Patents by Inventor Richard F. Bonelli

Richard F. Bonelli 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).

  • Removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon through a selective membrane
    Patent number: 6736961
    Abstract: A process for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon employs a solid membrane. A feed stream is provided containing a feed liquid hydrocarbon and a feed sulfur species and a sweep stream is provided containing a sweep liquid hydrocarbon. A relatively large quantity of the feed stream is conveyed past one side of the solid membrane, while a relatively small quantity of the sweep stream is conveyed past the opposite side of the solid membrane. The feed sulfur species is transported in a permeate from the feed stream through the solid membrane to the sweep stream. As a result, the feed stream is converted to a relatively large quantity of a substantially sulfur-free reject stream containing a primary hydrocarbon product, while the sweep stream combines with the permeate to produce a relatively small quantity of a sulfur-enriched stream, which is amenable to further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Plummer, Richard F. Bonelli, Jr.
  • Removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon through a selective membrane
    Publication number: 20020139713
    Abstract: A process for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon employs a solid membrane. A feed stream is provided containing a feed liquid hydrocarbon and a feed sulfur species and a sweep stream is provided containing a sweep liquid hydrocarbon. A relatively large quantity of the feed stream is conveyed past one side of the solid membrane, while a relatively small quantity of the sweep stream is conveyed past the opposite side of the solid membrane. The feed sulfur species is transported in a permeate from the feed stream through the solid membrane to the sweep stream. As a result, the feed stream is converted to a relatively large quantity of a substantially sulfur-free reject stream containing a primary hydrocarbon product, while the sweep stream combines with the permeate to produce a relatively small quantity of a sulfur-enriched stream, which is amenable to further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Mark A. Plummer, Richard F. Bonelli