Patents Assigned to Amoco Corp.
  • Patent number: 6695983
    Abstract: A method of producing a crude syngas product stream or a syngas product stream by further processing of the crude syngas product stream. Both the crude and syngas product stream comprise carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The crude syngas product stream additionally comprises carbon dioxide and moisture. In accordance with the method, methane in a feed stream is converted into the hydrogen and carbon monoxide in at least two stages, thereby to form a crude syngas stream. An initial stage has an oxygen transport membrane reactor having a catalyst to promote carbon dioxide or steam methane reforming. Since, the conversion is shared between two stages, the oxygen transport membrane reactor can be operated at a sufficiently low temperature to avoid ceramic membrane deterioration due to creep effect. The subsequent stage can be operated at a higher temperature with more favorable equilibrium conditions to complete the conversion of the methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignees: Praxair Technology, Inc., BP Amoco Corp.
    Inventors: Ravi Prasad, Joseph Michael Schwartz, Earl T. Robinson, Christian Friedrich Gottzmann
  • Patent number: 5785123
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a well plunger system for the production of natural gas is described. The well plunger system includes a plunger tube positioned within a casing of a gas well, a tubing line connected to the plunger tube, a plunger moveable within the plunger tube, a plunger sensor for detecting the presence of the plunger, a valve connected to the tubing line and to the general gas distribution system including a sales line and a gas flow meter, a pressure sensor connected to the sales line, a motor for operating the valve, and a pressure sensor connected to the casing. The controller calculates the duration of an open interval when the valve is opened and a closed interval when the valve is closed based on a calculated average plunger velocity of the plunger after the valve is opened. The controller compensates for changes in sales line pressure by adjusting the calculated average plunger velocity by an amount equivalent to the changes in sales line pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Amoco Corp.
    Inventor: James F. Lea, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5735948
    Abstract: A thermal process co-recycles tires with oils to produce gases, liquids and solids. The latter consisting of glass and steel fibers and a carbonous residue which are separately segregated and collected. By using selected additives gas formation and hydrogen sulfide contents are reduced, light product oil yields and quality are maximized and the level of chlorinated substances in the oils are reduced to trace amounts. The carbonous residue makes an excellent modifier for improving performance properties of bituminous binders and bituminous mixtures and for providing added benefits to properties of Portland concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignees: Univ. of Wyoming, Amoco Corp.
    Inventors: Chang Yul Cha, Henry Plancher, Lawrence S. Kraus
  • Patent number: 5470384
    Abstract: A thermal process co-recycles tires with oils to produce gases, liquids and solids. The latter consisting of glass and steel fibers and a carbonous residue which are separately segregated and collected. By using selected additives gas formation and hydrogen sulfide contents are reduced, light product oil yields and quality are maximized and the level of chlorinated substances in the oils are reduced to trace amounts. The carbonous residue makes an excellent modifier for improving performance properties of bituminous binders and bituminous mixtures and for providing added benefits to properties of Portland concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignees: Univ. of Wyoming, Amoco Corp.
    Inventors: Chang Y. Cha, Henry Plancher, Lawrence S. Kraus
  • Patent number: 5389691
    Abstract: A thermal process co-recycles tires with oils to produce gases, liquids and solids. The letter consisting of glass and steel fibers and a carbonous residue which are separately segregated and collected. By using selected additives gas formation and hydrogen sulfide contents are reduced, light product oil yields and quality are maximized and the level of chlorinated substances in the oils are reduced to trace amounts. The carbonous residue makes an excellent modifier for improving performance properties of bituminous binders and bituminous mixtures and for providing added benefits to properties of Portland concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignees: Univ. of Wyoming, Amoco Corp.
    Inventors: Chang Y. Cha, Henry Plancher, Lawrence S. Kraus
  • Patent number: 4803666
    Abstract: A method and system for geophysical exploration including obtaining, processing, displaying and interpreting seismic data. Seismic energy is imparted into the earth's subterranean formation along at least two linear independent lines of action in a seismic survey. At least two linearly independent components of the seismic wave energy imparted along each line of action are detected within the seismic survey. A concord of seismic signals is produced from the seismic wave energy detected for selected combinations of receiver and source locations. An orientation module operates on the concord of the seismic signals so as to generate synthetic concords of seismic signals so as to focus on a particular component of the seismic wave energy in order to infer the geologic characteristics of the earth's subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana), now Amoco Corp.
    Inventor: Richard M. Alford