FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150246859 | Configurations and Methods for Nitrogen Rejection, LNG and NGL Production from High Nitrogen Feed Gases - Variable N2 content in feed gas ranging from 3 mole % to 50 mole % can be rejected from the process using a feed exchanger that is fluidly coupled with a cold separator and a single fractionation column to produce a nitrogen vent stream and streams that are suitable to be further processed for NGL recovery and LNG production. | 09-03-2015 |
20140350723 | UNIVERSAL CONSTRUCTION ROBOTICS INTERFACE - A method and a system of integrating anew robot into a work environment are provided. A controller receives a signal indicating a presence of a new robot in the work environment. The controller then establishes a negotiation channel between the controller and the new robot and begins to negotiate with the new robot a set of robotic functions controllable by the controller. Based on a comparison between a set of function attributes the new robot and interface attributes of the controller, the controller generates a new robot user interface for controlling the set of robotic functions of the new robot. | 11-27-2014 |
20140339815 | Duct Assemblies With Internally Bolted Expansion Joint - A contiguous duct assembly has first and second ducts that share at least one common wall element. An expansion joint is formed at the end of the contiguous duct assembly using a connector element that extends with respective portions into the internal spaces of the first and second ducts. First and second expansion fabrics are coupled to the respective portions from the inside of the ducts using fasteners that are accessible from and disposed within the internal space of the first and second ducts. | 11-20-2014 |
20140336991 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRONIC STRESS ANALYSIS COMPARISON - Electronic comparison methods are described for determining changes in a current design model with respect to an earlier model and analyzing the impact of the identified changes. The method includes associating a priority value with a set of modified component objects using one or more algorithms and presenting a subset of the set of component objects, each of which has a priority value greater than a threshold value. | 11-13-2014 |
20140326140 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MULTI-CELLED GAS PROCESSING - Systems and methods for gas processing are described that utilize two or more cells that are fluidly coupled to one another by a common liquid space. Via the common liquid space, each of the cells can be coupled to a fluid outlet. The cells can each include an absorber and/or other gas processing equipment. A feed gas can be separately fed to each of the cells for processing. The cells can be independently operable, such that not all of the cells must be operated simultaneously. | 11-06-2014 |
20140299650 | FRICTION STIR WELDING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TANDEM TOOL AND ANVIL - Friction Stir Welding (FSW) devices and methods for simultaneously welding both sides of an arcuate joint are described. The FSW method includes the step of operating a FSW tool and an anvil on the exterior surface of the joint and simultaneously operating another FSW tool and anvil on the interior surface of the joint. The anvils are positioned in a juxtaposing manner to the FSW tools, and move in tandem with the FSW tools, thus providing a supporting force to the FSW tools during their operation. | 10-09-2014 |
20140290485 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR GAS-LIQUID SEPARATORS - Contemplated gas-liquid separators and especially subsea gas-liquid separators have a main pipe with a plurality of descending branch pipes that are fluidly coupled to the main pipe and each other such as to allow disengagement of the gas into the main pipe while liquid and sand descend into the lower ends of the branch pipes. Sand accumulation in the lower ends of the branch pipes is preferably prevented by lateral serial flow of liquid and sand from one branch pipe to the next and use of a flush liquid that is drawn from one or more branch pipes. | 10-02-2014 |
20140260420 | FLEXIBLE NGL RECOVERY METHODS AND CONFIGURATIONS - A natural gas liquids plant uses a demethanizer and a deethanizer in a two-column or single column configuration that can be used for ethane recovery and ethane rejection. During ethane recovery, 95% ethane recovery and 99% propane recovery are achieved, while during ethane rejection the sales gas Wobbe Index requirement is maintained while maintaining 95% propane recovery. A residue gas recycle exchanger is most preferably configured to use the demethanizer overhead product to either cool a portion of the residue gas and a portion of the feed gas during ethane recovery, or to cool a portion of the feed gas using two distinct heat transfer areas to produce a feed gas reflux at significantly lower temperature. | 09-18-2014 |
20140246167 | Systems and Methods for Processing Geothermal Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) - Regasification systems and processes for converting liquid natural gas (LNG) from a liquid into a gaseous state are described. The process includes a closed-loop system that uses geothermal wells as a heat source. A warming fluid circulates through the closed-loop system coupled with a geothermal well and a LNG heat exchanger. The warming fluid is heated as it passes through the geothermal well and cooled as it passes through the LNG heat exchanger, thus heating and gasifying the LNG. The cooled warming fluid then returns to the geothermal well. The closed-loop system minimizing environmental impact by eliminating the need to discharge the warming fluid. | 09-04-2014 |
20140234788 | THERMALLY CONTROLLED COMBUSTION SYSTEM - Contemplated configurations and methods are presented for effectively controlling the temperature in an oxy-fuel combustion system. Contemplated systems preferably introduce water independent of the fuel and oxygen into the combustion chamber. Water is injected through one or more nozzles, wherein water is atomized or sprayed, creating boundary layer cool zones in a boiler system and wherein water is recovered. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232023 | FALSE DOWNCOMER LIPS - Embodiments of false downcomers are described having a lip extending inwardly from a bottom portion of the wall of the false downcomer. The lip has a length sufficient to deflect downward vapor from exiting through the bottom opening. | 08-21-2014 |
20140200946 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INVENTORY OPTIMIZATION - An inventory optimization system is disclosed. The system comprises of an inventory interface configured to receive inventory policy criteria representing possible conditions of a plurality of inventory policies by which an inventory could be managed. An optimization engine is provided to generate the plurality of inventory policies based on the inventory policy criteria with each inventory policy having an assumed future demand model. The optimization engine is also configured to use a simulation engine to simulate how each inventory policy would perform (i.e. a cost to run the inventory policy) under different estimated demand. The optimization engine is configured to rank the plurality of inventory policies based on their performance under the simulations. | 07-17-2014 |
20140196662 | Nanoclad Pipe Weld Repair, Systems and Methods - An in situ apparatus, system, and method for cladding or repairing cladding in installed pipelines are presented. The apparatus can include a coating collar, a material reservoir, a cladding head, an adjustable cladding chamber, and a chamber controller. The coating collar can include an external surface, a first circumferential wall, and a second circumferential wall and forms the adjustable cladding chamber along with interior wall of the pipe. The coating collar can have an aperture to include and allow deployment of the cladding head through it. The cladding head can be operatively coupled with the cladding material reservoir to allow efficient deployment of the cladding material on the pipe surface. The chamber controller can be coupled with the adjustable cladding chamber to control dimensions of the chamber thus restricting and controlling the environment and enabling efficient functioning of the cladding head and limiting grain growth in applied nanoclad materials. | 07-17-2014 |
20140190351 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING THE ENERGY REQUIREMENTS OF A CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE PLANT - Systems and methods for reducing the energy requirements for carbon dioxide capture are described. Heat from system processes, such as steam condensation and hot flue gas, is utilized to heat reflux liquid utilized in release of carbon dioxide from absorbent solvent. | 07-10-2014 |
20140183027 | INTERNAL HEAT EXCHANGER FOR DISTILLATION COLUMN - Systems and methods are described for improving energy requirements of a distillation column. The distillation column can include one or more heat exchange surfaces within a middle section of the column, through which a cooling fluid can be fed to allow heat exchange of vapor rising within the distillation column. | 07-03-2014 |
20140180755 | Identifying, Assessing, And Tracking Black Swan Risks For An Engineering And Construction Program - A risk analysis system having a risk analysis engine that can identify a set of risks for a program based on a constructed program model. The program model can be based on known, historical programs using current program attribute information. The risks can be identified by executing one or more simulations using the program model. The outcome of the simulation can be used to identify individual drivers of risk, which can in turn be used to identify one or more previously undetected and unanticipated black swan-level risks facing the program. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174599 | FUEL AND LUBRICATION TRUCK PLATFORM - A fuel and lubricant refueling vehicle is described. The vehicle has a centralized control panel for monitoring and operating the fuel and lubricant delivery systems. The control panel is operable from ground level. The vehicle is capable of delivering fuels and/or lubricants at 300 gallons per minute. In addition, the vehicle is capable of storing a variety of different fuels and lubricants for servicing multiple types of equipment and work vehicles. The vehicle also has a power generator that supplies 50 cubic feet per minute of air flow to the motor pump assembly of the fuel and lubricant delivery systems. | 06-26-2014 |
20140172382 | Pipeline Network Optimization Using Risk Based Well Production - Systems and methods for pipeline network optimization are presented. The pipeline network can be represented through a flow model, which can include a plurality of modeled wells operatively coupled to production facilities through one or more flowlines. Risk profiles of the one or more flowlines can be determined based on flowline attributes of each flowline and based on a simulation of the flow model that uses production variation in wells connected to the respective flowline as a parameter to generate flow profile of the flowline. Understanding the risk profile of each flowline through a risk metric can help assess the production potential of each flowline and wells associated thereto and optimize the network cost of operation or maintenance. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165888 | SIMULTANEOUS TREATMENT OF FLUE GAS WITH SOx ABSORBENT REAGENT AND NOx REDUCING AGENT - A system and method for treating flue gas that results from a combustion process is described. The method and system includes injecting an SOx absorbent reagent into the flue gas pathway at a point upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reactor exit and downstream of a boiler exit. The method and system may also include injecting a NOx reducing agent simultaneously with the SOx absorbent reagent, either via the same injection system or via a second injection system located nearby the SOx absorbent reagent injection system. Injection of the SOx at a point upstream of the SCR reactor exit simplifies the injection systems, gas distribution systems, and physical and/or computational fluid dynamics modeling. | 06-19-2014 |
20140164065 | Strategic Business Objectives Based Program Management Systems and Methods - Systems and methods are presented for program management based on strategic business objectives (SBO) of an organization. One aspect of the inventive subject matter includes a method of tracking SBOs of a program including providing access to a SBO database that stores SBO objects, which are representative of the SBO's. The method further includes providing access to an SBO analysis engine coupled with the SBO database. The SBO analysis engine can be configured to identify one or more stakeholders responsible for achieving or assessing an objective associated with one or more SBO objects and retrieve SBO perception attributes from the stakeholders for the one or more SBO objects. The method can further include deriving a SBO perception drift for the SBO object as a function of the stakeholder's SBO perception attributes and the SBO attributes of the SBO object and presenting the SBO perception drift on an output device. | 06-12-2014 |
20140164036 | Program Sentiment Analysis, Systems and Methods - Sentiment-based program management systems and methods are presented. A sentiment analysis engine obtains a set of terms (e.g., words, phrases, etc.) from a semantic terminology database where the terms are associated with a target capital program (e.g., large scale construction, etc.). The engine uses a semantic model related to the target program to analyze a set of program status documents term-by-term, especially analyzing documents related to a performance metric (e.g., milestones, etc.). Each term in the document found in the set of terms can be assigned a connotation or other sentiment value according to the model, possibly based on a context. The engine compiles a complete program sentiment from documents and presents the program sentiment with respect to one or more related performance metrics. | 06-12-2014 |
20140156323 | RESILIENCY ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A program resiliency management system having a resilience management engine that can generate a resiliency metric representative of how resilient a program is with respect to a particular event. The resiliency metric can be based on the characteristics of a program represented by program features and features related to the impact a particular event has on a program. The resilience of a program represented by the resiliency metric can be with respect to a program's capacity to resist an event, respond to the event, and recover from the event. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150885 | POSITIVE ISOLATION THROUGH ISOLATION OF AIR SUPPLY TO PNEUMATIC VALVES - Systems and methods are described for actuating a plurality of pneumatic valves to positively isolate one or more pieces of equipment. A manual valve can be disposed on a supply conduit that fluidly couples each of the pneumatic valves to a fluid supply source. To place the pneumatic valves in a safe position, the manual valve can be closed, which disrupts a flow of fluid from the source. Closing the manual valve can also open a drain conduit that allows the supply conduit to be depressurized. | 06-05-2014 |
20140133922 | SUBSEA FLUID STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREFOR - The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods by which one can safely and effectively store fluids in undersea environments. Fluid is stored in a flexible bladder that is at least partially enclosed in a vessel. The bladder is coupled to a support, which supports the weight of the bladder with the aid of a support driver. A sensor may be used to monitor the position of the support, allowing determination of the volume of the bladder. | 05-15-2014 |
20140130521 | Configurations and Methods for Ambient Air Vaporizers and Cold Utilization - An ambient air LNG vaporizer has a housing that encloses the exchanger conduits and provides a stream of refrigerated air to a blower to so convey refrigerated air to one or more remote refrigerated air consumers. The temperature of the refrigerated air is maintained using a control circuit that adjusts an operational parameter of an ambient air intake control device of the housing and/or the blower. | 05-15-2014 |
20140125657 | Three Dimensional Modeling And Drawing Extraction Tool - A pile and foundation modeling system for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of foundations is presented. In one aspect of the invention, the pile and foundation modeling system includes a foundation database that stores several configurable foundation geometries, an interface, and a modeling engine that is coupled to the interface and the foundation database. The interface is configured to receive foundation data that includes parameters associated with a construction project. The modeling engine is configured to (i) obtain the foundation data via the interface, (ii) instantiate pile and foundation objects based on applying the foundation data to the configurable foundation geometries, (iii) generate a three-dimensional pile and foundation model according to the instantiated pile and foundation objects, and (iv) configure an output device to render the three-dimensional pile and foundation model. | 05-08-2014 |
20140124068 | TANK OVERFLOW PIPE SYSTEM - Overflow systems are described for non-atmospheric pressure, slurry tank, which can reduce stagnation of excess flurry in an overflow pipe. In such systems, stagnation of the excess slurry in the overflow pipe is reduced via a recirculation conduit that allows for recirculation of at least a portion of the slurry from the tank. Moreover, an air capture unit collects a portion of an oxidation air from the tank. As a result, the fluid in the overflow system is representative of the aerated slurry within the tank. | 05-08-2014 |
20140122141 | SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING COST EFFECTIVENESS OF COKING SYSTEMS - Systems for analyzing a benefit or detriment of ( | 05-01-2014 |
20140116871 | MULTIPLE DRUM COKING SYSTEM - A multi-drum coking system wherein at least one drum, and preferably all drums, are fluidly coupled to at least two other drums. The system allows a vapor of one drum to be directed to multiple drums to prevent unnecessary non-productivity of coke drums. | 05-01-2014 |
20140114110 | INTEGRATION METHODS OF GAS PROCESSING PLANT AND NITROGEN REJECTION UNIT FOR HIGH NITROGEN FEED GASES - Gas processing plants and methods are contemplated in CO | 04-24-2014 |
20140110002 | PIPELINE PRESSURE ISOLATION SYSTEMS AND DEVICES - A pressure isolation device for a pipeline system is described. The pressure isolation device changes from an open position to a closed position when the pressure of a fluid flowing through the device exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. In some embodiments, the pressure isolation device comprises a housing having an internal chamber, a main inlet, and a main outlet. An elongated member is disposed within the internal chamber between the main inlet and main outlet, and is biased towards the open position. As fluid pressure increases, the elongated member is pushed to the closed position and a portion of the elongated member blocks the fluid pathway from the main inlet to the main outlet. The pressure isolation device provides a simple mechanical solution to protecting and isolating downstream pipeline components from over-pressurization. | 04-24-2014 |
20140110001 | PIPELINE PRESSURE ISOLATION SYSTEMS AND DEVICES - A pressure isolation device for a pipeline system is described. The pressure isolation device changes from an open position to a closed position when the pressure of a fluid flowing through the device exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold pressure is defined, in part, by a spring. The pressure isolation device provides a simple mechanical solution to protecting pipeline components from over-pressurization. | 04-24-2014 |
20140109575 | METHOD FOR REDUCING FLUE GAS CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS - Plants, devices, and methods are presented which economically and effectively reduce carbon dioxide (CO | 04-24-2014 |
20140108086 | PROJECT CATEGORIZATION AND ASSESSMENT THROUGH MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS - A system for project categorization and assessment that can employ multivariate analysis techniques to classify a current project by using attributes of the current project to identify project objects representing completed projects similar to the current project. Project data sets of points in a project lifetime can be represented as pictures, having attribute pixels. Pattern recognition techniques can be used on the project pictures. The system can generate eigenprojects for large project object groups or for classification across multiple groups. Aspects of a classified current project can be assessed to suggest project management actions. | 04-17-2014 |
20140075987 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR NGL RECOVERY FOR HIGH NITROGEN CONTENT FEED GASES - A low cost and efficient design is used to convert a propane recovery process based on low nitrogen content feed gas to an ethane recovery process based on a high nitrogen feed gas while achieving over 95 mole % ethane recovery while maintaining a 99% propane recovery, and achieved without additional equipment. | 03-20-2014 |
20140060114 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR OFFSHORE NGL RECOVERY - A natural gas two-column processing plant allows for recovery of at least 95% of C4 and heavier hydrocarbons, and about 60 to 80% of C3 hydrocarbons from a rich feed gas stream in which the first column (absorber) operates at a higher pressure than the second column, with the absorber receiving a compressed gas from the second column, and a turboexpander discharging a two-phase stream to the top of the absorber. Most typically, contemplated configurations and methods operate without the use of external refrigeration. | 03-06-2014 |
20140052489 | TIME DERIVATIVE-BASED PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for program management are presented. A user can perform analysis and evaluate levels of potential disruption or efficiency that exist in a program or a project thereof through one or more project metrics of a program. Understanding disruption and efficiency indices in a program can help evaluate the duration, location, reason, or severity of the disruption, and assist the program team to take appropriate measures to rectify or prevent the disruption. Disruption metrics in a program can be assessed based on computation of higher order time derivatives of one or more project metrics, such computation of at least a third order time derivative to reveal pattern or other characteristics of the disruption or efficiency or inefficiency in the program. | 02-20-2014 |
20140026755 | STEAM EFFICIENCY WITH NON DEPLETIVE CONDENSING AND ADIABATIC SOLVENT HEATING - A lean solvent is produced from a CO | 01-30-2014 |
20140026615 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR DEEP FEED GAS HYDROCARBON DEWPOINTING - An natural gas processing plant allows for recovery of at least 98% of butane and heavier hydrocarbons, and about 60 to 80% of propane hydrocarbons from a rich feed gas stream with a single fractionator that operates at two different pressures, that receives a chilled gas from a turboexpander in the upper fractionator and a C5+ liquid in the lower section, while producing a C2− vapor stream in the lower section that is used as reflux to the upper section. Most typically, contemplated configurations and methods operate without the use of external refrigeration. | 01-30-2014 |
20130326322 | SEMI-AUTOMATED PROCESSES TO MANAGE CONSTRUCTION WORK PACKAGES - A method for semi-automation of management of work packages associated with construction projects is disclosed. Sets of printed forms are generated by the system based on the contents of work packages selected by the user. Information related to the work package is entered into data fields in the printed forms in the field, and uploaded to a database by scanning the printed forms. The database may be utilized to generate reports, such as those related to regulatory issues or project status. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321245 | MOBILE DEVICE FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING FACILITY SYSTEMS - A mobile device for monitoring and controlling systems while moving about within a facility is described. The mobile device includes a processor, memory, a display, and software for viewing and managing system data. The device provides produces augmented views of the facility by overlaying actual facility video camera images with other sensor derived data, identification data, and control recommendations. The device generates the control recommendations based, in part, on the device's location and orientation, and on system operation rules and parameters. | 12-05-2013 |
20130317786 | FEATURE-BASED RAPID STRUCTURE MODELING SYSTEM - A feature-based rapid modeling system that enables a user to construct structural feature models from feature objects representing structural features. The interface enables the rapid construction by allowing for the use of group- and pattern-based feature objects, and by allowing a user to select feature objects based on object properties and object relationship properties, including hierarchical properties. A modeling engine constructs member models based on the feature models, which can be exported to a structure library. The models in the structure library can be imported into new projects, eliminating the need to repeat the construction of the model. | 11-28-2013 |
20130310469 | PRODUCTION OF HIGHER ALCOHOLS WITH MINIMUM METHANOL CONTENT FROM THE GASIFICATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS - Systems and methods for generating higher alcohols from synthesis gas produced from carbonaceous materials are described, which can include a reactor configured to produce an alcohol stream and CO | 11-21-2013 |
20130309156 | START UP CATALYST HEATING - Systems and methods are described for reducing the start-up time of flue gas conditioning processes. Such processes can include a gas removal unit configured to selectively remove a reactive gas from a flue gas stream using a catalyst and reagent to produce a scrubbed stream that is substantially depleted of the reactive gas. A heating device can advantageously be used upstream of the gas removal unit to thereby preheat the catalyst to an operational temperature and thereby reduce the start-up time of the process. | 11-21-2013 |
20130298572 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS OF VAPOR RECOVERY AND LNG SENDOUT SYSTEMS FOR LNG IMPORT TERMINALS - Energy efficiency and stability of LNG sendout operations in LNG terminals is increased by addition of a surge tank and booster pump downstream of a boil-off gas condenser to produce a subcooled condensate that is used to provide refrigeration to an LNG transfer line and that can be fed to the high-pressure LNG sendout pump without impacting the pressure of the main LNG sendout line, and/or without necessitating a pressure reduction device in the main LNG sendout line. | 11-14-2013 |
20130275092 | Modeling Concrete Structures - A method of modeling concrete construction structures is presented. During a design or engineering phase of a construction product, engineers typically use multiple modeling tools when creating designs. Often the tools use incompatible data formats when exporting or importing concrete structures. Contemplated methods include exporting concrete construction objects as non-concrete objects comprising other materials (e.g., steel) that are compatible with the data formats. The temporary non-concrete objects can be converted via a conversion engine to a desirable format, possibly taking into account coordinate transformations. The non-concrete objects can then be imported into another tool and then changed back to a concrete material. | 10-17-2013 |
20130254698 | PROJECT ACTIVITY MODEL - A system and method for creating a project workflow involves tracking all activities from all disciplines within a company in a database, such that when a new workflow is created, a project architect is forced to consider every activity ever performed to the workflow in relation to every discipline. Only after activities have been assigned to their appropriate disciplines, can a user filter a view of the map to hide disciplines and activities from view. This ensures that every task ever performed by various disciplines within a company is always considered whenever designing a project workflow. | 09-26-2013 |
20130251600 | EMISSIONS REDUCTION FOR CO2 CAPTURE - Systems and processes for reducing carbon capture emissions are described. The process involves introducing a radical species into a decarbonized combustion gas. The radical species react with residual amines or unwanted compounds in the decarbonized combustion gas, thus reducing the concentration of residual amines or unwanted compounds in the exhaust gas. The system includes a carbon capture absorber with non-thermal plasma generator configured to provide radical species reducing the concentration of residual amines or unwanted compounds in the exhaust combustion gas. | 09-26-2013 |
20130238379 | MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LIFE CYCLE PROJECT EXECUTION SYSTEM - Construction project management systems are presented. The disclosed project management systems include a construction project modeling engine capable of modeling a construction project in a manner that generates one or more bottom line impacts, including a social bottom line impact. The social bottom line impact (e.g., community involvement, community development, job creation, technology and skills transfer, etc.) can be generated by mapping from construction assembly object attribute sets across multiple project dimensions to social bottom line factors. | 09-12-2013 |
20130189021 | ROTOR POLE SUPPORT RIBS IN GEARLESS DRIVES - A support rib for securing a rotor pole to a flange in a gearless drive is described. The support rib is undivided and passes through an opening of the flange. The support rib can be joined with the flange and/or the rotor pole using an adhesive. The rib preferably has at least one notch that engages an edge of the flange opening to establish mechanical connection between the rib and flange. An insert with two ends that slideably engages a rib edge and rotor pole channel can be used to couple the rib to the rotor pole. | 07-25-2013 |
20130186739 | OPTIMUM NET WASH OIL FLOW RATE IN CRUDE VACUUM DISTILLATION UNITS - Systems and methods are described for optimizing a net wash oil flow rate of a distillation unit to maximize a yield of distillate products. Based at least in part upon an incoming wash oil and total feed flow rates to the distillation unit, a wash oil entrainment amount can be calculated using an entrainment engine and an entrainment signal produced. The incoming wash oil flow rate to the distillation unit can be automatically adjusted based on the wash oil entrainment estimation while the distillation unit is operating. | 07-25-2013 |
20130180900 | OIL SPILL CLEANUP FROM WATER - An oil spill cleanup device is described. The device includes a container and at least one flexible hollow elongated member extending from the container. The device floats in water and can be used to collect and separate oil from the contaminated water. Water is collected by the elongated member, which has several exterior one-way valves that allow contaminated water to enter the member. The contaminated water is pushed towards and into the container by the wave motions of the surrounding water. The elongated member has internal one-way valves that help to direct the contaminated water towards the container. Once in the container, the contaminated water can separate into water and oil due to differences in specific gravity. Multiple devices can be connected together to form a barrier for containing the contaminated water within a limited area. | 07-18-2013 |
20130166420 | ENTERPRISE INVENTORY ASSET CONTROL WITH TRANSACTION STACKER - Systems and methods for managing inventory life cycles are described, in which first and second transactions that correspond to distinct first and second assets, respectively, are analyzed based at least in part upon at least one lifecycle map having a series of lifecycle points. Each of the transactions can be mapped to a lifecycle point of the lifecycle map, and can be stored as a function of its associated lifecycle point. | 06-27-2013 |
20130149224 | SELECTIVE CAUSTIC SCRUBBING USING A DRIVER GAS - Systems and methods are described for selectively removing an acid gas from a feed stream to reduce co-absorption of CO | 06-13-2013 |
20130139696 | MULTI-DIRECTIONAL OUTLET TRANSITION AND HOOD - Post-combustion conditioning systems are described that include a flue gas conditioning device configured to condition an exhaust stream to produce a conditioned stream. First and second outlet ducts can be fluidly coupled to, and substantially supported by, the flue gas conditioning device. This advantageously can eliminate costly ductwork, reduce the space required, and reduce the pressure drop of the system. The first outlet duct can fluidly couple the flue gas conditioning device to an exhaust duct, such that the conditioned stream can flow from the first conditioning device via the first outlet duct. | 06-06-2013 |
20130139544 | LNG Boiloff Gas Recondensation Configurations And Methods - Systems and methods for optimizing the recondensation of boiloff gas in liquid natural gas storage tanks are presented. In especially preferred aspects of the inventive subject matter, BOG from a storage tank is condensed using refrigeration content of a portion of LNG sendout in a direct or indirect manner, and the BOG condensate and LNG sendout portion are combined to form a subcooled stream that is then combined with the balance of the LNG sendout, to be fed to a high pressure pump. Contemplated recondensation operations advantageously occur without using otherwise needed large volume recondensers. Moreover, the condensing and subcooling operations are decoupled from the LNG sendout rate. | 06-06-2013 |
20130132334 | Collaborative Data Management System for Engineering Design and Construction Projects - A collaborative data management system for engineering, design, and construction (EDC) projects is presented. The system includes a storage medium, a processor, executable code, a display, and an input device. The storage medium stores a plurality of EDC data objects and a plurality of relationship objects. The EDC data objects represent parameters relevant to EDC projects. The relationship objects represent relationships between EDC data objects. The processor and executable code are communicatively coupled with the storage medium and are configured to (i) display the relationship objects on the display and (ii) allow a user to manage synchronization of the EDC objects with the input device. | 05-23-2013 |
20130132146 | MODEL PLANT CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES - In methods for managing congestion points of a plant lifecycle, access can be provided to a project database, as well as a congestion engine coupled with the project database. The congestion engine can be used to analyze project designs, resources, and activities. At least one congestion object can be generated based at least in part upon the analysis of the congestion engine. A project interface can be configured to present the at least one congestion object. | 05-23-2013 |
20130132040 | PIPING ANALYSIS SYSTEMS - A piping analysis system capable of generating proposed piping support assemblies when off-the-self part is unavailable is presented. Contemplated analysis systems comprise a piping modeling system, which models a piping infrastructure as piping nodes having attributes describing the nature of the nodes. A piping support assembly design engine aggregates the attribute information from piping nodes and correlates the attributes with known materials that might be applicable for constructing the proposed assemblies. The design engine generates a proposed assembly and configures an output device to present the assembly along with a likelihood representing feasibility that the proposed assembly can in fact be designed or manufactured. | 05-23-2013 |
20130132039 | Model Population - Systems and methods for populating a design model for engineering, design, and construction projects are described. The design model contains a 3D representation of an assembled structure. Each structural component within the assembled structure has a set of physical attributes that are electronically stored as design model objects. Additional information about each structural component is electronically supplied by a detailer as detailing model objects. The detailing model objects are imported into the design model using a utility tool. The utility tool comprises a processor and executable code that is configured to: (i) correlate the design and detailing model objects; and (ii) recommend to a user which detailing objects should be imported into the design model. The utility tool correlates physical attributes (e.g., location, section size, section type) rather than unique identification numbers, thus allowing the design model to be populated without relying on identification numbers. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131420 | Hazardous Liquid Triple Containment - Systems and methods for containing a hazardous fluid are described, in which first and second precast concrete segments are coupled together to form wall elements having a plurality of void spaces. A precast concrete floor segment can be coupled to the wall elements to form a cavity, and a metal liner can be disposed within the cavity to form a container capable of storing a hazardous fluid. An external barrier configured to be impervious to the hazardous fluid can be coupled to an exterior portion of at least one of the first and second segments. | 05-23-2013 |
20130129588 | Multi-Purpose Absorber - Systems and methods directed to cleaning a flue gas are described, in which a column housing can be configured to receive a feed stream, and includes an absorber configured to produce a clean stream that is substantially depleted of at least one of SO | 05-23-2013 |
20130125754 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED BAGHOUSE FILTERS - A headgear assembly for a baghouse filter can include a headgear configured to allow for concentric arrangement of first and second filters coupled thereto, where at least one of the first filter, second filter, and headgear can include an opening through which accumulated particulate from the second filter can pass. The headgear assembly can also include a cleaning assembly configured to facilitate cleaning of at least one of the first and second filters. Methods of facilitating on-line cleaning of a baghouse filter are also described wherein an exhaust stream is passed through concentrically arranged first and second filters to produce a filtered stream. At least one of the first and second filters can be cleaned using a cleaning assembly to remove accumulated particulate, which can pass through an opening in at least one of the first filter, the second filter, and the headgear. | 05-23-2013 |
20130125752 | Down-Flow Direct Contact Cooler - Systems and methods are contemplated for down-flow cooling of a feed gas. Contemplated systems can include a housing having an inlet conduit disposed within an upper portion and configured to receive a first stream. First and second stages can be disposed within the housing, with the first stage disposed upstream of the second stage and having a first cooling stream, and the second stage having a second cooling stream that is colder than the first cooling stream. The housing can be configured such that the first stream is cooled by down-flow heat exchange with the first and second cooling streams to produce a conditioned stream depleted of at least a portion of water condensed from the feed gas. | 05-23-2013 |
20130116346 | CONVERSION OF ORGANOSULFUR COMPOUNDS TO HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN MIXED ALCOHOL SYNTHESIS REACTOR EFFLUENT - Plants and methods are presented in which organosulfur compounds in a mixed alcohol synthesis reactor effluent are converted into hydrogen sulfide (H | 05-09-2013 |
20130110573 | IDENTIFICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF OVER-ENGINEERED COMPONENTS | 05-02-2013 |
20130108974 | CARBON BAKING HEAT RECOVERY FIRING SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130079426 | CARBON NEUTRAL NATURAL GAS TO LIQUIDS PLANT WITH BIOMASS CO-FEED - Configurations, systems, and methods for a gas-to-liquids plant are presented in which the energy demand for natural gas reformation is provided at least in part by biomass gasification to reduce or eliminate net carbon emissions. Preferred plants, systems, and methods may recycle various process streams to further reduce water demand, improve the hydrogen/carbon ratio of a feed stream to a Fischer-Tropsch process, and recover and/or recycle carbon dioxide. | 03-28-2013 |
20130075098 | METHODS FOR TREATMENT AND USE OF PRODUCED WATER - Produced water is treated by raising the pH to a level that significantly increases silica solubility and breaks emulsions. So treated water is then de-oiled, filtered, and subjected to ion exchange chromatography to reduce water hardness prior to feeding into a steam generator to form an intermediate quality steam. If desired, the intermediate quality steam is directly used in SAGD, or separated into a high quality steam and condensate, which is further treated to obtain additional water that can then be used in the steam generator. | 03-28-2013 |
20130071315 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS OF TREATMENT OF SULFUR-CONTAINING VENT GASES - Sulfur emissions from liquid sulfur are reduced, or even entirely avoided by degassing the liquid sulfur at pressure in an out-of-pit vessel and by sweeping the rundown pit (or vessel) with a sweep gas that is non-poisonous for a hydrogenation catalyst. Acid gases from degassing are fed at pressure to the Claus unit, while sweep gases are fed to the tail gas treatment unit to substantially recycle the acid gases to extinction. In preferred plants and methods, motive fluids and booster eductors or compressors are not needed, and incineration of the acid gases can be avoided. | 03-21-2013 |
20130061633 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS OF INTEGRATED NGL RECOVERY AND LNG LIQUEFACTION - Contemplated plants include a NGL recovery portion and a LNG liquefaction portion, wherein the NGL recovery portion provides a low-temperature and high-pressure overhead product directly to the LNG liquefaction portion. Feed gas cooling and condensation are most preferably performed using refrigeration cycles that employ refrigerants other than the demethanizer/absorber overhead product. Thus, cold demethanizer/absorber overhead product is compressed with the turbo-expansion and delivered to a liquefaction portion at significantly lower temperature and higher pressure without net compression energy expenditure. | 03-14-2013 |
20130036911 | METHODS AND CONFIGURATIONS FOR H2S CONCENTRATION IN ACID GAS REMOVAL - A syngas treatment plant is configured to remove sulfurous compounds from syngas in a configuration having two flash stages for a physical solvent to so enrich the acid gas to at least 40 mol % H2S or higher as required by the Claus unit and to flash and recycle CO2 back to the syngas feed. Contemplated methods and configurations advantageously remove sulfur to less than 10 ppmv while increasing H2S selectivity at high pressure operation to thereby allow production of an H2S stream that is suitable as feed gas to a Claus plant. | 02-14-2013 |
20130030860 | MANAGING INSPECTION, TEST, ANALYS, AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA (ITAAC) ACTIVITIES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An construction workflow tracking system is presented where the tracking system is capable of tracking component-level information associated with achieving closure for an Inspection, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC) under 10 CFR Part 52 for licensing of new nuclear power reactors. Disclosed systems include an estimation engine configured to analyze workflow data points to estimate one or more compliance metrics, especially compliance dates (e.g., inspection dates, test dates, acceptance dates, etc.). A reporting engine can present estimated compliance dates with a confidence level or recommendations on improving confidence or reducing risk. Compliance dates can also include compromise dates indicating when a closed ITAAC is likely to be compromised. | 01-31-2013 |
20130024235 | Conflicting Expert Systems - An expert system for providing optimized recommendations regarding a construction project is configured to generate conflicting optimization recommendations. Multiple expert system engines are implemented, where each engine provides one or more recommendations optimized in accordance with the priorities of a functional discipline. A conflict engine will identify conflicts between optimized recommendations and will package the conflicts into conflict objects that are presented to a conflict user interface for resolution. The user could resolve the conflicts him/herself, or could configure a cross-functional conflict object to resolve such conflicts based upon specified resolution criteria. | 01-24-2013 |
20130014390 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR RETROFITTING AN NGL RECOVERY PLANT - Devices and methods for retrofitting a natural gas liquids plant are contemplated to extend recovery of C3+ hydrocarbons from various feed gases to recovery of C2+ and C3+ hydrocarbons. In especially preferred aspects, dedicated C2+ exchangers are integrated to exclusively cool the feed gas to produce a cooled absorber feed and to produce two separate absorber reflux streams. During C2+ recovery, absorber reflux is provided by a portion of the residue gas and a portion of the feed gas, while during C3+ recovery absorber and distillation column reflux are provided by the distillation column overhead product. | 01-17-2013 |
20130004383 | STAND-ALONE FLUE GAS RECIRCULATION FAN - The formation of pollutants in a hydrocarbon reformer is reduced by use of flue gas recirculation. In typical systems and methods, a hydrocarbon reformer has air intake from an air intake fan where the hydrocarbon reformer produces flue gas exhaust. A portion of the flue gas exhaust is fed into an induced draft fan, wherein a flue gas recirculation (“FGR”) fan draws a portion of the flue gas exhaust located downstream of the induced draft fan. The portion of the flue gas is drawn towards an air intake conduit downstream of the air intake fan, which reduces a flame temperature within the hydrocarbon reformer and reduces the formation of NO | 01-03-2013 |
20120292040 | HYBRID BUOYED AND STAYED TOWERS AND RISERS FOR DEEPWATER - Contemplated hybrid riser towers are configured such that individual riser lines can be added or removed via submarine ROV. Most preferably, riser lines are made from a housing and syntactic foam that encloses a riser pipe to so provide insulation and buoyancy. In further preferred aspects, hybrid riser towers are coupled to each other via a truss to allow expansion via SCR and/or to provide a riser porch. | 11-22-2012 |
20120167487 | LOCATABLE AND EMBEDDABLE ANCHOR POINT COVERS - Methods and apparatus for locating anchor points embedded within building structures are presented. Anchor points within a building structure (e.g., column, pillar, floor, wall, etc.) can be covered by an anchor point cover to prevent the anchor point from becoming contaminated by poured concrete used to form the building structure. The anchor point cover can be placed so that a top portion of cover is just beneath the surface of the concrete building structure. In addition, an anchor point locator can be placed near the anchor point. Once the poured concrete hardens, the anchor point can be located by detecting a signal originating from the anchor point locator. One can remove hardened covering material and the anchor point cover to reveal the anchor point. | 07-05-2012 |
20120158370 | AUTOMATED CABLING LAYOUT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Automated cabling layout systems and methods are presented. A cabling assembly library stores multiple generic, design-tool agnostic cabling assembly objects representing cabling layout objects (e.g., cables, trays, mounts, conduits, etc.). The cabling assembly objects further include design rules governing the conditions of use of the cabling assembly object. Design engineers or designers can query the library to identify appropriate cabling assembly objects that would be appropriate for using within a modeled physical environment. One or more matching cabling assembly objects can be converted to an appropriate format for a design tool and instantiated into the modeled environment. The design tool can create modeled cabling layouts from the instantiated assemblies according to the design rules of the corresponding cabling assembly objects. | 06-21-2012 |
20120152362 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING OXYGEN INFILTRATION - Configurations and methods of reducing oxygen infiltration into an oxygen-sensitive process environment of a plant are presented in which carbon dioxide is isolated from a process stream within the plant, and in which a small portion of the isolated carbon dioxide is used in the plant as a transport gas or a seal gas for devices that are known to exhibit air in-leaking. | 06-21-2012 |
20120130914 | JURISDICTION COMPLIANCE ENGINES - Jurisdiction compliance engines are presented. Contemplated jurisdiction compliance engines are design tool agonistic and can operate in conjunction with design tools to ensure instantiated construction objects comply with jurisdiction rules sets. The jurisdiction rules sets can include optimization criteria based on metrics that can govern how construction objects are integrated into a design project. | 05-24-2012 |
20120090350 | Configurations and Methods of Heating Value Control in LNG Liquefaction Plant - NGL recovery from natural gas is achieved by processing the natural gas in a scrub column that operates at high pressure. A C3+ depleted vapor stream is generated from the vapor portion of partially condensed scrub column overhead and expanded to provide refrigeration for the vapor portion to so form a second reflux stream and the C3+ depleted vapor stream. The C3+ depleted vapor stream is then combined with another vapor portion of partially condensed column overhead to produce a lean liquefaction feed stream. | 04-19-2012 |
20120073441 | Configurations And Methods For High Pressure Acid Gas Removal - Physical solvent is regenerated using flashing and stripping processes to produce an ultra-lean solvent. In especially preferred aspects, flashed C1-C3 hydrocarbons are recycled to the absorber, while C4+ hydrocarbons are recovered from the CO2 that is removed from the solvent. It is further preferred that depressurization of the rich solvent provides most of the refrigeration duty. | 03-29-2012 |
20120072386 | Intelligent Plant Development Library Environment - An intelligent plant development library environment is presented. Contemplated environments comprise an EPC knowledge system capable of incorporating know-how of one or more construction firms in the form of assembly objects. Assembly objects represent construction components (e.g., bolts, cable trays, pipes, processing units, deliverables, etc.) that can be incorporated into a plant design. Assembly objects are stored in an assembly database and include available contexts considered relevant to the assembly objects. An inference engine is utilized to derive a specified context related to a plant design from one or more design tools. The inference engine applies rule sets to infer which assembly objects to instantiate as construction objects. The inference engine can further configure the design tools to incorporate the instantiated construction objects into a plant construction project model. Example rule sets include forward chaining rules, backward chaining rules, case-based reasoning rules, inductive reasoning rules, or abductive reasoning rules. | 03-22-2012 |
20120024535 | Suction Pile Wellhead and Cap Closure System - Various embodiments of underwater wellhead closure systems are described that include a template having first and second anchoring ports and that is configured to be secured to a floor of a body of water. A suction pile having a cylindrical body with a head portion and an open bottom can be coupled to the first anchoring port, such that the suction pile can provide additional hold down force to the template. The system can also include a suction cap coupled to the second anchoring port, and having a cylindrical body with an open bottom and a head portion having at least one suction pump. | 02-02-2012 |
20110271714 | Configurations and Methods of Carbon Capture - An IGCC plant has a precombustion decarbonization unit in which acid gas is removed from a combustion gas before the combustion gas enters a combustion turbine. In one preferred configuration, a sulfur removal unit removes hydrogen sulfide from a feed gas before the desulfurized feed gas enters an autorefrigeration unit in which carbon dioxide is removed. In another preferred configuration, hydrogen sulfide is converted to carbonyl sulfide in a dryer, and the carbonyl sulfide is absorbed in the liquid carbon dioxide that is prepared from the feed gas using autorefrigeration. | 11-10-2011 |
20110259596 | Configurations and Methods for Improved Subsea Production Control - Systems and methods of production control are contemplated in which one or more multiphase flow meters are operationally coupled to a production conduit to provide flow and compositional information for the fluid in the production conduit. Data from the multiphase flow meter are then provided to a control system that uses the data to control operation of one or more choke valves of one or more well heads that are fluidly coupled to the production conduit. | 10-27-2011 |
20110256033 | Devices And Methods Of Heat Removal From Exothermic High Temperature Reaction Processes - Devices and methods are presented in which heat transfer from the surface of a high-temperature exothermic reaction mass is removed while largely maintaining the temperature of the mass at a desired level by allowing heat to radiate from the surface of the reaction mass to a first absorber that forms part of a reactor vessel, from which the heat is then removed using a second absorber. | 10-20-2011 |
20110240561 | Configurations and Methods of Treatment of Silicate-Containing Waste Streams - Contemplated wastewater treatment plants and processes comprise a unit in which a silicate-containing waste stream is combined with an alkaline process stream to so form a pH-controlled intermediate that is then fed to a reactor in which carbonization effects precipitation of the silicate. Following a particle growth step in the reaction vessel that renders the precipitate suitable for filtration, the so produced silicon dioxide can be safely disposed of in a landfill while the liquid can be discharged or sent to a zero liquid discharge pond to precipitate sodium carbonates. | 10-06-2011 |
20110203376 | Devices And Methods Of Ultrasound Time Of Flight Diffraction Sensitivity Demonstration - An ultrasound time-of-flight diffraction reference block has a plurality of notches that extend into the block to simulate cracks, wherein the notches have a normal and transverse orientation with respect to a test path formed on the block. | 08-25-2011 |
20110203314 | Configurations And Methods Of High Pressure Acid Gas Removal - Acid gas is removed from a feed gas using a physical solvent that is regenerated using successive flashing stages after heating of the rich solvent using low-level waste heat that is preferably produced or available within the acid gas removal plant. Especially preferred waste heat sources include compressor discharges of the refrigeration system and/or recompression system for CO2, and/or (low level) heat content from the feed gas. | 08-25-2011 |
20110192805 | Devices And Methods For Water Removal In Distillation Columns - Water is removed from oily water produced during operation of a separation column by withdrawing the oily water from the column during separation into an external separator where the oily water is separated into a water phase and an oily phase. The oily phase is then heated to a temperature effective to produce a density differential that drives the oily phase back into the operating column. | 08-11-2011 |
20110186134 | Methods And Apparatus For Splitting Multi-Phase Flow - A multi-phase fluid is split in a flow splitting device that includes a feed pipe in which a flow redistribution element induces tangential motion in the phases such that the denser phase is forced to redistribute around the periphery of the feed pipe. The so redistributed flow is then split into two or more distribution conduits that are typically perpendicular to the flow direction of the feed flow. Most typically, the feed pipe is in a vertical position. | 08-04-2011 |
20110178935 | Systems And Methods Of Integrated And Automated Generation Of Work Packages - Systems and methods of dynamic work package generation are presented that allow not only real-time modification of construction work packages, but also allow tracking of the work packages throughout completion and generation/updating of constructions records. The systems and methods contemplated herein will therefore improve management of safety and non-safety components, allow for traceability and tracking, and reduce errors due to user intervention. | 07-21-2011 |
20110175244 | Configurations and Methods of Gas-Assisted Spray Nozzles - Contemplated configurations and methods are drawn to systems in which gas assisted spray nozzles are used to distribute a liquid phase in micron-sized droplets in a device effluent at a position upstream of a second device having multiple parallel flow paths for the effluent. Most preferably, the assist gas is a high-pressure gas phase that is generated in a process upstream of the device effluent, the first device is a hydrotreating or hydrocracking reactor or distillation column, and the second device is an air cooler or heat exchanger. | 07-21-2011 |
20110174866 | High-Speed Friction Stir Welding - Contemplated systems and methods significantly improve friction stir welding of hard metals and particularly steel and stainless steel. Among other factors, the inventors found that high transverse velocity of the tool is critical to obtain predictable and desirable weld quality, which is preferably achieved in such materials by minimizing spindle run out. Moreover, the transverse and angular velocities are preferably selected such as to achieve a temperature in the weld that is below the phase change temperature and/or the solid state transformation point of the materials. | 07-21-2011 |
20110167824 | Configurations And Methods For Waste Heat Recovery And Ambient Air Vaporizers In LNG Regasification - Contemplated power plants and LNG regasification facilities employ a combination of ambient air and non-ambient air as continuous heat sources to regasify LNG and to optimize power production. Most preferably, contemplated plants and methods are operable without the need for supplemental heat sources under varying temperature conditions. | 07-14-2011 |
20110146164 | Modular Processing Facility - The various processes of a plant are segmented into separate process blocks that are connected to one another using fluid conduits or electrical connections. Each process block is specialized to perform specific tasks in an assembly line manner to achieve an overall goal. For example, multiple distillation process blocks could be daisy-chained to create fuel from crude oil. Each process block is generally small enough to be mounted on a truck or a flatbed for easy transport, allowing for an assembly line of process blocks to be transported anywhere in the world with ease. | 06-23-2011 |
20110139578 | Adjustable Conveyor Chute - A conveyor assembly has a supply source from which a plurality of rolling objects is delivered to a conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor assembly is also configured such that the horizontal velocity of the rolling objects delivered to the conveyor belt is substantially the same as the horizontal velocity of the conveyor belt. Such configuration advantageously reduces, or even eliminates undesired movement of the objects on the conveyor belt and thus significantly improves quantification of the objects on the conveyor belt. | 06-16-2011 |
20110127218 | Regenerator Configurations and Methods with Reduced Steam Demand - Steam for use as stripping medium in a regenerator is recovered from a portion of the regenerator bottom product using a pervaporation unit. In most preferred aspects, the portion is selected such as to maintain neutral water balance in the stripper for a desired regeneration level. | 06-02-2011 |
20110056238 | Methods and Configurations of Boil-off Gas Handling in LNG Regasification Terminals - A LNG storage and regasification plant includes a reliquefaction unit in which boil-off vapors from the storage tanks are re liquefied and recycled back to the LNG storage tanks for tank pressure and Wobbe index control. Preferably, LNG cold is used for reliquefaction and operational flexibility is achieved by feeding a portion of the pressurized boil-off gas to a fuel gas header and/or to be recondensed by the sendout LNG. | 03-10-2011 |
20100293854 | Configurations And Methods For Fuel Gas Treatment With Total Sulfur Removal And Olefin Saturation - Refinery off gases are treated in a plant in two processing steps, wherein the off gases are first scrubbed in a wash column using lean oils for removal of heavy mercaptans and C5+ hydrocarbons, and wherein a hydrotreater is then used for saturating olefinic hydrocarbons and reducing sulfurous compounds. Most preferably, lean recycle oil is used for temperature control of the hydrotreater reactor(s) in configurations where the lean oil from a hydrotreater reactor outlet separator is mixed with the reactor feed to so cool the hydrotreater reactor via evaporation. | 11-25-2010 |
20100233501 | Compositions and Methods for Dissimilar Material Welding - Devices and methods of welding dissimilar materials are contemplated in which an adaptor is used in an intermediate position between the dissimilar materials. Most preferred adaptors are manufactured by friction stir welding from two dissimilar materials that are identical or similar to the dissimilar materials to be welded together. Therefore, coupling of dissimilar materials in the field via the adaptors is greatly simplified as conventional welding methods can now be employed. | 09-16-2010 |
20100206003 | Configurations And Methods For Improved Natural Gas Liquids Recovery - Contemplated plants for recovery of NGL from natural gas employ alternate reflux streams in a first column and a residue gas bypass stream, wherein expansion of various process streams provides substantially all of the refrigeration duty in the plant. Contemplated plants not only have flexible recovery of ethane between 2% and 90% while recovering at least 99% of propane, but also reduce and more typically eliminate the need for external refrigeration. | 08-19-2010 |
20100198407 | Air Demand Feedback Control Systems And Methods For Sulfur Recovery Units - A Claus plant with multiple parallel thermal stages that provide a combined effluent to downstream catalytic stages includes a controller that allows independent and individual control for each of the thermal stages as a function of measured chemical composition of the thermal stage effluents and catalytic stage effluent. | 08-05-2010 |
20100163498 | Skim Tank Configurations And Methods - A skim tank includes a flow-control structure that forces a solid-depleted phase of a mixed-phase feed into a toroidal motion within the container to thereby provide an up-flow movement within the structure. Most preferably, at least a portion of the solid-depleted phase is recirculated to further increase up-flow movement within the structure. | 07-01-2010 |
20100146971 | LNG Regasification And Power Generation - LNG is regasified with concurrent power production in systems and methods where the refrigeration content of the LNG condenses a low pressure working fluid vapor and in which the combined refrigeration content of the warmed LNG and low pressure working fluid condensate condenses an intermediate pressure working fluid vapor. | 06-17-2010 |
20100135880 | Hydrocarbon Based Sulfur Solvent Systems and Methods - Contemplated configurations and methods for elemental sulfur removal from various gases, and especially well acid gases employ a hydrocarbon solvent that dissolves the sulfur to form a rich solvent and that is then regenerated by hydrotreating. Thus, sulfur is removed from the rich solvent as H2S that may then be processed (e.g., in Claus unit or absorption unit) while the regenerated solvent is routed back to the well and associated production pipes. | 06-03-2010 |
20100126187 | Configurations And Methods For Offshore LNG Regasification And Heating Value Conditioning - Contemplated plant configurations and methods employ a vaporized and supercritical LNG stream at an intermediate temperature that is expanded, wherein refrigeration content of the expanded LNG is used to chill one or more recompressor feed streams and to condense a demethanizer reflux. One portion of the so warmed and expanded LNG is condensed and fed to the demethanizer as reflux, while the other portion is expanded and fed to the demethanizer as feed stream. Most preferably, the demethanizer overhead is combined with a portion of the vaporized and supercritical LNG stream to form a pipeline product. | 05-27-2010 |
20100111784 | Configurations And Methods For Carbon Dioxide And Hydrogen Production From Gasification Streams - A syngas treatment plant is configured to remove sulfurous compounds and carbon dioxide from shifted or un-shifted syngas in a configuration having a decarbonization section and a desulfurization section. Most preferably, the solvent in the decarbonization section is regenerated and cooled by flashing, while the solvent is regenerated in the desulfurization section via stripping using external heat, and it is still further preferred that carbonylsulfide is removed in the desulfurization section via hydrolysis, and that the so produced hydrogen sulfide is removed in a downstream absorber. | 05-06-2010 |
20100101240 | Configurations and Methods for Ambient Air Vaporizers - Cryogenic fluid is vaporized using two sections of an ambient air vaporizer where in the first section ambient air is dehydrated at a temperature at or above freezing point of water using refrigeration content of partially heated cryogenic fluid, wherein the dehydrated air is used in the second section to form the partially heated cryogenic fluid from a cryogenic fluid. | 04-29-2010 |
20100043488 | NGL Recovery Methods and Configurations - Contemplated NGL plants include a feed gas bypass circuit through which a portion of the feed gas is provided downstream to a vapor portion of the feed gas to thereby increase turbo expander inlet temperature and demethanizer temperature. Contemplated configurations are especially advantageous for feed gases with relatively high carbon dioxide content as they entirely avoid carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, provide additional power production by the turboexpander, and recover C2+ components to levels of at least 80% while achieving a low carbon dioxide content in the NGL product. | 02-25-2010 |
20100043453 | Ambient Air Vaporizer - Contemplated systems and methods employ a portion of vaporized and heated LNG as a defrosting medium in an LNG ambient air vaporizer. Most preferably, the LNG is heated to a temperature of about 100° F. to 400° F., and is after defrosting fed back to the LNG stream at a position that is upstream and/or downstream of the vaporizer or to the natural gas delivery pipeline. | 02-25-2010 |
20100030199 | Configurations And Methods For Power Generation In LNG Regasification Terminals - Disclosed are embodiments of a fluid delivery device ( | 02-04-2010 |
20100024473 | Configurations And Methods of RVP Control For C5+ Condensates - Controlled RVP C5+ products are produced from feed gas in configurations and methods in which a heavier portion of the feed gas is fractionated into several streams having distinct RVP and in which a C5+ stream is produced from the lighter portion of the feed gas. The so formed streams are then combined to produce C5+ products with controlled RVP. Thus, RVP control is achieved without the need for external products for blending process streams derived from the feed gas. | 02-04-2010 |
20100011810 | NGL Recovery Methods and Configurations - Contemplated plants and methods for NGL recovery from feed gases having a carbon dioxide content equal or greater than about 2% employ temperature control configurations that allow high-level and flexible recovery of ethane and heavier components while avoiding freezing of the carbon dioxide in the process. Where the feed gas has a significant fraction of C3+ components and moderate carbon dioxide content, a single column configuration with an intermediate reflux condenser may be used, while two-column configurations may be used for feed gases with high carbon dioxide content and relatively low C3+ component concentration. | 01-21-2010 |
20100011809 | Ethane Recovery Methods And Configurations - Contemplated methods and configurations use a cooled ethane and CO2-containing feed gas that is expanded in a first turbo-expander and subsequently heat-exchanged to allow for relatively high expander inlet temperatures to a second turbo expander. Consequently, the relatively warm demethanizer feed from the second expander effectively removes CO2 from the ethane product and prevents carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, while another portion of the heat-exchanged and expanded feed gas is further chilled and reduced in pressure to form a lean reflux for high ethane recovery. | 01-21-2010 |
20100006299 | Dual Subsea Production Chokes for HPHT Well Production - Configurations and methods for subsea hydrocarbon production at high pressure wells are contemplated in which production control is achieved by implementing two choke valves in series between the wellhead and the riser The first production choke reduces pressure from well pressure to a reduced pressure, while the second production choke further reduces the pressure from the reduced pressure to riser pressure. The first production choke is preferably coupled to the production tree, and the second production choke is coupled to production tree, a subsea pipeline-end device (e.g., PLET or PLEM), a well jumper, or a flowline jumper. | 01-14-2010 |
20100000255 | Configurations And Methods For Gas Condensate Separation From High-Pressure Hydrocarbon Mixtures - Contemplated configurations and methods for gas processing use a refluxed absorber that receives a liquid and a vapor hydrocarbon feed. The absorber further receives a stripping medium that is at least in part formed from a vapor portion of a stabilizer overhead and also receives a scrubbing medium that is at least in part formed from a liquid portion of the stabilizer overhead. Most preferably, the absorber overhead is maintained at a temperature near or even below the hydrate point of the feed. | 01-07-2010 |
20090308101 | Propane Recovery Methods and Configurations - High-pressure feed gas is chilled and expanded to condense a portion of the feed gas into a C2+ enriched liquid phase and a C2+ depleted vapor phase. The liquid phase is expanded to provide additional cooling for the feed gas and deethanizer reflux prior to being fed to the deethanizer while the vapor is combined with residue gas of a deethanizer. | 12-17-2009 |
20090304574 | Configurations And Methods Of Hydrogen Fueling - Configurations and methods are contemplated in which an automobile filing station receives liquid ammonia and in which hydrogen is produced by catalytic cracking. The so produced hydrogen is then compressed and fed to a filling dock. Preferably, contemplated stations will include a polishing unit in which undissociated ammonia is removed and fed back to the ammonia storage tank. | 12-10-2009 |
20090301133 | Ethane Recovery Methods and Configurations for High Carbon Dioxide Content Feed Gases - Ethane is separated from a carbon dioxide-containing feed gas in a demethanizer that receives a rich subcooled reflux stream at very low temperature. Freezing of carbon dioxide is prevented by feeding a temperature-controlled vapor portion of the feed gas to the column, wherein the temperature of the vapor portion is adjusted by routing a portion of the expander discharge through a heat exchanger in response to the tray temperature in the demethanizer. Thus, high separation efficiency is achieved at reduced, or even eliminated carbon dioxide freezing. | 12-10-2009 |
20090282836 | Configurations And Methods For LNG Fueled Power Plants - Contemplated configurations and methods use first and second precoolers, preferably in alternating operation, to provide a combustion turbine with air at a temperature of 50° F., and more typically less than 32° F. and most typically less than 0° F. In such configurations and methods it is generally preferred that a heat transfer fluid circuit provides both, heated and cooled heat transfer fluid to thereby allow cooling and deicing of the precoolers. Most preferably, refrigeration is provided from an LNG regasification unit to form the cooled heat transfer fluid while heat from a power cycle (e.g., from surface condenser) is used to form the heated heat transfer fluid. | 11-19-2009 |
