Another Go at Patent Searching

“Education is the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty.” -- Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910)

Thanks to hyperlinks, finding interesting patents is easier than it used to be.  And thanks to the U.S. Patent Office Classification System, you don’t have to rely on key words to produce the best results.

Here is an example of a path to the right classification number

Click on a classification number link
Study the definition
Decide whether it seems promising
Copy the classification number and paste it into the appropriate box on the patent search form.

STEP ONE: Suppose you have found the following patent …
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Crude oil desulfurization Bruce E. Reynolds  Overview Abstract Drawings Description Claims Application number: 09/896,224 Publication number: US 2003/0000867 A1 Filing date: Jun 28, 2001 Issued patent: US6841062 (Issue date Jan 11, 2005)

This invention relates to a crude oil desulfurization process which comprises hydrodesulfurizing a crude oil feed in a crude desulfurization unit. The desulfurized crude oil is then separated into a light gas oil fraction, a vacuum gas oil fraction and a vacuum residuum fraction. The vacuum gas oil is hydrocracked to form at least one low sulfur fuel product. The light gas oil fraction is hydrotreated. The vacuum gas oil may be hydrocracked in one or more stages. Hydrocracking in the second stage, if present, will convert of at least 20% of the first zone effluent, to create a low sulfur light gas oil fraction. The light gas oil fraction may then be hydrotreated. Inventor: Bruce E. Reynolds Original Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Current U.S. Classification: 208/89; 208/58; 208/59 International Classification: C10G069/00 View patent at USPTO Search USPTO Assignment Database Download USPTO Public PAIR data

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STEP TWO: Click on each of the U.S. Classification links and read the description.  Choose one or more of the classificatios.

In this example, there are three (3) classification numbers.

Current U.S. Classification: 208/89; 208/58; 208/59

STEP THREE: Do a Google® Patent Search on one of the U.S. Classifications

Let’s say that the description of classification number 208/58 looks interesting.

STEP FOUR: Scroll to the bottom of the results page and click Advanced Search

STEP FIVE: In the Advanced Search form, cut 208/58 and paste it into the box labeled Current U.S. Classification.

This produces about 700 hits.

STEP SIX: Modify by adding “desulfurization” in the box labeled With All the Words.

STEP SEVEN: Focus the search even more by using the Publication Date feature in the left column of the results page.

One of the resulting patents …

Hydrocarbon conversion process
www.google.com/patents/US7906013
Grant - Filed Feb 12, 2010 - Issued Mar 15, 2011 - Peter Kokayeff - UOP LLC
A process is provided to produce an ultra low sulfur diesel with ...

The beauty of this approach is that the U.S. Patent Office has done a lot of the work for you.  Once you know the system, you can save yourself a lot of time.

What’s New with Vacuum Resid Hydrocracking

“Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.” -- Oscar Wilde (Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic, 1854-1900)

My 2009 post about ChevronTexaco’s Vacuum Resid Slurry Hydrocracking (VRSH) has been so popular that I decided to search for more current news on the process.  One of the items appearing in search results was …
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LC‐MAX and Other LC‐FINING Process Enhancements to Extend Conversion and Onstream Factor
AFPM Annual Meeting, March 11-13, 2012, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA
AM-12-73
Presented By:
Mario Baldassari and Ujjal Mukherjee
Chevron Lummus Global
Abstract
Recent process enhancements incorporated into our LC-FINING unit designs and operating experience gained from recently commissioned units have led to a new generation of plants with reduced investment, improved energy efficiency, enhanced conversion capabilities and improved unit on-stream factors. An example of such a unit is GS Caltex’s 60 kBPSD Vacuum Residue Hydrocracker, which was commissioned the 3rd quarter of 2010 just 42 months after the kick-off of the Basic Engineering Design. This unit was able to achieve design throughput and conversion within 40 days of introducing vacuum residue feed and has been able to realize an on-stream factor of 94 percent over its first 18 months of operation, exceeding industry norms by 4 percent. In addition to the extended conversion capabilities of our LC-FINING process, Chevron Lummus Global has proceeded to develop the LC-MAX process to further alleviate conversion constraints. LC-MAX combines LCFINING and solvent deasphalting in an integrated hydroprocessing configuration, enabling residue conversions of 85 volume percent to be attained, even when processing very difficult high sediment forming opportunity crudes.
Full Text Source: http://www.chevron.com/products/sitelets/refiningtechnology/documents/2012_AM-12-73_Baldassari.pdf
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Search Tip Number 1: Use the following Google® search string:

Vacuum Residue Slurry Hydrocracking

To filter out all but the most recent articles, scroll to bottom of results page and click Advanced Search, then restrict to Past Year.

Search Tip Number 1: Google® the following for a quick look at the bio of one of the authors …

Linkedin lummus Ujjal Mukherjee

You will see …

Ujjal Mukherjee | LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/ujjal-mukherjee/3/a07/961
Greater New York City Area - VP Technology at CB&I
View Ujjal Mukherjee's professional profile on LinkedIn. ... Vice President, Technology at CB&I Lummus; VP Technology at Chevron Lummus Global; Vice ...

Now login to your LinkedIn account to see the full profile.

Training Alert: Hydrocracking in London

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” -- Samuel Johnson (English Poet, Critic and Writer. 1709-1784)

This just in … Well, actually, I just noticed it in my inbox … The Global Technology Forum’s Autumn Series – Hydrocracking in Central London 18 – 20 September 2012.

You may not be able to attend this event on such short notice.  But here’s a tip …

CONFERENCE TIP: bookmark the GTF Web (www.gtforum.com) and visit it periodically to see which of their events you  might want to attend.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE TIP: add your name to their email list … they will notify you of upcoming events and you won’t have to remember to visit their Web

Here are some details on the HYDROCRACKING event …
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GTF has developed a three-day course that will leave delegates with a solid understanding of the key elements associated with the design, operation and troubleshooting of Hydrocracking units. This will include the impact of feed quality, catalyst, operating condition and process configuration on product qualities. In addition the course provides some very practical insights into troubleshooting, optimisation and safe operation. 

Below are the key reasons why you should attend this valuable event:

1)    Hear from world leading experts from Chevron
2)    Learn about best practices in all aspects of hydrocracking
3)    Come and attend a comprehensive learning experience at a 4* location in London
4)    Receive comprehensive course materials to take away with you
5)    Be presented with a GTF Autumn Series course certificate

Click here to view the full course programme: http://email.gtforum.com/c/1oZq4b3mj8PGJvR2mRnkL2PL1F

If we receive your registration by Friday 17 August 2012 then you can SAVE £300 off the course price!

To register please:
Visit: www.gtforum.com/autumnseries  
Email: antoinette.bakke@incisivemedia.com
Call: +44 (0) 207 968 4553
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Venture Adventure

“Unless a man feels he has a good enough memory, he should never venture to lie.” -- Michel de Montaigne (French Philosopher and Writer. 1533-1592)
Venture capital seeks out and promotes promising startup technology businesses.  Many of the startups fail.  Others succeed big time.

To find the likely winners, venture capital firms sift through data of thousands of potential candidates to determine those they deem the most likely to succeed.  Their research involves tens of thousands of hours of inquiry and analysis.

Take advantage of their research.  Visit their Webs.  Scan their portfolios. 

Whether you are …

A potential investor
A researcher looking for a venture capital partner
An executive thinking of acquiring cutting edge technology
A research director gauging the competition
You would do well to monitor what the venture capitalists are investing in.

A good place to begin is the Chevron Technology Ventures site (http://www.chevron.com/ctv). They have some fascinating companies in their portfolio.

Conference Alert: Global Petrochemicals Conference

“We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.” -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Playwright, Poet, Novelist and Dramatist. 1749-1832)

The World Refining Association is presenting the 9th Annual Global Petrochemicals Conference (www.wraconferences.com/globalpetrochemicals) in Cologne, Germany 14-16 May 2012.

Here is some information from the Conference’s Web …

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The 9th Annual Global Petrochemicals Conference is the ideal business platform for petrochemical producers, experts and suppliers to discuss how you will tackle strategic and technical challenges in order to secure your market share and profit margins in a volatile and competitive landscape.
Speakers panel includes:
•Benny Mermans, Europe Africa Region General Manager, Chevron Phillips Chemicals International
•Fernando Iturrieta, Chief Executive Officer, CEPSA Quimica
•Andreas Gupper, Strategic Planning Manager - Strategy & Group Development, Borealis
•Dana Maria Viju, Commercial Director, Rompetrol Petrochemicals
•Fred du Plessis, Executive Advisor, Corporate Strategy & Planning, Sabic
•Junnan Sun, European Manager, China Petrochemical Corporation (SINOPEC)
•Rob Parry, Executive Account Manager, BASF
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For more information, visit the Web or contact:
Karen Magnusson (k.magnusson@theenergyexchange.co.uk), Conference Manager, The World Refining Association.

Today’s Tip: Sign up for email alerts from WRA. A simple sign up form is prominently displayed on the Conference’s Web.

Tip Number Two: Add an RSS feed of the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) to your Web page.

Defacing FaceBook … Corporate Pages

“Pictures deface walls more often than they decorate them.” -- William Wordsworth (Major English Romantic Poet. 1770-1850)

Lots of talk about how to use social media, including FaceBook, to promote your enterprise.  But how does one do that?

Why not begin by seeing what others have done?

Here are a few corporate FaceBook pages you might want to take a look at …

• Chevron (www.facebook.com/Chevron)
• ConocoPhillips (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ConocoPhillips/173793155340)
• Apache Corp. (http://www.facebook.com/ApacheCorporation)
• Koch Industries (http://www.facebook.com/KochIndustries)
• BP America (http://www.facebook.com/BPAmerica)

Whether your enterprise is corporate or academic, large or small, it might benefit from a FaceBook presence.  Give it some thought.

Here’s another thought … add the Desulfurization Blog (www.desulf.blogspot.com) as a feed on your Intranet.