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).

  • Publication number: 20230098592
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Samuel J. Cady, Brandon J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 11597882
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Xiaochun Xu, Hyung R. Kim, Meghan E. Pierson, William J. Novak, Kirsten E. Schutt, Ross Mabon
  • Publication number: 20220364001
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dario Campani, Matthew Bennett, William J. Novak, Himanshu Gupta, Nick Studdert-Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20220169928
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaochun Xu, Hyung R. Kim, Meghan E. Pierson, William J. Novak, Kirsten E. Schutt, Ross Mabon
  • Publication number: 20210045304
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, William J. Novak, Everett J. O'Neal, Louis R. Brown
  • Publication number: 20200095510
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Kirsten E. Schutt, Jihad M. Dakka, Hyung Rae Kim, Xiaochun Xu
  • Patent number: 10053638
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaochun Xu, William J. Novak, Timothy L. Hilbert, Stephen J. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10053639
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stuart S. Shih, Xiaochun Xu, William J. Novak, Carlos N. Lopez, Timothy Lee Hilbert, Stephen John McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10017705
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Charles Dougherty, William J. Novak, Stuart S. Shih, Stephen John McCarthy, Michel Daage
  • Patent number: 10000712
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Zhiguo Hou, William J. Tracy, III, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 9902913
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicole D. Vaughn, Teck-Mui Hoo, Michael B. Carroll, Stuart S. Shih, Eric D. Joseck, William J. Novak
  • Patent number: 9850435
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stuart H. Shih, William J. Novak
  • Patent number: 9719034
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stuart S. Shih, Gary P. Schleicher, Michael B. Carroll, Timothy L. Hilbert, Stephen J. McCarthy, William J. Novak
  • Publication number: 20170037331
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: William J. NOVAK, Zhiguo HOU, William J. TRACY, III, Patrick L. HANKS, Timothy L. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 9487714
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Robert Allen Bradway, Stuart S. Shih, Timothy Lee Hilbert, Michel Daage
  • Patent number: 9447339
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Zhiguo Hou, William J. Tracy, III, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L Hilbert
  • Publication number: 20160060547
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stuart H. SHIH, William J. NOVAK
  • Patent number: 9267084
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: William J. Novak, Kathryn Y. Cole, Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert
  • Publication number: 20160046881
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stuart S. Shih, William J. Novak
  • Publication number: 20160040083
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Richard Charles Dougherty, William J. Novak, Stuart S. Shih, Stephen John McCarthy, Michel Daage