Patents Examined by Renee E Robinson
  • Method for collecting residual coke from non-recovery and heat-recovery coke ovens
    Patent number: 9260664
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting so-called residual coke from a coke oven chamber while the door of the coke oven chamber is being opened. A collecting device is moved up against a guide plate arranged under the door of the coke oven chamber before the door of the coke oven chamber is opened, and the coke that falls out of the coke oven chamber falls across the guide plate into a collecting device. The collecting device is moved to a horizontal position after the coke has been collected so that the upper edge of the collecting device is at the height of the bottom of the coke oven chamber. The push-out device of the coke oven operating machine moves over the collecting device between the suspensions so that the coke is pushed out of the collecting device back into the coke oven chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Badura
  • Process for the treatment of heavy oils using light hydrocarbon components as a diluent
    Patent number: 9260671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of heavy oils using a catalytic hydrotreating process. More specifically, the invention relates to the presence of light hydrocarbon components in conjunction with the heavy oils for improved treatment of the heavy oils utilizing moderate temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Raheel Shafi, Esam Z. Hamad, Stephane Cyrille Kressmann, Ali Hussain Alzaid
  • Modular humidification-dehumidification apparatus for concentrating solutions
    Patent number: 9259667
    Abstract: A modular humidification-dehumidification (HDH) apparatus and system for concentrating a solution including a plurality of internal modules coupled to each other. The plurality of internal modules includes a humidification module and a dehumidification module in gas flow communication with the humidification module. The humidification module includes humidification media facilitating evaporation of liquid from the solution to gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby producing a concentrated solution and a humidified gas. The dehumidification module includes a condensing heat exchanger for condensing vapor from the humidified gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SALTWORKS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas C. Roch, Benjamin Stuart Sparrow
  • Solid and liquid separation process
    Patent number: 9254449
    Abstract: A process for separation of solid and liquid components in a distillation whole stillage utilizing airless spray drying is disclosed, which is more efficient and economical than conventional processes. In the process, distillation whole stillage resulting from distillation of fermented biomass is first subjected to an evaporation step for separating the whole stillage into a condensate and a concentrate including water, dissolved solids and suspended solids. The concentrate is then subjected to airless steam spray drying for converting the concentrate into dried solids, steam and vapors. All steam and vapors resulting from the airless steam spray drying step are then redirected as energy source to a processing step upstream of the airless spray drying step. At least some of the steam generated in the airless spray drying step is airless steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Romeo Lehoux, Christopher Bruce Bradt
  • Method for increasing amount of coke oven gas by using carbon dioxide
    Patent number: 9255224
    Abstract: Provided is a method of amplification of coke oven gas (COG) through reacting high-temperature carbon with carbon dioxide and/or water using waste heat generated in a coke oven. More particularly, a method of amplification of COG including providing a gasification agent including carbon dioxide, water, or a mixture thereof to a COG stream in a carburization chamber of a coke oven and gasifying carbon by allowing the gasification agent to react with carbon in the carburization chamber, and a coke oven apparatus suitable for the method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology
    Inventors: Joo-Hyoung Park, Hee-Dong Chun, Je-Young Kim, Heung-Soo Park, Min-Young Yi, Kun-Woo Han, Chang-Houn Rhee, Sung-Uk Ryu
  • Method for synthesis of 1-decene oligomer
    Patent number: 9248430
    Abstract: A method for synthesis of 1-decene oligomer is provided, wherein 1-decene is polymerized at 80-120° C., 0.8-1.4 MPa in the presence of aluminum trichloride catalyst supported on gamma-alumina and n-hexane solvent where the volume ratio of 1-decene to n-hexane is 3:8-4:1. The catalyst is treated as follows: impregnating gamma-alumina carrier in 0.5-2.0 M of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid or mixtures thereof, then vacuum drying at 80-100° C. and calcining at 400-800° C.; dissolving 5-10 g of anhydrous aluminum trichloride in 100 ml of tetrachloromethane, trichloromethane or dichloromethane solvent; adding the obtained solution into 10-20 g of activated alumina carrier and obtaining the catalyst after vacuum drying. The conversion of 1-decene is 50 wt % or more. The oligomer has a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 6.0-25 mm2/s and a viscosity index of 160-262.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED, EAST CHINA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
    Inventors: Fuling Huang, Puke Mi, Sihan Wang, Jinhua Qian, Qian Chen, Sheng Xu, Jianzhong Li, Gang Wang, Baojun Zhang, Min Liu, Guizhi Wang, Xuemei Han, Jiabo Qu, Panfeng Lu, Shukun Sun, Xiuhui Wang, Yuxin Gao, Deshun Zhang, Ling Jiang, Buwei Yu, Libo Wang, Yali Wang, Lingting Fan, Peng Wei, Wei Liu, Guiyue Guo
  • Process for hydroconversion of heavy carbon-containing feedstocks that integrate a boiling-bed technology and a slurry technology
    Patent number: 9243194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for hydroconversion of heavy carbon-containing feedstocks that comprises a stage (1) for hydroconversion of the feedstock in at least one reactor that contains a boiling-bed catalyst and then a stage (2) for hydroconversion of at least a portion of the effluent that is obtained in at least one reactor that contains a slurry catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Frederic Morel, Patrick Sarrazin, Alain Quignard, Jan Verstraete
  • Solvent extraction process for removal of naphthenic acids and calcium from low asphaltic crude oil
    Patent number: 9238780
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for obtaining extracted crude oil (ECO) which is substantially free of naphthenic acids, calcium and other impurities from low asphaltic crude oils or their residue fractions by preferential extraction of saturates using at least one solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Reliance Industries Limited
    Inventors: Harender Bisht, Asit Kumar Das, Bibeka Hazarika, Biswajit Shown, D. P. S. Rana, Mahesh G. Marve, Manthan A. Malvanker, Paras N. Shah, Rohit R. Irabatti, Sukumar Mandal, Suyog S. Salgarkar
  • Catalytic cracking apparatus and process
    Patent number: 9234143
    Abstract: The present invention discloses catalytic cracking apparatus and process, which are useful for catalytic cracking of heavy oils with a high heavy oil conversion, a high propylene yield and low dry gas and coke yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaogang Xie, Yongcan Gao, Weimin Lu, Jun Long, Yan Cui, Jiushun Zhang, Yinan Yang, Jianguo Ma, Zheng Li, Nan Jiang
  • Processing of dielectric fluids with mobile charge carriers
    Patent number: 9228136
    Abstract: Provided herewith is a novel method of controllably processing a dielectric fluid by creating discharges within the dielectric fluid from mobile charge carriers contained within the dielectric fluid. Generally, the dielectric fluid and the mobile charge carriers are between two electrodes which apply a voltage to the charge carriers. In one embodiment, the dielectric fluid is a hydrocarbon fluid such as a heavy crude oil or a fuel. In one embodiment the charge carrier comprises water droplets. In another embodiment, the mobile charge carriers are metallic balls. In both instances the discharges initiate from the mobile charge carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: David A. Staack, Robert P. Geiger
  • Extractive distillation for aromatics recovery
    Patent number: 9221729
    Abstract: Extractive distillation for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons employs an extractive distillation column with a novel overhead system including a partial condenser. The process enables (i) efficient removal of heavy non-aromatics, particularly C8 naphthenic compounds, from the EDC bottom stream to increase the purity of aromatic products, especially of the mixed xylenes and (ii) reduction (or better control) of benzene loss to the raffinate product stream to maintain its quality as a gasoline blend stock and, as a result, enhance benzene recovery in the aromatic products. Feedstock includes a full-range feedstock, such as pyrolysis gasoline, or a narrow-range feedstock, such as reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: ALLNEW Chemical Technology Company
    Inventor: Fu-Ming Lee
  • Method for removing oxygen from an oil sand stream
    Patent number: 9222030
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing oxygen from an oil sand stream, the method including the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand stream; (b) introducing the oil sand stream into a liquid bath; (c) transporting the oil sand through the liquid bath to a confined space above the surface of the liquid bath; (d) removing the oil sand from the confined space; and (e) extracting bitumen from the oil sand removed in step (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stephen Gerard Delude, Steven Paul Giles, Cristiane Michaëla Visser
  • Single stage pitch process and product
    Patent number: 9222027
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making isotropic pitch are disclosed. A tubular reactor operating at high velocity and pressure converts aromatic rich liquid feed to pitch within minutes. Reactor is heated by electric resistance or inductance, a salt or molten metal bath, or fired heater. Reactor effluent flashes and isotropic pitch recovered from the flash drum. Softening point is affected by flash drum pressure or stripping steam. Unconverted feed may be recycled. Process makes little gasoline, simple condensation of flash drum vapor may produce gas oil and gasoline fractions. Isotropic pitch is made in a single step with a coking value of 50 to 55 wt %. Time and temperature in the reactor convert at least 20 wt % of feed and any recycle material present to isotropic pitch. Pressure is preferably above 500 psig, to suppress mesophase formation and produce isotropic pitch with less than 0.5 wt % mesophase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Carbon Products, LLC
    Inventors: Donald P. Malone, Donald M Lee
  • Method and device for coking coal mixtures having high driving pressure properties in a “non-recovery” or “heat-recovery” coking oven
    Patent number: 9222025
    Abstract: A method for coking coals having high driving pressure properties in a “non-recovery” or “heat-recovery” coking oven, wherein a coking oven battery which is composed of coking oven chambers arranged side by side is used for cyclic coking of coal, and wherein an amount of coal preheated to a high temperature is admitted into the coking chamber that is to be filled at such a level that the driving pressure resulting from the coking can escape over the coke cake into the gas chamber, in such a manner that the coking oven chamber wall surrounding the coking oven chamber is relieved by the driving pressure resulting from the coking. Also disclosed is a device with which this method can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Ronald Kim, Franz-Josef Schuecker
  • Diesel fuel production during lubricant base oil hydroprocessing
    Patent number: 9212325
    Abstract: Conditions selected for lubricant base oil production can be used to also produce a high quality diesel product. The diesel product can have a cetane index or cetane number of at least 55, corresponding to a high value diesel fuel. The diesel product can also have good cold flow properties, such as a pour point of ?40° C. or less and/or a cloud point of ?25° C. or less. Additionally, the sulfur content of the diesel product can be low, such as less than 1 wppm. This can allow the diesel product to be blended with other potential diesel boiling range products that have a higher sulfur content while still meeting an overall diesel fuel specification. The aromatics content can also be low, allowing the premium diesel to comply with various regulatory requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric D. Joseck, Michael Brian Carroll, David Mentzer
  • System and process for producing torrefied biomass using a mass flow reactor
    Patent number: 9206368
    Abstract: A system and method are described for torrefaction of particulate biomass. The system comprises a reactor having mass flow characteristics, containing particulate biomass, and further is equipped with a heated gas input; a gas discharge output; a particulate solids inlet; and a particulate solids discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HM3 Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Breneman, David Carter, Hiroshi Morihara, Andrew Green
  • Fuels hydrocracking with dewaxing of fuel products
    Patent number: 9200218
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process involving hydrocracking and dewaxing of a feedstream in which a converted fraction can correspond to a majority of the product from the reaction system, while an unconverted fraction can exhibit improved properties. In this hydrocracking process, it can be advantageous for the yield of unconverted fraction for gasoline fuel application to be controlled to maintain desirable cold flow properties for the unconverted fraction. Catalysts and conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable product yields and/or properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Richard Dougherty, William J. Novak, Stuart S. Shih, Stephen J. McCarthy, Michel Daage
  • Process for oligomerizing olefins
    Patent number: 9200216
    Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst system composed of: a) a support material selected from at least one of the following materials: silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide and mixed oxides thereof, carbon nanotubes; b) an ionic liquid; c) a catalytically active composition comprising nickel; d) an activator selected from the group of Lewis acids with alkylating properties. Additionally provided is the use of the catalyst systems of the invention in the oligomerization of unsaturated hydrocarbon mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Boeing, Dietrich Maschmeyer, Markus Winterberg, Stefan Buchholz, Berthold Melcher, Marco Haumann, Peter Wasserscheid
  • Distillation device
    Patent number: 9194623
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes: a distillation column group in which a plurality of distillation columns, which are respectively equipped with a reboiler, is connected in the form of a distillation cascade; feed-gas condensers which liquefy feed gases from respective former distillation columns and feed said liquefied feed gases to respective latter distillation columns; gas-feeding lines which connect the respective former distillation columns and the respective feed-gas condensers; and liquid-feeding lines which connect the respective feed-gas condensers and the respective latter distillation columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TAIYO NIPPON SANSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kihara
  • Horizontal heat recovery coke ovens having monolith crowns
    Patent number: 9193915
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to horizontal heat recovery coke ovens having monolith crowns. In some embodiments, an HHR coke oven includes a monolith crown that spans the width of the oven between opposing oven sidewalls. The monolith expands upon heating and contracts upon cooling as a single structure. In further embodiments, the crown comprises a thermally volume-stable material. In various embodiments, the monolith and thermally-volume-stable features can be used in combination or alone. These designs can allow the oven to be turned down below traditionally feasible temperatures while maintaining the structural integrity of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SunCoke Technology and Development LLC.
    Inventors: Gary Dean West, John Francis Quanci