Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gregory F. Wirzbicki
-
Patent number: 6117333Abstract: A process is disclosed which involves removing hydrocarbons, arsenic and mercury from wastewater produced in oil and gas fields. An oxidant, ferric ions, and flocculent are sequentially added to the wastewater to form a removable sludge containing the arsenic, hydrocarbon, and mercury contaminants. The Oxidation-Reduction Potential of the wastewater is controlled by oxidant addition to allow the required arsenic oxidation to occur while maintaining the mercury in elemental form. The process requires relatively short residence times between chemical additions and provides for large wastewater throughputs. The cleaned wastewater is suitable for discharge to the environment.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Theodore C. Frankiewicz, John Gerlach
-
Patent number: 6112524Abstract: Boron, silicon and/or arsenic in geothermal steam is removed by contacting the steam with an alcohol containing at least four carbon atoms or polyols having at least two carbon atoms.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Darrell L. Gallup
-
Patent number: 6110874Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
-
Patent number: 6107255Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
-
Patent number: 6099645Abstract: An apparatus for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers during heat treatment of the wafers in a furnace, which apparatus comprises a plurality of support members or rails extending essentially vertically between a top and bottom plate. At least two of the support members are located toward the front of the carrier where the wafers are inserted, and at least one support member is located toward the back of the carrier. A first plurality of slats is attached to one of the front support members and to a back support member such that the space between the top surface of one slat and the bottom surface of the next higher adjacent slat forms a slot for receiving a portion of a semiconductor wafer. A second plurality of slats is attached to another front support member and to a back support member to form corresponding slots on another side of the carrier for receiving another portion of a semiconductor wafer.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Micheal E. Easley, Ronald E. Plummer
-
Patent number: 6095245Abstract: A repositionable apparatus for perforating and gravel packing an underground well uses gravity or other means to reposition the apparatus instead of a conventional wireline or work string attached to a rig. Perforating and packing can be accomplished without a rig after the apparatus is initially placed and set in the well. One embodiment of the inventive apparatus uses a perforating gun assembly, a connected ported sub above the gun assembly, a translating annulus packer above the ported sub, a circumferential screen located above the packer, blank pipe connected above the screen, an openable port above the blank tubular pipe, and a second translating annulus packer attached to the blank tubular.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Matthew J. Mount
-
Patent number: 6083625Abstract: A graphite furnace element, such as a heat shield or heating element, comprises a plurality of bent, rigid, solid and arcuate-shaped graphite sheets that have been joined together, usually by screws or bolts. The bent graphite sheets typically have a wall thickness between 0.05 and 0.5 inch.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Larry D. Fiel, Jamie Lorzadeh
-
Patent number: 6034037Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1999Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of California,Inventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
-
Patent number: 6030521Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Peter J. Jessup, Michael C. Croudace
-
Patent number: 6019903Abstract: A corrosive acid sulfate geothermal brine is mixed with a near neutral, bicarbonate geothermal brine containing above about 300 ppm silica to produce a relatively benign mixed brine of pH from about 4.5 to about 6.5 having reduced corrosivity as compared to the acid sulfate brine and a reduced tendency as compared to the near neutral, bicarbonate brine for depositing silica in equipment during brine processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Darrell L. Gallup
-
Patent number: 6017854Abstract: Simplified drilling fluids (and other well bore fluids) contain a non-aqueous-base fluid and a viscosifying/fluid loss agent that meets certain performance criteria.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
-
Patent number: 5965031Abstract: Sulfurous acid and/or sulfurous acid precursors, such as sulfur dioxide, are introduced into a hydrogen sulfide-containing geothermal brine or fluid prior to extracting energy from the resulting mixture by, e.g., passing the mixture through a flash vessel or a heat exchanger. The introduction of the sulfurous acid or its precursors into the geothermal brine or fluid inhibits scale formation and/or removes previously formed scale during processing of the brine or fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Kevin R. Kitz, Darrell L. Gallup
-
Patent number: 5963030Abstract: An openable ring assembly is externally centered around and moved parallel to the centerline of a stationary pipe. As a low-frequency EM source signal is applied to the ring assembly, the time and/or frequency shifts of a detected EM signal from the source signal can be correlated to pipe wall thickness without removal of external pipe insulation and metal cladding, if present. The ring assembly may be opened or expandably segmented to allow pipe thickness detection around obstructions or larger diameter pipe. Centering is preferably accomplished by using rollers circumferentially attached to the ring assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Mitchel A. Stark
-
Patent number: 5958845Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1996Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
-
Patent number: 5957203Abstract: Cationic polymer-containing gels are stable at elevated temperatures in soft and hard waters.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1994Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Hoai T. Dovan, Burton B. Sandiford
-
Patent number: 5912080Abstract: A sheet of high strength graphite material is bent into an arcuate shape, and the bent sheet is retained in that shape for use in a high temperature furnace. The bent sheet is rigid and can replace prior art machined blocks of lower strength graphite in a furnace. The bent sheet can also be further machined and/or further deformed into other shapes.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of California, dba UnocalInventors: Larry D. Fiel, Jamie Lorzadeh
-
Patent number: 5879433Abstract: One or more contaminants selected from the group consisting of acidic gases, inert particulates, and mixtures thereof are removed from steam by contacting the contaminated steam with a nonaqueous sorbent such as crystalline molecular sieves, silica gels, soda ash, carbonaceous adsorbents, and amine liquid ion exchange resins.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Darrell L. Gallup, Thomas S. Powell
-
Patent number: 5858245Abstract: A method for controlling fouling of a production or reinjection well, a flashing vessel or a heat-exchange surface exposed to a high-enthalpy geothermal brine that forms metal/silicon-containing scale comprises the addition of a metal complexing agent to the brine to form a fluid mixture containing a soluble metal/silicon component complex that inhibits the amount of scale formation when the temperature of the fluid mixture is reduced. The addition of a preferred metal complexing agent such as forms of EDTA, citric acid or acetic acid maintains dissolved aluminum species in the brine and inhibits the formation of aluminum silicate precipitate.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Darrell L. Gallup
-
Patent number: 5837126Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Peter J. Jessup, Michael C. Croudace
-
Patent number: 5814120Abstract: A repositionable hot-glass contact pad composed at least in part of a relatively high-strength nonmetallic material having one or more repositionable support projections and a glass-contact surface. The high strength nonmetallic material and use of multiple support projections allow reliable attachment of the pad to a metal support structure in a plurality of positions to handle a variety of hot-glass article shapes and sizes with minimal checking or other damage.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Patrick H. Lloyd, Kyle D. Nelson