Patents by Inventor Dennis Vauk

Dennis Vauk 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: 11084990
    Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline blend stock is produced by a hydrodesulfurization process including at least two hydrodesulfurization reactors with hydrogen feeds and two finishing reactors arranged where the first polishing reactor converts both thiophenic compounds and mercaptans to hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons and the second polishing reactor uses a catalyst that has much less thiophenic conversion activity but is operated at a higher temperature to more substantially reduce the sulfur content of the gasoline present in the form of mercaptans. As the conversion of thiophenes to hydrogen sulfide is correlated to reducing octane number, using a second polishing reactor that has little activity for thiophene conversion also protects the high-octane species in the gasoline thereby minimizing octane loss while reducing total sulfur content to acceptable levels. The sulfur left in the gasoline is biased toward higher thiophene content and away from mercaptan content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Morrill, Dennis A. Vauk, Daniel Todd Seach, Rory James Falgout, Timothy A. Dixon
  • Patent number: 10995285
    Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline blend stock is produced by a hydrodesulfurization process including at least two hydrodesulfurization reactors with hydrogen feeds and two finishing reactors arranged where the first polishing reactor converts both thiophenic compounds and mercaptans to hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons and the second polishing reactor uses a catalyst that has much less thiophenic conversion activity but is operated at a higher temperature to more substantially reduce the sulfur content of the gasoline present in the form of mercaptans. As the conversion of thiophenes to hydrogen sulfide is correlated to reducing octane number, using a second polishing reactor that has little activity for thiophene conversion also protects the high-octane species in the gasoline thereby minimizing octane loss while reducing total sulfur content to acceptable levels. The sulfur left in the gasoline is biased toward higher thiophene content and away from mercaptan content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Morrill, Dennis A. Vauk, Daniel Todd Seach, Rory James Falgout, Timothy A. Dixon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200190411
    Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline blend stock is produced by a hydrodesulfurization process including at least two hydrodesulfurization reactors with hydrogen feeds and two finishing reactors arranged where the first polishing reactor converts both thiophenic compounds and mercaptans to hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons and the second polishing reactor uses a catalyst that has much less thiophenic conversion activity but is operated at a higher temperature to more substantially reduce the sulfur content of the gasoline present in the form of mercaptans. As the conversion of thiophenes to hydrogen sulfide is correlated to reducing octane number, using a second polishing reactor that has little activity for thiophene conversion also protects the high-octane species in the gasoline thereby minimizing octane loss while reducing total sulfur content to acceptable levels. The sulfur left in the gasoline is biased toward higher thiophene content and away from mercaptan content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael R. Morrill, Dennis A. Vauk, Daniel Todd Seach, Rory James Falgout, Timothy A. Dixon
  • Publication number: 20200190413
    Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline blend stock is produced by a hydrodesulfurization process including at least two hydrodesulfurization reactors with hydrogen feeds and two finishing reactors arranged where the first polishing reactor converts both thiophenic compounds and mercaptans to hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons and the second polishing reactor uses a catalyst that has much less thiophenic conversion activity but is operated at a higher temperature to more substantially reduce the sulfur content of the gasoline present in the form of mercaptans. As the conversion of thiophenes to hydrogen sulfide is correlated to reducing octane number, using a second polishing reactor that has little activity for thiophene conversion also protects the high-octane species in the gasoline thereby minimizing octane loss while reducing total sulfur content to acceptable levels. The sulfur left in the gasoline is biased toward higher thiophene content and away from mercaptan content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael R. Morrill, Dennis A. Vauk, Daniel Todd Seach, Rory James Falgout, Timothy A. Dixon, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150323248
    Abstract: This present invention provides a method to more efficiently recover hydrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 80% and most preferably at least 90% of the carbon dioxide. The proposed use combines hydrogen selective membranes and carbon dioxide selective membranes together with carbon dioxide separation units such that hydrogen and carbon dioxide are produced with increased recoveries and improved process efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Paul TERRIEN, Trapti CHAUBEY, Purushottam V. SHANBHAG, Bhada S. GROVER, Dennis A. VAUK, Arthur DARDE, Pascal MARTY, Christian MONEREAU
  • Patent number: 8591769
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of reducing the carbon dioxide balance from a reformer furnace flue gas to the high pressure syngas exit water gas shift reaction unit. Introducing a heated gas mixture into at least one pre-reforming chamber. The heating being provided by indirect heat exchange with one or more of an SMR furnace flue gas or an SMR furnace syngas introducing the gas mixture into a standard H2 PSA unit, wherein the gas mixture is separated into a hydrogen enriched stream and a PSA tail gas stream; introducing the PSA tail gas stream into a CPU system, wherein the PSA tail gas stream is separated into a carbon dioxide enriched stream, a hydrogen rich stream, and a residual stream, and introducing the residual stream as fuel into the reformer furnace along with natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme pour l'Étude et l'Exploitation de Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Dennis Vauk, Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 8580153
