David G Flanigan

US Patent:

50807218, Jan 14, 1992

Filed:

Feb 28, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/487350

Inventors:

David A. Flanigan - Cleveland OK
Robert E. Williams - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

B08B 310

US Classification:

134 26

Abstract:

A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system, which includes both process and apparatus, comprises the use of at least two successive cleaning zones, each of which includes a slurrying stage and a centrifuge separation stage, wherein the solids to be cleaned and the solvent used for cleaning flow in countercurrent relationship to each other between the successive zones.

US Patent:

51078740, Apr 28, 1992

Filed:

Aug 29, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/751917

Inventors:

David A. Flanigan - Cleveland OK
Robert E. Williams - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E21B 2106

US Classification:

134 60

Abstract:

A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system comprises the use of at least two successive cleaning zones, each of which includes a slurry stage and a centrifuge separation stage, wherein the solids to be cleaned and the solvent used for cleaning flow in countercurrent relationship to each other between the successive zones.

US Patent:

50530828, Oct 1, 1991

Filed:

Feb 28, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/487351

Inventors:

David A. Flanigan - Cleveland OK
Joe K. Heilhecker - Houston TX
Robert E. Williams - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

B08B 308
B08B 1300

US Classification:

134 251

Abstract:

A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system, which includes both process and apparatus, comprises slurrying of the solids with a solvent, feeding the slurry to a cyclone separation zone integrally connected to a countercurrent extraction zone, separating the slurry into an overflow stream which includes solvent and fine particles of solids and an underflow stream which includes mostly coarse particles of solids in the cyclone separation zone, processing the overflow stream in a cleaning zone with additional solvent, processing the underflow stream in countercurrent relationship with additional solvent through the countercurrent extraction zone, combining the cleaned coarse particles of solids withdrawn from the extraction zone with the cleaned fine particles of solids withdrawn from the cleaning zone and centrifuging the combined cleaned particles to remove residual solvent and recovering the combined solids having reduced contamination for disposal.

US Patent:

49004450, Feb 13, 1990

Filed:

Feb 22, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/314609

Inventors:

David A. Flanigan - Cleveland OK
Elwyn Shimoda - Ponca City OK
James E. Stolhand - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

B01D 4512

US Classification:

2105121

Abstract:

A system is provided for the separation of oil from oily water, particularly where the oily water is available only at relatively low pressures insufficient ot drive a hydrocyclone separator. Particular combinations of pumps and hydrocyclones can be effective in these low pressure situations where the pressure boost required is not substantially greater than a differential pressure at which the pump begins to substantially degrade the volumetric mean size of droplets of oil in the oily water passing therethrough. This is achieved by operating the pump at relatively near its maximum flow rate capacity to substantially reduce on a percentage basis the effect of fluid slippage within the pump. Improved techniques for analysis of oil droplet size distribution are also disclosed.

US Patent:

51510790, Sep 29, 1992

Filed:

Sep 27, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/589720

Inventors:

David A. Flanigan - Cleveland OK
John D. Boadway - Kingston, CA

Assignee:

Conoco Specialty Products Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B04B 1100
B04B 120

US Classification:

494 27

Abstract:

This invention relates to an improved particulate receiving chamber within a centrifugal separation device and more particularly within a decanter centrifuge. The improved receiving chamber reduces particle disintegration of the particulates which is particularly advantageous if the particulates are subjected to a further centrifugal separation step because particle disintegration compromises the clarification achievable by successive centrifugal separators. The preferred embodiment of the particulate receiving chamber includes a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying fluid in the chamber whereby the fluid absorbs the impact forces of the particulates which impact against surfaces within the chamber.