Patents by Inventor Ian G. Horn

Ian G. Horn 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: 11396002
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as reactors, heaters, heat exchangers, regenerators, separators, or the like. Types of heat exchangers include shell and tube, plate, plate and shell, plate fin, air cooled, wetted-surface air cooled, or the like. Operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, prolong equipment life, extend production operating time, or provide other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment, and sensor data may be programmatically analyzed to identify developing problems. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to detect and correct maldistribution, cross-leakage, strain, pre-leakage, thermal stresses, fouling, vibration, problems in liquid lifting, conditions that can affect air-cooled exchangers, conditions that can affect a wetted-surface air-cooled heat exchanger, or the like. An operating condition or mode may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 11130111
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as reactors, heaters, heat exchangers, regenerators, separators, or the like. Types of heat exchangers include shell and tube, plate, plate and shell, plate fin, air cooled, wetted-surface air cooled, or the like. Operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, prolong equipment life, extend production operating time, or provide other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment, and sensor data may be programmatically analyzed to identify developing problems. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to detect and correct maldistribution, cross-leakage, strain, pre-leakage, thermal stresses, fouling, vibration, problems in liquid lifting, conditions that can affect air-cooled exchangers, conditions that can affect a wetted-surface air-cooled heat exchanger, or the like. An operating condition or mode may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 11037376
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, turbines, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to perform invariant mapping, monitor system operating characteristics, and/or predict pressure, volume, surges, reactor loop fouling, gas quality, or the like. An operating condition (e.g., of one or more pieces of equipment in the plant or refinery) may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 11022963
    Abstract: A petrochemical plant or refinery may include equipment such as pumps, compressors, valves, exchangers, columns, adsorbers, or the like. Some petrochemical plants or refineries may include one or more sensors configured to collect operation information of the equipment in the plant or refinery. A faulty condition of a process of the petrochemical plant may be diagnosed based on the operation of the plant equipment. A diagnostic system, which may receive operation information from the one or more sensors, may include a detection platform, an analysis platform, a visualization platform, and/or an alert platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Romatier, Ian G. Horn, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein, David Rondeau
  • Patent number: 10962302
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as reactors, heaters, heat exchangers, regenerators, separators, or the like. Types of heat exchangers include shell and tube, plate, plate and shell, plate fin, air cooled, wetted-surface air cooled, or the like. Operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, prolong equipment life, extend production operating time, or provide other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment, and sensor data may be programmatically analyzed to identify developing problems. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to detect and correct maldistribution, cross-leakage, strain, pre-leakage, thermal stresses, fouling, vibration, problems in liquid lifting, conditions that can affect air-cooled exchangers, conditions that can affect a wetted-surface air-cooled heat exchanger, or the like. An operating condition or mode may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10947462
    Abstract: A reforming process is described. The reforming process includes introducing a hydrocarbon stream comprising hydrocarbons having 5 to 12 carbon atoms into a reforming zone containing reforming catalyst, the reforming zone comprising at least two reformers, each reformer having a set of reforming operating conditions, to produce a reformate effluent, wherein the last reformer contains less catalyst than the next to the last reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan J. Egolf, Ian G. Horn, David A. Wegerer, Gregory R. Werba
  • Patent number: 10865169
    Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for producing a C8 aromatic isomer product are provided. The process comprises introducing a reformate stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons to a reformate splitter column to provide a plurality of streams. One or more streams comprising at least one stream from the plurality of streams is passed to a reformate upgrading unit to obtain an upgraded reformate stream. The upgraded reformate stream is passed to an aromatics stripper column to provide an aromatics stripper sidedraw stream comprising C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The aromatics stripper sidedraw stream is passed to a xylene separation unit to provide the C8 aromatic isomer product and a raffinate product stream. At least a portion of the raffinate product stream is processed in a liquid phase isomerization unit to obtain an isomerized stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Montalbano, Patrick C. Whitchurch, Gregory R. Werba, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10844290
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, turbines, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to perform invariant mapping, monitor system operating characteristics, and/or predict pressure, volume, surges, reactor loop fouling, gas quality, or the like. An operating condition (e.g., of one or more pieces of equipment in the plant or refinery) may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10839115
    Abstract: A cleansing system for improving operation of a petrochemical plant or refinery. The petrochemical plant or refinery may include a fractionation column, a condenser, and a pump. Equipment, such as condensers, receivers, reboilers, feed exchangers, and pumps may be divided into subsections. Temperatures, pressures, flows, and other plant operations may be used for optimizing plant performance. A cleansing unit performs an enhanced cleansing process, which may allow early detection and diagnosis of the plant operating conditions based on one or more environmental factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Horn, Christophe Romatier, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein
  • Patent number: 10816947
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, turbines, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to perform invariant mapping, monitor system operating characteristics, and/or predict pressure, volume, surges, reactor loop fouling, gas quality, or the like. An operating condition (e.g., of one or more pieces of equipment in the plant or refinery) may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10794401
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, turbines, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to perform invariant mapping, monitor system operating characteristics, and/or predict pressure, volume, surges, reactor loop fouling, gas quality, or the like. An operating condition (e.g., of one or more pieces of equipment in the plant or refinery) may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10794644
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as reactors, heaters, heat exchangers, regenerators, separators, or the like. Types of heat exchangers include shell and tube, plate, plate and shell, plate fin, air cooled, wetted-surface air cooled, or the like. Operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, prolong equipment life, extend production operating time, or provide other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment, and sensor data may be programmatically analyzed to identify developing problems. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to detect and correct maldistribution, cross-leakage, strain, pre-leakage, thermal stresses, fouling, vibration, problems in liquid lifting, conditions that can affect air-cooled exchangers, conditions that can affect a wetted-surface air-cooled heat exchanger, or the like. An operating condition or mode may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10752844
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, turbines, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to perform invariant mapping, monitor system operating characteristics, and/or predict pressure, volume, surges, reactor loop fouling, gas quality, or the like. An operating condition (e.g., of one or more pieces of equipment in the plant or refinery) may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10752845
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, turbines, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to perform invariant mapping, monitor system operating characteristics, and/or predict pressure, volume, surges, reactor loop fouling, gas quality, or the like. An operating condition (e.g., of one or more pieces of equipment in the plant or refinery) may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10754359
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Louis A. Lattanzio, Alex Green, Matthew R. Wojtowicz, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10684631
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve hot spots. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Louis A. Lattanzio, Alex Green, Matthew R. Wojtowicz, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10678272
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Louis A. Lattanzio, Alex Green, Matthew R. Wojtowicz, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10670353
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as reactors, heaters, heat exchangers, regenerators, separators, or the like. Types of heat exchangers include shell and tube, plate, plate and shell, plate fin, air cooled, wetted-surface air cooled, or the like. Operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, prolong equipment life, extend production operating time, or provide other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment, and sensor data may be programmatically analyzed to identify developing problems. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to detect and correct maldistribution, cross-leakage, strain, pre-leakage, thermal stresses, fouling, vibration, problems in liquid lifting, conditions that can affect air-cooled exchangers, conditions that can affect a wetted-surface air-cooled heat exchanger, or the like. An operating condition or mode may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10670027
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, turbines, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to perform invariant mapping, monitor system operating characteristics, and/or predict pressure, volume, surges, reactor loop fouling, gas quality, or the like. An operating condition (e.g., of one or more pieces of equipment in the plant or refinery) may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10663238
    Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as reactors, heaters, heat exchangers, regenerators, separators, or the like. Types of heat exchangers include shell and tube, plate, plate and shell, plate fin, air cooled, wetted-surface air cooled, or the like. Operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, prolong equipment life, extend production operating time, or provide other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment, and sensor data may be programmatically analyzed to identify developing problems. For example, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to detect and correct maldistribution, cross-leakage, strain, pre-leakage, thermal stresses, fouling, vibration, problems in liquid lifting, conditions that can affect air-cooled exchangers, conditions that can affect a wetted-surface air-cooled heat exchanger, or the like. An operating condition or mode may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn