Patents by Inventor Alfred E. Keller

Alfred E. Keller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9789433
    Abstract: A horizontal sulfur condenser may include an exterior casing with a plurality of condenser tubes arranged longitudinally within the casing, a liquid sulfur reservoir at a longitudinal end within the exterior casing, and an internal baffle that protrudes into the liquid sulfur reservoir from the surface. The lowest of the plurality of condenser tubes is parallel to a wall of the exterior casing. A Claus process gas inlet is proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes, which are arranged horizontally but are positioned vertically above the sulfur reservoir. A liquid sulfur outlet is located at the liquid sulfur surface. The baffle creates multiple chambers above the sulfur reservoir, such as a first chamber defined by the exterior casing and the baffle to receive condensed Claus sulfur in the liquid reservoir, and a second chamber defined by the exterior casing and the baffle to receive degassed liquid sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9758376
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using process gas containing H2S to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas is less costly and less complicated and quickly accomplishes substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9757677
    Abstract: A vertically oriented sulfur condenser may employ a plurality of condenser tubes arranged longitudinally within an exterior casing, a liquid sulfur reservoir at a longitudinal end of the sulfur condenser, and a condenser tube wall of at least one of the plurality of condenser tubes that protrudes into and below a liquid sulfur reservoir. A catalyst may be located within the liquid sulfur reservoir. A liquid sulfur outlet may be located at the liquid sulfur surface. A Claus process gas inlet may be proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes. A first tube sheet may connect to and seal an end of the plurality of condenser tubes proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes. A second tube sheet may connect to and seals with the plurality of condenser tubes and the exterior casing proximate a second end of the plurality of condenser tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9573081
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using agitation gas to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas may be blended with the agitation gas wherein the process gas contains H2S to accomplish substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20150376008
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using agitation gas to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas may be blended with the agitation gas wherein the process gas contains H2S to accomplish substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20150376007
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using process gas containing H2S to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas is less costly and less complicated and quickly accomplishes substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9205364
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur within a horizontal sulfur condenser may include condensing a portion of a Claus process gas introduced into a condenser tube to produce liquid sulfur; creating first and second chambers above a liquid sulfur reservoir with a baffle; passing the liquid sulfur and the Claus process gas into the first chamber; forcing the Claus process gas from the liquid reservoir within the first chamber to the second chamber; causing a chemical reaction between dissolved hydrogen sulfide in the liquid sulfur and sulfur dioxide from the Claus process gas on a catalyst to produce elemental sulfur and reducing the dissolved H2S content of the remaining sulfur; converting hydrogen sulfide by a Claus reaction; decomposing polysulfanes to hydrogen sulfide and sulfur, freeing elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide; forcing the Claus process bubbles from the liquid reservoir into the second chamber above the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9192887
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur within a vertical sulfur condenser may include providing a plurality of condenser tubes within an external casing; submerging exit ends of the plurality of condenser tubes within a liquid reservoir resulting in submerged exit ends of the plurality of condenser tubes; passing the Claus process gas into an inlet end of the plurality of condenser tubes; condensing the Claus process gas within the condenser tubes to produce condensed Claus process gas within the plurality of condenser tubes; and collecting the condensed Claus process gas in the liquid reservoir upon exiting of the condensed Claus process gas at an exit end of the plurality of condenser tubes. The process may further include converting hydrogen sulfide by the Claus reaction 2H2S+SO23/xSx+2H2O, and decomposing polysulfanes to hydrogen sulfide and sulfur, wherein elemental sulfur is freed from hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9138675
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using process gas containing H2S to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas is less costly and less complicated and quickly accomplishes substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140377165
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using process gas containing H2S to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas is less costly and less complicated and quickly accomplishes substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140377155
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur within a vertical sulfur condenser may include providing a plurality of condenser tubes within an external casing; submerging exit ends of the plurality of condenser tubes within a liquid reservoir resulting in submerged exit ends of the plurality of condenser tubes; passing the Claus process gas into an inlet end of the plurality of condenser tubes; condensing the Claus process gas within the condenser tubes to produce condensed Claus process gas within the plurality of condenser tubes; and collecting the condensed Claus process gas in the liquid reservoir upon exiting of the condensed Claus process gas at an exit end of the plurality of condenser tubes. The process may further include converting hydrogen sulfide by the Claus reaction 2H2S+SO23/xSx+2H2O, and decomposing polysulfanes to hydrogen sulfide and sulfur, wherein elemental sulfur is freed from hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140374069
    Abstract: A vertically oriented sulfur condenser may employ a plurality of condenser tubes arranged longitudinally within an exterior casing, a liquid sulfur reservoir at a longitudinal end of the sulfur condenser, and a condenser tube wall of at least one of the plurality of condenser tubes that protrudes into and below a liquid sulfur reservoir. A catalyst may be located within the liquid sulfur reservoir. A liquid sulfur outlet may be located at the liquid sulfur surface. A Claus process gas inlet may be proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes. A first tube sheet may connect to and seal an end of the plurality of condenser tubes proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes. A second tube sheet may connect to and seals with the plurality of condenser tubes and the exterior casing proximate a second end of the plurality of condenser tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140374070
    Abstract: A horizontal sulfur condenser may include an exterior casing with a plurality of condenser tubes arranged longitudinally within the casing, a liquid sulfur reservoir at a longitudinal end within the exterior casing, and an internal baffle that protrudes into the liquid sulfur reservoir from the surface. The lowest of the plurality of condenser tubes is parallel to a wall of the exterior casing. A Claus process gas inlet is proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes, which are arranged horizontally but are positioned vertically above the sulfur reservoir. A liquid sulfur outlet is located at the liquid sulfur surface. The baffle creates multiple chambers above the sulfur reservoir, such as a first chamber defined by the exterior casing and the baffle to receive condensed Claus sulfur in the liquid reservoir, and a second chamber defined by the exterior casing and the baffle to receive degassed liquid sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140377164
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur within a horizontal sulfur condenser may include condensing a portion of a Claus process gas introduced into a condenser tube to produce liquid sulfur; creating first and second chambers above a liquid sulfur reservoir with a baffle; passing the liquid sulfur and the Claus process gas into the first chamber; forcing the Claus process gas from the liquid reservoir within the first chamber to the second chamber; causing a chemical reaction between dissolved hydrogen sulfide in the liquid sulfur and sulfur dioxide from the Claus process gas on a catalyst to produce elemental sulfur and reducing the dissolved H2S content of the remaining sulfur; converting hydrogen sulfide by a Claus reaction; decomposing polysulfanes to hydrogen sulfide and sulfur, freeing elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide; forcing the Claus process bubbles from the liquid reservoir into the second chamber above the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 8075866
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110266135
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Alfred E. KELLER, Nathan A. HATCHER, Sriram RAMANI, Terry D. PRUITT, Michael D SMITH
  • Patent number: 7998451
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D Smith
  • Publication number: 20100163401
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100098618
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing/recovering sulfur from a gas stream using a Claus-type reactor followed by contact with a regenerable sorbent and recycle of SO2 from the sorbent regeneration to the Claus-type reactor feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7658906
    Abstract: Novel sulfur recovery plants, and processes utilizing these plants are disclosed. These apparatuses eliminate the use of a condenser between the waste heat boiler and first Claus catalytic reactors, and also eliminate the use of reheaters in between Claus catalytic reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Larry D. Swinney