Patents by Inventor Steven M. Vanderbur

Steven M. Vanderbur 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: 10428289
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventor: Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20190177629
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 10246656
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20170211004
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20170166825
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 9644163
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals L.P.
    Inventor: Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 9606548
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 9494948
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 9321977
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventor: Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20160075958
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20160068775
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 9207686
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20150184102
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20130225883
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Sunoco Partners Butane Blending LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 8518131
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for modifying the volatility of petroleum prior to ethanol addition. The methods can include (a) providing (i) a supply of gasoline, (ii) an ethanol standard, and (iii) a supply of butane; (b) analyzing the volatility of a sample formed by mixing the gasoline and ethanol standard; (c) calculating from the volatility a ratio of butane that can be blended into the sample without causing the sample to pass the one or more fixed volatility limits; and (d) blending butane from the butane supply with gasoline from the gasoline supply at or below the ratio calculated in step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sunoco Partners Butane Blending LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20120216453
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for modifying the volatility of petroleum prior to ethanol addition. The methods can include (a) providing (i) a supply of gasoline, (ii) an ethanol standard, and (iii) a supply of butane; (b) analyzing the volatility of a sample formed by mixing the gasoline and ethanol standard; (c) calculating from the volatility a ratio of butane that can be blended into the sample without causing the sample to pass the one or more fixed volatility limits; and (d) blending butane from the butane supply with gasoline from the gasoline supply at or below the ratio calculated in step (c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Sunoco Partners Butane Blending LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20120203038
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SUNOCO PARTNERS BUTANE BLENDING LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 8192510
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for modifying the volatility of petroleum prior to ethanol addition. The methods can include (a) providing (i) a supply of gasoline, (ii) an ethanol standard, and (iii) a supply of butane; (b) analyzing the volatility of a sample formed by mixing the gasoline and ethanol standard; (c) calculating from the volatility a ratio of butane that can be blended into the sample without causing the sample to pass the one or more fixed volatility limits; and (d) blending butane from the butane supply with gasoline from the gasoline supply at or below the ratio calculated in step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Sunoco Partners Butane Blending LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 8176951
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sunoco Partners Butane Blending LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Publication number: 20100175313
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for modifying the volatility of petroleum prior to ethanol addition. The methods can include (a) providing (i) a supply of gasoline, (ii) an ethanol standard, and (iii) a supply of butane; (b) analyzing the volatility of a sample formed by mixing the gasoline and ethanol standard; (c) calculating from the volatility a ratio of butane that can be blended into the sample without causing the sample to pass the one or more fixed volatility limits; and (d) blending butane from the butane supply with gasoline from the gasoline supply at or below the ratio calculated in step (c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Texon L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur