Patents by Inventor Robert David Strack

Robert David Strack 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: 8524070
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit employing a small primary fractionator, i.e., a rectifier. The method comprises cooling the gaseous effluent, e.g., by direct quench and/or at least one primary heat exchanger, and then cooling the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by reactions among constituents of the effluent, condenses, e.g., in a secondary exchanger. The resulting mixed gaseous and liquid effluent is passed through a rectifier, to cleanly separate quench oil from the gaseous effluent comprising a pyrolysis gasoline fraction, whose boiling point can be lowered as a result of the rectifier treatment. The effluent is then cooled to condense a liquid effluent comprising pyrolysis gasoline and water condensed from steam, which fractions are separated in a distillate drum. The cooled gaseous effluent is directed to a recovery train to recover light olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Patent number: 8092671
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating gaseous effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit to provide steam cracked tar of reduced asphaltene and toluene insolubles content. The method is suitable for preparing reduced viscosity tar useful as a fuel blending stock, or feedstock for producing carbon black, while reducing or eliminating the need for externally sourced lighter aromatics additives to meet viscosity specifications. The method comprises drawing steam cracked tar from a separation vessel, e.g., a primary fractionator or tar knock-out drum, cooling the tar, and returning it to the separation vessel to effect lower overall tar temperatures within the separation vessel, in order to reduce viscosity increasing condensation reactions. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, Richard C. Stell, John R. Messinger, Dane C. Grenoble, John E. Asplin
  • Patent number: 8074707
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit processing heavier than naphtha feeds to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary transfer line heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating superheated steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary transfer line heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface with a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, David B. Spicer, George Stephens, James Mitchell Frye
  • Patent number: 7981374
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis process unit to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface maintained at a temperature such that part of the gaseous effluent condenses to form in situ a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Patent number: 7972482
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit without employing a primary fractionator. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam, and then cooling the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by reactions among constituents of the effluent, condenses. The gaseous effluent and the condensed tar are fed to at least one knock-out drum, whereby the tar is separated from the gaseous effluent. The gaseous effluent is then further cooled to condense a pyrolysis gasoline fraction from the effluent and to reduce the temperature of the effluent to a point at which it can be compressed efficiently. The condensed pyrolysis gasoline fraction is separated from the effluent and then distilled so as to reduce its final boiling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Publication number: 20100276126
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit processing heavier than naphtha feeds to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary transfer line heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating superheated steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary transfer line heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface with a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Robert David STRACK, David B. SPICER, George STEPHENS, James Mitchell FRYE
  • Publication number: 20100230235
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit without employing a primary fractionator. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam, and then cooling the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by reactions among constituents of the effluent, condenses. The gaseous effluent and the condensed tar are fed to at least one knock-out drum, whereby the tar is separated from the gaseous effluent. The gaseous effluent is then further cooled to condense a pyrolysis gasoline fraction from the effluent and to reduce the temperature of the effluent to a point at which it can be compressed efficiently. The condensed pyrolysis gasoline fraction is separated from the effluent and then distilled so as to reduce its final boiling point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Patent number: 7780843
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit processing heavier than naphtha feeds to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary transfer line heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating superheated steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary transfer line heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface with a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Company Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, David R. Spicer, George Stephens, James Mitchell Frye
  • Patent number: 7763162
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit processing heavier than naphtha feeds to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating superheated steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface maintained at a temperature such that part of the gaseous effluent condenses to form a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Robert David Strack
  • Patent number: 7749372
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit without employing a primary fractionator. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam, and then cooling the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by reactions among constituents of the effluent, condenses. The gaseous effluent and the condensed tar are fed to at least one knock-out drum, whereby the tar is separated from the gaseous effluent. The gaseous effluent is then further cooled to condense a pyrolysis gasoline fraction from the effluent and to reduce the temperature of the effluent to a point at which it can be compressed efficiently. The condensed pyrolysis gasoline fraction is separated from the effluent and then distilled so as to reduce its final boiling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Patent number: 7718049
