Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gregory F. Wirzbicki
  • Patent number: 5353869
    Abstract: A method and system, for reducing the temperature of a hydrogeothermal fluid, entails directly or indirectly contacting a self-rising, heated hydrogeothermal fluid with a cooling fluid to cool the hydrogeothermal fluid before it enters and/or as it rises in the production tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: William C. Allen
  • Patent number: 5350501
    Abstract: A composition of matter comprising both (1) zeolite Beta and a (2) Y zeolite having either a unit cell size below about 24.45 angstroms or a water vapor sorption capacity at 25.degree. C. at p/p.sub.o of 0.10 of less than 10.00 weight percent. Typical of the Y zeolites used in the composition of the invention is a UHP-Y zeolite such as LZ-10 zeolite. The composition is especially suited for use in combination with one or more hydrogenation components as a catalyst for hydrocracking various types of feedstocks to produce either gasoline or middle distillate products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: John J. Ward
  • Patent number: 5346614
    Abstract: A method and system for removing hydrogen sulfide from a continuous aqueous phase-containing fluid without forming a sulfur sludge. Oil is either initially present in the fluid or added thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Christohper R. Culver, Clifford D. Juengst
  • Patent number: 5342629
    Abstract: Cellulosic particles, for example wood particles, stored in a pile are preserved by contacting the particles with a thiocarbonate composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Roger A. Brown, Richard L. Pilling, Donald C. Young
  • Patent number: 5340957
    Abstract: A reactivated catalyst having optimum activity for hydrocracking and other acid catalyzed chemical conversion processes is prepared by contacting its deactivated counterpart, which contains a crystalline molecular sieve, a Group VIII noble metal hydrogenation component and carbonaceous deposits, with a gas containing molecular oxygen, preferably air, at a temperature between 950.degree. and 1200.degree. F., preferably between about 1050.degree. and 1150.degree. F., for a time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the carbonaceous deposits. When the reactivated catalyst contains a dealuminated Y zeolite that has been ion-exchanged with both noble metal and rare earth metal cations, its activity for hydrocracking in an ammonia-deficient atmosphere can be further increased by a rejuvenation procedure in which the reactivated catalyst is contacted with an aqueous ammonia solution in which an ammonium salt has been dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Danford E. Clark
  • Patent number: 5339910
    Abstract: Rotary drag during drilling is reduced by 1) adding roller bearings to a tubular string and drill bit, and/or 2) adding a bearing assembly to the tubular string, and/or 3) adding a rotary discoupling tool to the tubular string. At the drill bit, this is achieved by miniature rollers built into the gauge section. Along the drill string periodic roller bearings or bearing standoff assemblies are placed along the string length and/or a rotary discoupling tool capable of sealing fluid and transmitting compression and tensile loads is placed in the string. The combination minimizes bit whirl and rotational drag, especially during the drilling of extended reach wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Mark D. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5340593
    Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: James A. Green, II, Donald C. Young
  • Patent number: 5335733
    Abstract: The gelation of a gelable composition is delayed by using, inter alia, a crosslinking rate retardant selected from the group consisting of epoxides, ethers, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Burton B. Sandiford, Hoai T. Dovan, Richard D. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 5334307
    Abstract: A catalyst useful for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon-containing oil contains at least one hydrogenation component on an amorphous, porous refractory oxide support containing between 2 and 8 weight percent of silica. The catalyst is prepared by impregnating support particles having a narrow pore size distribution and a median pore diameter greater than about 120 angstroms with a solution containing precursors of the hydrogenation components, followed by drying and calcining. The catalyst is useful for promoting a number of hydrocarbon hydroprocessing reactions, particularly simultaneous hydrogenative desulfurization, demetallization and denitrogenation of residuum-containing oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Howard D. Simpson, Marvin J. Schwedock, John W. Ward
  • Patent number: 5333698
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid (e.g., a drilling, completion, packer, or fracturing fluid) comprises (a) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, wetting agents, viscosifiers, weighting agents, fluid loss control agents, proppants for use in hydraulically fracturing subterranean formations, and particulate agents for use in forming a gravel pack; and (b) a non-toxic white mineral oil having (i) an API gravity at 15.6.degree. C. (60.degree. F.) greater than 35, (ii) a content of compounds containing 14 or more carbon atoms of at least about 95 weight percent, and (iii) a pour point of at least about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
  • Patent number: 5332580
    Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions. Also, deposit formation in irrigation systems delivering such thiocarbonates, such as drip emitters and sprinkler heads, is reduced or eliminated with minor amounts of sodium hexametaphosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Donald C. Young, James A. Green, II
  • Patent number: 5328590
    Abstract: A composition of matter comprising zeolite Beta and a layered magnesium silicate such as sepiolite is especially suited for use in combination with one or more hydrogenation components as a catalyst for hydrocracking various types of feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Mario L. Occelli
  • Patent number: 5324340
    Abstract: Hot, newly molded glass articles are easily moved using sweepout arms having a plurality of graphite contact members that form a mosaic to present the hot glass piece with a substantially smooth graphite surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Shelby M. Withrow, Patrick H. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 5324877
    Abstract: A composition useful for catalyzing alkylation and transalkylation reactions comprises a molecular sieve having alkylation and/or transalkylation activity, an inorganic refractory oxide component and greater than 3.5 weight percent water. Such a catalyst has been found to maintain a long life when used to produce ethylbenzene in an integrated process in which benzene is alkylated with ethylene and transalkylated with diethylbenzene. The catalyst can also be used to produce cumene via an integrated process in which benzene is alkylated with propylene and transalkylated with diisopropylbenzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Martin West, Suheil F. Abdo
  • Patent number: 5322121
    Abstract: A fracturing fluid comprises (a) a carrier, (b) a nucleating agent capable of reducing the concentration of scale-forming ingredients and/or natural occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) present in an aqueous subterranean fluid, and optionally (c) an ingredient selected from the group consisting of proppants, friction-reducing additives, fluid-loss-control additives, gelling agents, bactericides, and scale stabilizers. The fracturing fluid is employed in hydraulic fracturing procedures to, among other things, reduce the concentration of the scale-forming ingredients and/or NORMs present in produced aqueous subterranean fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Marty J. Hrachovy
  • Patent number: 5311954
    Abstract: A pressure actuated, telescoping subassembly is supported by a pipe string to axially move an attached member within a wellbore. Increasing fluid pressure to the subassembly actuates a telescoping action, axially moving the attached member but not the supporting pipe string. Motion can be used during rotary drilling or running of tubulars into a drilled borehole portion. Pressure actuation provides a way to remotely apply axial force to a member, such as a tool or drill string portion. Moving only the member instead of the entire drill string and member lowers the total force required to move members and provides a new way to chase drill bits and apply constant drilling forces. This minimizes the risk of pipe string overloading and buckling, exceeding rig weight limitations, and tool bit damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Julio M. Quintana
  • Patent number: 5302579
    Abstract: Herbicidal compositions are provided which contain combinations of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and sulfuric acid, and/or combinations of glyphosate, sulfuric acid and a chalcogen-containing compound of the formula R.sub.1 --CX--R.sub.2 wherein X is a chalcogen compound of the formula R.sub.1 --CX--R.sub.2 wherein X is selected from oxygen and sulfur, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen, monovalent organic radicals, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 or NR.sub.5, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen and monovalent organic radicals, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions contain reaction products of glyphosate and sulfuric acid, and/or of glyphosate, sulfuric acid and the chalcogen compound, and they may also contain excess glyphosate or sulfuric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Donald C. Young
  • Patent number: 5300217
    Abstract: A catalyst useful for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon-containing oil contains at least one hydrogenation component on an amorphous, porous refractory oxide containing delta alumina. The catalyst is prepared by impregnating support particles having a narrow pore size distribution and a median pore diameter greater than about 185 angstroms with a solution containing a precursor of the hydrogenation components, followed by drying and calcining. The catalyst is useful for promoting a number of hydrocarbon hydroprocessing reactions, particularly hydrogenative desulfurization, demetallation and denitrogenation, and most particularly, hydrodemetallation of residuum-containing oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Howard D. Simpson, Milan Skripek
  • Patent number: 5298153
    Abstract: An attrition resistant catalytic cracking catalyst is prepared by spray drying an aqueous slurry containing a molecular sieve having cracking activity, a clay such as kaolin, a silica sol and aluminum chlorhydroxide. The resultant catalyst has a high attrition resistance as compared to commercially available cracking catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Julius Scherzer
  • Patent number: 5294214
    Abstract: Large gas pockets in a crude oil transfer pipeline are detected and separated. As a large gas pocket forms, the liquid level drops (and the hydraulic head declines) in the export riser portion of the transfer pipeline, increasing the pressure required to transfer the fluid. Detection of the lower level and separation decreases the pressure required. Smaller gas pockets, which can be swept down the export riser portion, are not separated. The detecting and separating functions can be combined in a float-type gas vent valve, or separate gas detectors and gas vent valves can be used. The separated gas can be recombined with the crude oil, or used at an import platform, or separately transported to an on-shore facility. If the separated gas requires pressurization, a compressor-expander may be used to compress gas for flow in one direction and recover power from the expanding gas during flow in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Stephen L. Conner