Patents by Inventor Dennis R. Enning

Dennis R. Enning 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).

  • Patent number: 11360018
    Abstract: No reliable test presently exists for predicting the amount or type of corrosion a metal surface may experience during field use, particularly when the corrosion can be a result of both acid-induced corrosion and microorganism-induced corrosion mechanisms. Apparatuses affording more field-like testing conditions may comprise: a one-pass fluid train comprising a reservoir configured to maintain a fluid at a first temperature state under anoxic conditions; a pre-conditioning chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to receive a defined volume of the fluid; an autoclave chamber having an impeller in fluid communication with the pre-conditioning chamber that is configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid from the pre-conditioning chamber; and one or more sampling receptacles in fluid communication with the autoclave chamber that are configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid while maintaining anoxic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Enning, Ramsey J. Smith, Jeffrey D Spitzenberger, Alexander J. Dulin, Oleg Y. Melnichenko, James K. Backman, William Farrell, Kurt R. Grice, Michael Scudiero
  • Patent number: 10738605
    Abstract: A method for testing properties of a pressurized multiphase fluid sample containing at least hydrocarbons and water. The pressurized multiphase fluid sample is placed into a first pressurized chamber of a testing device. The water is separated from the hydrocarbons. At least part of the separated water is flowed through a first outlet in the first pressurized chamber and into a second pressurized chamber. The second pressurized chamber is optionally isolated from the first pressurized chamber. A pH level of the separated water is tested in the second pressurized chamber. Microbial activity and growth is tested for in the pressurized multiphase fluid in the first pressurized chamber. A pressure of the pressurized multiphase fluid is substantially maintained throughout the placing, separating, flowing, isolating, and testing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Joseph W. Stolle, Yao Xiong, Dennis R. Enning, David S. Fischer, Manuel A. Castelan
  • Publication number: 20200173907
    Abstract: No reliable test presently exists for predicting the amount or type of corrosion a metal surface may experience during field use, particularly when the corrosion can be a result of both acid-induced corrosion and microorganism-induced corrosion mechanisms. Apparatuses affording more field-like testing conditions may comprise: a one-pass fluid train comprising a reservoir configured to maintain a fluid at a first temperature state under anoxic conditions; a pre-conditioning chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to receive a defined volume of the fluid; an autoclave chamber having an impeller in fluid communication with the pre-conditioning chamber that is configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid from the pre-conditioning chamber; and one or more sampling receptacles in fluid communication with the autoclave chamber that are configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid while maintaining anoxic conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Dennis R. Enning, Ramsey J. Smith, Jeffrey D. Spitzenberger, Alexander J. Dulin, Oleg Y. Melnichenko, James K. Backman, William Farrell, Kurt R. Grice, Michael Scudiero
  • Publication number: 20200165509
    Abstract: Provided are methods for diagnosing, monitoring and mitigating microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). The methods employ steps to determine the nature and concentration of biological signatures, formed through metabolism of microorganisms, and correlating the biological signatures with MIC. Based on such analyses, appropriate MIC mitigation strategies may be implemented so as to efficiently target MIC at sites of interest. The methods advantageously allow selection of appropriate MIC mitigation treatments that correspond to the level of severity of the MIC and based on historical data correlating particular biological signatures with particular MIC risk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Xiaozhou Zhang, Dennis R. Enning, Meytal B. Higgins, Jaspreet Mand, Fang Cao, Giovanni Pilloni, Mohor Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 10443363
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing a core rock sample for reservoir souring. The apparatus includes first and second pumps, and a piston cell associated with each of the first and second pumps. Each piston cell has a first portion and a second portion divided by a movable piston such that the second portion is fluidly sealed from the first portion. Each piston cell is configured to receive fluid pumped by its respective pump into the first portion thereof. A core holder is sized to receive and maintain a core rock sample at a desired pressure and temperature. The second portions of each of the piston cells are fluidly connected to the core holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Monica A. Canalizo-Hernandez, Dennis R. Enning, Gary L. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20180275111
    Abstract: A method for testing properties of a pressurized multiphase fluid sample containing at least hydrocarbons and water. The pressurized multiphase fluid sample is placed into a first pressurized chamber of a testing device. The water is separated from the hydrocarbons. At least part of the separated water is flowed through a first outlet in the first pressurized chamber and into a second pressurized chamber. The second pressurized chamber is optionally isolated from the first pressurized chamber. A pH level of the separated water is tested in the second pressurized chamber. Microbial activity and growth is tested for in the pressurized multiphase fluid in the first pressurized chamber. A pressure of the pressurized multiphase fluid is substantially maintained throughout the placing, separating, flowing, isolating, and testing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph W. Stolle, Yao Xiong, Dennis R. Enning, David S. Fischer, Manuel A. Castelan
  • Publication number: 20180119531
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing a core rock sample for reservoir souring. The apparatus includes first and second pumps, and a piston cell associated with each of the first and second pumps. Each piston cell has a first portion and a second portion divided by a movable piston such that the second portion is fluidly sealed from the first portion. Each piston cell is configured to receive fluid pumped by its respective pump into the first portion thereof. A core holder is sized to receive and maintain a core rock sample at a desired pressure and temperature. The second portions of each of the piston cells are fluidly connected to the core holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Monica A. Canalizo-Hernandez, Dennis R. Enning, Gary L. McDonald
  • Patent number: 9732369
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-phase process for conditionally treating MIC by evaluating whether MIC-correlating conditions exist, the degree of MIC, if present, and then applying a concomitant MIC-mitigating treatment which is adjusted in its degree of aggressiveness in proportion to MIC severity. The disclosed methodology allows, in part, for the continuous or periodic monitoring and assessment of MIC risk in petroleum-based equipment (e.g., pipeline) and the administering of a treatment that corresponds to the level of severity of the MIC resulting in a more fine-tuned, localized, and cost-effective treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Pilloni, Dennis R. Enning
  • Publication number: 20170030508
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-phase process for conditionally treating MIC by evaluating whether MIC-correlating conditions exist, the degree of MIC, if present, and then applying a concomitant MIC-mitigating treatment which is adjusted in its degree of aggressiveness in proportion to MIC severity. The disclosed methodology allows, in part, for the continuous or periodic monitoring and assessment of MIC risk in petroleum-based equipment (e.g., pipeline) and the administering of a treatment that corresponds to the level of severity of the MIC resulting in a more fine-tuned, localized, and cost-effective treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Giovanni Pilloni, Dennis R. Enning
  • Publication number: 20150021269
    Abstract: A system and methods for controlling microbial activity and growth in a mixed phase system. The method includes providing a rare-earth compound. The method also includes injecting the rare-earth compound into a mixed phase system, wherein the rare earth compound binds with a phosphate in an aqueous phase to adsorb the phosphate. The method also includes separating the rare-earth compound from the mixed phase system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis R. Enning, Jennifer A. Hornemann