Patents by Inventor Stephen Joseph Miller

Stephen Joseph Miller 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: 20150266796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process which comprises the steps of hydrotreating, paraffin disproportionation and hydroisomerization to convert biological hydrocarbonaceous oxygenated oils comprising triglycerides into biologically-derived paraffinic jet/diesel fuels, solvents and base oils. A combination of conventional hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalysts, such as Pt/Al2O3, and conventional olefin metathesis catalysts, such as WO3/SiO2, or inexpensive variations thereof, is generally employed in the paraffin disproportionation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Cong-Yan CHEN, Dennis John O'REAR, Thomas Francis FINGER, Stephen Joseph MILLER, Alexander KUPERMAN
  • Patent number: 9115326
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monoester-based lubricant compositions and methods of making these monoester-based lubricant compositions. The monoester lubricant compositions comprise an isomeric mixture of at least one monoester species having a carbon number ranging from C8 to C40. In some embodiments, the methods for making the monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols to produce high value monoester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, the monoester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Ali Elomari, Stephen Joseph Miller
  • Patent number: 9115556
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method drilling a borehole with monoester-based drilling fluid compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Edward Malachosky, Edward Keith Morton, Ronald John Lenz, Jr., Rithana Chea
  • Patent number: 9115303
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoester-based drilling fluid compositions and the method of drilling a borehole with said compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Edward Malachosky, Edward Keith Morton, Ronald John Lenz, Rithana Chea
  • Patent number: 9115327
    Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making high viscosity index lubricating base oils having a viscosity index of at least 110 by co-feeding a ketone or a beta-keto-ester feedstock with a lubricant oil feedstock directly to a hydrocracking unit to produce a hydrocracked stream. Then at least a portion of the hydrocracked stream is treated under hydroisomerization conditions to produce a high viscosity index lubricating base oil. The process may involve bypassing a hydrotreating or hydrofinishing step, which may result in improved efficiency and economics in producing high viscosity index lubricating base oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Sven Ivar Hommeltoft, Saleh Ali Elomari
  • Patent number: 9109238
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via esterification of epoxide intermediates, and wherein the epoxide intermediates are generated via an enzymatically-driven mechanism. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh A. Elomari, Zhen Zhou, Jesper Brask, Kim Borch
  • Publication number: 20150140623
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via esterification of epoxide intermediates, and wherein the epoxide intermediates are generated via an enzymatically-driven mechanism. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: NOVOZYMES A/S, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Zhen Zhou, Jesper Brask, Kim Borch
  • Publication number: 20150087872
    Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making high viscosity index lubricating base oils having a viscosity index of at least 110 by co-feeding a ketone or a beta-keto-ester feedstock with a lubricant oil feedstock directly to a hydrocracking unit to produce a hydrocracked stream. Then at least a portion of the hydrocracked stream is treated under hydroisomerization conditions to produce a high viscosity index lubricating base oil. The process may involve bypassing a hydrotreating or hydrofinishing step, which may result in improved efficiency and economics in producing high viscosity index lubricating base oils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Sven Ivar Hommeltoft, Saleh Ali Elomari
  • Publication number: 20140342959
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based base oils and base oil blends with improved cold flow properties and improved Noack. The diesters employed have a number a performance benefits in lubricant applications—among them: biodegradability, extreme temperature performance, oxidative stability, solubility for additives and deposit and sludge precursors, flash and fire points. However, ester usage in lubricants has been quite limited due to their high cost. We utilize new proprietary diesters, structurally different from traditional diesters, which are made from fatty acids and alpha olefins in simple processing steps, yet feature performance similar to more traditional lubricant esters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Yalin Yao, John Michael Rosenbaum, Zhen Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140342961
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based multi-grade engine oil formulations. The diesters employed have a number a performance benefits in lubricant applications—among them: biodegradability, extreme temperature performance, oxidative stability, solubility for additives and deposit and sludge precursors, flash and fire points. However, ester usage in lubricants has been quite limited due to their high cost. We utilize new proprietary diesters, structurally different from traditional diesters, which are made from fatty acids and alpha olefins in simple processing steps, yet feature performance similar to more traditional lubricant esters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Yalin Yao, John Michael Rosenbaum, Zhen Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140342960
