Patents Examined by Derek Mueller
  • Patent number: 8617383
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing naphtha fuel, diesel fuel and/or lubricant base oils from feedstocks under sour conditions is provided. The ability to process feedstocks under higher sulfur and/or nitrogen conditions allows for reduced cost processing and increases the flexibility in selecting a suitable feedstock. The sour feed can be delivered to a catalytic dewaxing step without any separation of sulfur and nitrogen contaminants, or with only a high pressure separation so that the dewaxing still occurs under sour conditions. Various combinations of hydrotreating, catalytic dewaxing, hydrocracking, and hydrofinishing can be used to produce fuel products and lubricant base oil products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Krista Marie Prentice, Michel Daage, Ajit Bhaskar Dandekar, Christopher Gordon Oliveri, Rohit Vijay, Stephen J. McCarthy, Wenyih F. Lai, Bradley R. Fingland
  • Patent number: 8617386
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising molybdenum supported on a base, such as boehmite or pseudo-boehmite alumina. Iron oxide may also be in the base. The base is preferably bauxite. The heavy hydrocarbon slurry is hydrocracked in the presence of the catalyst to produce lighter hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Maureen L. Bricker, Lorenz J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 8613852
    Abstract: Self-compatible heavy oil streams are produced from converted and/or desulfurized fractions. In a preferred embodiment, an incompatibility stream is added to the converted and/or desulfurized stream to reduce the solubility number of the stream. After using a water wash to remove incompatible material, a lighter fraction is removed from the stream to increase the solubility number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Daniel P. Leta, Walter D. Vann, David T. Ferrughelli, Eric B. Sirota, Howard Freund
  • Patent number: 8608940
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for hydroprocessing two hydrocarbon streams at two different pressures. A hydrogen stream is compressed and split. A first split compressed stream is further compressed to feed a first hydroprocessing unit that requires higher pressure for operation. A second split compressed stream is fed to a second hydroprocessing unit that requires lower pressure. Recycle hydrogen from the second hydroprocessing unit is recycled back to the compression section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Andrew P. Wieber
  • Patent number: 8608945
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising molybdenum supported on a base, such as boehmite or pseudo-boehmite alumina. Iron oxide may also be in the base. The base is preferably bauxite. The heavy hydrocarbon slurry is hydrocracked in the presence of the catalyst to produce lighter hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Beckay J. Mezza, Maureen L. Bricker, Lorenz J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 8608947
    Abstract: A process is provided to produce an ultra low sulfur diesel using a two stage hydrotreating reaction zone. The first stage hydrotreater may operate with a continuous liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John A. Petri, Vedula K. Murty, Peter Kokayeff
  • Patent number: 8608939
    Abstract: Process for removing asphaltenic particles from a hydrocarbon feed containing asphaltenic particles by treating the feed in a filter unit comprising a perforated tube surrounded by hollow longitudinal projections comprising a filter having openings of at most 50 micrometer diameter in which the internal space of each of the hollow projections is in fluid communication with the inside of the perforated tube and which filter is regularly subjected to cleaning by treating each of the projections with cleaning fluid wherein the flow of cleaning fluid is opposite to the direction of normal flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Johannes Leendert William Cornelis Den Boestert, Duurt Renkema, Marco Jordi In Het Veld
  • Patent number: 8597499
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and at least one metal-containing catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The hydrocarbon-containing feedstock, the catalyst(s), and the hydrogen are provided to a mixing zone and blended in the mixing zone at a temperature of from 375° C. to 500° C. and a total pressure of from 6.9 MPa to 27.5 MPa. A vapor comprised of hydrocarbons that are vaporizable at the temperature and pressure within the mixing zone is separated from the mixing zone. Any metal-containing catalyst provided to the mixing zone has an acidity as measured by ammonia chemisorption of at most 200 ?mol ammonia per gram of catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Reynolds, Stanley Nemec Milam, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8597498
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and a metal-containing catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The hydrocarbon-containing feedstock, the catalyst(s), the hydrogen sulfide, and the hydrogen are provided to a mixing zone and blended in the mixing zone at a temperature of from 375° C. to 500° C. and a total pressure of from 6.9 MPa to 27.5 MPa, where hydrogen sulfide is provided at a mole ratio of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen of at least 0.5:9.5 and the combined hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen partial pressures provide at least 60% of the total pressure. A vapor comprised of hydrocarbons that are vaporizable at the temperature and pressure within the mixing zone is separated from the mixing zone, and, apart from the mixing zone, the vapor may be condensed to produce a liquid hydrocarbon-containing product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8597501
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more disulfide compounds from a caustic stream. The process can include passing the caustic stream, previously contacted with a hydrocarbon stream for removing one or more mercaptans, through a column to remove the one or more disulfide compounds downstream of a mercaptan oxidation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Steven Lee Krupa, Cedric R. Freeman, Jessy E. Trucko, Jonathan Andrew Tertel
  • Patent number: 8597496
