Fractionation Patents (Class 208/308)
  • Patent number: 11725147
    Abstract: Methods, processes and devices are described for measuring a volatile content of a process stream that comprises volatile species, such as light hydrocarbons and/or H2S. The method can include introducing a stripping gas into a sample of the process stream to strip the volatiles therefrom and produce a gas phase comprising vaporized volatiles; detecting the vaporized volatiles in the gas phase to obtain a sample volatile content; and determining the volatile content of the process stream based on the sample volatile content. The method and device can be used to measure a light hydrocarbon content of froth treatment tailings in the context of removing such light hydrocarbons prior to flocculating and dewatering the tailings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventors: Babak Derakhshandeh, Elco Hollander, Cedric Laborde-Boutet, Wayne Brown, William McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 11453829
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of C6-C7 aromatic compounds from a hydrocarbon feedstock of naphtha type comprising a step of fractionating (2) the feedstock in order to obtain an upper stream and a lower stream, a step of catalytic reforming of the upper stream (6) and of the lower stream (9), a step of recombining (15) the reformate effluents obtained, a step of recontacting (16) and a step of stabilizing (19) the stabilized reformate effluents and a step of separating (22) the raffinate in order to recover C6 and C7 hydrocarbon compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Celine Bertino-Ghera, Alexandre Pagot
  • Patent number: 11364479
    Abstract: Disclosed are zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) compositions in which at least a portion of the ligands in its shell have been exchanged with other ligands, and methods of making such shell-ligand-exchanged ZIFs. Also disclosed is the use of such shell-ligand-exchanged ZIFs in hydrocarbon separation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Falkowski, Mobae Afeworki, David C. Calabro, Yi Du, Himanshu Gupta, Simon C. Weston
  • Patent number: 11202986
    Abstract: A plasticization-resistant polyurethane membrane for gas separation and producing method are disclosed. The plasticization-resistant polyurethane membrane may include a soft segment, a hard segment and a chain extender. The soft segment may include a polyol compound and the hard segment may include a diisocyanate. The plasticization-resistant polyurethane membrane may be a cross-linked polyurethane membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Ali Pournaghshband Isfahani, Morteza Sadeghi, Behnam Ghalei, Rouhollah Bagheri
  • Patent number: 11135556
    Abstract: A polymer membrane, methods of gas separation utilizing the polymer membrane, and methods of producing the polymer membrane are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Harrigan
  • Patent number: 11090423
    Abstract: A core temperature measurement may be made by varying the heat transfer dynamics of a blood circuit and fitting parameters of a blood circuit heat transfer configuration to measurements under the varied conditions. Then the input temperature of the patient core can be extracted from the model and a current temperature measurement remote from the patient core and optionally other measurements such as blood flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Newell, Dennis M. Treu, Jerome James
  • Patent number: 10654005
    Abstract: The method for producing a gas separation composite membrane includes applying a mixed liquid containing compounds (a) and (b) below onto a porous support to form a coating film and curing the coating film to form a crosslinked polysiloxane compound layer: (a) a particular crosslinkable polysiloxane compound having a structural unit (a1), a structural unit (a2), and a structural unit (a3) or (a4), and (b) a particular crosslinkable polysiloxane compound having a structural unit (b1), a structural unit (b2), and a structural unit (b3) or (b4), where R1a to R1f and R2a to R2f represent a particular group and * represents a particular linking site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Kodama, Akihiro Sugita, Kimiko Iwahashi
  • Patent number: 10537505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture that contains at least two hydrocarbons that are different from each other, the number of carbons thereof differing by more than one, wherein said two hydrocarbons that differ from each other make up at least 60% by weight, preferably at least 70% by weight of the total of the hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to the use of said hydrocarbon mixtures and to cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical preparations containing said hydrocarbon mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Cognis IP Management GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Dierker, Bettina Jackwerth, Rolf Kawa, Stefanie Maurer
  • Patent number: 10507437
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane has a gas separation layer containing a cellulose resin, and an organopolysiloxane compound layer disposed on the gas separation layer in which Si ratio of the organopolysiloxane compound layer after immersion in chloroform to the organopolysiloxane compound layer before immersion in chloroform, the Si ratio being calculated by Mathematical expression (I), is 0.6 to 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sano, Koji Hironaka, Keisuke Kodama
  • Patent number: 10507405
    Abstract: Process for separating a highly pure propylene product from a liquefied petroleum gas stream is disclosed, which eliminates a C3 splitter having over 120 trays and the additional equipment that a C3 splitter requires. The process includes passing a feed stream to a dividing wall column to produce an overhead stream, a first side draw stream, a second side draw stream, and a product stream. The first side draw stream is passed to a treatment unit to produce a treated stream. The treated stream is passed to a membrane unit and a permeate stream is passed from the membrane unit to produce a polymer grade propylene stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventors: Stanley J. Frey, Chunqing Liu, Trung Pham
  • Patent number: 10486107
    Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for various types of separations, such as separations by reverse osmosis. Methods for making an asymmetric membrane structure are also provided. The membrane structure can include at least one polymer layer. Pyrolysis can be used to convert the polymer layer to a porous carbon structure with a higher ratio of carbon to hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin A. McCool, Harry W. Deckman, Ryan P. Lively, Dong-Yeun Koh, Randall D. Partridge
  • Patent number: 10328386
    Abstract: A co-cast thin film composite flat sheet membrane is provided that comprises an asymmetric porous non-selective support layer with a thickness of 10-50 micrometers and an asymmetric integrally skinned polyimide-containing selective layer with a thickness of 5-40 micrometers on top of said support layer, wherein said asymmetric integrally skinned polyimide-containing selective layer comprises a porous non-selective polyimide-containing support layer with a thickness of ˜5-40 micrometers and a relatively porous, thin, dense, polyimide-containing top skin layer with a thickness of 0.02-0.2 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Carl W. Liskey, Nicole K. Karns
  • Patent number: 10189806
    Abstract: A fiber reaction process whereby reactive components contained in immiscible streams are brought into contact to effect chemical reactions and separations. The conduit reactor utilized contains wettable fibers onto which one stream is substantially constrained and a second stream is flowed over to continuously create a new interface there between to efficiently bring about contact of the reactive species and thus promote reactions thereof or extractions thereby. Co-solvents and phase transfer catalysts may be employed to facilitate the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Chemtor, LP.
    Inventor: John Lee Massingill
  • Patent number: 10190554
    Abstract: In a fuel supply device for separating raw fuel into high-octane fuel and low-octane fuel and supplying the fuel, to arrange the structural components compactly and to facilitate sealing against fuel vapor, the fuel supply device (1) includes: a raw fuel tank (2) for storing raw fuel; a separator (6) provided inside the raw fuel tank to separate the raw fuel into high-octane fuel that contains a greater amount of components with high octane numbers than the raw fuel and low-octane fuel that contains a greater amount of components with low octane numbers than the raw fuel; and a high-octane fuel tank (5) provided inside the raw fuel tank to store the high-octane fuel separated from the raw fuel by the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Ishimitsu, Yusuke Oda, Hiroshi Chishima, Hirotsugu Kudo
  • Patent number: 9623368
    Abstract: A process for separating a gaseous or liquid mixture by means of a separating device including a first volume and a second volume which are separated by a membrane which has selective permeability with respect to at least two components of the mixture, comprising the following steps: a) fill up the first volume of the device with the mixture to be separated; b) wait for a period of time which is in excess of the permeation lag time, but is insufficient to reach a state of equilibrium, during which time a fraction of each component of the mixture passes from the first to the second volume of the device through the membrane; and c) evacuate the first and the second volume of the device, as a result of which at least one first and one second cut of the mixture is obtained, having different molar compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite de Lorraine
    Inventors: Eric Favre, Jean-Pierre Corriou, Christophe Castel, Lei Wang
  • Patent number: 9457138
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for exchanging gas in an oxygenator device, and methods for preparing and using such oxygenator devices. The systems and methods can be used to transfer oxygen to blood to assist lung function in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Joseph L. Charest, James Ching-Ming Hsiao, Tatiana Kniazeva
  • Patent number: 9416031
    Abstract: A desalination system (1) for producing a distillate from a feed liquid includes: a steam raising device (2) having a liquid section (5) and a steam section (6) which are separated by a membrane system (7); a membrane distillation device (3) having a first steam section (11) and a liquid section (12) which are separated by a wall (14) and having a second steam section (13) which is separated from the liquid section (12) by a membrane system (15); and a heat exchange device (4) having a first liquid section (21) and a second liquid section (22), which are separated by a wall (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Werner Escher, Javier V. Goicochea, Ahmed S. G. Khalil, Bruno Michel, Chin Lee Ong, Stephan Paredes
  • Patent number: 9376330
    Abstract: A unit for pretreating water by heat and/or ion treatment. It provides a pretreatment unit including a direct contact heat and/or ion exchanger having a continuous or dispersed phase that includes a fluorinated liquid that is not miscible with water with a density of more than 1.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: ADIONICS
    Inventor: Guillaume De Souza
  • Patent number: 9051521
    Abstract: A system and method for reactively refining hydrocarbons, such as heavy oils with API gravities of less than 20 degrees and bitumen-like hydrocarbons with viscosities greater than 1000 cp at standard temperature and pressure, using a selected fluid at supercritical conditions. A reaction portion of the system and method delivers lightweight, volatile hydrocarbons to an associated contacting unit which operates in mixed subcritical/supercritical or supercritical modes. Using thermal diffusion, multiphase contact, or a momentum generating pressure gradient, the contacting unit separates the reaction products into portions that are viable for use or sale without further conventional refining and hydro-processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Yarbro
  • Publication number: 20150087877
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for improving oil recovery from a liquid source of oil, comprising: a membrane contactor in contact with a liquid source of oil; a heating/cooling device connected to at least one of the liquid source of oil or a collection fluid; and a membrane contactor system having one or more membrane contactors having a first and a second surface, wherein at least one of the first or second surfaces coalesce one or more oils from the liquid source of oil allowing the coalesced oil to be collected on the opposite surface of the membrane, wherein a temperature differential between the liquid source of oil and the collection fluid enhances the oil recovery at the membrane contactor from the liquid source of oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Seibert, Stephen William Briggs, Stacy S. Truscott, Peter B. Kipp
  • Patent number: 8940154
    Abstract: A system and process for the preparation of high quality gasoline through recombination of catalytic hydrocarbon includes fractionator and extractor. The upper part of the fractionator is equipped with light petrol pipeline, the lower part of the fractionator is equipped with heavy petrol pipeline, the middle part of the fractionator is equipped with medium petrol pipeline. The medium petrol pipeline is connected with a medium petrol extractor, the upper part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the lower part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Ranfeng Ding
  • Patent number: 8936716
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripper and a cold stripper. A net overhead stream from the hot stripper is forwarded to the cold stripper for further stripping. The invention is particularly suitable for hydrotreating residue feed streams. The hot stripped stream may be subjected to fluid catalytic cracking. The apparatus and process eliminates the need for a fired heater in the product recovery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoehn, Vedula K. Murty
  • Patent number: 8894840
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for catalytically converting two feed streams. The feed to a first catalytic reactor may be contacted with product from a second catalytic reactor to effect heat exchange between the two streams and to transfer catalyst from the product stream to the feed stream. The feed to the second catalytic reactor may be a portion of the product from the first catalytic reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Laura E. Leonard, Jibreel A. Qafisheh, Robert L. Mehlberg
  • Publication number: 20140305839
    Abstract: A process for producing a kerosene base fuel according to the present invention comprises removing paraffins having carbon number of 7 or less from a first fraction having an initial boiling point of 95 to 140° C. and a final boiling point of 240 to 280° C. obtained from a hydrotreated oil of a Fischer-Tropsch synthetic oil to obtain a second fraction having a content of paraffins having carbon number of 7 or less of 0.1 to 0.7% by mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicants: JAPAN OIL, GAS AND METALS NATIONAL CORPORATION, INPEX CORPORATION, NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD., JAPAN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION CO., LTD., COSMO OIL CO., LTD., JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 8845886
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for separating a hydrocarbon stream via a filtration process to produce an upgraded permeate stream with decreased Conradson Carbon Residue (“CCR”) content. The invention involves the modification of a porous ceramic filter by functionalizing the surface of the ceramic filter with an multi-ring aromatic-diimide polymer. Preferably, the multi-ring aromatic-diimide polymer is comprised of a multi-ring aromatic monomer component. The functionalized filters of the present invention can be used in a process to selectively separate components of a hydrocarbon stream to produce an improved permeate (or “filtrate”) product stream with a lower CCR content and improved processing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: David C. Calabro, Dennis G. Peiffer, Benjamin A. McCool, Stanley E. Jakubowicz
  • Patent number: 8840762
    Abstract: An aromatics complex producing one or more xylene isomers offers a large number of opportunities to conserve energy by heat exchange within the complex. One previously unrecognized opportunity is through providing two parallel distillation columns operating at different pressures to separate C8 aromatics from C9+ aromatics. The parallel columns offer additional opportunities to conserve energy within the complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Werba, Jason T. Corradi, David W. Ablin
  • Patent number: 8702050
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and hanging purses, handbags, jackets and the like from the edge of a table, desk or other elevated platform. A support hook is pivotally coupled within a housing into which the support hook may be stored. The housing comprises first and second planar panels in parallel, spaced relation to each other and is adapted to be positioned upon the top of the table, desk or surface adjacent the edge thereof. The planar panels are secured in parallel spaced relation to one another by at least a single interior wall. The support hook is pivotally coupled to a pivot block in a manner which permits it to be moved in planes both perpendicular and parallel to the housing panels. When not in use, the support hook may be positioned for storage between the planar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Laurie Cohen
  • Patent number: 8597502
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a diesel fuel base stock improved in low-temperature flowability, including: fractionating in a first fractionator a synthetic oil obtained by Fisher-Tropsch synthesis into at least two fractions of a first middle fraction containing a component having a boiling range corresponding to diesel fuel oil, and a wax fraction containing a wax component heavier than the first middle fraction; hydroisomerizing the first middle fraction by bringing the first middle fraction into contact with a hydroisomerizing catalyst to produce a hydroisomerized middle fraction; hydrocracking the wax fraction by bringing the wax fraction into contact with a hydrocracking catalyst to produce a wax-decomposition component; and fractionating in a second fractionator a mixture of the produced hydroisomerized middle fraction and the produced wax-decomposition component, wherein rectification conditions in the first fractionator and/or rectification conditions in the second fractionator are adjusted
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Inpex Corporation, Nippon Oil Corporation, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tanaka, Kazuhito Sato
  • Patent number: 8591726
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Umansky, Richard C. Dougherty, Michael A. Hayes, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8535518
    Abstract: A petroleum feedstock upgrading method is provided. The method includes supplying a mixed stream that includes hydrocarbon feedstock and water to a hydrothermal reactor where the mixed stream is maintained at a temperature and pressure greater than the critical temperatures and pressure of water in the absence of catalyst for a residence time sufficient to convert the mixed stream into a modified stream having an increased concentration of lighter hydrocarbons and/or concentration of sulfur containing compounds. The modified stream is then supplied to an adsorptive reaction stage charged with a solid adsorbent operable to remove at least a portion of the sulfur present to produce a trimmed stream. The trimmed stream is then separated into a gas and a liquid streams, and the liquid stream is separated into a water stream and an upgraded hydrocarbon product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Mohammad F. Aljishi
  • Patent number: 8518357
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for managing sulfur are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method comprise the following: obtaining material containing sulfur; refining the material to develop a high sulfur content heavy fraction fuel oil and a low sulfur content light fraction fuel oil; burning the low sulfur content light fraction fuel oil in apparatus that emit to the atmosphere; burning the high sulfur content heavy fraction fuel oil to produce energy thereby generating flue gas containing sulfur oxide; and removing and disposing of sulfur in the flue gas using a sulfur sequestration system that includes utilizing sulfur removed from the flue gas to form a brine material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Tim A. Rappold
  • Patent number: 8486258
    Abstract: A process for the hydrodesulfurization of gasoline is disclosed, the process including: feeding (1) a cracked naphtha containing mercaptans and other organic sulfur compounds and (2) hydrogen to a first hydrodesulfurization reactor containing one or more beds of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst; contacting sulfur compounds comprising the other organic sulfur compounds in the cracked naphtha with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst to convert a portion of the other organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide; withdrawing from the hydrodesulfurization reactor an effluent comprising hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide. The effluent from the hydrodesulfurization reactor is fed to a membrane separation system containing a membrane for partitioning the hydrocarbons from the hydrogen sulfide. For example, the membrane may be selective to hydrogen sulfide, to separate a permeate fraction comprising hydrogen sulfide from a residue fraction comprising the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Gary G. Podrebarac, Raymond Chafin
  • Publication number: 20130161233
    Abstract: A method of reducing the fouling propensity of a hydrocarbon feed stream having a Total Base Number based on ASTM method D2896-11 of less than 150 ppm and/or a P-value according to ASTM method D7060-09 of less than 1.15 which method comprises processing the feed stream such that the product obtained has a calculated Total Base Number of at least 150 ppm, a calculated P-value of at least 1.15 and a calculated Po-value higher than the FRmax of the feed stream, more specifically blending at least two hydrocarbon feed streams to prepare a blend having these properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: SHELL OIL COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8414763
