Patents by Inventor Fabrice Lecomte

Fabrice Lecomte 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).

  • Publication number: 20030138217
    Abstract: An optical connector comprising a housing and a channel in this housing to receive an optical cable therein is preferably mounted in an optical contact having several parts, including a front part constituted by a connection ferrule and a sleeve used to prevent the rotation of the optical fiber inside the channel. The retention of the optical contact inside the channel is provided by a catch which has, for example, a bayonet mounted around the optical fiber that co-operates with a recess of an inner wall of the channel. A spring is positioned around the optical fiber to hold the bayonet in a return of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Jean-Max Badeau, Patrick Pignot
  • Publication number: 20030000698
    Abstract: Process for pretreating a natural gas under pressure containing hydrocarbons, acid compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, and water. The natural gas is cooled to condense part of the water. The partially dehydrated natural gas is then contacted with a liquid stream consisting of a majority of hydrogen in two successive contact zones so as to obtain a natural gas containing substantially no water any more. Finally, this dehydrated natural gas is cooled to condense and separate the acid compounds, this cooling stage being carried out by means of a heat exchanger, an expander or a venturi neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Fabrice Lecomte
  • Publication number: 20020185006
    Abstract: Process for dehydrating/fractionating a low-pressure wet natural gas containing <<heavy >> constituents and <<light >> constituents, wherein:
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Beatrice Fischer, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Publication number: 20020178918
    Abstract: In a process intended for dehydration/fractionation of a wet natural gas containing <<heavy>> constituents and <<light>> constituents, in the presence of methanol, which comprises at least the following stages
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Beatrice Fischer, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Publication number: 20020104438
    Abstract: Within the scope of a process using two absorption sections for treating a natural gas containing CO2 and/or H2S, as well as mercaptans, COS and/or CS2, the present invention aims to wash the gaseous hydrocarbons desorbed upon expansion of the solvent from the first absorption section with the solvent from the second absorption section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Renaud Cadours, Fabrice Lecomte, Pascal Mougin
  • Publication number: 20020088704
    Abstract: The present invention aims to isolate the azeotropes formed in a distillation column (B1) by methanol, propane and butane. The azeotropes are then liquefied in heat exchanger (E2) and mixed in contactor (M1) with water in order to dissolve the methanol in water. The mixture is then fed into a decantation tank (D2) to separate the aqueous phase from the liquid hydrocarbon phase. Finally, an aqueous phase containing methanol is discharged and the methanol-depleted hydrocarbon phase is recycled to distillation column (B1) as reflux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Geraldine Laborie, Fabrice Lecomte, Annick Pucci
  • Publication number: 20020062735
    Abstract: Process for pretreating a very acid natural gas containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), possibly combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), comprising at least a stage wherein the initial natural gas is contacted in a distillation column with a liquid condensate itself resulting from cooling of the gaseous fraction obtained during said contacting stage. This solution allows to eventually recover at a lower cost a gas enriched in methane, depleted in hydrogen sulfide and freed from substantially all of the water it contains, and a liquid phase containing most of the hydrogen sulfide, substantially all of the water and depleted in hydrocarbon. Control of the thermodynamic conditions during the stages that characterize the process, according to the water content of the gas during treatment, allows progressive exhaustion of the water contained in said gas while preventing hydrates formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Eric Lemaire, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Publication number: 20020012617
    Abstract: A method for processing a gas containing at least hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and at least sulfur dioxide (SO2), includes the following stages: contacting the gas with a liquid solvent containing at least one catalyst in a contacting stage, recovering a gaseous effluent substantially containing no hydrogen sulfide and no sulfur dioxide, and a mixture containing liquid sulfur, liquid solvent and solid by-products resulting from the degradation of the catalyst, separating the liquid sulfur from the liquid solvent in a decantation zone, extracting a liquid fraction F containing at least the solid by-products from a layer between the liquid solvent and the liquid sulfur in the decantation zone, sending the liquid fraction F to a processing stage distinct from the contacting stage, and recovering at least a stream F1 comprising most of the solid by-products and a stream F2 mostly comprising solvent nearly free of the solid by-products from the processing stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Christian Streicher, Daniel Benayoun, Cecile Barrere-Tricca
  • Publication number: 20010055549
    Abstract: A method for processing a gas containing at least hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and at least sulfur dioxide (SO2), includes the steps of contacting the gas with a liquid solvent containing at least one catalyst in a contacting stage, recovering gaseous effluent substantially containing no hydrogen sulfide and no sulfur dioxide from the contacting stage, and separating liquid sulfur from liquid solvent in a decantation zone downstream of the contacting stage. In order to remove by-products resulting from degradation of the catalyst, a liquid fraction F containing at least solvent, catalyst, sulfur and the solid by-products resulting from degradation of the catalyst is extracted from after the contacting stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Christian Streicher, Cesile Barrere-Tricca
  • Patent number: 6309112
    Abstract: In order to make an optical connector (1, 4), particularly the female part (4) thereof, easier to clean, it is provided that, upon disconnection, ferrules (5) embedded in the female cavities (9) of the complementary connector are drawn flush (7) with the complementary connector by sliding the sleeve (6) which forms it. It is shown how, by this arrangement, optical connectors may be cleaned more frequently and easily. The connector is improved by providing a clip (37) which accommodates a pusher at the end of its pushing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventor: Fabrice Lecomte
  • Patent number: 6309609
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a gas containing hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide comprising a first gas-liquid reactor-contactor (2), means (3) for supplying a gas to be treated and means (5) for supplying an organic solvent, means (25) for recovering sulphur and means (20) for extracting a gaseous effluent containing sulphur in vapour form, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises a second reactor-contactor (102) connected to the means for extracting the gaseous effluent, means (105) for supplying an organic solvent which is depleted in sulphur connected to the second reactor-contactor, means (120) for recovering a gaseous effluent which has been cleaned of sulphur connected to the second reactor-contactor, means (104) for extracting a liquid phase containing the organic solvent and sulphur connected to the second reactor-contactor, at least one means for depleting at least a portion of the liquid phase in sulphur connected to the means for extracting the liquid phase, comprising at least one m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Claude Dezael, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Patent number: 6280698
    Abstract: A method for processing a gas, such as a Claus tail gas, containing at least hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and at least sulfur dioxide (SO2), includes the steps of contacting the gas with a liquid solvent, such as polyethylene glycol, containing at least one catalyst, such as sodium salicylate, in a contacting stage, recovering gaseous effluent substantially containing no hydrogen sulfide and no sulfur dioxide from the contacting stage, and separating liquid sulfur from liquid solvent in a decantation zone beneath the contacting stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Christian Streicher, Cécile Barrere-Tricca
  • Patent number: 6277352
    Abstract: A method for processing a gas containing at least hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and at least sulfur dioxide (SO2), includes the following stages: contacting the gas with a liquid solvent, such as polyethylene glycol, containing at least one catalyst, such as sodium salicylate, in a contacting stage, recovering a gaseous effluent substantially containing no hydrogen sulfide and no sulfur dioxide, and a mixture containing liquid sulfur, liquid solvent and solid by-products such as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulfates or thiosulfates, resulting from the degradation of the catalyst, separating the liquid sulfur from the liquid solvent in a decantation zone, extracting a liquid fraction F containing at least the solid by-products from a layer between the liquid solvent and the liquid sulfur in the decantation zone, sending the liquid fraction F to a processing stage distinct from the contacting stage, and recovering at least a stream F, comprising most of the solid by-products and a stream F2 mostly comprising s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Christian Streicher, Daniel Benayoun, Cecile Barrere-Tricca
