Patents by Inventor Donald E. Hardesty

Donald E. Hardesty 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: 5260034
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapid stripping of fluid cracking catalyst is disclosed. A series of concentric annular beds provide rapid initial removal of hydrocarbons from the interstices of the catalyst particles. Successive stages of stripping allow time for hydrocarbon diffusion from catalyst's pores while maintaining low hydrocarbon partial pressure. Residence times increase as the catalyst passes to the different catalyst beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: David A. Van Kleeck, Donald E. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 4731228
    Abstract: The invention here disclosed is a novel apparatus and method for the separation of solid and fluid phases in a horizontal elongated cyclone separator with a novel inclined solid dropout continuous and uninterrupted slot in the bottom to transfer a solid phase via primary mass separation from either an upflow or a downflow reactor in the initial portion of the cyclone separator to a downcomer which may be equipped with a stripping function. The instant horizontal elongated cyclone separator is constructed to ensure an elongated helical flow path of the vapor phase with a minor portion of the catalyst particles therein from one end of the cyclone separator to a withdrawal conduit to disengage via secondary centrifical separation a minor portion of the solid phase from the fluid phase. The minor portion of the solid phase is thereafter transmitted to the stripping function by a vertical downcomer interconnecting the stripping function and the bottom of the horizontal elongated cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Thomas S. Dewitz, John E. Gwyn, Wesley A. Parker, Donald E. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 4692311
    Abstract: Catalyst and hydrocarbon vapors are separated in a cyclone zone attached to the discharge of a riser cracking operation. A vortex stabilizer separating the cyclone zone from a stripping zone allows stripping gas from the stripping zone to be passed upwardly into the cyclone zone countercurrent to the downward flow of catalyst, thereby improving the separation and stripping of gaseous hydrocarbons from separated catalyst. The combined cyclone-stripping zone reduces catalyst hydrocarbon contact time, thereby improving gasoline yield and olefin content, decreasing gas make, and reducing coke deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Wesley A. Parker, Thomas S. Dewitz, George P. Hinds, Jr., John E. Gwyn, A. Haluk Bilgic, Donald E. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 4692235
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the pressure drop in a riser reactor equipped with a horizontal tee joint connection which uses a fluid injection means selectively located at a point juxtaposed to the connection of the horizontal and vertical tubes to prohibit fine particle catalysts from backflow down the elongated riser reactor which omission thereby provides (1) an easy upflow of catalysts and hydrocarbon vapors through the riser reactor and (2) an incentive for the flow of particles up through the elongated riser and transfer laterally to the horizontal tee joint connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Wesley A. Parker, Donald E. Hardesty, Jack E. Stanley
  • Patent number: 4666675
    Abstract: An apparatus to reduce the pressure drop in a riser reactor equipped with a horizontal tee joint connection which uses a mechanical implant located at a point juxtaposed the connection of the horizontal and vertical tubes to prohibit fine particle catalysts from backflow down through the elongated riser reactor which thereby provides an easy upflow of catalysts through the riser reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Wesley A. Parker, Donald E. Hardesty, Jack E. Stanley
  • Patent number: 4582511
    Abstract: Coal dusting is controlled by spraying the coal with a relatively viscous aqueous solution of sugar or sugar and other components of sugar-forming plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Siddoway, Donald E. Hardesty, John R. King, William C. Machmer
  • Patent number: 4459762
    Abstract: Drying of wet coal is facilitated by the addition of a nonaqueous solvent, such as acetone, to the coal followed by application of heat to remove both solvent and water from the coal. The coal may be further upgraded by briquetting or pelletizing fine coal particles with waxes and resins extracted from the coal, or the waxes and resins may be left on the coal to reduce the tendency of the coal to reabsorb water. In addition, minerals such as sodium and potassium salts may be removed from the coal to reduce slagging and fouling behavior of the coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Hardesty, Herbert F. Buchholz
  • Patent number: 4455220
    Abstract: Catalyst and hydrocarbon vapors are separated in a cyclone zone attached to the discharge of a riser cracking operation. Vortex stabilizing means separating the cyclone zone from a stripping zone allows stripping gas from said stripping zone to be passed upwardly into said cyclone zone countercurrent to the downward flow of catalyst, thereby improving the separation and stripping of gaseous hydrocarbons from separated catalyst. The combined cyclone-stripping zone reduces catalyst hydrocarbon contact time, thereby improving gasoline yield and olefin content, decreasing gas make, and reducing coke deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Wesley A. Parker, Thomas S. Dewitz, George P. Hinds, Jr., John E. Gwyn, A. Haluk Bilgic, Donald E. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 4422246
    Abstract: Substantially dry coal fines are fed into a pressurized zone by slurrying coal fines with a liquid, water-miscible, volatile organic solvent to form a pumpable slurry, pressurizing the slurry, removing and recycling the organic solvent component of the liquid phase of the slurry, thermally drying the pressurized fines and transporting the dried, pressurized fines into the pressurized zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Hardesty, Glenn R. McCullough