Patents by Inventor James C. T. Chen
James C. T. Chen 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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Patent number: 8444859Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Patent number: 8329963Abstract: The seeding of calcium carbonate into a calcium chloride-contaminated monoethylene glycol (MEG) stream accelerates the growth of calcium carbonate particles to a size that enhances their removal from the stream by filtration. A seeding vessel allows the calcium carbonate particles a time period to grow. Sodium carbonate may be added to the contaminated stream to facilitate calcium carbonate particle growth. A recycle seeding conduit may recycle seeds from a filtration unit to the seeding vessel. A base such as sodium hydroxide may be added to accelerate the precipitation process.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: James C. T. Chen
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Publication number: 20120192716Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Cameron International CorporationInventors: James C.T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Patent number: 8173016Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Patent number: 8173017Abstract: A mechanical flotation system having only one cell may be nearly as efficient as one having two or more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The single-cell mechanical flotation system may have one skim collection channel that at least partially surrounds a single gas ingestion and mixing mechanism. At least one baffle may direct suspended matter or floc toward the skim collection which may be circular. The gas layer over the liquid is not vented for the purpose of gasification. The vessel may be a cylindrical pressure vessel oriented vertically, and optionally the inlet may be tangential to the periphery of the vessel to impart liquid rotation inside the vessel when liquid is introduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Publication number: 20110042288Abstract: A coalescer is used in series with a hydrocyclone to enhance the removal of a dispersed phase from a continuous phase by first using a coalescer that lacks removal of any separated dispersed phase prior to cyclonic action in the hydrocyclone. The dispersed phase may be oil and the continuous phase may be water. The coalescer has no oil outlet and serves to coalesce the droplets or particles of the disperse phase together thereby increasing contaminant size distribution. The hydrocyclone functions as a separator operating at higher removal efficiency. The method and apparatus are useful to clarify produced water from hydrocarbon recovery operations, particularly those on offshore platforms where it is desirable to reduce weight and footprint area but still achieve very low oil concentration in the clarified water—even to levels sufficient for the water to be discharged directly into the environment, e.g. the ocean.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Cameron International CorporationInventors: James C.T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Publication number: 20110042304Abstract: Two hydrocyclones used in series enhances the removal of a dispersed liquid phase from a continuous liquid phase by cyclonic action. The first hydrocyclone has no overflow outlet and serves to coalesce the droplets or particles of the disperse phase together thereby increasing contaminant size distribution. The second hydrocyclone functions as a separator operating at higher removal efficiency. The method and apparatus are useful to clarify produced water from hydrocarbon recovery operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Shaya Movafaghian, James C.T. Chen
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Publication number: 20100191023Abstract: The seeding of calcium carbonate into a calcium chloride-contaminated monoethylene glycol (MEG) stream accelerates the growth of calcium carbonate particles to a size that enhances their removal from the stream by filtration. A seeding vessel allows the calcium carbonate particles a time period to grow. Sodium carbonate may be added to the contaminated stream to facilitate calcium carbonate particle growth. A recycle seeding conduit may recycle seeds from a filtration unit to the seeding vessel. A base such as sodium hydroxide may be added to accelerate the precipitation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventor: James C.T. Chen
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Patent number: 7638062Abstract: A cyclonic flotation system may be used to separate oil, grease, solids and other suspended matter from produced water by a combination of flotation and centrifugation in a separator cyclone. The cyclonic flotation system has a higher capacity-to-footprint ratio compared to conventional apparatus resulting in reduced weight and cost. The system is motion independent and suitable for use on floating structures such as offshore platforms and vessels.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Shaya Movafaghian, James C. T. Chen
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Publication number: 20090159426Abstract: An electrostatic dehydrator or separator having at least two generally horizontal electrodes will function as a separator for water and oil, and also for gas, water and oil. Gas/liquid separation occurs in the front section of the vessel. Oil/water separation takes place in a subsequent section of the vessel which may have two or three independent generally horizontal electrodes or grids spaced at different distances above the generally horizontal oil/water interface. The two or three independent electrodes or grids will each have their own transformer. The higher grid(s) will continue to operate even if the lower grid(s) short out.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventor: James C.T. Chen
