Patents by Inventor Patrick L. Hanks

Patrick L. Hanks 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: 20170362514
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for solvent deasphalting of steam cracker tar. The resulting deasphalted oil produced from the steam cracker tar can then be hydroprocessed, such as hydrotreated and/or hydrocracked in a fixed bed reactor. The solvent deasphalting can correspond to a mild or trim deasphalting or can correspond to solvent deasphalting at higher solvent to oil ratios. Performing a trim deasphalting can reduce or minimize the amount of deasphalting residue that is formed as a product from the deasphalting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Anjaneya S. Kovvali, David T. Ferrughelli, Steven Pyl, Sumathy Raman
  • Patent number: 9598645
    Abstract: Feedstocks containing biocomponent materials are coprocessed with mineral feeds using a Group VI metal catalyst prior to hydrodesulfurization of the feedstocks. The Group VI metal catalyst is optionally a physically promoted Group VI metal catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Bradley R. Fingland, Stuart L. Soled, Sabato Miseo
  • Publication number: 20170037331
    Abstract: A method for producing diesel fuel from biocomponent feeds includes hydrotreating the feed followed by catalytic dewaxing with a 1-D, 10 member ring molecular sieve containing catalyst. The hydrotreated feed may be cascaded directly to the dewaxing step, or the hydrotreated feed can undergo intermediate separation. The diesel fuel resulting from processing of the biocomponent feed exhibits superior cetane values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: William J. NOVAK, Zhiguo HOU, William J. TRACY, III, Patrick L. HANKS, Timothy L. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 9523046
    Abstract: Methods are provided herein for co-processing of biocomponent feeds as well processing of mineral feeds in a reaction system at hydrogen partial pressures of about 500 psig (3.4 MPag) or less. The methods include using stacked beds of both CoMo and NiMo catalysts. The stacked catalyst beds provided unexpectedly high catalyst activity as the input feed to a reaction system was switched between a mineral feed and a feed containing both mineral and biocomponent portions. Additionally, use of stacked catalyst beds can allow for maintenance of the activity for the catalyst system in a reaction system while still achieving a desired activity for both types of feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph E. Gatt, Bradley R. Fingland, William E. Lewis, Patrick L. Hanks
  • Patent number: 9447339
    Abstract: A method for producing diesel fuel from biocomponent feeds includes hydrotreating the feed followed by catalytic dewaxing with a ZSM-48 containing catalyst. The hydrotreated feed may be cascaded directly to the dewaxing step, or the hydrotreated feed can undergo intermediate separation. The diesel fuel resulting from processing of the biocomponent feed exhibits superior cetane values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Zhiguo Hou, William J. Tracy, III, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L Hilbert
  • Patent number: 9290701
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 15 wppm or less (e.g., 10 wppm or less) from feed sources that include a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock can be initially co-processed with a mineral feed in a fluidized bed stage, such as an ebullating bed processing stage. Ebullating bed processing can mitigate the impact of the biocomponent feed on other hydrotreatment aspects of a diesel boiling range feed. Challenged biocomponent feeds can be handled by introducing the biocomponent feed into the ebullating bed reactor in a manner that reduces the fouling impact of the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, William Ernest Lewis, Edward Stanley Ellis, Kathryn Younger Cole
  • Patent number: 9267084
    Abstract: Methods are provided for hydrotreating high nitrogen feeds with improved results for nitrogen removal, aromatic saturation, and/or sulfur removal. The method includes hydrotreating the feed with a supported hydrotreating catalyst followed by a bulk metal catalyst, the hydrotreated effluent of which can be suitable for use as a feed to an FCC reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Kathryn Y. Cole, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 8853474
    Abstract: A biocomponent feedstock can be hydroprocessed using a hydrogen-containing refinery as a source of hydrogen gas. A relatively low cost catalyst, such as a water gas shift catalyst and/or spent hydrotreating catalyst, can be used as a hydrogenation catalyst for the process. The hydroprocessing can allow for olefin saturation and/or deoxygenation of the biocomponent feed by using a relatively low value refinery stream, e.g., containing from about 20 mol % to about 60 mol % hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Edward S. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8828217
    Abstract: Diesel fuel is produced from a feedstock that is at least partially biocomponent in origin. A feedstock is treated in a reactor including one or more hydrotreating zones having a continuous gas phase. The liquid effluent from the hydrotreating zones is then hydroprocessed in a hydroprocessing zone having a continuous liquid phase, such as a hydroprocessing zone in the same reactor. The hydroprocessing zone can be operated under effective catalytic dewaxing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8816141
    Abstract: Processes are provided for deoxygenation of a biocomponent feedstock with reduced hydrogen consumption. The biocomponent feedstock can be processed under relatively low hydrogen partial pressures and at a relatively low treat gas ratio compared to the hydrogen need of the feedstock. The relatively low pressure, relatively low treat gas ratio hydroprocessing can result in reduced production of water and carbon monoxide and in increased production of carbon dioxide compared to relatively higher pressure process conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kathryn Y. Cole, Patrick L. Hanks, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20140213838
