Patents by Inventor Gary C. Hughes

Gary C. Hughes 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: 7922896
    Abstract: A method for reducing furnace fouling in a delayed coking process comprising (a) supplying at least one feed to a delayed coking unit comprised of coker furnace, at least two coke drums and a coker fractionator, (b) increasing the aromaticity of the feed to produce a modified stream by combining with the feed upstream of the coker furnace at least one added stream selected from the group consisting of an aromatic gas oil, a hydrotreated aromatic gas oil and combinations thereof, (c) introducing the modified feed stream into the coker furnace, d) heating the modified feed stream to a coking temperature in the coker furnace to produce a heated modified stream, and e) transferring the heated modified stream from the coker furnace to a coke drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Newman, Keith D. Alexander, Gary C. Hughes, James R. Roth
  • Publication number: 20090266742
    Abstract: A method for reducing furnace fouling in a delayed coking process comprising (a) supplying at least one feed to a delayed coking unit comprised of coker furnace, at least two coke drums and a coker fractionator, (b) increasing the aromaticity of the feed to produce a modified stream by combining with the feed upstream of the coker furnace at least one added stream selected from the group consisting of an aromatic gas oil, a hydrotreated aromatic gas oil and combinations thereof, (c) introducing the modified feed stream into the coker furnace, d) heating the modified feed stream to a coking temperature in the coker furnace to produce a heated modified stream, and e) transferring the heated modified stream from the coker furnace to a coke drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Newman, Keith D. Alexander, Gary C. Hughes, James R. Roth
  • Patent number: 7476295
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for removing particulate material from a flash zone gas oil stream produced in a delayed coking unit. The apparatus of the invention employs cyclonic separation to remove particulate material from the flash zone gas oil stream. The stream can then be further processed, for example by passing the stream to a fixed bed catalytic hydroprocessing unit and then to a fluidized bed catalytic cracking unit, or to other processing units, thereby enhancing the value of the flash zone gas oil stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventors: Sharon A. Annesley, Gary C. Hughes, Jamal Allyen Sandarusi
  • Patent number: 6919017
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing particulate material from a flash zone gas oil stream produced in a delayed coking unit. The process and apparatus of the invention employ cyclonic separation to remove particulate material from the flash zone gas oil stream. The stream can then be further processed, for example by passing the stream to a fixed bed catalytic hydroprocessing unit and then to a fluidized bed catalytic cracking unit, or to other processing units, thereby enhancing the value of the flash zone gas oil stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Sharon A. Annesley, Gary C. Hughes, Jamal Allyen Sandarusi
  • Publication number: 20030192810
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing particulate material from a flash zone gas oil stream produced in a delayed coking unit. The process and apparatus of the invention employ cyclonic separation to remove particulate material from the flash zone gas oil stream. The stream can then be further processed, for example by passing the stream to a fixed bed catalytic hydroprocessing unit and then to a fluidized bed catalytic cracking unit, or to other processing units, thereby enhancing the value of the flash zone gas oil stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Sharon A. Annesley, Gary C. Hughes, Jamal Allyen Sandarusi
  • Publication number: 20020117389
    Abstract: An improved delayed coking unit with at least one coke drum wherein said coke drum comprises a substantially closed interior, a top portion having an aperture, an overhead vapor outlet nozzle removably connected to the aperture, and a deflector for deflecting solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from exiting said interior of said coke drum through said aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Jim R. Roth, Harry R. Janssen, Betty Janssen, Gary C. Hughes, Brian J. Doerksen
  • Patent number: 4130475
    Abstract: A process for producing premium delayed petroleum coke suitable for manufacture of graphite electrodes for use in electric arc steel furnaces. The process requires a fresh feedstock having specific characteristics, and incorporates an internally produced thermal tar as a supplement to the fresh feed. The fresh feedstock is an atmospheric reduced crude petroleum oil having a specified gravity, carbon residue and boiling distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Continental Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniel F. Cameron, Gary C. Hughes, Harry R. Janssen