Patents by Inventor John D. Wilkinson

John D. Wilkinson 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: 20260126246
    Abstract: Processes for recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas stream are described. The processes reduce dehydration cost in CO2 capture systems and minimize the formation of COS and H2O and enable water removal with an enhanced solvent-based absorbent operating at a lower temperature. This allows low residual water levels to be achieved in the dried gas. Also, feed streams containing high levels of CO2 and H2S can be treated in an integrated system comprising a cryogenic CO2 fractionation system, an overhead pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit, and a CO2 temperature swing adsorption (TSA) unit. The processes allow recovery of helium and methane as well as CO2 and H2S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2025
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Inventors: Anh Ngo, Bradley Russell, John D. Wilkinson, Shubhra J. Bhadra, Nasser Khazeni, Steven E. Zell, Ali Hatami, Christopher M. Dyszkiewicz, Erick J. Bennett, III, Audra Van Doorn, Gregory R. Werba
  • Publication number: 20250186934
    Abstract: Integrated processes for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide recovery are described. The processes use a chilling stream in a cryogenic carbon dioxide recovery unit. The chilling stream chills a working fluid which chills the hydrogen-depleted tail gas stream from a hydrogen pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit to form a carbon dioxide product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventors: Lin Jin, John D. Wilkinson, Bradley Russell, Oluwaseyi Kayode, Erick J. Bennett, III, Shubhra J. Bhadra
  • Publication number: 20250090992
    Abstract: Processes for removing contaminants in CO2 recovery processes are described. The processes incorporate water wash units and/or NO2—SO2 removal section to remove sulfur oxide compounds and heavy nitric oxide compounds such as NO2. Some processes include CO2 PSA units and CO2 fractionation columns, while others only use CO2 PSA units. The CO2 PSA concentrates CO2 along with heavy nitric oxide compounds, SO2 and NH3. Optional quench columns, guard beds, particulate polishing units, and molecular sieves can be used remove HCl, HF, SO2, SO3, NH3, hydrocarbons, mercury, and heavy metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Glen Pomorski, Jeffrey Tyska, David Farr, Anh Ngo, Evan B. Jorgenson, Shubhra J. Bhadra, John D. Wilkinson, Bradley Russell
  • Patent number: 11906244
    Abstract: A process is provided for treating a hydrocarbon gas stream by condensing a portion of the gas stream to produce a liquid stream, then through several steps subcooling a portion of the liquid stream to be introduced into a midpoint into a fractionation column. Unexpectedly, it has been found that the recompression and refrigeration power requirements are substantially reduced and the minimum approach to carbon dioxide freezing are increased when the liquid stream is introduced to a midpoint in the column when compared to introducing the liquid stream to a top position or a lower position in the fractionation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Pierce, Stephen N. Peterson, J. Ascencion Anguiano, Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11643604
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of components from a hydrocarbon gas stream containing significant quantities of components more volatile than methane (hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.). The gas stream is partially condensed, then the remaining vapor is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to a fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. The condensed liquid is cooled and divided into two portions. The first portion is expanded to tower pressure, heated by cooling the liquid, and supplied to the tower at a lower column feed position. The second portion is further cooled, expanded to tower pressure, and supplied to the tower at a top feed position. The tower overhead vapor is heated by cooling the second portion. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the tower maintain the overhead temperature of the tower whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: J. Ascencion Anguiano, John D. Wilkinson, Scott A. Miller, Stephen N. Peterson, Daryl R. Jensen, Michael C. Pierce, Hank M. Hudson
  • Patent number: 11578915
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of components from a hydrocarbon gas stream which is divided into first and second streams. The first stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to a fractionation tower. The second stream is cooled and separated into vapor and liquid streams. The vapor stream is divided into two portions. A first portion is cooled, expanded to tower pressure, and supplied to the tower at an upper mid-column feed position. The second portion and the liquid stream are expanded to tower pressure and supplied to the tower. After heating, compressing, and cooling, a portion of the tower overhead vapor is cooled, expanded, and supplied to the tower at the top feed position. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the tower maintain the overhead temperature of the tower whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: J. Ascencio Anguiano, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson
  • Patent number: 11543180
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. A portion of the outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure, cooled and substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, then expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, Michael C. Pierce, Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Patent number: 11428465
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. The outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure and cooled, then a portion is substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Michael C. Pierce, Kyle T. Cuellar, Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20220163257
    Abstract: A process is provided for treating a hydrocarbon gas stream by condensing a portion of the gas stream to produce a liquid stream, then through several steps subcooling a portion of the liquid stream to be introduced into a midpoint into a fractionation column. Unexpectedly, it has been found that the recompression and refrigeration power requirements are substantially reduced and the minimum approach to carbon dioxide freezing are increased when the liquid stream is introduced to a midpoint in the column when compared to introducing the liquid stream to a top position or a lower position in the fractionation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Michael C. Pierce, Stephen N. Peterson, J. Ascencion Anguiano, Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20210115338