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 15 wppm or less (e.g., 10 wppm or less) from feed sources that include a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock can be initially co-processed with a mineral feed in a fluidized bed stage, such as an ebullating bed processing stage. Ebullating bed processing can mitigate the impact of the biocomponent feed on other hydrotreatment aspects of a diesel boiling range feed. Challenged biocomponent feeds can be handled by introducing the biocomponent feed into the ebullating bed reactor in a manner that reduces the fouling impact of the feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, William Ernest Lewis, Edward Stanley Ellis, Kathryn Younger Cole
  • Publication number: 20140179976
    Abstract: Methods are provided herein for co-processing of biocomponent feeds as well processing of mineral feeds in a reaction system at hydrogen partial pressures of about 500 psig (3.4 MPag) or less. The methods include using stacked beds of both CoMo and NiMo catalysts. The stacked catalyst beds provided unexpectedly high catalyst activity as the input feed to a reaction system was switched between a mineral feed and a feed containing both mineral and biocomponent portions. Additionally, use of stacked catalyst beds can allow for maintenance of the activity for the catalyst system in a reaction system while still achieving a desired activity for both types of feeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph E. Gatt, Bradley R. Fingland, William E. Lewis, Patrick L. Hanks
  • Publication number: 20140178278
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing CO2 sorption and regeneration processes that can take advantage of phase changes between solutions of amine-CO2 reaction products and precipitate slurries, where the slurry particles can include solid precipitates formed based on the amine-CO2 reaction products. An amine solution can be used to capture CO2 from a gas phase stream. During this initial capture process, the amine-CO2 reaction product can remain in solution. The solution containing the amine-CO2 reaction product can then be exposed to a set of conditions which result in precipitation of a portion of the amine-CO2 reaction product to form a slurry. The precipitate slurry can be passed into one or more release stages where the conditions for the slurry are altered to allow for release of the CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Siskin, Patrick L. Hanks, Pavel Kortunov, Robert B. Fedich, Patrick P. McCall, Hans Thomann, Daniel Leta, Lisa S. Baugh, David C. Calabro, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 8734638
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 15 wppm or less (e.g., 10 wppm or less) from feed sources that include a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock can be initially co-processed with a mineral feed in a fluidized bed stage, such as an ebullating bed processing stage. Ebullating bed processing can mitigate the impact of the biocomponent feed on other hydrotreatment aspects of a diesel boiling range feed. Challenged biocomponent feeds can be handled by introducing the biocomponent feed into the ebullating bed reactor in a manner that reduces the fouling impact of the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Kathryn Younger Cole, William Ernest Lewis, Edward Stanley Ellis
  • Patent number: 8729330
    Abstract: Non-hydrotreated biocomponent feeds can be mixed with mineral feeds and processed under catalytic isomerization/dewaxing conditions. The catalytic isomerization/dewaxing conditions can be selected to advantageously also substantially deoxygenate the mixed feed. Diesel fuel products with improved cold flow properties can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert, William J. Novak, Christopher G. Oliveri
  • Patent number: 8686203
    Abstract: A process for preparing fuels, such as diesel fuels or jet fuels, by hydrotreating vegetable oils or fatty acid derivatives that may be applied to existing equipment for treating fossil fuels. The process comprises feeding hydrotreating a combined oxygenate feed stream, such as FAME, and a hydrocarbon feed stream until not more than 86 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, and optionally further hydrotreating the product stream within at least a second hydrotreatment reaction zone until at least 90 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, before removing and separating a hydrocarbon stream suitable for use as fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Kathryn Y. Cole, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8674160
    Abstract: Feeds containing a hydrotreated biocomponent portion, and optionally a mineral portion, can be processed under catalytic conditions for isomerization and/or dewaxing. The sulfur content of the feed for dewaxing can be selected based on the hydrogenation metal used for the catalyst. Diesel fuel products with improved cold flow properties can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert, William J. Novak, Christopher G. Oliveri
  • Publication number: 20140048448
    Abstract: Methods are provided for hydrotreating high nitrogen feeds with improved results for nitrogen removal, aromatic saturation, and/or sulfur removal. The method includes hydrotreating the feed with a supported hydrotreating catalyst followed by a bulk metal catalyst, the hydrotreated effluent of which can be suitable for use as a feed to an FCC reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. NOVAK, Kathryn Y. COLE, Patrick L. HANKS, Timothy L. HILBERT
  • Patent number: 8609912
    Abstract: Separated volumes can be created in a reactor using interior dividing wall or interior conduit structures. Feedstocks can be hydroprocessed in the separated volumes to allow multiple types of hydroprocessing conditions and/or feeds to be processed in a single reactor. The feedstocks can remain separate for the entire volume of the reactor, or the dividing barrier can end at some intermediate point in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Michel Daage
  • Patent number: 8580108
    Abstract: Methods are provided for hydrotreating high nitrogen feeds with improved results for nitrogen removal, aromatic saturation, and/or sulfur removal. The method includes hydrotreating the feed with a supported hydrotreating catalyst followed by a bulk metal catalyst, the hydrotreated effluent of which can be suitable for use as a feed to an FCC reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Kathryn Y. Cole, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert