Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gerard J. Hughes
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 6893475
    Abstract: A distillate fuel composition boiling in the range of about 190° C. to 400° C. with a T10 point greater than 205° C., and having a sulfur level of less than about 100 wppm, a total aromatics content of about 15 to 35 wt. %, a polynuclear aromatics content of less than about 3 wt. %, wherein the ratio of total aromatics to polynuclear aromatics is greater than about 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, Lynne Gillespie, Michele S. Touvelle, William E. Lewis, Gordon F. Stuntz, Lisa I. Yeh
  • Patent number: 6893554
    Abstract: Naphtha is selectively hydrodesulfurized in the presence of a sulfided, treated catalyst comprising at least a Group VIB metal catalytic component, to produce sulfur-reduced naphtha with reduced olefin loss due to saturation. The catalyst is treated with hydrogen, a selectively deactivating agent which deactivates its hydrogenation activity, and a protective agent which preserves its hydrodesulfurization activity during the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Garland B. Brignac, Michele S. Touvelle, Randolph J. Smiley
  • Patent number: 6863803
    Abstract: A two stage hydrodesulfurizing process for producing low sulfur distillates. A distillate boiling range feedstock containing in excess of about 3,000 wppm sulfur is hydrodesulfurized in a first hydrodesulfurizing stage containing one or more reaction zones in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrodesulfurizing catalyst. The liquid product stream thereof is passed to a first separation stage wherein a vapor phase product stream and a liquid product stream are produced. The liquid product stream, which has a substantially lower sulfur and nitrogen content than the original feedstream is passed to a second hydrodesulfurizing stage also containing one or more reaction zones where it is reacted in the presence of hydrogen and a second hydrodesulfurizing catalyst at hydrodesulfurizing conditions. The catalyst in any one or more reaction zones is a bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at lease one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Lloyd Riley, Darlene Schuette, Stuart Leon Soled, Sabato Miseo, William Lee Schuette
  • Patent number: 6860999
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating and upgrading a hydrocarbon containing acidic species such as mercaptans, comprising: (a) contacting the hydrocarbon, in the essential absence of oxygen, with a first phase of a treatment composition containing water, dissolved alkali metal hydroxide, cobalt phthalocyanine sulfonate, and dissolved alkylphenylates and having at least two phases, (i) the first phase containing water, alkali metal alkylphenylate, dissolved alkali metal hydroxide, and dissolved sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine, and (ii) the second phase containing water and dissolved alkali metal hydroxide; and then (b) separating an upgraded hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Merichem Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Greaney, Bihn N. Le, Daniel P. Leta, John N. Begasse, Charles T. Huang, Verlin Keith Turner
  • Patent number: 6843905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a low-sulfur motor gasoline and the product made therefrom. In one embodiment, process involves separating a catalytically cracked naphtha into at least a light fraction boiling below about 165° F. and a heavy fraction boiling above about 165° F. The light fraction is treated to remove sulfur by a non-hydrotreating method, and the heavy fraction is hydrotreated to remove sulfur to a level of less than about 100 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gordon F. Stuntz, Robert C. W. Welch, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 6835301
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrotreated liquid distillate stream to produce a stream exceptionally low in sulfur as well as aromatics. A hydrotreated distillate stream is further hydrotreated in a co-current reaction zone wherein the reaction product is passed to a separation drum wherein a vapor product is collected overhead and a liquid product is passed to a aromatics saturation zone countercurrent to the flow of hydrogen treat gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, Henry Jung, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6830677
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention relates to a method for reducing coke agglomeration in petroleum streams derived from coking processes. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for mitigating filter fouling from a coker gas oil wherein an oxygen scavenger is employed to remove molecular oxygen and peroxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael Siskin, Simon R. Kelemen
  • Patent number: 6824673
    Abstract: A process for producing distillate boiling range streams that are low in both sulfur and aromatics. A distillate feedstock is treated in a first hydrodesulfurization stage in the presence of a hydrogen-containing treat gas and a hydrodesulfurization catalyst, thereby resulting in partial desufurization of the stream. The partially desulfurized distillate stream is then treated in a second hydrodesulfurization stage, also in the presence of a hydrogen-containing treat gas and a hydrodesulfurization catalyst. The hydrogen-containing treat gas is cascaded from the next downstream reaction stage, which is an aromatics hydrogenation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, Henry Jung, William E. Lewis, Larry L. Iaccino, Michele S. Touvelle, Gordon F. Stuntz
  • Patent number: 6783663
    Abstract: A hydroprocessing process, comprising: contacting a feedstock, at hydrotreating conditions, with a bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals and wherein the ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII non-noble metal is from about 10:1 to about 1:10 to form a hydrotreated product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Lloyd Riley, Darryl Patrick Klein, Zhiguo Hou, Stuart Leon Soled, Michael Charles Kerby, Gary Brice McVicker, Edward Stanley Ellis, Michele Sue Touvelle, Sabato Miseo
