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: 10545487
    Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided for diagnosing a process of a plant, using a computing device. A detection unit automatically detects a faulty condition of the process based on a plurality of readings of parameters or measurements associated with the faulty condition for alerting an operator. An analysis unit determines an operating status of the plant based on the plurality of readings of parameters or measurements. A display device graphically links the faulty condition with the plurality of readings of parameters or measurements. A visualization unit displays the operating status of the plant with the readings of parameters or measurements using an alert dashboard grouping related data based on a source of the data for meaningfully illustrating relationships of the displayed data. An alert unit automatically generates a warning message based on the plurality of readings of parameters or measurements to inform the operator of the faulty condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Horn, Zak Alzein, Paul Kowalczyk, Christophe Romatier, David Rondeau
  • Patent number: 10534329
    Abstract: A refinery or petrochemical plant may include a fractionation column and related equipment, such as one or more condensers, receivers, reboilers, feed exchangers, and pumps. The equipment may have boundaries or thresholds of operating parameters based on existing limits and/or operating conditions. Illustrative existing limits may include mechanical pressures, temperature limits, hydraulic pressure limits, and operating lives of various components. There may also be relationships between operational parameters related to particular processes. For example, the boundaries on a naphtha reforming reactor inlet temperature may be dependent on a regenerator capacity and hydrogen-to-hydrocarbon ratio, which in turn may be dependent on a recycle compressor capacity. Operational parameters of a final product may be determined based on actual current or historical operation, and implemented in one or more models to determine adjustments for enhanced operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Horn, Christophe Romatier, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein
  • Patent number: 10518240
    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: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10328408
    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 25, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20190151814
    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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20190155259
    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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Christophe Romatier, Ian G. Horn, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein, David Rondeau
  • Publication number: 20190101336
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20190101342
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10222787
    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: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Romatier, Ian G. Horn, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein, David Rondeau
  • Publication number: 20190041813
    Abstract: A refinery or petrochemical plant may include a fractionation column and related equipment, such as one or more condensers, receivers, reboilers, feed exchangers, and pumps. The equipment may have boundaries or thresholds of operating parameters based on existing limits and/or operating conditions. Illustrative existing limits may include mechanical pressures, temperature limits, hydraulic pressure limits, and operating lives of various components. There may also be relationships between operational parameters related to particular processes. For example, the boundaries on a naphtha reforming reactor inlet temperature may be dependent on a regenerator capacity and hydrogen-to-hydrocarbon ratio, which in turn may be dependent on a recycle compressor capacity. Operational parameters of a final product may be determined based on actual current or historical operation, and implemented in one or more models to determine adjustments for enhanced operational efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Ian G. Horn, Christophe Romatier, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein
  • Patent number: 10183266
    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: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Patent number: 10180680
    Abstract: A tuning system for improving operation of a plant. A server is coupled to the tuning system for communicating with the plant via a communication network. A computer system has a web-based platform for receiving and sending plant data related to the operation of the plant over the network. A display device interactively displays the plant data. A reconciliation unit is configured for reconciling actual measured data from the plant in comparison with a performance process model result from a simulation engine based on a set of predetermined reference or set points. The reconciliation unit performs a heuristic analysis against the actual measured data and the performance process model result using a set of predetermined threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Horn, Christophe Romatier, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein
  • Patent number: 10160701
    Abstract: Processes for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from one or more vent gas streams associated with an aromatic complex. The vapor streams are passed to an absorption zone in which an aromatic-selective solvent absorbs the aromatics. The aromatic-selective solvent can be processed along with other solvent extraction streams within the aromatic complex. The absorption zone may be a portion of an existing vessel or column, such as an extractive distillation column or a stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Horn, Jason T. Corradi, Lawrence E. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10095200
    Abstract: A refinery or petrochemical plant may include a fractionation column and related equipment, such as one or more condensers, receivers, reboilers, feed exchangers, and pumps. The equipment may have boundaries or thresholds of operating parameters based on existing limits and/or operating conditions. Illustrative existing limits may include mechanical pressures, temperature limits, hydraulic pressure limits, and operating lives of various components. There may also be relationships between operational parameters related to particular processes. For example, the boundaries on a naphtha reforming reactor inlet temperature may be dependent on a regenerator capacity and hydrogen-to-hydrocarbon ratio, which in turn may be dependent on a recycle compressor capacity. Operational parameters of a final product may be determined based on actual current or historical operation, and implemented in one or more models to determine adjustments for enhanced operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Horn, Christophe Romatier, Paul Kowalczyk, Zak Alzein
  • Publication number: 20180284705
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20180282634
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20180282635
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20180283404
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20180280917
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Sanford Allan Victor, Phillip F. Daly, Ian G. Horn
  • Publication number: 20180283392
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Van de Cotte, Ian G. Horn