Patents by Inventor Donald V. Nicol

Donald V. Nicol 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).

  • Vortex tube system and method for processing natural gas
    Patent number: 6932858
    Abstract: A method and system for processing of natural gas in which a gaseous natural gas stream which is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons is introduced into a vortex tube, forming a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. The cold fluid stream is introduced into the upper section of a distillation column and the hot fluid stream is introduced into the lower section of the distillation column, resulting in improved separation of the heavier hydrocarbon components in the natural gas stream from the lighter hydrocarbon components disposed in the natural gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Donald V. Nicol, Mark J. Lane
  • Control system for absorption heat transfer plants
    Patent number: 5423189
    Abstract: A control system for an absorption heat transfer plant controls the quantity of heat input into the plant's concentrator in response to the plant's evaporator liquid refrigerant temperature. The control system also controls the temperature of the cooling fluid for the plant's absorber and condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Donald V. Nicol, Russell A. Kilbourn, Mark J. Lane
  • Liquid product recovery from a hydrocarbon gas stream
    Patent number: 5402645
    Abstract: A cryogenic system for recovering a gas product stream and a liquid product stream from a hydrocarbon gas stream is provided which operates at process temperature of -50.degree. F. or less. A portion of a refrigerating liquid stream and a cooled liquid stream produced during operation of the cryogenic system are passed heat exchange relationship with an inlet vapor stream and define a partially closed refrigeration loop. The partially closed refrigeration loop permits the low process temperatures to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: O. B. Johnson Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Lory L. Johnson, Donald V. Nicol
  • Control system for absorption heat transfer plants
    Patent number: 5315839
    Abstract: A control system for an absorption heat transfer plant controls the quantity of heat input into the plant's concentrator in response to the plant's evaporator liquid refrigerant temperature. The control system also controls the temperature of the cooling fluid for the plant's absorber and condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Donald V. Nicol, Russell A. Kilbourn, Mark J. Lane
  • Cryogenic system for processing a hydrocarbon gas stream
    Patent number: 5309720
    Abstract: A cryogenic system for recovering a gas product stream and a liquid product stream from a hydrocarbon gas stream is provided which operates at process temperature of -50.degree. F. or less. A portion of a refrigerating liquid stream and a cooled liquid stream produced during operation of the cryogenic system are passed heat exchange relationship with an inlet vapor stream and define a partially closed refrigeration loop. The partially closed refrigeration loop permits the low process temperatures to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Q. B. Johnson Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Lory L. Johnson, Donald V. Nicol