Patents by Inventor Daniel Bulbuc
Daniel Bulbuc 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: 10544369Abstract: A process for treating a bitumen froth comprising bitumen, solids and water to produce a deasphalted oil product is provided comprising optionally diluting the raw bitumen froth with a diluent to form a diluted bitumen froth; separating the raw or diluted bitumen froth into a light bitumen fraction and a heavy bitumen fraction comprising bitumen, fine solids and water; mixing the heavy bitumen fraction with a first solvent to form a solvent/bitumen mixture; and introducing the solvent/bitumen mixture into a first extraction vessel operating at a temperature and a pressure such that the solvent is at or near supercritical conditions to form a heavy phase comprising asphaltenes, solids and water and a light phase comprising deasphalted oil.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD, in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Daniel Bulbuc, Keng Chung, David Childs
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Patent number: 9400196Abstract: A method of detecting E-line loss in a disc stack centrifuge is provided, comprising: collecting data from at least one instrument associated with the centrifuge over a specific time period; calculating one or more indicators by comparing the collected data with expected values from a normally operating centrifuge, the indicators being indicative of a start of an E-line loss event; calculating the probability of E-line loss by applying weighted voting to the indicators to yield a probability value; and activating an alert upon determination that the probability value exceeds a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD.Inventors: Darcy Daugela, David Mueller, Daniel Bulbuc, Christine Engler-Cooper
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Publication number: 20160208174Abstract: A process for treating a bitumen froth comprising bitumen, solids and water to produce a deasphalted oil product is provided comprising optionally diluting the raw bitumen froth with a diluent to form a diluted bitumen froth; separating the raw or diluted bitumen froth into a light bitumen fraction and a heavy bitumen fraction comprising bitumen, fine solids and water; mixing the heavy bitumen fraction with a first solvent to form a solvent/bitumen mixture; and introducing the solvent/bitumen mixture into a first extraction vessel operating at a temperature and a pressure such that the solvent is at or near supercritical conditions to form a heavy phase comprising asphaltenes, solids and water and a light phase comprising deasphalted oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: DANIEL BULBUC, KENG CHUNG, DAVID CHILDS
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Publication number: 20160122660Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a system for optimizing diluent recovery of a diluent recovery unit (DRU) used to recover a diluent from a tailings generated by a bitumen froth treatment process (BFTP). A regression model is determined from data points for operating conditions and corresponding diluent recovery, generated during operation of the DRU. The regression model is used to predict diluent recovery under a particular operating condition and determine a recommended value of the operating condition to achieve a target diluent recovery. The system may graphically display the regression model, the predicted diluent recovery and the recommended value, or cause the DRU to vary the operating conditions towards the recommended value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: DANIEL BULBUC, CHRISTINE ENGLER-COOPER, SUJIT BHATTACHARYA, NESMA ANSARI, PETER CRICKMORE, DAVID MUELLER
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Publication number: 20150149098Abstract: A method of detecting E-line loss in a disc stack centrifuge is provided, comprising: collecting data from at least one instrument associated with the centrifuge over a specific time period; calculating one or more indicators by comparing the collected data with expected values from a normally operating centrifuge, the indicators being indicative of a start of an E-line loss event; calculating the probability of E-line loss by applying weighted voting to the indicators to yield a probability value; and activating an alert upon determination that the probability value exceeds a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: DARCY DAUGELA, DAVID MUELLER, DANIEL BULBUC, CHRISTINE ENGLER-COOPER
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Publication number: 20150097061Abstract: A nozzle for use in the bowl of a disc centrifuge is provided, comprising an inner sleeve forming a longitudinally extending passageway, the inner sleeve having an elevated region at its top, the elevated region having an extended front end; and an outer sleeve for supporting the inner sleeve along most of its length, the outer sleeve having a collar with an outermost edge at its top; whereby when the inner sleeve is inserted into the outer sleeve, the elevated region of the inner sleeve extends past the collar of the outer sleeve and the extended front end of the elevated region extends towards the outermost edge of the outer sleeve collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: KEVIN REID, DANIEL BULBUC, OLLE TÖRNBLOM, JIE ZHENG
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Patent number: 8726747Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for obtaining a sample of a fluid solids, such as a coke and hydrocarbon mixture, from a fluid solids process is provided. A sample vessel is provided that contains a first end, a second end, an aperture in the first end and an interior cavity. A cooling device can be provided for cooling material in the interior cavity of the sampling vessel. In operation, fluid solids can be routed through the aperture and collected in the interior cavity. The collected sample material can then be cooled by the cooling device and used for testing.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Syncrude Canada Ltd.Inventors: Richard Douglas Kennett, Iftikhar Huq, Daniel Bulbuc, David Dennis Famulak, Jacqueline Hess, Christian Schroeter
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Patent number: 8066949Abstract: Fouling in the scrubber section of a fluid coker unit is reduced by providing perforated baffles to improve the uniformity of the gas flow profile in the scrubber by reducing the gas velocity of the cyclone outlet gases in the scrubber section of the unit. These baffles are located with the objective of reducing the rotational component of the gas flow in the scrubber created by the alignment of the gas outlets of the cyclones. The baffles are preferably located in the shed section of the scrubber and comprise upstanding perforated plates located at the periphery of the scrubber section to disrupt high velocity gas jets in the region of the interior wall of the scrubber.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering CompanyInventors: Craig A. McKnight, Larry P. Hackman, Brian A. Knapper, Daniel Bulbuc, George B. Jones, Jonathan Tyler, Darwin E. Kiel
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Publication number: 20100078305Abstract: Fouling in the scrubber section of a fluid coker unit is reduced by providing baffles to improve the uniformity of the gas flow profile in the scrubber by reducing the gas velocity of the cyclone outlet gases in the scrubber section of the unit. These baffles are located with the objective of reducing the rotational component of the gas flow in the scrubber created by the alignment of the gas outlets of the cyclones. The baffles are preferably located in the shed section of the scrubber and comprise upstanding perforated plates located at the periphery of the scrubber section to disrupt high velocity gas jets in the region of the interior wall of the scrubber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: ExxonMobile Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Craig A. McKnight, Larry P. Hackman, Brian A. Knapper, Daniel Bulbuc, George B. Jones, Jonathan Tyler, Darwin Kiel
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Publication number: 20050001062Abstract: The invention relates to an improved mixing arrangement for, primarily, moving bitumen in steam from sources of such bitumen and steam to a reactor or coker for further processing of the bitumen into petroleum products. The invention provides a main conduit connected to an atomizing nozzle mounted in a wall of the reactor and first and second conduits for flowing bitumen and steam respectively into the main conduit. The first conduit is angled relative to the main conduit at an acute angle of about 45° and the second conduit is angled relative to the main conduit at an acute angle of about 30°. The second conduit is positioned downstream of the first conduit by a short distance of about 23 mm and may be angled radially relative to the first conduit by any angle, although a 90° angle is preferred. A flow accelerating nozzle is located in the second conduit adjacent the entrance therefrom into the main conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2004Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventors: Thomas McCracken, Adam Bennett, Kevin Jonasson, Deepak Kirpalani, Zahra Tafreshi, Terrence Base, Irene Base, Douglas Emberley, R. Kennett, Daniel Bulbuc, Edward Chan