Patents by Inventor Gerald Vorberg

Gerald Vorberg 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: 20250339809
    Abstract: Capture of hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture may be accomplished using an aqueous solution comprising an amine. Certain sterically hindered amines may selectively form a reaction product with hydrogen sulfide under kinetically controlled contacting conditions and afford a light phase and a heavy phase above a critical solution temperature, wherein the hydrogen sulfide may be present in either phase. Upon separation of the light phase from the heavy phase, processing of one of the phases may take place to remove hydrogen sulfide therefrom. Recycling of the amine to an absorber tower may then take place to promote capture of additional hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Jenny P. Seagraves, P. Scott Northrop, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst, Georg K. Sieder
  • Patent number: 12325004
    Abstract: Capture of hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture may be accomplished using an aqueous solution comprising an amine. Certain sterically hindered amines may selectively form a reaction product with hydrogen sulfide under kinetically controlled contacting conditions and afford a light phase and a heavy phase above a critical solution temperature, wherein the hydrogen sulfide may be present in either phase. Upon separation of the light phase from the heavy phase, processing of one of the phases may take place to remove hydrogen sulfide therefrom. Recycling of the amine to an absorber tower may then take place to promote capture of additional hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Jenny P. Seagraves, P. Scott Northrop, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst, Georg K. Sieder
  • Patent number: 12282722
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for determination of unit operations of a chemical plant for acid gas removal, the method carried out by a computer or a distributed computer system and the method comprising the steps of: providing (S1) a first set of parameters for the unit operations; providing (S2) a second set of parameters for the unit operations based on the provided first set of parameters and based on data retrieved from a database; determining (S3) a digital model of the chemical plant based on the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters, wherein the digital model comprises a system of equations defining the unit operations of the chemical plant; selecting (S4) starting points for an equation-based solution method of the system of equations, wherein the starting points are at least partially selected from the: —i) the first set of parameters; —ii) the second set of parameters; and —iii) the data retrieved from the database; determining (S5) resultant settings for the unit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Inventors: Agnes Dittel, Ralf Notz, Sergey Vorobyev, Rainer Herget, Torsten Katz, Gerald Vorberg, Kim Hoeffken
  • Patent number: 12138583
    Abstract: A process for removal of acid gases from fluid stream, wherein the fluid stream is brought into contact with an absorbent to obtain a treated fluid stream and a laden absorbent, the absorbent comprising a diluent and a compound of the general formula (I) wherein R1 is selected from C1-C8-alkyl and C2-C8-hydroxyalkyl; R2 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C8-alkyl; R3 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C8-alkyl; R4 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C8-alkyl; R5 is C1-C8-alkyl; with the proviso that at least one of the following conditions (i) and (ii) is met: (i) R5 is C3-C8-alkyl bound to the nitrogen atom via a secondary or tertiary carbon atom; (ii) when R4 is hydrogen, R3 is C1-C8-alkyl; or when R4 is C1-C8-alkyl, at least one of R2 and R3 is C1-C8-alkyl; and n is an integer from 0 to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Martin Ernst, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Georg Sieder
  • Patent number: 12053738
    Abstract: A process for selectively separating H2S from a gas mixture which also comprises CO2 is disclosed. A stream of the gas mixture is contacted with an absorbent solution comprising one or more amines, alkanolamines, hindered alkanolamines, capped alkanolamines, or mixtures thereof. The H2S/CO2 selectivity of the absorbent solution is preferably greater than about 4.0 for an acid gas loading [mol(CO2+H2S)/mol(amine)] between about 0.2 and about 0.6, and is achieved by reducing pH of the absorbent solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, BASF
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst
  • Publication number: 20230226483
    Abstract: Capture of hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture may be accomplished using an aqueous solution comprising an amine. Certain sterically hindered amines may selectively form a reaction product with hydrogen sulfide under kinetically controlled contacting conditions and afford a light phase and a heavy phase above a critical solution temperature, wherein the hydrogen sulfide may be present in either phase. Upon separation of the light phase from the heavy phase, processing of one of the phases may take place to remove hydrogen sulfide therefrom. Recycling of the amine to an absorber tower may then take place to promote capture of additional hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Jenny P. Seagraves, P. Scott Northrop, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst, Georg K. Sieder
  • Patent number: 11458433
    Abstract: An absorbent for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide over carbon dioxide from a fluid stream, wherein the absorbent contains an aqueous solution, comprising an amine of formula (I) and/or an amine of formula (II) wherein U—V—W is CH—O—CHR5, N—CO—CHR5 or N—CO—NR5; U?—V?—W is C—O—CR5; R1 is independently C1-C5-alkyl; R2 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C5-alkyl; R3 is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C5-alkyl; R4 is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C5-alkyl; R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C5-alkyl, (C1-C5-alkoxy)-C1-C5-alkyl, and hydroxy-C1-C5-alkyl; and x is an integer from 1 to 10. The absorbent has a reduced tendency for phase separation at temperatures falling within the usual range of regeneration temperatures for the aqueous amine mixtures and a low volatility in aqueous solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: BASF SE, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Martin Ernst, Gerald Vorberg, Thomas Ingram, Georg Sieder, Carla Pereira
  • Patent number: 11369919
    Abstract: An absorbent for selective removal of hydrogen sulfide over carbon dioxide from a fluid stream comprises an aqueous solution of a) a tertiary amine, b) a sterically hindered secondary amine of the general formula (I) in which R1 and R2 are each independently selected from C1-4-alkyl and C1-4-hydroxyalkyl; R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl and C1-4-hydroxyalkyl, with the proviso that at least one R4 and/or R5 radical on the carbon atom bonded directly to the nitrogen atom is C1-4-alkyl or C1-4-hydroxyalkyl when R3 is hydrogen; x and y are integers from 2 to 4 and z is an integer from 1 to 4; where the molar ratio of b) to a) is in the range from 0.05 to 1.0, and c) an acid in an amount, calculated as neutralization equivalent relative to the protonatable nitrogen atoms in a) and b), of 0.05 to 15.0%. One preferred amine of the formula I is 2-(2-tert-butylaminoethoxy)ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Gerald Vorberg, Ralf Notz, Thomas Ingram, Georg Sieder, Torsten Katz
  • Publication number: 20220152551
    Abstract: A process for removal of acid gases from fluid stream, wherein the fluid stream is brought into contact with an absorbent to obtain a treated fluid stream and a laden absorbent, the absorbent comprising a diluent and a compound of the general formula (I) wherein R1 is selected from C1-C8-alkyl and C2-C8-hydroxyalkyl; R2 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C8-alkyl; R3 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C8-alkyl; R4 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C8-alkyl; R5 is C1-C8-alkyl; with the proviso that at least one of the following conditions (i) and (ii) is met: (i) R5 is C3-C8-alkyl bound to the nitrogen atom via a secondary or tertiary carbon atom; (ii) when R4 is hydrogen, R3 is C1-C8-alkyl; or when R4 is C1-C8-alkyl, at least one of R2 and R3 is C1-C8-alkyl; and n is an integer from 0 to 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Martin ERNST, Thomas INGRAM, Gerald VORBERG, Georg SIEDER
  • Publication number: 20220126235
    Abstract: A process for selectively separating H2S from a gas mixture which also comprises CO2is disclosed. A stream of the gas mixture is contacted with an absorbent solution comprising one or more amines, alkanolamines, hindered alkanolamines, capped alkanolamines, or mixtures thereof. The H2S/CO2 selectivity of the absorbent solution is preferably greater than about 4.0 for an acid gas loading [mol(CO2+H2S)/mol(amine)] between about 0.2 and about 0.6, and is achieved by reducing pH of the absorbent solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst
  • Patent number: 11278841
    Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from a fluid stream comprises a) an absorption step in which the fluid stream is contacted with an absorbent comprising an aqueous solution (i) of an amine of the general formula (I) in which R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from C1-4-alkyl and C1-4-hydroxyalkyl; each R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl and C1-4-hydroxyalkyl; each R5 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl and C1-4-hydroxyalkyl; X is OH or NH(CR1R2R3); m is 2, 3, 4 or 5; n is 2, 3, 4 or 5; and o is 0 or 1; and optionally (ii) at least one tertiary amine, where the molar ratio of (i) to (ii) is greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Thomas Ingram, Ralf Notz, Gerald Vorberg, Georg Sieder
  • Patent number: 11241652
    Abstract: An absorbent for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from a fluid stream comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, wherein the absorbent contains an aqueous solution, comprising: a) an amine or a mixture of amines of the general formula (I) wherein R1 is C1-C5-alkyl; R2 is C1-C5-alkyl; R3 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C5-alkyl; x is an integer from 2 to 10; and b) an ether or a mixture of ethers of the general formula (II): R4—[O—CH2—CH2]y—OH; wherein R4 is C1-C5-alkyl; and y is an integer from 2 to 10; wherein R1 and R4 are identical; wherein the mass ratio of b) to a) is from 0.08 to 0.5. The absorbent is suitable for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from a fluid stream comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. The absorbent has a reduced tendency for phase separation at temperatures falling within the usual range of regeneration temperatures for the aqueous amine mixtures and is easily obtainable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: BASF SE (REITSTÖTTER, KINZEBACH & PARTNER), ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Martin Ernst, Gerald Vorberg, Georg Sieder, Thomas Ingram, Virginia Reiner, Carla Pereira, Michael Siskin
  • Patent number: 11185813
    Abstract: A process for selectively separating H2S from a gas mixture which also comprises CO2 is disclosed. A stream of the gas mixture is contacted with an absorbent solution comprising one or more amines, alkanolamines, hindered alkanolamines, capped alkanolamines, or mixtures thereof. The H2S/CO2 selectivity of the absorbent solution is preferably greater than about 4.0 for an acid gas loading [mol(CO2+H2S)/mol(amine)] between about 0.2 and about 0.6, and is achieved by reducing pH of the absorbent solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, BASF
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst
  • Patent number: 11173446
    Abstract: In a process for removal of acid gases from a fluid stream the fluid stream is contacted with an absorbent to obtain a treated fluid stream and a laden absorbent. The absorbent comprises a diluent and a compound of the general formula (I) wherein R1 is C1-C3-alkyl; R2 is C1-C3-alkyl; R3 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C3-alkyl; and R4 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C3-alkyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: BASF SE, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ingram, Martin Ernst, Gerald Vorberg, Alexander Panchenko, Sophia Ebert, Thomas Wesley Holcombe, Michael Siskin, Carla Pereira, Georg Sieder
  • Patent number: 11130094
    Abstract: The use of an amine of the formula (I) in which the R1 to R5 radicals are each as defined in the description, and an absorbent and a process for removing acidic gases from a fluid stream, especially for selectively removing hydrogen sulfide over carbon dioxide. The invention also relates to particular amines suitable for selective removal of hydrogen sulfide. Absorbents based on amines of the formula (I) have high selectivity, high loading capacity and good regeneration capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Thomas Ingram, Georg Sieder, Torsten Katz, Gerald Vorberg, Ralf Notz
  • Publication number: 20210271796
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for determination of unit operations of a chemical plant for acid gas removal, the method carried out by a computer or a distributed computer system and the method comprising the steps of: providing (S1) a first set of parameters for the unit operations; providing (S2) a second set of parameters for the unit operations based on the provided first set of parameters and based on data retrieved from a database; determining (S3) a digital model of the chemical plant based on the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters, wherein the digital model comprises a system of equations defining the unit operations of the chemical plant; selecting (S4) starting points for an equation-based solution method of the system of equations, wherein the starting points are at least partially selected from the: —i) the first set of parameters; —ii) the second set of parameters; and —iii) the data retrieved from the database; determining (S5) resultant settings for the unit
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Agnes Dittel, Ralf Notz, Sergey Vorobyev, Rainer Herget, Torsten Katz, Gerald Vorberg, Kim Hoeffken
  • Patent number: 11048842
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for determination of unit operations of a chemical plant for acid gas removal, the method carried out by a computer or a distributed computer system and the method comprising the steps of: providing a first set of parameters for the unit operations; providing a second set of parameters for the unit operations based on the provided first set of parameters and based on data retrieved from a database; determining a digital model of the chemical plant based on the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters, wherein the digital model comprises a system of equations defining the unit operations of the chemical plant; selecting starting points for an equation-based solution method of the system of equations, wherein the starting points are at least partially selected from the: (i) the first set of parameters; (ii) the second set of parameters; and (iii) the data retrieved from the database; determining resultant settings for the unit operations of the chemic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Agnes Dittel, Ralf Notz, Sergey Vorobyev, Rainer Herget, Torsten Katz, Gerald Vorberg, Kim Hoeffken
  • Patent number: 11045759
    Abstract: A premixture for producing an absorbent for removing acid gases from a fluid stream containing a) at least a tertiary amine and/or a sterically hindered secondary amine; b) a dicarboxylic acid in an amount, calculated as neutralization equivalent based on the protonatable nitrogen atoms in a), of at least 30%, wherein the dicarboxylic acid has a solubility in water at a temperature of 20° C. of not more than 15 g of dicarboxylic acid per 100 g of water; and c) 20 to 80 wt % of water. Also described is a process for producing an absorbent from the premixture. The premixture is a transportable and readily handleable solution of a dicarboxylic acid having poor solubility in water for producing an absorbent for removing acid gases from a fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Georg Sieder
  • Patent number: 10875769
    Abstract: A process for treating an H2S- and CO2-comprising fluid stream, in which a) the fluid stream is treated in a first absorber at a pressure of 10 to 150 bar with a first substream of a regenerated H2S-selective absorbent to obtain a treated fluid stream and an H2S-laden absorbent; b) the H2S-laden absorbent is heated by indirect heat exchange with regenerated H2S-selective absorbent; c) the heated H2S-laden absorbent is decompressed to a pressure of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Georg Sieder
  • Publication number: 20200269187
    Abstract: An absorbent for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide over carbon dioxide from a fluid stream, wherein the absorbent contains an aqueous solution, comprising an amine of formula (I) and/or an amine of formula (II) wherein U—V—W is CH—O—CHR5, N—CO—CHR5 or N—CO—NR5; U?—V?—W is C—O—CR5; R1 is independently C1-C5-alkyl; R2 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C5-alkyl; R3 is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C5-alkyl; R4 is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C5-alkyl; R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C5-alkyl, (C1-C5-alkoxy)-C1-C5-alkyl, and hydroxy-C1-C5-alkyl; and x is an integer from 1 to 10. The absorbent has a reduced tendency for phase separation at temperatures falling within the usual range of regeneration temperatures for the aqueous amine mixtures and a low volatility in aqueous solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Martin ERNST, Gerald VORBERG, Thomas INGRAM, Georg SIEDER, Carla PEREIRA