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and at least one catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The hydrocarbon-containing feedstock, the catalyst(s), and the hydrogen are provided to a mixing zone and blended in the mixing zone at a temperature of from 375° C. to 500° C. A vapor comprised of hydrocarbons that are vaporizable at the temperature and pressure within the mixing zone is separated from the mixing zone, and, apart from the mixing zone, the vapor is condensed to produce a liquid hydrocarbon-containing product. The hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is continuously or intermittently provided to the mixing zone at a rate of at least 350 kg/hr per m3 of the mixture volume in the mixing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Reynolds, Stanley Nemec Milam, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8597497
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and at least one catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The hydrocarbon-containing feedstock, the catalyst(s), and the hydrogen are provided to a mixing zone and blended in the mixing zone at a temperature of from 375° C. to 500° C. A vapor comprised of hydrocarbons that are vaporizable at the temperature and pressure within the mixing zone is separated from the mixing zone, and, apart from the mixing zone, the vapor is condensed to produce a liquid hydrocarbon-containing product containing at least 85% of the atomic carbon initially present in the hydrocarbon-containing feedstock and containing at most 2 wt. % hydrocarbons having a boiling point of at least 538° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8557101
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for electrochemical conversion of dibenzothiophene type molecules of petroleum feedstreams selectively to mercaptan compounds that can then be more easily removed from the electrochemically treated product stream by either caustic extraction or thermal decomposition of the thiol functionality to hydrogen sulfide. The conversion of dibenzothiophenes to mercaptans is performed by electrochemical means in the substantial absence of hydrogen and in the substantial absence of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Greaney, Kun Wang, Frank C. Wang
  • Patent number: 8557106
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process involving hydrocracking of a feedstream in which a converted fraction can exhibit relatively high distillate product yields and maintained or improved distillate fuel properties, while an unconverted fraction can exhibit improved properties particularly useful in the lubricant area. In this hydrocracking process, it can be advantageous for the yield of converted/unconverted product for gasoline fuel application to be reduced or minimized, relative to converted distillate fuel and unconverted lubricant. Catalysts and conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable product yields and/or properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Robert A. Bradway, Stuart S. Shih, Timothy L. Hilbert, Michel Daage
  • Patent number: 8551324
    Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of gasoline in a fluid catalytic cracking unit having at least one principal reactor operating using feeds with a low Conradson Carbon and a high hydrogen content, said process comprising recycling a coking cut either to a side chamber branching off the stripper or within the stripper itself by means of a tubular vessel within said stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Frederic Feugnet, Romain Roux
  • Patent number: 8551326
    Abstract: This invention describes a two-stage regeneration zone that has a regenerated catalyst circuit such as the one that results from the mixing of a partially regenerated catalyst with a residual coke rate of between 0.3 and 0.7% and a totally regenerated catalyst with a coke rate that is less than 0.15%. All things being equal, this double-population regenerated catalyst enables the maximization of the LCO yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Romain Roux, Thierry Gauthier
  • Patent number: 8535518
    Abstract: A petroleum feedstock upgrading method is provided. The method includes supplying a mixed stream that includes hydrocarbon feedstock and water to a hydrothermal reactor where the mixed stream is maintained at a temperature and pressure greater than the critical temperatures and pressure of water in the absence of catalyst for a residence time sufficient to convert the mixed stream into a modified stream having an increased concentration of lighter hydrocarbons and/or concentration of sulfur containing compounds. The modified stream is then supplied to an adsorptive reaction stage charged with a solid adsorbent operable to remove at least a portion of the sulfur present to produce a trimmed stream. The trimmed stream is then separated into a gas and a liquid streams, and the liquid stream is separated into a water stream and an upgraded hydrocarbon product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Mohammad F. Aljishi
  • Patent number: 8524074
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a method of removing mercury bearing species from a hydrocarbon containing fluid. The method comprises the steps of: i) adding dithiocarbamate polymer to the fluid in an amount such that the number of mercury bonding sites on the polymer exceeds the amount of mercury atoms by at least 10% and ii) removing the mercury bearing dithiocarbamate polymer with a water/oil separation device. The invention relies upon an unexpected reversal in the solubility of dithiocarbamate polymer at very high concentrations. Because of the high solubility the polymer remains within the water phase of the hydrocarbon fluid and can be removed without the need for cumbersome precipitation methods and complicated solid liquid separation devices. As a result, the invention allows mercury contaminated crude oil to be easily rid of its mercury with easy to use equipment already present in a typical oil refinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Braden, Samuel A. Lordo
  • Patent number: 8513150
    Abstract: This invention relates to the composition and synthesis of an Extra Mesoporous Y (or “EMY”) zeolite and its use in the catalytic conversion of organic compounds. In particular, this invention relates to a Y-type framework zeolite possessing a high large mesopore pore volume to small mesopore pore volume ratio. The novel zeolite obtained provides beneficial structural features for use in petroleum refining and petrochemical processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Jason Wu
  • Patent number: 8500992
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The catalyst is comprised of a material comprised of a first metal and a second metal, where the first metal is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Bi, Ag, Mn, Zn, Sn, Ru, La, Pr, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Dy, Pb, and Sb and the second metal is Mo, W, V, Sn, and Sb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Reynolds, Stanley Nemec Milam, Scott Lee Wellington