Patents by Inventor Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega

Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega 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: 8887513
    Abstract: Systems and methods for heating a cryogenic fluid are provided. A cryogenic fluid can be heated to provide a partially cryogenic vaporized fluid having a first temperature. The partially vaporized cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a second partially vaporized fluid having a second temperature. At least a portion of the second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be used to heat the cryogenic fluid to the first temperature. The second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a substantially vaporized cryogenic fluid having a third temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Heinz J. Kotzot, Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega, Joseph H. Cho, Charles Durr, Robert Burlingame
  • Publication number: 20080264492
    Abstract: A method for pressurizing vapor from a liquefied gas is provided. At least a portion of a storage tank overhead vapor stream can flow to an eductor and at least a portion of a hydrocarbon liquid stream can flow to the eductor. The hydrocarbon liquid stream can have a higher pressure than the vapor stream. The vapor stream and the hydrocarbon liquid stream can be combined within the eductor to provide a mixed stream. The mixed stream can be pressurized within the eductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Hyun Cho, Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega
  • Publication number: 20080202161
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting the heating value of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) are provided. LNG can be apportioned into at least two portions. A first portion can be warmed to provide a vapor-liquid mixture which can be separated in a first separator to provide a first vapor and a first liquid. The first liquid can be separated to provide ANGL and a second vapor. The first vapor can be compressed and mixed with the second vapor to provide a first effluent. At least a portion of the first effluent can be used to heat the first portion. At least a portion of the first effluent can be used as a first reflux in the first separator. At least a portion of the first effluent can be mixed with a second portion of the LNG to provide an adjusted LNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: JORGE JAVIER VAZQUEZ-ESPARRAGOZA, Joseph H. Cho, Heinz Kotzot, Felix J. Fernandez De La Vega, Charles Durr, Robert Burlingame
  • Publication number: 20080115508
    Abstract: Systems and methods for heating a cryogenic fluid are provided. A cryogenic fluid can be heated to provide a partially cryogenic vaporized fluid having a first temperature. The partially vaporized cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a second partially vaporized fluid having a second temperature. At least a portion of the second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be used to heat the cryogenic fluid to the first temperature. The second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a substantially vaporized cryogenic fluid having a third temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Heinz J. Kotzot, Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega, Joseph H. Cho, Charles Durr, Robert Burlingame
  • Patent number: 5659109
    Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas containing mercaptans. Mercaptans are concentrated into a distillate stream by distilling the feed gas stream without specific pretreatment for mercaptans removal. Thus, the mercaptans removal equipment is much smaller since mercaptans treatment can take place at a point in the process where the flowrate is much lower. A portion of the treated distillate stream can be reinjected to the upstream distilling stage to facilitate mercaptan absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega, Charles A. Durr
  • Patent number: 5505049
    Abstract: A process for removing nitrogen from liquefied natural gas (LNG) using an enhanced surface, reflux heat exchanger is disclosed. A relatively warm high pressure LNG stream is directed countercurrently in heat exchange with a cool low pressure LNG stream to chill the high pressure stream and partially vaporize the low pressure LNG stream in the reflux heat exchanger. Vapor produced thereby strips the low pressure LNG stream of nitrogen. The cool low pressure LNG stream is produced by expansion of the chilled high pressure LNG stream. Vapor produced by the expansion is combined with the vapor produced in the exchanger and withdrawn overhead. Product LNG which is lean in nitrogen is withdrawn from the bottom of the exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: David A. Coyle, Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega, Charles A. Durr, Ashutosh Rastogi