Patents by Inventor Kai W. Hjarbo

Kai W. Hjarbo 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: 9068451
    Abstract: A method for treating a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing water includes introducing the flow of fluid hydrocarbons into a first separator and separating at least free water from said flow of fluid hydrocarbons, wherein a remainder of said fluid hydrocarbon flow is introduced into a system converting free/condensed water in the fluid hydrocarbon flow in said system to gas hydrates, and providing at least a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow, wherein said first fluid flow is a liquid phase including gas hydrates, said first fluid flow is recycled into the first separator, and wherein the second fluid flow has a content of dry gas and/or condensate/oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Sinvent AS
    Inventors: Are Lund, Roar Larsen, Jon Harald Kaspersen, Erlend Oddvin Straume, Martin Fossen, Kai W. Hjarbo
  • Publication number: 20110220352
    Abstract: It is described a method for treating a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing water wherein the flow of fluid hydrocarbons is introduced into a first separator separating at least free water from said flow of fluid hydrocarbons, wherein a remainder of said fluid hydrocarbon flow is introduced into a system converting free/condensed water in the fluid hydrocarbon flow in said system to gas hydrates, and providing at least a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow, wherein said first fluid flow is a liquid phase comprising gas hydrates, said first fluid flow is recycled into the first separator, and wherein the second fluid flow having a content of dry gas and/or condensate/oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Are LUND, Roar Larsen, Jon Harald Kaspersen, Erlend Oddvin Straume, Martin Fossen, Kai W. Hjarbo
  • Patent number: 7261810
    Abstract: A method and a system for transporting a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing wax and/or asphaltenes or any other precipitating solids through a treatment and transportation system including a pipeline are disclosed. The flow of fluid hydrocarbons is introduced into a reactor (4), where it is mixed with another fluid flow having a temperature below a crystallization temperature for the wax and/or asphaltenes or other solids and containing particles or crystals acting as nucleating and/or growth cores for the wax and/or asphaltenes or other solids, the mixing temperature providing precipitation of the wax and/or asphaltenes or other solids from the flow of fluid hydrocarbons, and the effluent flow of hydrocarbons and particles is conveyed from the reactor (4) to a pipeline (6) for transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Sinvent AS, BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BP America
    Inventors: Carl B. Argo, Phaneendra Bollavaram, Kai W. Hjarbo, Taras Yurievich Makogon, Nita Oza, Marita Wolden, Are Lund, Roar Larsen
  • Publication number: 20040176650
    Abstract: A method of transporting a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing water through a treatment and transportation system including a pipeline, wherein the flow of fluid hydrocarbons is introduced into a reactor where it is mixed with particles of gas hydrates which are also introduced into the reactor. The effluent flow of hydrocarbons from the reactor is cooled in a heat exchanger to ensure that all water present therein is in the form of gas hydrates. The flow is then treated in a separator to be separated into a first flow and a second flow. The first flow has a content of gas hydrate and is recycled to the reactor to provide the particles of gas hydrates mentioned above. The second flow is conveyed to a pipeline to be transported to its destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Are Lund, David Lysne, Roar Larsen, Kai W. Hjarbo
  • Patent number: 6774276
    Abstract: A method of transporting a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing water through a treatment and transportation system including a pipeline, wherein the flow of fluid hydrocarbons is introduced into a reactor where it is mixed with particles of gas hydrates which are also introduced into the reactor. The effluent flow of hydrocarbons from the reactor is cooled in a heat exchanger to ensure that all water present therein is in the form of gas hydrates. The flow is then treated in a separator to be separated into a first flow and a second flow. The first flow has a content of gas hydrate and is recycled to the reactor to provide the particles of gas hydrates mentioned above. The second flow is conveyed to a pipeline to be transported to its destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sinvent AS
    Inventors: Are Lund, David Lysne, Roar Larsen, Kai W. Hjarbo
  • Publication number: 20040129609
    Abstract: A method and a system for transporting a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing wax and/or asphaltenes or any other precipitating solids through a treatment and transportation system including a pipeline are disclosed. The flow of fluid hydrocarbons is introduced into a reactor (4), where it is mixed with another fluid flow having a temperature below a crystallization temperature for the wax and/or asphaltenes or other solids and containing particles or crystals acting as nucleating and/or growth cores for the wax and/or asphaltenes or other solids, the mixing temperature providing precipitation of the wax and/or asphaltenes or other solids from the flow of fluid hydrocarbons, and the effluent flow of hydrocarbons and particles is conveyed from the reactor (4) to a pipeline (6) for transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Carl B. Argo, Phaneendra Bollavaram, Kai W. Hjarbo, Taras Yurievich Makogon, Nita Oza, Marita Wolden, Are Lund, Roar Larsen
  • Patent number: 6688180
    Abstract: A multi-test assembly for evaluating, detecting and monitoring processes at elevated pressure is described. The Mufti-test assembly has a pressure vessel equipped with trays or plates with a multitude of individual test cells, an optional lid for sealing the cells, and a system for the detection and/or monitoring of the processes in each individual test cell, in situ. Uses of the invention are detection of solid structure formation or phase transformation in, for example, hydrocarbon systems or mixtures of hydrocarbon and water, and also in an automated test which is optimized simultaneously with regard to several test parameters in the testing of inhibitors for gas hydrate formation. The multi-test assembly has built-in systems for pressure and temperature control. The assembly may also be connected to a set-up for the automatic dosing of reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sinvent AS
    Inventors: Are Lund, Duncan E. Akporiaye, Davoud Tayebi, Rune Wendelbo, Kai W. Hjarbo, Arne Karlsson, Ivar Martin Dahl