Patents by Inventor Michael D. Briscoe

Michael D. Briscoe 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: 9453165
    Abstract: A process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms comprises: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. A supported catalyst comprises Co, and a microchannel reactor comprises at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Publication number: 20150259609
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Patent number: 9023900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. Also disclosed is a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Publication number: 20130217793
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Patent number: 8188153
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Shari Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Publication number: 20100160463
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Shari Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Patent number: 7722833
    Abstract: A microchannel reactor is described which has at least one process microchannel and at least one heat exchange zone. The microchannel reactor may be used for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Shari Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Patent number: 7686855
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for transporting one or more synthetic products produced from a carbonaceous source, such as coal, natural gas, or biomass, which may be located in a location that is remote from markets for such products. The synthetic products may include lower molecular weight alcohols such as methanol, lower molecular weight ethers such as dimethyl ether, olefins and/or the products of a Fischer-Tropsch or other hydrocarbon synthesis. The methods include transport of such synthetic products via a pipeline in the dense phase state, either neat or blended with light hydrocarbons, such as natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Sills, Theo H. Fleisch, Taras Y. Makogon, Michael D. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 7168265
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing LNG and GTL products is provided, wherein a CO2-containing natural gas feed to an LNG production zone is first pre-treated to separate at least a portion of the CO2 therefrom, and the resulting CO2 stream obtained thereby is then directed to a GTL production zone and utilized to make GTL products that include methanol and/or methanol derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Briscoe, Theo H. Fleisch, Michael J. Gradassi, Jeffrey H. Sawchuk, Pedro Ernesto Fischer-Calderon
  • Patent number: 7084180
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Shari Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Publication number: 20040248999
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing LNG and GTL products is provided, wherein a CO2-containing natural gas feed to an LNG production zone is first pre-treated to separate at least a portion of the CO2 therefrom, and the resulting CO2 stream obtained thereby is then directed to a GTL production zone and utilized to make GTL products that include methanol and/or methanol derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Briscoe, Theo H. Fleisch, Michael J. Gradassi, Jeffrey H. Sawchuk, Pedro Ernesto Fischer-Calderon
  • Publication number: 20040244279
    Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions comprising mixtures of natural gas and dimethyl ether suitable for use as fuel compositions, and particularly to blends of dimethyl ether and a natural gas derived from LNG produced in an LNG process. The dimethyl ether can be added, for example, to a lean natural gas to improve the heat value thereof, and in embodiments, the dimethyl ether is conveniently derived from low value CO2 contaminants present in a raw natural gas stream used to prepare LNG. Also disclosed are methods to prepare the mixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Briscoe, Theo H. Fleisch
  • Patent number: 6749829
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing synthesis gas comprising the steps of reacting a hydrogen-containing stream with an oxygen-containing stream and producing an oxidized stream comprising water; contacting a feedstream comprising hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon comprising at least one atom of oxygen with the oxidized stream comprising water and forming a reforming feedstream; and passing the reforming feedstream into a reforming reaction zone at reforming reaction conditions and producing a synthesis gas product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 6743829
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing LNG and GTL products is provided comprising cooling natural gas in at least one cooling step so as to provide a cooled natural gas stream; processing the cooled natural gas stream in at least two expansion/separation cycles, each expansion/separation cycle comprising the Substeps of (a) isentropically or isenthalpically expanding at least a portion of the cooled natural gas steam for producing a natural gas vapor component and a LNG component, (b) separating at least a portion of the natural gas vapor component from the LNG component, and (c) repeating substeps (a) through (b) wherein at least a portion of the LNG component from the previous expansion/separation cycle is directed to each successive Substep (a) and wherein the final LNG product is the LNG component after the final separating step and is substantially liquid at substantially atmospheric pressure; and converting at least a portion of one or more of the expansion/separation cycle natural gas vapor components in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Ernesto Fischer-Calderon, Michael D. Briscoe, Michael J. Gradassi, Jeffrey H. Sawchuk
  • Publication number: 20040018144
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing synthesis gas comprising the steps of reacting a hydrogen-containing stream with an oxygen-containing stream and producing an oxidized stream comprising water; contacting a feedstream comprising hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon comprising at least one atom of oxygen with the oxidized stream comprising water and forming a reforming feedstream; and passing the reforming feedstream into a reforming reaction zone at reforming reaction conditions and producing a synthesis gas product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael D. Briscoe
  • Publication number: 20030136146
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing LNG and GTL products is provided comprising cooling natural gas in at least one cooling step so as to provide a cooled natural gas stream; processing the cooled natural gas stream in at least two expansion/separation cycles, each expansion/separation cycle comprising the Substeps of (a) isentropically or isenthalpically expanding at least a portion of the cooled natural gas steam for producing a natural gas vapor component and a LNG component, (b) separating at least a portion of the natural gas vapor component from the LNG component, and (c) repeating substeps (a) through (b) wherein at least a portion of the LNG component from the previous expansion/separation cycle is directed to each successive Substep (a) and wherein the final LNG product is the LNG component after the final separating step and is substantially liquid at substantially atmospheric pressure; and converting at least a portion of one or more of the expansion/separation cycle natural gas vapor components in
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Ernesto Fischer-Calderon, Michael D. Briscoe, Michael J. Gradassi, Jeffrey H. Sawchuk
  • Patent number: 6344491
    Abstract: A method for producing a synthesis gas from a light hydrocarbon stream using air or oxygen-enriched air as an oxidant in a high pressure autothermal reactor and converting the synthesis gas in a Fischer-Tropsch process using a supported cobalt catalyst to produce heavy paraffins wherein the required process pressure is supplied by charging the reactant streams to the autothermal reactor at a high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Beer, Michael D. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 6239184
    Abstract: A process for extending the life of a Fisher-Tropsch catalyst in a process for converting synthesis gas produced in an autothermal reactor by the substoichiometric oxidation of a light hydrocarbon gas by removing ammonia from the synthesis gas prior to passing the synthesis gas to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Beer, James F. Leahy, Greg A. Lisewsky, Kernan J. McHugh, Michael D. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 6156234
    Abstract: An improved process for the compression and heating of air or oxygen-enriched air for charging to an autothermal reactor by using a single high compression ratio compressor to produce a high-pressure, high-temperature air or oxygen-enriched air stream for mixture with a hydrocarbon gas stream to produce a charge stream to an autothermal reactor at an elevated pressure above about 350 psig and at an elevated temperature from about 700 to about 900.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Briscoe, Kernan J. McHugh, John R. Wolflick