Patents by Inventor Eric Prim

Eric Prim 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: 9255731
    Abstract: A method for recovering a sour natural gas liquids stream is provided. In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recycle stream that comprises carbon dioxide, natural gas liquids, and acid gas is received. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids and the acid gas. In another embodiment, a system comprises piping and a separator. The piping is configured to receive a recycle stream that comprises an injection gas, natural gas liquids, and acid gas. The separator is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified recycle stream comprises the injection gas, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids and the acid gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Prim, Naomi Baker, Jhansi Garikipati
  • Patent number: 9200833
    Abstract: A method for processing heavy hydrocarbons in an NGL recovery system is provided. In one embodiment, a feed stream is separated into a carbon dioxide recycle stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream. The heavy hydrocarbon stream comprises carbon dioxide and natural gas liquids, and the heavy hydrocarbon stream comprises heavy hydrocarbons. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids. In another embodiment, a set of process equipment comprises a first separator and a second separator. The first separator is configured to separate a feed stream into a recycle stream and a heavy hydrocarbons stream, and the second separator is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Prim, Naomi Baker, Jhansi Garikipati
  • Publication number: 20150093319
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a carbon dioxide recycle stream having carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is fed to a catalytic reactor. The hydrocarbons are converted to carbon dioxide in the catalytic reactor by a catalytic reaction without combustion to form a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream. Electrical energy is generated by using heat produced by the catalytic reactor in the conversion. Another method comprises receiving a recycle stream having carbon dioxide, C1-C2 hydrocarbons, and C3+ hydrocarbons. The C3+ hydrocarbons are separated from the carbon dioxide and the C1-C2 hydrocarbons. The carbon dioxide and the C1-C2 hydrocarbons are fed to a catalytic reactor at a pressure greater than about 300 pounds per square inch (psi), and the C1-C2 hydrocarbons are converted to carbon dioxide, water, and heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 8816148
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Publication number: 20140183101
    Abstract: A method comprises separating a hydrocarbon feed stream having carbon dioxide into a heavy hydrocarbon stream and a light hydrocarbon stream. The light hydrocarbon stream is separated into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide-lean stream is fed to a hydrocarbon sweetening process. Another method comprises receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream that comprises 30 molar percent to 80 molar percent carbon dioxide. A heavy hydrocarbon stream is separated from the hydrocarbon feed stream, wherein the heavy hydrocarbon stream comprises at least 90 molar percent C3+ hydrocarbons. A carbon dioxide-rich stream is separated from the hydrocarbon feed stream, wherein the carbon dioxide-rich stream comprises at least 95 molar percent carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 8707730
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream comprising at least about 70 molar percent ethane, conditioning the ethane-rich stream to a temperature such that the ethane-rich stream has a vapor pressure similar to the vapor pressure of conventional liquefied natural gas (LNG), and transporting the conditioned ethane-rich stream. Included is a plurality of processing equipment configured to implement a process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream, adjusting a temperature, a pressure, or both of the ethane-rich stream such that the ethane-rich stream has a temperature from about ?160° F. to about 0° F. and a pressure from about 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) to about 100 psia, and removing substantially all of any vapor fraction from the ethane-rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Alkane, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 8709215
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Publication number: 20140034321
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Publication number: 20130333417
    Abstract: A method for recovering natural gas liquids without using cryogenic conditions, membranes, and carbon dioxide recovery solvents is provided. In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recycle stream that comprises carbon dioxide and natural gas liquids is received. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids. The carbon dioxide recycle stream, the purified carbon dioxide recycle stream, and the natural gas liquids are not subjected to cryogenic conditions, membranes, and carbon dioxide recovery solvents between being received and being separated into the purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and the natural gas liquids stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Publication number: 20130305777
    Abstract: A method for processing heavy hydrocarbons in an NGL recovery system is provided. In one embodiment, a feed stream is separated into a carbon dioxide recycle stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream. The heavy hydrocarbon stream comprises carbon dioxide and natural gas liquids, and the heavy hydrocarbon stream comprises heavy hydrocarbons. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids. In another embodiment, a set of process equipment comprises a first separator and a second separator. The first separator is configured to separate a feed stream into a recycle stream and a heavy hydrocarbons stream, and the second separator is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Prim, Naomi Baker, Jhansi Garikipati
  • Publication number: 20130298601
