Abstract: The present invention is a process to reduce the fouling of equipment for processing petroleum feedstreams. The steps of the process include mixing the feedstream with an aqueous electrolyte forming an oil-in-water dispersion, passing the dispersion through an electrochemical cell, passing a low voltage current through the dispersion, and separating the phases of the dispersion. The oil phase can then be further processed with minimum fouling of the equipment. The water phase is recycled for dispersing fresh petroleum.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 18, 2000
Date of Patent:
October 16, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Michael Siskin, Mark A. Greaney, Glen E. Phillips
Abstract: A process for detecting, and monitoring, changes in the properties of a fluidized bed of particulate solids, especially a fluidized bed of particulate catalytic solids at elevated temperature wherein a low molecular weight hydrocarbon is converted, in the presence of steam and oxygen, to synthesis gas. Measurement is made of the magnitude of differential pressure fluctuations taken at different levels of bed elevation and these are recorded as a standard deviation, or normalized standard deviation, and directly related to particle size changes caused by agglomeration (growth) and/or attrition (size reduction). Operation of the process requires the use of fast response pressure transducers that are located in the bed and connected to an A/D board of a PC which records and accumulates the data for processing, and analysis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Herbert Weinstein, Robert H. Shabaker, Mark L. Tiller, James H. Taylor, Darrell R. Pitzer
Abstract: Disclosed are silicoaluminates (SAPOs) having unique silicon distributions, a method for their preparation and their use as naphtha cracking catalysts. More particularly, the new SAPOs have a high silica:alumina ratio and favorable Si atom distribution.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Karl G. Strohmaier, David E. W. Vaughan, Tan Jen Chen, Philip A. Ruziska, Brian Erik Henry, Gordon F. Stuntz, Stephen M. Davis
Abstract: A process for the desulfurization, and reactivation of a sulfur deactivated catalyst constituted of cobalt composited with a titania support. The sulfur deactivated cobalt titania catalyst is first contacted with a gaseous stream of molecular oxygen at temperature sufficiently high to oxidize the sulfur component of the catalyst. The sulfur oxidized catalyst is next contacted with a liquid, preferably water, to remove the oxide, or oxides of the sulfur. The catalyst is then contacted with a reducing agent, suitably hydrogen, to restore the activity of the catalyst. During the treatment there is no substantial loss, if any, of cobalt from the catalyst.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Albert L'Vovich Lapidus, Michel A. Daage, Russell J. Koveal, Alla Jurievna Krylova, Anatoliy B. Erofeev
Abstract: A hydrodenitrogenation catalyst is prepared by decomposing a nickel (ammonium) molybdotungstate precursor and sulfiding, either pre-use or in situ, the decomposition product.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 3, 2000
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Stuart L Soled, Sabato Miseo, Roman Krycak, Hilda Vroman, Teh C. Ho, Kenneth L. Riley
Abstract: A novel scheme for olefin recovery/separation based on the redox properties of metal dithiolene complexes is described. The complex, [1,2-bis(cyano)ethylene-1,2-dithiolato]nickel, [Ni(S2C2(CN)2)2], when generated electrochemically, binds olefin to form an adduct. The olefin is released when the olefin adduct is reduced electrochemically. The reduced form of the metal dithiolene complex can then be re-oxidized to complete the cycle. For olefins such as 1-hexene, propylene, and ethylene, fast olefin binding and release is observed when modulated electrochemically. Olefin binding/release rates are fast as compared to the electrochemistry experiment (second or sub-second time-scale).
Abstract: Diesel fuels or blending stocks having excellent lubricity, oxidative stability and high cetane number are produced from non-shifting Fischer-Tropsch processes by separating the Fischer-Tropsch product into a lighter and heavier fractions, e.g., at about 700° F., subjecting the 700° F.+fraction to hydro-treating, and combining the 700° F.− portion of the hydrotreated product with the lighter fraction that has not been hydrotreated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 1995
Date of Patent:
October 2, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Robert Jay Wittenbrink, Richard Frank Bauman, Paul Joseph Berlowitz, Bruce Randall Cook
Abstract: A process for upgrading a hydrocarbon oil is provided which comprises introducing the oil and an aromatic extraction solvent containing 0.1 to 10 vol % water into an extraction zone for contact of the oil and solvent therein whereby an extract solution is formed; and injecting water into the extraction zone at a point below that at which the extraction solvent is introduced. The injected water is injected substantially countercurrent to the extraction solvent at a velocity of about 0.5 to 3 ft/sec in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 10 LV% based on the amount of extract solution being processed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 1999
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Keith K. Aldous, Joseph P. Boyle, Michael B. Davis
Abstract: Hydrocarbon in water emulsions comprising Fischer-Tropsch process water, at least 20 to about 90 weight percent of a Fischer-Tropsch wax, a first nonionic surfactant having an HLB of at least 11 and a second nonionic surfactant having an HLB less than 11. Said emulsions are liquid at room temperature and pour by ordinary gravity. Also disclosed are methods of making said hydrocarbon in water emulsions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 12, 1997
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Tapan Chakrabarty, Robert J. Wittenbrink, Paul J. Berlowitz, Loren L. Ansell
Abstract: A process for dewaxing waxy hydrocarbonaceous materials, such as hydrocarbon fuel and lubricating oil fractions to reduce their cloud and pour points comprises reacting the material with hydrogen in the presence of a dewaxing catalyst comprising at least one metal catalytic component and ferrierite in which at least a portion of its cation exchange positions are occupied by one or more trivalent rare earth metal cations. The rare earth ion exchanged ferrierite catalyst has good selectivity for lubricating oil production, particularly when dewaxing a Fischer-Tropsch wax hydroisomerate. Preferably at least 10% and more preferably at least 15% of the ferreirite cation exchange capacity is occupied by one or more trivalent rare earth metal cations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 12, 1999
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Bruce R. Cook, Jack W. Johnson, Guang Cao, Rich A. McEvoy, Richard H. Ernst
Abstract: A slurry catalytic hydrocarbon synthesis process which employs a catalyst comprising a supported cobalt component achieves a short term catalyst half life of more than 10 days, by using a syngas feed which contains less than fifty parts per billion of a combined total amount of HCN and NH3.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Stephen C. Leviness, Charles J. Mart, William C. Behrmann, Stephen J. Hsia, Daniel R. Neskora
Abstract: A composite having fibers of relatively high elastic modulus embedded in a matrix of relatively low elastic modulus is provided with an interphase of elastic modulus less than the matrix modulus and cohesive energy higher than the matrix cohesive energy. The resulting composite has enhanced strength and toughness.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 18, 1994
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
Inventors:
Liza M. Monette, Arnold Lustiger, Michael P. Anderson, John P. Dismukes, H. Daniel Wagner, Cary N. Marzinsky, Russell R. Mueller
Abstract: An additive concentrate for use in fuels, especially in gasoline for internal combustion engines, comprising (a) 0.2 to 10 wt. % ashless friction modifier which is liquid at room temperature and pressure selected from (i) n-butylamine oleate or derivatives thereof, (ii) a substance comprising tall oil fatty acid or derivatives thereof, and (iii) mixtures of (i) and (ii); (b) 10 to 80 wt. % deposit inhibitor, and (c) carrier fluid. The particular selection of friction modifier (a) enables a stable additive concentrate to be formulated without the need for additional solubilising agent for the friction modifier, while containing sufficient friction modifier to achieve a significant benefit in fri loss, when incorporated in gasoline used to fuel an internal combustion engine, and hence an improvement in fuel economy.
Abstract: Diesel fuels or blending stocks having excellent lubricity, oxidative stability and high cetane number are produced from non-shifting Fischer-Tropsch processes by separating the Fischer-Tropsch product into a lighter and heavier fractions, e.g., at about 700° F., subjecting the 700° F.+fraction to hydro-treating, and combining the 700° F.+portion of the hydrotreated product with the lighter fraction that has not been hydrotreated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 16, 1999
Date of Patent:
August 14, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Robert Jay Wittenbrink, Richard Frank Bauman, Paul Joseph Berlowitz, Bruce Randall Cook
Abstract: A downcomer for producing at least two slurries having different solids and gas concentrations from a single three phase slurry of particulate solids and gas bubbles in a slurry liquid has two or more concentric gas and solids disengaging zones, each having an open fluid conduit depending from an orifice in the bottom. The downcomer is useful in a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis process for forming a catalyst and gas reduced slurry which is passed to a liquid filter to remove hydrocarbon liquid from the slurry reactor.
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 of a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are preheated and pressurized and 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 catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone and are uniformly-spaced over the face of the injector means, to form a reactant gaseous premix having a pressure drop equal to at least about 3% of the lowest upstream pressure of either of said gases.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 25, 1997
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2001
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, Leroy R. Clavenna
Abstract: The present invention is a process for decreasing the acidity of a starting acidic crude oil by contacting an acidic crude with an effective excess of ammonia dissolved in said crude to form an ammonia-continuous oil discontinuous phase at a temperature and conditions sufficient to form the corresponding amide of the naphthenic acids. The process is useful in the processing of acidic crudes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 21, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 10, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Guido Sartori, David William Savage, William Neergaard Olmstead, Winston Karl Robbins, David Craig Dalrymple, Bruce Henry Ballinger
Abstract: A supported particulate cobalt catalyst is formed by dispersing cobalt, alone or with a metal promoter, particularly rhenium, as a thin catalytically active film upon a particulate support, especially a silica or titania support. This catalyst can be used to convert an admixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a distillate fuel constituted principally of an admixture of linear paraffins and olefins, particularly a C10+ distillate, at high productivity, with low methane selectivity. A process is also disclosed for the preparation of these catalysts.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 1998
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2001
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
Inventors:
William C. Behrmann, Kym B. Arcuri, Charles H. Mauldin