Patents by Inventor Michael J. Calderon

Michael J. Calderon 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: 20230323220
    Abstract: The invention relates to various nonlimiting embodiments that include methods, apparatuses or systems for processing natural gas comprising a heavies removal column processing natural gas and light oil reflux. The overhead stream goes to heavies treated natural gas storage. The heavies removal column reboiler bottoms stream product is input to a debutanizer column. The debutanizer column overhead lights are input to a flash drum where the bottoms is pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the debutanizer reboiler bottoms product is stored as stabilized condensate. Alternatively, debutanizer column overhead lights are sent to heavies treated gas storage and the bottoms stream product goes to a depentanizer column, the overhead lights are pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the depentanizer reboiler bottoms product is stabilized condensate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Paul R. DAVIES, Michael J. CALDERON, Dale L. EMBRY, David W. LARKIN, Qi MA
  • Publication number: 20230251032
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). In one implementation, a solvent is injected into a feed of natural gas at a solvent injection point. A mixed feed is produced from a dispersal of the solvent into the feed of natural gas. The mixed feed contains heavy components. A chilled feed is produced by chilling the mixed feed. The chilled feed includes a vapor and a condensed liquid. The condensed liquid contains a fouling portion of the heavy components condensed by the solvent during chilling. The liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components is separated from the vapor. The vapor is directed into a feed chiller heat exchanger following separation of the liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components from the vapor, such that the vapor being directed into feed chiller heat exchanger is free of freezing components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Calderon, Dale L. Embry, Paul R. Davies, Attilio J. Praderio
  • Patent number: 11713423
    Abstract: The invention relates to various nonlimiting embodiments that include methods, apparatuses or systems for processing natural gas comprising a heavies removal column processing natural gas and light oil reflux. The overhead stream goes to heavies treated natural gas storage. The heavies removal column reboiler bottoms stream product is input to a debutanizer column. The debutanizer column overhead lights are input to a flash drum where the bottoms is pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the debutanizer reboiler bottoms product is stored as stabilized condensate. Alternatively, debutanizer column overhead lights are sent to heavies treated gas storage and the bottoms stream product goes to a depentanizer column, the overhead lights are pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the depentanizer reboiler bottoms product is stabilized condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul R. Davies, Michael J. Calderon, Dale L. Embry, David W. Larkin, Qi Ma
  • Patent number: 11662141
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). In one implementation, a solvent is injected into a feed of natural gas at a solvent injection point. A mixed feed is produced from a dispersal of the solvent into the feed of natural gas. The mixed feed contains heavy components. A chilled feed is produced by chilling the mixed feed. The chilled feed includes a vapor and a condensed liquid. The condensed liquid contains a fouling portion of the heavy components condensed by the solvent during chilling. The liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components is separated from the vapor. The vapor is directed into a feed chiller heat exchanger following separation of the liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components from the vapor, such that the vapor being directed into feed chiller heat exchanger is free of freezing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Calderon, Dale L. Embry, Paul R. Davies, Attilio J. Praderio
  • Publication number: 20220364005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for processing natural gas in an LNG facility. A natural gas feed is introduced into a heavies removal unit. The heavies removal system includes a heavies removal column and a distillation column. The heavies removal column and the distillation column are connected via a purge/recovery line. One or more components of the natural gas feed is purged from the heavies removal column to the distillation column via the purge/recovery line to obtain a specified concentration or concentration range of heavy components feeding into the distillation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Attilio J. PRADERIO, Qi MA, Wesley R. QUALLS, Will T. JAMES, Michael J. CALDERON, Paul R. DAVIES
  • Publication number: 20220260311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for removing heavies from natural gas. Natural gas and an external rich reflux gas feed are processed in a single column refluxed absorber. A bottoms stream is routed to a first heat exchanger and then to a stabilizer column where an overhead stream from the stabilizer column is routed through a condenser for partial separation into an overhead stream. A rich solvent may be introduced to the stabilizer column. The overhead stream is routed through a condenser for partial separation into a stabilizer reflux and a second overhead stream lights. The second overhead stream lights is routed to a heat exchanger and then routed to a partial condenser where the stream is separated into a heavies rich reflux stream, a distillate stream and heavies treated natural gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Dale L. EMBRY, Paul R. DAVIES, Qi MA, David W. LARKIN, Michael J. CALDERON
  • Patent number: 11320197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for removing heavies from natural gas. Natural gas and an external rich reflux gas feed are processed in a single column refluxed absorber. A bottoms stream is routed to a first heat exchanger and then to a stabilizer column where an overhead stream from the stabilizer column is routed through a condenser for partial separation into an overhead stream. A rich solvent may be introduced to the stabilizer column. The overhead stream is routed through a condenser for partial separation into a stabilizer reflux and a second overhead stream lights. The second overhead stream lights is routed to a heat exchanger and then routed to a partial condenser where the stream is separated into a heavies rich reflux stream, a distillate stream and heavies treated natural gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Dale L. Embry, Paul R. Davies, Qi Ma, David W. Larkin, Michael J. Calderon
  • Publication number: 20210108147
    Abstract: The invention relates to various nonlimiting embodiments that include methods, apparatuses or systems for processing natural gas comprising a heavies removal column processing natural gas and light oil reflux. The overhead stream goes to heavies treated natural gas storage. The heavies removal column reboiler bottoms stream product is input to a debutanizer column. The debutanizer column overhead lights are input to a flash drum where the bottoms is pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the debutanizer reboiler bottoms product is stored as stabilized condensate. Alternatively, debutanizer column overhead lights are sent to heavies treated gas storage and the bottoms stream product goes to a depentanizer column, the overhead lights are pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the depentanizer reboiler bottoms product is stabilized condensate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Paul R. DAVIES, Michael J. CALDERON, Dale L. EMBRY, David W. LARKIN, Qi MA
  • Publication number: 20210095918
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and processes for removing heavies during the liquefaction of a natural gas. The processes include dissolving the heavies in the natural gas by adding external natural gas liquid (NGL), followed by a staged removal of the natural gas liquid (NGL) and dissolved heavies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Calderon, Will T. James, Dale L. Embry, Jinghua Chan, Qi Ma
  • Patent number: 10899974
    Abstract: The invention relates to various nonlimiting embodiments that include methods, apparatuses or systems for processing natural gas comprising a heavies removal column processing natural gas and light oil reflux. The overhead stream goes to heavies treated natural gas storage. The heavies removal column reboiler bottoms stream product is input to a debutanizer column. The debutanizer column overhead lights are input to a flash drum where the bottoms is pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the debutanizer reboiler bottoms product is stored as stabilized condensate. Alternatively, debutanizer column overhead lights are sent to heavies treated gas storage and the bottoms stream product goes to a depentanizer column, the overhead lights are pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the depentanizer reboiler bottoms product is stabilized condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul R. Davies, Michael J. Calderon, Dale L. Embry, David W. Larkin, Qi Ma
  • Publication number: 20200386474
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). In one implementation, a feed gas is received and partially condensed into a two-phase stream by expanding the feed gas. A liquid containing fouling components is removed from the two-phase stream. A vapor generated from the two-phase stream is compressed into a compressed feed gas. The compressed feed gas is directed into a feed chiller heat exchanger. The compressed feed gas is free of the fouling components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Jinghua Chan, Paul R. Davies, Qi Ma, Michael J. Calderon, Dale L. Embry
  • Publication number: 20200340741
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). In one implementation, a solvent is injected into a feed of natural gas at a solvent injection point. A mixed feed is produced from a dispersal of the solvent into the feed of natural gas. The mixed feed contains heavy components. A chilled feed is produced by chilling the mixed feed. The chilled feed includes a vapor and a condensed liquid. The condensed liquid contains a fouling portion of the heavy components condensed by the solvent during chilling. The liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components is separated from the vapor. The vapor is directed into a feed chiller heat exchanger following separation of the liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components from the vapor, such that the vapor being directed into feed chiller heat exchanger is free of freezing components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Calderon, Dale L. Embry, Paul R. Davies, Attilio J. Praderio
  • Publication number: 20190376741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for processing natural gas in an LNG facility. A natural gas feed is introduced into a heavies removal unit. The heavies removal system includes a heavies removal column and a distillation column. The heavies removal column and the distillation column are connected via a purge/recovery line. One or more components of the natural gas feed is purged from the heavies removal column to the distillation column via the purge/recovery line to obtain a specified concentration or concentration range of heavy components feeding into the distillation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Attilio J. PRADERIO, Qi MA, Wesley R. QUALLS, Will T. JAMES, Michael J. CALDERON, Paul R. DAVIES
  • Publication number: 20180273858
    Abstract: The invention relates to various nonlimiting embodiments that include methods, apparatuses or systems for processing natural gas comprising a heavies removal column processing natural gas and light oil reflux. The overhead stream goes to heavies treated natural gas storage. The heavies removal column reboiler bottoms stream product is input to a debutanizer column. The debutanizer column overhead lights are input to a flash drum where the bottoms is pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the debutanizer reboiler bottoms product is stored as stabilized condensate. Alternatively, debutanizer column overhead lights are sent to heavies treated gas storage and the bottoms stream product goes to a depentanizer column, the overhead lights are pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the depentanizer reboiler bottoms product is stabilized condensate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Paul R. DAVIES, Michael J. CALDERON, Dale L. EMBRY, David W. LARKIN, Qi MA
  • Publication number: 20180266757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for removing heavies from natural gas. Natural gas and an external rich reflux gas feed are processed in a single column refluxed absorber. A bottoms stream is routed to a first heat exchanger and then to a stabilizer column where an overhead stream from the stabilizer column is routed through a condenser for partial separation into an overhead stream. A rich solvent may be introduced to the stabilizer column. The overhead stream is routed through a condenser for partial separation into a stabilizer reflux and a second overhead stream lights. The second overhead stream lights is routed to a heat exchanger and then routed to a partial condenser where the stream is separated into a heavies rich reflux stream, a distillate stream and heavies treated natural gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Dale L. EMBRY, Paul R. DAVIES, Qi MA, David W. LARKIN, Michael J. CALDERON
  • Publication number: 20170134811
    Abstract: An HD content acquisition and distribution system includes a central distributor disposed to encode and serve HD content and a plurality of modular packaged content acquisition equipment disposed to be deployed at a live event and in at least partial communication with the central distributor. The content acquisition equipment includes recording equipment, processing equipment, transmission equipment, and communications equipment. The recording equipment includes at least one camera, digital recording device, and digital production device. The processing equipment includes audio/video processing equipment. The transmission equipment includes equipment configured to be interfaced with an existing network for content transmission to the central distributor, and a backup transmission path. The communications equipment includes VOIP equipment configured to allow communication between personnel operating the content acquisition equipment and the central distributor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Calderon, Michael G. Wilken, Jason A. Bryant, Scott C. Adametz, Jeffrey J. Backerman
  • Publication number: 20110271310
    Abstract: An HD content acquisition and distribution system includes a central distributor disposed to encode and serve HD content and a plurality of modular packaged content acquisition equipment disposed to be deployed at a live event and in at least partial communication with the central distributor. The content acquisition equipment includes recording equipment, processing equipment, transmission equipment, and communications equipment. The recording equipment includes at least one camera, digital recording device, and digital production device. The processing equipment includes audio/video processing equipment. The transmission equipment includes equipment configured to be interfaced with an existing network for content transmission to the central distributor, and a backup transmission path. The communications equipment includes VOIP equipment configured to allow communication between personnel operating the content acquisition equipment and the central distributor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Calderon, Michael G. Wilken, Jason A. Bryant, Scott C. Adametz, Jeffrey J. Backerman