Patents by Inventor Bruce Reynolds

Bruce Reynolds 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: 7938954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock with reduced heavy oil deposits, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones zone under hydrocracking conditions to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. At least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from at least one of the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system, in an amount ranging between 3 to 50 wt. % of the heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Bo Kou, Vivion Andrew Brennan, Erin Maris, Shuwu Yang, Bruce Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7931796
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones with at least some of the fresh slurry catalyst being supplied to at least a contacting zone other than the first contacting zone. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing the slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. A least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Kaidong Chen, Bruce Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7931797
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. In the once-through upgrade system, little if any of the unconverted material and slurry catalyst mixture is recycled back to the system for further upgrading. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. The slurry catalyst feed comprises an active metal catalyst having an average particle size of at least 1 micron in a hydrocarbon oil diluent, at a concentration of greater than 500 wppm of active metal catalyst to heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Shuwu Yang, Bruce Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7901569
    Abstract: Applicants have developed a new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil, hydrogen, and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is separated internally, within one of more of the reactors, to separate only the converted oil and hydrogen into a vapor product while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor as a liquid product. A portion of the unconverted oil is then converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons in the next reactor, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, hydrogen, converted oil, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Darush Farshid, James Murphy, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20110017637
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones in sequential mode, parallel mode, or combinations thereof to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. In one embodiment, the effluent stream from the contacting zone is sent to a separation zone in series operating at a pressure drop of at most 100 psi from the contacting zone. In another embodiment, the effluent from a contacting zone to the next contacting zone in series for further upgrade, with the next contacting zone having a pressure drop of at most 100 psi, with the pressure drop is not due to a pressure reducing device as in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce Reynolds, Julie Chabot
  • Publication number: 20110017635
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. In the once-through upgrade system, little if any of the unconverted material and slurry catalyst mixture is recycled back to the system for further upgrading. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. The slurry catalyst feed comprises an active metal catalyst having an average particle size of at least 1 micron in a hydrocarbon oil diluent, at a concentration of greater than 500 wppm of active metal catalyst to heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Shuwu Yang, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20110017638
    Abstract: A flexible once-through process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process employs a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Darush Farshid, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20100234212
    Abstract: A hydroprocessing bulk catalyst is provided. A process to prepare hydroprocessing bulk catalysts is also provided. The hydroprocessing catalyst has the formula (Mt)a(Lu)b(Sv)d(Cw)e(Hx)f(Oy)g(Nz)h,, wherein M is at least one group VIII metal; promoter metal L is optional and if present, L is at least one Group VIII non-noble metal; t, u, v, w, x, y, z representing the total charge for each of the components (M, L, S, C, H, O and N, respectively); ta+ub+vd+we+xf+yg+zh=0; 0=<b; and 0=<b/a=<5, (a+0.5b)<=d<=(5a+2b), 0<=e<=11(a+b), 0<=f<=7(a+b), 0<=g<=5(a+b), 0<=h<=0.5(a+b). The catalyst has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern with at least one broad diffraction peak at any of Bragg angles: 8 to 18°, 32 to 40°, and 55 to 65° (from 0 to 70° 2-? scale).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Axel Brait, Alexander E. Kuperman, Jaime Lopez, Oleg Mironov, Bruce Reynolds, Kaidong Chen
  • Patent number: 7737073
    Abstract: A hydroprocessing bulk catalyst is provided. A process to prepare hydroprocessing bulk catalysts is also provided. The hydroprocessing catalyst has the formula (Mt)a(Lu)b(Sv)d(Cw)e(Hx)f(Oy)g(Nz)h, wherein M is at least one group VIB metal; promoter metal L is optional and if present, L is at least one Group VIII non-noble metal; t, u, v, w, x, y, z representing the total charge for each of the components (M, L, S, C, H, O and N, respectively); ta+ub+vd+we+xf+yg+zh=0; 0=<b; and 0=<b/a=<5, (a+0.5b)<=d<=(5a+2b), 0<=e<=11(a+b), 0<=f<=7(a+b), 0<=g<=5(a+b), 0<=h<=0.5(a+b). The catalyst has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern with at least one broad diffraction peak at any of Bragg angles: 8 to 18°, 32 to 40°, and 55 to 65° (from 0 to 70° 2-? scale).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Alexander E. Kuperman, Jaime Lopez, Axel Brait, Bruce Reynolds, Kaidong Chen
  • Patent number: 7737072
    Abstract: A hydroprocessing catalyst is provided. The hydroprocessing catalyst has the formula (Mt)a(Xu)b(Sv)d(Cw)e(Hx)f(Oy)g(Nz)h, wherein M is at least one group VIB metal; X is at least one Group VIII non-noble metal; t, u, v, w, x, y, z representing the total charge for each of the components (M, X, S, C, H, O and N, respectively); ta+ub+vd+we+xf+yg+zh=0; and 0=<b/a=<5, (a+0.5b)<=d<=(5a+2b), 0<=e<=11(a+b), 0<=f<=7(a+b), 0<=g<=5(a+b), 0<=h<=0.5(a+b). The catalyst has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern with at least one broad diffraction peak at any of Bragg angles: 8 to 18°, 32 to 40°, and 55 to 65° (from 0 to 70° 2-? scale). In one embodiment, the at least one diffraction peak is greater than 2 degrees wide at ½ height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron USA Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Alexander E. Kuperman, Jaime Lopez, Axel Brait, Bruce Reynolds, Kaidong Chen
  • Patent number: 7708877
    Abstract: A new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system has been developed that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is partially separated in between the reactors to remove only the converted oil while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor where a portion of the unconverted oil is converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, converted oil, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a highly concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor. Fully converted oil is subsequently hydrofinished for the nearly complete removal of hetoroatoms such as sulfur and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron USA Inc.
