Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Halbert

Thomas R. Halbert 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: 20030183556
    Abstract: A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of naphtha streams containing sulfur and olefins. A substantially olefins-free naphtha stream is blended with an olefins/sulfur-containing naphtha stream and hydrodesulfurized resulting in the substantial removal of sulfur without excessive olefin saturation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, John P. Greeley, Brij N. Gupta, Garland B. Brignac, Chu Siang Loo
  • Patent number: 6610197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a low-sulfur motor gasoline and the product made therefrom. In one embodiment, process involves separating a catalytically cracked naphtha into at least a light fraction boiling below about 165° F. and a heavy fraction boiling above about 165° F. The light fraction is treated to remove sulfur by a non-hydrotreating method, and the heavy fraction is hydrotreated to remove sulfur to a level of less than about 100 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gordon F. Stuntz, Robert C. W. Welch, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 6596157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and dual reactor system for hydrotreating a wide cut cat naphtha stream comprising heavy cat naphtha (HCN) and intermediate cat naphtha (ICN). Accordingly, a HCN fraction is hydrotreated under non-selective hydrotreating conditions and an ICN fraction is hydrotreated under selective hydrotreating conditions. The hydrotreated HCN and ICN effluents may be conducted to heat exchangers to pre-heat the ICN feed, obviating the need for a furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Brij Gupta, John P. Greeley, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Publication number: 20030127362
    Abstract: A process for the production of naphtha streams from cracked naphthas having sulfur levels which help meet future EPA gasoline sulfur standards (30 ppm range and below).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, John P. Greeley, Robert C. Welch
  • Publication number: 20030106839
    Abstract: A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of olefinic naphtha streams containing a substantial amount of organically bound sulfur and olefins. The olefinic naphtha stream is selectively hydrodesulfurized in a first sulfur removal stage and resulting product stream, which contains hydrogen sulfide and organosulfur is fractionated at a temperature to produce a light fraction containing less than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur and a heavy fraction containing greater than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur. The light fraction is stripped of at least a portion ofits hydrogen sulfide and can be collected or passed to gasoline blending. The heavy fraction is passed to a second sulfur removal stage wherein at least a portion of any remaining organically bound sulfur is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: John C. Coker, Garland B. Brignac, Thomas R. Halbert, John G. Matragrano, Brij Gupta, Robert C. Welch, William E. Winter
  • Publication number: 20020084211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a low-sulfur motor gasoline and the product made therefrom. In one embodiment, process involves separating a catalytically cracked naphtha into at least a light fraction boiling below about 165° F. and a heavy fraction boiling above about 165° F. The light fraction is treated to remove sulfur by a non-hydrotreating method, and the heavy fraction is hydrotreated to remove sulfur to a level of less than about 100 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Gordon F. Stuntz, Robert C. W. Welch, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 6409913
    Abstract: Naphtha desulfurization with reduced product mercaptans is achieved by reacting a naphtha feed containing sulfur compounds and olefins with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrosesulfurization catalyst at reaction conditions including a temperature of from 290-425° C., a pressure of from 60-150 psig, and a hydrogen gas ratio of from 2000-4000 scf/b. It has been found that desulfurizing within these narrow conditions permits deep desulfurization with reduced mercaptan reversion, to produce a naphtha product with low total sulfur and low mercaptan sulfur levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Janet R. Clark, Michele S. Touvelle, Thomas R. Halbert, Bruce R. Cook, Garland B. Brignac, William C. Baird, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020005373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and dual reactor system for hydrotreating a wide cut cat naphtha stream comprising heavy cat naphtha (HCN) and intermediate cat naphtha (ICN). Accordingly, a HCN fraction is hydrotreated under non-selective hydrotreating conditions and an ICN fraction is hydrotreated under selective hydrotreating conditions. The hydrotreated HCN and ICN effluents may be conducted to heat exchangers to pre-heat the ICN feed, obviating the need for a furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Brij Gupta, John P. Greeley, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 6315890
    Abstract: The invention is related to a two step process wherein the first step comprises cracking an olefinic naphtha resulting in a cracked product having a diminished total concentration of olefinic species. The second step comprises hydroprocessing at least a portion of the cracked product, especially a naphtha fraction, to provide a hydroprocessed cracked product having a reduced concentration of contaminant species but without a substantial octane reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Ladwig, Gordon F. Stuntz, Garland B. Brignac, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 6231754
    Abstract: A high temperature naphtha desulfurization process with reduced olefin saturation employs a partially spent and low metals content hydrodesulfurization catalyst having from 2-40% the activity of a new catalyst. The catalytic metals preferably include Co and Mo in an atomic ratio of from 0.1 to 1. The catalyst is preferably at least partially regenerable, has less than 500 wppm of a total of one or more of nickel, iron and vanadium and preferably has no more than 12 wt. % catalytic metal calculated as the oxide. This permits selective deep desulfurization, with reduced olefin saturation, low product mercaptan levels and little or need for downstream mercaptan removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Garland B. Brignac, John P. Greeley, Thomas R. Halbert, Craig A. McKnight, Richard A. Demmin, Janet R. Clark
  • Patent number: 6231753
    Abstract: Selective and deep desulfurization of a high sulfur content mogas naphtha, with reduced product mercaptans and olefin loss, is achieved by a two stage, vapor phase hydrodesulfurization process with interstage separation of at least 80 vol. % of the H2S formed in the first stage from the first stage, partially desulfurized naphtha vapor effluent fed into the second stage. At least 70 wt. % of the sulfur is removed in the first stage and at least 80 wt. % of the remaining sulfur is removed in the second stage, to achieve a total at least 95 wt. % feed desulfurization, with no more than a 60 vol. % feed olefin loss. The second stage temperature and space velocity are preferably greater than in the first. The hydrodesulfurization catalyst preferably contains a low metal loading of Co and Mo metal catalytic components on an alumina support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Craig A. McKnight, Thomas R. Halbert, John P. Greeley, Garland B. Brignac, Richard A. Demmin, William E. Winter, Jr., Bruce R. Cook
  • Patent number: 6126814
    Abstract: A process for hydrodesulfurizing naphtha feedstream wherein the reactor inlet temperature is below the dew point of the feedstock at the reactor inlet so that the naphtha will completely vaporize within the catalyst bed. It is preferred to use a catalyst comprised of about 1 to about 10 wt. % MoO.sub.3, about 0.1 to about 5 wt. % CoO supported on a suitable support material. They are also characterized as having an average medium pore diameter from about 60 .ANG. to 200 .ANG., a Co/Mo atomic ratio of about 0.1 to about 1.0, a MoO.sub.3 surface concentration of about 0.5.times.10.sup.-4 to about 3.0.times.10.sup.-4 g MoO.sub.3 /m.sup.2, and an average particle size of less than about 2.0 mm in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
    Inventors: Mark P. Lapinski, Kenneth L. Riley, Thomas R. Halbert, William Lasko, Jeffrey L. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 5910242
    Abstract: A process for reducing the total acid number of an acidic crude by treating the crude with hydrogen treat gas in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst wherein the treat gas also contains hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, Kenneth L. Riley, Kenneth L. Trachte, David L. Vannauker
  • Patent number: 5620591
    Abstract: A hydroconversion process for converting a heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to lower boiling products, which process involves the use of a sulfided catalyst concentrate which is prepared in a continuous plug-flow mode. The heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is reacted with said catalyst concentrate in the presence of hydrogen at hydroconversion conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Martin C. Poole, Thomas R. Halbert, Roby Bearden, Stephen D. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5300274
    Abstract: A method for preparing molybdenum and sulfur containing compounds of the general formula X.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 S.sub.12.yH.sub.2 O, where X is a cation selected from the group consisting of Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, R.sub.4 N.sup.+, R.sub.3 NH.sup.+, R.sub.2 NH.sub.2.sup.+, RNH.sub.3.sup.+, NH.sub.4.sup.+, R.sub.4 P.sup.+, R.sub.4 As.sup.+,(R.sub.3 P).sub.2 N.sup.+, R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 alkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.30 aryl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.30 aralkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 alkoxyalkyl group and mixtures thereof, and y is from 0 to 2. The method comprises preparing a sulfide solution that contains from about 9 wt. % to about 13 wt. % sulfide sulfur; contacting the solution with elemental sulfur and a hydroxide; adding a molybdenum compound for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a reaction mixture and a precipitate; separating the precipitate; and contacting the remaining reaction mixture with additional sulfide solution to form (NH.sub.4 ).sub.2 Mo.sub.2 S.sub.12.yH.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Liwen Wei, Catherine L. Coyle, Thomas R. Halbert, Edward I. Stiefel
  • Patent number: 5278121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel catalysts for removing heteroatoms, particularly nitrogen, from hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks. The catalysts are comprised of highly dispersed molybdenum sulfide promoted with a noble metal such that the noble metal is in an oxidation state greater than 0 and coordinated to S. The noble metal is selected from Pt, Pd, Rh, and Ir. It is preferred that the catalysts of be prepared from a precursor composition selected from platinum ethoxyethyl xanthate or platinum dithiocarbamate. Additionally, the catalyst may include a promotor sulfide such as nickel sulfide, cobalt sulfide or iron sulfide, etc. or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gopal H. Singhal, Leo D. Brown, X. B. Cox, III, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 5252199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing hetero-atoms from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock using novel catalysts comprised of highly dispersed molybdenum sulfide promoted with a noble metal such that the noble metal is in an oxidation state greater than 0 and coordinated to S. The noble metal is selected from Pt, Pd, Rh, and Ir. It is preferred that the catalysts of be prepared from a precursor composition selected from platinum ethoxyethyl xanthate or platinum dithiocarbamate. Additionally, the catalyst may include a promotor sulfide such as nickel sulfide, cobalt sulfide or iron sulfide, etc. or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gophal H. Singhal, Leo D. Brown, X. B. Cox, III, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 5099046
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for preparing compounds of the formula Mo.sub.4 S.sub.4 L.sub.6 comprising:contacting a compound having the formula Mo.sub.2 S.sub.4 L.sub.2, wherein L is a 1,1-dithioacid ligand, with a reducing agent having a reduction potential sufficient to reduce Mo(V) to lower oxidation states, especially to Mo(III) and Mo(IV), at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form the Mo.sub.4 S.sub.4 L.sub.6 compound. Preferably, the Mo.sub.2 S.sub.4 L.sub.2 compound is dissolved in an organic solvent along with the reducing agent and the solution is heated at temperatures above 25.degree. C., up to the boiling point of the solvent and, more preferably, at temperatures in the range of from about 50.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Catherine L. Coyle, Peter J. Guzi, Thomas R. Halbert, Edward I. Stiefel
  • Patent number: 5026473
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that certain transition metal containing complexes thermally decompose to form solids containing the transition metal, sulfur and carbon and that these transition metal, sulfur and carbon containing solids are particularly suitable as catalysts for hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and aromatics hydrogenation. The transition metal complexes that are thermally decomposed to novel catalysts are complexes of the type represented by the general formula ML.sup.n 3, wherein M is selected from Mo, W, Re and mixtures thereof, L is a dithiolene or aminobenzenethiolate ligand, and n represents the total charge of the metal complexes, and is 0, -1, or -2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, Russell R. Chianelli, Edward I. Stiefel, Allan J. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 4997962
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an improved method for preparing tetrathioperrhenate salts is provided. Basically, a water soluble, oxygen-containing rhenium compound such as rhenium oxide or a salt containing an oxyanion of rhenium, such as ReO.sub.4.sup.--, is contacted with an aqueous ammonium sulfide or polysulfide solution in the presence of a cation which is capable of forming an aqueous insoluble salt with tetrathioperrhenate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Liwen Wei, Thomas R. Halbert, Edward I. Stiefel