Patents by Inventor John J. Waycuilis

John J. Waycuilis 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: 9206093
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a process for converting gaseous alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereofs wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes may be reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid then may be reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as a ZSM-5 or an X or Y type zeolite, at a temperature of from about 250° C. to about 500° C. so as to form hydrobromic acid vapor and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: GTC Technology US, LLC
    Inventor: John J Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 9193641
    Abstract: Process and system that include the conversion of alkyl bromides to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons in circulating catalyst reactor-regenerator systems. Alkyl bromides may be reacted over a catalyst in at least one conversion reactor to produce at least an effluent stream comprising higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrogen bromide. A portion of the catalyst may be removed from the conversion reactor. The portion of the catalyst may be contacted with a stripping gas to displace hydrocarbons from the portion of the catalyst. The portion of the catalyst may be contacted a first inert gas. The portion of the catalyst may be contacted with oxygen to form a regenerated catalyst by removal of coke. The regenerated catalyst may be contacted with a second inert gas. At least a portion of the regenerated catalyst may be introduced into the conversion reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: GTC Technology US, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, Raphael Thomas, Patrick K. Moore
  • Patent number: 9133078
    Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing hydrocarbon products, such as high molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof, from alkyl bromides wherein one or more streams of alkyl bromides may be reacted in sequential or concurrent stages at different temperatures. The catalyst used in the synthesis stages may be the same or different and at least in one instance is chosen to form hydrocarbon products having a significant C6+ paraffin content. The stages may be conducted in one or more reactors and the catalyst may be deployed in fixed beds or fluidized beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GTC Technology US, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner
  • Publication number: 20150166423
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a process for converting lower molecular weight, gaseous alkanes to higher hydrocarbons, such as olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, or mixtures thereof, that may use in-line hydrogen bromide oxidation for capture of hydrogen bromide produced in the process. An embodiment may provide a process for producing elemental halogen comprising: providing a first stream comprising a hydrogen halide; contacting the first stream with a metal oxide to form water, elemental halogen, and at least some metal halide, wherein the metal oxide comprises a metal capable of forming a plurality of stable oxidation states; and contacting the metal halide with an oxygen source to produce a regenerated metal oxide, wherein the oxygen source contacts the metal halide under conditions sufficient to avoid release of elemental halogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: GTC Technology US, LLC
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20140286853
    Abstract: Processes and systems for recovering bromine. A process may comprise contacting a gas stream comprising bromine with a liquid bromide stream comprising bromide anions to produce at least an off-gas stream that is substantially bromine free and a liquid stream comprising bromine anionic complexes; and heating at least a portion of the liquid stream to produce at least bromine from at least a portion of the bromine anionic complexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20140228603
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a process for converting gaseous alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereofs wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes may be reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid then may be reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as a ZSM-5 or an X or Y type zeolite, at a temperature of from about 250° C. to about 500° C. so as to form hydrobromic acid vapor and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20140179963
    Abstract: A process and system for recovering hydrogen bromide, methane, ethane and propane from butane and higher hydrocarbon products by means of condensation, cryogenic liquefaction and distillation, and for oxidation of the hydrogen bromide to bromine for re-use within a gas-conversion process for producing higher-molecular weight hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 8642822
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes may be thermally or catalytically reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide. Poly-brominated alkanes present in the alkyl bromides may be further reacted with methane over a suitable catalyst to form mono-brominated species. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide may then be reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrogen bromide. Various methods and reactions are disclosed to remove the hydrogen bromide from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrogen bromide for use in the process, to store and subsequently release bromine for use in the process, and to selectively form mono-brominated alkanes in the bromination step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Raymond T. Brickey, Greg A. Lisewsky, John J. Waycuilis, Stephen D. York
  • Publication number: 20130090504
    Abstract: A method is provided for converting gaseous lower molecular weight alkanes contained in a feed gas to liquid higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. One or more lower molecular weight alkanes contained in the feed gas, which are heavier than methane, are converted to methane in a pre-former reactor. The resulting methane-enriched gas has a methane fraction greater than the methane fraction of the feed gas. The methane-enriched gas and bromine are reacted to form alkyl bromide and the alkyl bromide is reacted in the presence of a catalyst to form the liquid higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and a residual gas. The liquid higher molecular weight hydrocarbons are recovered as product and the residual gas is fed to the pre-former reactor with the feed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: John C. Roscoe, John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 8367884
    Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing hydrocarbon products, such as high molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof, from alkyl bromides wherein one or more streams of alkyl bromides may be reacted in sequential or concurrent stages at different temperatures. The catalyst used in the synthesis stages may be the same or different and at least in one instance is chosen to form hydrocarbon products having a significant C6+ paraffin content. The stages may be conducted in one or more reactors and the catalyst may be deployed in fixed beds or fluidized beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 8282810
    Abstract: A variety of methods and systems are disclosed herein, including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a stream comprising halogenated alkanes; forming synthesis products comprising hydrocarbons and hydrogen bromide from synthesis reactants comprising at least a portion of the halogenated alkanes; and recovering at least a portion of the bromine, the recovering comprising electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 8232441
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid are then reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as a ZSM-5 zeolite, at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 450° C. so as to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Propane and butane which comprise a portion of the products may be recovered or recycled back through the process to form additional C5+ hydrocarbons. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 8198495
    Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing alkyl bromides to hydrocarbon products, such as high molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof, wherein one or more streams of alkyl bromides may be synthesized in sequential or concurrent stages at different temperatures. The catalyst used in the synthesis stages may be the same or different and at least in one instance is chosen to form hydrocarbon products having a significant C6+ paraffin content. The stages may be conducted in one or more reactors and the catalyst may be deployed in fixed beds or fluidized beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner
  • Publication number: 20120141356
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes may be thermally or catalytically reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide. Poly-brominated alkanes present in the alkyl bromides may be further reacted with methane over a suitable catalyst to form mono-brominated species. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide may then be reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrogen bromide. Various methods and reactions are disclosed to remove the hydrogen bromide from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrogen bromide for use in the process, to store and subsequently release bromine for use in the process, and to selectively form mono-brominated alkanes in the bromination step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Raymond T. Brickey, Greg A. Lisewsky, John J. Waycuilis, Stephen D. York
  • Patent number: 8173851
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is thermally reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide. Poly-brominated alkanes present in the alkyl bromides are further reacted with methane over a suitable catalyst to form mono-brominated species. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide is then reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrogen bromide. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrogen bromide from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrogen bromide for use in the process, and to selectively form mono-brominated alkanes in the bromination step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner, Raphael Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120047944
    Abstract: A gas separation or gas transportation process forms a gas hydrate from an aqueous feed and a gas feed having a hydrate P-T stability envelope. While in the presence of the aqueous feed, the gas feed is initially pressurized to an operating pressure and cooled to an operating temperature which are inside the hydrate P-T stability envelope to form a gas hydrate from at least a portion of the gas feed and at least a portion of the aqueous feed. The resulting gas hydrate is readily separable from any remaining gas and stable for transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MARATHON OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20110218374
    Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing hydrocarbon products, such as high molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof, from alkyl bromides wherein one or more streams of alkyl bromides may be reacted in sequential or concurrent stages at different temperatures. The catalyst used in the synthesis stages may be the same or different and at least in one instance is chosen to form hydrocarbon products having a significant C6+ paraffin content. The stages may be conducted in one or more reactors and the catalyst may be deployed in fixed beds or fluidized beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20110218372
    Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing alkyl bromides to hydrocarbon products, such as high molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof, wherein one or more streams of alkyl bromides may be synthesized in sequential or concurrent stages at different temperatures. The catalyst used in the synthesis stages may be the same or different and at least in one instance is chosen to form hydrocarbon products having a significant C6+ paraffin content. The stages may be conducted in one or more reactors and the catalyst may be deployed in fixed beds or fluidized beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner
  • Patent number: 8008535
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid are then reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as an X or Y type zeolite, at a temperature of from about 250° C. to about 500° C. so as to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the olefins and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20110123432
    Abstract: A gas separation or gas transportation process forms a gas hydrate from an aqueous feed and a gas feed having a hydrate P-T stability envelope. While in the presence of the aqueous feed, the gas feed is initially pressurized to an operating pressure and cooled to an operating temperature which are inside the hydrate P-T stability envelope to form a gas hydrate from at least a portion of the gas feed and at least a portion of the aqueous feed. The resulting gas hydrate is readily separable from any remaining gas and stable for transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis