Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming carbonaceous material into syngas containing hydrogen and CO gases is disclosed. In one embodiment, a hydrogen rich torch reactor is provided for defining a reaction zone proximate to torch flame. One input of the reactor receives input material to be processed. Further inputs may be provided, such as for example to introduce steam and/or gases such as methane, oxygen, hydrogen, or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming carbonaceous material into syngas containing hydrogen and CO gases is disclosed. In one embodiment, a hydrogen rich torch reactor is provided for defining a reaction zone proximate to torch flame. One input of the reactor receives input material to be processed. Further inputs may be provided, such as for example to introduce steam and/or gases such as methane, oxygen, hydrogen, or the like.

Abstract: A method for delivering a fracturing fluid at a well site includes transporting a manifold module using a platform to the well site by supporting the manifold module on a vehicle bed; using the platform to position the manifold module directly over a target location; extending a stand from the manifold module toward the ground; lifting the manifold module off the bed using the extended stand; moving the platform away from under the manifold module; and lowering the manifold module using the stand. These steps are repeated to form a manifold assembly that includes a plurality of serially aligned and interconnected manifold modules. A related system includes a manifold assembly and platform as described.

Abstract: A system for delivering a fracturing fluid at a well site includes an input and a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly is connected receives a fluid mixture from the input and includes a plurality of manifold modules. Each manifold module includes a plurality of flow line segments, and at least one connector. The connector has a telescopically extendable end face connecting at least one flow line segment of the plurality of flow line segments to an adjacent connector assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming carbonaceous material into syngas containing hydrogen and CO gases is disclosed. In one embodiment, a hydrogen rich torch reactor is provided for defining a reaction zone proximate to torch flame. One input of the reactor receives input material to be processed. Further inputs may be provided, such as for example to introduce steam and/or gases such as methane, oxygen, hydrogen, or the like.

Abstract: A method for delivering a fracturing fluid at a well site includes transporting a manifold module using a platform to the well site by supporting the manifold module on a vehicle bed; using the platform to position the manifold module directly over a target location; extending a stand from the manifold module toward the ground; lifting the manifold module off the bed using the extended stand; moving the platform away from under the manifold module; and lowering the manifold module using the stand. These steps are repeated to form a manifold assembly that includes a plurality of serially aligned and interconnected manifold modules. A related system includes a manifold assembly and platform as described.

Abstract: A system for delivering a fracturing fluid at a well site includes an input and a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly is connected receives a fluid mixture from the input and includes a plurality of manifold modules. Each manifold module includes a plurality of flow line segments, and at least one connector. The connector has a telescopically extendable end face connecting at least one flow line segment of the plurality of flow line segments to an adjacent connector assembly.

Abstract: A pipe connection in which at least one of the flanges has a reverse hub between the outer portion of the flange and the inner portion of the flange that extends outward to form to the weld neck. The reverse hub tapers down toward the sealing face of the flange, rather than away from the face of the flange. This taper may follow a spline curve which is empirically determined to reduce stresses that are caused by rotation of the outer portion of the flange around the gasket. The reverse hub eliminates material that would be required for a positive hub and thereby reduces the weight of the flange. By reducing the stresses resulting from rotation of the outer portion of the flange around the gasket, the thickness of the flange may also be reduced, further reducing the weight of the flange.

Abstract: A swivel misalignment coupling for connecting pipe sections in a high-pressure conduit. In one embodiment, the coupling is a three-bolt coupling having a female coupling member, a male coupling member, and a swiveling collar member. The male and female coupling members have contact surfaces that are spherical to enable sealing contact between them. A seal ring may be positioned between the contact surfaces to ensure a good seal. The collar swivels around the male coupling member to facilitate fastening of the collar to the female coupling member, which holds the male and female coupling members in sealing engagement. Recesses may be positioned radially inward from the attachment points (e.g., bolt holes) of the female coupling member to reduce stress and potential deformation of the contact surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating sand and other solids from oil and other fluids produced from a well. The present systems and methods introduce the fluids at relatively high speed into a generally cylindrical separation chamber. The fluids flow in a generally circular path within the chamber, causing the solids and higher density fluid/media to be urged outward from the axis of the chamber as the fluids flow from the upper portion of the chamber. Because the solids become concentrated at the outer wall of the chamber, the fluid in a central portion of the chamber is substantially free of the solids, and can be removed from the chamber via a fluid outlet. The solids concentrated at the outer wall of the chamber continue to move downward into an accumulation chamber in which the fluid speed is reduced, allowing the solids to settle out of the fluid.

Abstract: A swivel misalignment coupling for connecting pipe sections in a high-pressure conduit. In one embodiment, the coupling is a three-bolt coupling having a female coupling member, a male coupling member, and a swiveling collar member. The male and female coupling members have contact surfaces that are spherical to enable sealing contact between them. A seal ring may be positioned between the contact surfaces to ensure a good seal. The collar swivels around the male coupling member to facilitate fastening of the collar to the female coupling member, which holds the male and female coupling members in sealing engagement. Recesses may be positioned radially inward from the attachment points (e.g., bolt holes) of the female coupling member to reduce stress and potential deformation of the contact surface.

Abstract: Lifting devices for use with drilling risers, where the lifting devices have a plurality of segments, some of which are hinged to facilitate handling and provide multiple shear points between the hinged segments. One embodiment comprises a lifting device for a drilling riser, where the device includes a collar and a lifting lug. The collar has a cylindrical ring with one or more annular ribs connected to corresponding circular edges of the ring. The lifting lug is connected to the collar and the ribs. The collar has a plurality of segments, and at least a first one of the segments is pivotally connected to another one of the segments by a hinge. Each rib may taper smoothly from a smaller thickness at a top edge of the rib to a greater thickness at a base of the rib.

Abstract: Systems for lifting drilling risers that serve as thrust collars to retain buoyancy modules on the risers and also enable the risers to be lifted using lifting lugs that are attached to the thrust collars. In one embodiment, a lifting device uses two annular ribs at the edges of a cylindrical collar, wherein the ribs have substantially constant height, but varying thickness. The thickness of each rib is greater at the position of the lifting lug, and may also be greater at its base than that its top or outermost edge. The collar may be segmented, where the segments are bolted together to assemble the device around the riser. The segments may be pre-stressed to reduce stresses during lifting. The device may include an elastomeric layer on its inner surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating sand and other solids from oil and other fluids produced from a well. The present systems and methods introduce the fluids at relatively high speed into a generally cylindrical separation chamber. The fluids flow in a generally circular path within the chamber, causing the solids and higher density fluid/media to be urged outward from the axis of the chamber as the fluids flow from the upper portion of the chamber. Because the solids become concentrated at the outer wall of the chamber, the fluid in a central portion of the chamber is substantially free of the solids, and can be removed from the chamber via a fluid outlet. The solids concentrated at the outer wall of the chamber continue to move downward into an accumulation chamber in which the fluid speed is reduced, allowing the solids to settle out of the fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving heat exchangers by implementing self-energizing seals. In one embodiment, a U-tube heat exchanger includes a shell enclosure, a tube sheet, a closure and a set of tubes welded to the tube sheet. The tube sheet separates first and second chambers from a third chamber in the shell enclosure. The closure seals the first and second chambers. Each tube extends from the first chamber, through the third chamber to the second chamber. The improvement comprises a seal between the shell enclosure and either the closure or the tube sheet. The seal includes conically tapered sealing surfaces on the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet which form a wedge-shaped gap. A seal ring having surfaces complementary to the sealing surfaces of the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet is positioned between the sealing surfaces to form a self-energized seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving heat exchangers by implementing self-energizing seals. In one embodiment, a U-tube heat exchanger includes a shell enclosure, a tube sheet, a closure and a set of tubes welded to the tube sheet. The tube sheet separates first and second chambers from a third chamber in the shell enclosure. The closure seals the first and second chambers. Each tube extends from the first chamber, through the third chamber to the second chamber. The improvement comprises a seal between the shell enclosure and either the closure or the tube sheet. The seal includes conically tapered sealing surfaces on the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet which form a wedge-shaped gap. A seal ring having surfaces complementary to the sealing surfaces of the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet is positioned between the sealing surfaces to form a self-energized seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving heat exchangers by implementing self-energizing seals. In one embodiment, a U-tube heat exchanger includes a shell enclosure, a tube sheet, a closure and a set of tubes welded to the tube sheet. The tube sheet separates first and second chambers from a third chamber in the shell enclosure. The closure seals the first and second chambers. Each tube extends from the first chamber, through the third chamber to the second chamber. The improvement comprises a seal between the shell enclosure and either the closure or the tube sheet. The seal includes conically tapered sealing surfaces on the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet which form a wedge-shaped gap. A seal ring having surfaces complementary to the sealing surfaces of the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet is positioned between the sealing surfaces to form a self-energized seal.

Abstract: A pipe connection in which at least one of the flanges has a reverse hub between the outer portion of the flange and the inner portion of the flange that extends outward to form to the weld neck. The reverse hub tapers down toward the sealing face of the flange, rather than away from the face of the flange. This taper may follow a spline curve which is empirically determined to reduce stresses that are caused by rotation of the outer portion of the flange around the gasket. The reverse hub eliminates material that would be required for a positive hub and thereby reduces the weight of the flange. By reducing the stresses resulting from rotation of the outer portion of the flange around the gasket, the thickness of the flange may also be reduced, further reducing the weight of the flange.

Abstract: A pipe connection having flange members which are configured so that the bolts which secure the two flanges of the connection together are staggered axially. One embodiment comprises a first flange member, a second flange member and a set of bolts and corresponding nuts. Each flange member has bolt holes sized to accommodate the bolts. The bolts are positioned in the bolt holes, and the nuts are tightened onto the bolts to secure the first flange member to the second flange member. Each of the bolt holes has a corresponding bolt seat against which one of the bolts' heads or nuts is seated, and the bolt seats of adjacent bolt holes are staggered axially (i.e., in the direction of an axis of symmetry through the flange members) so that each bolt's corresponding nut can be tightened without interference from the adjacent bolts or the corresponding nuts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making connections between pipe sections. In one embodiment, a pipe connection consists of a pair of flanges having conically tapered sealing surfaces and a tapered seal ring. A first one of the flanges has a male nose extending forward from the face of the flange, while a second one of the flanges has a female pocket which is recessed into the flange. The seal ring has conically tapered surfaces complementary to those of the flanges so that, when the connection is assembled, a seal is created between the seal ring and each of the flanges. The nose of the male flange extends forward so that, when the connection is assembled, the nose makes direct contact with the pocket of the second flange, forming a substantially gap-free conduit through the flanges.