  • Patent number: 6238099
    Abstract: In order to simplify operations of cleaning an optical connector (1, 4), especially the female part (4) of the latter, provision is made, upon disconnection, for ferrules (5) set into the female cavities (9) of the socket to be brought flush (7) with the socket by sliding a sleeve (6) which constitutes it. It is demonstrated that, by acting in this way, it is possible to carry out more frequent and simpler cleaning operations on the optical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Le Guen, Fabrice Lecomte
  • Patent number: 6210454
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a gas containing hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide, comprising a liquid-gas reactor-contactor (2), means (3) for supplying gas to be treated and means (1) for supplying an organic solvent containing a catalyst, means (25) for recovering sulphur an doutlet means (20) for a gaseous effluent containing sulphur in vapour form, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises at least one means (7) for contacting and cooling the gaseous effluent, delivering a three-phase effluent, having an inlet connected to the effluent outlet means (20) and to means (6, 13) for recycling a cooling solvent, means (30) for separating said three-phase effluent connected to the cooling means, adapted to separate purified gas from sulphur and comprising means (17) for evacuating purified gas, means (15) for extracting sulphur and means (14) for recovering solvent connected to the means (6, 13) for recycling the cooling solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Viltard, Claude Dezael, Fabrice Lecomte
  • Patent number: 6165436
    Abstract: A process is provided for removing hydrogen sulfide out of a gas, such as natural gas. The hydrogen sulfide contaminated gas is contacted with a catalytic aqueous solution containing a polyvalent metal chelating agent under conditions in which the hydrogen sulfide is oxidized into elemental sulfur and the polyvalent metal chelating agent is reduced to a lower oxidation state, and the treated gas is recovered. The solution containing the polyvalent metal chelating agent and the elemental sulfur is filtered at a pressure of at least 1 Mpascals. At least a portion of the filtered solution containing the polyvalent metal chelating agent is degassed and/or depressurized for the removal of components such as light hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide; contacted with an oxidizing agent and recycled back to the hydrogen sulfide removal step. By filtering the sulfur out of the solution at a pressure of at least 1 Mpascal, foam formation and clogging problems can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, Le Gaz Integral
    Inventors: Claude Dezael, Fabrice Lecomte, Jacques Queyrel
  • Patent number: 6116098
    Abstract: The invention is a device for sampling and/or injecting a fluid which evolves according to a reversible reaction, that enables the fluid to be restored to its initial state. The device inside a fluid sampling enclosure produces a counterpressure value necessary for restoring the fluid to its initial state without causing a change in its composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Albert Lubek, Fabrice Lecomte, Etienne Lebas
  • Patent number: 6114178
    Abstract: The invention is a process for analyzing a fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Claude Dezael, Fabrice Lecomte
  • Patent number: 6096195
    Abstract: Described in a process for hydrotreating (HDT) a petroleum feedstock (1) that contains sulfur and nitrogen are the catalytic cracking of the ammonia, produced by the hydrotreating process, in a catalytic cracking furnace (F), the cooling (E2) and separating of the cracking effluent to produce an H.sub.2 S containing gas phase, the extraction of the hydrogen sulfide from said gas phase and from the hydrotreating purge gas in an amine washing unit (20), and the separation (SM) of the hydrogen from the resultant effluent. The recovered hydrogen is recycled to hydrotreating unit (HDT) via a pipe (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Christian Streicher, Fabrice Lecomte, Christian Busson
  • Patent number: 5951961
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for treating a gas containing hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide, the gas is contacted with an organic solvent (1)for example, a polyalkylene glycol, containing a catalyst for example, an alkaline salt of a week organic acid, in at least one gas-liquid reactor contactor (2) and a gas (20) substantially no longer containing hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide is recovered. The effluent contains sulphur vapor. It is cooled by mixing with a solvent-water mixture (14) or by cooled solvent in a cooling zone (7) to produce a suspension of sulphur crystals in the solvent. The crystallised sulphur is separated from the solvent in a separation zone (30) and the cooled solvent is recycled (13). An effluent (17) which is free of sulphur gas is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Viltard, Claude Dezael, Fabrice Lecomte