Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Falkler

Thomas J. Falkler 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: 20160298039
    Abstract: An effective amount of at least one first component and an effective amount of at least one second component may contact a hydrocarbon-based fluid or be introduced into a hydrocarbon-based fluid having at least one foulant for decreasing the fouling by the foulant(s) as compared to an otherwise identical hydrocarbon-based fluid absent the first component(s) and second component(s). The first component(s) may be considered a dispersant, and the second component(s) may be considered free radical inhibitors in a non-limiting embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas J. Falkler, Roger D. Metzler
  • Patent number: 9034093
    Abstract: Additives may be used to lower the set up point for bitumen thereby allowing it to be transported from place to place more easily. Additives useful for lowering the set up point of bitumen include alkylphenol formaldehyde resins and oxyalkylated alkylphenol formaldehyde resins; amines and esters; solvents; and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Timothy J. O'Brien, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Patent number: 8192613
    Abstract: Heat exchanger fouling in organic chemical production processes may be reduced using an antifoulant additive. The antifoulant additive may have one component selected from the group consisting of an alkylphosphate ester, and an alpha olefin maleic anhydride copolymer; or it may have two components selected from the group consisting of a metallic overbase, an alkylphosphate ester, and an alpha olefin maleic anhydride copolymer, wherein at least one of the two components in not an overbase. An additive having three components: a metallic overbase, an alkylphosphate ester, and an alpha olefin maleic anhydride copolymer; is also within the scope of the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Lorenzo Spagnuolo, Roger D. Metzler, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Patent number: 7935247
    Abstract: Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal over-bases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, zinc, silicon, barium, cerium, and strontium overbases and dispersions. Particularly useful metals include magnesium alone or magnesium together with calcium, barium, strontium, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum. In one non-limiting embodiment, no added hydrogen is employed. Coker feedstocks are a particular hydrocarbon feed stream to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Publication number: 20110042268
    Abstract: Fouling of hot furnace surfaces in selected refinery processes can be stopped or at least mitigated using an antifouling agent. The antifouling agents include sulfurized oil and may include other components selected from the group consisting of magnesium and aluminum overbases, a-olefin copolymers, and combinations thereof. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Publication number: 20100022688
    Abstract: Additives may be used to lower the set up point for bitumen thereby allowing it to be transported from place to place more easily. Additives useful for lowering the set up point of bitumen include alkylphenol formaldehyde resins and oxyalkylated alkylphenol formaldehyde resins; amines and esters; solvents; and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Timothy J. O'Brien, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Publication number: 20090211947
    Abstract: Heat exchanger fouling in organic chemical production processes may be reduced using an antifoulant additive. The antifoulant additive may have one component selected from the group consisting of an alkylphosphate ester, and an alpha olefin maleic anhydride copolymer; or it may have two components selected from the group consisting of a metallic overbase, an alkylphosphate ester, and an alpha olefin maleic anhydride copolymer, wherein at least one of the two components in not an overbase. An additive having three components: a metallic overbase, an alkylphosphate ester, and an alpha olefin maleic anhydride copolymer; is also within the scope of the disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Lorenzo Spagnuolo, Roger D. Metzler, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Publication number: 20090014355
    Abstract: Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal overbases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, zinc, silicon, barium, cerium, and strontium overbases and dispersions. Particularly useful metals include magnesium alone or magnesium together with calcium, barium, strontium, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum. In one non-limiting embodiment, no added hydrogen is employed. Coker feedstocks are a particular hydrocarbon feed stream to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Publication number: 20080099722
    Abstract: Fouling of hot furnace surfaces in selected refinery processes can be stopped or at least mitigated using an antifouling agent. The antifouling agent is a mixture of magnesium and aluminum overbases. The antifouling agent is admixed with hydrocarbon feeds prior to passing the hydrocarbon feeds through a furnace. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Thomas J. Falkler
  • Patent number: 5753802
    Abstract: A method for analyzing the fouling tendency of a bottoms slurry in a fluidized catalytic cracking unit, the method comprising the following steps:(a) subjecting a sample of the bottoms slurry to a selected increased pressure above atmospheric pressure and to a selected temperature corresponding to a bottoms slurry temperature at which the bottoms slurry is proposed to be maintained in the fluidized catalytic cracking unit;(b) maintaining the sample at the selected increased pressure and selected temperature for at least about two hours;(c) cooling the sample and reducing the pressure;(d) homogenizing the sample to produce a homogenized sample;(e) extracting relatively higher molecular weight materials from the homogenized sampling and(f) analyzing the extracted relatively higher molecular weight materials for at least one equalitywherein the steps (e) and (f) are carried out by:(g) adding from about three to about five parts by weight of a solvent composition to one part by weight of a measured amount of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Falkler
  • Patent number: 4900427
    Abstract: Fouling of heat exchangers in chemical processing or oil refining systems is inhibited by incorporating into a petroleum derived stock an effective antifouling amount of a mixture of(a) a condensation product of an alkylphenol, an aldehyde, and an amine; and(b) a diaminomethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Petrolite Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry J. Weers, Thomas J. Falkler, George G. Duggan, Robert J. Garrecht
  • Patent number: 4168239
    Abstract: This invention relates to high internal phase ratio emulsions of colorant-containing fire suppressant concentrates which are non-settling and non-abrasive to high pressure, close tolerance pumps. These non-settling, non-abrasive concentrates can be prepared, stored, and diluted with water for use in both aerial and ground fire fighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Assignee: Petrolite Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Mertz, Thomas J. Falkler