Patents by Inventor Cesar Ovalles
Cesar Ovalles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9671384Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein, the method comprising the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents and capturing the precipitated asphaltenes in one or more low volume filters comprising a porous filter element comprising an area through which a fluid may flow; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Estrella Rogel, Cesar Ovalles, Michael Moir
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Patent number: 9539455Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for irradiating of solids containing petroleum or petroleum derived compounds (PPDCs), such as soils, oily sludge, drill cuttings, sediments, and non-commercial petroleum industry products, with electron beams in order to physically and/or chemically alter the composition of the PPDCs. The method includes the step of separating PPDC gas and liquids in the presence of a gas driver. Optionally, the method includes the steps of treating off-gases and applying one or more amendments to PPCD-impacted solid material pre-irradiation, post-irradiation, or during electron beam irradiation.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INCInventors: Thomas Hoelen, Cesar Ovalles, Deyuan Kong
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Publication number: 20160376883Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Cesar Ovalles
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Publication number: 20160169858Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein, the method comprising the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents and capturing the precipitated asphaltenes in one or more low volume filters comprising a porous filter element comprising an area through which a fluid may flow; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Estrella Rogel, Cesar Ovalles, Michael Moir
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Patent number: 9284826Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments for extracting oil from an oil-bearing formation. An embodiment of a method includes heating a first portion of the formation with radio frequency energy generated by a radio frequency generator electrically coupled to an antenna. The antenna is positioned within a wellbore and located within the first portion to heat the first portion to a minimum temperature of about 160° F. The radio frequency generator delivers power in a range from about 50 kilowatts to about 2 Megawatts, and a power per unit length of antenna is in a range from about 0.5 kW/m to 5 kW/m. The method includes extracting the oil from the first portion after heating to create void space for steam injection. The method also includes injecting steam into the first portion to heat a second portion of the formation adjacent to the first portion and extracting the oil from the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Michael John Campbell, Kathleen Judith Miller, Gunther Hans Dieckmann, James Thomas Dunlavey, Cesar Ovalles, Donald Leroy Kuehne
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Patent number: 9255043Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crude hydrocarbon composition containing (a) a liquid crude hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to about 20; and (b) a minor amount of a blend comprising (i) one or more hydrocarbon-containing solvents having an aromatic content of at least about 10 wt. %; and (ii) one or more asphaltene modifiers selected from the group consisting of an aromatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof, an aliphatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof and an alkyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid or salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method for transporting a liquid crude hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to about 20.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Chevron Oronite Company LLCInventors: Cesar Ovalles, John Segerstrom, Estrella Rogel, Curt Campbell
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Publication number: 20150360065Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for irradiating of solids containing petroleum or Petroleum derived compounds (PPDCs), such as soils, oily sludge, drill cuttings, sediments, and non-commercial petroleum industry products, with electron beams in order to physically and/or chemically alter the composition of the PPDCs. The method includes the step of separating PPDC gas and liquids in the presence of a gas driver. Optionally, the method includes the steps of treating off-gases and applying one or more amendments to PPCD-impacted solid material pre-irradiation, post-irradiation, or during electron beam irradiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: THOMAS HOELEN, CESAR OVALLES, DEYUAN KONG
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Patent number: 9127213Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of polyaromatic compounds from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated polyaromatic compounds therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated polyaromatic compounds; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated polyaromatic compounds; and (d) correlating a measurement of catalyst activity performance for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated polyaromatic compounds to predict catalyst performance of a catalyst in a refinery operation of the hydrocarbon-containing feedstock.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Varut Komalarajun, Cesar Ovalles, Estrella Rogel
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Patent number: 9028680Abstract: A method and system for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) solvent deasphalting at least a portion of an asphaltene-containing liquid crude hydrocarbon feedstock to form an asphaltene fraction and a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction essentially free of asphaltenes; (b) adjusting the density of the asphaltene fraction to substantially the same density of a carrier for the asphaltene fraction; (c) forming coated asphaltene particles from the asphaltene fraction of step (b); (d) slurrying the coated asphaltene particles with the carrier; and (e) transporting the slurry to a treatment facility or a transportation carrier.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Gunther Hans Dieckmann, John Segerstrom, Cesar Ovalles, Estrella Rogel, Vasudevan Sampath, Donald L. Kuehne, Hariprasad Janakiram Subramani, Dennis John O'Rear
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Publication number: 20150114635Abstract: Disclosed is a process for in situ upgrading of a heavy hydrocarbon comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a well in a reservoir containing a heavy hydrocarbon having an initial API gravity of less than or equal to about 20, an n-heptane asphaltene content as measured by the ASTM D-6560 of at least about 1 wt. %, and a viscosity at 35° C. greater than about 350 centistokes (cSt); (b) injecting one or more hydrocarbon solvents and one or more asphaltene precipitant additives into the well in any order at a ratio by volume of the solvent to the heavy hydrocarbon of at least from about 0.1:1 to about 20:1 under reservoir conditions so as to provide an upgraded hydrocarbon in the reservoir, wherein the upgraded hydrocarbon has an improved API gravity greater than the initial API gravity, a reduction in the asphaltene content, and a lower viscosity; and (c) producing the upgraded hydrocarbon from the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Cesar Ovalles, Estrella Rogel
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Publication number: 20140262225Abstract: Oil extraction from an oil-bearing formation includes: heating a first portion of the formation containing oil with radio frequency energy; extracting the oil from the first portion of the formation; injecting steam into the first portion of the formation to heat a second portion of the formation containing oil adjacent the first portion; and extracting the oil from the second portion of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Michael John Campbell, Kathleen Judith Miller, Gunther Hans Dieckmann, James Thomas Dunlavey, Cesar Ovalles, Donald Leroy Kuehne
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Publication number: 20140130581Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining the effectiveness of one or more asphaltene dispersant additives for inhibiting or preventing asphaltene precipitation in a hydrocarbon-containing material subjected to elevated temperature and pressure conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A.Inventors: Cesar Ovalles, Estrella Rodgel
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Publication number: 20130124106Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of estimating sediment content of a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon-containing feedstock.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Estrella Rogel, Cesar Ovalles, Pak Leung, Nan Chen
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Publication number: 20130118951Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of polyaromatic compounds from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated polyaromatic compounds therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated polyaromatic compounds; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated polyaromatic compounds; and (d) correlating a measurement of catalyst activity performance for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated polyaromatic compounds to predict catalyst performance of a catalyst in a refinery operation of the hydrocarbon-containing feedstock.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Varut Komalarajun, Cesar Ovalles, Estrella Rogel
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Publication number: 20130124105Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of predicting sediment content of a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon product. The method involves: (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics; (d) determining asphaltene content of the liquid sample from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics; (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the liquid sample from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics; and (f) correlating the asphaltene content and one of the asphaltene stability parameters of the liquid sample with at least two operation conditions associated with a refinery to predict sediment content.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. INCInventors: Estrella Rogel, Cesar Ovalles, Pak Leung, Nan Chen
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Publication number: 20130048079Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crude hydrocarbon composition containing (a) a liquid crude hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to about 20; and (b) a minor amount of a blend comprising (i) one or more hydrocarbon-containing solvents having an aromatic content of at least about 10 wt. %; and (ii) one or more asphaltene modifiers selected from the group consisting of an aromatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof, an aliphatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof and an alkyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid or salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method for transporting a liquid crude hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to about 20.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Cesar Ovalles, John Segerstrom, Estrella Rogel, Curtis B. Campbell
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Publication number: 20120160015Abstract: Disclosed is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock fouling tendencies for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Cesar Ovalles, Estrella Rogel, Michael E. Moir
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Publication number: 20120090220Abstract: A method and system for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) solvent deasphalting at least a portion of an asphaltene-containing liquid crude hydrocarbon feedstock to form an asphaltene fraction and a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction essentially free of asphaltenes; (b) adjusting the density of the asphaltene fraction to substantially the same density of a carrier for the asphaltene fraction; (c) forming coated asphaltene particles from the asphaltene fraction of step (b); (d) slurrying the coated asphaltene particles with the carrier; and (e) transporting the slurry to a treatment facility or a transportation carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: CHEVRON U. S. A. INC.Inventors: Gunther Hans Dieckmann, John Segerstrom, Cesar Ovalles, Estrella Rogel, Vasudevan Sampath, Donald L. Kuehne, Hariprasad Janakiram Subramani, Dennis John O'Rear
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Publication number: 20110077311Abstract: A method for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) obtaining an emulsion comprising an aqueous fraction and a liquid crude hydrocarbon fraction, wherein the liquid crude hydrocarbon fraction has a first viscosity and contains an oil-soluble compound that reversibly converts to a surfactant under basic conditions, and further wherein the emulsion has a second viscosity that is less than the first viscosity of the liquid crude hydrocarbon fraction; and (b) breaking the emulsion by contacting the emulsion with a carbon dioxide-containing material to convert at least a portion of the surfactant to the oil-soluble compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Estrella Rogel, Cesar Ovalles
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Publication number: 20110062058Abstract: A method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing material having solvated asphaltenes therein is disclosed. The method involves the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of the asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing material with an alkane mobile phase solvent in a column; (b) dissolving a first amount and a second amount of the precipitated asphaltenes by gradually and continuously changing the alkane mobile phase solvent to a final mobile phase solvent having a solubility parameter at least 1 MPa0.5 higher than the alkane mobile phase solvent; (c) monitoring the concentration of eluted fractions from the column; (d) creating a solubility profile of the dissolved asphaltenes in the hydrocarbon-containing material; and (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the hydrocarbon-containing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Estrella Rogel, Cesar Ovalles, Michael Moir