Patents by Inventor Fred D. Brent

Fred D. Brent 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).

  • Recovery of slurry unsupported catalyst
    Patent number: 8765622
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: 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
  • Recovery of slurry unsupported catalyst
    Publication number: 20090163347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: 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
  • Stabilizing spent hydrotreating catalyst for reprocessing or storage
    Patent number: 4900713
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing pyrophoric hydrotreating catalyst drums has been discovered. The dry catalyst is introduced into drums which have been purged with an inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. A continuous layer of gelatinized starch is applied to the top of the catalyst, sealing it from air. The drum lid is clamped on and the catalyst is stored or transported. The gelatinized starch seal does not impair the catalyst for regeneration or metals reclaiming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred D. Brent Jr., Richard G. Nelson, William A. Ruff