Patents by Inventor Bryan M. Knickerbocker

Bryan M. Knickerbocker 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: 10676684
    Abstract: Methods are provided for qualifying jet fuel fractions that are derived at least in part from pre-refined crude oil sources. The methods allow for determination of the stability of a jet fuel product over time by using an accelerated aging test. The methods are beneficial for verifying the stability of a jet fuel fraction that includes a portion derived from a pre-refined crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Roger G. Gaughan, Robert T. Peters, Timothy D. Suter, Bryan M. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20160319208
    Abstract: Methods are provided for qualifying jet fuel fractions that are derived at least in part from pre-refined crude oil sources. The methods allow for determination of the stability of a jet fuel product over time by using an accelerated aging test. The methods are beneficial for verifying the stability of a jet fuel fraction that includes a portion derived from a pre-refined crude oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Roger G. GAUGHAN, Robert T. PETERS, Timothy D. SUTER, Bryan M. KNICKERBOCKER
  • Patent number: 9441172
    Abstract: The mercury in crude oils is managed during the refining process to reduce its occurrence in refined petroleum products as well as in refinery emissions and wastes by converting the mercury, which may typically be present in the crude in elemental, ionic or combined organic (organomercury) forms, by operating the refinery on a blend of crudes comprising a mercury-containing crude of low sulfur content and a high sulfur crude. For optimal mercury control, the refinery should be operated in a high conversion regime, preferably with hydroprocessing (severe hydrotreating, hydrocracking) suitable for converting refractory, non-reactive sulfur compounds in the high sulfur crudes to more reactive forms including, for example, hydrogen sulfide, which will combine with the mercury present from the mercury-containing crude to form solid mercury sulfides which may be removed as solid waste by-products and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bryan M. Knickerbocker, Robert James Falkiner
  • Patent number: 9418186
    Abstract: Partition coefficients for solutes in solvent-water systems are estimated based on corresponding values for the octanol-water system. The estimation of the partition coefficient includes correction factors based on the nature of the solute and the solvent. Petroleum fractions are an example of a suitable solvent for which a partition coefficient can be estimated, although other types of solvents can be used in developing a model for use in the estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Bryan M Knickerbocker, Steven Wong
  • Patent number: 9394497
    Abstract: Methods are provided for qualifying jet fuel fractions that are derived at least in part from pre-refined crude oil sources. The methods allow for determination of the stability of a jet fuel product over time by using an accelerated aging test. The methods are beneficial for verifying the stability of a jet fuel fraction that includes a portion derived from a pre-refined crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger G. Gaughan, Robert T. Peters, Timothy D. Suter, Bryan M. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20150361353
    Abstract: The mercury in crude oils is managed during the refining process to reduce its occurrence in refined petroleum products as well as in refinery emissions and wastes by converting the mercury, which may typically be present in the crude in elemental, ionic or combined organic (organomercury) forms, by operating the refinery on a blend of crudes comprising a mercury-containing crude of low sulfur content and a high sulfur crude. For optimal mercury control, the refinery should be operated in a high conversion regime, preferably with hydroprocessing (severe hydrotreating, hydrocracking) suitable for converting refractory, non-reactive sulfur compounds in the high sulfur crudes to more reactive forms including, for example, hydrogen sulfide, which will combine with the mercury present from the mercury-containing crude to form solid mercury sulfides which may be removed as solid waste by-products and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bryan M. Knickerbocker, Robert James Falkiner
  • Patent number: 8916117
    Abstract: A method for the reduction of corrosion in a treatment unit acid used for separating hydrogen sulfide from and acid gas stream using an alkaline absorption solution. Ions comprising the S2? and/or HS? ions formed by the absorption of the hydrogen sulfide in the absorbent solution are subjected to in situ electrochemical oxidization to form polysulfide ions which form a protective coating on the surfaces of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gordon Bryce McGarvey, Robert J. Falkiner, David R. Slim, Bryan M. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20140093440
    Abstract: A method for the reduction of corrosion in a treatment unit acid used for separating hydrogen sulfide from and acid gas stream using an alkaline absorption solution. Ions comprising the S2? and/or HS? ions formed by the absorption of the hydrogen sulfide in the absorbent solution are subjected to in situ electrochemical oxidization to form polysulfide ions which form a protective coating on the surfaces of the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gordon Bryce McGARVEY, Robert J. FALKINER, David R. SLIM, Bryan M. KNICKERBOCKER
  • Publication number: 20140076776
    Abstract: Methods are provided for qualifying jet fuel fractions that are derived at least in part from pre-refined crude oil sources. The methods allow for determination of the stability of a jet fuel product over time by using an accelerated aging test. The methods are beneficial for verifying the stability of a jet fuel fraction that includes a portion derived from a pre-refined crude oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger G. GAUGHAN, Robert T. PETERS, Timothy D. SUTER, Bryan M. KNICKERBOCKER
  • Patent number: 8668887
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the in situ generation of polysulfide ions in a process stream including S2? and/or HS? ions. Methods and systems are also provided to ameliorate corrosion in a process stream containing an acid gas or a scrubbing agent solvent, and abate mercury and cyanide in process streams containing a scrubbing agent solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gordon Bryce McGarvey, Robert J. Falkiner, David R. Slim, Bryan M. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20140042362
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the in situ generation of polysulfide ions in a process stream including S2? and/or HS? ions. Methods and systems are also provided to ameliorate corrosion in a process stream containing an acid gas or a scrubbing agent solvent, and abate mercury and cyanide in process streams containing a scrubbing agent solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gordon Bryce McGARVEY, Robert J. FALKINER, David R. SLIM, Bryan M. KNICKERBOCKER
  • Publication number: 20130317793
    Abstract: Partition coefficients for solutes in solvent-water systems are estimated based on corresponding values for the octanol-water system. The estimation of the partition coefficient includes correction factors based on the nature of the solute and the solvent. Petroleum fractions are an example of a suitable solvent for which a partition coefficient can be estimated, although other types of solvents can be used in developing a model for use in the estimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Bryan M. KNICKERBOCKER, Steven WONG
  • Patent number: 6187987
    Abstract: Permselective separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from non-aromatic hydrocarbons in a feed stream is accomplished using improved asymmetric membranes. The preferred membranes are fashioned from a polyimide and conditioned with a lubricating oil. Feed streams containing a mixture of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons are contacted with the dense active layer side of the polyimide membrane under a pressure and temperature sufficient to selectively permeate the desired aromatic hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur A. Chin, Bryan M. Knickerbocker, Jeffrey C. Trewella, Terry R. Waldron, Lloyd S. White