Patents by Inventor Chad L. Felch

Chad L. Felch 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: 10053375
    Abstract: Methods and systems for applying separation processes to a spent caustic stream are disclosed. Methods and systems for regenerating media utilized in spent caustic separation processes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Andrea J. Larson, Chad L. Felch, Mark Clark
  • Publication number: 20180078880
    Abstract: A system and method for recycling gas in a backwash process is provided. The backwash process removes contaminants from a bed of filtration media. The method includes generating a mixed liquid-gas stream from the backwash process, withdrawing the mixed liquid-gas stream from the backwash process, separating the mixed liquid-gas stream into a liquid and a gas, and recycling at least a portion of the separated gas to the backwash process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Stuart J. Munson
  • Patent number: 9782694
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a stream comprising hydrocarbons and an aqueous-based liquid are provided. The systems and methods may utilize a media composite comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. In certain systems and methods, the media composite is capable of being backwashed. The stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be separated by contacting the stream with the media composite. In certain system and methods, the stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be coalesced by contacting the stream with the media composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Matthew R. Patterson, Shane P. Wiercinski, Eric A. Lorge
  • Publication number: 20170233277
    Abstract: There is provided a system and a method for regenerating a material that reduce the incidence of scaling due to scale forming contaminants. The method may include reducing a temperature of a treated material exiting a wet air oxidation unit in a scale reducing heat exchanger prior to delivery of the treated material to a second heat exchanger which heats a source waste material comprising a scale forming contaminant therein with heat from the first treated material to form a heated waste material comprising the scale forming contaminant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: CURTIS D. COOLEY, SIMON LARSON, CHAD L. FELCH
  • Publication number: 20170174583
    Abstract: Catalytic systems and methods for treating process streams are disclosed. Catalytic wet oxidation and hydrolysis techniques may be used to treat one or more undesirable constituents such as HPAM and KHI. Methane may be produced in connection with at least some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Matthew R. Patterson, Bryan J. Kumfer
  • Patent number: 9630867
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the treatment of caustic wastewater. Specifically, systems and methods are provided for combining refinery spent caustic and ethylene spent caustic solutions and treating the combined spent caustic mixture using a wet air oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Chad L. Felch, Bruce L. Brandenburg, Richard W. Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9580335
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for treating wastewater in a filter media apparatus having a draft tube system. The filter media may be walnut shell media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Michael Howdeshell, Stuart J. Munson, Eric A. Lorge, Bryan J. Kumfer, Matthew Patterson
  • Publication number: 20160347626
    Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for treating a feed stream comprising hydrocarbons, suspended solids, and an aqueous-based liquid is provided. The systems and methods may utilize a stratified multi-media bed that includes at least one layer of a composite media comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. According to certain aspects, contacting the feed stream with the stratified multi-media bed comprises coalescing and filtering the feed stream. According to at least one aspect, the systems and methods include a draft tube positioned within the stratified multi-media bed that may be utilized for backwashing the layers of filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Eric A. Lorge, Shane P. Wiercinski, Matthew R. Patterson
  • Patent number: 9315401
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture may be contacted with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature and a superatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Chad L. Felch
  • Patent number: 9193613
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of process streams is provided. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. A catalyst may be selected for its solubility at a detected pH level of the aqueous mixture. Alternatively, a pH level of the aqueous mixture may be adjusted to solubilize a selected catalyst and/or maintain the selected catalyst in a soluble form. A controller in communication with a pH sensor may be configured to generate a control signal to adjust the pH level of the aqueous mixture in response to the pH sensor registering a pH level outside a predetermined pH solubility range for a selected catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Bryan Kumfer
  • Publication number: 20150284264
    Abstract: Methods and systems for applying separation processes to a spent caustic stream are disclosed. Methods and systems for regenerating media utilized in spent caustic separation processes are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Andrea J. Larson, Chad L. Felch, Mark Clark
  • Publication number: 20150232358
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a first biological reaction zone, a second biological reaction zone and a membrane operating system. The first biological reaction zone is constructed and arranged to receive and treat the wastewater. The second biological reaction zone includes a separation subsystem and is constructed and arranged to receive effluent from the first biological reaction zone. A suspension system for adsorbent material is provided in the second biological reaction zone. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the second biological reaction zone and is constructed and arranged to receive treated wastewater from the second biological reaction zone and discharge a membrane permeate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: William G. CONNER, Mohammed A. AL-HAJRI, Thomas E. SCHULTZ, Michael HOWDESHELL, Chad L. FELCH, Matthew PATTERSON, Samuel Shafarik, Curt COOLEY
  • Patent number: 9096447
    Abstract: A water treatment system (50) utilizing granular activated carbon (GAC) for the removal of organic contaminants in a process water circuit (52), and including a carbon regeneration circuit (54) in fluid communication with the process water circuit. The carbon regeneration circuit may include a dedicated regeneration vessel (16), or the regeneration process may proceed within a GAC/water contactor (58) of the process water circuit. A process is described wherein spent GAC from the water treatment system is regenerated within the system with an oxidation process that minimizes damage to the carbon granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Kurt M. Knuth, Robert J. Wenta, Thomas E. Schulz, Bryan J. Kumfer
  • Publication number: 20150210571
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a biological reactor having a separation subsystem, a suspension system and a membrane operating system. The separation subsystem is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in the biological reactor with a mixed liquor. The suspension system is positioned in the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in suspension with mixed liquor. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to receive treated mixed liquor from the biological reactor and discharge a membrane permeate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: William G. CONNER, Mohammed A. AL-HAJRI, Thomas E. SCHULTZ, Michael HOWDESHELL, Chad L. FELCH, Matthew PATTERSON, Samuel SHAFARIK, Curt COOLEY
  • Publication number: 20150210572
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a first biological reaction zone, a second biological reaction zone and a membrane operating system. The first biological reaction zone is constructed and arranged to receive and treat the wastewater. The second biological reaction zone includes a separation subsystem and is constructed and arranged to receive effluent from the first biological reaction zone. A suspension system for adsorbent material is provided in the second biological reaction zone. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the second biological reaction zone and is constructed and arranged to receive treated wastewater from the second biological reaction zone and discharge a membrane permeate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: William G. CONNER, Mohammed A. AL-HAJRI, Thomas E. SCHULTZ, Michael HOWDESHELL, Chad L. FELCH, Matthew PATTERSON, Samuel Shafarik, Curt COOLEY
  • Publication number: 20150210573
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a biological reactor having a separation subsystem, a suspension system and a membrane operating system. The separation subsystem is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in the biological reactor with a mixed liquor. The suspension system is positioned in the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in suspension with mixed liquor. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to receive treated mixed liquor from the biological reactor and discharge a membrane permeate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: William G. CONNER, Mohammed A. AL-HAJRI, Thomas E. SCHULTZ, Michael HOWDESHELL, Chad L. FELCH, Matthew PATTERSON, Samuel Shafarik, Curt COOLEY
  • Publication number: 20140291249
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a stream comprising hydrocarbons and an aqueous-based liquid are provided. The systems and methods may utilize a media composite comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. In certain systems and methods, the media composite is capable of being backwashed. The stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be separated by contacting the stream with the media composite. In certain system and methods, the stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be coalesced by contacting the stream with the media composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Matthew Patterson, Shane Wiercinski, Eric A. Lorge
  • Publication number: 20140251806
    Abstract: A water processing arrangement (18) for steam assisted oil production, having a water softening system (30) configured to remove silica from a stream of producer well water (64, 66) using a caustic (70), and an electrodeionization-based water deionization system (36) downstream of the water softening system configured to deionize the stream of water (66) A byproduct of the electrodeionization is caustic NaOH which is recycled to the softening system
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea J. Larson, Chad L. Felch
  • Publication number: 20140251924
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the treatment of caustic wastewater. Specifically, systems and methods are provided for combining refinery spent caustic and ethylene spent caustic solutions and treating the combined spent caustic mixture using a wet air oxidation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Chad L. Felch, Bruce L. Brandenburg, Richard W. Lehmann, Timothy Schleusner
  • Patent number: 8828351
    Abstract: Systems and methods of removing sulfur from a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is provided. The systems and methods may utilize iodine to remove sulfur from the gas stream. In certain systems and methods, the iodine may be regenerated. In particular, the present systems and methods may be capable of reducing sulfur content in a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide H2S gas to levels that are undetectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Energy, Inc., Nexen Energy ULC.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Matthew R Patterson, Bryan J. Kumfer, Timothy J. Schleusner, Richard Kelso Kerr