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating gaseous effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit to provide steam cracked tar of reduced asphaltene and toluene insolubles content. The method is suitable for preparing reduced viscosity tar useful as a fuel blending stock, or feedstock for producing carbon black, while reducing or eliminating the need for externally sourced lighter aromatics additives to meet viscosity specifications. The method comprises drawing steam cracked tar from a separation vessel, e.g., a primary fractionator or tar knock-out drum, cooling the tar, and returning it to the separation vessel to effect lower overall tar temperatures within the separation vessel, in order to reduce viscosity increasing condensation reactions. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, Richard C. Stell, John R. Messinger, Dane C. Grenoble, John E. Asplin
  • Publication number: 20100096296
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating gaseous effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit to provide steam cracked tar of reduced asphaltene and toluene insolubles content. The method is suitable for preparing reduced viscosity tar useful as a fuel blending stock, or feedstock for producing carbon black, while reducing or eliminating the need for externally sourced lighter aromatics additives to meet viscosity specifications. The method comprises drawing steam cracked tar from a separation vessel, e.g., a primary fractionator or tar knock-out drum, cooling the tar, and returning it to the separation vessel to effect lower overall tar temperatures within the separation vessel, in order to reduce viscosity increasing condensation reactions. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, Richard C. Stell, John R. Messinger, Dane C. Grenoble, John E. Asplin
  • Patent number: 7674366
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit without employing a primary fractionator. The method comprises cooling the gaseous effluent, e.g., by direct quench and/or at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby generating high pressure steam, and then cooling the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by reactions among constituents of the effluent, condenses. The resulting mixed gaseous and liquid effluent is passed through a quench oil knock-out drum, to separate quench oil from the gaseous effluent which is then cooled to condense a liquid effluent comprising pyrolysis gasoline and water condensed from steam, which fractions are separated in a distillate drum. The cooled gaseous effluent is directed to a recovery train, to recover light olefins. The pyrolysis gasoline-containing fraction passes to a tailing tower which provides an overhead stream rich in pyrolysis gasoline and a bottoms stream rich in gas oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Patent number: 7578929
    Abstract: A process for feeding or cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstock containing non-volatile hydrocarbons comprising: heating the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, mixing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and varying the amount of the fluid and/or the primary dilution steam stream mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in accordance with at least one selected operating parameter of the process, such as the temperature of the flash stream before entering the flash drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Exxonmoil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stell, Arthur R. Dinicolantonio, James Mitchell Frye, David B. Spicer, James N. McCoy, Robert David Strack
  • Publication number: 20090074636
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis process unit to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface maintained at a temperature such that part of the gaseous effluent condenses to form in situ a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Patent number: 7465388
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis process unit to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface maintained at a temperature such that part of the gaseous effluent condenses to form in situ a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Strack, John R. Messinger
  • Patent number: 7138047
    Abstract: A process for feeding or cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstock containing non-volatile hydrocarbons comprising: heating the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, mixing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and varying the amount of the fluid and/or the primary dilution steam stream mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in accordance with at least one selected operating parameter of the process, such as the temperature of the flash stream before entering the flash drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stell, Arthur R. DiNicolantonio, James Mitchell Frye, David B. Spicer, James N. McCoy, Robert David Strack
  • Publication number: 20040004022
    Abstract: A process for feeding or cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstock containing non-volatile hydrocarbons comprising: heating the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, mixing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and varying the amount of the fluid and/or the primary dilution steam stream mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in accordance with at least one selected operating parameter of the process, such as the temperature of the flash stream before entering the flash drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Richard C. Stell, Arthur R. DiNicolantonio, James Mitchell Frye, David B. Spicer, James N. McCoy, Robert David Strack
  • Patent number: 6107533
    Abstract: Process flow sequences for the reduction of equipment fouling in the fractional distillation of light end hydrocarbon components, such as those produced by pyrolysis or steam cracking, wherein conventional multiple hydrogenation unit configurations are replaced with upstream hydrogenation unit configurations. The upstream hydrogenation units of the invention are located at either side draws or in the reboiler circuit of deethanizers, in front-end demethanizer and front-end deethanizer sequences, or depropanizers, in front-end depropanizer sequences and obviate the need for most of the conventionally used hydrogenation units downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Rimas Virgilijus Vebeliunas, David Alan Bamford, Neil James Drummond, Sheri Renee Snider, Robert David Strack, Roy Thomas Halle