    Inventors: Darush Farshid, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20100065471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones with at least some of the fresh slurry catalyst being supplied to at least a contacting zone other than the first contacting zone. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing the slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. A least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Kaidong Chen, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090200204
    Abstract: A hydroprocessing catalyst is provided. The hydroprocessing catalyst has the formula (Mt)a(Xu)b(Sv)d(Cw)e(Hx)f(Oy)g(Nz)h, wherein M is at least one group VIB metal; X is at least one Group VIII non-noble metal; t, u, v, w, x, y, z representing the total charge for each of the components (M, X, S, C, H, O and N, respectively); ta+ub+vd+we+xf+yg+zh=0; and 0=<b/a=<5, (a+0.5b)<=d<=(5a+2b), 0<=e<=11(a+b), 0<=f<=7(a+b), 0<=g<=5(a+b), 0<=h<=0.5(a+b). The catalyst has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern with at least one broad diffraction peak at any of Bragg angles: 8 to 18°, 32 to 40°, and 55 to 65° (from 0 to 70° 2-? scale). In one embodiment, the at least one diffraction peak is greater than 2 degrees wide at ½ height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Alexander E. Kuperman, Jaime Lopez, Axel Brait, Bruce Reynolds, Kaidong Chen
  • Publication number: 20090163350
    Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via membrane filtration. In one embodiment, dynamic filtration is used for the separation of the heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Bruce Reynolds, Christopher A. Powers
  • Publication number: 20090159505
    Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via a filtration assembly. The filtration assembly has a least a filtration unit employing at least a membrane for separating heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Bruce Reynolds, Christopher A. Powers, Seyi A. Odueyungbo
  • Publication number: 20090134064
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to an upflow for upgrading heavy oil feed stock and a method for upgrading heavy oil feed stock employing an upflow reactor and with a slurry catalyst. In one embodiment, the upflow reactor is a liquid recirculating reactor, which is operated in manner corresponding to a dispersed bubble flow regime, which requires a high liquid to gas ratio. A dispersed bubble flow regime results in more even flow patterns, increasing the amount of liquid, i.e., heavy oil feed stock that can be upgraded in a single reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: BRUCE REYNOLDS
  • Publication number: 20090057195
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones and a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit for providing at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the deasphalted oil, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones which operates at a temperature within 20° F. and a pressure within 10 psi of the pressure in the contacting zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Powers, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090057194
    Abstract: Applicants have developed a new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil, hydrogen, and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is separated internally, within one of more of the reactors, to separate only the converted oil and hydrogen into a vapor product while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor as a liquid product. A portion of the unconverted oil is then converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons in the next reactor, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, hydrogen, converted oil, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Darush Farshid, James Murphy, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090057193
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is partially separated in between the reactors to remove only the products and hydrogen, while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor where a portion of the unconverted oil is converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, converted oil, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a highly concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Darush Farshid, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090057201
    Abstract: A hydroprocessing bulk catalyst is provided. A process to prepare hydroprocessing bulk catalysts is also provided. The hydroprocessing catalyst has the formula (Mt)d(Lu)b(Sv)d(Cw)e(Hx)f(Oy)g(Nz)h, wherein M is at least one group VIB metal; promoter metal L is optional and if present, L is at least one Group VIII non-noble metal; t, u, v, w, x, y, z representing the total charge for each of the components (M, L, S, C, H, O and N, respectively); ta+ub+vd+we+xf+yg+zh=0; 0 =<b; and 0=<b/a=<5, (a+0.5b)<=d<=(5a+2b), 0<=e<=11(a+b), 0<=f<=7(a+b), 0<=g<=5(a+b), 0<=h<=0.5(a+b). The catalyst has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern with at least one broad diffraction peak at any of Bragg angles: 8 to 18°, 32 to 40°, and 55 to 65° (from 0 to 70° 2-? scale).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Axel Brait, Alexander E. Kuperman, Jaime Lopez, Oleg Mironov, Bruce Reynolds, Kaidong Chen