Patents by Inventor John Khai-Quang Diep
John Khai-Quang Diep 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: 10988695Abstract: The field of the invention is oil sands processing. A solvent treatment system and process for treating a bitumen-containing stream include contacting that stream with a solvent-containing stream to produce an in-line flow of solvent diluted material; supplying the solvent diluted material into a separation vessel with axi-symmetric phase and velocity distribution and/or particular mixing and conditioning features. The solvent addition, mixing and conditioning may be performed with particular CoV, Camp number, co-annular pipeline reactor, pipe wall contact of low viscosity fluid, flow diffusing and/or flow straightening. The processes enable improved performance of downstream unit operations such as separation of high diluted bitumen from solvent diluted tailings.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: FORT HILLS ENERGY L.P.Inventors: Shawn Van der Merwe, John Khai Quang Diep, Mohammad Reza Shariati, Tom Hann
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Publication number: 20180320084Abstract: The field of the invention is oil sands processing. A solvent treatment system and process for treating a bitumen-containing stream include contacting that stream with a solvent-containing stream to produce an in-line flow of solvent diluted material; supplying the solvent diluted material into a separation vessel with axi-symmetric phase and velocity distribution and/or particular mixing and conditioning features. The solvent addition, mixing and conditioning may be performed with particular CoV, Camp number, co-annular pipeline reactor, pipe wall contact of low viscosity fluid, flow diffusing and/or flow straightening. The processes enable improved performance of downstream unit operations such as separation of high diluted bitumen from solvent diluted tailings.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Shawn Van der Merwe, John Khai Quang Diep, Mohammad Reza Shariati, Tom Hann
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Patent number: 10041005Abstract: The field of the invention is oil sands processing. A solvent treatment system and process for treating a bitumen-containing stream include contacting that stream with a solvent-containing stream to produce an in-line flow of solvent diluted material; supplying the solvent diluted material into a separation vessel with axi-symmetric phase and velocity distribution and/or particular mixing and conditioning features. The solvent addition, mixing and conditioning may be performed with particular Co V, Camp number, co-annular pipeline reactor, pipe wall contact of low viscosity fluid, flow diffusing and/or flow straightening. The processes enable improved performance of downstream unit operations such as separation of high diluted bitumen from solvent diluted tailings.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Fort Hills Energy L.P.Inventors: Shawn Van Der Merwe, John Khai Quang Diep, Mohammad Reza Shariati, Tom Hann
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Patent number: 9956503Abstract: A solvent diluted bitumen is produced by a method that includes adding paraffinic solvent to bitumen froth to form a solvent diluted bitumen froth, and discharging the solvent diluted bitumen froth into a vessel, such that settlement of the solvent diluted bitumen froth in the interior of the vessel establishes a heavier phase zone, a lighter phase zone, and an interface. A discharge point is located above the interface and within the lighter phase zone. Lighter phases separate up toward an overflow outlet of the vessel while heavier phases separate down toward an underflow outlet of the vessel. The solvent diluted bitumen is collected from the overflow outlet, and a solvent diluted underflow stream is collected from the underflow outlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Fort Hills Energy L.P.Inventors: Shawn Van Der Merwe, John Khai-Quang Diep, Mohammed Reza Shariati, Gary Foulds
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Publication number: 20170368478Abstract: A solvent diluted bitumen is produced by a method that includes adding paraffinic solvent to bitumen froth to form a solvent diluted bitumen froth, and discharging the solvent diluted bitumen froth into a vessel, such that settlement of the solvent diluted bitumen froth in the interior of the vessel establishes a heavier phase zone, a lighter phase zone, and an interface. A discharge point is located above the interface and within the lighter phase zone. Lighter phases separate up toward an overflow outlet of the vessel while heavier phases separate down toward an underflow outlet of the vessel. The solvent diluted bitumen is collected from the overflow outlet, and a solvent diluted underflow stream is collected from the underflow outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: SHAWN VAN DER MERWE, JOHN KHAI-QUANG DIEP, MOHAMMED REZA SHARIATI, GARY FOULDS
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Patent number: 9789422Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a feed such as bitumen froth feed are provided. The apparatus comprises a vessel having a top, side walls, and a base. An inlet delivers feed to the vessel interior whereby settling of the feed establishes a heavier phase zone in the vicinity of the base and a lighter phase zone above an interface with the heavier phase zone. The height/diameter ratio of the vessel, the dimensions and position of the inlet and the fluid properties of the feed are selected to allow a feed velocity of the feed discharging from the inlet into the interior to dissipate in the lighter phase zone as the discharged feed entrains lighter phases above the interface and spreads across the vessel interior such that the lighter phases of the feed separate up to an overflow outlet and the heavier phases separate down to an underflow outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Fort Hills Energy L.P.Inventors: Shawn Van Der Merwe, John Khai-Quang Diep, Mohammed Reza Shariati, Gary Foulds
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Patent number: 9089797Abstract: A method of delivering feed, for example a paraffinic solvent treated bitumen froth, to a separation vessel, for example a froth separation unit (FSU). The feed is delivered from one or more side inlets that may be substantially normal to, and flush with, the wall of the vessel. In contrast to certain conventional feed systems used in gravity separators which use a distributor plate to widely distribute the feed with a vessel, the feed is delivered such that it flows down the inside wall of the vessel. This feed delivery is characterized by a Richardson number of greater than 1.0. Such feed delivery is particularly useful where the feed has particles with a bi-modal size distribution to be separated from an overflow stream. The gentle flow serves to mitigate the upward flux of the smaller particles, for example mineral solids, by being trapped below the larger particles, for example precipitated asphaltene aggregates.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Clay R. Sutton, Ken N. Sury, Darwin Edward Kiel, John Khai-Quang Diep
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Patent number: 8968579Abstract: A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Patent number: 8800784Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Publication number: 20140041740Abstract: A method of delivering feed, for example a paraffinic solvent treated bitumen froth, to a separation vessel, for example a froth separation unit (FSU). The feed is delivered from one or more side inlets that may be substantially normal to, and flush with, the wall of the vessel. In contrast to certain conventional feed systems used in gravity separators which use a distributor plate to widely distribute the feed with a vessel, the feed is delivered such that it flows down the inside wall of the vessel. This feed delivery is characterized by a Richardson number of greater than 1.0. Such feed delivery is particularly useful where the feed has particles with a bi-modal size distribution to be separated from an overflow stream. The gentle flow serves to mitigate the upward flux of the smaller particles, for example mineral solids, by being trapped below the larger particles, for example precipitated asphaltene aggregates.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Clay R. Sutton, Ken N. Sury, Darwin Edward Kiel, John Khai-Quang Diep
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Publication number: 20140001101Abstract: The field of the invention is oil sands processing. A solvent treatment system and process for treating a bitumen-containing stream include contacting that stream with a solvent-containing stream to produce an in-line flow of solvent diluted material; supplying the solvent diluted material into a separation vessel with axi-symmetric phase and velocity distribution and/or particular mixing and conditioning features. The solvent addition, mixing and conditioning may be performed with particular Co V, Camp number, co-annular pipeline reactor, pipe wall contact of low viscosity fluid, flow diffusing and/or flow straightening. The processes enable improved performance of downstream unit operations such as separation of high diluted bitumen from solvent diluted tailings.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: FORT HILLS ENERGY L.P.Inventors: Shawn Nicholas Van Der Merwe, John Khai Quang Diep, Mohammad Reza Shariati, Tom Hann
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Patent number: 8591724Abstract: A method of delivering feed, for example a paraffinic solvent treated bitumen froth, to a separation vessel, for example a froth separation unit (FSU). The feed is delivered from one or more side inlets that may be substantially normal to, and flush with, the wall of the vessel. In contrast to certain conventional feed systems used in gravity separators which use a distributor plate to widely distribute the feed with a vessel, the feed is delivered such that it flows down the inside wall of the vessel. This feed delivery is characterized by a Richardson number of greater than 1.0. Such feed delivery is particularly useful where the feed has particles with a bi-modal size distribution to be separated from an overflow stream. The gentle flow serves to mitigate the upward flux of the smaller particles, for example mineral solids, by being trapped below the larger particles, for example precipitated asphaltene aggregates.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Clay R. Sutton, Ken N. Sury, Darwin Edward Kiel, John Khai-Quang Diep
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Publication number: 20130098805Abstract: A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY, INC.Inventors: BRADFORD E. BJORNSON, CRAIG AARON STRAND, WILLIAM NICHOLAS GARNER, JOHN KHAI-QUANG DIEP, DARWIN EDWARD KIEL, THOMAS CHARLES HANN
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Patent number: 8225944Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Publication number: 20120145653Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a feed such as bitumen froth feed are provided. The apparatus comprises a vessel having a top, side walls, and a base. An inlet delivers feed to the vessel interior whereby settling of the feed establishes a heavier phase zone in the vicinity of the base and a lighter phase zone above an interface with the heavier phase zone. The height/diameter ratio of the vessel, the dimensions and position of the inlet and the fluid properties of the feed are selected to allow a feed velocity of the feed discharging from the inlet into the interior to dissipate in the lighter phase zone as the discharged feed entrains lighter phases above the interface and spreads across the vessel interior such that the lighter phases of the feed separate up to an overflow outlet and the heavier phases separate down to an underflow outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: FORT HILLS ENERGY L.P.Inventors: SHAWN VAN DER MERWE, JOHN KHAI-QUANG DIEP, MOHAMMED REZA SHARIATI, GARY FOULDS
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Publication number: 20120085699Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Patent number: 8096425Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Publication number: 20110011769Abstract: A method of delivering feed, for example a paraffinic solvent treated bitumen froth, to a separation vessel, for example a froth separation unit (FSU). The feed is delivered from one or more side inlets that may be substantially normal to, and flush with, the wall of the vessel. In contrast to certain conventional feed systems used in gravity separators which use a distributor plate to widely distribute the feed with a vessel, the feed is delivered such that it flows down the inside wall of the vessel. This feed delivery is characterized by a Richardson number of greater than 1.0. Such feed delivery is particularly useful where the feed has particles with a bi-modal size distribution to be separated from an overflow stream. The gentle flow serves to mitigate the upward flux of the smaller particles, for example mineral solids, by being trapped below the larger particles, for example precipitated asphaltene aggregates.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Clay R. Sutton, Ken N. Sury, Darwin Edward Kiel, John Khai-Quang Diep
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Publication number: 20080149542Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: BRADFORD E. BJORNSON, CRAIG AARON STRAND, WILLIAM NICHOLAS GARNER, JOHN KHAI-QUANG DIEP, DARWIN EDWARD KIEL, THOMAS CHARLES HANN