Patents by Inventor Dennis W. Keppers

Dennis W. Keppers 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: 20140008268
    Abstract: This is a unique way to optimize an existing refinery to process heavy bitumen. The upgrade utilizes a diluent recovery unit (DRU) in front of a Resid Hydrocracker. The recovered bitumen from the Resid Hydrocracker is fed to an integrated atmospheric fractionator to convert the light sweet refinery to diluted bitumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Marathon Petroleum Company LP
    Inventors: Dennis W. Keppers, Gregory A. Cantley
  • Patent number: 7988753
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering and recycling hydrogen from a reforming process raises the pressure of at least one hydrogen-rich gas stream from at least one catalyst lock hopper and delivers at least a portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas stream to at least one predetermined downstream location. At least another portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas is used to maintain the desired pressure within the hydrogen recovery and recycling process and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Co. LP
    Inventors: Edward P. Fox, Dennis W. Keppers, Daniel M. Barrett, Larry L. Holt, Edward A. Bullerdiek, James H. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100206773
    Abstract: This is a unique way of upgrading an existing refinery to process heavy sour crude. The system does not significantly modify an existing sweet refinery. Rather, a hydrocracker is used at the existing light sweet refinery location to create light sweet crudes from heavy sour crudes prior to processing in an existing sweet refinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Calvin T. Case, Dennis W. Keppers, Vernon W. Mark
  • Publication number: 20100206772
    Abstract: This is a unique way of upgrading an existing refinery to process heavy bitumen. The upgrade utilizes a diluent recovery unit (DRU) in front of a Resid Hydrocracker. The diluent is light enough that the DRU does not require significant metallurgy upgrades. The corrosive, heavier material is neutralized in the Resid Hydrocracker eliminating need for metallurgical upgrades in downstream units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis W. Keppers
  • Patent number: 7637970
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering and recycling hydrogen from a reforming process raises the pressure of at least one hydrogen-rich gas stream from at least one catalyst lock hopper and delivers at least a portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas stream to at least one predetermined downstream location. At least another portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas is used to maintain the desired pressure within the hydrogen recovery and recycling process and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC
    Inventors: Edward P. Fox, Dennis W. Keppers, Daniel M. Barrett, Larry L. Holt, Edward A. Bullerdiek, James H. Miller