Patents by Inventor Barry Freel

Barry Freel 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).

  • Publication number: 20150004062
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to a system to prepare a fuel from a biomass and a petroleum fraction wherein a renewable fuel oil is obtained via pyrolysis, delivered to the injection point of a refinery system, and then co-processed with a petroleum fraction in the presence of a catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Barry A. Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20150004067
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to a fluidized catalytic cracking apparatus having one or more ports for injecting a renewable fuel oil for co-processing the renewable fuel oil and a petroleum fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Barry A. Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20150005547
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to the introduction of a renewable fuel oil as a feedstock into refinery systems or field upgrading equipment. For example, the present application is directed to methods of introducing a liquid thermally produced from biomass into a petroleum conversion unit; for example, a refinery fluid catalytic cracker (FCC), a coker, a field upgrader system, a hydrocracker, and/or hydrotreating unit; for co-processing with petroleum fractions, petroleum fraction reactants, and/or petroleum fraction feedstocks and the products, e.g., fuels, and uses and value of the products resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Barry A. Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20150005548
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to methods to increase the gasoline and/or light cycle oil yield of a fluidized catalytic cracker processing a petroleum fraction by injecting a stream comprising a renewable fuel oil into a riser of a fluidized catalytic cracker, and the resulting fuels therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Barry A. Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20140353210
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Graham, Barry Freel
  • Patent number: 8808632
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. The method comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an up-flow reactor, introducing the feedstock at a location above the entry of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier for a short time, separating the vapors of the product stream from the particulate heat carrier and liquid and byproduct solid matter, collecting a gaseous and liquid product mixture comprising a mixture of a light fraction and a heavy fraction from the product stream, and using a vacuum tower to separate the light fraction as a substantially bottomless product and the heavy fraction from the product mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Graham, Barry Freel
  • Patent number: 8726443
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for reducing cumulative deposition and unwanted secondary thermal reactions in pyrolysis and other thermal conversion processes. In an embodiment, a system comprises a device, referred to as a reamer, for removing product deposits between thermal conversion and condensation operations of a pyrolysis process. The reamer may comprise, but is not limited to, a mechanical reciprocating rod or ram, a mechanical auger, a drill bit, a high-temperature wiper, brush, or punch to remove deposits and prevent secondary reactions. Alternatively or in addition, the reamer may use a high-velocity curtain or jet (i.e., a hydraulic or pneumatic stream) of vapor, product gas, recycle gas, other gas jet or non-condensing liquid to remove deposits. Preferably, the reamer removes deposits during the pyrolysis process allowing for continuous operation of the pyrolysis process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ensyn Renewables, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Geoffrey Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20140053456
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the devolatilization of thermally produced liquids to raise the flash point are disclosed. Various methods and apparatus can be used to effectively reduce the volatile components, such as wiped film evaporator, falling film evaporator, flash column, packed column, devolatilization vessel or tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Ensyn Renewables, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hopkins, Barry A. Freel, Doug Clarke
  • Publication number: 20140001026
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thermally converting or pyrolyzing biomass are provided. In one embodiment, a method of thermally converting biomass includes introducing the biomass to a reactor feed chamber. The method provides for flowing a low oxygen gas into the reactor feed chamber to purge the reactor feed chamber and biomass of oxygen. The method also includes delivering the purged biomass to a thermal conversion reactor and thermally converting the biomass in the thermal conversion reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lance Awender Baird, Barry Freel, Doug Clarke, Gregory Joseph Morin
  • Publication number: 20130327629
    Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicants: ENSYN RENEWABLES, INC.
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul A. Sechrist, Sid Kulprathipanja, Stanley J. Frey, Barry Freel, Daniel N. Myers
  • Patent number: 8499702
    Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ensyn Renewables, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Daniel N. Myers, Sid Kulprathipanja, Stanley Joseph Frey, Barry Freel
  • Publication number: 20130152455
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming a low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. In an embodiment, a method for forming a low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil includes washing biomass comprising a water-soluble metal component therein with wash water that is substantially free of water-soluble metals. The washed biomass and water containing water-soluble metal are separated after washing the biomass. The washed biomass is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis process to form a pyrolysis vapor stream. A portion of the pyrolysis vapor stream is condensed to form a condensate. The wash water is derived from the washed biomass. In an embodiment of an apparatus, the apparatus comprises a washing stage, a biomass dryer, a pyrolysis reactor, a quenching system comprising a primary condenser and a secondary condenser, and a return line that connects the quenching system to the washing stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lance Awender Baird, Stefan Muller, Barry A. Freel
  • Patent number: 8377287
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. The method comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an up-flow reactor, introducing the feedstock at a location above the entry of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier for a short time, separating the vapors of the product stream from the particulate heat carrier and liquid and byproduct solid matter, collecting a gaseous and liquid product mixture comprising a mixture of a light fraction and a heavy fraction from the product stream, and using a vacuum tower to separate the light fraction as a substantially bottomless product and the heavy fraction from the product mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Graham, Barry Freel
  • Publication number: 20120279825
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The method for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an upflow reactor, introducing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into the upflow reactor at a location above that of the particulate heat carrier so that a loading ratio of the particulate heat carrier to feedstock is from about 15:1 to about 200:1, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier with a residence time of less than about 1 second, to produce a product stream, separating the product stream from the particulate heat carrier, regenerating the particulate heat carrier, and collecting a gaseous and liquid product from the product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20120125815
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The method for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an upflow reactor, introducing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into the upflow reactor at a location above that of the particulate heat carrier so that a loading ratio of the particulate heat carrier to feedstock is from about 15:1 to about 200:1, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier with a residence time of less than about 1 second, to produce a product stream, separating the product stream from the particulate heat carrier, regenerating the particulate heat carrier, and collecting a gaseous and liquid product from the product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20120111766
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The process of the present invention provides for the preparation of a partially upgraded feedstock exhibiting reduced viscosity and increased API gravity. This process selectively removes metals, salts, water and nitrogen from the feedstock, while at the same time maximizes the yield of the liquid product, and minimizes coke and gas production. Furthermore, this process reduces the viscosity of the feedstock in order to permit pipeline transport, if desired, of the upgraded feedstock with little or no addition of diluents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 8105482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock. The process of the present invention provides for the preparation of a partially upgraded feedstock exhibiting reduced viscosity and increased API gravity. This process reduces the viscosity of the feedstock in order to permit pipeline transport of the upgraded feedstock with little or no addition of diluents. The method for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an upflow reactor, introducing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into the upflow reactor at a location above that of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier to produce a product stream, separating the product stream from the particulate heat carrier, regenerating the particulate heat carrier, and collecting a gaseous and liquid product from the product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20120012039
    Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Daniel N. Myers, Sid Kulprathipanja, Stanley Joseph Frey, Barry Freel
  • Patent number: 8097090
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for reducing cumulative deposition and unwanted secondary thermal reactions in pyrolysis and other thermal conversion processes. In an embodiment, a system comprises a device, referred to as a reamer, for removing product deposits between thermal conversion and condensation operations of a pyrolysis process. The reamer may comprise, but is not limited to, a mechanical reciprocating rod or ram, a mechanical auger, a drill bit, a high-temperature wiper, brush, or punch to remove deposits and prevent secondary reactions. Alternatively or in addition, the reamer may use a high-velocity curtain or jet (i.e., a hydraulic or pneumatic stream) of vapor, product gas, recycle gas, other gas jet or non-condensing liquid to remove deposits. Preferably, the reamer removes deposits during the pyrolysis process allowing for continuous operation of the pyrolysis process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ensyn Renewables Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Geoffrey Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8062503
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The process of the present invention provides for the preparation of a partially upgraded feedstock exhibiting reduced viscosity and increased API gravity. This process selectively removes metals, salts, water and nitrogen from the feedstock, while at the same time maximizes the yield of the liquid product, and minimizes coke and gas production. Furthermore, this process reduces the viscosity of the feedstock in order to permit pipeline transport, if desired, of the upgraded feedstock with little or no addition of diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham