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: 8394261
    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: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Tracey M. Jordan, Mark N. Rossetti, Anthony J. Loughran, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20120285866
    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: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Publication number: 20120285864
    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: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: AUTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Rankin, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Kyle E. Litz, Tracey M. Jordan, Mark N. Rossetti, Eric H. Burnett, Trent A. McCaskill
  • Patent number: 8298404
    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: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Thomas W. DeLancey, Timothy A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8283498
    Abstract: Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) is an attractive alternative to hydrodesulfurization (HDS) technology due to its lower energy requirement for the removal of refractory sulfur species, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT), from heavier petroleum streams. Diesel containing DBT may be oxidized using a heterogeneous titanium(IV) catalyst and organohydroperoxide oxidant, such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), cumyl hydroperoxide (CHP) and/or ethylbenzene hydroperoxide (EBHP), which proves effective for the selective oxidation and removal of refractory sulfur compounds from diesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Patent number: 8262867
    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 periodic table group 13 metalloid or metal trihydroxide with an alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Partha S. Dutta, Sarah L. Lewis, Kyle E. Litz, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Patent number: 8241490
    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: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan
  • Patent number: 8197671
    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: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Rankin, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Kyle E. Litz, Tracey M. Jordan, Mark N. Rossetti, Eric H. Burnett
  • Publication number: 20120067777
    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: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: AUTERRA INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Thomas W. DeLancey, Timothy A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120022272
    Abstract: Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) is an attractive alternative to hydrodesulfurization (HDS) technology due to its lower energy requirement for the removal of refractory sulfur species, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT), from heavier petroleum streams. Diesel containing DBT may be oxidized using a heterogeneous titanium(IV) catalyst and organohydroperoxide oxidant, such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), cumyl hydroperoxide (CHP) and/or ethylbenzene hydroperoxide (EBHP), which proves effective for the selective oxidation and removal of refractory sulfur compounds from diesel fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: AUTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20110119988
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Partha Dutta, Sarah Lewis, Mark Rossetti, James Pawlson, Timothy Ullman, Giyana Amaratunga, Jennifer M. Vreeland, Tracey M. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20110108464
    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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Rankin, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Kyle E. Litz, Tracey M. Jordan, Mark N. Rossetti, Eric H. Burnett
  • Publication number: 20110031164
    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: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: AUTERRA INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Jennifer L. Vreeland, Jonathan P. Rankin, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20110011771
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: AUTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle E. Litz, Tracey M. Jordan, Mark N. Rossetti, Anthony J. Loughran, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20100179339
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Auterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Partha S. Dutta, Sarah L. Lewis, Kyle E. Litz, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20100178218
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: AUTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Partha S. Dutta, Sarah L. Lewis, Kyle E. Litz, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20100178220
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: AUTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Partha S. Dutta, Sarah L. Lewis, Kyle E. Litz, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Jennifer L. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20090134369
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED NANOWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Partha S. Dutta, Sarah L. Lewis, Kyle E. Litz, Mark N. Rossetti, Tracey M. Jordan, Jennifer L. Vreeland