid, including esters of, polymers of, amine salts of, alkali metal salts of, and/or ammonium salts of all of these acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence N. Kremer, Jerry J. Weers, Corina L. Sandu
  • Publication number: 20120031810
    Abstract: Corrosive amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as desalted crude oil streams can be prevented or avoided by adding certain amine scavenging chemicals to the streams to remove the amines therefrom. Suitable amine scavengers include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic anhydrides and copolymers of carboxylic anhydrides, aromatic anhydrides, isocyanates, polyisocyanates, and epoxides. The non-corrosive reaction products of the amines and/or ammonia with these scavengers are preferably oil-soluble, non-basic and thermally stable. The amine scavengers bind up and react with the amines and/or ammonia to keep them from reacting with materials such as acids (e.g. HCl) to form corrosive amine salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, George G. Duggan, Walter A. Boyd, Jerry J. Weers
  • Patent number: 8058493
    Abstract: Corrosive amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as desalted crude oil streams can be prevented or avoided by adding certain amine scavenging chemicals to the streams to remove the amines therefrom. Suitable amine scavengers include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic anhydrides and copolymers of carboxylic anhydrides, aromatic anhydrides, isocyanates, polyisocyanates, and epoxides. The non-corrosive reaction products of the amines and/or ammonia with these scavengers are preferably oil-soluble, non-basic and thermally stable. The amine scavengers bind up and react with the amines and/or ammonia to keep them from reacting with materials such as acids (e.g. HCl) to form corrosive amine salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, George G. Duggan, Walter A. Boyd, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20110172473
    Abstract: It has been discovered that metals can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains a demulsifier (for instance, an oxyalkylated alkyl resin and/or a crosslinked polypropylene glycol), a surfactant, a diketone and a solvent (for instance an aromatic solvent). The method may also include introducing a hydroxyl carboxylic acid and/or at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing iron therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tran M. Nguyen, Jerry J. Weers, Jianzhong Yang, Ksenija Babic
  • Publication number: 20110113680
    Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in hydrocarbons, gas mixtures of hydrocarbons and the like may be scavenged therefrom by being brought into intimate contact with a mercaptan scavenger formulation of quaternary ammonium alkoxide or hydroxide in the presence of a high oxidative state metal such as cobalt, iron, chromium and/or nickel. The high oxidative state metal, being an oxidizer, acts as a catalyst when combined with the quaternary ethoxide or hydroxide for improved mercaptan scavenging performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy J. O'Brien, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20110108456
    Abstract: It has been discovered that metals and/or amines can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble hydroxyacids. Suitable water-soluble hydroxyacids include, but are not necessarily limited to glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C2-C4 alpha-hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetic acid, polymeric forms of the above hydroxyacids, poly-glycolic esters, glycolate ethers, and ammonium salt and alkali metal salts of these hydroxyacids, and mixtures thereof. The composition may also include at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. A solvent may be optionally included in the composition. The invention permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tran M. Nguyen, Lawrence N. Kremer, Jerry J. Weers
  • Patent number: 7935246
    Abstract: Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal overbases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, barium, strontium, aluminum, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum, overbases and dispersions. Particularly useful metals include magnesium alone or magnesium together with calcium, barium, strontium, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum. In one non-limiting embodiment, no added hydrogen is employed. Coker feedstocks and visbreaker feeds are particular hydrocarbon feed streams to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Thomas Falkler, Jerry J. Weers, Michael J. Zetlmeisl
  • Patent number: 7918905
    Abstract: The addition of strong neutralizing amines to react with free fatty acid in biodiesel fuels that may be left from some synthesis routes can lower the total acid number (TAN) of the biodiesel fuel. Surprisingly, the strong neutralizing amines do not interfere with the biodiesel fuel itself which may be primarily fatty acid methyl esters. These strong neutralizing amines may also improve the oxidative stability of biodiesel fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence N. Kremer, Jerry J. Weers, Jennifer D. Draper
  • Patent number: 7799213
    Abstract: Reactive phosphorus species can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble hydroxyacids. Suitable water-soluble hydroxyacids include, but are not necessarily limited to glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C2-C4 alpha-hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetic acid, polymeric forms of the above hydroxyacids, poly-glycolic esters, glycolate ethers, and ammonium salt and alkali metal salts of these hydroxyacids, and mixtures thereof. The composition may optionally include a mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. A solvent may be optionally included in the composition. The invention permits transfer of reactive phosphorus species into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing calcium and other metals therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence N. Kremer, Tran M. Nguyen, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20090152164
