Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Dewitz

Thomas S. Dewitz 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: 4797262
    Abstract: This invention discloses an integral hydrocarbon conversion apparatus having a downflow hydrocarbon reactor, an upflow riser regenerator and a horizontal cyclone separator to permit the conversion of hydrocarbonaceous materials to hydrocarbonaceous products of lower molecular weight in a near zero pressure drop environment. A leg seal is provided surmounted to the downflow reactor to insure that the pressure is at least 0.5 psi higher than the upper portion of the downflow reactor (higher than the loop seal valve) vis-a-vis the pressure in the lower portion of the downflow reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas S. Dewitz
  • Patent number: 4781576
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for retracting and inserting a shaft through a high pressure vessel while in operation comprising: a sleeve extending through a wall of the vessel, a shaft extending through the sleeve; a shield, compression seals, and valve to prevent materials within the vessel from escaping through the sleeve upon retraction of the shaft, and a prime mover connected to an end of the shaft outside the vessel wall for retracting and inserting the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas S. Dewitz
  • Patent number: 4731228
    Abstract: The invention here disclosed is a novel apparatus and method for the separation of solid and fluid phases in a horizontal elongated cyclone separator with a novel inclined solid dropout continuous and uninterrupted slot in the bottom to transfer a solid phase via primary mass separation from either an upflow or a downflow reactor in the initial portion of the cyclone separator to a downcomer which may be equipped with a stripping function. The instant horizontal elongated cyclone separator is constructed to ensure an elongated helical flow path of the vapor phase with a minor portion of the catalyst particles therein from one end of the cyclone separator to a withdrawal conduit to disengage via secondary centrifical separation a minor portion of the solid phase from the fluid phase. The minor portion of the solid phase is thereafter transmitted to the stripping function by a vertical downcomer interconnecting the stripping function and the bottom of the horizontal elongated cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Thomas S. Dewitz, John E. Gwyn, Wesley A. Parker, Donald E. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 4693808
    Abstract: This invention discloses an integral hydrocarbon conversion apparatus and process having a downflow hydrocarbon reactor, an upflow riser regenerator and a horizontal cyclone separator to permit the conversion of hydrocarbonaceous materials to hydrocarbonaceous products of lower molecular weight in a near zero pressure drop environment. A leg seal is provided surmounted to the downflow reactor to insure that the pressure is at least 0.5 psi higher than the upper portion of the downflow reactor (higher than the loop seal valve) vis-a-vis the pressure in the lower portion of the downflow reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas S. Dewitz
  • Patent number: 4692311
    Abstract: Catalyst and hydrocarbon vapors are separated in a cyclone zone attached to the discharge of a riser cracking operation. A vortex stabilizer separating the cyclone zone from a stripping zone allows stripping gas from the stripping zone to be passed upwardly into the cyclone zone countercurrent to the downward flow of catalyst, thereby improving the separation and stripping of gaseous hydrocarbons from separated catalyst. The combined cyclone-stripping zone reduces catalyst hydrocarbon contact time, thereby improving gasoline yield and olefin content, decreasing gas make, and reducing coke deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Wesley A. Parker, Thomas S. Dewitz, George P. Hinds, Jr., John E. Gwyn, A. Haluk Bilgic, Donald E. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 4455220
    Abstract: Catalyst and hydrocarbon vapors are separated in a cyclone zone attached to the discharge of a riser cracking operation. Vortex stabilizing means separating the cyclone zone from a stripping zone allows stripping gas from said stripping zone to be passed upwardly into said cyclone zone countercurrent to the downward flow of catalyst, thereby improving the separation and stripping of gaseous hydrocarbons from separated catalyst. The combined cyclone-stripping zone reduces catalyst hydrocarbon contact time, thereby improving gasoline yield and olefin content, decreasing gas make, and reducing coke deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Wesley A. Parker, Thomas S. Dewitz, George P. Hinds, Jr., John E. Gwyn, A. Haluk Bilgic, Donald E. Hardesty