Patents Assigned to Conoco
  • Neutralization of spent solid phosphoric acid catalyst
    Patent number: 4742032
    Abstract: Spent solid phosphoric acid catalyst is neutralized prior to removal from a reactor vessel to avoid generation of toxic dust or acidic washings during catalyst removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Norman M. Whitton
  • Method and apparatus for downhole chromatography
    Patent number: 4739654
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for downhole chromatography. A tool housing includes a chromatograph and a formation tester for extracting a fluid sample from a formation adjacent the wall of an uncased well bore. When such a sample is extracted it is directed into the chromatograph which analyzes the same and transmits the information to the surface. Thereafter, solvent from a reservoir in the housing is used to purge the chromatograph to enable the tool to be relocated to a different level for additional formation fluid analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Pilkington, Mark P. DiStefano, Marvin C. Allen
  • Process for removing methanol from alkylation unit feed stream
    Patent number: 4740632
    Abstract: A process of removing methanol from a mixed stream comprising methanol and at least one hydrocarbon and utilizing the hydrocarbon as feed for an acid catalyzed alkylation unit which produces a spent acid stream is provided. The process is comprised of the steps of contacting the mixed stream with at least a portion of the alkylation unit spent acid stream whereby the methanol is reacted therewith and an aqueous reaction mixture is formed, separating the aqueous reaction mixture from the hydrocarbon and conducting the hydrocarbon to the alkylation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Ardis L. Anderson, David A. Strah
  • Seismic shear wave vibrator with telescoping blade
    Patent number: 4735280
    Abstract: This invention is an improved type of shear wave vibrator are carried by a support vehicle and utilizing telescoping tubes for energy engagement within an underlying earth medium. A shear wave vibrator so constructed is particularly desirable for use over marshy or soft surface earth areas. The device consists of a jack assembly supporting a shear wave vibrator relative to a suitable carrier vehicle in vibrationally isolated manner. The vibrator structure consists of a pair of parallel, elongatable telescoping blades for earth penetration and engagement with a passive reaction mass pivotally secured across the top portion of the telescoping blades and an active mass/vibrator system pivotally secured across the lower portion of the telescoping blades adjacent the earth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Jack H. Cole
  • Adjustable riser top joint and method of use
    Patent number: 4733991
    Abstract: An adjustable riser top joint for connecting an offshore subsurface well to a deck mounted welltree. A first plurality of generally annular protrusions on the riser top joint section affords a plurality of connecting points for the wellhead tree using either a unitary or a split collar type attachment. A second plurality of protrusions positioned below deck afford a second plurality of connecting points for riser tensioning means that may also, preferably, be attached using either a unitary or a split collar. The generally annular protrusions are formed as a continuous spiral groove on an external surface of the riser section in a first preferred embodiment and as a series of generally cylindrical protrusions of equal length and spacing in a second preferred embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick J. Myers
  • Single well test for evaluating CO.sub.2 injection
    Patent number: 4733725
    Abstract: A test is provided for evaluating and/or designing an enhanced oil recovery process including CO.sub.2 injection. A modified log-inject-log technique is utilized to determine residual CO.sub.2 saturation and incremental hydrocarbon displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pittaway, J. Scott Moore, James C. Albright
  • Colloidal silica-based fluid diversion
    Patent number: 4732213
    Abstract: A process for selectively plugging permeable zones in subterranean formations or for plugging subterranean leaks which comprises injecting into the permeable zone or the site of the subterranean leak an aqueous solution containing 1 to 70 weight percent of a non-aggregated colloidal silica sol having a particle size in the range between 4 and 100 nm and a pH in the range between about 1 and 10, and causing said solution to gel in said zone or at said site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignees: Conoco Inc., E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Karl E. Bennett, John L. Fitzjohn, Richard A. Harmon, Paul C. Yates, Jr.
  • Apparatus for marine shear wave prospecting
    Patent number: 4730692
    Abstract: An underwater vibrator is specifically adapted for generating a shear wave in a seabed and includes a frame; locomotion apparatus attached to the frame for moving the vibrator over the seabed; and cable means connected between a surface support vessel and the vibrator. The vibrator also includes buoyancy and apparatus for selectively controlling the buoyancy along with apparatus for selectively engaging the seabed with the vibrator. Apparatus is also carried by the vibrator for viewing the location of the vibrator under the water which includes lights and television equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert W. Fair, Graydon L. Brown
  • Process for production of gasoline blending stock
    Patent number: 4731489
    Abstract: A process for producing a gasoline blending stock of methyl tertiary butyl ether and tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a first catalytic etherification of isobutene and methanol produces methyl tertiary butyl ether and unreacted methanol. The etherification product including isobutene and remaining methanol is reacted with water and fresh isobutene in a second catalytic reaction where both etherification and hydration occur. This essentially exhausts the methanol while the hydration reaction to tertiary butyl alcohol prevents undesired side reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Whisenhunt, Gregg L. Byers, Uday S. Hattiangadi
  • Aramid composite well riser for deep water offshore structures
    Patent number: 4728224
    Abstract: Lightweight well riser elements for offshore platforms are formed of an aramid fiber/resin matrix material. The well risers are preferably in tubular form and include metallic end connectors for interconnecting a plurality of tubular members to form a well riser. Alternatively, the well riser may be formed in one piece extending for the entire length from a subsea template to the well deck on a floating platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Mamdouh M. Salama, John A. Mercier
  • Method and device for blending surfactant mixtures for treatment of oil wells
    Patent number: 4724907
    Abstract: A method of improving production of heavy crude oil from a well by mixing a first solution of water soluble surfactant and water, and preferably forming a mixture of the first solution and an oil solvent, and pumping the mixture into the well to mix with the heavy crude oil to be produced. A desirable surfactant is a water soluble ethoxylated nonylphenol and a desirable oil solvent is kerosene distillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Gifford G. McClaflin
  • Recovery of promoters used in flue gas desulfurization
    Patent number: 4724130
    Abstract: In flue gas desulfurization, sorbent promoters are recovered by mixing collected particulates with water to form a slurry. The slurry is dewatered and wet solids are disposed. The recovered material contains water soluble desulfurization promoters and is reinjected in a flue gas desulfurization humidification system. The recycle allows recovery of water soluble promoters and reduces consumption. In addition, for promoters having undesirable disposal characteristics, the system improves the disposal characteristics of the waste solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Statnick, Duane C. McCoy
  • Desalting process
    Patent number: 4722781
    Abstract: In the desalting of crude oil, water-insoluble solids such as rust, iron sulfide, silt, clay, drilling mud components, etc., contained in the crude accumulate in an interfacial emulsion layer or cuff between the desalted crude and water phases. The major portion of this cuff is recycled to the crude feed and the remainder is mixed with a light diluent oil to break the emulsion and then settled to separate the crude and the water. The water-insoluble solids separate with the water. The separated oil phase may be combined with the desalted crude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Swartz, Ardis L. Anderson
  • Premium coking process
    Patent number: 4720338
    Abstract: A process for providing more uniform premium coke in a delayed coking operation by adding an aliphatic petroleum fraction to the premium coking feed during the latter part of the coking cycle. Preferably the aliphatic petroleum fraction is added gradually and is increased in quantity over the period of addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Newman, John K. Shigley, Ta-Wei Fu
  • Reduction of liquid atomizer droplet size
    Patent number: 4720290
    Abstract: The dispersing ability of atomizing nozzles is improved by dissolving a portion of the dispersion gas into the subject liquid at pressures of at least 50 psi. Explosive expansion of the dissolved gas in the nozzle greatly aids atomization. Further atomization effects are obtained by adding a surfactant to the subject liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Duane C. McCoy
  • Soluble oil emulsifier with bioresistance
    Patent number: 4719029
    Abstract: The ammonium salt of a sulfated ethoxylated alcohol is used as an emulsifying agent to provide resistance to biological degradation of continuous water phase hydraulic fluids. The emulsification agent allows the necessary emulsification properties and in addition provides bioresistance such that there is no need to add a secondary biocide nor to correct emulsification characteristics in order to hold such materials stable in emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Bryant J. Hardy
  • Mass flowmeter apparatus
    Patent number: 4718443
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a liquid mass flowmeter. The flowmeter apparatus gives correct flow regardless of changes in density, viscosity, or composition of the liquid and corrects flow in spite of errors common in currently used flowmeters, such as, calibration shifts, restricted orifices and/or bearing drag and blade wear of turbine meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Billy R. Adney, Charles W. Alworth, John B. Durkee, Bryce T. Jeffries
  • Apparatus for calcining coke
    Patent number: 4718984
    Abstract: An internally-fired vertical shaft kiln for calcining coke wherein a downwardly moving coke bed has a co-current preheat gas stream in the upper portion of the kiln and a counter-current combustion gas stream in the lower portion of the kiln. Both gases are removed at the midportion of the kiln. Combustion air is introduced to the kiln through an inclined grate at the bottom of the kiln which retains a layer of coke thereon for internal combustion. The calcined coke moves over the combusting coke layer on the grate and then through a passage to a cooling chamber where a gas stream is passed through the calcined coke for cooling. The gas stream heated in the cooling chamber can be used as the co-current gas preheat stream in the upper section of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: James R. McConaghy, Jr., Charles J. Swartz
  • Adapter bracket for making a valve fire safe
    Patent number: 4714233
    Abstract: An adapter bracket that can be attached to the exterior of a conventional gate valve and valve actuator converting the valve to a fire safety valve. The bracket can be clamped to the exterior of the valve/actuator housing without modification to the existing structure. The bracket includes an adapter plate with an externally threaded cylindrical extension. A hole through the adapter plate is coaxial with the aperture through the cylindrical extension to non-engagingly permit the valve actuator rod to pass therethrough. The threaded extension receives a standard lock-open cap to hold the valve in the open position to avoid severing of the cable in wireline operations due to a power outage, for example. The cap includes a portion made of fusible material which, in the event of fire, will melt permitting the valve to close under operation of a biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Danny R. Oates
  • Bottle
    Patent number: D295499
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Louis B. LeFevre