Patents by Inventor Megan E. Witzke

Megan E. Witzke 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: 12030845
    Abstract: Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C5 and C6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C7+ normal paraffins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Wesley Sattler, Jihad M. Dakka, Guang Cao, Xinrui Yu, Brandon M. Carcuffe, Jason M. Golias, Scott J. Weigel, Carolyn M. Aimino, Megan E. Witzke
  • Publication number: 20240216898
    Abstract: An isomerization catalyst is provided, along with corresponding systems and methods, which provides improved isomerization for bio-derived feeds in reaction environments where by-products from deoxygenation are present. The catalyst provides unexpectedly increased activity and/or selectivity in situations where, for example, a deoxygenation effluent is cascaded to the isomerization catalyst. Additionally, the isomerization catalyst can assist with reducing or minimizing hydrogen consumption during isomerization. The increased activity, stability, and/or reduced hydrogen consumption is achieved in part based on using a dispersion agent when adding base metals to the catalyst. In addition to the base metals, the catalyst includes a zeolitic framework structure suitable for isomerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Megan E. Witzke, Randolph J. SMILEY, Chuansheng BAI, Scott J. WEIGEL, Xiaochun XU
  • Publication number: 20240218260
    Abstract: An isomerization catalyst is provided, along with corresponding systems and methods, which provides improved isomerization for bio-derived feeds in reaction environments where by-products from deoxygenation are present. The catalyst provides unexpectedly increased activity and/or selectivity in situations where, for example, a deoxygenation effluent is cascaded to the isomerization catalyst. Additionally, the isomerization catalyst can assist with reducing or minimizing hydrogen consumption during isomerization. The increased activity, stability, and/or reduced hydrogen consumption is achieved in part based on using a dispersion agent when adding base metals to the catalyst. In addition to the base metals, the catalyst includes a zeolitic framework structure suitable for isomerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Megan E. WITZKE, Randolph J. Smiley, Chuansheng Bal, Scott J. Welgel, Xiaochun Xu
  • Publication number: 20240218259
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing hydrogen consumption during deoxygenation of bio-derived (or at least partially bio-derived) feedstocks. The reduced hydrogen consumption is achieved by performing the deoxygenation in the presence of a bulk multimetallic catalyst and/or in the presence of a base metal dewaxing catalyst having reduced metal stack heights. Additionally, due in part to being able to reduce or minimize hydrogen consumption, the heat release during deoxygenation can also be reduced, thus allowing a smaller catalyst volume to perform deoxygenation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Megan E. WITZKE, Randolph J. SMILEY, Chuansheng BAI, Scott J. WEIGEL, Xiaochun XU
  • Patent number: 11745168
    Abstract: Tungstated zirconium catalysts for paraffin isomerization may comprise: a mixed metal oxide that is at least partially crystalline and comprises tungsten, zirconium, and a variable oxidation state metal selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ce, Ni, and any combination thereof. The mixed metal oxide comprises about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % tungsten, about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. % zirconium, and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % variable oxidation state metal, each based on a total mass of the mixed metal oxide. The mixed metal oxide has a total surface area of about 50 m2/g or greater as measured according to ISO 9277, and at least one of the following: an ammonia uptake of about 0.05 to about 0.3 mmol/g as measured by temperature programmed adsorption/desorption, or a collidine uptake of about 100 ?mol/g or greater as measured gravimetrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Weigel, Megan E. Witzke, Wesley Sattler, Brandon M. Carcuffe, Jihad M. Dakka, Ryan S. Dugan
  • Publication number: 20220402838
    Abstract: Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C5 and C6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C7+ normal paraffins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Wesley Sattler, Jihad M. Dakka, Guang Cao, Xinrui Yu, Brandon M. Carcuffe, Jason M. Golias, Scott J. Weigel, Carolyn M. Aimino, Megan E. Witzke
  • Publication number: 20220401922
    Abstract: Tungstated zirconium catalysts for paraffin isomerization may comprise: a mixed metal oxide that is at least partially crystalline and comprises tungsten, zirconium, and a variable oxidation state metal selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ce, Ni, and any combination thereof. The mixed metal oxide comprises about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % tungsten, about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. % zirconium, and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % variable oxidation state metal, each based on a total mass of the mixed metal oxide. The mixed metal oxide has a total surface area of about 50 m2/g or greater as measured according to ISO 9277, and at least one of the following: an ammonia uptake of about 0.05 to about 0.3 mmol/g as measured by temperature programmed adsorption/desorption, or a collidine uptake of about 100 ?mol/g or greater as measured gravimetrically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Scott J. Weigel, Megan E. Witzke, Wesley Sattler, Brandon M. Carcuffe, Jihad M. Dakka, Ryan S. Dugan