Patents by Inventor Paul Fearnside

Paul Fearnside 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: 5965785
    Abstract: This invention relates to inhibiting corrosion in systems of condensing hydrocarbons which contain water and chlorides, and, more particularly, in the overhead of crude oil atmospheric pipestills, with blends of amines. Preferred blends are 2-amino-1-methoxypropane, sec-butylamine, n-butylamine, dipropylamine and monoamylamine; 2-amino-1-methoxypropane, sec-butylamine, monoamylamine, n-butylamine and isobutylamine; and sec-butylamine, 2-amino-1-methoxypropane and 3-amino-1-methoxypropane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Nalco/Exxon Energy Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventors: Veronica K. Braden, Paul Fearnside, Christopher J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5714664
    Abstract: The disclosure is a process for inhibiting corrosion in condensing systems comprising wet hydrocarbons and chloride which comprises feeding a mixture of amines to the condensing system to elevate the pH profile of condensed water above the range in which severe corrosion of system internals can occur. The amine blend is formulated to preclude deposition and accumulation of the hydrochloride salts of the amines above the water dewpoint and is optimized to the condensing system to minimize amine treat rate. In one embodiment, the amine blend feed rate is controlled using a small condensing system which condenses a slipstream of gas taken from the system upstream of the condensing zone and continually measures the pH profile in the condensing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Paul Fearnside, Christopher J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5425267
    Abstract: Apparatus for simulating corrosion activity of a process stream on equipment and transport lines. The apparatus includes a series of modular canisters coupled to a process stream source and a process stream discharge point. A cooling coil is positioned within each canister and the cooling coils are interconnected in series. The first cooling coil is coupled to a coolant source and the last cooling coil is connected to a coolant discharge. The process stream flows thorough the series of canisters and the coolant flows through the coils in counterflow to the process stream to cool and partially condense the process stream. Corrosion activity and temperature within the canister are monitored using corrosion probes and/or coupons. Modular construction of the canisters permits disassembly and reassembly to adapt the simulator to different simulation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: William B. Herrmann, Daniel Mull, John G. Hyatt, Paul Fearnside, Russell C. Strong
  • Patent number: 5326482
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically measuring the acidity of overhead water in an oil refinery, and dispensing a neutralizing agent into the refinery system at a rate responsive to that measurement. A sample of overhead water is collected and passed through a filter and cation exchange resin. The acid concentration of the sample is then automatically measured and a signal generated based on the concentration. The signal goes to a controller which controls the dispensation rate of neutralizing agent into the refinery system, thus reducing the acidity of the overhead water and limiting the corrosive effects of such acidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ronald B. Lessard, Paul Fearnside
  • Patent number: 5302253
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically measuring the acidity of overhead water in an oil refinery, and dispensing a neutralizing agent into the refinery system at a rate responsive to that measurement. A sample of overhead water is collected and passed through a filter and cation exchange resin. The acid concentration of the sample is then automatically measured and a signal generated based on the concentration. The signal goes to a controller which controls the dispensation rate of neutralizing agent into the refinery system, thus reducing the acidity of the overhead water and limiting the corrosive effects of such acidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ronald B. Lessard, Paul Fearnside