Patents by Inventor Julio D. Lobo

Julio D. Lobo 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).

  • Method for measuring reactor bed level from active acoustic measurement and analysis
    Patent number: 8850881
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-intrusive method to determine the fluid level in a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is a delayed coker drum in a refinery. Waves are generated in the vessel from an outside source. For wall vibration generated in the frequency range of 1-20,000 Hz, accelerometers on the exterior wall of the vessel measures the frequency of the vibration modes of the vessel. The fluid level can be related to the frequency of the vibration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Julio D. Lobo, Jormarie Bitar, Mark M. Disko
  • Method and system to remove coke from a coker drum
    Patent number: 7935226
    Abstract: A method to remove coke from a coker drum is disclosed. The method includes the steps of impinging fluid from a fluid jet on the inside surface of the coker and then determining the vibration signal of the coker drum. The signal is then transformed to determine the amplitude versus frequency by a Fourier Transform of the vibration signal. The amplitude change of the vibration signal as it goes through a maximum, determines when the coke layer has been cut. The fluid jet is lowered into a new layer of coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Mark M. Disko, Jormarie Alvarez, Julio D. Lobo, Robert J. Chimenti
  • Mitigation of in-tube fouling in heat exchangers using controlled mechanical vibration
    Patent number: 7836941
    Abstract: Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Julio D. Lobo, Glen B. Brons, San Chhotray, Himanshu M. Joshi, George A. Lutz
  • Method for measuring reactor bed level from active acoustic measurement and analysis
    Publication number: 20090282910
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-intrusive method to determine the fluid level in a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is a delayed coker drum in a refinery. Waves are generated in the vessel from an outside source. For wall vibration generated in the frequency range of 1-20,000 Hz, accelerometers on the exterior wall of the vessel measures the frequency of the vibration modes of the vessel. The fluid level can be related to the frequency of the vibration mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Limin Song, Julio D. Lobo, Jormarie Bitar, Mark M. Disko
  • Method and system to remove coke from a coker drum
    Publication number: 20090056759
    Abstract: The present invention is a method to remove coke from a coker drum. The invention includes the steps of impinging fluid from a fluid jet on the inside surface of the coker and then determining the vibration signal of the coker drum. The signal is then transformed to determine the amplitude versus frequency by a Fourier Transform of the vibration signal. The amplitude change of the vibration signal as it goes through a maximum, determines when the coke layer has been cut. The fluid jet is lowered into a new layer of coke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Limin Song, Mark M. Disko, Jormarie Alvarez, Julio D. Lobo, Robert J. Chimenti
  • Mitigation of in-tube fouling in heat exchangers using controlled mechanical vibration
    Publication number: 20070267176
    Abstract: Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Julio D. Lobo, Glen B. Brons, San Chhotray, Himanshu M. Joshi, George A. Lutz