Patents Assigned to Suncor Energy, Inc.
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Patent number: 11910795Abstract: This disclosure features herbicidal compositions including one or more indole auxins and methods of making and using the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael Fefer
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Publication number: 20230357026Abstract: There is provided a process and system for producing carbon fiber products. The process can involve deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, which can contain native asphaltenes, to produce a solid asphaltene particulate material, which can be further treated to produce the carbon fiber products. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be extruded in the presence of a polymer. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be chemically treated with a chemical agent including a Lewis acid, an oxidizing agent and/or a reducing agent before extrusion. In some implementations, the process can further produce activated carbon fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventor: Darius REMESAT
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Patent number: 11731878Abstract: There is provided a process and system for producing carbon fiber products. The process can involve deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, which can contain native asphaltenes, to produce a solid asphaltene particulate material, which can be further treated to produce the carbon fiber products. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be extruded in the presence of a polymer. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be chemically treated with a chemical agent including a Lewis acid, an oxidizing agent and/or a reducing agent before extrusion. In some implementations, the process can further produce activated carbon fibers.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventor: Darius Remesat
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Patent number: 11668536Abstract: The following provides a system and method to predict an indicator of tube fouling in a fired apparatus such as a boiler. Historical data can be collected when the tubing is still considered to be clean, and used to build a first model between an indicator of fouling, such as tube skin temperature, and boiler load. The actual measurement of that indicator of fouling can then be compared against the model output, such that the error between the model and measurement is considered an indication of the tube fouling. Moreover, the rate of change of the model error can be used to measure the fouling rate. Next, historical data on the fluid feed quality can be collected and together with the historical error rate change data can be combined to develop a second model. This second model reflects how fluid feed quality variables may affect the fouling rate over time.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Fei Qi, Mathew Walker
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Patent number: 11649404Abstract: A non-aqueous extraction process for producing a bitumen product from an oil sands material that includes an ablation stage is provided. The ablation stage can include adding an ablation solvent to an oil sands material to achieve a solvent-to-ore ratio of less than about 10, mixing the ablation solvent and the oil sands material to reduce the size of the oil sands material and produce ablated ore that includes ablated ore fragments having a diameter of less than about 2 inches, and retrieving the ablated ore as a single stream. The ablated ore can be subjected to a reject separation stage to separate reject material therefrom. The reject material can also be subjected to a wash reject stage. The ablated ore can then be subjected to an extraction stage. Examples of ablators are also described, which can include for instance a conveyor, or can be a rotary screen ablator.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Farid Vaezi Ghobaeiyeh, Ali Abbaspour, Jiayi Claire Cao, Iftikhar Huq, Brian Doucette
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Publication number: 20230143324Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining cleaning schedules for equipment. The equipment includes fired heaters and/or heat exchangers. The method includes obtaining historical sensor data; transforming the obtained sensor data using an engineering first principles process; applying data analytics to the transformed data to generate at least one statistical model; predicting an indicator of fouling in the equipment using operating data and the at least one statistical model; obtaining cost data associated with the equipment being analyzed; determining from the prediction and cost data a desired cleaning schedule for the equipment; and providing an output associated with the desired cleaning schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Waldo COETZEE, Gisèle Chung Mouy TONG, Yashar FARAJOLLAHI
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Publication number: 20230141708Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method are provided for monitoring equipment. The method includes obtaining a trained model for an item, the item comprising equipment or a component of the equipment, the model having been trained using historical operational data of the type of equipment, and historical wear data acquired by inspecting the type of equipment and/or the type of component; using the trained model to generate an end-of-run prediction for the item using current or post service field inspection data for the item; analyzing the end-of-run prediction to determine a maintenance recommendation; and generating an output based on the prediction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Russell Dean MACKIE, Adrian Sterling LOWELL, Erin Alana Suki KIYONAGA, Farshad TABASINEJAD, Waldo COETZEE