  • Patent number: 6755974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating naphtha, such as catalytically cracked naphtha, in order to remove acidic impurities, such as mercaptans. In particular, the invention relates to a method for mercaptans having a molecular weight of about C4 (C4H10S=90 g/mole) and higher, such as recombinant mercaptans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Greaney, Binh N. Le, Daniel P. Leta, John N. Begasse, Charles T. Huang, Verlin Keith Turner, Gordon F. Stuntz
  • Patent number: 6736962
    Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of mercaptan sulfur in a petroleum stream without significantly changing its octane value. The process comprising a three-phase system wherein the petroleum stream to be treated is passed through a fixed bed of catalyst in the presence of a stripping gas. The stripping gas can be either hydrogen containing gas or an method wherein the composition of the catalyst utilized varies according to the stripping gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce Randall Cook, Robert Charles Welch, Richard Harry Ernst, William Edward Winter, Jr., Richard Alan Demmin, Charles Alfred Euker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6723230
    Abstract: A process to regenerate iron-based hydrogen sulfide sorbents using steam. The steam is preferably mixed with hydrogen-containing gas and/or an inert gas, such as nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the sorbent is first exposed to the steam and then exposed to a hydrogen-containing gas at regeneration conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jingguang G. Chen, Leo D. Brown, William C. Baird, Jr., Gary B. McVicker, Edward S. Ellis, Michele S. Touvelle, Darryl P. Klein, David E. W. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6723229
    Abstract: A four stage process for producing high quality white oils, particularly food or medicinal grade mineral oils from mineral oil distillates. The first reaction stage employs a sulfur resistant hydrotreating catalyst and produces a product suitable for use as a high quality lubricating oil base stock. The second reaction stage employs a hydrogenation/hydrodesulfurization catalyst. The third stage employs a reduced metal sulfur sorbent producing a product stream which is low in aromatics and which has substantially “nil” sulfur. The final reaction stage employs a selective hydrogenation catalyst that produces a product suitable as a food or medicinal grade white oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Sylvain S. Hantzer, Jean Willem Beeckman, Stephen J. McCarthy, Arthur Paul Werner
  • Patent number: 6709571
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an extinction recycle naphtha hydrocracking processes. Large pore zeolite catalysts with Constraint Indices less than 2, such as USY or beta, which are loaded with noble metals such as Pt or Pd or with transition metals such as Ni in combination with Mo or W are employed. Preferably, low hydrogen partial pressures, and a feedstock relatively rich in hydrogen and low in aromatics content, are used, in order to extend catalyst cycle length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Del Rossi, David A. Pappal, Brenda H. Rose
  • Patent number: 6683020
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for opening naphthenic rings of naphthenic ring-containing compounds, along with catalysts which can be used in that process. The ring opening is accomplished using a ring opening catalyst comprising Ir on a composite support of alumina and acidic silica-alumina molecular sieve. The ring opening activity is not significantly deactivated by exposure to oxygen at greater than about 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William C. Baird, Jr., Darryl P. Klein, Jingguang G. Chen, Gary B. McVicker
  • Patent number: 6676827
    Abstract: A method for producing a lube basestock from a waxy feed is disclosed in which a feed containing to 50 wt % or more of wax is hydrotreated and stripped to lower the nitrogen and sulfur content of the feed. The feed is then hydroisomerized under conditions to 370° C. hydrocatalytically dewaxed with a catalyst comprising a mixture of a catalytically active metal on a zeolite dewaxing catalyst and an amorphous catalyst, or alternatively is solvent dewaxed and then hydrocatalytically dewaxed with the just described catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William John Murphy, Ian Alfred Cody, Bernard George Silbernagel
  • Patent number: 6652737
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating naphtha. The method comprises providing naphtha feed, and the naphtha feed comprises naphthene ring-containing compounds. The naphtha feed is contacted with a ring opening catalyst containing a Group VIII metal under conditions effective to ring open the naphthene rings to form a ring opened product. The ring open product can then be contacted with a catalytic cracking catalyst under effective cracking conditions to form an olefin product. The olefin product will be particularly high in ethylene and propylene content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michele S. Touvelle, Darryl P. Klein, Tan-Jen Chen, Luc R. Martens, Edward S. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6649043
    Abstract: A process to regenerate metal oxide desulfurization sorbents using an oxidizing and reducing atmosphere. The sorbents may be mono- or multi-metallic in nature, and preferably comprise Cu, Ni and/or Co. If desired, secondary metals may be incorporated to increase regeneration efficiency and/or capacity. Other additives may be used to suppress hydrocarbon cracking. A sorbent containing Zn may be combined with an Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, or W catalyst or a noble metal catalyst and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jingguang G. Chen, Leo D. Brown, William C. Baird, Jr., Gary B. McVicker, Edward S. Ellis, Michele S. Touvelle, Darryl P. Klein, David E. W. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6649061
    Abstract: A process for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using a membrane is provided. Preferred hydrocarbon mixtures are oil refining fractions such as light cracked naphtha. Membranes are composed of either ionic or non-ionic materials and preferentially permeate sulfur compounds over other hydrocarbons. A single or multi-stage membrane system separates the hydrocarbon mixture into a sulfur-rich fraction and a sulfur-lean fraction. The sulfur-lean fraction may be used in fuel mixtures and the sulfur-rich fraction may be further treated for sulfur reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Michael R. Chuba, Robert J. Saxton