Patents by Inventor Alan K. Burnham
Alan K. Burnham has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10508523Abstract: Devices, systems, and processes are provided for retorting and extracting hydrocarbons from oil shale. A heat transfer fluid includes at least one liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) component such as, for example, propane or butane. The heat transfer fluid moves through a heat delivery loop to retort oil shale, thereby facilitating the production of recoverable hydrocarbons. While the heat transfer fluid moves through the heat delivery loop, cracking of a portion of the heat transfer fluid may produce various hydrocarbon materials that may be provided to a product stream.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: American Shale Oil, LLCInventors: James R. McConaghy, Alan K. Burnham
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Patent number: 9464513Abstract: A heating system for a subterranean mineral formation according to embodiments of the present invention includes a casing positioned in a bore in the subterranean mineral formation, the casing having an outer surface and an inner surface, a heating element positioned within the casing, a surface connection system having a first end coupled to the heating element within the casing and a second end at a top ground surface above the subterranean mineral formation, a heat transfer fluid contained within the casing, the heat transfer fluid configured to transfer heat between the heating element and the inner surface of the casing, wherein at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid is undergoing phase changes between liquid and gas in order to regulate a temperature of the casing. Fins may be included on the outside of the casing to enhance heat transfer.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: American Shale Oil, LLCInventors: James R. McConaghy, Leonard H. Switzer, III, Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day
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Publication number: 20150369026Abstract: Devices, systems, and processes are provided for retorting and extracting hydrocarbons from oil shale. A heat transfer fluid includes at least one liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) component such as, for example, propane or butane. The heat transfer fluid moves through a heat delivery loop to retort oil shale, thereby facilitating the production of recoverable hydrocarbons. While the heat transfer fluid moves through the heat delivery loop, cracking of a portion of the heat transfer fluid may produce various hydrocarbon materials that may be provided to a product stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: James R. McCONAGHY, Alan K. BURNHAM
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Patent number: 9127541Abstract: Heaters are presented to aid in the recovery of hydrocarbon from underground deposits. A heater is provided to a well that has been drilled through an oil-shale deposit. A fuel and an oxidizer are provided to the heater and flue gases are recovered. The heater has a counterflow design and provides a nearly uniform temperature along the heater length. The heater may be designed to operate at different temperatures and depths to pyrolyze or otherwise heat underground hydrocarbon deposits to form a product that is easily recovered and which is useful without substantial further processing. Various counterflow heaters are described including heaters having, down the heater length, distributed reaction zones, distributed catalytic oxidation of the fuel, and discrete or continuous heat generation. The heaters may also utilize inert gases from product recovery or from heater flue gases to control the heater temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: AMERICAN SHALE OIL, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, P. Henrik Wallman, James R. McConaghy, Roger L. Day
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Patent number: 8899331Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for sequestering carbon dioxide underground by mineralizing the carbon dioxide with coinjected fluids and minerals remaining from the extraction shale oil. In one embodiment, the oil shale of an illite-rich oil shale is heated to pyrolyze the shale underground, and carbon dioxide is provided to the remaining depleted oil shale while at an elevated temperature. Conditions are sufficient to mineralize the carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignees: American Shale Oil, LLC, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, Susan A. Carroll
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Patent number: 8584506Abstract: A method of using physics-based signal processing algorithms for micromachined cantilever arrays. The methods utilize deflection of a micromachined cantilever that represents the chemical, biological, or physical element being detected. One embodiment of the method comprises the steps of modeling the deflection of the micromachined cantilever producing a deflection model, sensing the deflection of the micromachined cantilever and producing a signal representing the deflection, and comparing the signal representing the deflection with the deflection model.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.Inventors: James V. Candy, David S. Clague, Christopher L. Lee, Robert E. Rudd, Alan K. Burnham, Joseph W. Tringe
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Publication number: 20130199786Abstract: A heating system for a subterranean mineral formation according to embodiments of the present invention includes a casing positioned in a bore in the subterranean mineral formation, the casing having an outer surface and an inner surface, a heating element positioned within the casing, a surface connection system having a first end coupled to the heating element within the casing and a second end at a top ground surface above the subterranean mineral formation, a heat transfer fluid contained within the casing, the heat transfer fluid configured to transfer heat between the heating element and the inner surface of the casing, wherein at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid is undergoing phase changes between liquid and gas in order to regulate a temperature of the casing. Fins may be included on the outside of the casing to enhance heat transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: AMERICAN SHALE OIL, LLCInventors: James R. McConaghy, Leonard H. Switzer, Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day
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Patent number: 8464792Abstract: A sub-surface hydrocarbon production system comprising an energy delivery well extending from the surface to a location proximate a bottom of the hydrocarbons to be produced. A production well extends from the surface to a location proximate the hydrocarbon and a convection passage extends between the energy delivery well and the production well thereby forming a convection loop. The energy delivery well and the production well intersect at a location proximate the hydrocarbon such that the convection loop is in the form of a triangle. Preferably, the convection passage extends upwardly from a point at which the convection passage intersects the production well. The system also includes a heater, such as an electric heater or down-hole burner, disposed in the energy delivery well.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: American Shale Oil, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day, P. Henrick Wallman, James R. McConaghy
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Patent number: 8362919Abstract: A system for sensing and communicating in a pipeline that contains a fluid. An acoustic signal containing information about a property of the fluid is produced in the pipeline. The signal is transmitted through the pipeline. The signal is received with the information and used by a control.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: John F. Cooper, Alan K. Burnham
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Publication number: 20120205109Abstract: Heater embodiments are presented to aid in the recovery of hydrocarbon from underground deposits. In one embodiment, a heater is provided to a well that has been drilled through an oil-shale deposit. A fuel and an oxidizer are provided to the heater and flue gases are recovered. The heater has a counterflow design and provides a nearly uniform temperature along the heater length. The heater may be designed to operate at different temperatures and depths to pyrolyze or otherwise heat underground hydrocarbon deposits to form a product that is easily recovered and which is useful without substantial further processing. Various embodiments of a counterflow heater are described including heaters having, down the heater length, distributed reaction zones, distributed catalytic oxidation of the fuel, and discrete or continuous heat generation. The heaters may also utilize inert gases from product recovery or from heater flue gases to control the heater temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: AMERICAN SHALE OIL, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, P. Henrik Wallman, James R. McConaghy, Roger L. Day
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Patent number: 8162043Abstract: A process for retorting and extracting sub-surface hydrocarbons. The process comprises drilling an energy delivery well extending from the surface to a location proximate a bottom of the hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are heated from the bottom to form a retort, the retort extending along a portion of the energy delivery well. A vapor tube is extended to a location proximate the retort, the vapor tube having an entrance corresponding to the region of the retort along the energy delivery well that is nearest the surface exit.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: American Shale Oil, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day, P. Henrick Wallman, James R. McConaghy
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Publication number: 20110259590Abstract: A sub-surface hydrocarbon production system comprising an energy delivery well extending from the surface to a location proximate a bottom of the hydrocarbons to be produced. A production well extends from the surface to a location proximate the hydrocarbon and a convection passage extends between the energy delivery well and the production well thereby forming a convection loop. The energy delivery well and the production well intersect at a location proximate the hydrocarbon such that the convection loop is in the form of a triangle. Preferably, the convection passage extends upwardly from a point at which the convection passage intersects the production well. The system also includes a heater, such as an electric heater or down-hole burner, disposed in the energy delivery well.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: AMERICAN SHALE OIL, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day, P. Henrick Wallman, James R. McConaghy
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Publication number: 20110247416Abstract: A system for sensing and communicating in a pipeline that contains a fluid. An acoustic signal containing information about a property of the fluid is produced in the pipeline. The signal is transmitted through the pipeline. The signal is received with the information and used by a control.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: John F. Cooper, Alan K. Burnham
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Publication number: 20110174507Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for sequestering carbon dioxide underground by mineralizing the carbon dioxide with coinjected fluids and minerals remaining from the extraction shale oil. In one embodiment, the oil shale of an illite-rich oil shale is heated to pyrolyze the shale underground, and carbon dioxide is provided to the remaining depleted oil shale while at an elevated temperature. Conditions are sufficient to mineralize the carbon dioxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Alan K. Burnham, Susan A. Carroll
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Publication number: 20110174496Abstract: A process for retorting and extracting sub-surface hydrocarbons. The process comprises drilling an energy delivery well extending from the surface to a location proximate a bottom of the hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are heated from the bottom to form a retort, the retort extending along a portion of the energy delivery well. A vapor tube is extended to a location proximate the retort, the vapor tube having an entrance corresponding to the region of the retort along the energy delivery well that is nearest the surface exit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: AMERICAN SHALE OIL, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day, P. Henrick Wallman, James R. McConaghy
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Patent number: 7921907Abstract: A system and process for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean body of oil shale within an oil shale deposit located beneath an overburden. The system comprises an energy delivery subsystem to heat the body of oil shale and a hydrocarbon gathering subsystem for gathering hydrocarbons retorted from the body of oil shale. The energy delivery subsystem comprises at least one energy delivery well drilled from the surface of the earth through the overburden to a depth proximate a bottom of the body of oil shale, the energy delivery well extending generally downward from a surface location above a proximal end of the body of oil shale to be retorted and continuing proximate the bottom of the body of oil shale. The energy delivery well may extend into the body of oil shale at an angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: American Shale Oil, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day, P. Henrick Wallman, James R. McConaghy, Harry Gordon Harris, Paul Lerwick, R. Glenn Vawter
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Publication number: 20100288497Abstract: A system and process for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean body of oil shale within an oil shale deposit located beneath an overburden. The system comprises an energy delivery subsystem to heat the body of oil shale and a hydrocarbon gathering subsystem for gathering hydrocarbons retorted from the body of oil shale. The energy delivery subsystem comprises at least one energy delivery well drilled from the surface of the earth through the overburden to a depth proximate a bottom of the body of oil shale, the energy delivery well extending generally downward from a surface location above a proximal end of the body of oil shale to be retorted and continuing proximate the bottom of the body of oil shale. The energy delivery well may extend into the body of oil shale at an angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: AMERICAN SHALE OIL, LLCInventors: Alan K. Burnham, Roger L. Day, P. Henrick Wallman, James R. McConaghy, Harry Gordon Harris, Paul Lerwick, R. Glenn Vawter
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Patent number: 7001106Abstract: A system for installing warning units in a buried pipeline. A small hole is drilled in the ground to the pipeline. A collar is affixed to one of the pipes of the pipeline. A valve with an internal passage is connected to the collar. A hole is drilled in the pipe. A warning unit is installed in the pipe by moving the warning unit through the internal passage, the collar, and the hole in the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Alan K. Burnham, John F. Cooper
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Patent number: 6518539Abstract: The present invention provides a system that mitigates the growth of surface damage in an optic. Damage to the optic is minimally initiated. In an embodiment of the invention, damage sites in the optic are initiated, located, and then treated to stop the growth of the damage sites. The step of initiating damage sites in the optic includes a scan of the optic using a laser to initiate defects. The exact positions of the initiated sites are identified. A mitigation process is performed that locally or globally removes the cause of subsequent growth of the damaged sites.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Alan K. Burnham, Bernardino M. Penetrante, Raymond M. Brusasco, Paul J. Wegner, Lawrence W. Hrubesh, Mark R. Kozlowski, Michael D. Feit
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Publication number: 20020046998Abstract: The present invention provides a system that mitigates the growth of surface damage in an optic. Damage to the optic is minimally initiated. In an embodiment of the invention, damage sites in the optic are initiated, located, and then treated to stop the growth of the damage sites. The step of initiating damage sites in the optic includes a scan of the optic using a laser to initiate defects. The exact positions of the initiated sites are identified. A mitigation process is performed that locally or globally removes the cause of subsequent growth of the damaged sites.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Alan K. Burnham, Bernardino M. Penetrante, Raymond M. Brusasco, Paul J. Wegner, Lawrence W. Hrubesh, Mark R. Kozlowski, Michael D. Feit