Patents Examined by Derek Mueller
  • Patent number: 9598647
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a deasphalting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdennour Bourane, Omer Refa Koseoglu, Stephane Cyrille Kressmann
  • Patent number: 9580663
    Abstract: A hydrocracking process by the steps of: (a) providing a mixture comprising hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and hydrogen; (b) obtaining a hydrocracked effluent; (c) separating the hydrocracked effluent into a first vapor portion and a first liquid portion; (d) heating the first liquid portion to form a vapourised first liquid portion; (e) feeding the vaporised first liquid portion to a fractionation section producing individual product fractions including a heavy bottom fraction; (f) withdrawing from the fractionation section the heavy bottom fraction; (g) splitting the heavy bottom fraction in a stream for stripping and a heavy bottom fraction recycle stream; (h) stripping the stream for stripping, with a stripping medium, in a counter current stripping column to form an overhead vapor and a stripped liquid; (i) feeding the overhead vapor to the fractionation section, to a recycle stream or to a position upstream the fractionation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Gordon Gongngai Low, Michael Glenn Hunter
  • Patent number: 9574144
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering components from a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (b) separating the hydrocarbons, the oxidized sulfur compounds, and the oxidized nitrogen compounds by solvent extraction; (c) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds and the oxidized nitrogen compounds; and (d) supplying the residue stream to a fluid catalytic cracking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdennour Bourane, Omer Refa Koseoglu, Stephane Cyrille Kressmann
  • Patent number: 9574143
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a coker to produce coker gases and solid coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdennour Bourane, Omer Refa Koseoglu, Stephane Cyrille Kressmann
  • Patent number: 9574142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a gasifier to produce a syngas stream and a hydrogen sulfide stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdennour Bourane, Omer Refa Koseoglu, Stephane Cyrille Kressmann
  • Patent number: 9562200
    Abstract: A method for producing a lubricant base oil, the method comprising a first step of fractionating, from a hydrocarbon oil containing a base oil fraction and a heavy fraction that is heavier than the base oil fraction, the base oil fraction and the heavy fraction, and a second step of obtaining a dewaxed oil by isomerization and dewaxing of the base oil fraction fractionated in the first step, wherein a hydrocracked oil obtained by hydrocracking the heavy fraction fractionated in the first step is returned to the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marie Iwama, Kazuaki Hayasaka, Yoshiyuki Nagayasu, Koshi Takahama
  • Patent number: 9546330
    Abstract: A system and process for upgrading a whole crude oil feed in an integrated ebullated-bed and hydrotreater is provided in which the whole crude oil is flashed into a flashed straight run distillates fraction and an atmospheric residue fraction. The atmospheric residue fraction is hydroprocessed in an ebullated-bed reaction zone, while the flashed straight run distillates fraction and the products fraction produced from the ebullated-bed reaction zone are hydrotreated in a fixed-bed reaction zone. Distillates from the hydrotreater and the unconverted residue fraction from the ebullated-bed reaction zone can be combined to produce an upgraded synthetic crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Omer Refa Koseoglu, Alain Paul Ranc
  • Patent number: 9533293
    Abstract: A hydrocracking catalyst, containing a USY zeolite modified by treatment with an organic acid to remove aluminum, an alumina binder, two or more metals selected from metals of Groups VIB and VIII, and cerium in the range of 0.1 to 5.0 wt %. A method of making the hydrocracking catalyst, whereby a USY zeolite is treated with an organic acid to remove aluminum from the zeolite structure and subsequently impregnating with a rare earth metal of the Lanthanide series to form a modified USY zeolite. The modified USY zeolite is mixed with alumina comprising a peptizing agent and impregnated with two or more metals selected from metals of Groups VIB and VIII.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Shakeel Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraf Ali
  • Patent number: 9523047
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for treating mercaptans are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a vessel capable of receiving a feed stream that comprises liquid hydrocarbons and the mercaptans. The vessel comprises an extraction section that is capable of extracting a portion of the mercaptans from the feed stream to form a mercaptan-reduced, liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream. A catalyst bed section is capable of contacting the mercaptan-reduced, liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen (O2) and caustic at reaction conditions effective to oxidize a remaining portion of the mercaptans and form a sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Tertel, Luigi Laricchia, Jasna Karagic
  • Patent number: 9523049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feedstocks having 200 ppm by weight to 2% by weight of asphaltenes and/or more than 10 ppm by weight of metals, comprising a hydrodemetallation treatment in at least 2 switchable reaction zones, containing hydrodemetallation catalyst and optionally hydrodenitrification catalyst, then a hydrorefining treatment to lower the organic nitrogen content, followed by a fixed-bed hydrocracking treatment and a distillation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Jan Jeroum Verstraete, Hugues Dulot, Fabrice Bertoncini, Eric Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9523045
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are scavenging compounds and compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the compounds and compositions as scavengers, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Matthew Harrington, Prakasa Rao Anantaneni, Lawrence J. Karas, Kekeli Ekoue-Kovi
  • Patent number: 9512367
    Abstract: Process of extracting sulphur-containing compounds from a hydrocarbon cut of the gasoline or LPG type by liquid-liquid extraction with a soda solution employing a unit (2) for pretreatment of the feedstock to be treated placed upstream of the extraction unit (4), the soda being introduced into the extraction column (4) in the form of two circuits operating either in parallel, or in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Frederic Augier, Arnaud Baudot, Jeremy Gazarian, Damien Leinekugel Le Cocq
  • Patent number: 9512372
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a catalyst for hydroprocessing a carbonaceous feedstock under hydroprocessing conditions, and the use of that catalyst. More particularly, the present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting rapid decomposition of ammonium nitrate during calcination of the catalyst following metal impregnation, wherein ammonium nitrate is formed when a nitrate-containing composition and an ammonium-containing component is used in the deposition of metal onto the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Bi-Zeng Zhan
  • Patent number: 9512368
    Abstract: Corrosion of ferrous material such as steel or stainless steel is a problem in oil pipelines, oil storage tanks, and the piping and process equipment at oil refineries, and this corrosion may be reduced by reducing the TAN value of the oil feedstock that is used/transported within the ferrous material. This TAN value may be reduced by reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal, thereby forming a de-acidified alkali metal. The de-acidified alkali metal has a TAN value of less than or equal to 1 mgKOH/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FIELD UPGRADING LIMITED
    Inventor: John Howard Gordon
  • Patent number: 9505989
    Abstract: A bitumen stream is upgraded by heating to near-critical or super-critical conditions in the stream. The bitumen stream may be from a water-based extraction process, an in situ bitumen recovery process, or a solvent-based bitumen extraction process. To achieve an appropriate feed stream composition, water and/or clay may be added. The clay offers a catalytic effect. To achieve an appropriate feed stream composition, water may alternatively be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: James A. Dunn, Mainak M. Ghosh
  • Patent number: 9505990
    Abstract: A system for desalting a crude oil stream includes an elongated, vertically oriented vessel that has an interior piping structure arranged concentric to the vessel. The piping structure, which may have more than one level, has a plurality of spray nozzles oriented at a downward angle for atomizing wash water into a downward flowing crude oil stream. The spray nozzles may be located on a same side or opposite sides of the piping structure. Where multiple levels are used, the number of spray nozzles on each level may be the same as or different than the number of spray nozzles on other levels. The pressure drop through each spray nozzle is preferably no greater than 300 psi and the nozzles preferably deliver a dilution water droplet preferably no larger than 300 microns in diameter. A mixing valve, static mixer, or both can be placed downstream of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W Sams, Joseph Min-Hsiun Lee
  • Patent number: 9487713
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a hydrocarbon oil, including performing a hydrocracking by continuously feeding, to a hydrocracking reactor containing a hydrocracking catalyst, a wax to be processed including: a raw wax containing 70% by mass or more of straight-chain hydrocarbons with a boiling point of higher than 360° C; and an uncracked wax containing 70% by mass or more of straight-chain hydrocarbons with a boiling point of higher than 360° C, which uncracked wax is separated from a hydrocracking product discharged from the reactor, to thereby yield a hydrocarbon oil including hydrocarbons with a boiling point of 360° C or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: JAPAN OIL, GAS AND METALS NATIONAL CORPORATION, INPEX CORPORATION, JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION, JAPAN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION CO., LTD., COSMO OIL CO., LTD., NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Marie Iwama, Kazuhiko Tasaka, Yuichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9487714
    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: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Robert Allen Bradway, Stuart S. Shih, Timothy Lee Hilbert, Michel Daage
  • Patent number: 9458386
    Abstract: A process of extracting bitumen from oil sand ores having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content greater than 6% is provided, comprising: determining the fines content and the bitumen content of the oil sand ore; calculating a sufficient amount of caustic to be added in the process using an equation based on the ratio of the fines content to the bitumen content; mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to produce an oil sand slurry; and adding the sufficient amount of caustic before, during or after mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to condition the oil sand slurry and to improve bitumen recovery from the oil sand ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Long
  • Patent number: 9458393
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for scavenging hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans from fluids. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of hydantoin compounds as a hydrogen sulfide or a mercaptan scavenger for hydrocarbon fluids, particularly for natural gas, crude oil, field oil, fuel oil, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, slurry oil, gas oil, resid, refinery gas, coal gas, tar, asphalt, coke gas, ammonia synthesis gas, gas from a sulfurization plant, or industrial gas streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Juan M. Garcia, III