Patents by Inventor Ben D. Smith

Ben D. Smith 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: 6656342
    Abstract: A method for hydroprocessing hydrocarbon products, preferably Fischer-Tropsch products, and a reactor useful for performing the method, are disclosed. The reactor includes one or more first catalyst beds comprising a catalyst useful for conducting relatively severe hydroprocessing and one or more second catalyst beds comprising a catalyst useful for conducting relatively mild hydroprocessing. The second catalyst beds are located at a position in the reactor where they can receive the products from the first catalyst bed(s), at least one of each of the first and second catalyst bed(s) comprises a catalyst grading scheme sufficient to remove at least a portion of any particulates from their respective feeds, and the reactor is set up to receive hydrocarbon feeds at a position above or within the first catalyst bed(s) and above or within the second catalyst bed(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Ben D. Smith, Richard O. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6589415
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for hydroprocessing Fischer-Tropsch products. The invention in particular relates to an integrated method for producing liquid fuels from a hydrocarbon stream provided by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The method involves separating the Fischer-Tropsch products into a light fraction with normal boiling points below 700° F. and including predominantly C5-20 components and a heavy fraction with normal boiling points above 650° F. and including predominantly C20+ components. The heavy fraction is subjected to hydrocracking conditions, preferably through multiple catalyst beds, to reduce the chain length. The light fraction is used as all or part of a quench fluid between each catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Ben D. Smith, Krishniah Parimi, Richard O. Moore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020146358
    Abstract: A method for hydroprocessing hydrocarbon products, preferably Fischer-Tropsch products, and a reactor useful for performing the method, are disclosed. The reactor includes one or more first catalyst beds comprising a catalyst useful for conducting relatively severe hydroprocessing and one or more second catalyst beds comprising a catalyst useful for conducting relatively mild hydroprocessing. The second catalyst beds are located at a position in the reactor where they can receive the products from the first catalyst bed(s), at least one of each of the first and second catalyst bed(s) comprises a catalyst grading scheme sufficient to remove at least a portion of any particulates from their respective feeds, and the reactor is set up to receive hydrocarbon feeds at a position above or within the first catalyst bed(s) and above or within the second catalyst bed(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Ben D. Smith, Richard O. Moore