Patents Assigned to Texaco Development Corp.
  • Patent number: 5563301
    Abstract: Methyl tertiary butyl ether is sequentially prepared from tertiary butyl alcohol and methanol by:passing tertiary butyl alcohol and methanol through a primary reaction zone to form a primary etherification reaction product comprising unreacted methanol, unreacted tertiary butyl alcohol, water, dimethyl ether, isobutylene and methyl tertiary butyl ether;separating the primary etherification reaction product into a methanol recycle fraction, a tertiary butyl alcohol recycle fraction, an isobutylene fraction and a methyl tertiary butyl ether product fraction;recycling the methanol recycle fraction and the tertiary butyl alcohol recycle fraction to the methyl tertiary butyl ether etherification reaction zone;passing at least a portion of said isobutylene fraction together with added methanol through a secondary reaction zone to form a secondary etherification reaction product comprising water, methanol, isobutylene, DME, methyl tertiary butyl ether and tertiary butyl alcohol; andrecovering the methyl tertiary but
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle L. Preston, Lawrence E. Tillotson, Rei-Yu J. Hwan
  • Patent number: 4699631
    Abstract: Disclosed in a pox process for producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide gaseous mixtures. The specific oxygen consumption is maintained between 212 to 235 employing a hydrocarbon feed gas while controlling soot production to 0.1 to 3 weight percent of the total feed carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Charles P. Marion
  • Patent number: 4671803
    Abstract: Process for producing synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas substantially free-from volatile metal hydride impurities e.g. a hydride of arsenic, germanium, antimony, lead, tin, silicon, and mixtures thereof starting with the partial oxidation of liquid hydrocarbon fuel and/or solid carbonaceous fuel containing at least one mtal impurity from Group IV A and V A of the Periodic Table of Elements. At least one intermetallic reaction product of said metal impurity from Group IV A and V A leaves the gas generator in admixture with the hot raw process gas stream. A metal hydride forms when the gas stream is quench cooled and scrubbed with water. The metal hydride is then decomposed into its elements e.g. H.sub.2 and a Group IV A aor V A metal when the cooled and scrubbed gas stream contacts a solid sorbent material having a minimum surface area of 10 square meters per gram in a gas-solids contacting zone at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree. C. to 350.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Robert M. Suggitt
  • Patent number: 4650497
    Abstract: With a down flow high pressure gasifier, there is a quench chamber that employs a dip tube for confining the effluent from the gasifier. The quench chamber is coaxial with the dip tube. The dip tube extends beneath the surface of a body of quench liquid, and the exit from the quench chamber is above the surface of the quench liquid. That exit is constructed so that the effluent flow out of the quench chamber is symmetrical relative to the axis of the dip tube in order to minimize the liquid carry over with the effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Manuel E. Quintana
  • Patent number: 4647294
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the partial oxidation of a high metals or ash containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel to simultaneously produce saturated and unsaturated raw streams of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. Two continuous partial oxidation reactions in two separate reaction zones go on simultaneously. The fuel feed to the first partial oxidation zone is said fresh high metals or ash containing fuel. The raw product gas stream from the first partial oxidation zone is split into first and second split gas streams. The first split gas stream may be cooled in a radiant and/or convection type gas cooler without fouling heat exchange surfaces. The fuel feed to the second partial oxidation zone is a pumpable slurry which is prepared from the entrained matter that is separated from said gas streams during quench cooling and cleaning operations and which contains a comparatively high amount of metals and/or ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 4488982
    Abstract: Improved surfactants and functional fluids are prepared by reacting a monofunctional initiator with an alkylene carbonate or with an alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide to form polyether polycarbonate materials. As surfactants, the resulting materials exhibit reduced foaming characteristics as compared to other nonionic surfactants. The viscosity-temperature relationships, flash points and pour points make them useful as functional fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Cuscurida, Robert M. Gipson
  • Patent number: 4488513
    Abstract: A gas cooler and process are provided for the efficient extraction of heat from a hot raw gas stream containing entrained matter from the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous or carbonaceous fuel, and the simultaneous production of a separate stream of superheated steam. The gas cooler comprises a closed vertical pressure vessel with an upper central outlet through which the superheated steam is removed. A refractory lined hot gas inlet chamber is attached to the bottom of the pressure vessel. A plurality of bundles of helical tubes through which the hot gas flows are spaced in the vessel. The hot gas enters at the bottom of the vessel and the cooled gas leaves at the bottom of the helical coil. A portion of the vessel is filled with boiler feed water so that the bundles of helical tubes are partially submerged. Concurrent and countercurrent indirect heat exchange between boiler feed water and the gas stream takes place in the evaporator section to produce saturated steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Jahnke, James R. Muenger
  • Patent number: 4431778
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof or with a copolymer of acrylamide and styrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof as well as these same copolymers alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4430482
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide and, if desired, a small amount of a sulfated, alkoxylated polyacrylamide, i.e., an N-substituted polyacrylamide having N-substituents of the formula:--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m SO.sub.3 M,where m is an integer of from 1 to 5 and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium or ammonium. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4430481
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water or brine, thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and diacetone acrylamide alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide or glycidol, optionally sulfated or sulfonated. If desired, said drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4425453
    Abstract: Asphaltic compositions having improved elastic properties and improved adhesion to aggregate particles as well as a high degree of resistance to stripping action are provided which comprise a major amount of asphalt and a minor amount of terpolymer of ethylene, vinyl acetate or vinyl chloride and an organic acid alkoxylated with about 1 to about 10 weight percent of an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the composition may contain a minor amount of a synthetic terpenic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4417989
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof and a minor amount of polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. An aqueous fracturing fluid containing a small amount of alkoxylated polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4406799
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof or with a copolymer of acrylamide and styrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof as well as these same copolymers alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4403071
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof and saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. If desired, the drive fluid may contain a small amount of a sulfated or sulfonated, ethoxylated acrylic acid polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4377132
    Abstract: A synthesis gas cooler has concentric water walls to provide for heat transfer to a fluid in the water wall tubes. The inner water wall is concentric with the cooler shell and has a gas tight inlet connection for introducing hot synthesis gas. The inlet is located at the top of the shell. The bottom of the shell contains a body of water for quenching entrained solids which are carried with the synthesis gas, and there is a baffle to direct the flow of synthesis gas back up in the annulus between the two concentric water walls. The annulus has a closed upper end except for an outlet for the synthesis gas which is located near that end of the annulus. Also, there may be soot blowers along the length of the water walls to keep the heat transfer surfaces clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Koog, Frank E. Guptill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4343712
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof or with a copolymer of acrylamide and styrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof as well as these same copolymers alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4341647
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof and saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. If desired, the drive fluid may contain a small amount of a sulfated or sulfonated, ethoxylated acrylic acid polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4338203
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof and saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. If desired, the drive fluid may contain a small amount of a sulfated or sulfonated, ethoxylated acrylic acid polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4331796
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of (a) vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and (b) acrylamide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4326969
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof and a minor amount of polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. An aqueous fracturing fluid containing a small amount of alkoxylated polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter