Patents by Inventor Bruce T. Kelley

Bruce T. Kelley 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: 20120031144
    Abstract: A system for removing acid gases from a raw gas stream the system includes a cryogenic distillation tower. The tower receives and separates the raw gas stream into an overhead methane stream and a bottom liquefied acid gas stream. Refrigeration equipment downstream of the cryogenic distillation tower cools the overhead methane stream and returns a portion of the overhead methane stream to the cryogenic distillation tower as liquid reflux. The system also may include a first molecular sieve bed upstream of the distillation tower and a second molecular sieve bed downstream of the distillation tower. The first molecular sieve bed adsorbs water while the second molecular sieve bed adsorbs additional acid gases from the cooled overhead methane stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Scott Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley, Charles J. Mart
  • Publication number: 20110297346
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving energy efficiency using high heat capacity materials. Some embodiments include a phase change material (PCMs). Particularly, the systems may include a re-gasification system, a liquefaction system, or an integrated system utilizing a heat exchanger with a regenerator matrix, a shell and tube arrangement, or cross-flow channels (e.g. a plate-fin arrangement) to store cold energy from a liquefied gas in a re-gasification system at a first location for use in a liquefaction process at a second location. The regenerator matrix may include a plurality of PCMs stacked sequentially or may include a continuous phase material comprised of multiple PCMs. Various encapsulation approaches may be utilized. Reliquefaction may be accomplished with such a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Moses Minta, Bruce T. Kelley, William S. Mathews, Eric D. Nelson, Mark E. Ehrhardt
  • Publication number: 20110209786
    Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for utilizing oil-free gas in a gas processing system. In some embodiments, an oil-free or “dry” gas is provided by a gas source to an oil-free compressor, such as a dry seal compressor, which charges a receiver vessel or vessels, which then provides the oil-free gas to at least one piece of processing equipment, such as an injection compressor or compressors for use in EOR, carbon sequestration, sour gas injection, or other gas handling operations. The methods and systems may include a controller for charging the receiver vessel when the pressure in the vessel decreases below a low pressure threshold and reducing the charging flow rate when the pressure in the vessel meets or exceeds a high pressure threshold in the vessel, thereby maintaining an operational pressure in the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Peter C. Rasmussen, Bruce T. Kelley, Stanley O. Uptigrove
  • Patent number: 7947120
    Abstract: The adsorption of CO2 from flue gas streams using temperature swing adsorption. Adsorbent contactors are used in the temperature swing adsorption unit that contain a plurality of substantially parallel channels comprised of or coated with an adsorbent material that is selective for adsorbing CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley, Frank Hershkowitz, Ronald R. Chance, Paul S. Northrop, Edward W. Corcoran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7938886
    Abstract: The separation of a target gas from a mixture of gases using a thermal swing adsorption process wherein a thermal wave is used, primarily in the desorption step. The process of this invention enables one to separately remove multiple contaminants from a treated gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Harry W. Deckman, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20110059001
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for monetizing energy. More specifically, the invention is directed to the economically efficient utilization of remote or stranded natural gas resources. The invention includes importing a high energy density material into an energy market and distributing the high energy density material (HEDM) therein. The HEDM is produced from reduction of a material oxide such as boria into the HEDM, which may be boron. The reduction utilizes remote hydrocarbon resources such as stranded natural gas resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Harry W. Deckman, Stephen Mark Davis, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Publication number: 20110031103
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, particularly, removing oil contamination from such streams prior to use in a dry gas seal. The methods and systems may include at least one kinetic swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, calcination, and inert purge processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and other utilities. The adsorbent materials used include a high surface area solid structured microporous and mesoporous materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Preeti Kamakoti, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Bruce T. Kelley, Paul Scott Northrop, Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul Lawrence Tanaka, Martin N. Webster, Wieslaw Jerzy Roth, Edward W. Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20100212493
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, nitrogen process streams, and other types of streams. The methods and systems may include at least one swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, and rapid-cycle adsorption processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and for other utilities. The systems and processes of the present disclosure are further applicable to high pressure gaseous streams, for example, up to about 600 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul L. Tanaka, Bruce T. Kelley, Stanley O. Uptigrove, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 7731782
    Abstract: Adsorption of CO2 from flue gas streams using temperature swing adsorption. The resulting CO2 rich stream is compressed for sequestration into a subterranean formation and at least a portion of the heat of compression is used in the desorption step of the temperature swing adsorption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Harry W. Deckman, Frank Hershkowitz, Paul S. Northrop, Peter I. Ravikovitch
  • Publication number: 20090025555
