Patents by Inventor Jaime A. Valencia
Jaime A. Valencia 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).
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Publication number: 20250027022Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic matter biodigester comprising a tank that has an organic matter inlet, a first connection arranged in an upper portion of the tank and a second connection arranged in the lower portion of the tank. Furthermore, said tank also has a biogas outlet and a lower surface configured to rest on a support surface. Furthermore, the lower portion of the tank is at a shorter distance from the support surface compared to the upper portion of the tank. Said organic matter biodigester also comprises a manual pump with a pump inlet connected in the second connection, and a pump outlet connected in the first connection of the tank. The pump is configured to recirculate the organic matter inside the tank from the second connection towards the first connection; and a porous layer arranged inside the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2022Publication date: January 23, 2025Inventors: Sergio Andrés ARANGO OSORIO, Carlos Andrés BUSTAMANTE CHAVERRA, Jorge Wilson GONZÁLEZ, Idi Amin ISAAC MILLAN, Gabriel Jaime LÓPEZ JIMÉNEZ, Silvio Andrés SALAZAR RAMÍREZ, Raúl Adolfo VALENCIA CARDONA, Oscar Hernán VASCO ECHEVERRI
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Publication number: 20250019182Abstract: A gap filler is provided. The gap filler can include a sheet having a sheet first end and a sheet second end. The gap filler can include a first frame coupled to the sheet first end. The gap filler can include a second frame coupled to the sheet second end. The sheet can be configured to be compressed between the first frame and the second frame such that the first frame extends in a direction angled away from the second frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2023Publication date: January 16, 2025Inventors: Rodrigo Valencia Quezada, Jaime Enrique Legarreta Seyffert, Frida Daniela García de Hoyos, Pedro Morales Delgadillo, Aide Fernanda Flores Fernandez
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Patent number: 11378332Abstract: A cryogenic distillation tower for separating a feed stream. The tower includes a distillation section. A controlled freeze zone section is situated above the distillation section and forms a solid from the feed stream. The controlled freeze zone section includes a spray assembly in an upper section and a melt tray assembly in a lower section. The melt tray assembly includes at least one vapor stream riser that directs the vapor from the distillation section into liquid retained by the melt tray assembly, and one or more draw-off openings positioned to permit a portion of the liquid to exit the controlled freeze zone section. The portion of the liquid indirectly exchanges heat with a heating fluid. One or more return inlets return the portion of the liquid to the melt tray assembly after it has been heated in the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANYInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Charles J. Mart, Ransdall K. Smith, David W. Maher
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Patent number: 11306267Abstract: A method of separating a feed stream in a distillation tower. Vapor is permitted to rise upwardly from a distillation section of the distillation tower. A feed stream is introduced into a controlled freeze zone section of the distillation tower, the controlled freeze zone section being situated above the distillation section. The feed stream is released above a level of a liquid retained by a melt tray assembly in the controlled freeze zone section. Vapor from the distillation section is directed into the liquid retained by the melt tray assembly. A solid is formed from the feed stream in the controlled freeze zone section.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANYInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Charles J. Mart, Ransdall K. Smith, David W. Maher
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Patent number: 11255603Abstract: A method of designing, constructing, and operating a hydrocarbon gas treatment plant is disclosed. A target hydrocarbon production range for a hydrocarbon gas meeting a required product specification is established. A cryogenic distillation column is designed and constructed with a vapor capacity to meet the target hydrocarbon production range. A variable feed refrigeration system is incorporated to cool an inlet feed of the hydrocarbon gas. The variable feed refrigeration system is designed to handle the target hydrocarbon production range and a wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed. A variable bottoms heating system is incorporated to handle heating duties associated with the wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed. A variable bottoms pumping system is incorporated to handle liquid flows associated with the wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Robert D. Denton, David W. Maher
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Patent number: 10913042Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of light paraffinic gases to form liquid products in a process performed in a fixed bed radial-flow reactor. The light paraffins can correspond to C3+ paraffins. Examples of liquid products that can be formed include C6-C12 aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. The fixed bed radial-flow reactor can allow for improved control over the reaction conditions for paraffin conversion in spite of the fixed bed nature of the reactor. This can allow the process to operate with improved efficiency while reducing or minimizing the complexity of operation relative to non-fixed bed reactor systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Arsam Behkish, David W. Maher, Paul F. Keusenkothen, Jaime A. Valencia
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Publication number: 20200002634Abstract: A method of separating a feed stream in a distillation tower. Vapor is permitted to rise upwardly from a distillation section of the distillation tower. A feed stream is introduced into a controlled freeze zone section of the distillation tower, the controlled freeze zone section being situated above the distillation section. The feed stream is released above a level of a liquid retained by a melt tray assembly in the controlled freeze zone section. Vapor from the distillation section is directed into the liquid retained by the melt tray assembly. A solid is formed from the feed stream in the controlled freeze zone section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Jaime A. VALENCIA, Charies J. Mart, Ransdall K. Smith, David W. Maher
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Publication number: 20200003490Abstract: A cryogenic distillation tower for separating a feed stream. The tower includes a distillation section. A controlled freeze zone section is situated above the distillation section and forms a solid from the feed stream. The controlled freeze zone section includes a spray assembly in an upper section and a melt tray assembly in a lower section. The melt tray assembly includes at least one vapor stream riser that directs the vapor from the distillation section into liquid retained by the melt tray assembly, and one or more draw-off openings positioned to permit a portion of the liquid to exit the controlled freeze zone section. The portion of the liquid indirectly exchanges heat with a heating fluid. One or more return inlets return the portion of the liquid to the melt tray assembly after it has been heated in the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Jaime A. VALENCIA, Charles J. MART, Ransdall K. SMITH, David W. MAHER
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Patent number: 10365037Abstract: A method and a system for feeding a feed gas including methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to a cryogenic distillation column are provided herein. The method includes flowing a freeze zone CO2 vapor stream into a freezing section of the column to produce an overhead stream that exits the column. The method includes heating the overhead stream via a heating component to reduce or prevent solidification of the CO2 in the overhead stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Ransdall K. Smith, E. Lawrence Kimble, Scott D. Kelman
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Patent number: 10323495Abstract: Disclosed techniques include a method of obtaining an enhanced oil recovery fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising producing a hydrocarbon stream from the hydrocarbon reservoir, separating an associated gas stream from the hydrocarbon stream, and condensing at least a portion of the associated gas stream to obtain an enriched hydrocarbon fluid suitable for injecting into a liquid layer of the hydrocarbon reservoir to enhance recovery of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, David W. Maher, Robert D. Denton, Gary F. Teletzke, Michael W. Lin
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Patent number: 10274252Abstract: A system and method for an intermediate pressure vessel to receive a purge in a cryogenic distillation column system. The vessel operates at an intermediate pressure to reduce solidification of the purge. The cryogenic distillation column receives a natural gas having methane and acid gas. The column discharges an overhead stream rich in the methane, and a bottoms stream rich in the acid gas. An overhead system receives the overhead stream, and discharges a vapor methane product, and a cooled liquid for reflux to the cryogenic distillation column.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Scott D. Kelman, E. Lawrence Kimble
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Publication number: 20190105626Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of light paraffinic gases to form liquid products in a process performed in a fixed bed radial-flow reactor. The light paraffins can correspond to C3+ paraffins. Examples of liquid products that can be formed include C6-C12 aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. The fixed bed radial-flow reactor can allow for improved control over the reaction conditions for paraffin conversion in spite of the fixed bed nature of the reactor. This can allow the process to operate with improved efficiency while reducing or minimizing the complexity of operation relative to non-fixed bed reactor systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Arsam BEHKISH, David W. MAHER, Paul F. KEUSENKOTHEN, Jaime A. VALENCIA
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Patent number: 10139158Abstract: The present disclosure provides a distillation tower for separating a feed stream. The distillation tower includes a controlled freeze zone section having a controlled freeze zone upper section and a controlled freeze zone lower section below the controlled freeze zone upper section. The controlled freeze zone section includes: (a) a spray assembly in the controlled freeze zone upper section; (b) a melt tray assembly in the controlled freeze zone lower section; (c) a feed stream distribution mechanism between the spray assembly and the melt tray assembly. The feed stream distribution mechanism is constructed and arranged to uniformly distribute the feed stream in the controlled freeze zone section.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventor: Jaime A. Valencia
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Publication number: 20180229198Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of light paraffinic gases to form liquid products in a process performed in a fixed bed radial-flow reactor. The light paraffins can correspond to C3+ paraffins. Examples of liquid products that can be formed include C6-C12 aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. The fixed bed radial-flow reactor can allow for improved control over the reaction conditions for paraffin conversion in spite of the fixed bed nature of the reactor. This can allow the process to operate with improved efficiency while reducing or minimizing the complexity of operation relative to non-fixed bed reactor systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Arsam BEHKISH, David W. MAHER, Paul F. KEUSENKOTHEN, Jaime A. VALENCIA
