With Liquid Level Sensing Means Patents (Class 96/157)
  • Patent number: 11273396
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a liquid includes a filter adapted to filter a liquid and to provide a filtered liquid at a liquid outlet of the filter, and a tank having a liquid inlet coupled to the liquid outlet of the filter via a first pipe. The tank includes an upper portion having a first lateral dimension and a lower portion having a second lateral dimension less than the first lateral dimension. The upper portion of the tank is above the liquid inlet of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Y. L. Huang, Chin-Kun Fang, Li-Jen Wu, Yu Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 10294756
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for gas hydrate mitigation in deep-sea drilling applications. In certain embodiments, hydrate-phobic surfaces are provided that ensure passive enhancement of flow assurance and prevention of catastrophic failures in deep-sea oil and gas operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Kripa K. Varanasi, Gareth H. McKinley, Robert E. Cohen, Adam J. Meuler, Harrison L. Bralower
  • Patent number: 9757665
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon emulsion treatment system includes a treatment tank having a gas vent for operating the treatment tank near atmospheric pressure. The treatment tank separates water and oil in the emulsion for discharge to separate water and oil tanks respectively. According to a preferred embodiment, the treatment tank and the oil tank are supported on a common frame including an integral secondary containment structure providing secondary containment to both the treatment tank and the oil tank. The treatment tank is supported at greater elevation than the oil tank to allow the flow of oil from the treatment tank to the oil tank primarily under force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Black Suede Hydro Carbon Processing, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Warner, Dean Andres
  • Patent number: 9597630
    Abstract: A system for treating a biogas stream is described. The system includes a venturi device in communication with a biogas stream source and an influent water source to combine the biogas stream and the influent water to produce a gas-water effluent. The system also includes a degas separator in communication with the venturi device for receipt of the gas-water effluent to produce a relatively low solubility gas effluent and a relatively high solubility gas-water mixture effluent. In addition, the system includes a gas-water pressure release valve in communication with the degas separator to control release of the relatively low solubility gas effluent and a discharge pressure control valve in communication with the degas separator to control release of the relatively high solubility gas-water mixture effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Carollo Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo E. Kilian, Toshio Shimada
  • Patent number: 8999046
    Abstract: A cell expansion system includes an air removal chamber to provide a bubble trap so that air and/or gas bubbles do not enter the bioreactor of the cell expansion system. The air removal chamber includes a pair of ports situated at the bottom of the air removal chamber. An entrance port allows fluid to enter the air removal chamber, and an exit port allows fluid to exit the air removal chamber. In one embodiment the air removal chamber forms an element of a premounted fluid conveyance assembly for use with a cell expansion machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. DiLorenzo, Edward Allan Stanton
  • Publication number: 20150040755
    Abstract: A mud-gas separator is arranged for both well control and drilling process. In some aspects, the mud-gas separator includes a main vessel including a bottom portion and a side portion. The mud-gas separator also includes a gas vent associated with the main vessel and configured to vent gas from well returns introduced into the main vessel. It also includes a first mud outlet formed within the bottom portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel and includes a second mud outlet formed within the side portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Darcy Nott
  • Patent number: 8906142
    Abstract: A device for phase separation of a multiphase mixture with at least one gas and at least two fluid phases may include a vessel including a tangential inlet via which the multiphase mixture is conveyed to the vessel, a tangential gas outlet above the inlet, via which a gas phase of the multiphase mixture separated from the multiphase mixture can be taken out of the vessel, and at least two outlets below the inlet at different vertical heights, via which one of the at least two fluid phases of the multiphase mixture respectively separated from the multiphase mixture can be taken out of the vessel. Further, a method for phase separation of a multiphase mixture using such device may include imparting an upwards-directed eddy flow to the multiphase mixture, during which fluid droplets are separated from the multiphase gas mixture, collecting the fluid droplets, and separately removing all phases formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Urs Peuker
  • Patent number: 8900343
    Abstract: A liquid hydrocarbon slug-containing vessel for incorporation into a system integrating a low-pressure separator with a vapor recovery process system, and a method for regulating the temperature of a gas to be compressed by a two stage compressor so as to prevent liquification of the gas and to prevent over-heating of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventors: Rodney T. Heath, Forrest D. Heath, Gary Heath
  • Patent number: 8894755
    Abstract: A gas-liquid separator includes a housing which encloses a separation chamber, an inlet port for feeding the multi-phase flow into the separation chamber, a liquid outlet port for discharging the liquid dominated flow from the separation chamber and a gas outlet port provided at a position above both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port for discharging the gas dominated flow from the separation chamber. Both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port are positioned adjacent to an elongated lower bottom wall of the housing and define a flow direction into the and out of the separation chamber approximately aligned along the bottom wall. The separation chamber extends above the bottom wall in between the inlet port and the liquid outlet port. The liquid outlet port is provided with a gas seal to prevent entrainment of free gas from the separation chamber into the liquid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Tor Bruun, Torbjørn Fiveland, Bjørnar Werswick
  • Patent number: 8864881
    Abstract: A slug suppressor apparatus comprising an inlet separator capable of gas-liquid separation of full well stream fluid and expanded inclined liquid pipe for dampening slugs. The inlet separator has an inlet for receiving the full well stream fluid, a separated gas outlet in its upper section, and a separated liquid outlet in its lower section. The separated gas outlet and the separated outlet are operationally connected to a gas bypass line and the expanded inclined liquid pipe respectively. The expanded inclined liquid pipe has means for dampening liquid slugs and is connectable to a 3-Phase separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: NGLTech SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Aruljothy Suppiah, Boon Lee Ooi
  • Patent number: 8840703
    Abstract: A liquid hydrocarbon slug-containing vessel for incorporation into a system integrating a low-pressure separator with a vapor recovery process system, and a method for regulating the temperature of a gas to be compressed by a two stage compressor so as to prevent liquification of the gas and to prevent over-heating of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventors: Rodney T. Heath, Forrest D. Heath, Gary Heath
  • Publication number: 20140196607
    Abstract: In one variation, a temperature-maintenance device includes a heater (1016) and is placeable in a circulation loop of an ultrasound transducer coupling bolus (1076), for degassing circulating liquid of the loop and for operating the heater for performing temperature control of the liquid. A temperature setpoint, such as a normal body temperature, for the liquid at the bolus may be entered. A device, either open- or closed-looped with respect to fluid flow, may include, in some variations, a degassing chamber, a water trap (1012), and an intervening cooler, all vacuumized by a vacuum pump (1024). The chamber may be configured and aligned for letting condensation automatically drain out. The water trap may be emptied, automatically and without the need for user intervention, by a motorized trap emptier and/or be emptiable by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Seip, Evgeniy Leyvi, Jose Manuel Inocencio Azevedo
  • Patent number: 8728219
    Abstract: A feed gas conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gaumer Company Inc.
    Inventors: Jack L. McClanahan, Craig S. Tiras
  • Publication number: 20140130671
    Abstract: A gas trap includes a sample enclosure, a bubbler enclosure, an agitator, and a brushless, DC motor. The sample enclosure has a liquid inlet, a gas sample outlet, and a sample enclosure wall with a sample enclosure wall portion and a shared wall portion. The bubbler enclosure has a bubbler air inlet, a bubbler air outlet, and a bubbler enclosure wall with a bubbler enclosure wall portion and the shared wall portion. The sample and bubbler enclosures are fluidly coupled through the shared wall portion so that sufficiently pressurized bubbler air entering through the bubbler air inlet maintains the drilling fluid in the sample enclosure at a level determined by the location of the bubbler air outlet when the liquid inlet and the bubbler air outlet are both submerged in the drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jason Alexander DeGreeve, Sean William Lyons Unrau, Marceau Ernest van Beurden, Ryan Henricus van Beurden
  • Patent number: 8657940
    Abstract: Assembly to separate a multiphase flow, comprising at least one compact separation unit chosen among an in-line deliquidiser and an in-line phase splitter, said compact separation unit is arranged to receive the multiphase flow for separation thereof to a gas flow and a mainly liquid containing flow, an outlet for gas, arranged to receive the gas flow from the compact separation unit and possible additional gas flows, one or more conduit separators, arranged to receive the mainly liquid containing flow from the compact separation unit and any additional liquid containing flows, having an outlet for liquid from the at least one conduit separator in a low-lying part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventors: Eivind Aarebrot, Jan Høydal
  • Patent number: 8641811
    Abstract: This invention relates to an ecologically and environmentally friendly mud-gas containment system. Specifically, this invention relates to a mobile device that is capable of receiving waste gas and, in emergency situations, a volume of a mud-gas mixture from a drilling operation. The waste gas is communicated to a removable flare stack through a vent line. The mud-gas is received at a containment vessel. The impact of the mud-gas within the containment vessel separates the mud-gas into mud and waste gas. The mud is collected for recycling and/or environmentally sensitive disposal. The waste gas from the vessel is communicated to the flare stack. Separate removal ports and conduits are used to remove any residual mud or mud-gas from the vent line and/or containment vessel. Excess mud or mud-gas is communicated to an overflow catch tank for removal. The entire assembly is mounted on a mobile skid sized for highway transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mathena, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Dean Mathena
  • Publication number: 20130340622
    Abstract: A separator of a mixture of liquid and gas, comprising an injection device, a separation chamber having a cylindrical internal surface and extending along a vertical axis, and a control chamber. The mixture is separated in the separation chamber into gas and liquid, with a cylindrical interface surface. The separation chamber comprises a first axial outlet for extracting the gas, a second outlet for extracting the liquid, and a third axial outlet in communication with the control chamber. The interface surface has, in normal operating conditions, a diameter lying between the diameter of the first outlet and the diameter of the third outlet. The control chamber is connected to the injection device by a return circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Jacques Marty, Yves LeCoffre, Guillaume Maj
  • Patent number: 8470080
    Abstract: A high pressure horizontal vessel separator for separating petroleum mixtures. An inlet on one end of the vessel and gas, water, and oil outlets provided on an opposite end, with each outlet having a vortex breaker. The inlet communicating with a momentum absorbing, flow distributing inlet diverter that causes the gas to separate into the top of the main section of the vessel and the fluids to flow to the bottom of the main section. Sediment collects in the bottom of the main section and is removed via a sand trap. Water remains at the bottom of the vessel, and the fluids flow through a perforated baffle then through a bent lamella demister before entering a settling portion of the vessel where gas and water exit via the gas and water outlets and oil flows over an oil weir and exits downstream of the weir via the oil outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Shale Oil and Gas Technologies Ltd, Midstream Equipment Fabrication LLC
    Inventors: Will D. Ball, IV, Lester J. Broussard, Lucas C. Broussard
  • Publication number: 20130118356
    Abstract: A sedimentation separator for separating solid fractions from a mixture consisting of air, liquid and solids fractions comprises a sedimenting vessel to which an air-separating unit is connected upstream. In an intermediate vessel arranged between the air-separating unit and sedimenting vessel there is arranged a float which closes off an air duct when the level of sediment in the sedimenting vessel has reached a predetermined height. Liquid purified by sedimentation is suctioned off from the upper end of the sedimenting vessel by means of a jet pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: DUERR DENTAL AG
    Inventor: DUERR DENTAL AG
  • Publication number: 20120297986
    Abstract: A gas-liquid separator (1) is configured so that the inner side surface of a body section (13) and the outer side surface of an inner pipe (50) are concentric when viewed from above, an inlet pipe (20) extending toward the center axis of the body section (13) when viewed from above, a guide plate (60) including a guide plate side section (61) that extends in a non-horizontal direction, and a guide plate lower section (62) that extends in a non-vertical direction and is continuous with the guide plate side section (61), the guide plate side section (61) being at least disposed on the inner side surface of the body section (13) at a position on one side of an inlet opening (132), or on the outer side surface of the inner pipe (50) at a position on one side of an area opposite to the inlet opening (132), the guide plate lower section (62) being at least disposed on the outer side surface of the inner pipe (50) at a position directly under an area opposite to the inlet opening (132) and along the outer side surfa
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: JAPAN OIL, GAS AND METALS NATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko Suda, Michihiro Kawai, Kenji Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20120247324
    Abstract: A fluid degasification system for a hydraulic circuit includes a gas/fluid separation tank, a fluid entry passage directing fluid into a small foam generating cup containing foam and a small amount of additional fluid, thereby stimulating foam formation. A separation screen is positioned below the foam generating cup to receive bubbles formed in the cup and to allow liquid to pass through the screen to a degasified-fluid collecting chamber below the screen as the bubbles resting on the separation screen decompose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Dustin Kramer, David Williams, Sterling Imfeld
  • Patent number: 8273151
    Abstract: A liquid/gas separator device for separating liquid and gaseous phases of a fluid, in particular crude oil, the device comprising a network of first and second separator pipes disposed horizontally, said first and second separator pipes being connected together by vertical link third pipes. The first separator pipes are fed from and connected upstream to a horizontal cylindrical diffuser and are connected downstream to a first horizontal cylindrical manifold. The second separator pipes are connected upstream to the same diffuser and downstream to a second horizontal cylindrical manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Miotto, Massimo Chiarotti
  • Patent number: 8226742
    Abstract: A liquid/gas separator device for separating the liquid and gaseous phases of a fluid, the device having first and second vertically-disposed elongate reservoirs. The first reservoir has a first bottom orifice connected to an arrival pipe for the fluid that includes a pressure-lowering device, at least one first top orifice, and a plurality of first intermediate orifices. The first reservoir is connected to a plurality of second reservoirs via a plurality of first transfer pipes, and via at least one second transfer pipe. Each of second reservoirs has a second top orifice connected to a common gas discharge pipe, and a second bottom orifice connected to a common degassed fluid discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventors: Stéphanie Abrand, Marc Bonnissel, Roberto Di Silvestro, Raymond Hallot
  • Publication number: 20120160103
    Abstract: A slug suppressor apparatus comprising an inlet separator capable of gas-liquid separation of full well stream fluid and expanded inclined liquid pipe for dampening slugs. The inlet separator has an inlet for receiving the full well stream fluid, a separated gas outlet in its upper section, and a separated liquid outlet in its lower section. The separated gas outlet and the separated outlet are operationally connected to a gas bypass line and the expanded inclined liquid pipe respectively. The expanded inclined liquid pipe has means for dampening liquid slugs and is connectable to a 3-Phase separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Aruljothy Suppiah, Boon Lee Ooi
  • Patent number: 8202356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a degassing centrifugal apparatus (10), such as a degassing centrifugal pump (10) for use in a pulp- or papermaking process. The degassing centrifugal apparatus (10) according to the present invention comprises a rotatable hollow rotor (20) connected to a stationary fluid inlet (14) at one end portion and a stationary liquid outlet (18) at the opposite end portion, and having a gas exhaust (36) for removing gas from the centre thereof. The apparatus further comprises at said inlet end portion means (24) for rotating said fluid and directing it to the inner wall of said rotor (20). The apparatus further comprises a rotatable sensor (42) arranged to measure the layer thickness of a liquid (40) rotating in said apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Pom Technology Oy AB
    Inventors: Paul Olof Meinander, Tom Cichoracki
  • Publication number: 20120103188
    Abstract: A device for separating liquid from gas in a well flow when compressing the well flow comprises a liquid separator having an inlet for the well flow, an outlet for gas and an outlet for liquid. According to the invention separated liquid from the liquid separator is fine-divided in connection with the liquid outlet, and fine-divided liquid is supplied into the gas outlet at a mixing point downstream the liquid separator and upstream a compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: AKER SUBESA AS
    Inventors: Kjeli Olav Stinessen, Geir Inge Olsen
  • Publication number: 20120073435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas scrubbing process, as well as a method for the operation thereof, in which during normal operation in an absorber column, gas components are separated from a gas mixture (feed gas) by scrubbing with a scrubbing liquid. The scrubbing liquid, loaded with separate gas components during the scrubbing process, is regenerated in a regeneration system that comprises at least one regeneration device equipped with a liquid level control. The regenerated scrubbing liquid is then recycled into the absorber column. When the feed gas is lost/reduced, the nominal value of the liquid level control is raised, and the resultant additional storage volume provided in the regeneration device is used for storing scrubbing liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Andreas SELIGER
  • Publication number: 20110290108
    Abstract: A system includes a controller and an apparatus that includes a housing having a volume and an inlet. The inlet can receive a fluid that includes a gas and a liquid. The apparatus also includes a baffle that partitions the volume into a first portion and a second portion. The baffle extends from a base of the housing. The first portion can receive the liquid and separate the liquid into a first part and a second part. The second portion can receive the second part of the liquid from the first portion. The controller regulates an amount of the second part of the liquid in the second portion such that a level of the second part of the liquid is higher than a height that the baffle extends from the base of the housing, thus enabling the use of the extra surge capacity in the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Kumar Sharma, Ravi Nath
  • Patent number: 8057580
    Abstract: A method of processing a multiphase well effluent mixture comprises: transferring the multiphase well effluent mixture (G+L) via a multiphase well effluent flowline (3, 23) to a gas liquid separator (5, 24) in which the multiphase well effluent mixture is separated into substantially gaseous and liquid fractions; transferring the substantially liquid fraction L into a liquid flowline (7, 25) in which a liquid pump (8, 29) is arranged; transferring the substantially gaseous fraction into a gas flowline (6, 26) in which a gas compressor (10, 30) is arranged; protecting the gas compressor (10, 30) against pressure and/or liquid surges by recirculating a recycled gas stream (Ghot) via a gas recycling conduit (14, 44) through the gas compressor in response to detection of a pressure and/or liquid surge in the multiphase well effluent mixture; cooling the recycled gas stream by injecting cooled recycled liquid (Lcold) from the liquid flowline (7, 25) into the recycled gas stream (Ghot) which recycled liquid is cool
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Edwin Poorte, Ola Skrøvseth, Asbjørn Eriksen, Karl Olav Haram, Julian Van Der Merwe
  • Patent number: 8034167
    Abstract: A buffer tank for use in a liquid treatment apparatus applying a liquid treatment to a substrate surface by supplying thereto a treating liquid from a nozzle, the buffer tank is provided in a flow path of the treating liquid from a supply tank of the liquid to the nozzle, the buffer tank including an inlet port for introducing the treating liquid supplied from the supply tank into a buffer tank body, a first accumulation region in the buffer tank body for holding the treating liquid introduced into the buffer tank, a first vent port for discharging bubbles accumulated in the first accumulation region, a filter through which the treating liquid in the first accumulation region passes, the filter filtering the treating liquid, and a supplying port for supplying the treating liquid filtered with the filter to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yoshio Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110204089
    Abstract: A gas recovery system for a beverage dispensing system, the gas recovery system comprising: means for drawing gas from an at least partially used beverage container, a compressor downstream of said at least partially used beverage container; a gas separator downstream of said compressor, a gas storage vessel downstream of said gas separator; wherein in use the gas recovery system is configured to draw gas from the at least partially used beverage container and to separate said gas into component gases by passing said gas through said gas separator, and to selectively direct at least one of the separated component gases to said gas storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Walter Shettle
  • Patent number: 7938874
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying clean dry gas to gas seals of a compressor. The system uses a rotary separator magnetically coupled to a source of rotational power, along with a gas stream cooling unit configured to condensate liquids out of a wet gas stream before the wet gas stream is supplied to the rotating separator. The system may further include a gas stream pressure booster, a heating unit to heat a dry gas stream generated by the rotary separator, and a controlled recirculation loop configured to continually recirculate the wet gas through the driven rotary separator until a desired amount of condensates are removed from the wet gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Philippe Auber
  • Publication number: 20110072975
    Abstract: Assembly to separate a multiphase flow, comprising at least one compact separation unit chosen among an in-line deliquidiser and an in-line phase splitter, said compact separation unit is arranged to receive the multiphase flow for separation therof to a gas flow and a mainly liquid containing flow, an outlet for gas, arranged to receive the gas flow from the compact separation unit and possible additional gas flows, one or more conduit separators, arranged to receive the mainly liquid containing flow from the compact separation unit and any additional liquid containing flows, having an outlet for liquid from the at least one conduit separator in a low-lying part thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: STATOIL ASA
    Inventors: Eivind Aarebrot, Jan Høydal
  • Publication number: 20100319531
    Abstract: A CO2 recovering apparatus includes: a CO2 absorber that brings flue gas containing CO2 into contact with CO2 absorbent to reduce the CO2 contained in the flue gas; a regenerator that reduces CO2 contained in rich solvent that has absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber to regenerate the rich solvent, so that the CO2 absorbent that is lean solvent having CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber; and a controller that controls to detect the absorbent concentration in the CO2 absorbent, to increase the volume of CO2 absorbent to be circulated based on a decrease in the absorbent concentration, and to adjust the volume of steam to be supplied in the regenerator based on the volume of the CO2 absorbent to be circulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Hiroshi Tanaka, Yoshiki Sorimachi, Masahiko Tatsumi, Yasuyuki Yagi, Kouki Ogura
  • Patent number: 7811420
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus is disclosed for water desalination including steps of transferring water vapor from salt-water in a vaporization zone 7, via a water vapor transfer zone 12, to a condensation zone 11, and condensing the water vapor into fresh-water. The water vapor transfer zone 12 is maintained substantially free of any gas other than water vapor. Heat is supplied to the vaporization zone 7 and extracted from the condensation zone 11, at relative rates such that there is a net transfer of water from the vaporization zone to the condensation zone. Also disclosed is a method of and apparatus for degassing salt water using at least two degassing chambers 17A, 17B each provided with a valved vent 47 and a valved inlet 21,29,90,91, with a valved pipe circuit 17a, 72-82,85-87, having a pump 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Sven Olof Sonander
  • Publication number: 20100229726
    Abstract: In order to apply a liquid material including a small number of bubbles, in particular almost no bubbles larger than a predetermined size, a liquid material supplying apparatus includes: a pressure tank applying a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to the liquid material; a syringe having a nozzle for discharging the liquid material; and a liquid path member forming a liquid path leading the liquid material from the pressure tank to the syringe; a valve member which is provided on the liquid path member and which opens/closes the liquid path; a bubble defoaming filter which is provided on the liquid path member between the syringe and the valve member and which removes bubbles from the liquid material lead in the liquid path member; and a pressure applying mechanism which starts/stops discharging the liquid material from the nozzle by selectively applying a first pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure and a second pressure lower than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Hironobu Nishimura, Masahiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7794527
    Abstract: A variable position gas trap apparatus and method to separate gases entrained in drilling fluid in a tank. The apparatus includes a gas trap attached to a carriage and a frame attached to the tank. A lever moveable by the float rod, activates the control valve to raise or lower the carriage having the gas trap container attached thereto. A feedback control loop is responsive to changes in the level of the drilling fluid in the tank. A mechanism is provided to mechanically and automatically move the carriage with respect to the frame in response to the feedback control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fluid Inclusion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Michael Sterner
  • Patent number: 7776142
    Abstract: Provided is a bubble damper of a slurry supply apparatus, more particularly, a bubble damper of a slurry supply apparatus in which a bubble damper removes bubbles generated by a slurry supply apparatus. The bubble damper system includes a slurry drum in which slurry is stored, a vessel to which the slurry is supplied from the slurry drum, and a bubble damper that is provided between the slurry drum and the vessel. The bubble damper collects bubbles generated from the slurry that is supplied from the slurry drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Hun Lee, Jae-Hyun You
  • Publication number: 20100199912
    Abstract: In order to provide a method for supplying fresh auxiliary material, which is added to a stream (120) of crude gas laden with wet paint overspray before the stream of crude gas passes through at least one filter element (172) for separating the overspray from the steam of crude gas, to at least one filter device (132) which comprises at least one receptacle (176) for auxiliary material, which is in its operating position, while the stream of crude gas is passing through the filter element, which method enables better action of the auxiliary material on the stream of crude gas and makes a particularly efficient supply of fresh auxiliary material to the at least one filter device possible, it is suggested that the fresh auxiliary material be supplied directly into the receptacle for auxiliary material while the receptacle for auxiliary material is in the operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Holzheimer, Dietmar Wieland
  • Patent number: 7766010
    Abstract: A method of providing concentrated oxygen product gas to a patient. The method comprises producing product gas by a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process with an oxygen concentrator comprising a plurality of separation columns connected to a vacuum source driven by a motor. Separated product gas is then pumped to a product reservoir. The pressure of the reservoir is monitored and used to adjust the speed of the motor based on the reservoir pressure. The separated gas is then delivered to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: VBOX, Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Jagger, Nicholas P. Van Brunt, John A. Kivisto, Perry B. Lonnes
  • Patent number: 7727316
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a process fluid. The system includes a modular arrangement that includes ten modules for; reducing the amount of dissolved and entrained hydrogen sulfide gas in the process fluid; monitoring the pH of the process fluid; storing the process fluid; reducing an amount of oil from the process fluid; and flocculating the process fluid; measuring the amount of oil in the process fluid; providing ventilation supply air to at least one of the modules; removing hydrogen sulfide gas from a sour gas; delivering gases to a burner system; and controlling the processes of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Frank Mueller, Michael A. Freeman, Eric Hand
  • Patent number: 7727315
    Abstract: A condensed water discharging apparatus for a fuel cell system is disclosed. The condensed water discharging apparatus includes: a drain tank installed around a hydrogen discharging line comprising an inlet portion, an outlet portion formed on both distal ends of the drain tank, and a intermediate portion having at least a drain hole installed wherein the intermediate portion is disposed inside the drain tank so that condensed water is separated from hydrogen flowing in through the intermediate portion by gravity and is drained downwardly; and a drain pump connected to the drain tank to discharge condensed water drained through the drain holes of the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Youngjin Son, Youngbum Kum, Sungho Lee
  • Publication number: 20100071554
    Abstract: A purification method comprises directing a system having a gas phase component and a contaminant through a filter including an aerogel material, e.g., hydrophobic silica-based aerogel particles. A filter for purifying a gas phase system comprises an aerogel material in an amount sufficient to remove at least a portion of a contaminant present in the gas phase system. In preferred examples, the filter is a fluidized bed. In further examples, the filter is a packed bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robert Pfeffer, Jose A. Quevedo
  • Patent number: 7637990
    Abstract: An air vent apparatus for a water tube, comprising: an air separator pipe installed to have an axial direction along a vertical direction, and connected to a portion, where an air reservoir tends to occur, of the water tube for passage of water; and air vent means for venting air accumulating in the air separator pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanabe, Yasuhiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7635410
    Abstract: A photo-resist dispensing apparatus is disclosed and comprises; a tank adapted to hold a photo-resist solution, a pump unit adapted to pump the photo-resist solution from the tank, a filter unit adapted to receive the photo-resist solution from the pump unit, and at least one of a first gas discharge unit connected to the tank and adapted to remove gas bubbles from the photo-resist solution held in the tank, and a second gas discharge unit connected to the filter unit and adapted to remove gas bubbles from the photo-resist solution in the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Jun Park, Suk-Fill Yun
  • Patent number: 7611635
    Abstract: A system (1) for separating a fluid stream (2) comprising gas, a light liquid and a heavy liquid, the system comprising a separation vessel (5) that is arranged to define a downwardly extending separation space and comprises a downwardly sloping tube (8), the separation space having an inlet (10) for the fluid stream at a first height, an outlet (20) for heavy liquid at a second height below the first height, an outlet (30) for light liquid at a third height between the first and second heights, an outlet (70) for gas above all outlets for liquid, wherein a further outlet (51, 56) for light liquid is provided at a fourth height between the first and third heights, and wherein at least the outlet at the third height is provided with a control valve (33) that is operative to open and close in dependence of the type of liquid in the pipes at that level, and a method of separating a fluid stream comprising gas, a light liquid and a heavy liquid in such a system, wherein an indication of height of an interface bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jill Hui Chiun Chieng, Frederick Jan Van Dijk
  • Publication number: 20090180089
    Abstract: A vacuum system for an immersion exposure apparatus includes a flow passage connected to a vacuum source, and a separator provided on the flow passage. The separator separates any gas from a liquid sucked into the flow passage together with the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Nei, Naoyuki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090165653
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus for gasifying and separating a liquid medium, which is of an automatic type and which can be increased in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Techno Sigma Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Torii, Kouichi Miki, Katsumi Koretomo
  • Publication number: 20090014368
    Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: James C.T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
  • Patent number: 7368006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a deaeration device for deaerating water used during ultrasonic focusing tumour treatment. The said deaeration device includes water purifiers (2), a vacuum pump (32), a water heater (6), electromagnetic valves (3, 5, 7-9, 19-23, 25-26, 30-31), water tanks (10, 18), content gauges (11, 15, 17), a thermometer (13), vacuum gauges (12, 16), and an aqueous capsule (24). The said vacuum pump (32) is a water jet vacuum pump, and there are two water tanks (10, 18). The vacuum pump (32) is connected to the tops of two water tanks (10,18) via a valve assembly composed of four electromagnetic valves (19-22). Two atomizing nozzles (14) are respectively provided at the water inlets on the tops of two water tanks (10,18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Shanghai A&S Science Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiwei Jiang, Jiaxian Dong, Baili Jin, Yisheng Chen, Guanlong Li