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).

  • Publication number: 20020175107
    Abstract: Aromatic blendstocks suitable for use in making an unleaded gasoline fuel for combustion in a spark ignition engine contain substantial amounts of diisopropylbenzene which provides relatively more energy for doing work while producing fewer carbon dioxide emissions as compared to current gasoline blendstocks. Unleaded gasolines made utilizing the foregoing aromatic blendstocks contain at least about 0.3 weight percent diisopropylbenzene, preferably about 0.3 to about 10 weight percent diisopropylbenzene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Douglas N. Rundell
  • Publication number: 20020152673
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: George A. Huff, William H. Gong, Leslie R. Wolf, John C. Eckstrom, Douglas N. Rundell, Michael Hodges, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Publication number: 20020148757
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective hydrogenation of sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds contained in mixtures of hydrocarbons which are liquid at ambient conditions. Integrated hydrotreating processes of this invention advantageously provide their own source of high-boiling hydrogenation feedstock derived, for example, by fractionation of hydrotreated petroleum distillates. The high-boiling hydrogenation feedstock consisting essentially of material boiling between about 200° C. and about 425° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Larry W. Kruse, Ozie S. Owen, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, William H. Gong
  • Publication number: 20020148756
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: George Ernest Morris, Andrew Richard Lucy, William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff
  • Publication number: 20020148754
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels which are liquid at ambient conditions by selective oxygenation of refinery feedstocks comprising a mixture of organic compounds. The organic compounds are oxygenated with dioxygen in a liquid reaction medium containing a soluble catalyst system comprising at least one multi-valent and/or heavy metal while maintaining the liquid reaction medium substantially free of halogen and/or halogen-containing compounds, to form a mixture of immiscible phases comprising hydrocarbons, oxygenated organic compounds, water of reaction, and acidic co-products. The mixture of immiscible phases is separated by gravity to recover at least a first organic liquid of low density and second liquid of high density which contains at least a portions of the catalyst metal, water of reaction and acidic co-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff
  • Publication number: 20020144932
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff
  • Publication number: 20020121458
    Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced from an olefin-containing hydrocarbon feedstock which includes sulfur-containing impurities. The feedstock is contacted with an olefin-modification catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions which are effective to produce an intermediate product which has a reduced amount of olefinic unsaturation relative to that of the feedstock as measured by bromine number. The intermediate product is then contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under conditions which are effective to convert at least a portion of its sulfur-containing impurities to hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Vivek R. Pradhan, Ptoshia A. Burnett, George A. Huff
  • Publication number: 20020121459
    Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced from an olefin-containing hydrocarbon feedstock which includes sulfur-containing impurities. The feedstock is contacted with an olefin-modification catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions which are effective to produce an intermediate product which has a reduced amount of olefinic unsaturation relative to that of the feedstock as measured by bromine number. The intermediate product is then separated into fractions of different volatility, and the lowest boiling fraction is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under conditions which are effective to convert at least a portion of its sulfur-containing impurities to hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Vivek R. Pradhan, Ptoshia A. Burnett, George A. Huff
  • Publication number: 20020004624
    Abstract: A catalyst and a process employing such catalyst for the dehydrogenation of paraffinic hydrocarbons are disclosed, wherein the catalyst comprises a platinum group metal component, a zinc component and a magnesium component on a support comprising ZSM or borosilicate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff
  • Patent number: 6197717
    Abstract: A process and catalyst are provided for dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feedstock and producing an olefinic product. The process comprises contacting the feedstock at dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of a platinum group metal, from about 0.02 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent of zinc, and a support component comprising borosilicate and an alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff, Jr., Mark P. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 6111159
    Abstract: A method is provided for putting a fresh bed of solid phosphoric acid catalyst into service to catalyze a hydrocarbon conversion process. The method involves establishing hydrocarbon conversion conditions of temperature and pressure in the catalyst bed while it is immersed in a hydrocarbon liquid which is substantially free of water and compounds which can yield water upon contact with the catalyst. Thereafter, the catalyst bed is used to catalyze the conversion of a hydrocarbon feedstock which contains a minor amount of a hydrating agent which is effective to provide a desired level of catalyst hydration. The method permits the catalyst to be rapidly brought to an optimum level of activity for the specific hydrocarbon conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Anthony M. Valente, Robert L. Mehlberg, David B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6103103
    Abstract: A process and catalyst are provided for dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feedstock and producing an olefinic product. The process comprises contacting the feedstock at dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of a platinum group metal, from about 0.02 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent of zinc, and a support component comprising borosilicate and an alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff, Jr., Mark P. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 6096116
