Patents by Inventor Ian D. Somerville

Ian D. Somerville 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).

  • Preparation and combustion of fuel oil emulsions
    Patent number: 5000757
    Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of emulsions of oil in water comprises:(a) an oil feed line,(b) a source of concentrated surfactant solution,(c) a source of water,(d) a first low shear mixer for mixing concentrated surfactant and water to form a dilute surfactant solution,(e) means for uniting the flows of dilute surfactant solution and oil in a controlled manner,(f) a second low shear mixer for mixing the united flow streams of oil and dilute surfactant solution to form an emulsion of oil in water,(g) a third low shear mixer for mixing the emulsion of oil in water to form a dilute emulsion, and,(h) an arrangement of water feed lines and control valves such that, firstly, water can be supplied either to the first low shear mixer only or, secondly, to both first and third low shear mixers.The apparatus is particularly suitable for the preparation of emulsions of fuel oil in water from oils within a wide range of viscosities which burn with low emissions of NO.sub.x and particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Simon J. Puttock, Ian D. Somerville