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Publication number: 20180022667Abstract: The invention relates to converting non-aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of CO2 to produce aromatic hydrocarbon. CO2 methanation using molecular hydrogen produced during the aromatization increases aromatic hydrocarbon yield. The invention also relates to equipment and materials useful in such upgrading, to processes for carrying out such upgrading, and to the use of such processes for, e.g., natural gas upgrading.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Paul F. Keusenkothen, David W. Maher, Jaime A. Valencia
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Patent number: 9874396Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for separating a feed stream in a distillation tower which includes separating a feed stream in a stripper section into an enriched contaminant bottom liquid stream and a freezing zone vapor stream; contacting the freezing zone vapor stream in the controlled freeze zone section with a freezing zone liquid stream at a temperature and pressure at which a solid and a hydrocarbon-enriched vapor stream form; directly applying heat to a controlled freeze zone wall of the controlled freeze zone section with a heating mechanism coupled to at least one of a controlled freeze zone internal surface of the controlled freeze zone wall and a controlled freeze zone external surface of the controlled freeze zone wall; and at least one of destabilizing and preventing adhesion of the solid to the controlled freeze zone wall with the heating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Harry W. Deckman, Charles J. Mart, James T. Wilkins, Paul Scott Northrop
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Patent number: 9874395Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preventing accumulation of solids in a distillation tower. The method includes introducing a feed stream into a controlled freeze zone section of a distillation tower; forming solids in the controlled freeze zone section from the feed stream; discontinuously injecting a first freeze-inhibitor solution into the controlled freeze zone section toward a location in the controlled freeze zone section that accumulates the solids; and destabilizing accumulation of the solids from the location with the first freeze-inhibitor solution.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Paul Scott Northrop
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Patent number: 9869511Abstract: A method for separating a feed stream in a distillation tower comprising maintaining a controlled freeze zone (CFZ) section in the distillation tower, receiving a freezing zone liquid stream in a spray nozzle assembly in the CFZ section, wherein the spray nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of outer spray nozzles on an outer periphery of the spray nozzle assembly and at least one inner spray nozzle interior to the outer spray nozzles, wherein each outer spray nozzle is configured to spray the freezing zone liquid stream along a central spray axis, and wherein the central spray axis of at least one of the outer spray nozzles is not parallel to a CFZ wall, and spraying the freezing zone liquid stream through the spray nozzle assembly into the CFZ section to keep a temperature and pressure at which the solid and the hydrocarbon-enriched vapor stream form.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, David W. Maher
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Publication number: 20170370640Abstract: A system for conditioning a sour gas feed stream for a cryogenic distillation tower, comprising a dehydration unit configured to separate the sour gas feed stream into a first stream comprising water and a feed stream, and a sequential cooling assembly coupled to both the dehydration unit and the cryogenic distillation tower, wherein the sequential cooling assembly comprises a first stage configured to separate the feed stream into a partially cooled feed stream and a second stream comprising acid gas, a second stage configured to cool the partially cooled feed stream into a cooled feed stream and a third stream comprising acid gas, and a cooled feed stream header coupled to a cryogenic distillation tower feed inlet, wherein the first stage, the second stage, or both are configured to send at least one of the second and third streams to a bottom section of the cryogenic distillation tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Ananda K. Nagavarapu, P. Scott Northrop, Robert D. Denton, Jaime A. Valencia
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Patent number: 9829247Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for separating a feed stream in a distillation tower. The method may include forming solids in a controlled freeze zone section of the distillation tower; emitting radiation from a first radiation source in the controlled freeze zone section while the controlled freeze zone section forms no solids; detecting radiation emitted by the first radiation source as a first radiation level; detecting radiation emitted by the first radiation source as a second radiation level after detecting the first radiation level; and determining whether the solids adhered to at least one of on and around a first mechanical component included in the controlled freeze zone section based on the first radiation level and the second radiation level.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Reseach CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, J. Tim Cullinane, Edward J. Grave, Robert D. Denton