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Patent number: 11643603Abstract: A non-aqueous extraction (NAE) process for producing bitumen from oil sands ore can include a multistage bitumen extraction step where paraffinic solvent and deasphalted oil are added at a downstream stage of extraction at solvent-to-bitumen ratios below asphaltene precipitation onset threshold to remove bitumen from the solid mineral material, while the ore is added to a first stage to mix with the solvent-bitumen mixture and produce solvent diluted bitumen. The process includes recovering the solvent diluted bitumen and the solvent diluted tailings from the extraction step. The solvent diluted bitumen is subjected to deasphalting to produce solvent diluted deasphalted bitumen that is used as a source of the paraffinic solvent and deasphalted oil supplied to extraction. The tailings and asphaltene fraction from deasphalting can be subjected to washing and the washed material can then be subjected to sand solvent recovery.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Kasra Nikooyeh, Richard McFarlane, John Bleile, Ali Abbaspour, Ruoyu Cheng, Iftikhar Huq, Brian Doucette
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Publication number: 20230087886Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining operational parameters for improving energy efficiency of a process. The method includes obtaining energy usage data and production and operating data generated by utilizing at least one utility in the process and using the energy data and production and operating data to generate a first principles model. The method also includes obtaining sensor data from at least one sensor coupled to equipment used during operation of the process; generating an efficiency model using at least one data driven model, the sensor data, and the first principles model; and using the efficiency model to generate an energy optimization to achieve a greenhouse gas reduction in operation of the process. The method also includes generating an output comprising at least one operation parameter value to enable adjustment of the equipment to adjust operation of the process towards the greenhouse gas reduction; and providing the output to an operational controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Daniel Martin BURT, Thomas Christopher LASKOWSKI, Michael Allen DeWITT
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Patent number: 11566184Abstract: Rotating elements receivable within an extractor trough of an extractor configured for non-aqueous extraction of bitumen from oil sands are described. The rotating element can include a shaft operatively couplable to a motor, and projections extending outwardly from the shaft and being removably secured thereto. The rotating element can also include a shaft mounting structure couplable to a shaft, comprising a shaft receiving hub configured for receiving the shaft therein. The rotation of the rotating element can provide digestion and extraction of bitumen from the oil sands while advancing solids in a downstream direction within the extractor trough, as solvent diluted bitumen flows in an upstream direction toward a liquid outlet. Methods for servicing a rotating element and for manufacturing a non-aqueous extraction (NAE) extractor are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignees: SUNCOR ENERGY INC., EXERGY SOLUTIONSInventors: Ali Abbaspour, Jiayi Claire Cao, Farid Vaezi Ghobaeiyeh, Martin Hadzima, Iftikhar Huq
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Publication number: 20230020290Abstract: There is provided a process and system for producing carbon fiber products. The process can involve deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, which can contain native asphaltenes, to produce a solid asphaltene particulate material, which can be further treated to produce the carbon fiber products. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be extruded in the presence of a polymer. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be chemically treated with a chemical agent including a Lewis acid, an oxidizing agent and/or a reducing agent before extrusion. In some implementations, the process can further produce activated carbon fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventor: Darius REMESAT
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Patent number: 11512256Abstract: A non-aqueous process for producing bitumen from oil sands is provided, and includes contacting oil sands and solvent to produce solvent diluted bitumen and solvent diluted tailings. The solvent diluted bitumen is subjected to a first fines separation stage that produces an overflow solvent diluted bitumen stream with residual fines that is subjected to a second fines separation stage to remove residual fines and produce a solvent diluted bitumen stream, which is subjected to solvent recovery. The fines streams are subjected to washing to produce washed tailings and solvent wash liquor comprising solvent and bitumen. Another non-aqueous process for producing bitumen from oil sands is provided, and includes subjecting oil sands to solvent extraction, including displacing the oil sands material and a solbit counter-currently and horizontally, and recovering a bitumen enriched solbit stream which is subjected to fines separation and subjecting the solvent diluted bitumen stream to solvent recovery.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Iftikhar Huq, Ali Abbaspour, Brian Doucette, Alexander Hyndman, Billy James Rideout
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Patent number: 11492562Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to upgrading difficult to process heavy-oil. In particular, the disclosure relates to upgrading heavy oil and other high carbon content materials by using an integrated thermal-process (ITP) that utilizes anti-coking management and toluene insoluble organic residues (TIOR) management to directly incorporate lighter hydrocarbons into high molecular weight, low hydrogen content hydrocarbons such as thermally processed heavy oil products. This process can be integrated with other thermal processing schemes, such as cokers and visbreakers, to improve the conversion and yields from these integrated processes.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Kelly Benham, Bernard Mark Archer, Nicholas Daniel Benham
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Patent number: 11459508Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a method of operating a coker unit comprising the steps of: collecting a coker-furnace feed stream; introducing the coker-furnace feed-stream into a coker furnace for producing a coker-drum feed stream; and introducing a hydrogen-donor gas into either or both of the coker-furnace feed stream or the coker-drum feed stream.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Prabhakar Reddy, Michael Goulding
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Patent number: 11378224Abstract: Provided herein is a liner that can be loosely inserted in process pipe to form a lined pipe and to decrease the rate of heat transfer between process fluids flowing through the liner and the process pipe. The liner provided herein can reduce applied thermal loading on the outer pipe resulting from, for example, turbulent mixing between fluids having different temperatures (with or without stratification), circumferential thermal gradients, and/or longitudinal thermal gradients. An annulus between the process pipe and liner can be at least partially filled by process fluids, thereby creating a thermal buffer to further decrease the rate of heat transfer between the fluids and the process pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Simon Yuen, Millar Iverson, Brian Tkachyk, Edmond Hung, Haixia Guo
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Publication number: 20220195304Abstract: Methods, processes and devices are described for measuring a volatile content of a process stream that comprises volatile species, such as light hydrocarbons and/or H2S. The method can include introducing a stripping gas into a sample of the process stream to strip the volatiles therefrom and produce a gas phase comprising vaporized volatiles; detecting the vaporized volatiles in the gas phase to obtain a sample volatile content; and determining the volatile content of the process stream based on the sample volatile content. The method and device can be used to measure a light hydrocarbon content of froth treatment tailings in the context of removing such light hydrocarbons prior to flocculating and dewatering the tailings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Babak Derakshandeh, Elco Hollander, Cedric Laborde-Boutet, Wayne Brown, William McCaffrey
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Publication number: 20220074684Abstract: A tube and tubesheet assembly is provided, which includes a tubesheet, the tubesheet comprising at least one tube insertion aperture therethrough; at least one tube inserted in the at least one tube insertion aperture; and a damage-resistant layer applied to an edge of the at least one tube and along an inner surface of a portion of the tube that is positioned within the corresponding tube insertion aperture. A heat exchanger including the assembly is also provided. A method is also provided for coupling a tube to a tubesheet. The method includes applying a damage-resistant layer to an edge of the tube and along an inner surface of a portion of the tube that is positioned within a tube insertion aperture in the tubesheet. The method can also be used to repair tubes and retrofit pre-existing tube-to-tubesheet joints.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2020Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Simon Yuen, Yasin Suzuk, Duane Go Serate
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Patent number: 11267730Abstract: Various techniques are provided in relation to flocculation and/or dewatering of thick fine tailings, with shear conditioning of flocculated tailings material in accordance with a pre-determined shearing parameter, such as the Camp Number. One example method of treating thick fine tailings including dispersing a flocculant into the thick fine tailings to form a flocculating mixture; shearing the flocculating mixture to increase yield stress and produce a flocculated mixture; shear conditioning the flocculated mixture to decrease the yield stress and break down flocs, the shear conditioning being performed in accordance with the pre-determined shearing parameter to produce conditioned flocculated material within a water release zone where release water separates from the conditioned flocculated material. The conditioned flocculated material can then be subjected to dewatering, for example by depositing, thickening or filtering.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Marvin Weiss, Ana Sanchez, Trevor Bugg, Adrian Revington
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Patent number: 11269361Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for recovering hydrocarbon fluids in a process flow, including recovering bitumen from a coarse tailings line. The apparatus includes a signal processor that responds to signaling containing information about the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid in a process flow; and determines corresponding signaling to control the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow remaining based on the signaling received. The hydrocarbon fluid may be bitumen, including bitumen flowing in a course tailings line. The signal processor receives the signaling from a velocity profile meter having sensors arranged around a circumference of a process pipe containing information about a fluid flow velocity at various levels or heights within the process pipe, including a wrap-around velocity profile meter having multiple sensing arrays located radially at a top position of 0°, a bottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90° and 135°.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignees: CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES INC., SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: John Viega, Perry W. McKechnie, Marek J. Dominski
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Patent number: D1004542Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventor: Douglas William Cleland