Patents by Inventor Richard H. Ernst

Richard H. Ernst 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: 6387249
    Abstract: The invention relates to naphtha hydrodesulfurization incorporating either high temperature depressurization or controlled heating for mercaptan removal. More particularly, the invention relates to a naphtha hydrodesulfurization process, wherein the hot naphtha exiting the desulfurization reactor contains mercaptans, most of which are removed without olefin loss, by depressurizing the hot naphtha, thermally treating the hot naphtha, or some combination thereof. The desulfurized naphtha may be cooled and condensed to a liquid, separated from the gaseous H2S, stripped and sent to a mogas pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Cook, Richard H. Ernst, Richard A. Demmin, John P. Greeley
  • Patent number: 6284127
    Abstract: A process for dewaxing waxy hydrocarbonaceous materials, such as hydrocarbon fuel and lubricating oil fractions to reduce their cloud and pour points comprises reacting the material with hydrogen in the presence of a dewaxing catalyst comprising at least one metal catalytic component and ferrierite in which at least a portion of its cation exchange positions are occupied by one or more trivalent rare earth metal cations. The rare earth ion exchanged ferrierite catalyst has good selectivity for lubricating oil production, particularly when dewaxing a Fischer-Tropsch wax hydroisomerate. Preferably at least 10% and more preferably at least 15% of the ferreirite cation exchange capacity is occupied by one or more trivalent rare earth metal cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Cook, Jack W. Johnson, Guang Cao, Rich A. McEvoy, Richard H. Ernst
  • Patent number: 6013171
    Abstract: A process for dewaxing waxy hydrocarbonaceous materials, such as hydrocarbon fuel and lubricating oil fractions to reduce their cloud and pour points comprises reacting the material with hydrogen in the presence of a dewaxing catalyst comprising at least one metal catalytic component and ferrierite in which at least a portion of its cation exchange positions are occupied by one or more trivalent rare earth metal cations. The rare earth ion exchanged ferrierite catalyst has good selectivity for lubricating oil production, particularly when dewaxing a Fischer-Tropsch wax hydroisomerate. Preferably at least 10% and more preferably at least 15% of the ferreirite cation exchange capacity is occupied by one or more trivalent rare earth metal cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Cook, Jack W. Johnson, Guang Cao, Rich A. McEvoy, Richard H. Ernst
  • Patent number: 5948719
    Abstract: Ferrierite is ion exchanged with trivalent rare earth metals by a hydrothermal ion exchange method. The ion exchange is carried out by contacting ferrierite, in which its cation exchange positions are occupied by hydrogen or a hydrogen precursor, with an aqueous solution of one or more rare earth metal cations at a temperature above the boiling point of the solution. After the ion exchange, preferably at least 10% and more preferably at least 15% of the ferrierite cation exchange capacity is occupied by a trivalent rare earth metal cation. When combined with a catalytic metal, such as a Group VIII noble metal, the trivalent rare earth metal ion exchanged ferrierite is useful as a dewaxing catalyst having good selectivity for lubricating oil fractions, particularly when dewaxing a Fischer-Tropsch wax hydroisomerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Jack W. Johnson, Bruce R. Cook, Guang Cao, Rich A. McEvoy, Richard H. Ernst
  • Patent number: 5157199
    Abstract: A process for isomerizing a paraffin feed comprising contacting the feed with a strong, solid acid catalyst comprising a sulfated Group IVB metal oxide and at least one Group VIII metal in the presence of hydrogen and an adamantane compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Soled, Enrique Iglesia, George M. Kramer, William E. Gates, Richard H. Ernst
  • Patent number: 4342831
    Abstract: Method of preconditioning acid hydrolyzates derived from lignocellulosic materials such as sawdust or newspaper and preconditioned acid hydrolyzates are provided. The preconditioning negates the effect of substances which tend to inhibit fermentation and comprises a series of steps including steam-stripping, calcium oxide treatment at a pH of 10 to 10.5, adjusting the pH to about 6 to 7 with a mineral acid and especially phosphoric acid and concentrating the hydrolyzate solution to a glucose concentration of less than 150 grams per liter. Glucose contained in such preconditioned hydrolyzates is readily fermentable to ethyl alcohol, in theoretical yield, after fermentation for as short a period as 1 to 2 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Marcel D. Faber, Richard H. Ernst, Philip H. Lefebvre