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).

  • Publication number: 20110071326
    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: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 7880041
    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 400° C. so as to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Hydrobromic acid vapor is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. A portion of the propane and butane is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and reacted with the mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid over the synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst to form C5+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20110015458
    Abstract: A method is provided for converting hydrogen bromide to elemental bromine. A portion of an initial hydrogen bromide-rich gas is thermally oxidized at a thermal oxidation temperature to produce a first fraction of elemental bromine and a remainder of the initial hydrogen bromide-rich gas. At least a portion of the remainder of the initial hydrogen bromide-rich gas is catalytically oxidized at a lower catalytic oxidation temperature to produce a second fraction of elemental bromine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, Patrick K. Moore, Greg A. Lisewsky
  • Patent number: 7674941
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof 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 is then reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrobromic acid vapor. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process, and to selectively form monobrominated alkanes in the bromination step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner
  • Publication number: 20090326292
    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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20090308759
    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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20090312586
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the hydrogenation of multi-brominated alkanes are provided herein. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method, the method comprising: reacting at least hydrogen and multi-brominated alkanes in the presence of a catalyst to form a hydrogenated stream comprising brominated alkanes having fewer bromine substituents than the multi-brominated alkanes reacted with the hydrogen. Embodiments of the method further may comprise forming brominated alkanes. Embodiments of the method further may comprising forming product hydrocarbons from brominated alkanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner
  • Publication number: 20090247796
    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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner, Raphael Thomas
  • Patent number: 7560607
    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: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 7511180
    Abstract: A process is provided for stabilizing a petroleum liquid feed stream which contains a more volatile hydrocarbon portion, a less volatile hydrocarbon portion and water. The more volatile hydrocarbon portion of the petroleum liquid feed stream is reacted with the water in a fluidized bed heat exchanger to form a solid hydrate and a petroleum liquid product which contains the remaining less volatile hydrocarbon portion of the petroleum liquid feed stream. The petroleum liquid product is separated from the solid hydrate to recover the resulting petroleum liquid product which is substantially less volatile and more stable than the petroleum liquid feed stream and more suitable for storage or transport, particularly at low pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20090005620
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof 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 is then reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrobromic acid vapor. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process, and to selectively form monobrominated alkanes in the bromination step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner
  • Publication number: 20080275284
    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: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: MARATHON OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20080200740
    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 higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARATHON OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20080183022
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20080171898
    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 400° C. so as to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Hydrobromic acid vapor is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. A portion of the propane and butane is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and reacted with the mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid over the synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst to form C5+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 7348464
    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: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 7244867
    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 400° C. so as to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Hydrobromic acid vapor is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. A portion of the propane and butane is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and reacted with the mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid over the synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst to form C5+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 7064238
    Abstract: A process is provided for converting an alkane to an oxygenated product by passing an alkane gas over a first fixed bed containing a higher valence bromide salt to produce an alkyl bromide, a hydrobromic acid, and a lower valence bromide salt. The alkyl bromide and hydrobromic acid are conveyed as a gas to a second fixed bed containing a metal oxide and are passed over the second fixed bed to produce the first bromide salt and the oxygenated product. The metal oxide in the second fixed bed is regenerated by passing oxygen over the second fixed bed producing the metal oxide and bromine. The bromine is conveyed as a gas from the second fixed bed to the first fixed bed. The first bromide salt of the first fixed bed is regenerated by passing the bromine over the first fixed bed producing the first bromide salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20040162452
    Abstract: A process is provided for stabilizing a petroleum liquid feed stream which contains a more volatile hydrocarbon portion, a less volatile hydrocarbon portion and water. The more volatile hydrocarbon portion of the petroleum liquid feed stream is reacted with the water in a fluidized bed heat exchanger to form a solid hydrate and a petroleum liquid product which contains the remaining less volatile hydrocarbon portion of the petroleum liquid feed stream. The petroleum liquid product is separated from the solid hydrate to recover the resulting petroleum liquid product which is substantially less volatile and more stable than the petroleum liquid feed stream and more suitable for storage or transport, particularly at low pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 6703534
    Abstract: A transport process for a wet gas employs a subsea heat exchanger having first and second flowpaths separated by a heat transfer surface. A cooler heat transfer medium is conveyed through the first flowpath in a liquid phase while a warmer hydrocarbon stream having a gaseous hydrocarbon phase and a liquid aqueous phase is conveyed through the second flowpath, which cools the hydrocarbon stream and heats the heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium is converted by heating to a vapor phase, which is conveyed to a passive condenser associated with the subsea heat exchanger. The ambient temperature of the sea water submersing the condenser cools the heat transfer medium and restores it to the liquid phase for reuse in the heat exchanger. A portion of the hydrocarbon stream is converted by cooling to a plurality of solid gas hydrate particles while a solid particle medium entrained within the hydrocarbon stream prevents the build-up of gas hydrate particles in the second flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, Stephen D. York