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of minimizing the emissions of carbon dioxide from a reformer furnace flue gas to the high pressure syngas exit water gas shift reaction unit. Including heating a first gas mixture by indirect heat exchange with one or more of an SMR furnace flue gas or an SMR furnace syngas, further heating the pre-reformed mixture in a primary reformer, thereby generating a second gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and a flue gas. Introducing the gas mixture into a standard H2 PSA unit, wherein the gas is separated into a hydrogen enriched stream and a PSA tail gas stream, and introducing PSA feed or tail gas stream into a carbon dioxide removal system, wherein the flue gas is separated into a residual flue gas stream and a carbon dioxide enriched stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Dennis A. Vauk, Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 8535638
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a process stream of a process unit wherein the process stream contains at least carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S., L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde
  • Publication number: 20130156685
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of reducing the carbon dioxide balance from a reformer furnace flue gas to the high pressure syngas exit water gas shift reaction unit. Introducing a heated gas mixture into at least one pre-reforming chamber. The heating being provided by indirect heat exchange with one or more of an SMR furnace flue gas or an SMR furnace syngas introducing the gas mixture into a standard H2 PSA unit, wherein the gas mixture is separated into a hydrogen enriched stream and a PSA tail gas stream; introducing the PSA tail gas stream into a CPU system, wherein the PSA tail gas stream is separated into a carbon dioxide enriched stream, a hydrogen rich stream, and a residual stream, and introducing the residual stream as fuel into the reformer furnace along with natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicants: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Air Liquide Large Industrial U.S. LP
    Inventors: DENNIS VAUK, Bhadra S. Grover
  • Publication number: 20130156686
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of minimizing the emissions of carbon dioxide from a reformer furnace flue gas to the high pressure syngas exit water gas shift reaction unit. Including heating a first gas mixture by indirect heat exchange with one or more of an SMR furnace flue gas or an SMR furnace syngas, further heating the pre-reformed mixture in a primary reformer, thereby generating a second gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and a flue gas. Introducing the gas mixture into a standard H2 PSA unit, wherein the gas is separated into a hydrogen enriched stream and a PSA tail gas stream, and introducing PSA feed or tail gas stream into a carbon dioxide removal system, wherein the flue gas is separated into a residual flue gas stream and a carbon dioxide enriched stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicants: American Air Liquide, Inc., Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP
    Inventors: Dennis VAUK, Bhadra S. GROVER
  • Patent number: 8431755
    Abstract: A process to integrate a first biofuels process and a second generation cellulosic biofuels process is provided. The pyrolysis means which produces the char stream and a bioliquid stream. The low pressure hydrotreating component, a high pressure hydrotreating component, the low pressure hydrotreating component which produces the hydrocarbon stream, the high pressure hydrotreating component which produces the steam stream and bioliquid stream. A distillation means, which produces a green gasoline stream and a green diesel stream from the bioliquid stream. The second biofuels process may be a first generation bio-ethanol process, which produces a bio-ethanol stream. The hydrogen production unit, which produces the hydrogen stream and the steam stream. The hydrogen production unit may be a steam reformer or partial oxidation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP
    Inventor: Dennis A. Vauk
  • Publication number: 20120291484
    Abstract: This present invention provides a method to more efficiently recover hydrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75%, and most preferably at least 90% of the carbon dioxide. The present invention further provides the design for capture of at least 80%, carbon dioxide from syngas that allows for the simultaneous production of medium to high amounts of hydrogen in the syngas as a part of the production of hydrogen in a hydrogen generation plant. By using the process of the present invention, especially in terms of a hydrogen generation plant, it is possible to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream by balancing the recycle of the hydrogen rich permeate from the hydrogen membrane separation units to the process unit and/or the water gas shift as capacity allows when a carbon dioxide separation unit, a carbon dioxide membrane separation unit and two hydrogen membrane separation units are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde, Pascal Marty
  • Publication number: 20120291483
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a process stream utilizing a carbon dioxide separation unit and two membrane separation units. The present invention further provides a process within a hydrogen generation plant to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture equal to or greater than 80% of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream. By using the process of the present invention, especially in terms of a hydrogen generation plant, it is possible to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream by balancing the recycle of the hydrogen rich permeate from the hydrogen membrane separation unit to the process unit and/or the water gas shift as capacity allows when a carbon dioxide separation unit, a carbon dioxide membrane separation unit and a hydrogen membrane separation unit are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde, Pascal Marty
  • Publication number: 20120292574
    Abstract: This present invention provides a method to more efficiently recover hydrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75%, and most preferably at least 90% of the carbon dioxide. The present invention further provides the design for capture of at least 80%, carbon dioxide from syngas that allows for the simultaneous production of medium to high amounts of hydrogen in the syngas as a part of the production of hydrogen in a hydrogen generation plant. By using the process of the present invention, especially in terms of a hydrogen generation plant, it is possible to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream by balancing the recycle of the hydrogen rich permeate from the hydrogen membrane separation units to the process unit and/or the water gas shift as capacity allows when a carbon dioxide separation unit, a carbon dioxide membrane separation unit and two hydrogen membrane separation units are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde, Pascal Marty
  • Publication number: 20120291481
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a process stream utilizing a carbon dioxide separation unit and two membrane separation units. The present invention further provides a process within a hydrogen generation plant to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture equal to or greater than 80% of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream. By using the process of the present invention, especially in terms of a hydrogen generation plant, it is possible to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream by balancing the recycle of the hydrogen rich permeate from the hydrogen membrane separation unit to the process unit and/or the water gas shift as capacity allows when a carbon dioxide separation unit, a carbon dioxide membrane separation unit and a hydrogen membrane separation unit are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde, Pascal Marty
  • Publication number: 20120291485
    Abstract: This present invention provides a method to more efficiently recover hydrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75%, and most preferably at least 90% of the carbon dioxide. The present invention further provides the design for capture of at least 80%, carbon dioxide from syngas that allows for the simultaneous production of medium to high amounts of hydrogen in the syngas as a part of the production of hydrogen in a hydrogen generation plant. By using the process of the present invention, especially in terms of a hydrogen generation plant, it is possible to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream by balancing the recycle of the hydrogen rich permeate from the hydrogen membrane separation units to the process unit and/or the water gas shift as capacity allows when a carbon dioxide separation unit, a carbon dioxide membrane separation unit and two hydrogen membrane separation units are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde, Pascal Marty
  • Publication number: 20120291482
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a process stream utilizing a carbon dioxide separation unit and two membrane separation units. The present invention further provides a process within a hydrogen generation plant to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture equal to or greater than 80% of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream. By using the process of the present invention, especially in terms of a hydrogen generation plant, it is possible to increase recovery of hydrogen and capture of the carbon dioxide in the syngas stream by balancing the recycle of the hydrogen rich permeate from the hydrogen membrane separation unit to the process unit and/or the water gas shift as capacity allows when a carbon dioxide separation unit, a carbon dioxide membrane separation unit and a hydrogen membrane separation unit are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde, Pascal Marty
  • Publication number: 20120157726
    Abstract: A process for the production of cellulose based biofuels is provided. This process includes pyrolysing a cellulose-containing feedstock to form a slurry of bioliquids and char; hydrocracking the slurry to produce a hydrocarbon gas stream, a hydrocarbon liquid stream, an impurities stream, and a residue stream; distilling the liquid hydrocarbon stream to produce at least a naphtha stream, and a diesel stream; and gasifying the residue stream to produce at least a hydrogen and a carbon monoxide stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP
    Inventors: Dennis A. Vauk, Tarun D. Vakil
  • Publication number: 20120118011
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method to more efficiently recover hydrogen and carbon dioxide as well as a design for carbon dioxide capture from syngas that allows for the simultaneous production of medium to high amounts of hydrogen and the capture of at least 90% of the carbon dioxide in the syngas as a part of the production of hydrogen in a hydrogen generation plant. Through the use of a combination of hydrogen selective membranes and carbon dioxide selective membranes together with a carbon dioxide separation unit it is possible to increase recovery of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and improved process efficiency of the hydrogen generation plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde
  • Publication number: 20120121497
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a process stream (1) of a process unit (0) wherein the process stream (1) contains at least carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. In the process, the process stream (1) is optionally compressing in a first compressor (2) before being cooled in a heat exchanger (3) to a temperature equal to or less than ?10° C. Next, the cooled process stream (1) is separated and purified in a carbon dioxide separation unit (4) to produce a carbon dioxide rich liquid stream (6) and a carbon dioxide lean non-condensable stream (5) with the carbon dioxide rich liquid stream (6) being withdrawn as a carbon dioxide product for further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicants: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Paul Terrien, Trapti Chaubey, Purushottam V. Shanbhag, Bhadra S. Grover, Dennis A. Vauk, Arthur Darde