Patents Assigned to Exxon Research and Engineering
  • Patent number: 5955403
    Abstract: A sulfur free lubricating composition comprises a major portion of a synthetic base lubricating oil and a minor portion of a tri(alkyl phenyl) phosphate or di(alkylphenyl)phosphoric acid antiwear agent, an amine antioxidant a substituted succinamide rust inhibitor and a tolytriazole. The tri(alkylphenyl)phosphate antiwear agent is incorporated in the oil in an amount ranging between about 0.1 to 2.0 wt % and the amine antioxidant in amount ranging from about 0.1 to 5 wt %. The succinamide is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 to 0.5 wt % and the tolytriazole, from about 0.01 to 0.5 wt %. In the foregoing, the wt % is based on the weight of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Chung-Lai Wong
  • Patent number: 5955214
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for lowering the carbon monoxide content of a CO-containing hydrogen-rich gas stream by contacting the gas stream with a scavenger capable of preferentially oxidizing the carbon monoxide in the gas stream and then regenerating the scavenger. The scavenger is selected from the group of mixed oxides of manganese and copper; mixed oxides of manganese and copper in combination with mixed oxides of silver, nickel, iron, and tin; mixed oxides of tin and copper; SnO.sub.2 --CuO gels; and mixtures thereof. Preferably the scavenger will have a surface area from about 0.5 to about 200 m.sup.2 /gm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
    Inventors: Richard James Bellows, John Lawrence Robbins
  • Patent number: 5951853
    Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing ammonia or a ammonia and steam mixture as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of ammonia and a mixture of ammonia and steam as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: David W. Savage, Guido Sartori
  • Patent number: 5951165
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes an elongated cylindrical thermal body having a longitudinal bore therethrough. The body also has a first, closed, heat sensing end and a second, open end. At least one thermocouple is mounted within the bore of the thermal body heat conducting relationship with the heat sensing end and extends outwardly through the second end for connection to a signal measuring device. The heat sensing first end of the thermal body is provided with male threads for screwing the first end into a threaded cavity in metal surface such as a metal vessel wall. The thermal body at about its mid-section has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first end and is threaded around the circumference. The sensor includes a lock nut which screws over the mid section locking the thermal body to a vessel wall when it is screwed into the cavity provided in the wall to receive the heat sensing end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Robert John Platt
  • Patent number: 5952421
    Abstract: The present invention provides for microporous ceramic materials having a surface area in excess of 70 m.sup.2 /gm and an open microporous cell structure wherein the micropores have a mean width of less than 20 Angstroms and wherein said microporous structure comprises a volume of greater than about 0.03 cm.sup.3 /gm of the ceramic. The invention also provides for a preceramic composite intermediate composition comprising a mixture of a ceramic precursor and nanoscale size metallic particles, whose pyrolysis product in inert atmosphere or in an ammonia atmosphere at temperatures of up to less than about 1100.degree. C. gives rise to the microporous ceramics of the invention. Also provided is a process for the preparation of the microporous ceramics of the invention involving pyrolysis of the composite intermediate under controlled conditions of heating up to temperatures of less than about 1100.degree. C. to form a microporous ceramic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: John Stewart Bradley, Ernestine Williams Hill, John P. Dismukes, Paul James Tindall
  • Patent number: 5948719
    Abstract: Ferrierite is ion exchanged with trivalent rare earth metals by a hydrothermal ion exchange method. The ion exchange is carried out by contacting ferrierite, in which its cation exchange positions are occupied by hydrogen or a hydrogen precursor, with an aqueous solution of one or more rare earth metal cations at a temperature above the boiling point of the solution. After the ion exchange, preferably at least 10% and more preferably at least 15% of the ferrierite cation exchange capacity is occupied by a trivalent rare earth metal cation. When combined with a catalytic metal, such as a Group VIII noble metal, the trivalent rare earth metal ion exchanged ferrierite is useful as a dewaxing catalyst having good selectivity for lubricating oil fractions, particularly when dewaxing a Fischer-Tropsch wax hydroisomerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Jack W. Johnson, Bruce R. Cook, Guang Cao, Rich A. McEvoy, Richard H. Ernst
  • Patent number: 5947080
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a method for adjusting the NO.sub.2 to NO content of a diesel engine's exhaust without affecting engine performance. The NO.sub.2 to NO ratio is adjusted by varying the amount and tinting of secondary hydrocarbon injection during the engine's expansion stroke. The appropriate amount of secondary injected hydrocarbon and the appropriate injection timing are determined from calibration values obtained by direct engine measurements and the desired NO.sub.2 :NO ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Walter Weissman, Anthony Marion Dean, Harry Stuard Pink
  • Patent number: 5948378
    Abstract: A process for producing and cleaning a synthesis gas which contains ammonia and hydrogen cyanide catalytically converts most of the cyanide to ammonia which, along with some of the cyanide, is removed from the gas with water to form aqueous solutions of ammonia and cyanide. The hydrocarbon gas feed to the synthesis gas generator is used to strip ammonia and cyanide out of one or more of the aqueous solutions of these two species formed during the process and pass them into the generator in which they are consumed to form clean water. A portion of the resulting clean water is recycled back into the process where it used to scrub the synthesis gas, with the remainder used for other purposes or sent to disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Russell J. Koveal, Dennis G. Alexion
  • Patent number: 5948238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the acidity of a petroleum oil containing organic acids comprising treating said petroleum oil containing organic acids with an effective amount of an alcohol at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding ester of said alcohol and wherein said treatment is conducted in the presence of a metal carboxylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research And Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Guido Sartori, David W. Savage, Saul C. Blum, David C. Dalrymple, William E. Wales
  • Patent number: 5945459