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of components from a hydrocarbon gas stream containing significant quantities of components more volatile than methane (hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.). The gas stream is partially condensed, then the remaining vapor is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to a fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. The condensed liquid is cooled and divided into two portions. The first portion is expanded to tower pressure, heated by cooling the liquid, and supplied to the tower at a lower column feed position. The second portion is further cooled, expanded to tower pressure, and supplied to the tower at a top feed position. The tower overhead vapor is heated by cooling the second portion. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the tower maintain the overhead temperature of the tower whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: J. Ascencion Anguiano, John D. Wilkinson, Scott A. Miller, Stephen N. Peterson, Daryl R. Jensen, Michael C. Pierce, Hank M. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20210116174
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of components from a hydrocarbon gas stream containing significant quantities of components more volatile than methane (hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.). The gas stream is partially condensed, then the remaining vapor is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to a fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. The condensed liquid is cooled and divided into two portions. The first portion is expanded to tower pressure, heated by cooling the liquid, and supplied to the tower at a lower column feed position. The second portion is expanded to tower pressure and supplied to the tower at an upper mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the fractionation tower below the mid-column feed position and is heated, compressed to higher pressure, and cooled to substantial condensation before it is expanded and supplied to the tower as its top feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: J. Ascencion Anguiano, John D. Wilkinson, Scott A. Miller, Stephen N. Peterson, Daryl R. Jensen, Hank M. Hudson
  • Patent number: 10793492
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to fractionate lighter components from mixed hydrocarbon streams. The hydrocarbon stream is supplied to the processing assembly between an absorbing means and a mass transfer means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to partially condense it, forming a volatile stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied to the absorbing means as its top feed. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the mass transfer means and heated in a second heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to strip out its volatile components, forming a relatively less volatile stream and a vaporized stream. The vaporized stream is supplied to the mass transfer means as its bottom feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Joe T. Lynch, John D. Wilkinson, Scott A. Miller, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20200292230
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of components from a hydrocarbon gas stream which is divided into first and second streams. The first stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to a fractionation tower. The second stream is cooled and separated into vapor and liquid streams. The vapor stream is divided into two portions. A first portion is cooled, expanded to tower pressure, and supplied to the tower at an upper mid-column feed position. The second portion and the liquid stream are expanded to tower pressure and supplied to the tower. After heating, compressing, and cooling, a portion of the tower overhead vapor is cooled, expanded, and supplied to the tower at the top feed position. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the tower maintain the overhead temperature of the tower whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: J. Ascencio Anguiano, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson
  • Patent number: 10753678
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a lower mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower at an upper mid-column feed position. A recycle stream is withdrawn from the tower overhead after it has been warmed and compressed. The compressed recycle stream is cooled sufficiently to substantially condense it, and is then expanded to the pressure of the fractionation tower and supplied to the tower at a top column feed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard N. Pitman, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Tony L. Martinez
  • Patent number: 10551118
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. A portion of the outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure, cooled and substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, then expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LP
    Inventors: Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Scott A. Miller, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Patent number: 10551119
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. A portion of the outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure, cooled and substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, then expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LP
    Inventors: Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Patent number: 10533794
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. A portion of the outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure, cooled and substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, then expanded to lower pressure and supplied, to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Proudcts, LP
    Inventors: Joe T. Lynch, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Scott A. Miller, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20190170435
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is divided into first and second streams. The first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to a fractionation tower at an upper mid-column feed position. The second stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it and separated into vapor and liquid streams. The vapor stream is divided into first and second portions. The first portion is cooled to condense substantially all of it, expanded to the tower pressure, and supplied to the tower at the top feed position. The second portion is expanded to the tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at an intermediate mid-column feed position. The liquid stream is expanded to the tower pressure and supplied to the column at a lower mid-column feed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: J. Ascencion Anguiano, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson
  • Patent number: 10227273
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to remove C5 and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the processing assembly between an absorbing means and a mass transfer means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied to the absorbing means at its top feed point. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the mass transfer means and directed into a second heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to heat it and strip out its volatile components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products, LP
    Inventors: Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180347898
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. The outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure and cooled, then a portion is substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael C. Pierce, Kyle T. Cuellar, Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis