Patents by Inventor Darrell Lynn Gallup
Darrell Lynn Gallup 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: 9447674Abstract: Methods and systems relate to the in-situ removal of heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, etc., from produced fluids such as gases and crudes from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A sufficient amount of a fixing agent is injected into formation with a dilution fluid. The fixing agent reacts with the heavy metals forming precipitate, or is extracted heavy metals into the dilution fluid as soluble complexes. In one embodiment, the heavy metal precipitates remain in the formation. After the recovery of the produced fluid, the dilution fluid containing the heavy metal complexes is separated from the produced fluid, generating a treated produced fluid having a reduced concentration of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the dilution fluid is water, and the wastewater containing the heavy metal complexes after recovery can be recycled by injection into a reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young, Russell Evan Cooper, Matthew Bernard Zielinski, Mark Anthony Emanuele, Brian Christopher Llewellyn, Dennis John O'Rear
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Patent number: 9447675Abstract: Methods and systems relate to the in-situ removal of heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, etc., from produced fluids such as gases and crudes from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A sufficient amount of a fixing agent is injected into formation with a dilution fluid. The fixing agent reacts with the heavy metals forming precipitate, or is extracted heavy metals into the dilution fluid as soluble complexes. In one embodiment, the heavy metal precipitates remain in the formation. After the recovery of the produced fluid, the dilution fluid containing the heavy metal complexes is separated from the produced fluid, generating a treated produced fluid having a reduced concentration of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the dilution fluid is water, and the wastewater containing the heavy metal complexes after recovery can be recycled by injection into a reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young, Russell Evan Cooper, Matthew Bernard Zielinski, Mark Anthony Emanuele, Brian Christopher Llewellyn, Dennis John O'Rear
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Patent number: 9181497Abstract: Trace amount levels of non-volatile mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a water stream containing at least a monatomic water-soluble sulfur species such as sulfides and hydrosulfides. The non-volatile mercury is extracted into the water phase forming a mercury rich wastewater, yielding a treated crude oil having at less than 50% of the original non-volatile mercury level. The wastewater can disposed or recycled by injection into a reservoir. In one embodiment, the water stream consists essentially of produced water.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Chevon U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Russell Evan Cooper, Dennis John O'Rear, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young, Sujin Yean
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Patent number: 9023123Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are reduced by scrubbing the natural gas in an absorber with an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble sulfur compound. The water-soluble sulfur compound reacts with a least a portion of the mercury in the natural gas to produce a treated natural gas with a reduced concentration of mercury, and a mercury containing sulfur-depleted solution which can be disposed by injection into a (depleted) underground formation. The produced water extracted with the natural gas from the underground formation can be recycled for use as the scrubbing solution. In one embodiment, a fresh source of water-soluble sulfur compound as feed to the absorber can be generated on-site by reacting an elemental sulfur source with a sulfur reagent in produced water.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Russell Evan Cooper, Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young
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Publication number: 20140158353Abstract: Methods and systems relate to the in-situ removal of heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, etc., from produced fluids such as gases and crudes from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A sufficient amount of a fixing agent is injected into formation with a dilution fluid. The fixing agent reacts with the heavy metals forming precipitate, or is extracted heavy metals into the dilution fluid as soluble complexes. In one embodiment, the heavy metal precipitates remain in the formation. After the recovery of the produced fluid, the dilution fluid containing the heavy metal complexes is separated from the produced fluid, generating a treated produced fluid having a reduced concentration of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the dilution fluid is water, and the wastewater containing the heavy metal complexes after recovery can be recycled by injection into a reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventors: Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young, Russell Evan Cooper, Matthew Bernard Zielinski, Mark Anthony Emanuele, Brian Christopher Llewellyn, Dennis John O'Rear
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Publication number: 20140151040Abstract: Methods and systems relate to the in-situ removal of heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, etc., from produced fluids such as gases and crudes from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A sufficient amount of a fixing agent is injected into formation with a dilution fluid. The fixing agent reacts with the heavy metals forming precipitate, or is extracted heavy metals into the dilution fluid as soluble complexes. In one embodiment, the heavy metal precipitates remain in the formation. After the recovery of the produced fluid, the dilution fluid containing the heavy metal complexes is separated from the produced fluid, generating a treated produced fluid having a reduced concentration of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the dilution fluid is water, and the wastewater containing the heavy metal complexes after recovery can be recycled by injection into a reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young, Russell Evan Cooper, Matthew Bernard Zielinski, Mark Anthony Emanuele, Brian Christopher Llewellyn, Dennis John O'Rear
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Patent number: 8728303Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, extracting heavy metals into a water phase for subsequent separation from the crude oil. The oxidizing agent is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, organic peroxides, inorganic peracids and salts thereof, organic peracids and salts thereof, and ozone. In one embodiment, the oxidizing agent converts heavy metals into the heavy metal cations in a water-oil emulsion, which can be subsequently separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, at least a complexing agent can be added to facilitate the removal by forming soluble heavy metal complexes in the water phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Lyman Young, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Sujin Yean, Dennis John O'Rear
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Patent number: 8728304Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Darrell Lynn Gallup, Sujin Yean
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Patent number: 8721874Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, converting heavy metals into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. At least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides, and the oxidizing agent is selected from the group of organic peracids, inorganic peracids and salts thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Sujin Yean, Lyman Young
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Patent number: 8721873Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidant such as oxyhalites, converting elemental mercury into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. In an improved method for the removal of mercury, at least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Young, Dennis John O'Rear
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Patent number: 8673133Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup
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Patent number: 8663460Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Darrell Lynn Gallup
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Publication number: 20130306312Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are reduced by scrubbing the natural gas in an absorber with an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble sulfur compound. The water-soluble sulfur compound reacts with a least a portion of the mercury in the natural gas to produce a treated natural gas with a reduced concentration of mercury, and a mercury containing sulfur-depleted solution which can be disposed by injection into a (depleted) underground formation. The produced water extracted with the natural gas from the underground formation can be recycled for use as the scrubbing solution. In one embodiment, a fresh source of water-soluble sulfur compound as feed to the absorber can be generated on-site by reacting an elemental sulfur source with a sulfur reagent in produced water.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Russell Evan Cooper, Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young
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Publication number: 20130306311Abstract: Trace amount levels of non-volatile mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a water stream containing at least a monatomic water-soluble sulfur species such as sulfides and hydrosulfides. The non-volatile mercury is extracted into the water phase forming a mercury rich wastewater, yielding a treated crude oil having at less than 50% of the original non-volatile mercury level. The wastewater can disposed or recycled by injection into a reservoir. In one embodiment, the water stream consists essentially of produced water.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Russell Evan Cooper, Dennis John O'Rear, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Arnold Young, Sujin Yean
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Publication number: 20130306310Abstract: A method for simultaneously transporting and removing trace amount levels of heavy metals from produced fluids such as crude oil, with the injection of a fixing agent into the pipeline for use in transporting the produced fluid. A sufficient amount of the fixing agent is injected into the pipeline containing the produced fluid and a dilution fluid. The fixing agent reacts with the heavy metals forming precipitate or soluble complexes in the dilution. The dilution fluid containing the heavy metal complexes is separated from the produced fluid, generating a treated produced fluid having a reduced concentration of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the dilution fluid is water, and the wastewater containing the heavy metal complexes after recovery can be recycled by injection into a reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Darrell Lynn Gallup, Sujin Yean, Lyman Arnold Young, Dennis John O'Rear, Russell Evan Cooper
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Publication number: 20120125817Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidant such as oxyhalites, converting elemental mercury into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. In an improved method for the removal of mercury, at least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sujin Yean, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Lyman Young, Dennis John O'Rear
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Publication number: 20120125818Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, converting heavy metals into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. At least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides, and the oxidizing agent is selected from the group of organic peracids, inorganic peracids and salts thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Sujin Yean, Lyman Young
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Publication number: 20120125816Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, extracting heavy metals into a water phase for subsequent separation from the crude oil. The oxidizing agent is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, organic peroxides, inorganic peracids and salts thereof, organic peracids and salts thereof, and ozone. In one embodiment, the oxidizing agent converts heavy metals into the heavy metal cations in a water-oil emulsion, which can be subsequently separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, at least a complexing agent can be added to facilitate the removal by forming soluble heavy metal complexes in the water phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Lyman Young, Darrell Lynn Gallup, Sujin Yean, Dennis John O'Rear
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Publication number: 20120067785Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Darrell Lynn Gallup
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Publication number: 20120067786Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Darrell Lynn Gallup, Sujin Yean