Patents by Inventor Brian W. Maassen

Brian W. Maassen 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).

  • Patent number: 4844162
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating a flow of hot, pressurized, hydrogen sulfide-containing geothermal steam, particularly a flow of high-energy, surplus steam substantially as produced from the ground. The apparatus comprises a first condenser in which most of the steam in the flow is condensed, and a first separator in which the steam condensate is separated from residual amounts of steam and non-condensable gases (including hydrogen sulfide). An after-cooler is provided for cooling the condensate to a disposal temperature of less than about 200.degree. F. before the condensate is discharged into a disposal well, the disposal temperature being such as to create a vacuum in the disposal well. A second condenser is provided in which is condensed a substantial amount of the steam in the mixture of residual steam and non-condensable gases, the condensate being separated from a mixture of residual steam and non-condensable gases in a second separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Brian W. Maassen, Richard G. Campbell