Patents by Inventor Hank M. Hudson
Hank M. Hudson 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).
-
Publication number: 20100287985Abstract: A process for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then expanded and supplied to a fractionation column at a first mid-column feed position. The gas stream is expanded and cooled, then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed positions and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the distillation vapor stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The distillation vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column as its top feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Tony L. Martinez, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Publication number: 20100287982Abstract: A process for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then expanded and supplied to a fractionation column at a first mid-column feed position. The gas stream is expanded and cooled, then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed positions and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the distillation vapor stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The distillation vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a first condensed stream. At least a portion of the first condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column at an upper mid-column feed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Tony L. Martinez, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Publication number: 20100275647Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicants: ORTLOFF ENGINEERS, LTD., S.M.E. PRODUCTS LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Publication number: 20100251764Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream in a compact processing assembly. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means inside the processing assembly. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the bottom feed to the second absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the first absorbing means and directed into one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly to heat it while cooling the gas stream and the first stream. The heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and divided into a volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicants: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Publication number: 20100236285Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream in a compact processing assembly. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the top feed to an absorbing means inside the processing assembly. The second stream is also expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and directed into one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly to heat it while cooling the gas stream and the first stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Andrew F. Johnke, Larry Lewis, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Publication number: 20100031700Abstract: A process and an apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream are disclosed. The natural gas stream is cooled under pressure and divided into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a lower feed point on a distillation column. The second stream is expanded to the intermediate pressure and divided into two portions. One portion is cooled and then supplied to a mid-column feed point on the distillation column; the other portion is used to cool the first stream. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas, so that the overhead vapor from the distillation column contains essentially only methane and lighter components.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Patent number: 7631516Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first portion is supplied to a fractionation column at an upper mid-column feed point. The second portion is directed in heat exchange relation with a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of the column, whereby this portion of the LNG feed stream is partially vaporized and the distillation stream is totally condensed. The condensed distillation stream is divided into a “lean” LNG product stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The partially vaporized portion of the LNG feed stream is separated into vapor and liquid streams which are thereafter supplied to the column at lower mid-column feed positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson
-
Publication number: 20090293538Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: ORTLOFF ENGINEERS, LTD.Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cueller
-
Publication number: 20090282865Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first portion is supplied to a fractionation column at a first upper mid-column feed point. The second portion is directed in heat exchange relation with a first portion of a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of the column, whereby the LNG feed stream is partially heated and the distillation stream is totally condensed. The condensed distillation stream is divided into a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The second portion of the LNG feed stream is heated further to partially or totally vaporize it and thereafter supplied to the column at a first lower mid-column feed position. The gas stream is divided into two portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: ORTLOFF ENGINEERS, LTD.Inventors: Tony L. Martinez, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Patent number: 7565815Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Publication number: 20090100862Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A vapor distillation stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the second stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the vapor distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ORTLOFF ENGINEERS, LTD.Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Tony L. Martinez
-
Publication number: 20080282731Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then supplied to a fractionation column at a mid-column feed position. A vapor distillation stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed position and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the vapor distillation stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The vapor distillation stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson
-
Publication number: 20080190136Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the pressure of a fractionation tower and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the first stream and compressed to an intermediate pressure, and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense substantially all of it, forming a condensed stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: ORTLOFF ENGINEERS, LTD.Inventors: Richard N. Pitman, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Tony L. Martinez
-
Publication number: 20080078205Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the second stream and compressed to higher pressure, and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense substantially all of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, Tony L. Martinez, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson
-
Patent number: 7216507Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first portion is supplied to a fractionation column at an upper mid-column feed point. The second portion is directed in heat exchange relation with a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of the column, whereby this portion of the LNG feed stream is partially heated and the distillation stream is totally condensed. The condensed distillation stream is divided into a “lean” LNG product stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The partially heated portion of the LNG feed stream is heated further to partially or totally vaporize it and thereafter supplied to the column at a lower mid-column feed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson
-
Patent number: 7210311Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Patent number: 7204100Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and then supplied to a distillation column at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is also expanded to intermediate pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second lower mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the second stream and is cooled to condense at least a part of it, forming a reflux stream. At least a portion of the reflux stream is directed to the distillation column as its top feed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
-
Patent number: 7191617Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the second stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson
-
Patent number: 7155931Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is directed in heat exchanger relation with a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of a distillation column, whereby the LNG feed stream is partially heated and the distillation stream is partially condensed. The partially condensed distillation stream is separated to provide volatile residue gas and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. A portion of the partially heated LNG feed stream is supplied to the column at an upper mid-column feed point, and the remaining portion is heated further to partially or totally vaporize it and thereafter supplied to the column at a lower mid-column feed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson
-
Patent number: 7010937Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: ElkCorpInventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cueller