Patents by Inventor George A. Huff

George A. Huff 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: 8889747
    Abstract: A process for recovering heat uses a product stream from a Fischer Tropsch synthesis reactor as the coolant in the same Fischer Tropsch reactor. This stream is then used as the working fluid in an associated organic Rankine cycle. In this manner, the waste heat from the Fischer Tropsch reactor can be efficiently converted into shaft work within the Fischer Tropsch plant. The Fischer Tropsch fluid can then be recycled into the plant product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: BP Corporation North America Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kevin J. DiGenova, George A. Huff, Jr., Barbara B. Botros, John G. Brisson
  • Publication number: 20130184509
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of making xylene isomers. The methods generally include contacting an aromatics-comprising feed with a non-sulfided catalyst under conditions suitable for converting the feed to a product comprising xylene isomers. The catalyst includes a support impregnated with a hydrogenation component. The support includes a macroporous binder and a sieve selected from the group consisting of a medium pore sieve, a large pore sieve, and mixtures thereof. The selection of the sieve will depend upon the size of the molecules in the feed, intermediate, and product that can be expected from the catalytic reactions. When the molecules are expected to be large, a large pore sieve should be used. In contrast, when the molecules are expected to be smaller, either a large pore sieve, a medium pore sieve, or a mixture thereof may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Hilary E. Schwartz, Jeffrey T. Miller, Brian J. Henley, George A. Huff
  • Publication number: 20130090395
    Abstract: A process for recovering heat uses a product stream from a Fischer Tropsch synthesis reactor as the coolant in the same Fischer Tropsch reactor. This stream is then used as the working fluid in an associated organic Rankine cycle. In this manner, the waste heat from the Fischer Tropsch reactor can be efficiently converted into shaft work within the Fischer Tropsch plant. The Fischer Tropsch fluid can then be recycled into the plant product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin J. DiGenova, George A. Huff, JR., Barbara B. Botros, John G. Brisson
  • Patent number: 8211319
    Abstract: A process for separating solids from liquids in a filtration zone defined by a higher concentration zone and a lower concentration zone separated by a filter. The process includes the steps of directing a slurry feed comprising a liquid and solids into the higher concentration zone, directing a displacement fluid to the higher concentration zone and passing at least a portion of the liquid through a filter to the filtrate zone, producing a filtrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Wilsak, Scott A. Roberts, Dean B. Comstock, Ronald Stefanski, George A. Huff
  • Patent number: 7618468
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Leslie R. Wolf, John C. Eckstrom, Douglas N. Rundell, Michael Hodges, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Publication number: 20080223785
    Abstract: Compositions and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures. Broadly, the present invention discloses ionic polymer compositions that are useful for perm-selective membrane separations. More particularly, ionic polymers of the invention comprise a plurality of repeating structural units having as a constituent part thereof organic ionic moieties consisting of nitrogen containing anions and/or cations. In the form of non-porous membranes, ionic polymers of the invention facilitate recovery of purified organic and inorganic products from fluid mixtures by means of perm-selective membrane separations. The present invention also provides methods for forming the ionic polymers, for example by treating selected nitrogen-containing organic polymers with acids, or treating a polymeric material comprising a plurality of carboxylate groups with an amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Miller, George A. Huff, William John Koros, Charles Richard Hoppin
  • Publication number: 20080200696
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for production of value-added products from fluid admixtures of hydrocarbon compounds at least one of which is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound, by means of one or more devices using perm-selective polymeric membranes. More particularly, processes of the invention comprise separations using aromatic-selective polymeric materials comprising long-chain polymeric molecules in which recurring amide and imide linkages are part of the main polymer chain. Processes of the invention advantageously employ aromatic-selective membranes to separate an aromatic enriched stream from gaseous and/or liquid mixtures comprising one or more aromatic hydrocarbon compounds thereby producing a stream comprising the remaining compounds which may include alkenes and/or alkanes containing 3 or more carbon atoms, and/or alicyclic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Miller, Bo Chen, Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Brian Henley, William John Koros, Raymond W. Chafin
  • Publication number: 20080172929
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to make environment friendly components for refinery blending of transportation fuels. The process involves contacting a petroleum distillate with an oxygen-containing gas at oxidation conditions in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a Group VII metal on a basic support to oxidize any sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing compounds in the distillate. A portion of these sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing compounds is then removed from the oxidation zone effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Graham W. Ketley, Janet L. Yedinak, Michael Hodges, George A. Huff
  • Patent number: 7381858
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for production of purified products from a fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics by means of integration of perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. The perm-selective separations of the invention comprise of one or more devices using polymeric perm-selective membrane devices to separate a meta-xylene enriched stream from fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics thereby producing a fluid comprising the remaining aromatic compounds which advantageously includes para-xylene. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of very pure meta-xylene and para-xylene co-products from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Bo Chen, Craig W. Colling, Jeffrey T. Miller
  • Patent number: 7358414