    Abstract: It has been discovered that metals and/or amines can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble hydroxyacids. Suitable water-soluble hydroxyacids include, but are not necessarily limited to glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C2-C4 alpha-hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetic acid, polymeric forms of the above hydroxyacids, poly-glycolic esters, glycolate ethers, and ammonium salt and alkali metal salts of these hydroxyacids, and mixtures thereof. The composition may also include at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. A solvent may be optionally included in the composition. The invention permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tran M. Nguyen, Lawrence N. Kremer, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20090145330
    Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide evolution from asphalt may be reduced or eliminated using an additive to act as a scavenger. Zinc oxide, when present in the form of nano-particles is an effective component is preventing or mitigating the evolution of hydrogen sulfide from asphalt. Zinc sulfonate may also be used. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jennifer D. Draper, Mark R. Williams, Weldon J. Cappel, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20090095658
    Abstract: Compounds having the formulae and general formulae: wherein each R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and may be hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a halogen, a nitro group, an alkyl or aryl ester, and an alkyl or aryl ether; compounds having the general formula: wherein R is an alkyl, aryl or electron withdrawing group; mixtures thereof; can be used as additives for crude oil and hydrocarbons. These compounds may be used to scavenge mercaptans, sulfides, cyanides, and primary or secondary amines; either alone or in combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jianzhong Yang, Tauseef Salma, John A. Schield, Jerry J. Weers, Joseph L. Stark
  • Patent number: 7497943
    Abstract: It has been discovered that metals and/or amines can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble hydroxyacids. Suitable water-soluble hydroxyacids include, but are not necessarily limited to glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C2-C4 alpha-hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetic acid, polymeric forms of the above hydroxyacids, poly-glycolic esters, glycolate ethers, and ammonium salt and alkali metal salts of these hydroxyacids, and mixtures thereof. The composition may also include at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. A solvent may be optionally included in the composition. The invention permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tran M. Nguyen, Lawrence N. Kremer, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20090020455
    Abstract: Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal overbases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, barium, strontium, aluminum, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum, overbases and dispersions. Particularly useful metals include magnesium alone or magnesium together with calcium, barium, strontium, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum. In one non-limiting embodiment, no added hydrogen is employed. Coker feedstocks and visbreaker feeds are particular hydrocarbon feed streams to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Thomas Falkler, Jerry J. Weers, Michael J. Zetlmeisl
  • Publication number: 20080319240
    Abstract: Corrosive amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as desalted crude oil streams can be prevented or avoided by adding certain amine scavenging chemicals to the streams to remove the amines therefrom. Suitable amine scavengers include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic anhydrides and copolymers of carboxylic anhydrides, aromatic anhydrides, isocyanates, polyisocyanates, and epoxides. The non-corrosive reaction products of the amines and/or ammonia with these scavengers are preferably oil-soluble, non-basic and thermally stable. The amine scavengers bind up and react with the amines and/or ammonia to keep them from reacting with materials such as acids (e.g. HCl) to form corrosive amine salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, George G. Duggan, Walter A. Boyd, Jerry J. Weers
  • Publication number: 20080282605
    Abstract: The addition of strong neutralizing amines to react with free fatty acid in biodiesel fuels that may be left from some synthesis routes can lower the total acid number (TAN) of the biodiesel fuel. Surprisingly, the strong neutralizing amines do not interfere with the biodiesel fuel itself which may be primarily fatty acid methyl esters. These strong neutralizing amines may also improve the oxidative stability of biodiesel fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lawrence N. Kremer, Jerry J. Weers, Jennifer D. Draper
  • Publication number: 20080230445
    Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in hydrocarbons, gas mixtures of hydrocarbons and the like may be scavenged therefrom by being brought into intimate contact with a mercaptan scavenger formulation of quaternary ammonium alkoxide or hydroxide in the presence of a high oxidative state metal such as cobalt, iron, chromium and/or nickel. The high oxidative state metal, being an oxidizer, acts as a catalyst when combined with the quaternary ethoxide or hydroxide for improved mercaptan scavenging performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Timothy J. O'Brien, Jerry J. Weers
  • Patent number: 7416654
    Abstract: Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal overbases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, barium, strontium, aluminum, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum, overbases and dispersions. Coker feedstocks and visbreaker feeds are particular hydrocarbon feed streams to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Thomas Falkler, Jerry J. Weers, Michael J. Zetlmeisl
  • Publication number: 20080179221
    Abstract: Nickel and/or vanadium can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase using an Extractant Composition selected from an isocyanate, a thiocyanate, a cyanides, mercaptides, nitrites, and mixtures thereof. The Extractant Composition may also include at least one mineral acid, a solvent, and other additives. The invention permits transfer of vanadium and nickel from a hydrocarbon into an aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tran M. Nguyen, Jerry J. Weers, Joseph L. Stark, Mark Richard Williams