Patents Assigned to VME Process, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11767476
    Abstract: A system for crude oil desalting and dehydration includes a separation vessel defining a cavity extending along a central axis having a substantially-vertical orientation. The separation vessel comprises a first distributor configured to distribute a mixture within the cavity of the separation vessel, and a second distributor configured to distribute a wash fluid within the cavity of the separation vessel. The mixture comprises crude oil, water, dissolved salts, free salts, or combinations thereof, and the wash fluid comprises an aqueous fluid. The first distributor is disposed within the cavity below the second distributor, and an interface level controller is configured to detect an interface between an oil phase and an aqueous phase and to maintain the interface within a predetermined range within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: VME Process, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance John Larry Trofimuk, Fiona McGregor, Michael Thomas
  • Patent number: 11299682
    Abstract: A system for crude oil desalting and dehydration in a single vessel is disclosed. The system comprises a pressure vessel defining a cavity and comprising a sealed bulkhead separating the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment. Disposed within the first compartment is a first distributor disposed within the first compartment, a first electrical grid assembly, and a transfer conduit that passes through the bulkhead from the first compartment to the second compartment, the second compartment being in fluid communication with the first compartment via the transfer conduit. The pressure vessel may further comprise an overflow weir in the first compartment and a second electrical grid assembly disposed within the second compartment and aligned substantially transverse to a flow path extending from the transfer conduit to the crude collection header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: VME Process, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas, Chad Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 11291959
    Abstract: A static mixer for desalting a fluid is disclosed. A static mixer can include a housing, a reduction cone disposed concentrically within the housing; and an expansion cone disposed concentrically within the housing; wherein the static mixer is configured to direct fluid flow through the reduction cone onto the expansion cone, thereby mixing the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: VME PROCESS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin M. Seal, Michael Thomas, Maurice Michael Laperriere, III
  • Patent number: 10967339
    Abstract: A static mixer for desalting a fluid is disclosed. A static mixer can include a housing, a reduction cone disposed concentrically within the housing; and an expansion cone disposed concentrically within the housing; wherein the static mixer is configured to direct fluid flow through the reduction cone onto the expansion cone, thereby mixing the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: VME PROCESS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin M. Seal, Michael Thomas, Maurice Michael Laperriere, III
  • Patent number: 10669489
    Abstract: A system for crude oil desalting and dehydration in a single vessel is disclosed. The system comprises a pressure vessel defining a cavity and comprising a sealed bulkhead separating the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment. Disposed within the first compartment is a first distributor disposed within the first compartment, a first electrical grid assembly, and a transfer conduit that passes through the bulkhead from the first compartment to the second compartment, the second compartment being in fluid communication with the first compartment via the transfer conduit. The pressure vessel may further comprise an overflow weir in the first compartment and a second electrical grid assembly disposed within the second compartment and aligned substantially transverse to a flow path extending from the transfer conduit to the crude collection header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VME Process, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas, Chad Tomlinson