Patents by Inventor Erika Guzman

Erika Guzman 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).

  • Method for the well-head treatment of heavy and extra-heavy crudes in order to improve the transport conditions thereof
    Patent number: 8257579
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the dehydration of, and in-line removal of asphaltenes from, heavy and extra-heavy crudes. The method is performed at the well head at pressures of between 414 and 689 KPa and temperatures of between 60 and 100° C. and includes two phases, namely a dehydration phase and a deasphalting phase. The first phase includes the addition of solvent, removal of free water, heating, addition of emulsion breakers and settling for removal of emulsified water. The asphaltenes are extracted in the second phase. Said phase comprises the use of low-force in-line static mixers and contactors having a specific design and a sedimentation device with specific internal arrangements for separation. The recovered solvent is recirculated into the method, the improved crude is separated and the asphaltenes are used as fuel for cogeneration which supplies the energy requirements for production and the improvement method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ecopetrol S.A.
    Inventors: Rigoberto Barrero, Luz Edelmira Afanador, Gonzalo Leal, Jorge Luis Grosso, Martha Parra, Claudia Esneiden Cuadrado, Humberto Vidales, Erika Guzman, Lilia Rodriguez
  • METHOD FOR THE WELL-HEAD TREATMENT OF HEAVY AND EXTRA-HEAVY CRUDES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPORT CONDITIONS THEREOF
    Publication number: 20100300931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the dehydration of, and in-line removal of asphaltenes from, heavy and extra-heavy crudes. The method is performed at the well head at pressures of between 414 and 689 KPa and temperatures of between 60 and 100° C. and includes two phases, namely a dehydration phase and a deasphalting phase. The first phase includes the addition of solvent, removal of free water, heating, addition of emulsion breakers and settling for removal of emulsified water. The asphaltenes are extracted in the second phase. Said phase comprises the use of low-force in-line static mixers and contactors having a specific design and a sedimentation device with specific internal arrangements for separation. The recovered solvent is recirculated into the method, the improved crude is separated and the asphaltenes are used as fuel for cogeneration which supplies the energy requirements for production and the improvement method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ECOPETROL S.A.
    Inventors: Rigoberto Barrero, Luz Edelmira Afanador, Gonzalo Leal, Jorge Luis Grosso, Martha Parra, Claudia Esneiden Cuadrado, Humberto Vidales, Erika Guzman, Lilia Rodriguez