Patents by Inventor Bruce E. Powell

Bruce E. Powell 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: 5296202
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously distributing catalyst particles across the full diameter of catalyst bed with a single rotor is disclosed. The bed has substantially uniform high density by forming a multiplicity of annular rings of catalyst concentric with the vessel or bed center. Such action is achieved without varying rotor speed by deflecting catalyst from a feed hopper into a plurality of arcuate sectors or portions of different radial lengths on a rotating disk-like member. Preferably, each arcuate portion has a volume proportional to one of the annular areas of the bed within the cross-sectional area of the vessel. The desired volume is formed by the radial length of the arcuate sector, its included angle on the disk, and the height of the vanes separating adjacent sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Chevron Research and Technology Co.
    Inventors: Steven A. Souers, Bruce E. Powell
  • Patent number: 4972884
    Abstract: A method for simultaneously distributing catalyst particles across the full diameter of catalyst bed with a single rotor is disclosed. The bed has substantially uniform high density by forming a multiplicity of annular rings of catalyst concentric with the vessel or bed center. Such action is achieved without varying rotor speed by deflecting catalyst from a feed hopper into a plurality of arcuate sectors or portions of different radial lengths on a rotating disk-like member. Preferably, each arcuate portion has a volume proportional to one of the annular areas of the bed within the cross-sectional area of the vessel. The desired volume is formed by the radial length of the arcuate sector, its included angle on the disk, and the height of the vanes separating adjacent sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Chevron Research & Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven A. Souers, Bruce E. Powell
  • Patent number: 4383913
    Abstract: A process for producing lubricating oil base stock from a feedstock having a VI of less than 80 to a base stock with a VI of at least 90 with the same boiling range as the feedstock. The feedstock is contacted with a zeolite-containing hydrocracking catalyst in a first zone and an amorphous hydrocracking catalyst in the second zone. Between 25 percent and 75 percent of all hydroconversion takes place in the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce E. Powell, Jerome F. Mayer, John A. Zakarian
  • Patent number: 3974065
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining an early detection and warning of a dangerous temperature excursion in a process using one or more hydrocarbon hydroprocessing reactors operating under otherwise ordinary hydroprocessing conditions. The warning is obtained by monitoring the specific gravity and/or methane content of the light gas fraction of the reactor effluent product stream. Pursuant to the warning, one or more suitable quenching means are employed to control the excursion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce E. Powell, Bruce E. Stangeland