John T Wilkinson

US Patent:

7191617, Mar 20, 2007

Filed:

Aug 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/201358

Inventors:

Kyle T. Cuellar - Katy TX, US
John D. Wilkinson - Midland TX, US
Joe T. Lynch - Midland TX, US
Hank M. Hudson - Midland TX, US

Assignee:

Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. - Midland TX

International Classification:

F25J 3/00

US Classification:

62628, 62630, 62632

Abstract:

A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the second stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.

US Patent:

7216507, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Jun 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/144728

Inventors:

Kyle T. Cuellar - Katy TX, US
John D. Wilkinson - Midland TX, US
Hank M. Hudson - Midland TX, US

Assignee:

Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. - Midland TX

International Classification:

F25J 3/00

US Classification:

62620, 62630

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first portion is supplied to a fractionation column at an upper mid-column feed point. The second portion is directed in heat exchange relation with a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of the column, whereby this portion of the LNG feed stream is partially heated and the distillation stream is totally condensed. The condensed distillation stream is divided into a “lean” LNG product stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The partially heated portion of the LNG feed stream is heated further to partially or totally vaporize it and thereafter supplied to the column at a lower mid-column feed position. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column.

US Patent:

7631516, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

May 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/749268

Inventors:

Kyle T. Cuellar - Katy TX, US
John D. Wilkinson - Midland TX, US
Hank M. Hudson - Midland TX, US

Assignee:

Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. - Midland TX

International Classification:

F25J 3/00

US Classification:

62620, 62628, 62630

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first portion is supplied to a fractionation column at an upper mid-column feed point. The second portion is directed in heat exchange relation with a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of the column, whereby this portion of the LNG feed stream is partially vaporized and the distillation stream is totally condensed. The condensed distillation stream is divided into a “lean” LNG product stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The partially vaporized portion of the LNG feed stream is separated into vapor and liquid streams which are thereafter supplied to the column at lower mid-column feed positions. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column.

US Patent:

8454268, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Jul 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/836236

Inventors:

John R. Wilkinson - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E02B 1/00
E02B 3/00
E21B 43/14
E21B 47/06

US Classification:

405 54, 166 50, 166 52, 166306, 166313, 405 59, 40512935

Abstract:

Methods and systems for gas sequestration are provided. The systems include a porous storage reservoir containing a dense fluid; a first tubing string, configured to provide and inject a gaseous emissions (GE) stream at or near the top of the porous storage reservoir above the base portion of the porous storage reservoir; and a second tubing string configured to withdraw the dense fluid from the base portion of the porous storage reservoir. In some embodiments, the first and second tubing strings may be encased in a single well bore and may include measurement and control equipment for pressure management of the injection locations. The withdrawn dense fluids may be re-injected into an overlying porous reservoir or may be sent to the surface for treatment. Methods are provided for injection of GE and withdrawal of dense fluids for safe, long term gaseous sequestration of significant portions of carbon dioxide (CO) and associated gases (gaseous emissions, GE).

US Patent:

20080078205, Apr 3, 2008

Filed:

Aug 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/839693

Inventors:

Kyle T. Cuellar - Katy TX, US
Tony L. Martinez - Odessa TX, US
John D. Wilkinson - Midland TX, US
Joe T. Lynch - Midland TX, US
Hank M. Hudson - Midland TX, US

Assignee:

Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. - Midland TX

International Classification:

F25J 3/00
F25J 1/00

US Classification:

62620

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the second stream and compressed to higher pressure, and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense substantially all of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered. In other embodiments, the distillation stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the second stream.

US Patent:

20080282731, Nov 20, 2008

Filed:

Apr 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/060362

Inventors:

Kyle T. Cuellar - Katy TX, US
John D. Wilkinson - Midland TX, US
Hank M. Hudson - Midland TX, US

Assignee:

Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. - Midland TX

International Classification:

F25J 3/00
C07C 7/04

US Classification:

62620, 62913

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then supplied to a fractionation column at a mid-column feed position. A vapor distillation stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed position and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the vapor distillation stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The vapor distillation stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column.

US Patent:

20110296867, Dec 8, 2011

Filed:

May 27, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/117242

Inventors:

Kyle T. Cuellar - Katy TX, US
John D. Wilkinson - Midland TX, US
Hank M. Hudson - Midland TX, US

Assignee:

Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. - Midland TX

International Classification:

F25J 3/00

US Classification:

62617

Abstract:

A process and an apparatus are disclosed for removing carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to intermediate pressure, and supplied to a fractionation tower at a top column feed position. The tower overhead vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and cooled to partially condense it, forming a condensed stream. The condensed stream is expanded to intermediate pressure, used to subcool a portion of the tower bottom liquid product, then supplied to the tower at a mid-column feed position. The subcooled portion of the tower bottom liquid product is expanded to lower pressure and used to cool the compressed overhead vapor stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the carbon dioxide is recovered in the tower bottom liquid product.