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions, especially a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, use of the catalyst for conducting such reactions, especially Fischer-Tropsch reactions, and the composition produced by said process. In the preparation of the catalyst, a solution of a multi-functional carboxylic acid having from about 3 to 6 total carbon atoms, preferably about 4 to 5 total carbon atoms, is employed to impregnate and disperse a compound or salt of rhenium and a compound or salt of a catalytic metal, or metals, e.g., copper or an Iron Group metal such as iron, cobalt, or nickel onto a refractory inorganic oxide support, e.g., titania. The rhenium, which need be present only in small amount permits full and complete reduction of the catalytic metal, or metals, dispersed by the acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
    Inventor: Charles H. Mauldin
  • Patent number: 5942197
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a gas bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the gas bypass device including a gas bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of treat gas which bypasses the first reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
    Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Edward S. Ellis, David C. Dankworth, Dimitrios M. Tsangaris
  • Patent number: 5942101
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for electrochemically decreasing the Conradson carbon number of petroleum streams by contacting a Conradson carbon containing petroleum stream and an aqueous electrolysis medium with a low hydrogen overpotential metal cathode at an electric current and pH sufficient to decrease the Conradson carbon of the petroleum stream. The cathode voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 7 to 14. The cathode material typically is stainless steel, chromium, copper and nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Mark Alan Greaney
  • Patent number: 5942119
    Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a separation process. When molecular sieve membranes are used in a separation process transport flux decays over time. It has been discovered that the presence of hydrogen in the feed stream, permeate stream, or feed stream when present, either alone or in combination, causes a reduction in flux decay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harry William Deckman, Edward William Corcoran, Jr., Lothar R. Czarnetzki, James Alexander McHenry
  • Patent number: 5939031
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a liquid bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the liquid bypass device including a liquid bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of liquid which bypasses the first reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Ramesh Gupta, David C. Dankworth, Dimitrios M. Tsangaris
  • Patent number: 5939352
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol and the process for making and using the catalyst. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium. The first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Thomas Henry Vanderspurt, Mark Alan Greaney, Daniel Paul Leta, Russell John Koveal, Mark Michael Disko, Angela V. Klaus, Sutinder K. Behal, Robert B. Harris
  • Patent number: 5935420
    Abstract: A process for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of multiple condensed ring heterocyclic organosulfur compounds present in petroleum and petrochemical streams over noble metal-containing catalysts under relatively mild conditions. The noble metal is selected from Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, and polymetallics thereof. The catalyst system also contains a hydrogen sulfide sorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: William C. Baird, Jr., Gary B. McVicker, James J. Schorfheide, Darryl P. Klein, Sylvain Hantzer, Michel Daage, Michele S. Touvelle, Edward S. Ellis, David E.W. Vaughan, Jingguang G. Chen
  • Patent number: 5935421
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated, continuous process for the removal of organically bound sulfur (e.g., mercaptans, sulfides and thiophenes) comprising the steps of contacting a heavy oil, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen and water at a temperature of from about 380.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. to partially desulfurize the heavy oil and to form sodium sulfide, contacting said sodium sulfide via steam stripping to convert the sodium sulfide to sodium hydroxide and the sulfur recovered as hydrogen sulfide. The sodium hydroxide is recirculated for reuse. The partially desulfurized, dewatered heavy oil is treated with sodium metal under desulfurizing conditions, typically at a temperature of from about 340.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C., under a hydrogen pressure of at least about 50 psi to essentially desulfurize the oil, and form sodium sulfide. Optionally, the sodium salt generated can be regenerated to sodium metal using regeneration technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Glen Brons, Ronald D. Myers, Roby Bearden
  • Patent number: 5935416
    Abstract: A process for producing a high VI/low volatility lubricating oil basestock. The process comprises subjecting the raffinate from a solvent extraction step to a two-step, single-stage hydroconversion process wherein the first step involves severe hydroconversion of the raffinate followed by a cold hydrofinishing step. The effluent from the cold hydrofinishing step is then catalytically dewaxed or in the alternative, solvent dewaxed followed by catalytic dewaxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Ian A. Cody, Douglas R. Boate, William J. Murphy, Daniel P. Leta
  • Patent number: 5935418
    Abstract: A reactor system is provided which is particularly suitable for hydroprocessing a heavy hydrocarbon under catalytic slurry hydroprocessing conditions. This reactor system includes a single reaction zone containing at least one filter element for the separation of liquid product from catalyst particles in the reaction zone. Means are provided for backwashing the filter element. Preferably, at least two filter elements are provided one of which is used for separation of product and the other for introduction of hydrogen into the reactor. Additionally, means are provided for switching the flow between the two filter elements thereby permitting continuous operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ghosh Mainak
  • Patent number: 5935489
    Abstract: A novel injector/reactor apparatus and an efficient process for the partial oxidation of light hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, to convert such gases to useful synthesis gas for recovery and/or subsequent hydrocarbon synthesis. Sources comprising a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, preheated and pressurized, are injected through an injector means at high velocity into admixture with each other in the desired relative proportions, at a plurality of mixing nozzles which are open to the partial oxidation zone of a reactor and are uniformly-spaced over the face of the injector means, to form a reactant gaseous premix having a pressure at least 3% lower than the lowest upstream pressure of either of the streams of the individual gases. The gaseous premix is injected in a time period which is less than its autoignition time, preferably less than 9 milliseconds, at a velocity between about 25 to 1000 feet/second, into the partial oxidation zone of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Harry W. Deckman, Robert P. Reynolds, Constantine P. Gonatas, John W. Fulton, Leonard Schoenman, Jack I. Ito