Patents Assigned to Refined Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10577563
    Abstract: Certain fatty acid amide-based surfactants such as cocamide DEA (also known as “coco(nut) diethanolamide” or “coco(nut) DEA”) when dissolved or dispersed in a cutting oil (diesel, light cycle oil, naphtha, and such other petroleum distillates) produce a petroleum distillate having significantly enhanced solvency for heavy residuals. Such solutions or dispersions are especially useful for cleaning vessels and similar equipment in refineries by circulating the solution or dispersion in the vessel, optionally with the application of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Sears, Edward Alverson
  • Patent number: 9605234
    Abstract: Pyrophoric material such as iron sulfide is frequently found in refinery equipment. When the equipment is opened to the atmosphere for maintenance, an exothermic reaction can take place that may cause injury to personnel and catastrophic damage to equipment. A process used to treat pyrophoric material uses sodium nitrite injected into a gaseous carrier stream to oxidize iron sulfides to elemental sulfur and iron oxides. The sodium nitrite solution may be buffered to a pH of about 9 with disodium phosphate or monosodium phosphate. A chemical additive that provides a quantitative measure of reaction completion may be added to the treatment solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Sears
  • Patent number: 9452941
    Abstract: Pyrophoric material such as iron sulfide is frequently found in refinery equipment. When the equipment is opened to the atmosphere for maintenance, an exothermic reaction can take place that may cause injury to personnel and catastrophic damage to equipment. A process used to treat pyrophoric material uses sodium nitrite injected into a gaseous carrier stream to oxidize iron sulfides to elemental sulfur and iron oxides. The sodium nitrite solution may be buffered to a pH of about 9 with disodium phosphate or monosodium phosphate. A chemical additive that provides a quantitative measure of reaction completion may be added to the treatment solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Sears
  • Patent number: 9017488
    Abstract: A process for quickly removing hydrocarbon contaminants and noxious gases in a safe and effective manner from catalytic reactors, other media packed process vessels and associated equipment in the vapor phase without using steam. The cleaning agent contains one or more solvents, such as terpenes or other organic solvents. The cleaning agent is injected into contaminated equipment, along with a carrier gas, in the form of a cleaning vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody Nath, Barry Baker, Sean Sears
  • Patent number: 8480812
    Abstract: A process for quickly removing hydrocarbon contaminants and noxious gases in a safe and effective manner from catalytic reactors, other media packed process vessels and associated equipment in the vapor phase without using steam. The cleaning agent contains one or more solvents, such as terpenes or other organic solvents. The cleaning agent is injected into contaminated equipment, along with a carrier gas, in the form of a cleaning vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody Nath, Barry Baker, Sean Sears
  • Publication number: 20060169305
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for cleaning and restoring the operating efficiency of organic liquid chemical exchangers in a safe and effective manner and in a very short period of time, without a need to disassemble the equipment and without the need to rinse contaminate from the equipment after cleaning. Used is a formulation of monocyclic saturated terpene mixed with a non-ionic surfactant package specifically suited to oil rinsing. The terpene-based chemical is injected into organically contaminated exchangers using a novel process involving high-pressure steam to form a very effective cleaning vapor. Also disclosed is a manifold which can be used to administer the formulation including steam into one side of the exchanger (e.g., the shell side) in one direction (e.g., from top to bottom) and easily then reverse the direction of flow (e.g., from bottom to top) to more thoroughly clean the exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Jansen, Sean Sears
  • Patent number: 6936112
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for cleaning and restoring the operating efficiency of organic liquid chemical exchangers in a safe and effective manner and in a very short period of time, without a need to disassemble the equipment and without the need to rinse contaminate from the equipment after cleaning. Used is a formulation of monocyclic saturated terpene mixed with a non-ionic surfactant package specifically suited to oil rinsing. The terpene-based chemical is injected into organically contaminated exchangers using a novel process involving high-pressure steam to form a very effective cleaning vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Jansen, Sean Edward Sears
  • Patent number: 6893509
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for interior cleaning and by cleaning, removing noxious gas and/or restoring the operating efficiency of organically contaminated hydrocarbon processing equipment in a safe and effective manner and in a very short period of time, without a need to manually enter an unsafe environment and mechanically remove organic contaminants. Used is a formulation of non-aqueous, monocyclic saturated terpene mixed with a non-ionic surfactant package. The terpene-based chemical is injected into organically contaminated equipment using a novel process involving high-pressure steam to form a very effective cleaning vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean E. Sears, Kevin L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6872263
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for interior cleaning and by cleaning, removing noxious gas and/or restoring the operating efficiency of organically contaminated hydrocarbon processing dynamic devices in a safe and effective manner and in a very short period of time, without a need to manually enter an unsafe environment and mechanically remove organic contaminants. Used is a formulation of non-aqueous, monocyclic saturated terpene mixed with a non-ionic surfactant package. The terpene-based chemical is injected into the organically contaminated device using a novel process involving high-pressure steam to form a very effective cleaning vapor. The device is activated during the process. The vapor may be optionally directed against the normal-flow direction of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Jansen, Sean Edward Sears
  • Publication number: 20040238006
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for interior cleaning and by cleaning, removing noxious gas and/or restoring the operating efficiency of organically contaminated hydrocarbon processing equipment in a safe and effective manner and in a very short period of time, without a need to manually enter an unsafe environment and mechanically remove organic contaminants. Used is a formulation of non-aqueous, monocyclic saturated terpene mixed with a non-ionic surfactant package. The terpene-based chemical is injected into organically contaminated equipment using a novel process involving high-pressure steam to form a very effective cleaning vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean E. Sears, Kevin L. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20040102351
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for cleaning and restoring the operating efficiency of organic liquid chemical exchangers in a safe and effective manner and in a very short period of time, without a need to disassemble the equipment and without the need to rinse contaminate from the equipment after cleaning. Used is a formulation of monocyclic saturated terpene mixed with a non-ionic surfactant package specifically suited to oil rinsing. The terpene-based chemical is injected into organically contaminated exchangers using a novel process involving high-pressure steam to form a very effective cleaning vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Jansen, Sean Edward Sears