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Publication number: 20090039003Abstract: A mechanical flotation system having only one cell may be nearly as efficient as one having two or more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The single-cell mechanical flotation system may have one skim collection channel that at least partially surrounds a single gas ingestion and mixing mechanism. At least one baffle may direct suspended matter or floc toward the skim collection which may be circular. The gas layer over the liquid is not vented for the purpose of gasification. The vessel may be a cylindrical pressure vessel oriented vertically, and optionally the inlet may be tangential to the periphery of the vessel to impart liquid rotation inside the vessel when liquid is introduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Cameron International CorporationInventors: James C.T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Publication number: 20090014368Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: Cameron International CorporationInventors: James C.T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Patent number: 7438809Abstract: A mechanical flotation system having only one cell may be nearly as efficient as one having two or more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The single-cell mechanical flotation system may have one skim collection channel that at least partially surrounds a single gas ingestion and mixing mechanism. At least one baffle may direct suspended matter or floc toward the skim collection which may be circular. The gas layer over the liquid is not vented for the purpose of gasification. The vessel may be a cylindrical pressure vessel oriented vertically, and optionally the inlet may be tangential to the periphery of the vessel to impart liquid rotation inside the vessel when liquid is introduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Petreco International Inc.Inventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Patent number: 7416661Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Petreco International Inc.Inventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Patent number: 7416670Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical flotation system (10) having only two cells (18, 20) can be nearly as efficient as one having more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The dual-cell mechanical flotation system (10) has, in sequential order, an inlet chamber (16) and two gasification chambers or cells (18, 20), each with at least one gas ingestion and mixing mechanism (32), and a discharge chamber (24). A common primary skim collection channel (40) atop the partition (44) dividing the gasification chambers (18, 20) efficiently channels away the bulk of the floating collected matter.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Melvin Stacy, Kenneth C. Tolmie, James C. T. Chen
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Publication number: 20080035586Abstract: A coalescer is used in series with a hydrocyclone to enhance the removal of a dispersed phase from a continuous phase by first using a coalescer that lacks removal of any separated dispersed phase prior to cyclonic action in the hydrocyclone. The coalescer has no oil outlet and serves to coalesce the droplets or particles of the disperse phase together thereby increasing contaminant size distribution. The second hydrocyclone functions as a separator operating at higher removal efficiency. The method and apparatus are useful to clarify produced water from hydrocarbon recovery operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: James C.T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
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Publication number: 20080006588Abstract: A cyclonic flotation system may be used to separate oil, grease, solids and other suspended matter from produced water by a combination of flotation and centrifugation in a separator cyclone. The cyclonic flotation system has a higher capacity-to-footprint ratio compared to conventional apparatus resulting in reduced weight and cost. The system is motion independent and suitable for use on floating structures such as offshore plafforms and vessels.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Shaya Movafaghian, James C.T. Chen
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Patent number: 6955763Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical flotation system having only two cells can be nearly as efficient as one having more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The dual-cell mechanical flotation system has, in sequential order, an inlet chamber and two gasification chambers or cells, each with at least one gas ingestion and mixing mechanism, and a discharge chamber. A common primary skim collection channel atop the partition dividing the gasification chambers efficiently channels away the bulk of the floating collected matter. At least one baffle depending from the top of the vessel near the primary skim collection channel helps dampen the action of the fluid containing the suspended matter when the vessel is affected by wave motion against the floating oil production platform.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Petreco International Inc.Inventors: Melvin O. Stacy, Kenneth Tolmie, James C. T. Chen
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Patent number: 6666971Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating the waste brine generated by the regeneration step in a water softener system and for recovering the treated waste brine so that it can be utilized as the regeneration feed for the water softener regeneration step thereby, requiring substantially lesser amounts of fresh salt.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Petreco International Inc.Inventor: James C. T. Chen
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Publication number: 20030213735Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical flotation system having only two cells can be nearly as efficient as one having more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The dual-cell mechanical flotation system has, in sequential order, an inlet chamber and two gasification chambers or cells, each with at least one gas ingestion and mixing mechanism, and a discharge chamber. A common primary skim collection channel atop the partition dividing the gasification chambers efficiently channels away the bulk of the floating collected matter. At least one baffle depending from the top of the vessel near the primary skim collection channel helps dampen the action of the fluid containing the suspended matter when the vessel is affected by wave motion against the floating oil production platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Melvin O Staoy, Kenneth Tolmie, James C T Chen