Patents by Inventor Walter D. Vann
Walter D. Vann 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).
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Patent number: 10942161Abstract: Methods are provided for in-situ detection of varnish and/or deposit precursors in a lubricant in a lubricating environment. An electrostatic accumulator can be used within a lubricating environment to enhance accumulation of varnish and/or deposit precursors on portions of the electrostatic accumulator. The deposits accumulated on the electrostatic accumulator can then be characterized in-situ. The potential difference across portions of the electrostatic accumulator can cause an enhanced rate of deposit accumulation on the electrostatic accumulator, which can facilitate characterization of the tendency of a lubricant to accumulate deposits in the lubricating environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Walter D. Vann, Kathleen K. Cooper, Spyridon Korres, Samuel Flores-Torres, Bhaskar Prabhakar, Erik Herz
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Publication number: 20190086383Abstract: Methods are provided for in-situ detection of varnish and/or deposit precursors in a lubricant in a lubricating environment. An electrostatic accumulator can be used within a lubricating environment to enhance accumulation of varnish and/or deposit precursors on portions of the electrostatic accumulator. The deposits accumulated on the electrostatic accumulator can then be characterized in-situ. The potential difference across portions of the electrostatic accumulator can cause an enhanced rate of deposit accumulation on the electrostatic accumulator, which can facilitate characterization of the tendency of a lubricant to accumulate deposits in the lubricating environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Walter D. VANN, Kathleen K. COOPER, Spyridon KORRES, Samuel FLORES-TORRES, Bhaskar PRABHAKAR, Erik HERZ
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Patent number: 8778173Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing heavy oil feedstreams with alkali metal compounds and improving the compatibility of the to stream components in either the feed stream, an intermediate product stream, and/or the reaction product stream in the desulfurization process. The present invention utilizes a high stability aromatic-containing stream that is preferably added to the heavy oil prior to reaction with the alkali metal compounds. The resulting stream resists precipitation of reaction solids in the desulfurization reactors. Even more preferably, the desulfurization system employs at least two desulfurization reactors in series flow wherein the high stability aromatic-containing stream is contacted with the reaction product from the first reactor prior to the second reactor, wherein the first reactor can be operated at a higher severity than without the use of the high stability aromatic-containing component stream.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Michael F. Raterman, Daniel P. Leta, Walter D. Vann, Roby Bearden, Jr.
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Patent number: 8696890Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. After separation of the spent alkali metal reagent, the resulting product can have suitable characteristics for pipeline transport and/or further refinery processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Jorge L. Soto, Michael Raterman, Daniel P. Leta, Walter D. Vann, Lu Han, Jonathan M. McConnachie, James R. Bielenberg, William C. Baird, Jr., Roby Bearden, Jr.
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Patent number: 8673132Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for regeneration of alkali metal salt reagent used in desulfurization of heavy oil feedstreams. In particular, the present invention relates to a process utilizing potassium hydroxide as an external supply reagent to a heavy oil conversion process and in-situ conversion of the spent reactants utilized in such process into a potassium sulfide reagent for reintroduction into the heavy oil conversion process.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Daniel P. Leta, Jonathan M. McConnachie, William C. Baird, Jr., Walter D. Vann, Jorge L. Soto
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Patent number: 8613852Abstract: Self-compatible heavy oil streams are produced from converted and/or desulfurized fractions. In a preferred embodiment, an incompatibility stream is added to the converted and/or desulfurized stream to reduce the solubility number of the stream. After using a water wash to remove incompatible material, a lighter fraction is removed from the stream to increase the solubility number.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Daniel P. Leta, Walter D. Vann, David T. Ferrughelli, Eric B. Sirota, Howard Freund
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Patent number: 8404106Abstract: After desulfurizing a hydrocarbon feedstream using an alkali metal reagent, the hydrocarbon feedstream can include particles of spent alkali metal salts. The spent alkali metal salts can be separated from the hydrocarbon feedstream and regenerated to form an alkali metal reagent, such as a alkali hydroxide or alkali sulfide. The regeneration process can pass through an intermediate stage of forming an alkali carbonate by successive reactions with carbon dioxide and calcium oxide. The calcium oxide can also be regenerated.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Jorge L. Soto, Daniel P. Leta, Lu Han, Walter D. Vann, Mark A. Greaney, James R. Bielenberg, Paul D. Oldenburg, Jonathan M. McConnachie, Leo D. Brown, William C. Baird, Jr., Roby Bearden, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120234728Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for regeneration of alkali metal salt reagent used in desulfurization of heavy oil feedstreams. In particular, the it present invention relates to a process utilizing potassium hydroxide as an external supply reagent to a heavy oil conversion process and in-situ conversion of the spent reactants utilized in such process into a potassium sulfide reagent for reintroduction into the heavy oil conversion process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Daniel P. Leta, Jonathan M. McConnachie, William C. Baird, JR., Walter D. Vann, Jorge L. Soto
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Publication number: 20110147271Abstract: Self-compatible heavy oil streams are produced from converted and/or desulfurized fractions. In a preferred embodiment, an incompatibility stream is added to the converted and/or desulfurized stream to reduce the solubility number of the stream. After using a water wash to remove incompatible material, a lighter fraction is removed from the stream to increase the solubility number.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Daniel P. Leta, Walter D. Vann, David T. Ferrughelli, Eric B. Sirota, Howard Freund
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Publication number: 20110147274Abstract: After desulfurizing a hydrocarbon feedstream using an alkali metal reagent, the hydrocarbon feedstream can include particles of spent alkali metal salts. The spent alkali metal salts can be separated from the hydrocarbon feedstream and regenerated to form an alkali metal reagent, such as a alkali hydroxide or alkali sulfide. The regeneration process can pass through an intermediate stage of forming an alkali carbonate by successive reactions with carbon dioxide and calcium oxide. The calcium oxide can also be regenerated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Jorge L. Soto, Daniel P. Leta, Lu Han, Walter D. Vann, Mark A. Greaney, James R. Bielenberg, Paul D. Oldenburg, Jonathan M. McConnachie, Leo D. Brown, William C. Baird, JR., Roby Bearden, JR.
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Publication number: 20110147273Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. After separation of the spent alkali metal reagent, the resulting product can have suitable characteristics for pipeline transport and/or further refinery processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Jorge L. Soto, Michael Raterman, Daniel P. Leta, Walter D. Vann, Lu Han, Jonathan M. McConnachie, James R. Bielenberg, William C. Baird, JR., Roby Bearden, JR.
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Publication number: 20100155298Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing heavy oil feedstreams with alkali metal compounds and improving the compatibility of the to stream components in either the feed stream, an intermediate product stream, and/or the reaction product stream in the desulfurization process. The present invention utilizes a high stability aromatic-containing stream that is preferably added to the heavy oil prior to reaction with the alkali metal compounds. The resulting stream resists precipitation of reaction solids in the desulfurization reactors. Even more preferably, the desulfurization system employs at least two desulfurization reactors in series flow wherein the high stability aromatic-containing stream is contacted with the reaction product from the first reactor prior to the second reactor, wherein the first reactor can be operated at a higher severity than without the use of the high stability aromatic-containing component stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Michael F. Raterman, Daniel P. Leta, Walter D. Vann, Roby Bearden, JR.
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Patent number: 7176168Abstract: The present invention describes an improved lubricant composition comprising a particularly effective combination of components comprising ashless antiwear and rust inhibitor additives with an antioxidant liquid mixture formed by reacting an olefin with a mixture of diphenylamines and phenothiozines.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Walter D. Vann, Liehpao Oscar Farng, Angela S. Galiano-Roth, Marcia G. Rogers, Paul Dubs, Miles J. Hutchings
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Patent number: 7172903Abstract: Oil aging and particulate building in a lubricant other than one exposed to combustion products is monitored by detecting light transmitted through the lubricant at least one, and preferably, two or more preselected wavelengths over a pathlength greater than about 0.5 cm wherein one wavelength is in the near infra-red spectrum and/or one wavelength is in the visible or near infra-red spectrum. The detected light when compared to predetermined values provides an indication of the condition of the lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Alan M. Schilowitz, John S. Szobota, Walter D. Vann
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Patent number: 6876193Abstract: A method for deconvoluting a time dependent impedance spectrum and using the deconvoluted time dependent impedance spectrum as an indicator of the performance condition of a working fluid is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method to determine the viscosity ratio of a working fluid using the resistance ratio obtained from frequency dependent impedance data.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Alan M. Schilowitz, Walter D. Vann, Limin Song, John S. Szobota, Alexander Bolkhovsky
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Publication number: 20040192563Abstract: The present invention describes an improved lubricant composition comprising a particularly effective combination of components comprising ashless antiwear and rust inhibitor additives with an antioxidant liquid mixture formed by reacting an olefin with a mixture of diphenylamines and phenothiozines.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Walter D. Vann, Liehpao Oscar Farng, Angela S. Galiano-Roth, Marcia G. Rogers, Paul Dubs, Miles J. Hutchings
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Publication number: 20030180958Abstract: Oil aging and particulate building in a lubricant other than one exposed to combustion products is monitored by detecting light transmitted through the lubricant at least one, and preferably, two or more preselected wavelengths over a pathlength greater than about 0.5 cm wherein one wavelength is in the near infra-red spectrum and/or one wavelength is in the visible or near infra-red spectrum. The detected light when compared to predetermined values provides an indication of the condition of the lubricant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Alan M. Schilowitz, John S. Szobota, Walter D. Vann