Patents by Inventor Daryl A. Kenefake

Daryl A. Kenefake 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: 11668524
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing moisture from a refrigerant can utilize a desiccant-based system. The methods and systems can be employed in conjunction with a liquid natural gas (LNG) refrigeration circuit in either an online mode or an offline mode. For example, a system for removing moisture from a refrigerant can include: a refrigerant source; a moisture removal unit containing desiccant; and a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and a heat exchanger that are fluidly connected in a loop, wherein the refrigerant source is fluidly coupled to the moisture removal unit to supply a refrigerant from the refrigerant source to the moisture removal unit, and the moisture removal unit is fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit to supply the refrigerant from the moisture removal unit to the refrigeration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Daryl A. Kenefake, Jeffrey Tatarzyn, Waleed H. Ahmed
  • Patent number: 11415348
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing moisture from refrigerant that use a desiccant-based moisture removal unit can be used in the production of liquid natural gas (LNG). For example, a method can include: compressing a refrigerant; conveying at least a portion of the refrigerant to a moisture removal unit comprising a desiccant to form dehydrated refrigerant; cooling and condensing the dehydrated refrigerant to provide a cooled dehydrated liquid refrigerant; conveying the cooled dehydrated refrigerant to a heat exchanger; and passing a LNG stream rich in methane through the heat exchanger to cool at least part of the LNG stream by indirect heat exchange with the cooled dehydrated refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Daryl A. Kenefake, Jeffrey Tatarzyn, Waleed H. Amhed
  • Publication number: 20200240705
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing moisture from a refrigerant can utilize a desiccant-based system. The methods and systems can be employed in conjunction with a liquid natural gas (LNG) refrigeration circuit in either an online mode or an offline mode. For example, a system for removing moisture from a refrigerant can include: a refrigerant source; a moisture removal unit containing desiccant; and a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and a heat exchanger that are fluidly connected in a loop, wherein the refrigerant source is fluidly coupled to the moisture removal unit to supply a refrigerant from the refrigerant source to the moisture removal unit, and the moisture removal unit is fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit to supply the refrigerant from the moisture removal unit to the refrigeration circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Daryl A. KENEFAKE, Jeffrey Tatarzyn, Waleed H. Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20200240687
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing moisture from refrigerant that use a desiccant-based moisture removal unit can be used in the production of liquid natural gas (LNG). For example, a method can include: compressing a refrigerant; conveying at least a portion of the refrigerant to a moisture removal unit comprising a desiccant to form dehydrated refrigerant; cooling and condensing the dehydrated refrigerant to provide a cooled dehydrated liquid refrigerant; conveying the cooled dehydrated refrigerant to a heat exchanger; and passing a LNG stream rich in methane through the heat exchanger to cool at least part of the LNG stream by indirect heat exchange with the cooled dehydrated refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Daryl A. KENEFAKE, Jeffrey TATARZYN, Waleed H. AMHED
  • Publication number: 20170160010
    Abstract: A system for the processing of a hydrocarbon flare gas. An input gas stream contains a gas component and a liquid component. A knock-out drum separates the gas component from the liquid component. An eductor has a motive inlet, a suction inlet, and a discharge outlet. The separated liquid component is introduced into the suction inlet of the eductor. A high-pressure gas stream is introduced into the motive inlet of the eductor. The high-pressure gas stream has a pressure sufficient to draw the separated liquid component from the knock-out drum and through the discharge outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Daryl A. Kenefake, James T. Wilkins