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for recovery of purified products from a fluid mixture by means of integrated perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. More particularly, integrated processes of the invention comprise separations by means of one or more devices using polymeric membranes coupled with recovery of purified products by means of fractional crystallization and/or selective sorption. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of a very pure aromatic isomer when processing aromatic starting materials, for example, a pure para-xylene product from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Miller, Bo Chen, Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Jr., Marvin L. Cadwell
  • Patent number: 7300476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Leslie R. Wolf, John C. Eckstrom, Douglas N. Rundell, Michael Hodges, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 7252756
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of refinery transportation fuel or components for refinery blending of transportation fuels having a reduced amount of sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing impurities. The process involves contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing the above impurities with an immiscible phase containing hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid in an oxidation zone to selectively oxidize the impurities. After a gravity phase separation, the hydrocarbon phase containing any remaining oxidized impurities, is passed to an extraction zone wherein aqueous acetic acid is used to extract a portion of any remaining oxidized impurities. A hydrocarbon stream having reduced impurities can then be recovered. The acetic acid phase effluents from the oxidation and the extraction zones can then be passed to a common separation zone for recovery of the acetic acid and for optional recycle back to the oxidation and extraction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Larry W. Kruse, George A. Huff, Michael Muskett
  • Patent number: 7070694
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures. Broadly, apparatus of the invention is an integrated fractional distillation and perm-selective membrane separation apparatus. More particularly, the integrated apparatus comprises a fractional distillation column and one or more membrane device utilizing solid perm-selective membranes. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, a desired non-permeate stream, and one or more distillate products from a fluid mixture containing at least two compounds of different boiling point temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Jr., Stephen J. Pietsch
  • Patent number: 6986802
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures utilizing perm-selective membranes. Broadly, apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of membrane modules comprising a solid perm-selective membrane and equipment for controlling enthalpy of selected fluids within the apparatus. Advantageously, the membrane modules are disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and at least one intermediate group. Apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, and/or a desired non-permeate stream, from fluid mixtures of two or more compounds which when subjected to appropriately altered conditions of temperature and/or pressure exhibit a bubble point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Colling, Bo Chen, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6881325
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with a soluble quaternary ammonium salt containing halogen, sulfate, or bisulfate anion, and an immiscible aqueous phase comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide, and at least one member of the group consisting of phosphomolybdic acid and phosphotungstic acid, in a liquid reaction mixture under conditions suitable for reaction of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George Ernest Morris, Andrew Richard Lucy, William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6872231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Leslie R. Wolf, John C. Eckstrom, Douglas N. Rundell, Michael Hodges, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 6830691
    Abstract: Economical processes of the present invention are for separation of fluid mixtures to recover desired products using apparatus comprising a plurality of membrane modules disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and optionally one or more intermediate group. Advantageously integrated processes of the invention with the membrane modules in multiple groups are employed for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product and a desired non-permeate product from a mixture containing organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Jr., John V. Bartels
  • Patent number: 6827845
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with an immiscible phase comprising at least one organic peracid or precursors of organic peracid in a liquid phase reaction mixture maintained substantially free of catalytic active metals and/or active metal-containing compounds and under conditions suitable for oxidation of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040182786
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures. Broadly, apparatus of the invention is an integrated fractional distillation and perm-selective membrane separation apparatus. More particularly, the integrated apparatus comprises a fractional distillation column and one or more membrane device utilizing solid perm-selective membranes. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, a desired non-permeate stream, and one or more distillate products from a fluid mixture containing at least two compounds of different boiling point temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Craig W. Colling, George A. Huff, Stephen J. Pietsch
  • Publication number: 20040118750
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of refinery transportation fuel or components for refinery blending of transportation fuels having a reduced amount of sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing impurities. The process involves contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing the above impurities with an immiscible phase containing hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid in an oxidation zone to selectively oxidize the impurities. After a gravity phase separation, the hydrocarbon phase containing any remaining oxidized impurities, is passed to an extraction zone wherein aqueous acetic acid is used to extract a portion of any remaining oxidized impurities. A hydrocarbon stream having reduced impurities can then be recovered. The acetic acid phase effluents from the oxidation and the extraction zones can then be passed to a common separation zone for recovery of the acetic acid and for optional recycle back to the oxidation and extraction zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Larry W. Kruse, George A. Huff, Michael Muskett