    Abstract: A method for recovering a sour natural gas liquids stream is provided. In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recycle stream that comprises carbon dioxide, natural gas liquids, and acid gas is received. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids and the acid gas. In another embodiment, a system comprises piping and a separator. The piping is configured to receive a recycle stream that comprises an injection gas, natural gas liquids, and acid gas. The separator is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified recycle stream comprises the injection gas, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids and the acid gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Prim, Naomi Baker, Jhansi Garikipati
  • Publication number: 20130298602
    Abstract: A method for recovering natural gas liquids from a recycle stream having natural gas is provided. In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recycle stream that comprises carbon dioxide, natural gas, and natural gas liquids is received. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide and the natural gas, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids. In another embodiment, a system comprises piping and a separator. The piping is configured to receive a recycle stream, and the separator is coupled to the piping and is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 8505332
    Abstract: A method comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a heavy hydrocarbon rich stream and a carbon dioxide recycle stream, separating the carbon dioxide recycle stream into a natural gas liquids (NGL) rich stream and a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream, and injecting the purified carbon dioxide recycle stream into a subterranean formation. Included is a method comprising selecting a first recovery rate for a NGL recovery process, estimating the economics of the NGL recovery process based on the first recovery rate, selecting a second recovery rate that is different from the first recovery rate, estimating the economics of the NGL recovery process based on the second recovery rate, and selecting the first recovery rate for the NGL recovery process when the estimate based on the first recovery rate is more desirable than the estimate based on the second recovery rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Publication number: 20120255325
    Abstract: A process comprising separating a hydrocarbon feed stream into a natural gas-rich stream and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-rich stream using process equipment comprising only one multi-stage separation column, wherein the natural gas-rich stream has an energy content of less than or equal to about 1,300 British thermal units per cubic foot (Btu/ft3), and wherein the LPG-rich stream has a vapor pressure less than or equal to about 350 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). A process comprising separating a hydrocarbon feed stream into a top effluent stream and a LPG-rich stream, and subsequently expanding the top effluent stream to produce a natural gas-rich stream. An apparatus comprising a multi-stage separation column configured to separate a hydrocarbon feed stream into a top effluent stream and a LPG-rich stream, and an expander configured to expand the top effluent stream and produce a natural gas-rich stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: PILOT ENERGY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Publication number: 20110197629
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream; separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a heavy hydrocarbon rich stream and a recycle stream, wherein the recycle stream comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, and water; and separating the recycle stream into a natural gas liquids (NGL) rich stream and a purified recycle stream. A plurality of process equipment configured to receive a hydrocarbon feed stream, separate the hydrocarbon feed stream into a heavy hydrocarbon rich stream and a recycle stream comprising at least one C3+ hydrocarbon and a gas selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, and water, and separate the recycle stream into a NGL rich stream and a purified recycle stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Prim, Naomi Baker, Jhansi Garikipati
  • Publication number: 20110132033
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream comprising at least about 70 molar percent ethane, conditioning the ethane-rich stream to a temperature such that the ethane-rich stream has a vapor pressure similar to the vapor pressure of conventional liquefied natural gas (LNG), and transporting the conditioned ethane-rich stream. Included is a plurality of processing equipment configured to implement a process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream, adjusting a temperature, a pressure, or both of the ethane-rich stream such that the ethane-rich stream has a temperature from about ?160° F. to about 0° F. and a pressure from about 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) to about 100 psia, and removing substantially all of any vapor fraction from the ethane-rich stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ALKANE, LLC
    Inventor: Eric PRIM
  • Patent number: 7932423
    Abstract: A method for separating a gas stream comprising methane and a contaminate gas comprises the steps of contacting the gas stream with water under temperature and pressure suitable for the formation of methane hydrates so as to form a water/hydrate slurry, separating the contaminate gas from the water/hydrate slurry, and recovering methane from the water/hydrate slurry so as to generate a water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel L. Shepherd, Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 7837971
    Abstract: A process comprising contacting a solvent with a sulfur stream comprising sulfur and a contaminant, separating the sulfur from at least some of the contaminant and at least some of the solvent, thereby producing a decontaminated sulfur stream, contacting the decontaminated sulfur with a washing agent, and separating the sulfur from at least some of the washing agent, thereby producing a purified sulfur stream comprising elemental sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yellow Hill LLC
    Inventors: Eric Prim, Naomi Baker
  • Publication number: 20100258401
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: PILOT ENERGY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: RE44462
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim