Patents by Inventor William E. Lewis

William E. Lewis 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: 20120004477
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon feeds can be hydrotreated in a continuous gas-phase environment and then dewaxed in a liquid-continuous reactor. The liquid-continuous reactor can advantageously be operated in a manner that avoids the need for a hydrogen recycle loop. A contaminant gas can be added to the hydrogen input for the liquid-continuous reactor to modify the hydrogen consumption in the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard C. Dougherty, Michael A. Hayes, Benjamin S. Umansky, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20120004478
    Abstract: A divided wall column can allow for fractionation of multiple streams while maintaining separate product qualities. Effluents from multiple stages of a reaction system can be processed in a single divided wall column. The divided wall column can produce multiple cuts from each separated area, as well as at least one output from a common area. At least one reaction stage can advantageously have a continuous liquid phase environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Umansky, Richard C. Dougherty, Michael A. Hayes, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20120004479
    Abstract: Diesel fuel is produced from a feedstock that is at least partially biocomponent in origin. A feedstock is treated in a reactor including one or more hydrotreating zones having a continuous gas phase. The liquid effluent from the hydrotreating zones is then hydroprocessed in a hydroprocessing zone having a continuous liquid phase, such as a hydroprocessing zone in the same reactor. The hydroprocessing zone can be operated under effective catalytic dewaxing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7959795
    Abstract: The distillate catalytic hydrodesulfurization of hydrocarbon fuels wherein the optimum hydrogen treat gas rate to maximize desulfurization is determined and introduced into the reaction zone to maintain a controlled amount of hydrogen at the surface of the catalyst during hydrodesulfurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Teh C. Ho, Garland B. Brignac, Zhiguo Hou, Michael C. Kerby, Tahmid I. Mizan, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7906447
    Abstract: Methods for rejuvenation of supported metallic catalysts comprised of a Group VIII metal, a Group VIB metal, making use of these metals, an organic complexing agent, and optionally an organic additive, are provided. The rejuvenation includes stripping and regeneration of a spent or partially spent catalyst, followed by impregnation with metals and at least one organic compound. The impregnated, regenerated catalysts are dried, calcined, and sulfided. The catalysts are used for hydroprocessing, particularly hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation, of hydrocarbon feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. McCarthy, Chuansheng Bai, William G. Borghard, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110054230
    Abstract: Processes are provided for deoxygenation of a biocomponent feedstock with reduced hydrogen consumption. The biocomponent feedstock can be processed under relatively low hydrogen partial pressures and at a relatively low treat gas ratio compared to the hydrogen need of the feedstock. The relatively low pressure, relatively low treat gas ratio hydroprocessing can result in reduced production of water and carbon monoxide and in increased production of carbon dioxide compared to relatively higher pressure process conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kathryn Y. Cole, Patrick L. Hanks, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100331586
    Abstract: A process for preparing fuels, such as diesel fuels or jet fuels, by hydrotreating vegetable oils or fatty acid derivatives that may be applied to existing equipment for treating fossil fuels. The process comprises feeding hydrotreating a combined oxygenate feed stream, such as FAME, and a hydrocarbon feed stream until not more than 86 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, and optionally further hydrotreating the product stream within at least a second hydrotreatment reaction zone until at least 90 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, before removing and separating a hydrocarbon stream suitable for use as fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Kathryn Y. Cole, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100300091
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to geothermal power generation systems. The systems can comprise a first separator is in fluid communication with the geothermal fluid source, the first separator having a high pressure steam outlet and a liquid fraction outlet. A high pressure turbine is in fluid communication with the high pressure steam outlet and is coupled to a first power generator. A high pressure condenser is in fluid communication with the high pressure turbine. A low pressure separator is in fluid communication with the liquid fraction outlet of the first separator, the low pressure separator being capable of separating steam from the liquid fraction outflow and providing low pressure steam through a low pressure steam conduit. A low pressure turbine is in fluid communication with the low pressure steam conduit, the low pressure turbine being coupled to a second power generator. A main condenser is in fluid communication with the low pressure turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100175308
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 10 ppm by weight or less from feed sources that include up to 50% by weight of a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock is co-processed with a heavy oil feed in a severe hydrotreating stage. The product from the severe hydrotreatment stage is fractionated to separate out a diesel boiling range fraction, which is then separately hydrotreated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Kathryn Y. Cole, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100176026
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 10 ppm by weight or less from feed sources that include up to 50% by weight of a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock is co-processed with a heavy oil feed in a severe hydrotreating stage. The product from the severe hydrotreatment stage is fractionated to separate out a diesel boiling range fraction, which is then separately hydrotreated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Kathryn Y. Cole, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7713407
    Abstract: A hydrocracking process for converting a petroleum feedstock to higher gravity, lower sulfur products, especially ultra low sulfur road diesel fuel. The process may be operated as a single-stage or two-stage hydrocracking. In each case, a hydrocracking step is followed directly by a post-treat hydrodesulfurization zone using a bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals with a ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII non-noble metal is from about 10:1 to about 1:10. In the two-stage option with interstage ammonia removal, the initial hydrocracking step may be followed by hydrodesulfurization using the bulk multimetallic catalyst prior to the ammonia removal which is followed by the second hydrocracking step. A final hydrodesulfurization over the bulk multimetallic catalyst may follow. The hydrodesulfurization over the bulk multimetallic catalyst is carried out at a pressure of at least 25 barg and preferably at least 40 barg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. Tracy, III, Chuansheng Bai, Robert A. Bradway, William E. Lewis, Randolph J. Smiley
  • Publication number: 20100018905
    Abstract: The distillate catalytic hydrodesulfurization of hydrocarbon fuels wherein the optimum hydrogen treat gas rate to maximize desulfurization is determined and introduced into the reaction zone to maintain a controlled amount of hydrogen at the surface of the catalyst during hydrodesulfurization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Teh C. Ho, Garland B. Brignac, Zhiguo Hou, Michael C. Kerby, Tahmid I. Mizan, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090261019
    Abstract: Methods for hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feedstocks, including hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation, using rejuvenated supported metallic catalysts are provided. The supported metallic catalysts comprised of a Group VIII metal, a Group VIB metal, are rejuvenated by a process making use of these metals, an organic complexing agent, and optionally an organic additive. The rejuvenation includes stripping and regeneration of a spent or partially spent catalyst, followed by impregnation with metals and at least one organic compound. The impregnated, regenerated catalysts are dried, calcined, and sulfided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen J. McCarthy, Chuansheng Bai, William G. Borghard, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090258779
    Abstract: Methods for rejuvenation of supported metallic catalysts comprised of a Group VIII metal, a Group VIB metal, making use of these metals, an organic complexing agent, and optionally an organic additive, are provided. The rejuvenation includes stripping and regeneration of a spent or partially spent catalyst, followed by impregnation with metals and at least one organic compound. The impregnated, regenerated catalysts are dried, calcined, and sulfided. The catalysts are used for hydroprocessing, particularly hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation, of hydrocarbon feedstocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen J. McCarthy, Chuansheng Bai, William G. Borghard, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7507327
    Abstract: Refractory or hard sulfur found in a hydrocarbon stream containing refractory sulfur heterocycle compounds, particularly those exhibiting steric hindrance, is removed from the stream by contacting it with a sodium reagent comprising a sodium component, having free sodium, supported on a solid support component. If the hydrocarbon stream contains more labile or easy sulfur, then it is treated, typically by hydrodesulfurization, to remove at least most of the labile sulfur before it is contacted with the sodium reagent. This is useful for bringing the sulfur level of middle distillate fuel streams, such as diesel and jet fuel fractions, down to a level of less than about 10 wppm, employing conventional hydrodesulfurizing catalysts and conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Dysard, Zhigou Hou, Jonathan M. McConnachie, Andrzej Malek, Ramesh Gupta, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090037284
    Abstract: A point of sale system comprises a microprocessor system, a peripheral interface, and a communication interface. The point of sale system is configured to receive, through the communication interface, an update to peripheral operation software associated with a peripheral device that may be connected to the peripheral interface. The peripheral device may be a contactless reader. The updated software may be received from a terminal management system connected to the point of sale device through the communication interface. The updated software may comprise a peripheral driver that is stored in memory comprised in the point of sale device. The updated software may comprise peripheral firmware that is stored in memory comprised in the peripheral device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Lewis, Tara Kravit, Kevin A. McNish, Susan Young
  • Patent number: 7435335
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a distillate stream to produce a stream exceptionally low in sulfur, with total aromatics and polynuclear aromatics being moderately reduced. A distillate stream is hydrodesulfurized in a first hydrodesulfurization stage. The product stream thereof is passed to a first separation stage wherein a vapor phase product stream and a liquid product stream are produced. The liquid phase product stream is passed to a second hydrodesulfurization stage and the product stream thereof is passed to a second separation stage wherein a vapor phase product stream and a liquid product stream low in sulfur are produced. At least a portion of the vapor product stream from said second separation stage can be cascaded to the first hydrodesulfurization stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, William E. Lewis, Larry L. Iaccino, Michele S. Touvelle, Gordon F. Stuntz
  • Publication number: 20070278135
    Abstract: A hydrocracking process for converting a petroleum feedstock to higher gravity, lower sulfur products, especially ultra low sulfur road diesel fuel. The process may be operated as a single-stage or two-stage hydrocracking. In each case, a hydrocracking step is followed directly by a post-treat hydrodesulfurization zone using a bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals with a ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII non-noble metal is from about 10:1 to about 1:10. In the two-stage option with interstage ammonia removal, the initial hydrocracking step may be followed by hydrodesulfurization using the bulk multimetallic catalyst prior to the ammonia removal which is followed by the second hydrocracking step. A final hydrodesulfurization over the bulk multimetallic catalyst may follow. The hydrodesulfurization over the bulk multimetallic catalyst is carried out at a pressure of at least 25 barg and preferably at least 40 barg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: William J. Tracy, Chuansheng Bai, Robert A. Bradway, William E. Lewis, Randolph J. Smiley
  • Patent number: 6893475
    Abstract: A distillate fuel composition boiling in the range of about 190° C. to 400° C. with a T10 point greater than 205° C., and having a sulfur level of less than about 100 wppm, a total aromatics content of about 15 to 35 wt. %, a polynuclear aromatics content of less than about 3 wt. %, wherein the ratio of total aromatics to polynuclear aromatics is greater than about 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, Lynne Gillespie, Michele S. Touvelle, William E. Lewis, Gordon F. Stuntz, Lisa I. Yeh
  • Patent number: 6835301
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrotreated liquid distillate stream to produce a stream exceptionally low in sulfur as well as aromatics. A hydrotreated distillate stream is further hydrotreated in a co-current reaction zone wherein the reaction product is passed to a separation drum wherein a vapor product is collected overhead and a liquid product is passed to a aromatics saturation zone countercurrent to the flow of hydrogen treat gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edward S. Ellis, Henry Jung, William E. Lewis