Patents by Inventor Robert D. Denton

Robert D. Denton 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: 20140007590
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for generating power in low emission turbine systems and capturing and recovering carbon dioxide from the exhaust. In one or more embodiments, the exhaust is cooled, compressed, and separated to yield a carbon dioxide-containing effluent stream and a nitrogen-containing product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Richard A. Huntington, Franklin F. Mittricker, Omer Angus Sites, Sulabh K. Dhanuka, Dennis M. O'Dea, Russell H. Oelfke, Robert D. Denton
  • Publication number: 20130091853
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low emission power generation in hydrocarbon recovery processes are provided. One system includes a gas turbine system configured to stoichiometrically combust a compressed oxidant and a fuel in the presence of a compressed recycle exhaust gas and expand the discharge in an expander to generate a gaseous exhaust stream and drive a main compressor. A boost compressor can receive and increase the pressure of the gaseous exhaust stream and inject it into an evaporative cooling tower configured to use an exhaust nitrogen gas having a low relative humidity as an evaporative cooling media. The cooled gaseous exhaust stream is then compressed and recirculated through the system as a diluent to moderate the temperature of the stoichiometric combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Himanshu Gupta, Richard Huntington, Moses Minta, Franklin F. Mittricker, Loren K. Starcher
  • Patent number: 8156758
    Abstract: Methods and systems for recovery of natural gas liquids (NGL) and a pressurized methane-rich sales gas from liquefied natural gas (LNG) are disclosed. In certain embodiments, LNG passes through a heat exchanger, thereby heating and vaporizing at least a portion of the LNG. The partially vaporized LNG passes to a fractionation column where a liquid stream enriched with ethane plus and a methane-rich vapor stream are withdrawn. The withdrawn methane-rich vapor stream passes through the heat exchanger to condense the vapor and produce a two phase stream, which is separated in a separator into at least a methane-rich liquid portion and a methane-rich gas portion. A pump pressurizes the methane-rich liquid portion prior to vaporization and delivery to a pipeline. The methane-rich gas portion may be compressed and combined with the vaporized methane-rich liquid portion or used as plant site fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Russell H. Oelfke, Allen E. Brimm
  • Publication number: 20120036889
    Abstract: A process for converting a gaseous hydrocarbon feed comprising methane to an aromatic hydrocarbon is integrated with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or pipeline gas production. In the integrated process, the gaseous hydrocarbon feed is supplied to a conversion zone comprising at least one dehydroaromatization catalyst and is contacted with the catalyst under conversion conditions to produce a gaseous effluent stream comprising at least one aromatic compound, unreacted methane and H2. The gaseous effluent stream is then separated into a first product stream comprising said at least one aromatic compound and a second product stream comprising unreacted methane and H2. The second product stream is further separated into a methane-rich stream and a hydrogen-rich stream and at least part of the methane-rich stream is passed to LNG and/or pipeline gas production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Robert D. Denton, Garth M. Norman, James R. Lattner
  • Publication number: 20100074692
    Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG) and delivering vaporized natural gas to a pipeline in fluid communication with onshore equipment and methods for importing LNG. In one embodiment, an open-sea berth import terminal includes a platform, which is fixed to the sea floor and includes two or more sets of berthing structures. LNG carriers berth at the open-sea berth import terminal to transfer LNG to a storage vessel moored at one of the berthing structures. LNG vaporization facilities, either on the storage vessel or the platform, vaporize the LNG prior to delivery to the pipeline. The storage vessel may include a barge or another LNG carrier. In other embodiments, the open-sea berth import terminal may have no storage facilities, but two LNG carriers may berth at the berthing structures to concurrently perform offloading operations, with one transferring LNG and the other performing other offloading operations to enhance operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark E Ehrhardt, William S. Mathews, Dawn L. Rymer, Paul W. Sibal, Robert E. Sandstrom, W. Brett Wilson, Mark A. Danaczko, Robert D. Denton, Robert E. Foglesong
  • Patent number: 6043288
    Abstract: A gas conversion process in which both hydrocarbons and hydrogen are produced from a synthesis gas feed which comprises a mixture of H.sub.2 and CO, uses hydrogen from a portion of the feed for one or more of (i) hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst rejuvenation and (ii) hydroconversion upgrading of at least a portion of the synthesized hydrocarbons. Hydrogen is produced from a slipstream of the synthesis gas fed into the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor by one or more of (i) physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption and (ii) chemical means such as a water gas shift reactor. If a shift reactor is used due to insufficient capacity of the synthesis gas generator, physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption will still be used to separate a pure stream of hydrogen from the shift reactor gas effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Charles W. DeGeorge, Robert D. Denton
  • Patent number: 5157925
    Abstract: This invention relates to a closed-loop, multi-stage compression refrigeration system which uses a multi-component refrigerant wherein the compressed refrigerant is partially condensed, and the vapor and liquid streams are separated in a primary separator. The liquid stream passes through several expansion stages, providing a refrigeration duty at each stage. That portion of the refrigerant which is vaporized is recycled to an intermediate stage of the multi-stage compressor. The vapor from the primary separator, which is rich in the light component, is condensed and expanded to the lowest stage of refrigeration, providing maximum refrigeration duty for a given refrigerant composition and compressor suction pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Russell H. Oelfke
  • Patent number: 5062270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for start-up, transformation from start-up to normal operation and normal separation of carbon dioxide and other acid gases from methane using a distillation column with a controlled freezing zone. Normally, the feedstream is treated in at least one distillation zone, a controlled freezing zone, and another acid gas stripping apparatus. The freezing zone produces a carbon dioxide slush which is melted and fed into a distillation section and a methane-enriched stream which is fed to a separate stripping unit. Start-up is accomplished by refluxing the product stream from the separate stripping unit to the distillation column. Transformation is accomplished by separating the methane-enriched stream produced by the freezing zone into a liquid component for refluxing to the column and a vapor component to be fed to the separate stripping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Haut, Eugene R. Thomas, Robert D. Denton
  • Patent number: 4533372
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide and other acid gases from methane by treating the feedstream in at least one distillation zone and a controlled freezing zone. The freezing zone produces a carbon dioxide slush which is melted and fed into a distillation section. The apparatus used to practice the process is preferably in a single vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Robert D. Denton
  • Patent number: 4511382
    Abstract: A method of separating acid gases, particularly carbon dioxide, from methane by cryogenic distillation. The method includes the step of adding helium to the stream to be separated to increase the critical pressure of the methane-carbon dioxide present. The cryogenic distillation tower may then be operated at a higher pressure and without the formation of solid carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Robert D. Denton