Patents by Inventor Robert C. Welch

Robert C. Welch 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: 8349267
    Abstract: Targeted application of anti-fouling mechanisms in a heat exchange system produces higher rates of energy recovery. The anti-fouling mechanisms with high mitigation rates can be deployed at only the hottest portions of a pre-heat train that experience the highest rates of fouling and heat loss. In application, bundles of corrosion resistant smoothed tubes are deployed in the late pre-heat train to significantly reduce the formation of harder deposits. Vibration can be used as an adjunct approach in conjunction with the corrosion resistant, smooth tubes, or deployed alone on existing bundles. The use of high performing, more durable exchangers in select locations justifies the increased cost of these components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ian A Cody, Amar S. Wanni, Robert C. Welch, James E. Feather, Mark A. Greaney, Limin Song, Jasmina Poturovic
  • Patent number: 7537686
    Abstract: A method for upgrading heavy oils by contacting the heavy oil with an inhibitor additive and then thermally treating the inhibitor additized heavy oil. The invention also relates to the upgraded product from the inhibitor enhanced thermal treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Christopher P. Eppig, Douglas W. Hissong, Robert C. Welch
  • Publication number: 20090090613
    Abstract: Targeted application of anti-fouling mechanisms in a heat exchange system produces higher rates of energy recovery. The anti-fouling mechanisms with high mitigation rates can be deployed at only the hottest portions of a pre-heat train that experience the highest rates of fouling and heat loss. In application, bundles of corrosion resistant smoothed tubes are deployed in the late pre-heat train to significantly reduce the formation of harder deposits. Vibration can be used as an adjunct approach in conjunction with the corrosion resistant, smooth tubes, or deployed alone on existing bundles. The use of high performing, more durable exchangers in select locations justifies the increased cost of these components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ian A. Cody, Amar S. Wanni, Robert C. Welch, James E. Feather, Mark A. Greaney, Limin Song, Jasmina Poturovic
  • Patent number: 7244352
    Abstract: A process for producing a naphtha having a decreased amount of sulfur by selective hydroprocessing a petroleum feedstream comprising cracked naphtha to reduce its sulfur content with minimum loss of octane. The reduced sulfur naphtha stream contains mercaptan sulfur reversion products that are removed preferably by use of an aqueous base solution containing a catalytically effective amount of a phase transfer catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, Craig A. McKnight, John P. Greeley, Bruce R. Cook, Garland B. Brignac, Mark A. Greaney, Robert C. Welch
  • Patent number: 6913688
    Abstract: A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of olefinic naphtha streams containing a substantial amount of organically bound sulfur and olefins. The olefinic naphtha stream is selectively hydrodesulfurized in a first sulfur removal stage and resulting product stream, which contains hydrogen sulfide and organosulfur is fractionated at a temperature to produce a light fraction containing less than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur and a heavy fraction containing greater than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur. The light fraction is stripped of at least a portion ofits hydrogen sulfide and can be collected or passed to gasoline blending. The heavy fraction is passed to a second sulfur removal stage wherein at least a portion of any remaining organically bound sulfur is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: John C. Coker, Garland B. Brignac, Thomas R. Halbert, John G. Matragrano, Brij Gupta, Robert C. Welch, William E. Winter, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030188992
    Abstract: A process for decreasing the amount of sulfur in a petroleum stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, Craig A. McKnight, John P. Greeley, Bruce R. Cook, Garland B. Brignac, Mark A. Greaney, Robert C. Welch
  • Publication number: 20030127362
    Abstract: A process for the production of naphtha streams from cracked naphthas having sulfur levels which help meet future EPA gasoline sulfur standards (30 ppm range and below).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, John P. Greeley, Robert C. Welch
  • Publication number: 20030106839
    Abstract: A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of olefinic naphtha streams containing a substantial amount of organically bound sulfur and olefins. The olefinic naphtha stream is selectively hydrodesulfurized in a first sulfur removal stage and resulting product stream, which contains hydrogen sulfide and organosulfur is fractionated at a temperature to produce a light fraction containing less than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur and a heavy fraction containing greater than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur. The light fraction is stripped of at least a portion ofits hydrogen sulfide and can be collected or passed to gasoline blending. The heavy fraction is passed to a second sulfur removal stage wherein at least a portion of any remaining organically bound sulfur is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: John C. Coker, Garland B. Brignac, Thomas R. Halbert, John G. Matragrano, Brij Gupta, Robert C. Welch, William E. Winter