Larry D Burton

US Patent:

6422539, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/580799

Inventors:

Larry W. Burton - De Soto TX
Fred G. Tahmassi - Carrollton TX

Assignee:

AMT International, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B01F 304

US Classification:

2611144, 2611145

Abstract:

An apparatus for connecting adjacent tray panel of a fractionation tray within a distillation column tower for the separation between a vapor and liquid is provided. A first interlocking panel has an alignment area with at least one alignment slot toward the center of the panel and at least one alignment aperture located distal from the center of the panel. A second interlocking panel has an alignment tab with a valve perforation on the alignment tab. The alignment tab of the second panel is inserted into the alignment slot of the first panel at an angle. The gravitational force on the panel opposite the alignment tab of the second panel aligns the second panel within the horizontal plane of the first panel such that no bolts are required during assembly. Dispersion valves are inserted into the valve perforation to disperse the vapor and prevent weeping to the tray below and flooding to the tray above. The valve perforation also reduces the dead zone region between the interlocking panels to increase the capacity and efficiency of the fractionation tray and distillation column.

US Patent:

6948705, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Oct 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/679471

Inventors:

Adam T. Lee - Dallas TX, US
Larry W. Burton - Desoto TX, US
Francis W. Lemon - Ottawa, CA

Assignee:

AMT International, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B01F003/04

US Classification:

261 792, 261 96, 261109

Abstract:

The lower, liquid collecting section of a gas/liquid contacting column has an entrained substance depleting duct extending therearound wherein gas, for example, steam is fed by the duct into the lower section, steam depleted by gravity of liquid droplets, is deflected upwardly by deflectors in the duct through duct openings into a central, upper region of the lower section, while steam with the droplets is deflected downwardly by deflectors in the duct through other duct openings towards a liquid pool in the lower section. Any other liquid and/or solids entrained in the gas (steam) are also deflected downwardly in this manner.

US Patent:

7270315, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

May 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/124046

Inventors:

Larry W Burton - Desoto TX, US
Farzad G. Tahmassi - Carrollton TX, US
Francis W. Lemon - Ottawa, CA

Assignee:

AMT International, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B01F 3/04

US Classification:

2611141, 2611145

Abstract:

In, for example, a gas-liquid, liquid/liquid exchange column, perforated tray assemblies are provided which have a plurality of adjacent tray sections with slots adjacent rounded leading edges of the sections, and catches extending along trailing edges which interlock in the slots of an adjacent section. This interlocking avoids the use of bolted joints which cause stagnant areas where sediment accumulation occurs, resulting in reduced gas-liquid and liquid/liquid contact, and the need for the tray sections to be frequently cleaned. Perforated domes may be provided on perforations to reduce stagnant areas.

US Patent:

7445200, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Dec 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/318189

Inventors:

Adam T. Lee - Dallas TX, US
Larry W. Burton - Waxahachie TX, US
Karl Tze-Tang Chuang - Edmonton, CA

Assignee:

AMT International, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B01F 3/04

US Classification:

2611122, 2611141, 96190, 96356, 96360

Abstract:

A gas-liquid contactor baffle includes a body having a first portion, a second portion and a middle portion, the middle portion being positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The middle portion is a corrugated sheet having a first face and a second face. The corrugated sheet has alternating ridges and open ended channels extending across each of the first face and the second face between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion has a first collection channel adapted to collect liquids from the open ended channels of the middle portion when flow is along the first face in a first direction. The second portion having a second collection channel adapted to collect liquids from the open ended channels of the middle portion when flow is along the second face in a second direction.

US Patent:

7556734, Jul 7, 2009

Filed:

Feb 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/048812

Inventors:

Adam T. Lee - Dallas TX, US
Larry W. Burton - Desoto TX, US
Francis W. Lemon - Ottawa, CA

Assignee:

Amt International, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B01D 11/04

US Classification:

210247, 210511, 210634, 422256, 208317, 196 1452

Abstract:

The contact between, for example, ascending liquid droplets of lighter liquid, as the dispersed phase, and heavier liquid, as the continuous phase, flowing across perforated trays in a flooded liquid/liquid contacting column, is enhanced by providing upstanding baffles on lower trays, interspersed with depending baffles from the trays above. The baffles cause the heavy liquid to flow along an undulating path. Flow distributing partitions extend along the undulating flow path, between the baffles, to distribute liquid flow across the trays. The roles of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid may be reversed as phases.

US Patent:

7648128, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Dec 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/644164

Inventors:

Adam T. Lee - Dallas TX, US
Larry W. Burton - Waxahachie TX, US

Assignee:

AMT International, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B01F 3/04

US Classification:

2611141, 2611144, 2611145

Abstract:

An apparatus is provided for improved gas/liquid contact in a chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. The apparatus includes a tower having a series of tray decks and downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. In this invention, the trays have at least one downcomer and one adjacent active sump. The sump has at least one row of apertures for bubbling vapor through liquid flowing therein, and is separated from the downcomer by a baffle. The clarified liquid at the bottom of the sump is sent to the downcomer. The liquid entering the next tray can be assured to divide evenly for multiple-downcomer applications. Gas/liquid contact is thereby enhanced through the installation of these apertures, and clarification of the liquid from bubbles is thereby improved through the addition of the active sump. Benefits to the tower operation include higher tray capacity and efficiency.

US Patent:

7753348, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Jan 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/700217

Inventors:

Adam T Lee - Dallas TX, US
Larry W Burton - Waxahachie TX, US

Assignee:

AMT International, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B01F 3/04

US Classification:

2611141, 2611145

Abstract:

A tray assembly is provided for improved gas/liquid contact when used in a large chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. Each tray assembly has two levels of tray decks and associated downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. A novel downcomer configuration is provided for use in multipass trays. The shape of downcomer bottom chord is designed to allow for liquid to travel across any part of each tray deck at a similar distance between the inlet and the outlet weir. As a result, liquid on the tray deck travels in plug flow pattern. Benefits include a higher Murphree tray efficiency due to minimum liquid back-mixing, as well as minimum local entrainment due to uniform froth height.

US Patent:

7850093, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Jan 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/023245

Inventors:

Larry T. Burton - Crowley TX, US
James R. Reed - Azle TX, US
Jacob A. Johnson - Canyon Country CA, US
Kelly B. Choban - Aledo TX, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B05B 9/00

US Classification:

239142, 239302, 239337, 366247, 366249, 366605

Abstract:

An agitated and pressurized paint pot that is mounted directly to a paint spray dispenser uses a small volume pressurized pot with constant agitation. This design prevents the settling of material and ensures that the materials are applied through the system at a consistent feed rate to meet the specific needs of applying radar absorbing materials.