Patents by Inventor Manuel E. Quintana

Manuel E. Quintana 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: 5152976
    Abstract: A process for producing high purity hydrogen is disclosed. Specifically, the process includes (1) partially oxidizing a refinery offgas feedstock to produce a synthesis gas mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, (2) reacting the synthesis gas mixture with steam to convert the carbon monoxide into a raw gas mixture which primarily includes carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and (3) purifying the raw gas mixture to produce high purity hydrogen and a reject gas mixture of impurities. In a preferred embodiment, the purification step occurs in a pressure swing adsorption unit.Alternative embodiments are also described, each of which essentially involve the optional treatment and/or use of the reject gas mixture of impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Wing-Chiu F. Fong, Henry C. Chan, Robert M. Suggitt, Manuel E. Quintana
  • Patent number: 5152975
    Abstract: A process for producing high purity hyrogen is disclosed. Specifically, the process includes (1) partially oxidizing a gaseous hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce a synthesis gas mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, (2) reacting the synthesis gas mixture with steam to convert the carbon monoxide into a raw gas mixture which primarily includes carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and (3) subjecting the raw gas mixture to pressure swing adsorption to purify the raw gas mixture, thereby producing high purity hydrogen and a reject gas mixture of impurities.The gaseous hydrocarbonaceous feed is specific, inasmuch as it is characterized by containing a major component which includes at least one C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 hydrocarbon and which has an average molecular weight of up to about 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Wing-Chiu F. Fong, Henry C. Chan, Robert M. Suggitt, Manuel E. Quintana
  • Patent number: 4650497
    Abstract: With a down flow high pressure gasifier, there is a quench chamber that employs a dip tube for confining the effluent from the gasifier. The quench chamber is coaxial with the dip tube. The dip tube extends beneath the surface of a body of quench liquid, and the exit from the quench chamber is above the surface of the quench liquid. That exit is constructed so that the effluent flow out of the quench chamber is symmetrical relative to the axis of the dip tube in order to minimize the liquid carry over with the effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Manuel E. Quintana
  • Patent number: 4597773
    Abstract: The soot-water dispersion that is produced by quenching and/or scrubbing the raw effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator in a gas quench cooling and/or scrubbing zone is resolved in a decanter using two different liquid organic extractants. Advantageously, liquid organic by-products from an oxo or oxyl process which may contain harmful water soluble constituents may be used as a major portion of the liquid organic extractant. The dispersion of soot and co-extractants that is produced may be safely disposed of as a portion of the feed to the gas generator without polluting the environment. A novel vertical decanter is provided comprising a vertical cylindrical vessel with separate inner and outer coaxial concentric conduits that pass down through the central axial flanged inlet in the upper head of the vessel. The mixture of soot-water dispersion and first liquid organic extractant i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel E. Quintana, Lawrence E. Estabrook
  • Patent number: 4490251
    Abstract: A novel vertical decanter is provided comprising a vertical cylindrical vessel with separate inner and outer coaxial concentric conduits that pass down through the central axial flanged inlet in the upper head of the vessel. The mixture of soot-water dispersion and first liquid organic extractant i.e. naphtha is passed through the inner conduit and is discharged through a first horizontal radial nozzle located below the interface level. Simultaneously, the second liquid organic extractant i.e. liquid organic by-products from an oxo or oxyl process is passed through the annular passage between the inner and outer conduits and is discharged through a second horizontal radial nozzle located above the interface level. Adjusting means are provided to vary the discharge height of the second horizontal radial nozzle, up or down should there be a change in location of the interface level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel E. Quintana, Lawrence E. Estabrook