Patents Assigned to Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
  • Patent number: 5504262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making mixtures of ethanol and methanol by reacting methane, water and an acidic aqueous solution of a electron acceptor, preferably Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 or Fe(ClO.sub.4).sub.3, having a pH of less than 3, preferably 1 to 3, more preferably 1 to 2 in the presence of a noble metal catalyst, typically platinum or palladium, having a diameter of at least about 100 .ANG. at a temperature of at least 60.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. The process is advantageous as it provides a method of making ethanol directly from methanol at low cost and high thermodynamic efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Vanderspurt, John J. Knarr, Anthony W. Ho
  • Patent number: 5503774
    Abstract: The present invention provides for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and waters by treating soil or water with a surfactant or mixture of surfactants having the general formulae: ##STR1## wherein A=CH.sub.2, B=CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, x=1-10 and y=2-20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Cornelius H. Brons, Jan Bock, Ramesh Varadaraj, Stanley J. Brois
  • Patent number: 5498638
    Abstract: High conversion, substantially once-through hydrocarbon synthesis is achieved by reacting H.sub.2 and CO in a first stage(s) in the presence of a non-shifting catalysts, separating liquid products and reacting the remaining gas streams in the presence of hydrocarbon synthesis catalysts having shifting activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: David C. Long
  • Patent number: 5498673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a functionalized styrenic polymer or copolymer which contains functionalized para-alkystryene moiety having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and primary and secondary halo alkyl, and R.sub.4 is selected from a group having the formula: ##STR2## wherein x is an integer of from 2 to about 10, y is an integer from ranging from 0 to about 20 and A is a linear hydrocarbyl group of from 2 to about 10 carbon atoms or a branched hydrocarbyl group of from 3 to about 10 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Abhimanyu O. Patil
  • Patent number: 5476982
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel catalyst composition and its use in the dehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins. The catalyst comprises an alloy of a Group VIII noble metal and a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc and gallium on a support selected from the group consisting of silica, zinc oxide modified silica and zinc oxide modified silica-pillared clays when said alloy is a zinc alloy, and silica, gallium oxide modified silica and gallium oxide modified silica-pillared clays when said alloy is a gallium alloy. The instant catalyst is an active and selective catalyst for the catalytic dehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins, especially gaseous paraffins, having the added benefit of retaining high activity and selectivity even following repeated regeneration by calcination in oxygen containing gas at temperatures of 450.degree. C. to 650.degree. C., preferably 450.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: John L. Robbins, Elise Marucchi-Soos, Jack W. Johnson, John F. Brody
  • Patent number: 5470358
    Abstract: Aromatic amines of the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl or halogen and n is an integer from 0 to 3 are effective in increasing the motor octane number of aviation gasolines to 98 or greater without the presence of lead additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Roger G. Gaughan
  • Patent number: 5466376
    Abstract: The presence of carryunder in the extract phase recovered from a solvent extraction tower is an indication of unsatisfactory performance. The continuous analysis of the extract phase using a turbidity analyzer to detect the presence of two phases, indicating carryunder permits corrective measures to be taken in tower operation to reduce or eliminate carryunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Boyle, Gordon C. Camano, Randall S. Lachine, Howard R. Lingley, Raymond W. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5466364
    Abstract: The daylight stability, foaming characteristics, color, engine performance test behavior, oxygenates content, and thermal stability of wax isomerate oils and/or hydrocarbon synthesis liquid products are improved by the process of contacting the aforesaid wax isomerate oil and/or hydrocarbon synthesis liquid products with a silica adsorbent, said silica adsorbent being characterized by possessing a pore size of at least about 100 .ANG., preferably at least about 125 .ANG., most preferably at least about 150 .ANG., an alkali/alkaline earth ion concentration, excluding sodium, of greater than about 125 ppm, an iron content of less than about 40 ppm and a zirconium content of less than about 130 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Bal K. Kaul, Craig Y. Sabottke, Rocco A. Fiato, Edward Niessen
  • Patent number: 5464523
    Abstract: A method and a sensor to measure the sulfur activity in sulfur-containing environments are disclosed. The active component is a non-stoichiometric metal sulfide foil or film. In the case of a thin sulfide film, a ceramic substrate is employed for improved mechanical rigidity. The electrical conductivity of the sulfide is related to the sulfur activity of the process stream to which it is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Trikur A. Ramanarayanan, Vinod K. Pareek, James D. Mumford, III, Horst Witzke
  • Patent number: 5462680
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions of matter comprising free radical adducts of a fullerene with one or more saturated hydrocarbons having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 200 to about ten million. Attachment of saturated hydrocarbons to as many as fourteen sites on the fullerene surface can be achieved via free radical initiated reactions. Fullerenes also add to saturated hydrocarbons with functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, carboxy, and carboalkoxy radicals in the presence of a free radical initiator. Said radical adducts of substantially saturated hydrocarbons with fullerenes react further with alkylamines and polyamines to produce new compositions. The radical adducts, and their aminated derivatives are useful as dispersants and viscosity modifiers in lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Stanley J. Brois, Abhimanyu O. Patil, Wolfgang W. Schulz, Chang S. Hsu, Richard T. Garner
  • Patent number: 5459122
    Abstract: An aromatic oil having an aniline point less than 120.degree. F., a mutagenicity index based on The Modified Ames Test of less than 2.0, a benzene, naphthalene and methyl substituted benzenes and naphthalenes individual component concentrations less than 100 wppm, and a clay gel aromatics fraction content of at least 50 weight % based on aromatic oil, said aromatics fraction characterized in that it has a naphthene-benzenes and dinaphthenebenzenes content of at least 50 volume % based on aromatics fraction. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the aromatic oil which comprises the steps of selective solvent extraction, selective distillation and two-stage hydrotreating with removal of hydrogen sulfide and/or ammonia. The aromatic oils are useful in agricultural formulations due to their low environmental impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ford, Gilbert V. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5457253
    Abstract: By this invention there is provided a catalyst composition comprising a Group IVB oxide, an amorphous silica-alumina support having dispersed thereon a rare earth oxide, which as herein used also includes yttrium oxide, and a metal(s) selected from the group consisting of Group VIII noble metal(s), mixtures of Group VIII noble metal(s) and tin, mixtures of Group VIII noble metal(s) and rhenium, and mixtures of Group VIII noble metal(s), tin and rhenium. The amorphous silica-alumina support contains at least about 50% silica by weight. The catalyst can function as a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst in reactions where platinum on halided (Cl,F)-alumina is typically used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Gary B. McVicker, William E. Gates, Sabato Miseo
  • Patent number: 5454934
    Abstract: A method for converting solid carbonaceous materials to liquid products. The solid carbonaceous material is first treated with a aqueous composition of a metal carbonate or bicarbonate. This results in the metal being atomically dispersed in the carbonaceous material. The treated solid carbonaceous material is then subjected to liquefaction conditions. The preferred metal is iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Reynolds, Claude C. Culross, Stephen D. LeViness, John W. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5455020
    Abstract: A synthetic gallosilicate zeolite having a 12-ring pore structure and a process for preparing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: David E. W. Vaughan, Karl G. Strohmaier
  • Patent number: 5454961
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions that contain a base oil and certain substituted fullerenes effective to improve the cold flow properties of the base oil. Typically the substituted fullerenes have the general formula:C.sub.Fn (GR.sub.y).sub.xIn the formula C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: George W. Schriver, Abhimanyu O. Patil, David J. Martella, Kenneth Lewtas
  • Patent number: 5454842
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to materials which improve the cetane number of diesel fusel when added in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 2 wt % to such fuel. The materials are the nitration product of alcohols obtained by the reduction of tall oil fatty acids, tall oil fatty acid esters, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Marc-Andre Poirier, David E. Steere, James A. Krogh
  • Patent number: 5453561
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reactive separation of mixtures containing hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, by contacting a mixture of hydrocarbons such as C.sub.2 to C.sub.26 hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof and oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as C.sub.2 to C.sub.40 oxygenated hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof to form a mixture of hydrocarbons and lower molecular weight oxygenated hydrocarbons and heating the mixture in water at temperature typically from about and pressure sufficient to cleave the oxygenated hydrocarbons to lower molecular weight products to form a liquid layer containing water soluble reaction products and an organic layer containing primarily hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Ramzi Y. Saleh, Michael Siskin, Glen B. Brons, Stephen N. Vaughn, Richard H. Schlosberg
  • Patent number: 5453211
    Abstract: The oxidation stability of lube base oils is improved by the addition of tetralins or combination of tetralins and organic sulfides. The addition of tetralins or combination of tetralins and organic sulfides to formulated lube oils has also been found to improve the oxidation stability of such formulated oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Sandra J. Alward
  • Patent number: 5453255
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of cyclones is suspended from the roof of a vessel by means of tubular extensions of their barrels. These tubular extensions are slotted lengthwise to minimize thermal stresses in the vessel head. Importantly, this hanging scheme provides a direct extension within the load path for the cyclone weight, thus supporting the cyclone in tension stresses rather than high bending stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Donald F. Shaw, John F. Socolofsky
  • Patent number: 5447622
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method which combines catalytic cracking and olefin production using a coked catalytic cracking catalyst as a dehydrogenation catalyst to dehydrogenate an alkane feed stream and form an olefin rich product stream. The method uses a staged backmixed regeneration system to form the dehydrogenation catalyst and to fully reactivate deactivated cracking catalyst for reuse in the cracking reaction. The catalyst preferably comprises a crystalline tetrahedral framework oxide component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Michael C. Kerby, Roby Bearden, Jr., Stephen M. Davis