James L Rigby

US Patent:

6539747, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Jan 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/050833

Inventors:

Moses Minta - Sugar Land TX
Ronald R. Bowen - Magnolia TX
James R. Rigby - Kingwood TX

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F25J 300

US Classification:

62620, 62623

Abstract:

The invention relates to a process of manufacturing a pressurized multi-component liquid from a pressurized, multi-component stream, such as natural gas, which contains C components and at least one component of C , C , C , or C. The process selectively removes from the multi-component stream one or more of the C components that would be expected to crystallize at the selected temperature and pressure of the pressurized multi-component liquid product and leaves in the multi-component stream at least one C component. The multi-component stream is then liquefied to produce a pressurized liquid substantially free of crystallized C components. The removal of the C components can be by selective fractionation or crystallization.

US Patent:

6672104, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Mar 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/397406

Inventors:

E. Lawrence Kimble - Sugar Land TX
Ronald R. Bowen - Magnolia TX
James R. Rigby - Kingwood TX

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F25J 100

US Classification:

62613, 62 482, 62614

Abstract:

A process is provided for converting a boil-off stream comprising methane to a liquid having a preselected bubble point temperature. The boil-off stream is pressurized, then cooled, and then expanded to further cool and at least partially liquefy the boil-off stream. The preselected bubble point temperature of the resulting pressurized liquid is obtained by performing at least one of the following steps: before, during, or after the process of liquefying the boil-off stream, removing from the boil-off stream a predetermined amount of one or more components, such as nitrogen, having a vapor pressure greater than the vapor pressure of methane, and before, during, or after the process of liquefying the boil-off stream, adding to the boil-off stream one or more additives having a molecular weight heavier than the molecular weight of methane and having a vapor pressure less than the vapor pressure of methane.

US Patent:

8141768, Mar 27, 2012

Filed:

Dec 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/643528

Inventors:

Steven J. Ford - Missouri City TX, US
Neeraj Thirumalai - Phillipsburg NJ, US
James Ronald Rigby - Kingwood TX, US
Mark Biegler - Houston TN, US
Narasimha-Rao Venkata Bangaru - Pittstown NJ, US
Jayoung Koo - Somerset NJ, US
Glen A. Vaughn - Ozark MO, US
Raghavan Ayer - Basking Ridge NJ, US
Douglas P. Fairchild - Sugar Land TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company - Annandale NJ

International Classification:

B23K 20/12

US Classification:

2281121, 228 21

Abstract:

A method for welding and repairing cracks in metal parts is provided by subjecting the metal parts to be welded to friction stir welding and the cracks to be repaired to friction stir processing under conditions sufficient to provide a weld joint or crack repair having a preselected property or set of properties based upon the intended use of the weldment. The FSW and FSP methods are advantageous in joining and repairing metal structures and components in applications for natural gas transportation and storage, oil and gas well completion and production, and oil and gas refinery and chemical plants.

US Patent:

61125288, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Dec 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/464987

Inventors:

James R. Rigby - Kingwood TX

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C 704

US Classification:

62 481

Abstract:

A process is disclosed for unloading a plurality of containers having pressurized liquefied gas contained therein. A pressurized displacement gas is fed to a first container or group of containers to discharge the liquefied gas therefrom. The displacement gas is then withdrawn from the first container or group and it is separated into a first vapor stream and a second vapor stream. The first vapor stream is heated and passed to the first container or group. The second vapor stream is fed to a second container or group to discharge liquefied gas therefrom. Communication between the first container or group and the second container or group is severed and the foregoing steps are repeated for all of the containers in succession, with only the last container or group emptied of liquid remaining at the pressure of the displacement gas, and all of the containers at the end of the process except the last container or group being filled with a lower pressure vapor.

US Patent:

62128914, Apr 10, 2001

Filed:

Jun 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/099569

Inventors:

Moses Minta - Sugar Land TX
Lonny R. Kelley - Houston TX
Bruce T. Kelley - Kingwood TX
E. Lawrence Kimble - Sugar Land TX
James R. Rigby - Kingwood TX
Robert E. Steele - Seabrook TX

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C 1300

US Classification:

62 507

Abstract:

Process components, containers, and pipes are provided that are constructed from ultra-high strength, low alloy steels containing less than 9 wt % nickel and having tensile strengths greater than 830 MPa (120 ksi) and DBTTs lower than about -73. degree. C. (-100. degree. F. ).

US Patent:

62373471, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Mar 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/522676

Inventors:

James R. Rigby - Kingwood TX
Brandon T. Stone - Houston TX

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C 704

US Classification:

62 481

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for loading pressurized liquefied natural gas (PLNG) into a plurality of containers containing pressurized vapor, wherein the containers are loaded in succession. The containers may be onshore or onboard a ship or other ocean transporting vessel. As a first step, the liquefied gas is introduced into the containers, thereby discharging the vapor therefrom. Vapor discharged from the containers is passed to auxiliary storage tanks comprising a first tank and a second tank. Vapor from at least one of the tanks is withdrawn and passed to a vapor utilization means such as a liquefaction plant for liquefaction of the vapor or to an engine or turbine for use of the vapor as fuel. Fluid flow to and from the first and second tanks is regulated to assure that the total flow rate of vapor to the vapor utilization means remains at a relatively constant flow rate.