Patents by Inventor Richard A. Symes

Richard A. Symes 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: 10016719
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to processes for reducing fouling in amine systems and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine systems are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO2 or H2S from olefin containing hydrocarbon streams. The invention generally relates to minimizing residence time of foulant and foulant precursors at the relatively high temperature found in the amine regenerator and/or to purging the foulant and foulant precursors from the regenerator system. This is accomplished by operating the regenerator column as a stripper (no reflux) and re-routing reflux liquid containing foulant or foulant precursors to a processing location that is less prone to fouling or, optionally, by replacing the reflux liquid with fresh make-up amine or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Symes
  • Patent number: 9901845
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to processes for reducing and removing foulant and foulant precursors from regenerated amine mixtures and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine mixtures are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO2 or H2S from olefin hydrocarbon streams. A first feed comprising regenerated amine, foulant, and foulant precursors is provided. A second feed comprising aromatic hydrocarbons is provided. The first and second feeds are combined and then separated to form first and second products. The first product is an upgraded regenerated amine mixture that comprises the first feed's amine. The second product comprises second feed's aromatic hydrocarbons and a portion of the first feed's foulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Radzicki, Richard A. Symes, Asit K. Mondal
  • Publication number: 20170341015
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to processes for reducing fouling in amine systems and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine systems are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO2 or H2S from olefin containing hydrocarbon streams. The invention generally relates to minimizing residence time of foulant and foulant precursors at the relatively high temperature found in the amine regenerator and/or to purging the foulant and foulant precursors from the regenerator system. This is accomplished by operating the regenerator column as a stripper (no reflux) and re-routing reflux liquid containing foulant or foulant precursors to a processing location that is less prone to fouling or, optionally, by replacing the reflux liquid with fresh make-up amine or water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Richard A. Symes
  • Patent number: 9593057
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a hydrocarbon process for reducing condensation in a vapor-liquid amine or caustic acid gas scrubber. A first mixture is provided, the first mixture being superheated and comprising C2+ mono-olefin, acid gases, and diolefin molecules. The first mixture is divided into a first stream and a second stream, the first and second streams having substantially the same composition. The first stream is cooled to produce a gas phase and a liquid phase, the gas phase comprising less C6+, the liquid phase containing more C6+. The gas phase is separated to create a third stream. The third stream and the second stream are combined to form a second substantially superheated mixture. The second mixture is conducted to an acid gas scrubbing tower. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Pavia, William A. Butler, John R. Delaney, Richard A. Symes
  • Publication number: 20150298026
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to processes for reducing and removing foulant and foulant precursors from regenerated amine mixtures and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine mixtures are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO2 or H2S from olefin hydrocarbon streams. A first feed comprising regenerated amine, foulant, and foulant precursors is provided. A second feed comprising aromatic hydrocarbons is provided. The first and second feeds are combined and then separated to form first and second products. The first product is an upgraded regenerated amine mixture that comprises the first feed's amine. The second product comprises second feed's aromatic hydrocarbons and a portion of the first feed's foulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Michael A. Radzicki, Richard A. Symes, Asit K. Mondal