Patents by Inventor John H. Estes

John H. Estes 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: 4615994
    Abstract: Para-xylene may be recovered as raffinate by contacting a C-8 aromatic hydrocarbon mixture, in the presence of toluene desorbent, with a synthetic crystalline lithium aluminosilicate zeolite HP (formed by ion exchange from a sodium aluminosilicate zeolite HP having a lattice constant of 25.02-25.10 .ANG.)--preferably in the presence of a pyridine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: William Smolin, John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4442222
    Abstract: Para-xylene may be separated as extract product by contacting charge C-8 aromatic hydrocarbon mixture with a synthetic crystalline barium or barium/potassium aluminosilicate zeolite HP, formed by ion exchange from a sodium aluminosilicate zeolite HP having a lattice constant of 25.02-25.10 .ANG. and a ratio of silicon atoms to aluminum atoms of less than 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: William Smolin, John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4439535
    Abstract: Para-xylene may be recovered as raffinate by contacting a C-8 aromatic hydrocarbon mixture, in the presence of toluene desorbent, with a synthetic crystalline sodium aluminosilicate zeolite HP, containing pyridine in amount of at least about 3.3 wt. % of said zeolite, having a lattice constant of 25.02-25.10.ANG..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: William Smolin, John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4407782
    Abstract: A novel crystalline zeolite composition is prepared by conducting the hydrothermal crystallization and, preferably, a preliminary aging step, at high pressure, i.e. pressures in excess of 20,000 psig (ca 138 MPa) and preferably above about 40,000 psig (ca 276 MPa megaPascals). The crystalline zeolite, designated zeolite HP, has a higher aluminum content than zeolite X and a lattice constant of above 24.94 A up to 25.10 A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4392946
    Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of a hydrocarbon fraction having unsaturated hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds comprising the steps of contacting the hydrocarbon fraction with hydrogen gas and a fluorided platinum catalyst in the presence of an oxygen-containing hydrogenation moderator which is either water or an oxygen-containing material which is hydrogenatable to water and whose hydrogenation products will not poison the platinum catalyst. The oxygen-containing hydrogenation moderator should be present in sufficient quantity to substantially prevent the saturation of the unsaturated hydrocarbons without seriously affecting the desulfurization of the hydrocarbon fraction. A preferred oxygen-containing hydrogenation moderator is carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Estes, Sheldon Herbstman
  • Patent number: 4357231
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally treating shale rock which holds an amount of hydrocarbon. The shale, preferably in a reduced size and form, is contacted by a hot molten metal bath at a sufficiently high temperature to release the hydrocarbon segment. The latter rises to the bath surface in liquid form to be skimmed, drained, or otherwise separated from residual rock material which is further conveyed from the lead bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Estes, Ernest P. Buinicky
  • Patent number: 4306962
    Abstract: A novel crystalline zeolite composition is prepared by conducting the hydrothermal crystallization and, preferably, a preliminary aging step, at high pressure, i.e. pressures in excess of 20,000 psig (ca 138 MPa) and preferably above about 40,000 psig (ca 276 MPa megaPascals). The crystalline zeolite, designated zeolite HP, has a higher aluminum content than zeolite X and a lattice constant of above about 25.02 A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4297245
    Abstract: In accordance with certain of its aspects, this invention relates to a finely-divided, high surface area supported catalyst containing a metal of the platinum-palladium group and a metal of the iron group wherein each of said metals is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the body of said supported catalyst--and to the use of this catalyst to prepare methane by the reaction of hydrogen and hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Burton H. Bartley, John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4289740
    Abstract: A novel crystalline zeolite composition is prepared by conducting the hydrothermal crystallization and, preferably, a preliminary aging step, at high pressure, i.e. pressures in excess of 20,000 psig (ca 138 MPa) and preferably above about 40,000 psig (ca 276 MPa megaPascals). The crystalline zeolite, designated zeolite HP, has a higher aluminum content than zeolite X and a lattice constant of above about 25.02 A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4250016
    Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen, or heavy petroleum, from admixture with sand and similar inorganic materials wherein said bitumen-sand mixture is mixed with an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt selected from ammonium sulfite, ammonium bisulfite and mixtures thereof to form a second mixture comprising said aqueous ammonium salt solution, bitumen and sand; wherein said second mixture is heated to a temperature in the range of about 120.degree. F. (45.degree. C.) to about 260.degree. F. (127.degree. C.) and is separated into a bitumen phase free of sand, an aqueous phase and a sand phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Estes, Ernest P. Buinicky
  • Patent number: 4231751
    Abstract: Alkylaromatic charge hydrocarbons such as toluene are steam dealkylated in the presence of catalyst which typically contains oxides of nickel, chromium, and potassium on an activated high-purity alumina. It is a feature of this invention that the high-purity alumina is activated by calcining followed by addition thereto of alkaline earth metal such as calcium or magnesium. A test is disclosed according to which it may be determined which high-purity aluminas are suitable for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Leon F. Koniz, John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4223731
    Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery method comprising injecting an aqueous solution of ammonium salts selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfite, ammonium bisulfite, and mixtures thereof into a petroleum-bearing earth formation, heating said injected aqueous solution to a temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-300.degree. F., or higher in the presence of said petroleum-bearing earth formation, flowing said heated aqueous solution through said petroleum bearing earth formation to drive petroleum to a recovery well, and producing increased amounts of petroleum from said earth formation through said recovery well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Estes, Ernest P. Buinicky
  • Patent number: 4222439
    Abstract: An Enhanced Oil recovery method comprising injecting an aqueous ammonium bisulfite (NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.3) solution into a petroleum-bearing earth formation, heating said injected aqueous solution to a temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-300.degree. F., or higher in the presence of said petroleum-bearing earth formation, flowing said aqueous solution through said petroleum bearing earth formation to drive petroleum to a recovery well, and producing increased amounts of petroleum from said earth formation through said recovery well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Estes, Ernest P. Buinicky
  • Patent number: 4199328
    Abstract: A method of and a catalyst for the conversion of petroleum distillate fractions to high heating value fuel gases suitable for use as town gas or pipeline gas by reacting a petroleum derived feedstock containing paraffins with hydrogen in the presence of a lanthanum-cobalt/Y zeolite catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward L. Cole, John H. Estes, Robert M. Suggitt
  • Patent number: 4171329
    Abstract: Alkylaromatic charge hydrocarbons such as toluene are steam dealkylated in the presence of catalyst which typically contains oxides of nickel, chromium, and potassium on an activated high-purity alumina. It is a feature of this invention that the high-purity alumina is activated by calcining followed by addition thereto of alkaline earth metal such as calcium or magnesium. A test is disclosed according to which it may be determined which high-purity aluminas are suitable for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Leon F. Koniz, John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4160011
    Abstract: An amorphous powder useful as a precursor for the preparation of crystalline aluminosilicates is prepared by forming a sodium aluminum silicate water mixture whose composition falls within specified ranges for forming sodium zeolite A. By dehydrating the mixture with a water miscible solvent prior to aging and crystal formation, an amorphous powder is recovered for future use. Upon subsequent treatment the amorphous powder can be converted to crystalline aluminosilicates including type 3A, 4A, 5A, X and Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Estes, Stanley Kravitz, Robert M. Suggitt
  • Patent number: 4149993
    Abstract: A process for the hydroisomerization of paraffinic hydrocarbons employing a catalyst composed of a noble metal, alumina and chlorine. The catalyst is prepared by treating a composite of noble metal and alumina with an aluminum compound such as an inorganic or organic salt of aluminum, preferably aluminum nitrate, calcining the treated composite and thereafter contacting the treated composite with a conventional chloride activating agent. By treating and calcining the composite with an aluminum salt, the amount of noble metal retained on the catalyst's surface during chloride activation is maximized enabling high conversions of normal paraffins to isoparaffins to be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Babu Y. Rao, John T. Nolan, Jr., John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4138444
    Abstract: Isobutane is self-alkylated to an alkylate composition having high octane components including trimethylpentanes in the presence of a solid catalyst and a minor amount of a C.sub.5 and higher olefin. The self-alkylation process utilizes a chlorided alumina catalyst having from about 4 to 15 weight percent chlorine. The olefins of choice employed in the isobutane self-alkylation reaction are isoolefins having 6 or 7 carbons. The isobutane may be derived from the isomerization of n-butane and the isomerization process may be integrated with the self-alkylation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon Herbstman, Edward L. Cole, John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4113789
    Abstract: A process for the hydroisomerization of paraffinic hydrocarbons employing a catalyst composed of a noble metal, alumina and chlorine. The catalyst is prepared by treating a composite of noble metal and alumina with an aluminum compound such as an inorganic or organic salt of aluminum, preferably aluminum nitrate, calcining the treated composite and thereafter contacting the treated composite with a conventional chloride activating agent. By treating and calcining the composite with an aluminum salt, the amount of noble metal retained on the catalyst's surface during chloride activation is maximized enabling high conversions of normal paraffins to isoparaffins to be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Babu Y. Rao, John T. Nolan, Jr., John H. Estes
  • Patent number: 4113657
    Abstract: A process for the alkylation of alkanes with olefins under alkylation conditions with a catalyst having improved long term activity and composed of alumina and chlorine. The improved catalyst is prepared by contacting a catalytically active chlorided alumina composite catalyst with aluminum chloride. In a preferred embodiment the active catalyst is heat treated in an oxidizing atmosphere prior to contacting with aluminum chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon Herbstman, Allen N. Webb, John H. Estes