Patents by Inventor Francisco E. Vera

Francisco E. Vera 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: 12533680
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating water from an oil and water mixture are provided. A free water knockout vessel includes a mechanical separation section, an electrostatic coalescence section, and a gravitational separation section. A process for separating water from an oil and water mixture includes mechanical separation of the “free” water, electrostatic coalescence of emulsified water via one or more electrode assemblies, and separation of the coalesced water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Sams, Francisco E. Vera
  • Publication number: 20250281853
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising routing a bio-oil to a mixing device; routing a wash material to the mixing device; using the mixing device to form a mixture from the bio-oil and the wash material; routing the mixture to an electrostatic separator; and applying an electric field to the mixture, in the electrostatic separator, to separate the wash material from the bio-oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2024
    Publication date: September 11, 2025
    Inventors: Francisco E. Vera, Gary W. Sams
  • Patent number: 12128330
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising routing a bio-oil to a mixing device; routing a wash material to the mixing device; using the mixing device to form a mixture from the bio-oil and the wash material; routing the mixture to an electrostatic separator; and applying an electric field to the mixture, in the electrostatic separator, to separate the wash material from the bio-oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francisco E. Vera, Gary W. Sams
  • Publication number: 20230088299
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising routing a bio-oil to a mixing device; routing a wash material to the mixing device; using the mixing device to form a mixture from the bio-oil and the wash material; routing the mixture to an electrostatic separator; and applying an electric field to the mixture, in the electrostatic separator, to separate the wash material from the bio-oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Francisco E. Vera, Gary W. Sams
  • Patent number: 9422484
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an interface emulsion layer and mud layer within a desalter vessel includes injecting a water flow through a plurality of nozzles arranged about a piping circuit located in the brine water layer. Each nozzle is oriented toward an interior space of the desalter vessel and is arranged oblique to the piping circuit. The water flow through the plurality of nozzles causes a horizontal and vertical rotation of a volume of water that is effective for suspending solids in the water and promoting a collapse of the interface emulsion layer. The water velocity through each nozzle, which may be a recycled water flow, is preferably in a range of 1 to 3 fpm and each nozzle is preferably oriented at an angle of about 15° and 60° in a horizontal plane and a downward angle of about 15° and 60° in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Hypes, Jaime J. Castro, Francisco E. Vera, Marcus D. Sprenkel, Rafiqul Khan
  • Patent number: 9115316
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an interface emulsion layer and mud layer within a desalter vessel includes injecting a water flow through a plurality of nozzles arranged about a piping circuit located in the brine water layer. Each nozzle is oriented toward an interior space of the desalter vessel and is arranged oblique to the piping circuit. The water flow through the plurality of nozzles causes a horizontal and vertical rotation of a volume of water that is effective for suspending solids in the water and promoting a collapse of the interface emulsion layer. The water velocity through each nozzle, which may be a recycled water flow, is preferably in a range of 1 to 3 fpm and each nozzle is preferably oriented at an angle of about 15° and 60° in a horizontal plane and a downward angle of about 15° and 60° in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Hypes, Jaime J. Castro, Francisco E. Vera, Marcus D. Sprenkel, Rafiqul Khan
  • Publication number: 20140110220
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an interface emulsion layer and mud layer within a desalter vessel includes injecting a water flow through a plurality of nozzles arranged about a piping circuit located in the brine water layer. Each nozzle is oriented toward an interior space of the desalter vessel and is arranged oblique to the piping circuit. The water flow through the plurality of nozzles causes a horizontal and vertical rotation of a volume of water that is effective for suspending solids in the water and promoting a collapse of the interface emulsion layer. The water flow through each nozzle, which may be a recycled water flow, is preferably in a range of 1 to 3 fpm and each nozzle is preferably oriented at an angle of about 15° and 60° in a horizontal plane and a downward angle of about 15° and 60° in a vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Hypes, Jaime J. Castro, Francisco E. Vera, Marcus D. Sprenkel, Rafiqul Khan
  • Publication number: 20130083620
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an interface emulsion layer and mud layer within a desalter vessel includes injecting a water flow through a plurality of nozzles arranged about a piping circuit located in the brine water layer. Each nozzle is oriented toward an interior space of the desalter vessel and is arranged oblique to the piping circuit. The water flow through the plurality of nozzles causes a horizontal and vertical rotation of a volume of water that is effective for suspending solids in the water and promoting a collapse of the interface emulsion layer. The water flow through each nozzle, which may be a recycled water flow, is preferably in a range of 1 to 3 fpm and each nozzle is preferably oriented at an angle of about 15° and 60° in a horizontal plane and a downward angle of about 15° and 60° in a vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald D. Hypes, Jaime J. Castro, Francisco E. Vera, Marcus D. Sprenkel, Rafiqul Khan