20090277219 | Configurations and Methods for Offshore LNG Regasification and BTU Control - LNG is pumped to supercritical pressure and vaporized, preferably in an offshore location to thereby form a natural gas stream with an intermediate temperature. A first portion of that stream is then processed in an onshore location to remove at least some non-methane components to thereby form a lean LNG, which is then combined with a second portion of that stream to form a sales gas having desired chemical composition. The intermediate temperature and the split ratio of the gas stream in first and second portion are a function of the concentration of the non-methane components in the LNG. | 11-12-2009 |
20090247653 | Configurations And Methods of SNG Production - SNG plants according to the inventive subject matter include one or more methanation reactors that produce a primary methanation product that is cooled to a temperature sufficient to condense water, which is removed in a separator. So produced dried methanation product is then split to provide a reflux stream to the methanation reactors and a feed stream to an adiabatic trim reactor. Most preferably, the plant comprises at least two methanation reactors that are operated in series, wherein the first reactor receives the recycle stream and wherein the second reactor receives a portion of the first methanation reactor effluent and a portion of the first methanation reactor feed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090221864 | High Ethane Recovery Configurations And Methods In LNG Regasification Facility - LNG is processed in contemplated plants and methods such that refrigeration content of the LNG feed is used to provide reflux duty to the demethanizer and to further condense a vapor phase of the demethanizer overhead product. In such plants, the demethanizer provides a bottom product to a deethanizer, wherein a demethanizer side draw provides refrigeration to the deethanizer overhead product to thus form an ethane product and deethanizer reflux. | 09-03-2009 |
20090217676 | LNG Vapor Handling Configurations And Methods - LNG from a carrier is unloaded to an LNG storage tank in configurations and methods in which expansion of compressed and condensed boil-off vapors from the LNG storage tank provide refrigeration to subcool the LNG that is being unloaded. Most advantageously, such configuration and methods reduce the amount of boil-off vapors and eliminate the need for a vapor return line and associated compressor. | 09-03-2009 |
20090216605 | Integrated Acceptance Testing - Contemplated validation systems provide access to a master validator, one or more remote validators, and an authorized party such that validation using a validation script can be performed in a flexible manner that allows modifications to the script in real time. Typically, modifications are requested by a remote validator in the field where the remote validator can not answer a validation request generated by the validation script in a proper or predetermined manner. A master validator will receive the request and modify the validation script accordingly to allow the validation to proceed. Most typically, modification of the script is authorized by an authorized party. | 08-27-2009 |
20090212023 | Welding Processes - Contemplated methods for welding stainless steel substantially improve welding speed and quality. Most typically, such attributes are achieved by welding a root pass using GMAW-Sm to thereby depositing a root, welding a hot pass using GMAW-P to thereby deposit additional weld metal onto the root, and by welding at least one of a fill pass and a cap pass using at least one of GMAW-P and FCAW. | 08-27-2009 |
20090205946 | Integrated Compressor/Stripper Configurations And Methods - Contemplated solvent regenerators include a flash drum in which lean solvent from the regenerator is flashed, and from which supplemental steam is recovered that is then fed back to the regenerator using a compressor, and most preferably a thermocompressor. Such devices have a substantially reduced net steam and energy requirement despite an increase in electrical energy demand, and further maintain a neutral water balance in the regenerator. | 08-20-2009 |
20090173103 | Cryogenic Process Utilizing High Pressure Absorber Column - A gas processing plant has a de-ethanizer and a refluxed absorber, wherein the absorber operates at higher pressure than the de-ethanizer, and wherein at least a portion of the absorber bottoms product is expanded to provide cooling for the absorber reflux stream and/or the distillation column feed stream. Especially contemplated gas processing plants include propane and ethane recovery plants, and where the gas processing plant is an ethane recovery plant, it is contemplated that the ethane product comprises no more than 500 ppm carbon dioxide. | 07-09-2009 |
20090165498 | Configurations and Methods for Rich Gas Conditioning for NGL Recovery - Contemplated gas treatment plants for recovery of NGL from rich feed gas include an upstream conditioning unit in which heavier hydrocarbons, and most typically C5 and heavier are removed prior to feeding the processed feed gas to an NGL recovery plant, thus avoiding the need to process the heavier hydrocarbons in the NGL recovery plant. Such conditioning units advantageously reduce energy demand for dehydration otherwise required and allow for production of C2-C4, and C5+ streams that can be sold as valuable products. | 07-02-2009 |
20090148371 | Two-Stage Quench Scrubber - Contemplated configurations and methods for flue gas treatment comprise a quench section and a scrubbing section that are configured and operated to avoid net condensation of water from the quenched flue gas in the scrubbing section. Consequently, the active agent in the scrubbing medium can be maintained at high concentration and will so allow continuous removal of SOX and NOX to very low concentrations. Moreover, as the scrubbing medium is not diluted by condensate, loss of active agent can be substantially reduced. Especially preferred systems will reduce SO2 concentrations in flue gas to less than 5 ppm, and more typically less than 3 ppm while substantially reducing water and reagent consumption | 06-11-2009 |
20090092524 | Configurations And Methods for Claus Plant Operation with Variable Sulfur Content - Contemplated plants include an acid gas enrichment unit in which acid gas unsuitable for feeding into a Claus plant from an upstream acid gas removal unit is separated into a concentrated hydrogen sulfide stream that is fed to the Claus plant and a carbon dioxide stream that is compressed in a compressor before sequestration, further purification, and/or recycling to a gasification unit. | 04-09-2009 |
20090087368 | Configurations And Methods For Removal Of Mercaptanes From Feed Gases - A sulfur species-containing feed gas is processed in a treatment plant in which COS is hydrolyzed, and in which so produced hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur species are absorbed in a lean hydrocarbon liquid. The sulfur species in the so formed rich hydrocarbon liquid are then subjected to catalytic conversion into disulfides, which are subsequently removed from the rich solvent. Most preferably, sulfur free lean solvent is regenerated in a distillation column and/or refinery unit, and light components are recycled from the rich hydrocarbon liquid to the absorber. | 04-02-2009 |
20090004096 | Cos-Claus Configurations and Methods - Carbonyl sulfide (COS) from a COS-containing stream ( | 01-01-2009 |
20090004080 | Configurations and Methods for Sox Removal in Oxygen-Containing Gases - Sulfur oxides are removed from an oxygen-containing acid gas in configurations and methods in which oxygen is removed from the acid gas using reducing gases at relatively high temperature. The so treated acid gas is then fed to a direct reduction reactor in which the sulfur species are converted to elemental sulfur. Contemplated configurations are particularly effective and economically attractive as they are generally not limited by reaction equilibrium as present in a Claus reaction and do not require solvent and solvent-associated equipment. | 01-01-2009 |
20090004070 | Configurations and Methods for Effluent Gas Treatment - Methods and configurations are drawn to a plant in which an effluent gas ( | 01-01-2009 |
20080307789 | Integration of Lng Regasification with Refinery and Power Generation - Contemplated plants thermally integrate operation of a refinery component, and most preferably of a hydrocarbon splitter with LNG regasification to provide refrigeration duty and with a power cycle to provide the reboiler duty of the component. It should be noted that such configurations advantageously allow operation of the splitter at a reduced temperature and at reduced pressure, thereby increasing separation efficiency, while the power output is boosted using air intake chilling. Most notably, such process advantages are achieved by satisfying the heating duty of LNG regasification. | 12-18-2008 |
20080296890 | Cryogenic Pipeline Configurations and Methods - A pipe-in-pipe pipeline has a bulkhead that transfers thermal stress from an inner pipe to an outer pipe, wherein at least part of the bulkhead forms a conduit for a product traveling through the inner pipe. Most preferably, the pipeline is a cryogenic pipeline for transport of liquefied natural gas. Where desirable, insulating material may be disposed between the inner pipe and outer pipe, while spacers may maintain the distance between the pipes. | 12-04-2008 |
20080271480 | Intergrated Ngl Recovery and Lng Liquefaction - Contemplated plants include a refluxed absorber and a distillation column, wherein the absorber is operated at a higher pressure than the distillation column to thereby produce a cryogenic pressurized lean gas. The lean gas is further compressed to a pressure suitable for liquefaction using energy from feed gas vapor expansion. Desired separation of C2 products is ensured by temperature control of the absorber and distillation column using flow ratios of various streams within the plant, and by dividing the separation process into two portions at different pressures. | 11-06-2008 |
20080202162 | Cryogenic Process Utilizing High Pressure Absorber Column - A gas processing plant has a de-ethanizer and a refluxed absorber, wherein the absorber operates at higher pressure than the de-ethanizer, and wherein at least a portion of the absorber bottoms product is expanded to provide cooling for the absorber reflux stream and/or the distillation column feed stream. Especially contemplated gas processing plants include propane and ethane recovery plants, and where the gas processing plant is an ethane recovery plant, it is contemplated that the ethane product comprises no more than 500 ppm carbon dioxide. | 08-28-2008 |