Patents by Inventor Brian Hedrick

Brian Hedrick 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).

  • Publication number: 20070034550
    Abstract: A process for improving flow properties of crude may include processing a first crude stream, which may in turn include cracking the first crude stream with fresh catalyst to form a cracked stream and spent catalyst, and then mixed with an unprocessed second stream. The spent catalyst may be regenerated to form fresh catalyst, which may then be recycled. At least part of the cracked stream may be mixed with a second crude stream. A ratio of the second crude stream to the first crude stream may be between about 0.5:1 and about 9:1. A ratio of part of the cracked stream to add to the second crude stream may be selected to achieve a API gravity of at least about 18. The first crude stream may be heated and stripped before being cracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Hedrick, James McGehee, Selman Erisken, Jibreel Qafisheh
  • Publication number: 20050205467
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for stripping gases from solids comprises a structured packing in a stripping section of a vessel. The structured packing comprises a plurality of corrugated ribbons with each corrugated ribbon having at least two faces angular to each other. The ribbons at least partially obstruct passage of the solid particles. Edges of adjacent ribbons defining openings for the passage of contacted particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Hedrick, Zhanping Xu, Paolo Palmas, Mitchell Kowalczyk, Matthew Westby, Weikai Gu, J. Houdek, Daniel Monkelbaan