Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Powers
Christopher A. Powers 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).
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Patent number: 8765622Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Lalit S. Shah, Christopher A. Powers, James R. Stoy, Fred D. Brent, Bruce E. Reynolds, Andre R. Da Costa
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Patent number: 7790646Abstract: A process for converting fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil into a coke-like material from which catalytic metals can be recovered comprises mixing fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil with solvent, which causes asphaltenes in the heavy oil to precipitate from the heavy oil; separating fine catalyst and precipitated asphaltenes from the heavy oil and solvent; and converting precipitated asphaltenes to a coke-like material by pyrolizing fine catalyst and precipitated asphaltenes separated from the heavy oil.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Jose Guitian Lopez, Christopher A. Powers, Donald H. Mohr
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Patent number: 7737068Abstract: A process for recovering catalytic metals from fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil comprises pyrolizing fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil to provide one or more lighter oil products and a coke-like material and recovering catalytic metals from the coke-like material.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Powers, Donald H. Mohr, Bruce E. Reynolds, Jose Guitian Lopez
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Publication number: 20090159491Abstract: A process for converting fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil into a coke-like material from which catalytic metals can be recovered comprises mixing fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil with solvent, which causes asphaltenes in the heavy oil to precipitate from the heavy oil; separating fine catalyst and precipitated asphaltenes from the heavy oil and solvent; and converting precipitated asphaltenes to a coke-like material by pyrolizing fine catalyst and precipitated asphaltenes separated from the heavy oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Jose Guitian Lopez, Christopher A. Powers, Donald H. Mohr
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Publication number: 20090163352Abstract: A process for recovering catalytic metals from fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil comprises pyrolizing fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil to provide one or more lighter oil products and a coke-like material and recovering catalytic metals from the coke-like material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Powers, Donald H. Mohr, Bruce E. Reynolds, Jose Guitian Lopez
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Publication number: 20090163347Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Lalit S. Shah, Christopher A. Powers, James R. Stoy, Fred D. Brent, Bruce E. Reynolds, Andre R. Da Costa
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Publication number: 20090163350Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Bruce Reynolds, Christopher A. Powers
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Publication number: 20090159505Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Bruce Reynolds, Christopher A. Powers, Seyi A. Odueyungbo
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Patent number: 5573682Abstract: An improved nozzle for reducing overspray in high temperature supersonic plasma spray devices comprises a body defining an internal passageway having an upstream end and a downstream end through which a selected plasma gas is directed. The nozzle passageway has a generally converging/diverging Laval shape with its upstream end converging to a throat section and its downstream end diverging from the throat section. The upstream end of the passageway is configured to accommodate a high current cathode for producing an electrical arc in the passageway to heat and ionize the gas flow to plasma form as it moves along the passageway. The downstream end of the nozzle is uniquely configured through the methodology of this invention to have a contoured bell-shape that diverges from the throat to the exit of the nozzle. Coating material in powder form is injected into the plasma flow in the region of the bell-shaped downstream end of the nozzle and the powder particles become entrained in the flow.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: Plasma ProcessesInventors: George P. Beason, Jr., Timothy N. McKechnie, Christopher A. Power
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Patent number: 5249357Abstract: A process for making a combustion chamber for a rocket engine wherein a copper alloy in particle form is injected into a stream of heated carrier gas in plasma form which is then projected onto the inner surface of a hollow metal jacket having the configuration of a rocket engine combustion chamber. The particles are in the plasma stream for a sufficient length of time to heat the particles to a temperature such that the particles will flatten and adhere to previously deposited particles but will not spatter or vaporize. After a layer is formed, cooling channels are cut in the layer, than the channels are filled with a temporary filler and another layer of particles is deposited.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1993Date of Patent: October 5, 1993Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Richard R. Holmes, Timothy N. McKechnie, Christopher A. Power, Ronald L. Daniel, Jr., Robert M. Saxelby