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based base oils and base oil blends with improved cold flow properties and improved Noack. The diesters employed have a number a performance benefits in lubricant applications—among them: biodegradability, extreme temperature performance, oxidative stability, solubility for additives and deposit and sludge precursors, flash and fire points. However, ester usage in lubricants has been quite limited due to their high cost. We utilize new proprietary diesters, structurally different from traditional diesters, which are made from fatty acids and alpha olefins in simple processing steps, yet feature performance similar to more traditional lubricant esters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Yalin Yao, John Michael Rosenbaum, Zhen Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140249062
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monoester-based lubricant compositions and methods of making these monoester-based lubricant compositions. The monoester lubricant compositions comprise an isomeric mixture of at least one monoester species having a carbon number ranging from C8 to C40. In some embodiments, the methods for making the monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols to produce high value monoester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, the monoester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Saleh Ali Elomari, Stephen Joseph Miller
  • Publication number: 20140206915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process which comprises the steps of hydrotreating, paraffin disproportionation and hydroisomerization to convert biological hydrocarbonaceous oxygenated oils comprising triglycerides into biologically-derived paraffinic jet/diesel fuels, solvents and base oils. A combination of conventional hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalysts, such as Pt/Al2O3, and conventional olefin metathesis catalysts, such as WO3/SiO2, or inexpensive variations thereof, is generally employed in the paraffin disproportionation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Cong-Yan Chen, Dennis John O'Rear, Thomas Francis Finger, Stephen Joseph Miller, Alexander Kuperman
  • Publication number: 20140138159
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method drilling a borehole with monoester-based drilling fluid compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Edward Malachosky, Edward Keith Morton, Ronald John Lenz, JR., Rithana Chea
  • Publication number: 20140142003
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoester-based drilling fluid compositions and the method of drilling a borehole with said compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh Ali Elomari, Edward Malachosky, Edward Keith Morton, Ronald John Lenz, JR., Rithana Chea
  • Patent number: 8696994
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for producing biofuels via biomass, waste plastic, and/or Fischer-Tropsch product feeds. Such methods and systems are an improvement over the existing art at least in that they are feed-tolerant (i.e., allow for variability) and provide an economy of scale, while typically retaining the environmental benefits associated with such processing of such feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Joseph Miller
  • Publication number: 20140073826
    Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making high viscosity index lubricating base oils having a viscosity index of at least 110 by co-feeding a ketone or a beta-keto-ester feedstock with a lubricant oil feedstock directly to a hydrocracking unit to produce a hydrocracked stream. Then at least a portion of the hydrocracked stream is treated under hydroisomerization conditions to produce a high viscosity index lubricating base oil. The process may involve bypassing a hydrotreating or hydrofinishing step, which may result in improved efficiency and economics in producing high viscosity index lubricating base oils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Sven Ivar Hommeltoft, Saleh Ali Elomari
  • Patent number: 8604258
    Abstract: We provide a base oil, comprising oligomerized olefins, wherein the base oil has: a) a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. greater than 10 mm2/s, b) a viscosity index from 25 to 90, and c) a pour point less than ?19° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Ali Elomari, Stephen Joseph Miller
  • Patent number: 8586519
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to the present invention provides for multi-grade engine oil formulations comprising a diester component, wherein the diester component comprises vicinal diester species, and wherein at least a portion of said diester component is bio-derived. Many such formulations of the present invention are expected to favorably compete with similar, existing formulations comprising synthetic esters, but such formulations are generally expected to meet or exceed such existing formulations in a number of areas including, but not limited to, economics, biodegradability, and/or toxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Miller, Saleh A. Elomari, Zhen Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130296209
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions comprising one or more isomeric mixtures of diester species. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor material from which mono-unsaturated free lipid species can be provided or otherwise generated, wherein such mono-unsaturated free lipid species are converted to isomeric diol species en route to the synthesis of diester species for use as/in the diester-based lubricant compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Ali Elomari, Stephen Joseph Miller, Zhen Zhou