Patents by Inventor Robert J. Motal

Robert J. Motal 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: 20040126296
    Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and reactors including means for removing sulfur from syngas are disclosed. Sulfur-reactive metals can be used in the Fischer-Tropsch unit to sequester the sulfur. For example, the Fischer-Tropsch unit can be run in stages, using a sacrificial catalyst in a first stage to adsorb the sulfur. The Fischer-Tropsch reactor can include internal baffles that separate the reactor into zones, with a sacrificial catalyst in one or more of the zones, that can be easily sequestered and regenerated or replaced. Sulfur adsorbents can be placed in the inlet gas manifold. A portion of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be converted into larger size pellets that do not fluidize with the firer grain Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and remain near the gas inlet where they adsorb and sequester the sulfur. These embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner to lower the sulfur concentration in the syngas feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Motal, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 6682711
    Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and reactors including means for removing sulfur from syngas are disclosed. Sulfur-reactive metals can be used in the Fischer-Tropsch unit to sequester the sulfur. For example, the Fischer-Tropsch unit can be run in stages, using a sacrificial catalyst in a first stage to adsorb the sulfur. The Fischer-Tropsch reactor can include internal baffles that separate the reactor into zones, with a sacrificial catalyst in one or more of the zones, that can be easily sequestered and regenerated or replaced. Sulfur adsorbents can be placed in the inlet gas manifold. A portion of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be converted into larger size pellets that do not fluidize with the finer grain Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and remain near the gas inlet where they adsorb and sequester the sulfur. These embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner to lower the sulfur concentration in the syngas feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Motal, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20020187094
    Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and reactors including means for removing sulfur from syngas are disclosed. Sulfur-reactive metals can be used in the Fischer-Tropsch unit to sequester the sulfur. For example, the Fischer-Tropsch unit can be run in stages, using a sacrificial catalyst in a first stage to adsorb the sulfur. The Fischer-Tropsch reactor can include internal baffles that separate the reactor into zones, with a sacrificial catalyst in one or more of the zones, that can be easily sequestered and regenerated or replaced. Sulfur adsorbents can be placed in the inlet gas manifold. A portion of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be converted into larger size pellets that do not fluidize with the finer grain Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and remain near the gas inlet where they adsorb and sequester the sulfur. These embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner to lower the sulfur concentration in the syngas feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Robert J. Motal, Dennis J. O'Rear