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicants: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ryan Lively, Ronald R. Chance, William J. Koros, Harry Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20080314244
    Abstract: Adsorption of CO2 from flue gas streams using temperature swing adsorption. The resulting CO2 rich stream is compressed for sequestration into a subterranean formation and at least a portion of the heat of compression is used in the desorption step of the temperature swing adsorption process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Harry W. Deckman, Frank Hershkowitz, Paul S. Northrop, Peter I. Ravikovitch
  • Publication number: 20080314245
    Abstract: The separation of a target gas from a mixture of gases using a thermal swing adsorption process wherein a thermal wave is used, primarily in the desorption step. The process of this invention enables one to separately remove multiple contaminants from a treated gaseous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Harry W. Deckman, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20080314246
    Abstract: The separation of a target gas selected from a high pressure gas mixture containing said target gas as well as a product gas using a swing adsorption process unit. A turboexpander is used upstream of the swing adsorber to reduce the pressure of the high pressure gas mixture. A compressor is optionally used downstream of the swing adsorber to increase the pressure of the target gas-containing stream for injecting into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley, Eugene R. Thomas, Ronald R. Chance, Paul S. Northrop, Edward W. Corcoran, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080282884
    Abstract: A process for the separation of one or more heavy hydrocarbon gases from a gas mixture containing heavy hydrocarbon gas components and methane. The process is conducted in swing adsorption apparatus containing adsorbent contactor having a plurality of flow channels and wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactors, is in the mesopore and macropore range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Paul S. Northrop, Ronald R. Chance, Harry W. Deckman, Edward W. Corcoran, JR., Eugene R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080282886
    Abstract: The present invention relates the separation of a target gas from a mixture of gases through the use of engineered structured adsorbent contactors in pressure swing adsorption and thermal swing adsorption processes. Preferably, the contactors contain engineered and substantially parallel flow channels wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactor, excluding the flow channels, is in the mesopore and macropore range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Sebastian C. Reyes, Harry W. Deckman, Ronald R. Chance, Gregory J. DeMartin, Frank Hershkowitz, Eugene R. Thomas, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley, Edward W. Corcoran, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080282887
    Abstract: The removal of one or more of the gases CO2, N2 and H2S from gas mixtures containing at least one of said gases with use of an 8-ring zeolite having a Si:Al ratio from about 1:1 to about 1000:1. The preferred gas mixture is a natural gas feedstream and the preferred 8-ring zeolite is DDR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald R. Chance, Sebastian C. Reyes, Harry W. Deckman, Gregory DeMartin, Bruce T. Kelley, Paul S. Northrop, Eugene R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080282885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the separation of one or more of CO2, N2, and H2S gas components from a gas mixture containing at least a second gas using a swing adsorption process unit. The adsorbent contactors of the swing adsorption process unit are engineered structured adsorbent contactors having a plurality of flow channels wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactors is in the mesopore and macropore range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Ronald R. Chance, Sebastian C. Reyes, Gregory J. DeMartin, Eugene R. Thomas, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley, Edward W. Corcoran, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080282888
    Abstract: The adsorption of CO2 from flue gas streams using temperature swing adsorption. Adsorbent contactors are used in the temperature swing adsorption unit that contain a plurality of substantially parallel channels comprised of or coated with an adsorbent material that is selective for adsorbing CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley, Frank Hershkowitz, Ronald R. Chance, Paul S. Northrop, Edward W. Corcoran, JR.
  • Patent number: 7314502
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a component from a multi-component feed gas stream has a flow conduit (14) having a semi-permeable section (15) that permeates the component to be separated from feed gas stream (12). A sweep gas is provided at a first velocity on the permeate sides of flow conduit (14) and the velocity of sweep gas (13) is accelerated so that the velocity of sweep gas (13) along at least a portion of the permeate side of flow conduit (14) is greater than the first velocity. The mixture of permeate and sweep gas (13) is then decelerated by diffuser (20), thereby recovering as pressure a portion of the energy of feed gas stream (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Bruce T. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6494251
    Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle is disclosed that uses compression and expansion to generate refrigeration or power in which at least some of the compression is effected by hydrostatic head of the heat-exchange medium used in the cycle. In a refrigeration cycle, the head of a heat-exchange medium in the refrigeration cycle is used to compress the heat-exchange medium. A vaporous heat-exchange medium is introduced into the upper end of a down riser that extends downwardly through a heat sink. The vaporous heat-exchange medium descends through the down riser and the head of the heat-exchange medium compresses the heat-exchange medium. The heat generated by the compression is transferred to the heat sink. The heat-exchange medium is then pumped up through a return riser and passed through a pressure expansion means and evaporator. From the evaporator the heat-exchange medium is returned to the upper end of the down riser for recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Bruce T. Kelley