Patents by Inventor Kyle E. Litz

Kyle E. Litz 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: 10385281
    Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for reducing the heteroatom content of hydrocarbon feed using transition metal complexes and adsorption techniques. The transition metal complexes include titanyl, hafnyl and zirconyl complexes activated using one or more hydroperoxides or peracids. The activated adsorbents are incorporated into one or more vessels as an adsorption bed for adsorbing the heteroatoms present in hydrocarbon feeds. The systems, methods and compositions separate the heteroatoms passed through the system by contacting the adsorption compositions with the heteroatoms of the hydrocarbon feed, adsorbing the heteroatom to the adsorption material, further allowing for the retrieval of a hydrocarbon product having a reduced heteroatom content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignees: AUTERRA, INC., CENOVUS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jonathan P. Rankin, Erica H. Shipley, Michael Scudder, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Publication number: 20190185762
    Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for reducing the heteroatom content of hydrocarbon feed using transition metal complexes and adsorption techniques. The transition metal complexes include titanyl, hafnyl and zirconyl complexes activated using one or more hydroperoxides or peracids. The activated adsorbents are incorporated into one or more vessels as an adsorption bed for adsorbing the heteroatoms present in hydrocarbon feeds. The systems, methods and compositions separate the heteroatoms passed through the system by contacting the adsorption compositions with the heteroatoms of the hydrocarbon feed, adsorbing the heteroatom to the adsorption material, further allowing for the retrieval of a hydrocarbon product having a reduced heteroatom content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jonathan P. Rankin, Erica H. Shipley, Michael Scudder, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Patent number: 10246647
    Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for reducing the heteroatom content of hydrocarbon feed using transition metal complexes and adsorption techniques. The transition metal complexes include titanyl, hafnyl and zirconyl complexes activated using one or more hydroperoxides or peracids. The activated adsorbents are incorporated into one or more vessels as an adsorption bed for adsorbing the heteroatoms present in hydrocarbon feeds. The systems, methods and compositions separate the heteroatoms passed through the system by contacting the adsorption compositions with the heteroatoms of the hydrocarbon feed, adsorbing the heteroatom to the adsorption material, further allowing for the retrieval of a hydrocarbon product having a reduced heteroatom content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: AUTERRA, INC., CENOVUS ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jonathan P. Rankin, Erica H. Shipley, Michael Scudder, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Patent number: 9512151
    Abstract: A compound of Formula (II) and (III), or a mixture of any two or more thereof; wherein M is Ti or Zr; R3 at each occurrence is H, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OR4, NR5R6, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylalkyl, unsubstituted heterocyclyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclylalkyl; R4 is H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylalkyl, unsubstituted heterocyclyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclylalkyl; R5 and R6 are independently H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclylalkyl, or R5 and R6 may join to form a heterocyclic ring containing the N to which they are attached; and n?=0-4. Such compounds form optically transparent and/or clear films or particles or may be used to prepare such materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: AUTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Partha Dutta, Sarah Lewis, Mark Rossetti, James Pawlson, Timothy Ullman, Giyana Amaratunga, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Tracey M. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20160281003
    Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for reducing the heteroatom content of hydrocarbon feed using transition metal complexes and adsorption techniques. The transition metal complexes include titanyl, hafnyl and zirconyl complexes activated using one or more hydroperoxides or peracids. The activated adsorbents are incorporated into one or more vessels as an adsorption bed for adsorbing the heteroatoms present in hydrocarbon feeds. The systems, methods and compositions separate the heteroatoms passed through the system by contacting the adsorption compositions with the heteroatoms of the hydrocarbon feed, adsorbing the heteroatom to the adsorption material, further allowing for the retrieval of a hydrocarbon product having a reduced heteroatom content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jonathan P. Rankin, Erica H. Shipley, Michael Scudder, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Patent number: 9206359
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing oxidized-heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with a caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: AUTERRA, INC., CENOVUS ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Trent A. McCaskill, Erica Shipley, Sarah Clickner
  • Publication number: 20150337220
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon product having at least 0.1 grams per gram of hydrocarbon product having a boiling range distribution from an initial boiling point to approximately 739° C. wherein the hydrocarbon products are further characterized by an infrared spectroscopy reference peak, centered between approximately 1445 cm?1 and 1465 cm?1, a first infrared spectroscopy peak between approximately 1310 cm?1 and 1285 cm?1, wherein the height of the first infrared spectroscopy peak is at least approximately 28% of the height of the infrared spectroscopy reference peak and a second infrared spectroscopy peak between approximately 1135 cm?1 and 1110 cm?1, wherein the height of the second infrared spectroscopy peak is at least approximately 22% of the height of the infrared spectroscopy reference peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jonathan P. Rankin
  • Publication number: 20150337208
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon product having at least 0.1 grams per gram of hydrocarbon product having a boiling range distribution from an initial boiling point to approximately 739° C. wherein the hydrocarbon products are further characterized by an infrared spectroscopy reference peak, centered between approximately 1445 cm?1 and 1465 cm?1, a first infrared spectroscopy peak between approximately 1310 cm?1 and 1285 cm?1, wherein the height of the first infrared spectroscopy peak is at least approximately 28% of the height of the infrared spectroscopy reference peak and a second infrared spectroscopy peak between approximately 1135 cm?1 and 1110 cm?1, wherein the height of the second infrared spectroscopy peak is at least approximately 22% of the height of the infrared spectroscopy reference peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicants: AUTERRA, INC., CENOVUS ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jonathan P. Rankin
  • Patent number: 9061273
    Abstract: Catalysts amenable to oxidizing sulfur compounds and systems and methods of using these catalysts to effect the removal of sulfur from crude oil and crude oil distillates are disclosed. The catalyst is disposed with a titanyl moiety which serves to selectively coordinate sulfur compounds and affect their oxidation. The titanyl may be bound within a polymer or on the surface of a polymer or on the surface or in the pores of an inorganic support. The resulting oxidized sulfur compounds are readily separated from the initial crude oil or crude oil distillate streams by traditional separation techniques arrayed as described in the systems and methods disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: AUTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Partha S. Dutta, Tracey M. Jordan, Sarah L. Lewis, Anthony J. Loughran, Mark N. Rossetti, Timothy J. Ullman, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Patent number: 9028768
    Abstract: Compounds, synthesis of, and methods for synthesizing metal alkoxide derivatives; and metal alkoxide derivatives for use as flame retardants are described. Group 13 metal alkoxides having flame retardant properties may be prepared by reacting the group 13 metal trihydroxide with an alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark N. Rossetti, Partha S. Dutta, Sarah L. Lewis, Kyle E. Litz, Tracey M. Jordan, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Patent number: 8961779
    Abstract: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Thomas W. DeLancey, Timothy A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8894843
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with an oxidant and an immiscible acid to oxidize the heteroatoms, contacting the oxidized- heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed. The oxidant may be used in the presence of a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Rankin, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Kyle E. Litz, Tracey M. Jordan, Mark N. Rossetti, Eric H. Burnett, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Publication number: 20140339136
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing oxidized-heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with a caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Trent A. McCaskill, Erica Shipley, Sarah Clickner
  • Patent number: 8877013
    Abstract: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Thomas W. DeLancey, Timothy A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8877043
    Abstract: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Thomas W. DeLancey, Timothy A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8877131
    Abstract: Compounds, synthesis of, and methods for synthesizing metal alkoxide derivatives; and metal alkoxide derivatives for use as flame retardants are described. Group 13 metal alkoxides having flame retardant properties may be prepared by reacting the group 13 metal trihydroxide with an alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Partha S. Dutta, Sarah L. Lewis, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20140291199
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with an oxidant to oxidize the heteroatoms, contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed. The oxidant may be used in the presence of a catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Publication number: 20140216984
    Abstract: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Thomas W. DeLancey, Timothy A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8764973
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with an oxidant to oxidize the heteroatoms, contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed. The oxidant may be used in the presence of a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Publication number: 20140131256
    Abstract: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Thomas W. DeLancey, Timothy A. Thompson