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering product from catalytically converted product streams. Gaseous unstabilized naphtha from an overhead receiver from a main fractionation column is compressed in a compressor. Liquid unstabilized naphtha from the overhead receiver and liquid naphtha fraction from the compressor are sent to a naphtha splitter column upstream of a primary absorber. Consequently, less naphtha is circulated in the gas recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joao Jorge da Silva Ferreira Alves, Saadet Ulas Acikgoz, Xin X. Zhu, Laura E. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20130043162
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripper and a cold stripper. The cold stripper and the hot stripper utilize a common overhead recovery apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoehn, David M. Bowman, Xin X. Zhu, Vedula K. Murty
  • Publication number: 20130046125
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripper and a cold stripper. Only the hot hydroprocessing effluent is heated in a fired heater prior to product fractionation, resulting in substantial operating and capital savings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoehn, David M. Bowman, Xin X. Zhu
  • Publication number: 20130043161
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripper and a cold stripper. The cold stripper and the hot stripper are contained in the same vessel. A barrier prevents material from the hot stripper from entering into the cold stripper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoehn, David M. Bowman, Xin X. Zhu
  • Patent number: 8372777
    Abstract: Method of contacting a hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst that includes one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table and/or one or more compounds of one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table and a support. The support comprises from 0.01 grams to 0.2 gram of silica and from 0.80 grams to 0.99 grams of alumina per gram of support. The catalyst has a surface area of at least 340 m2/g, a pore size distribution with a median pore diameter of at most 100 ?, and at least 80% of its pore volume in pores having a pore diameter of at most 300 ? or the catalyst exhibits one or more peaks between 35 degrees and 70 degrees, and at least one of the peaks has a base width of at least 10 degrees, as determined by x-ray diffraction at 2-theta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Opinder Kishan Bhan, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8349267
    Abstract: Targeted application of anti-fouling mechanisms in a heat exchange system produces higher rates of energy recovery. The anti-fouling mechanisms with high mitigation rates can be deployed at only the hottest portions of a pre-heat train that experience the highest rates of fouling and heat loss. In application, bundles of corrosion resistant smoothed tubes are deployed in the late pre-heat train to significantly reduce the formation of harder deposits. Vibration can be used as an adjunct approach in conjunction with the corrosion resistant, smooth tubes, or deployed alone on existing bundles. The use of high performing, more durable exchangers in select locations justifies the increased cost of these components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ian A Cody, Amar S. Wanni, Robert C. Welch, James E. Feather, Mark A. Greaney, Limin Song, Jasmina Poturovic
  • Publication number: 20120211402
    Abstract: A liquid feed material such as a heavy hydrocarbon feed in liquid form is contacted with a fluidized bed of heated solid particles which have a bulk horizontal velocity which is generally perpendicular to the flow of a fluidizing medium. The liquid feed material reacts on the solid particles to produce a vapor phase product, which vapor phase product is collected in a vapor collection apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: ETX SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Gerard Vincent MONAGHAN, Wayne A. BROWN, Robert J. PINCHUK
  • Patent number: 8197562
    Abstract: The feeding of coal slurries into a gasifier for the production of synthesis gas is improved by modifying the rheological properties of the coal particles so that conventional liquid transfer equipment can be used in the feed transfer process to the gasifier. The coal particle surface modification is accomplished by adsorbing asphaltenes derived from petroleum onto the surfaces of coal particles prior to and/or during contact with the slurry liquid. The coal particles with their surfaces thus modified exhibit lower particle-particle interaction in the liquid slurries to form a shear independent Newtonian fluid or a weakly shear thickening pseudoplastic fluid. The rheological properties of the slurries permit them to be transported reliably into a pressurized, entrained feed gasifier vessel using convention slurry pumps with a low potential expenditure of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Michael Siskin
  • Publication number: 20120138509
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering product from catalytically converted product streams. An integrated debutanizer column provides an LPG stream, a light naphtha stream and a heavy naphtha stream. The integrated debutanizer column may comprise a dividing wall column. The light naphtha stream may be used as an absorbent for a primary absorber column which provides advantageous operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Saadet Ulas Acikgoz, Michael A. Schultz, Xin X. Zhu
  • Patent number: 8177965
    Abstract: This invention relates to an ultrafiltration process for separating a heavy hydrocarbon stream to produce an enriched saturates content stream(s) utilizing an ultrafiltration separations process. The enriched saturates content streams can then be further processed in refinery and petrochemical processes that will benefit from the higher content of saturated hydrocarbons produced from this separations process. The invention may be utilized to separate heavy hydrocarbon feedstreams, such as whole crudes, topped crudes, synthetic crude blends, shale oils, oils derived from bitumen, oils derived from tar sands, atmospheric resids, vacuum resids, or other heavy hydrocarbon streams into enriched saturates content product streams. The invention provides an economical method for separating heavy hydrocarbon stream components by molecular species instead of molecular boiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Daniel P. Leta, Eric B. Sirota, Edward W. Corcoran, Anjaneya S. Kovvali, Stephen H. Brown, Stephen M. Cundy
  • Publication number: 20120000830
    Abstract: A process for upgrading bitumen recovered from an oil reservoir without hydrogen production is particularly useful in field upgrading applications. In this process, recovered bitumen enters a fractionator and is contacted with heated gases from a fluidized bed reactor. The bitumen and heated gases are fractionated into segregated products including at least a liquid pitch, unstable fractions, and an upgraded liquid product. The liquid pitch is introduced into the reactor to produce a vapor phase liquid product; the reactor comprises solid particles moving through the reactor and a fluidizing gas fluidizing the solid particles at a conversion temperature which is suitable for facilitating the conversion of at least some of the liquid pitch into the vapor phase liquid product. The heated gases comprising the vapor phase liquid product and fluidizing gas are directed from the reactor to the fractionator to contact the bitumen stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Gerard Monaghan, Stephen Porter, Ross Holuk, Robert Sugiyama, Wayne Brown
  • Publication number: 20110240526
    Abstract: A device for use in separating debris from a flowing stream which comprises a substantially hollow, substantially conical shaped structure comprising a top end member and a plurality of adjacently positioned side members angularly extending from a top end member to a substantially circular bottom end. The top end member has a smaller diameter than the circular bottom end. The adjacently positioned side members are configured to provide multiple tiers in a vertical plane in the conically shaped structure. The multiple tiers comprise a plurality of apertures in a horizontal plane in the conically shaped structure. The plurality of apertures are configured for separating large debris particles, generally formed from coke and spent catalyst, from a flowing fluidized catalytic cracking stream, and directing the captured debris toward the circular bottom end of the device. A method of separating debris from a flowing stream is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert F. Tammera, Dominic C. Rigano
  • Publication number: 20110210046
    Abstract: A start-up method of a fractionator which fractionally distills FT synthesized hydrocarbons produced by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, the method includes: discharging light FT synthesized hydrocarbons which exist in a gaseous state in an FT reactor performing the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction from the FT reactor to the outside; cooling down the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons discharged from the FT reactor for liquefaction; supplying the liquefied light FT synthesized hydrocarbons to the fractionator; and heating the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons and circulating the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons to the fractionator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Yuichi Tanaka, HIdekatsu Honda
  • Publication number: 20110174693
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of phase separation of a hydrocarbon containing mixed phase fluid composition into at least two separted fluid phases which method comprises introducing (8) a hydrocarbon-containing composition into a phase separator (1) and withdrawing at least two said separated fluid phases (12, 13, 14) from said separator (1), whereby a lipophilic liquefied gas is simultaneusly introduced (24, 19, 17) into said separator (1) with said composition or, preferably, into a fluid-filled region of said separator (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: KANFA MATOR AS
    Inventors: Karsten Rabe, Erling Tor Heitmann
  • Patent number: 7917307
    Abstract: In an oil sample analysis calculator (100) for analyzing results of oil samples from an engine, the oil sample analysis calculator (100) includes an input module (110) which receives an input data set (140), a processing module (130) which receives the input data set (140) from the input module (110) and corrects the input data set (140) based on at least one of an amount of oil added to the engine and an amount of oil removed from the engine, and an output module (120) which receives the input data set (140) corrected by the processing module (130) and outputs an output data set (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Transportation Inc.
    Inventor: Donald W. Bolt
  • Patent number: 7806965
    Abstract: Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Donald Leo Stinson
  • Patent number: 7767076
    Abstract: The reforming of heavy oil with supercritical water or subcritical water is accomplished by mixing together supercritical water, heavy oil, and oxidizing agent, thereby oxidizing vanadium in heavy oil with the oxidizing agent at the time of treatment with supercritical water and separate vanadium oxide. The separated vanadium oxide is removed by the scavenger after treatment with supercritical water. In this way it is possible to solve the long-standing problem with corrosion of turbine blades by vanadium which arises when heavy oil is used as gas turbine fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hokari, Tomohiko Miyamoto, Hirokazu Takahashi, Hiromi Koizumi