Patents by Inventor Feng-Ran Sheu

Feng-Ran Sheu 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: 9199898
    Abstract: A method for concurrently transporting and removing trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury from produced fluids such as natural gas, with the injection of a complexing agent and a hydrate inhibitor into the pipeline for use in transporting the produced fluid. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed while the produced fluid is being transported in the pipeline, with the hydrate inhibitor suppressing or decreasing the formation of the hydrate that would cause plugging in the pipeline. The complexing agent reacts with the volatile mercury in the natural gas, forming precipitate or soluble mercury complexes in the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase containing the hydrate inhibitor, unreacted complexing agent, and mercury complexes is subsequently recovered and can be re-used in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Russell Evan Cooper, Feng-Ran Sheu, Jordan Taylor Belue
  • Patent number: 9186615
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inhibiting foam formation in an acid gas removal system are provided. Preconditioning a rich amine or triethylene glycol stream exiting an absorber of an acid gas removal system through a rotary separation turbine can provide pre-separation of gas from rich amine or triethylene glycol, as well as effectively reduces or inhibits foam formation. Systems provided enhance plant reliability and also recovers hydraulic power into electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Feng-Ran Sheu
  • Patent number: 8840691
    Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are removed in a gas processing plant in an amine unit and/or a dehydrator. The mercury removal occurs concurrently with the removal of acid gases in an amine unit, e.g., an absorber or scrubber, with an amine solution containing a complexing agent. The mercury removal can also be carried out concurrently with the removal of water in a glycol dehydrator with the addition of a complexing agent to the glycol solution. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed by the complexing agent, forming non-volatile mercury species in the rich amine/glycol solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Evan Cooper, Dennis John O'Rear, Feng-Ran Sheu, Jordan Taylor Belue
  • Publication number: 20140230650
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a system for removing mercury and water from a gas stream is disclosed. A system is provided including a first water removal unit and a second mercury removal unit in fluid communication with the first water removal unit. The first water removal unit has a fixed capacity or reservoir for containing mole sieves for removing water from a gas stream. The second mercury removal unit has a fixed capacity or reservoir for containing mole sieves for removing mercury from the gas stream. The second mercury removal unit is filled with mole sieves adapted for removing mercury from a gas stream containing mercury. The first water removal unit is retrofit by replacing a first portion of mole sieves adapted for removing water from the gas stream with a second portion of mole sieves adapted for removing mercury.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Feng-Ran Sheu
  • Patent number: 8790427
    Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are removed in a gas processing plant in an amine unit and/or a dehydrator. The mercury removal occurs concurrently with the removal of acid gases in an amine unit, e.g., an absorber or scrubber, with an amine solution containing a complexing agent. The mercury removal can also be carried out concurrently with the removal of water in a glycol dehydrator with the addition of a complexing agent to the glycol solution. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed by the complexing agent, forming non-volatile mercury species in the rich amine/glycol solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Russell Evan Cooper, Feng-Ran Sheu, Jordan Taylor Belue
  • Publication number: 20140072489
    Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are removed in a gas processing plant in an amine unit and/or a dehydrator. The mercury removal occurs concurrently with the removal of acid gases in an amine unit, e.g., an absorber or scrubber, with an amine solution containing a complexing agent. The mercury removal can also be carried out concurrently with the removal of water in a glycol dehydrator with the addition of a complexing agent to the glycol solution. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed by the complexing agent, forming non-volatile mercury species in the rich amine/glycol solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Russell Evan Cooper, Feng-Ran Sheu, Jordan Taylor Belue
  • Publication number: 20140072488
    Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are removed in a gas processing plant in an amine unit and/or a dehydrator. The mercury removal occurs concurrently with the removal of acid gases in an amine unit, e.g., an absorber or scrubber, with an amine solution containing a complexing agent. The mercury removal can also be carried out concurrently with the removal of water in a glycol dehydrator with the addition of a complexing agent to the glycol solution. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed by the complexing agent, forming non-volatile mercury species in the rich amine/glycol solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Russell Evan Cooper, Dennis John O'Rear, Feng-Ran Sheu, Jordan Taylor Belue
  • Publication number: 20140066683
    Abstract: A method for concurrently transporting and removing trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury from produced fluids such as natural gas, with the injection of a complexing agent and a hydrate inhibitor into the pipeline for use in transporting the produced fluid. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed while the produced fluid is being transported in the pipeline, with the hydrate inhibitor suppressing or decreasing the formation of the hydrate that would cause plugging in the pipeline. The complexing agent reacts with the volatile mercury in the natural gas, forming precipitate or soluble mercury complexes in the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase containing the hydrate inhibitor, unreacted complexing agent, and mercury complexes is subsequently recovered and can be re-used in the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis John O'Rear, Russell Evan Cooper, Feng-Ran Sheu, Jordan Taylor Belue
  • Publication number: 20130303821
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inhibiting foam formation in an acid gas removal system are provided. Preconditioning a rich amine or triethylene glycol stream exiting an absorber of an acid gas removal system through a rotary separation turbine can provide pre-separation of gas from rich amine or triethylene glycol, as well as effectively reduces or inhibits foam formation. Systems provided enhance plant reliability and also recovers hydraulic power into electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Feng-Ran Sheu
  • Patent number: 5243091
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of methyl tertiary butyl ether is provided wherein a mixture of methanol and substantially peroxides-free tertiary butyl alcohol are catalytically reacted to form a reaction product that is separated into a first lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, methanol and methyl tertiary butyl ether and a second heavier distillation fraction comprising methanol, tertiary butyl alcohol and water, wherein the first distillation fraction and a first recycle isobutylene fraction are reacted to form an isobutylene conversion product that is charged, together with recycle isobutylene to a methanol extraction zone and countercurrently contacted with water to provide an overhead extract comprising aqueous isobutylene, and wherein the isobutylene is recovered and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Kruse, Rei-Yu J. Hwan, Kyle L. Preston, Feng-Ran Sheu