Patents Assigned to Ivanhoe (DE) Inc.
  • Patent number: 9738850
    Abstract: Provided is a method for recovering oil from corn in an ethanol production process. The method comprises applying an alkoxylated glycerine ester of formula (I) to a corn-based product obtained from an ethanol production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Industries
    Inventor: Robert Wiese
  • Patent number: 9719021
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The method for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an upflow reactor, introducing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into the upflow reactor at a location above that of the particulate heat carrier so that a loading ratio of the particulate heat carrier to feedstock is from about 15:1 to about 200:1, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier with a residence time of less than about 1 second, to produce a product stream, separating the product stream from the particulate heat carrier, regenerating the particulate heat carrier, and collecting a gaseous and liquid product from the product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ivanhoe HTL Petroleum Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 9434888
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ivanhoe HTL Petroleum Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Graham, Barry Freel
  • Patent number: 9399750
    Abstract: Provided is a method for recovering oil from corn to ethanol production, the method comprising applying a formulation comprising (i) a compound of formula (I), in which R1-R3 are defined herein, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide to a corn-based product from an ethanol production process. Also provided is a formulation effective for corn oil recovery comprising (i) a mixture of ethoxylated C14-22 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Wiese
  • Patent number: 9255239
    Abstract: Provided is a method for recovering oil from corn to ethanol production, the method comprising applying a formulation comprising (i) a compound of formula (I), in which R1-R3 are defined herein, (ii) an oil, and (iii) a metal oxide to a corn-based product from an ethanol production process. Also provided is a formulation effective for corn oil recovery comprising (i) a mixture of ethoxylated C14-18 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) an oil, and (iii) a metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Wiese
  • Patent number: 9162171
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for separation in processing of feedstocks are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a tubular vessel having a square pipe entry and a vapor outlet, wherein the vapor outlet is positioned at the top of the tubular vessel, and wherein the square pipe entry is tangential to an inner diameter of the tubular vessel; a barrel positioned below the tubular vessel; and a double isolation knife valve positioned between the tubular vessel and the barrel, wherein a stream of gas and solids enters the tubular vessel through the square pipe entry, and wherein the gas and solids are separated by using centrifugal force, and wherein the gas exits the vapor outlet and the solids are collected in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ivanhoe HTL Petroleum Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen K. Pavel, Michael A. Silverman, Steven A. Kalota
  • Patent number: 9084977
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for lift gas distribution are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a lift gas distributor comprises a plate having a surface and an underside, the plate having a first diameter; a center section of the plate having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter; a predetermined number of holes having a third diameter drilled into the surface of the plate, the holes drilled at an angle, the holes evenly distributed in the center section; and a plurality of tubes welded onto the underside of the plate, each tube having a predetermined length, wherein each tube is welded onto each hole. Lift gas passes through the tubes and holes into a reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ivanhoe HTL Petroleum Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen K. Pavel, Michael A. Silverman, Steven A. Kalota
  • Patent number: 9005428
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The process of the present invention provides for the preparation of a partially upgraded feedstock exhibiting reduced viscosity and increased API gravity. This process selectively removes metals, salts, water and nitrogen from the feedstock, while at the same time maximizes the yield of the liquid product, and minimizes coke and gas production. Furthermore, this process reduces the viscosity of the feedstock in order to permit pipeline transport, if desired, of the upgraded feedstock with little or no addition of diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ivanhoe HTL Petroleum Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 8808632
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. The method comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an up-flow reactor, introducing the feedstock at a location above the entry of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier for a short time, separating the vapors of the product stream from the particulate heat carrier and liquid and byproduct solid matter, collecting a gaseous and liquid product mixture comprising a mixture of a light fraction and a heavy fraction from the product stream, and using a vacuum tower to separate the light fraction as a substantially bottomless product and the heavy fraction from the product mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Graham, Barry Freel
  • Publication number: 20130171039
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8377287
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. The method comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an up-flow reactor, introducing the feedstock at a location above the entry of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier for a short time, separating the vapors of the product stream from the particulate heat carrier and liquid and byproduct solid matter, collecting a gaseous and liquid product mixture comprising a mixture of a light fraction and a heavy fraction from the product stream, and using a vacuum tower to separate the light fraction as a substantially bottomless product and the heavy fraction from the product mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Graham, Barry Freel
  • Patent number: 8105482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock. The process of the present invention provides for the preparation of a partially upgraded feedstock exhibiting reduced viscosity and increased API gravity. This process reduces the viscosity of the feedstock in order to permit pipeline transport of the upgraded feedstock with little or no addition of diluents. The method for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an upflow reactor, introducing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into the upflow reactor at a location above that of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier to produce a product stream, separating the product stream from the particulate heat carrier, regenerating the particulate heat carrier, and collecting a gaseous and liquid product from the product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 8062503
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The process of the present invention provides for the preparation of a partially upgraded feedstock exhibiting reduced viscosity and increased API gravity. This process selectively removes metals, salts, water and nitrogen from the feedstock, while at the same time maximizes the yield of the liquid product, and minimizes coke and gas production. Furthermore, this process reduces the viscosity of the feedstock in order to permit pipeline transport, if desired, of the upgraded feedstock with little or no addition of diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 7572362
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. It utilizes a short residence-time pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that result in a rapid pyrolytic distillation with coke formation. Both physical and chemical changes taking place lead to an overall molecular weight reduction in the liquid product and rejection of certain components with the byproduct coke. The liquid product is upgraded primarily because of its substantially reduced viscosity, increased API gravity, and the content of middle and light distillate fractions. While maximizing the overall liquid yield, the improvements in viscosity and API gravity can render the liquid product suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Jerry F. Kriz, Doug Clarke
  • Patent number: 7572365
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. It utilizes a short residence-time pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that result in a rapid pyrolytic distillation with coke formation. Both physical and chemical changes taking place lead to an overall molecular weight reduction in the liquid product and rejection of certain components with the byproduct coke. The liquid product is upgraded primarily because of its substantially reduced viscosity, increased API gravity, and the content of middle and light distillate fractions. While maximizing the overall liquid yield, the improvements in viscosity and API gravity can render the liquid product suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Jerry F. Kriz, Doug Clarke
  • Patent number: 7463471
    Abstract: Spark-gap device including two discharge electrodes (2; 3) each having an elongated conductor portion (10; 5), called the active portion, with a connecting longitudinal end (11; 7) fixed to a connector. The electrodes are arranged in such a way that, when an electric arc is generated, the arc is formed between the active portions and the resulting electric current induces a magnetic field moving the electric arc along the active portions, preferably at an erosion-limiting high speed. At least a discharge electrode further includes at least a second conductor portion (9, 16; 6), called the passive portion, electrically connected to the connector and/or the active portion and with a form adapted to prevent a spontaneous electric arc from being inopportunely generated in normal usage conditions of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Frescaline, Gilles Avrillaud
  • Patent number: 7270743
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock that utilizes a short residence pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that cracks and chemically upgrades the feedstock. The process of the present invention provides for the preparation of a partially upgraded feedstock exhibiting reduced viscosity and increased API gravity. This process selectively removes metals, salts, water and nitrogen from the feedstock, while at the same time maximizes the yield of the liquid product, and minimizes coke and gas production. Furthermore, this process reduces the viscosity of the feedstock in order to permit pipeline transport, if desired, of the upgraded feedstock with little or no addition of diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 4019447
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically controlling movement of an area of material with respect to a work point in a machine in which revolvable control means continuously engages the region of the material in front of the work point and in close proximity to that point. An exemplification of the invention is in a sewing machine in which pressure exerting means urges revolvable control means into guiding engagement with that front region in the fabric as the material advances over the support toward the work point, for guiding and smoothing the fabric material and enabling a wide variety of stretchable as well as stiff fabrics to be guided quickly, accurately and effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Ivanhoe Research Corporation
    Inventors: Hubert Blessing, Kenneth A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: D718750
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ivanhoe (DE) Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Young, Mike Nuttall