    Abstract: A sorbent material, an activated carbon canister and a method are described which can be utilized to remove organic compounds from a vaporous stream with a relatively greater degree of safety, as compared to previously known methods. In the invention, essentially dry and wetted activated carbon particles are intermixed in a substantially homogeneous mixture which inhibits accidental combustion. The heat capacity of wetted carbon particles retards the heating of nearby unwetted particles, so as to inhibit the ignition of the nearby unwetted particles. The presence of wetted particles intermixed in the substantially homogeneous mixture has relatively little effect on the hydrocarbon adsorption performance of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Om P. Mahajan, Don M. Washecheck, John A. Mahoney, Howard Wong, Stanley W. Sorrels
  • Patent number: 6059962
    Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced in a multiple stage process from a feedstock which is comprised of a mixture of hydrocarbons and includes sulfur-containing aromatic compounds as unwanted impurities. The first stage involves: (1) subjecting the feedstock to alkylation conditions which are effective to convert a portion of the impurities to higher boiling sulfur-containing products, and (2) separating the resulting products by fractional distillation into a lower boiling fraction and a higher boiling fraction. The lower boiling fraction is comprised of hydrocarbons and is of reduced sulfur content relative to the feedstock. The higher boiling fraction is comprised of hydrocarbons and contains unconverted sulfur-containing aromatic impurities and also the higher boiling sulfur-containing products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff, Vivek R. Pradhan, William J. Reagan, Roger H. Cayton
  • Patent number: 6048451
    Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced from a feedstock which is comprised of a mixture of hydrocarbons and contains organic sulfur compounds as unwanted impurities. The process comprises converting at least a portion of the sulfur-containing impurities to sulfur-containing products of higher boiling point by treatment with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid catalyst and removing at least a portion of these higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Suitable alkylating agents include alcohols and olefins. In a preferred embodiment, catalytic cracking products which contain aromatic sulfur compounds as impurities are used as a feedstock for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Bruce D. Alexander, Douglas N. Rundell, William J. Reagan, Ozie S. Owen, Jin S. Yoo
  • Patent number: 6025534
    Abstract: A method is provided for regenerating a fixed bed of olefin polymerization catalyst which can be performed without taking the catalyst bed out of service. The method involves the use of two different olefin-containing feedstocks, wherein the first feedstock is a conventional olefin-containing feedstock which contains little if any content of aromatic compounds. The second feedstock contains a significant concentration of aromatic compounds. In the practice of the invention, the second feedstock is substituted for the first feedstock whenever catalyst regeneration is deemed appropriate, and the flow of the second feedstock to the catalyst bed is continued for a period of time which is effective to at least partially regenerate the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony M. Valente, David B. Johnson, George A. Huff, Jr., Robert L. Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 6024865
    Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced from a feedstock which is comprised of a mixture of hydrocarbons and includes sulfur-containing aromatic compounds as unwanted impurities. The process involves separating the feedstock by fractional distillation into a lower boiling fraction which contains the more volatile sulfur-containing aromatic impurities and at least one higher boiling fraction which contains the less volatile sulfur-containing aromatic impurities. Each fraction is then separately subjected to reaction conditions which are effective to convert at least a portion of its content of sulfur-containing aromatic impurities to higher boiling sulfur-containing products by alkylation with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acidic catalyst. The higher boiling sulfur-containing products are removed by fractional distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Alexander, George A. Huff, Vivek R. Pradhan, William J. Reagan, Roger H. Cayton
  • Patent number: 5932778
    Abstract: A method is provided which can be used to quickly and easily take a fixed-bed of solid acid olefin polymerization catalyst out of service without causing any significant catalyst deactivation. The method involves substituting a substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon fluid for at least a portion of the olefin-containing feedstock to the polymerization process, wherein the substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon fluid boils within the range from about 20.degree. to about 250.degree. C. and contains at least about 5 vol. % aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony M. Valente, David B. Johnson, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5916129
    Abstract: Exhaust gas emissions from an internal combustion engine are controlled through the use of a heat exchanger, a sulfur oxide absorbent, and two catalytic converter zones. The exhaust gas is passed sequentially through: (1) a first catalytic converter zone, (2) the sulfur oxide absorbent, and (3) a second catalytic converter zone. The heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from the first catalytic converter zone to the second catalytic converter zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Frank S. Modica, Mark K. Barr, George A. Huff, Roger H. Cayton, Bruce D. Alexander, Richard A. Kretchmer
  • Patent number: 5863419
    Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced from a feedstock which is comprised of a mixture of hydrocarbons and contains organic sulfur compounds as unwanted impurities. The process comprises converting at least a portion of the sulfur-containing impurities to sulfur-containing products of higher boiling point by treatment with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid catalyst and removing at least a portion of these higher boiling products by fractional distillation. The process can be carried out in a distillation column reactor wherein the acid catalyzed reaction and fractional distillation are carried out simultaneously. Suitable alkylating agents include alcohols and olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Ozie S. Owen, Bruce D. Alexander, Douglas N. Rundell, William J. Reagan, Jin S. Yoo