Patents by Inventor Roger G. Etter

Roger G. Etter 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: 9475992
    Abstract: A premium “fuel-grade” petroleum coke is produced by modifying petroleum coking technology. Coking process parameters are controlled to consistently produce petroleum coke within a predetermined range for volatile combustible material (VCM) content. The invention includes a process of producing a coke fuel, the method comprising steps: (a) obtaining a coke precursor material derived from crude oil and having a volatile organic component; and (b) subjecting the coke precursor material to a thermal cracking process for sufficient time and at sufficient temperature and under sufficient pressure so as to produce a coke product having volatile combustible materials (VCMs) present in an amount in the range of from about 13% to about 50% by weight. Most preferably, the volatile combustible materials in the coke product typically may be in the range of from about 15% to about 30% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter
  • Publication number: 20150376509
    Abstract: Heavy gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons in the delayed coking process are cracked in the coking vessel by injecting a catalytic additive into the vapors above the gas/liquid-solid interface in the coke drum during the coking cycle. The additive may comprise cracking catalyst(s) and quenching agent(s), alone or in combination with seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), carrier fluid(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack these components. The quenching effect of the additive may be effectively used to condense the highest boiling point compounds of the traditional recycle onto the catalyst(s), thereby focusing the catalyst exposure to these target reactants. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may also provide systems and methods to (1) reduce coke production, (2) reduce fuel gas production, and (3) increase liquids production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Patent number: 9187701
    Abstract: Undesirable components of traditional coking processes are selectively cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors in the coking vessel. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack (or coke) these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke, and are often precursors to coke in the coking process. These undesirable components can also be very problematic in downstream catalytic cracking processes, significantly contributing to coke on catalyst and catalyst deactivation. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to (1) decrease coke production, (2) increase liquid transportation fuels, (3) control the coke crystalline structure, and (4) control the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter
  • Patent number: 9150796
    Abstract: A reactor process added to a coking process to modify the quantity or yield of a coking process product and/or modify certain characteristics or properties of coking process products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter
  • Publication number: 20150225656
    Abstract: Gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons are cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors of traditional coking processes in the coking vessel. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack or coke these components. Modifications of the catalysts in the additive improve performance for certain desired outcomes. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses the olefin production capabilities from newly developed catalysts to increase the production of light olefins (e.g. ethylene, propylenes, butylenes, pentenes) for alkylation process unit feed, the production of oxygenates, and petrochemical feedstocks, such as plastics manufacture. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the use of the olefin production from newly developed catalysts to improve the coker naphtha quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Roger G. ETTER, Augusto Rodolfo Quinones
  • Publication number: 20150175902
    Abstract: Undesirable gas oil components are selectively cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors of traditional coking processes in the coking vessel prior to fractionation. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack or coke these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke. These undesirable gas oil components are often precursors to coke in the coking process and as coke on catalyst in downstream catalytic cracking processes. These components often contain elements that cause catalyst deactivation in downstream catalytic units, as well. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to control the (1) coke crystalline structure and (2) the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Patent number: 9011672
    Abstract: Gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons are cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors of traditional coking processes in the coking vessel. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack or coke these components. Modifications of the catalysts in the additive improve performance for certain desired outcomes. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses the olefin production capabilities from newly developed catalysts to increase the production of light olefins (e.g. ethylene, propylenes, butylenes, pentenes) for alkylation process unit feed, the production of oxygenates, and petrochemical feedstocks, such as plastics manufacture. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the use of the olefin production from newly developed catalysts to improve the coker naphtha quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Roger G. Etter, Augusto Rodolfo Quinones
  • Publication number: 20150076034
    Abstract: Heavy gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons in the delayed coking process are cracked in the coking vessel by injecting a catalytic additive into the vapors above the gas/liquid-solid interface in the coke drum during the coking cycle. The additive may comprise cracking catalyst(s) and quenching agent(s), alone or in combination with seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), carrier fluid(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack these components. The quenching effect of the additive may be effectively used to condense the highest boiling point compounds of the traditional recycle onto the catalyst(s), thereby focusing the catalyst exposure to these target reactants. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may also provide systems and methods to (1) reduce coke production, (2) reduce fuel gas production, and (3) increase liquids production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Publication number: 20150076032
    Abstract: Heavy gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons in the delayed coking process are cracked in the coking vessel by injecting a catalytic additive into the vapors above the gas/liquid-solid interface in the coke drum during the coking cycle. The additive comprises cracking catalyst(s) and quenching agent(s), alone or in combination with seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), carrier fluid(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack these components. The quenching effect of the additive can be effectively used to condense the highest boiling point compounds of the traditional recycle onto the catalyst(s), thereby focusing the catalyst exposure to these target reactants. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also provide methods to (1) reduce coke production, (2) reduce fuel gas production, and (3) increase liquids production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Patent number: 8968553
    Abstract: Undesirable components of traditional coking processes are selectively cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors in the coking vessel. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack (or coke) these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke, and are often precursors to coke in the coking process. These undesirable components can also be very problematic in downstream catalytic cracking processes, significantly contributing to coke on catalyst and catalyst deactivation. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to (1) decrease coke production, (2) increase liquid transportation fuels, (3) control the coke crystalline structure, and (4) control the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter
  • Patent number: 8888991
    Abstract: Heavy gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons in the delayed coking process are cracked in the coking vessel by injecting a catalytic additive into the vapors above the gas/liquid-solid interface in the coke drum during the coking cycle. The additive comprises cracking catalyst(s) and quenching agent(s), alone or in combination with seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), carrier fluid(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack these components. The quenching effect of the additive can be effectively used to condense the highest boiling point compounds of the traditional recycle onto the catalyst(s), thereby focusing the catalyst exposure to these target reactants. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also provide methods to (1) reduce coke production, (2) reduce fuel gas production, and (3) increase liquids production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter
  • Publication number: 20140287876
    Abstract: An exercise system adapted to provide a truly interactive level of exercise with timed exercise intervals that are shown to be optimal in various physiological studies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Dana V. Etter, Thomas A. Etter, Robert E. Etter, Roger G. Etter
  • Publication number: 20140097124
    Abstract: A reactor process added to a coking process to modify the quantity or yield of a coking process product and/or modify certain characteristics or properties of coking process products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Publication number: 20140061097
    Abstract: Undesirable components of traditional coking processes are selectively cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors in the coking vessel. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack (or coke) these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke, and are often precursors to coke in the coking process. These undesirable components can also be very problematic in downstream catalytic cracking processes, significantly contributing to coke on catalyst and catalyst deactivation. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to (1) decrease coke production, (2) increase liquid transportation fuels, (3) control the coke crystalline structure, and (4) control the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Publication number: 20140048445
    Abstract: Heavy gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons in the delayed coking process are cracked in the coking vessel by injecting a catalytic additive into the vapors above the gas/liquid-solid interface in the coke drum during the coking cycle. The additive comprises cracking catalyst(s) and quenching agent(s), alone or in combination with seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), carrier fluid(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack these components. The quenching effect of the additive can be effectively used to condense the highest boiling point compounds of the traditional recycle onto the catalyst(s), thereby focusing the catalyst exposure to these target reactants. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also provide methods to (1) reduce coke production, (2) reduce fuel gas production, and (3) increase liquids production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Publication number: 20130213858
    Abstract: Undesirable components of traditional coking processes are selectively cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors in the coking vessel. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack (or coke) these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke, and are often precursors to coke in the coking process. These undesirable components can also be very problematic in downstream catalytic cracking processes, significantly contributing to coke on catalyst and catalyst deactivation. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to (1) decrease coke production, (2) increase liquid transportation fuels, (3) control the coke crystalline structure, and (4) control the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Roger G. ETTER
  • Publication number: 20130213859
    Abstract: Gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons are cracked or coked in the coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors of traditional coking processes in the coking vessel. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack or coke these components. Modifications of the catalysts in the additive improve performance for certain desired outcomes. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses the olefin production capabilities from newly developed catalysts to increase the production of light olefins (e.g. ethylene, propylenes, butylenes, pentenes) for alkylation process unit feed, the production of oxygenates, and petrochemical feedstocks, such as plastics manufacture. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the use of the olefin production from newly developed catalysts to improve the coker naphtha quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Roger G. ETTER, Augusto Rodolfo Quinones
  • Patent number: 8394257
    Abstract: A reactor process added to a coking process to modify the quantity or yield of a coking process product and/or modify certain characteristics or properties of coking process products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter
  • Patent number: 8372265
    Abstract: Undesirable gas oil components are selectively cracked or coked in a coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors of traditional coking processes in the coking vessel prior to fractionation. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack or coke these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to control the (1) coke crystalline structure and (2) the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke. That is, by varying the quantity and quality of the catalyst, seeding agent, and/or excess reactant the process may affect the quality and quantity of the coke produced, particularly with respect to the crystalline structure (or morphology) of the coke and the quantity & quality of the VCMs in the coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter
  • Patent number: 8372264
    Abstract: Heavy gas oil components, coking process recycle, and heavier hydrocarbons in the delayed coking process are cracked in the coking vessel by injecting a catalytic additive into the vapors above the gas/liquid-solid interface in the coke drum during the coking cycle. The additive comprises cracking catalyst(s) and quenching agent(s), alone or in combination with seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), carrier fluid(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack these components. The quenching effect of the additive can be effectively used to condense the highest boiling point compounds of the traditional recycle onto the catalyst(s), thereby focusing the catalyst exposure to these target reactants. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also provide methods to (1) reduce coke production, (2) reduce fuel gas production, and (3) increase liquids production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Roger G. Etter