Patents by Inventor Andrew F. Johnke
Andrew F. Johnke 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: 9783470Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to remove C5 and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the processing assembly between an absorbing means and a mass transfer means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied to the absorbing means at its top feed point. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the mass transfer means and directed into a second heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to heat it and strip out its volatile components.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products, LPInventors: Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Publication number: 20170191751Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the expanded first stream is heated to form a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction. The vapor fraction is combined with the tower overhead vapor, directed to a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly, and cooled and partially condensed by the expanded first stream to form a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is combined with the liquid fraction and supplied to the tower at its top feed point.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Scott A. Miller, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Patent number: 9637428Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the expanded first stream is heated to form a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction. The vapor fraction is combined with the tower overhead vapor, directed to a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly, and cooled and partially condensed by the expanded first stream to form a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is combined with the liquid fraction and supplied to the tower at its top feed point.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products, LPInventors: Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Scott A. Miller, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Publication number: 20150315106Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to remove C5 and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the processing assembly between an absorbing means and a mass transfer means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied to the absorbing means at its top feed point. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the mass transfer means and directed into a second heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to heat it and strip out its volatile components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Publication number: 20150315104Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the expanded first stream is heated to form a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction. The vapor fraction is combined with the tower overhead vapor, directed to a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly, and cooled and partially condensed by the expanded first stream to form a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is combined with the liquid fraction and supplied to the tower at its top feed point.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Scott A. Miller, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Publication number: 20150315105Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to fractionate lighter components from mixed hydrocarbon streams. The hydrocarbon stream is supplied to the processing assembly between an absorbing means and a mass transfer means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to partially condense it, forming a volatile stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied to the absorbing means as its top feed. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the mass transfer means and heated in a second heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to strip out its volatile components, forming a relatively less volatile stream and a vaporized stream. The vaporized stream is supplied to the mass transfer means as its bottom feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Joe T. Lynch, John D. Wilkinson, Scott A. Miller, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Patent number: 9080811Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream in a compact processing assembly. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means inside the processing assembly. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the bottom feed to the second absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the first absorbing means and directed into one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly to heat it while cooling the gas stream and the first stream. The heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and divided into a volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd, S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Patent number: 9074814Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Patent number: 9068774Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C2 (or C3) components and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied as a feed between two absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the lower absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the lower absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components. A distillation vapor stream from the top of the heat and mass transfer means is cooled by a distillation vapor stream from the top of the upper absorbing means, thereby forming a condensed stream that is supplied as a top feed to the upper absorbing means.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Patent number: 9057558Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, heated, and its liquid fraction is supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is combined with the vapor fraction of the first stream, then cooled by the expanded first stream to form a condensed stream that is supplied as a second top feed to the absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Patent number: 9052136Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C2 components (or C3 components) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied as top feed to an absorbing means. The second stream is also expanded to lower pressure and fed to the bottom of the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the gas stream and the first stream. A distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a heat and mass transfer means to heat it and strip out its volatile components while cooling the gas stream. The absorbing means and the heat and mass transfer means are housed in the processing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Patent number: 9052137Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C2 (or C3) components and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as bottom feed to the second absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the first absorbing means is heated, compressed to higher pressure, and divided into a volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream. The compressed recycle stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied as top feed to the first absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the second absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Patent number: 9021831Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream in a compact processing assembly. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the top feed to an absorbing means inside the processing assembly. The second stream is also expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and directed into one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly to heat it while cooling the gas stream and the first stream.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, Larry Lewis, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Publication number: 20150073196Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to remove C5 and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the processing assembly between an absorbing means and a mass transfer means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed, stream is supplied to the absorbing means at its top feed point. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the mass transfer means and directed into a second beat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to heat it and strip out its volatile components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Publication number: 20150073194Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the expanded first stream is heated to form a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction. The vapor fraction is combined with the tower overhead vapor, directed to a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly, and cooled and partially condensed by the expanded first stream to form a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is combined with the liquid fraction and supplied to the tower at its top feed point.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Hank M. Hudson, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Scott A. Miller, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Publication number: 20150073195Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to fractionate lighter components from mixed hydrocarbon streams. The hydrocarbon stream is supplied to the processing assembly between an absorbing means and a mass transfer means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to partially condense it, forming a volatile stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied to the absorbing means as its top feed. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the mass transfer means and heated in a second heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to strip out its volatile components, forming a relatively less volatile stream and a vaporized stream. The vaporized stream is supplied to the mass transfer means as its bottom feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Joe T. Lynch, John D. Wilkinson, Scott A. Miller, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
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Patent number: 8881549Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignees: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd., S.M.E. Products, LPInventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Publication number: 20110232328Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicants: S.M.E. PRODUCTS LP, ORTLOFF ENGINEERS, LTD.Inventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Publication number: 20110226013Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C2 (or C3) components and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied as a feed between two absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the lower absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the lower absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components. A distillation vapor stream from the top of the heat and mass transfer means is cooled by a distillation vapor stream from the top of the upper absorbing means, thereby forming a condensed stream that is supplied as a top feed to the upper absorbing means.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicants: S.M.E. Products LP, Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
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Publication number: 20110226014Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, heated, and its liquid fraction is supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is combined with the vapor fraction of the first stream, then cooled by the expanded first stream to form a condensed stream that is supplied as a second top feed to the absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicants: S.M.E. Products LP, Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.Inventors: Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis, L. Don Tyler, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar