Patents by Inventor Douglas Espin

Douglas Espin 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: 11427716
    Abstract: A highly structured composite material, which can be applied and cured as a protective layer on corroding metal substrates, particularly on steel is provided. Due to its highly structured composition it is a particularly effective barrier to protect metals against attack by corrosive substances such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and sea water, if necessary under hydrothermal conditions. At the same time it is also abrasion stable, for example against a grinding effect by sand, as well as resistant to the impact of mechanical load e.g. by tools. This is achieved by a coating composition comprising a binder comprising at least one cross-linkable resin, wherein the resin comprises at least one of polar group; at least one type of hydrophilic flakes with an aspect ratio of more than 10, wherein the surface of the flakes at least partially comprises a metal oxide; and an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien gemeinnützige GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Becker-Willinger, Frank Hollmann, Marlon Jochum, Michael Opsoelder, Sabine Schmitz-Stoewe, Douglas Espin
  • Patent number: 11084984
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a novel continuous or semi-continuous process which results in the partial or total improvement of heavy oil. The improvement of the heavy oil is a result of thermally heating the oil at an interval where visbreaking occurs, thereby reducing a viscosity of the heavy oil. The core of the heating step occurs through a heating apparatus of the packed bed type including superparamagnetic, paramagnetic, and/or magnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: NEOTECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Alonso A. Alvarado, Carolina Blanco, Maria I. Briceño, Alexandra Castro, Douglas Espin
  • Publication number: 20200308491
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a novel continuous or semi-continuous process which results in the partial or total improvement of heavy oil. The improvement of the heavy oil is a result of thermally heating the oil at an interval where visbreaking occurs, thereby reducing a viscosity of the heavy oil. The core of the heating step occurs through a heating apparatus of the packed bed type including superparamagnetic, paramagnetic, and/or magnetic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Alonso A. Alvarado, Carolina Blanco, Maria I. Briceño, Alexandra Castro, Douglas Espin
  • Patent number: 9040154
    Abstract: Magnetic composite particles can be used as proppants and allow for deliberate heating by applying an alternating magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Neotechnology LLC
    Inventors: Peter Rogin, Peter William de Oliveira, Christian Wühr, Michael Veith, Douglas Espin
  • Publication number: 20140370217
    Abstract: Equipment for oil and/or gas drilling, completion, storage and transportation, including pressure vessels, tools, pipes, tubes, connections and any other parts is coated with highly structured composite material. Due to its highly structured composition it is a particularly effective barrier to protect metals against attack by corrosive substances such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and sea water, if necessary under hydrothermal conditions. At the same time it is also abrasion stable, for example against a grinding effect by sand, as well as resistant to the impact of mechanical load e.g. by tools. This is achieved by a coating comprising a binder comprising at least one cross-linked resin, wherein the resin comprises at least one of polar group; at least one type of hydrophilic flakes with an aspect ratio of more than 10, wherein the surface of the flakes at least partially comprises a metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Tenaris Connections Limited
    Inventors: Teresa Perez, Maurizio Bellingardi, Paolo Bortot, Douglas Espin, Carsten Becker-Willinger, Frank Hollmann, Marlon Jochum, Michael Opsoelder, Sabine Schmitz-Stoewe
  • Publication number: 20140329080
    Abstract: A highly structured composite material, which can be applied and cured as a protective layer on corroding metal substrates, particularly on steel is provided. Due to its highly structured composition it is a particularly effective barrier to protect metals against attack by corrosive sub-stances such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and sea water, if necessary under hydrothermal conditions. At the same time it is also abrasion stable, for example against a grinding effect by sand, as well as resistant to the impact of mechanical load e.g. by tools. This is achieved by a coating composition comprising a binder comprising at least one cross-linkable resin, wherein the resin comprises at least one of polar group; at least one type of hydrophilic flakes with an aspect ratio of more than 10, wherein the surface of the flakes at least partially comprises a metal oxide; and an organic solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Carsten Becker-Willinger, Frank Hollmann, Marlon Jochum, Michael Opsoelder, Sabine Schmitz-Stoewe, Douglas Espin
  • Publication number: 20120279712
    Abstract: Magnetic composite particles can be used as proppants and allow for deliberate heating by applying an alternating magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Rogin, Peter William de Oliveira, Christian Wühr, Michael Veith, Douglas Espin
  • Patent number: 6740141
    Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from contaminating streams, including the steps of providing an above ground stream comprising hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant, and positioning metal-containing nanoparticles having a particle size of less than or equal to about 100 nm in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignees: Intevep, S.A., NanoScale Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Aaron Ranson, Mariela Araujo, Kenneth Klabunde, Shawn Decker, Slawomir Winecki
  • Patent number: 6607036
    Abstract: A method for heating a subterranean formation includes the steps of positioning a well to a subterranean formation; disposing an energy transforming material in the formation; and exposing the material to energy whereby the material generates heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Aaron Ranson, Luis Carlos Genolet, Douglas Espin, Juan Carlos Chavez
  • Patent number: 6579832
    Abstract: A method for treating a drilling fluid is provided, which method includes the steps of providing a drilling fluid, providing a drilling fluid additive in the form of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, mixing the drilling fluid additive with the drilling fluid so as to provide a treated drilling fluid, and exposing the treated drilling fluid to a magnetic field so as to recover the superparamagnetic nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Intevep S.A.
    Inventors: Maria Alejandra Jimenez, Luis Carlos Genolet, Juan Carlos Chavez, Douglas Espin
  • Patent number: 6579572
    Abstract: A method for altering wettability of a reservoir formation includes the steps of providing a water-based fluid containing a wettability altering coating system; and flowing the fluid into a reservoir so as to coat the reservoir with the coating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Aaron Ranson, Juan Carlos Chavez, Mariela Araujo, Yani Carolina Araujo, Luis Carlos Genolet
  • Patent number: 6554070
    Abstract: A method for sealing an annular space between a bore hole and a casing includes the steps of: providing a fluid sealing system comprising a particulate material and a bonding agent; positioning the fluid sealing system in the annular space whereby the particulate material adheres to walls of the bore hole and the casing; and curing the fluid sealing system so as to form a solid seal in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Genolet, Juan Carlos Chavez, Douglas Espin, Marie Alejandra Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20030033934
    Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant, and positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Aaron Ranson, Mariela Araujo, Kenneth Klabunde, Shawn Decker, Slawomir Winecki
  • Publication number: 20030031788
    Abstract: A method for altering wettability of a reservoir formation includes the steps of providing a water-based fluid containing a wettability altering coating system; and flowing the fluid into a reservoir so as to coat the reservoir with the coating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Aaron Ranson, Juan Carlos Chavez, Mariela Araujo, Yani Carolina Araujo, Luis Carlos Genolet
  • Patent number: 6513592
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for consolidating an unconsolidated formation, which method includes the steps of providing a well drilled to an unconsolidated formation, providing a consolidation fluid in the form of a fluid suspension of nanoparticles, and flowing said consolidation fluid through the well and into the unconsolidated formation so as to position the nanoparticles between grains of the unconsolidated formation whereby the formation is consolidated over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Juan Carlos Chavez, Aaron Ranson
  • Publication number: 20030005822
    Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant; the positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Aaron Ranson, Mariela Araujo
  • Publication number: 20020157536
    Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant; the positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Aaron Ranson, Mariela Araujo
  • Publication number: 20020129939
    Abstract: A method for sealing an annular space between a bore hole and a casing includes the steps of: providing a fluid sealing system comprising a particulate material and a bonding agent; positioning the fluid sealing system in the annular space whereby the particulate material adheres to walls of the bore hole and the casing; and curing the fluid sealing system so as to form a solid seal in the annular space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Genolet, Juan Carlos Chavez, Douglas Espin
  • Patent number: 6447577
    Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocabon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containg the at least one contaminant; the positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the streams, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combination thereof, whereby the nanoparticles absorb the contaminants from the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Intevep, S. A.
    Inventors: Douglas Espin, Aaron Ranson, Mariela Araujo
  • Publication number: 20020123431
    Abstract: A method for treating a drilling fluid is provided, which method includes the steps of providing a drilling fluid, providing a drilling fluid additive in the form of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, mixing the drilling fluid additive with the drilling fluid so as to provide a treated drilling fluid, and exposing the treated drilling fluid to a magnetic field so as to recover the superparamagnetic nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Maria Alejandra Jimenez, Luis Carlos Genolet, Juan Carlos Chavez, Douglas Espin