Patents by Inventor William J. Novak
William J. Novak 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).
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Publication number: 20230098592Abstract: This application relates to renewable diesel production and to production of renewable naphtha in a renewable diesel unit. Disclosed herein is an example of a method of renewable diesel production. Examples embodiments of the method may include hydrotreating the biofeedstock by reaction with hydrogen to form a hydrotreated biofeedstock; contacting at least a portion of the hydrotreated biofeedstock with a dewaxing catalyst to produce a renewable diesel product and a renewable naphtha product; separating the renewable diesel product and the renewable naphtha product in a product splitter; and monitoring an octane number of the renewable naphtha product with an analyzer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: William J. Novak, Samuel J. Cady, Brandon J. O'Neill
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Patent number: 11597882Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of biomass oil with mineral coker feeds in a coking environment. The coking can correspond to any convenient type of coking, such as delayed coking or fluidized coking. The biomass oil can correspond to biomass oil with a molar ratio of oxygen to carbon of 0.24 or less on a dry basis. Such types of biomass oil can be formed from pyrolysis methods such as hydrothermal pyrolysis, and are in contrast to biomass oils formed from pyrolysis methods such as fast pyrolysis. By using a biomass oil with a molar ratio of oxygen to carbon of 0.24 or less, improved yields of light coker gas oil can be achieved in conjunction with a reduction in the yield of heavy coker gas oil.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyInventors: Xiaochun Xu, Hyung R. Kim, Meghan E. Pierson, William J. Novak, Kirsten E. Schutt, Ross Mabon
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Publication number: 20220364001Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for refining hydrocarbon feedstocks and apparatus thereof. In at least one embodiment, a process includes hydroprocessing a mineral hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of a first catalyst in a first reactor, and removing a first reactor effluent from the first reactor. The process includes hydroprocessing a biocomponent feedstock in the presence of a second catalyst in a second reactor, and removing a second reactor effluent from the second reactor. The process includes mixing the first reactor effluent and the second reactor effluent to form a mixture. The process includes introducing the mixture to a separation unit to form a fuel product. In at least one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first hydroprocess reactor. The apparatus includes a second hydroprocess reactor coupled with the first hydroprocess reactor. The apparatus includes a separation unit coupled with the second hydroprocess reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Dario Campani, Matthew Bennett, William J. Novak, Himanshu Gupta, Nick Studdert-Kennedy
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Publication number: 20220169928Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of biomass oil with mineral coker feeds in a coking environment. The coking can correspond to any convenient type of coking, such as delayed coking or fluidized coking. The biomass oil can correspond to biomass oil with a molar ratio of oxygen to carbon of 0.24 or less on a dry basis. Such types of biomass oil can be formed from pyrolysis methods such as hydrothermal pyrolysis, and are in contrast to biomass oils formed from pyrolysis methods such as fast pyrolysis. By using a biomass oil with a molar ratio of oxygen to carbon of 0.24 or less, improved yields of light coker gas oil can be achieved in conjunction with a reduction in the yield of heavy coker gas oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Xiaochun Xu, Hyung R. Kim, Meghan E. Pierson, William J. Novak, Kirsten E. Schutt, Ross Mabon
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Publication number: 20210045304Abstract: Scale-up evaluation methods for algal biomass cultivation are provided, and more particularly, simultaneous scale-up evaluation methods for outdoor algal biomass cultivation are provided. The methods control various process variables to isolate the impact of scaling algal biomass cultivation, thereby permitting enhanced scale-up operation design to optimize the quality and quantity of algal biomass.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, William J. Novak, Everett J. O'Neal, Louis R. Brown
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Publication number: 20200095510Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing biofuel compositions by processing hydrocarbon co-feed and a bio-oil obtained via hydrothermal liquifaction (HTL) of a cellulosic biomass to form an HTL oil. The cellulosic mass can be processed at an operating temperature of about 425° C. or less and an operating pressure of about 200 atm or less. The HTL oil is co-processed with a hydrocarbon co-feed (e.g., petroleum fraction) in a cracking unit, such as an FCC unit, a coker unit or a visbreaking unit, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a cracked product (biofuel). The bio content of the cracked product provides RIN credits for the cracked product.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: William J. Novak, Kirsten E. Schutt, Jihad M. Dakka, Hyung Rae Kim, Xiaochun Xu
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Patent number: 10053638Abstract: Methods are provided for dewaxing a distillate fuel boiling range feed to improve one or more cold flow properties of the distillate fuel feed, such as cloud point, with reduced consumption of hydrogen during the dewaxing process. The reduced hydrogen consumption is achieved by using a dewaxing catalyst with a reduced content of hydrogenation metals, such as a content of Pt or Pd of from about 0.03 wt % to about 0.35 wt %. A distillate fuel feed can be dewaxed to achieve a desired cloud point differential using a reduced metals content dewaxing catalyst under the same or similar conditions to those required for a dewaxing catalyst with higher metals content.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Xiaochun Xu, William J. Novak, Timothy L. Hilbert, Stephen J. McCarthy
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Patent number: 10053639Abstract: Methods are provided for dewaxing a distillate fuel boiling range feed to improve one or more cold flow properties of the distillate fuel feed, such as cloud point, where the distillate fuel feed is fractionated to produce both a jet fuel product and an arctic diesel fuel product. The decrease of cloud point is achieved by using a feedstock having a concentration of nitrogen of less than about 50 wppm and a concentration of sulfur of less than about 15 wppm. Further, the dewaxing catalyst may have a reduced content of hydrogenation metals, such as a content of Pt or Pd of from about 0.05 wt % to about 0.35 wt %. A distillate fuel feed can be dewaxed to achieve a desired cloud point differential using a reduced metals content dewaxing catalyst under the same or similar conditions to those required for a dewaxing catalyst with higher metals content.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Stuart S. Shih, Xiaochun Xu, William J. Novak, Carlos N. Lopez, Timothy Lee Hilbert, Stephen John McCarthy
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Patent number: 10017705Abstract: This invention relates to a process involving hydrocracking and dewaxing of a feedstream in which a converted fraction can correspond to a majority of the product from the reaction system, while an unconverted fraction can exhibit improved properties. In this hydrocracking process, it can be advantageous for the yield of unconverted fraction for gasoline fuel application to be controlled to maintain desirable cold flow properties for the unconverted fraction. Catalysts and conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable product yields and/or properties.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Richard Charles Dougherty, William J. Novak, Stuart S. Shih, Stephen John McCarthy, Michel Daage
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Patent number: 10000712Abstract: A method for producing diesel fuel from biocomponent feeds includes hydrotreating the feed followed by catalytic dewaxing with a 1-D, 10 member ring molecular sieve containing catalyst. The hydrotreated feed may be cascaded directly to the dewaxing step, or the hydrotreated feed can undergo intermediate separation. The diesel fuel resulting from processing of the biocomponent feed exhibits superior cetane values.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: William J. Novak, Zhiguo Hou, William J. Tracy, III, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert
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Patent number: 9902913Abstract: Methods are provided for producing Group II/III lubricant base oil products where at least a portion of the feedstock for forming the lubricant base oil product is a solvent extract fraction from a Group I lubricant production facility. This can increase the overall volume of feedstock available for production of Group II/III lubricant base oils by using a lower value stream (Group I solvent extract) as a portion of the feedstock. The solvent extract fraction can be added to a full range lubricant feedstock or to a portion of a lubricant feedstock, such as adding an extract fraction to a higher viscosity portion (such as a heavy neutral portion) of a feedstock for lubricant production, while a lower viscosity portion (such as a light neutral portion) is processed without addition of an extract fraction.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Nicole D. Vaughn, Teck-Mui Hoo, Michael B. Carroll, Stuart S. Shih, Eric D. Joseck, William J. Novak
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Patent number: 9850435Abstract: A catalytic naphtha hydrodesulfurization process is operated in a process unit having a surge drum with equipped for gas blanketing with a blanketing gas containing controlled levels of CO and CO2. If the gas selected for blanketing normally contains more than the acceptable level of these inhibitors, they should be reduced to the levels appropriate for retention of catalyst functionality.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Stuart H. Shih, William J. Novak
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Patent number: 9719034Abstract: Methods are provided for processing a gas oil boiling range feedstock, such as a vacuum gas oil, in a single reaction stage and/or without performing intermediate separations. The methods are suitable for forming lubricants and distillate fuels while reducing or minimizing the production of lower boiling products such as naphtha and light ends. The methods can provide desirable yields of distillate fuels and lubricant base oils without requiring separate catalyst beds or stages for dewaxing and hydrocracking. The methods are based in part on use of a dewaxing catalyst that is tolerant of sour processing environments while still providing desirable levels of activity for both feed conversion and feed isomerization.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Stuart S. Shih, Gary P. Schleicher, Michael B. Carroll, Timothy L. Hilbert, Stephen J. McCarthy, William J. Novak
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Publication number: 20170037331Abstract: A method for producing diesel fuel from biocomponent feeds includes hydrotreating the feed followed by catalytic dewaxing with a 1-D, 10 member ring molecular sieve containing catalyst. The hydrotreated feed may be cascaded directly to the dewaxing step, or the hydrotreated feed can undergo intermediate separation. The diesel fuel resulting from processing of the biocomponent feed exhibits superior cetane values.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: William J. NOVAK, Zhiguo HOU, William J. TRACY, III, Patrick L. HANKS, Timothy L. Hilbert
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Patent number: 9487714Abstract: This invention relates to a process involving hydrocracking of a feedstream in which a converted fraction can exhibit relatively high distillate product yields and maintained or improved distillate fuel properties, while an unconverted fraction can exhibit improved properties particularly useful in the lubricant area. In this hydrocracking process, it can be advantageous for the yield of converted/unconverted product for gasoline fuel application to be reduced or minimized, relative to converted distillate fuel and unconverted lubricant. Catalysts and conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable product yields and/or properties.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: William J. Novak, Robert Allen Bradway, Stuart S. Shih, Timothy Lee Hilbert, Michel Daage
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Patent number: 9447339Abstract: A method for producing diesel fuel from biocomponent feeds includes hydrotreating the feed followed by catalytic dewaxing with a ZSM-48 containing catalyst. The hydrotreated feed may be cascaded directly to the dewaxing step, or the hydrotreated feed can undergo intermediate separation. The diesel fuel resulting from processing of the biocomponent feed exhibits superior cetane values.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: William J. Novak, Zhiguo Hou, William J. Tracy, III, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L Hilbert
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Publication number: 20160060547Abstract: A catalytic naphtha hydrodesulfurization process is operated in a process unit having a surge drum with equipped for gas blanketing with a blanketing gas containing controlled levels of CO and CO2. If the gas selected for blanketing normally contains more than the acceptable level of these inhibitors, they should be reduced to the levels appropriate for retention of catalyst functionality.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Stuart H. SHIH, William J. NOVAK
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Patent number: 9267084Abstract: Methods are provided for hydrotreating high nitrogen feeds with improved results for nitrogen removal, aromatic saturation, and/or sulfur removal. The method includes hydrotreating the feed with a supported hydrotreating catalyst followed by a bulk metal catalyst, the hydrotreated effluent of which can be suitable for use as a feed to an FCC reactor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: William J. Novak, Kathryn Y. Cole, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert
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Publication number: 20160046881Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a delayed coker naphtha in a catalytic naphtha desulfurization process in which the feed comprising the delayed coker naphtha is passed over a silicon trap comprising a high surface area inert alumina of low metals content prior to being hydrodesulfurized in an olefin-retentive, catalytic naphtha hydrodesulfurization process. Unpromoted (no intentional metals content), inert alumina is preferred for the silicon trap since it will not affect the olefin-retentive qualities of the hydrodesulfurization catalyst and for maximal silicon capture, a high surface area alumina is employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Stuart S. Shih, William J. Novak
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Publication number: 20160040083Abstract: This invention relates to a process involving hydrocracking and dewaxing of a feedstream in which a converted fraction can correspond to a majority of the product from the reaction system, while an unconverted fraction can exhibit improved properties. In this hydrocracking process, it can be advantageous for the yield of unconverted fraction for gasoline fuel application to be controlled to maintain desirable cold flow properties for the unconverted fraction. Catalysts and conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable product yields and/or properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Richard Charles Dougherty, William J. Novak, Stuart S. Shih, Stephen John McCarthy, Michel Daage