Patents by Inventor Rodney S. Smith

Rodney S. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20240034703
    Abstract: Processes are provided for removing contaminants from a refinery gas. Such process can include recovering a process gas comprising ethylene and propylene from a steam cracker effluent recovered from a stream cracker in a steam cracker facility. A refinery gas can be recovered from a refinery facility. The process gas can be compressed in a plurality of compressor stages. A pressure of the refinery gas can be determined. A compressor stage in the plurality of compressor stages can be selected for introducing the refinery gas using the determined pressure of the refinery gas. The refinery gas can be introduced into the selected compressor stage to produce a combined gas that can include the process gas and the refinery gas. At least a portion of one or more impurities can be removed from the combined gas in the steam cracker facility to produce an upgraded combined gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Selma S. Lawrence, Mark A. Nierode, Rodney S. Smith
  • Patent number: 11845707
    Abstract: Processes and systems for C3+ monoolefin conversion. In some examples, the process can include reacting a first mixture that includes C3+ monoolefins and a first oxygenate to produce a first effluent that includes a first ether and <1 wt. % of any first di-C3+ olefin. A first product that includes the first ether and a first byproduct that includes at least a portion of any first di-C3+ olefin and unreacted C3+ monoolefins can be separated from the first effluent. A second olefin mixture, at least a portion of the first byproduct, and a second oxygenate can be combined to produce a second mixture. The second mixture can be reacted to produce a second effluent that includes a second ether and a second di-C3+ olefin. The reaction of the second mixture can produce a greater amount, on a mole basis, of the second di-C3+ olefin than the second ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney S. Smith, Roshni Jindal, Julie D. Hietpas
  • Publication number: 20230220287
    Abstract: The invention generally relate to processes, systems, and methods for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon feeds containing one or more forms of mercury, e.g., the steam cracking of heavy oil, such as crude oil. Effluent from the pyrolysis is processed to remove various forms of mercury produced during the pyrolysis and/or carried over from the hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Keng-Fai Kuan, Boon Hwa Sow, Rodney S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230203386
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis of advantaged feeds. The advantaged feeds can comprise hydrocarbon, at least one halogen-containing composition, and at least one metal-containing composition, where the halogen-containing composition and the metal-containing composition are substantially different compositions. The disclosure encompasses steam cracking of advanced feeds comprising hydrocarbon and one or more of chloride-containing compositions, nickel-containing compositions, and vanadium-containing compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Mark A. Nierode, Rodney S. Smith, Kapil Kandel
  • Publication number: 20230151283
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, e.g., the steam cracking of feeds comprising hydrocarbon and nitrogen-containing compositions. The invention also relates to equipment, systems, and apparatus useful for such pyrolysis, to the products and by-products of such pyrolysis, and to the further processing of such products and co-products, e.g., by polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Mark A. Nierode, Rodney S. Smith, Donald J. Norris, Asit K. Mondal, Roshni Jindal
  • Publication number: 20230105555
    Abstract: Processes and systems for pyrolysing a hydrocarbon feed for a predetermined period of time, e.g., by steam cracking. The process can include determining a first amount of silicon material present in the hydrocarbon feed that is to be steam cracked to produce a steam cracker effluent. The process can also include determining a second amount of silicon material that will be present in a steam cracker naphtha that is to be separated from the steam cracker effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Rodney S. Smith, Michael A. Radzicki, Donald J. Norris
  • Publication number: 20230091233
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes, apparatuses, and systems for the removal of sulfur compounds from a heavy hydrocarbon feed as part of steam cracking processes to produce light olefins. In at least one embodiment, the process includes introducing a hydrocarbon feed having a first sulfur content to a steam cracker to produce a steam cracker effluent having a second sulfur content less than the first sulfur content. The process includes introducing the steam cracker effluent to a fractionation system to produce a light hydrocarbon product stream having a third sulfur content less than the second sulfur content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Alok Srivastava, Rodney S. Smith, James P. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20220251003
    Abstract: Processes and systems for C3+ monoolefin conversion. In some examples, the process can include reacting a first mixture that includes C3+ monoolefins and a first oxygenate to produce a first effluent that includes a first ether and <1 wt. % of any first di-C3+ olefin. A first product that includes the first ether and a first byproduct that includes at least a portion of any first di-C3+ olefin and unreacted C3+ monoolefins can be separated from the first effluent. A second olefin mixture, at least a portion of the first byproduct, and a second oxygenate can be combined to produce a second mixture. The second mixture can be reacted to produce a second effluent that includes a second ether and a second di-C3+ olefin. The reaction of the second mixture can produce a greater amount, on a mole basis, of the second di-C3+ olefin than the second ether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Rodney S. Smith, Roshni Jindal, Julie D. Hietpas
  • Patent number: 9523044
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon streams containing impurities such as carbon oxysulfides, to processes for upgrading the hydrocarbons by removing at least a portion of the impurities therefrom, to equipment useful in such processes, and to the use of upgraded hydrocarbons for, e.g., chemical manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney S. Smith, Jr., Beshoy Abdelmalek, Mark A. Nierode, Michael Moran, Derrick B. Callander
  • Patent number: 9266791
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for converting C3+ olefin to, e.g., one or more of di-C3+ olefin, oligomers and polymers of C3+ olefin, branched C4+-aldehydes, C4+-carboxylic acids, and C4+ oxygenates. The invention encompasses producing methyl tert-butyl ether and diisobutylene, and converting methyl tert-butyl ether to isobutylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Yarrison, Alok Srivastava, Roshni Jindal, Chee-Keong Then, Rodney S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160046874
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon streams containing impurities such as carbon oxysulfides, to processes for upgrading the hydrocarbons by removing at least a portion of the impurities therefrom, to equipment useful in such processes, and to the use of upgraded hydrocarbons for, e.g., chemical manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Rodney S. Smith, JR., Beshoy Abdelmalek, Mark A. Nierode, Michael Moran, Derrick B. Callander
  • Patent number: 9260357
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for converting C3+ olefin to, e.g., one or more of di-C3+ olefin, oligomers and polymers of C3+ olefin, branched C4+-aldehydes, C4+-carboxylic acids, and C4+ oxygenates. The invention encompasses producing methyl tert-butyl ether and diisobutylene, and converting methyl tert-butyl ether to isobutylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Yarrison, Alok Srivastava, Roshni Jindal, Chee Keong Then, Rodney S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150126699
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for converting C3+ olefin to, e.g., one or more of di-C3+ olefin, oligomers and polymers of C3+ olefin, branched C4+-aldehydes, C4+-carboxylic acids, and C4+ oxygenates. The invention encompasses producing methyl tert-butyl ether and diisobutylene, and converting methyl tert-butyl ether to isobutylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew B. Yarrison, Alok Srivastava, Roshni Jindal, Chee Keong Then, Rodney S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9000106
    Abstract: In a process for making a copolymer, a first product stream comprising a semi-crystalline polymer and a chain terminating agent is produced in a first reactor system. The first product is provided to a second reactor system wherein a low crystallinity polymer is produced in the presence of the semi-crystalline polymer. At least a portion of the chain terminating agent is removed from the second reactor system by an in-situ process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Lawson, Rodney S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140012054
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for converting C3+ olefin to, e.g., one or more of di-C3+ olefin, oligomers and polymers of C3+ olefin, branched C4+-aldehydes, C4+-carboxylic acids, and C4+ oxygenates. The invention encompasses producing methyl tert-butyl ether and diisobutylene, and converting methyl tert-butyl ether to isobutylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew B. Yarrison, Alok Srivastava, Roshni Jindal, Chee-Keong Then, Rodney S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130296506
    Abstract: In a process for making a copolymer, a first product stream comprising a semi-crystalline polymer and a chain terminating agent is produced in a first reactor system. The first product is provided to a second reactor system wherein a low crystallinity polymer is produced in the presence of the semi-crystalline polymer. At least a portion of the chain terminating agent is removed from the second reactor system by an in-situ process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Lawson, Rodney S. Smith
  • Patent number: 7793687
    Abstract: An inflation/deflation assembly, which can be mounted upon the inflation valve assembly of an inflatable bag, so as to permit both the inflation and deflation of the inflatable as may be desired. The inflation/deflation assembly comprises an outer housing, and a control rod is rotatably disposed within the housing so as to be rotatably movable between two positions angularly spaced apart from each other. When the control rod is disposed, for example, at a first one of the two positions, the inflatable bag can be inflated, whereas, when the control rod is disposed at the second one of the two positions, the inflatable bag can be deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney S. Smith, Thomas C. Keenan, Joel L. Kennedy, Johnny Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7670170
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector having a housing and a plurality of contacts extending from the housing. The housing and the contacts define a mating interface and the first connector includes a light source. A second connector has a housing and a plurality of contacts defining a mating interface configured to mate with the mating interface of the first connector. The connector assembly also includes a light pipe assembly having a plurality of separate light pipe segments, wherein a first light pipe segment is provided with the first connector and directs light from the light source, and a second light pipe segment is provided with the second connector and receives light from the first light pipe segment to direct light to an external portion of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Randall R. Henry, Michael J. Phillips, David A. Griesemer, Rodney S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090179167
    Abstract: An inflation/deflation assembly, which can be mounted upon the inflation valve assembly of an inflatable bag, so as to permit both the inflation and deflation of the inflatable as may be desired. The inflation/deflation assembly comprises an outer housing, and a control rod is rotatably disposed within the housing so as to be rotatably movable between two positions angularly spaced apart from each other. When the control rod is disposed, for example, at a first one of the two positions, the inflatable bag can be inflated, whereas, when the control rod is disposed at the second one of the two positions, the inflatable bag can be deflated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Rodney S. Smith, Thomas C. Keenan, Joel L. Kennedy, Johnny Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7020623
    Abstract: A method is defined for inducing a purchaser to visit a store at a remote location subsequent to the purchase of a product from a supplier to pick up or to return the product. This is done by providing incentives to the purchaser to induce him or her to visit an outlet. The level of inducement may be determined by the desire of the outlet to have that purchaser visit their store. Additionally, the method may include inducing a retail outlet to act as a remote location for product pick up or return by the purchaser by providing direct marketing opportunities to the retail outlet. The method offers a unique direct marketing system for general advertisers and allows marketing to an individual known to be coming to a particular location within a known time frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen D. Tiley, Rodney S. Smith