Patents by Inventor Jose A. Lourenco
Jose A. Lourenco 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: 20180320494Abstract: A method to enhance the production of oil from underground oil deposits recovers the anode exhaust stream components and thermal energy from a fuel cell for injection in a well pipeline to heat, displace and flow oil into a production well pipeline at optimal reservoir pressure and operating conditions. The process recovers and injects the GHG emission stream from a fuel cell anode exhaust stream into an oil reservoir to increase oil production.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Mackenzie MILLAR, Jose LOURENCO
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Publication number: 20180265795Abstract: A method of stripping carbon dioxide from a stream of natural gas to be used in the production of liquid natural gas (LNG) comprises the steps of: passing a stream of natural gas through a stripping column; injecting a stripping agent into the stripping column, the stripping agent stripping carbon dioxide from the stream of natural gas and exiting the stripping column as a liquid phase; passing the stripping agent exiting the stripping column through a regenerator column to generate a carbon dioxide gas stream and a recovered stripping agent stream; and cooling the recovered stripping agent stream using a cryogenic vapour generated in the production of LNG and injecting the cooled, recovered stripping agent stream into the stripping column as the stripping agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicants: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Patent number: 10077937Abstract: A method to produce LNG at straddle plants. In contrast to known methods, there is provided a slipstream of a high pressure, pre-treated, pre-cooled natural gas stream to a straddle LNG plant section. The slipstream is further cooled, and processed in a high pressure column to a methane content of 85% or 85 plus by mole. The processed stream is further treated to remove carbon dioxide. The de-carbonated high pressure stream is further cooled in a heat exchanger by a counter-current vapor fraction of the expanded gas before entering an expander apparatus. The processed, treated and cooled gas is expanded into a separator. The produced LNG fraction is pumped to storage. A portion of the LNG fraction is used as a reflux stream to the high pressure column. The cold vapor fraction from the separator flows through counter-current heat exchangers, giving up its coolth energy before being re-compressed into the high pressure transmission gas pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: MacKenzie Millar, Jose Lourenco
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Patent number: 10006695Abstract: A method for producing liquid natural gas (LNG) includes the following steps. Compressor stations forming part of existing natural-gas distribution network are identified. Compressor stations that are geographically suited for localized distribution of LNG are selected. Natural gas flowing through the selected compressor stations is diverted to provide a high pressure first natural gas stream and a high pressure second natural gas stream. A pressure of the first natural gas stream is lowered to produce cold temperatures through pressure let-down gas expansion and then the first natural gas stream is consumed as a fuel gas for an engine driving a compressor at the compressor station. The second natural gas stream is first cooled with the cold temperatures generated by the first natural gas stream, and then expanded to a lower pressure, thus producing LNG.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Mackenzie Millar, Jose Lourenco
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Patent number: 9844748Abstract: A method to condense and recover CO2 from CO2 containing streams. A first step involve providing at more than one heat exchanger, with each heat exchanger having a first flow path for passage of a first fluid and a second flow path for passage of a second fluid. A second step involves passing a stream of very cold natural gas sequentially along the second flow path of each heat exchanger until it is heated for distribution and concurrently passing a CO2 containing stream sequentially along the first flow path of each heat exchanger, allowing the water vapor portion of the CO2 containing stream to condense and precipitate on the condensing heat exchangers. A third step involves passing a water vapor free CO2 containing stream to a cryogenic heat exchanger to condense, precipitate and recover CO2.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd, 1304342 Alberta LtdInventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Patent number: 9771525Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading heavy oil is described, having a symbiotic relationship between a cracking reactor vessel and a steam reformer vessel. A first portion of an uncracked residue oil stream from the cracking reactor vessel is passed through a heat exchanger positioned within the steam reformer vessel and back to the cracking reactor vessel, such that a heat exchange takes place which heats the uncracked residue oil stream to promote cracking. A second portion of the uncracked residue oil stream from the cracking reactor vessel is injected directly into the steam reformer vessel. That portion of the uncracked residue oil stream not vaporized in the steam reformer vessel is converted into coke which becomes deposited in a fluidized bed of the steam reformer vessel. The fluidized bed activates steam which reacts with the coke to generate hydrogen. Hydrogen from the steam reformer vessel is directed into the cracking reactor vessel to assist with cracking.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Publication number: 20170241709Abstract: A method is described for removing carbon dioxide during Liquid Natural Gas production from natural gas at gas pressure letdown stations. The above method removes carbon dioxide from a Liquid Natural Gas production stream by using hydrocarbon fractions taken from a gas for consumption stream as a carbon dioxide stripping adsorption agent for a stripping column used to remove carbon dioxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicants: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Patent number: 9511935Abstract: A cascading processor is described which includes a processor body having an upper inlet and a lower outlet, such that materials pass by force of gravity from inlet to the outlet. The processor body has a plurality of processing levels which are sequentially vertically spaced progressively downwardly from the inlet to the outlet, such that materials cascade by force of gravity from one processing level to another processing level as the materials pass through the processor body front the inlet to the outlet. This cascading processor was developed for recovery of bitumen front oil sands, but can be used to process oil shales or to process biomasses.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignees: 1304345 Alberta Ltd., 1304338 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Publication number: 20160238314Abstract: There is provided a method to produce PLNG and CCNG at Straddle Plants. In contrast to present practice at Straddle Plants, there is added a slipstream of high pressure, pre-treated, pre-cooled natural gas stream to feed a new PLNG and or CCNG production section. This slipstream is further cooled in a heat exchanger by a counter-current vapour fraction of the expanded gas before entering an expander apparatus. The cooled gas is expanded into a separator. The cold vapour fraction from the separator is routed and expanded to the Straddle Plant fractionator. The produced PLNG is routed to storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: MacKenzie Millar, Jose Lourenco
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Publication number: 20160061519Abstract: A method to produce LNG at straddle plants. In contrast to known methods, there is provided a slipstream of a high pressure, pre-treated, pre-cooled natural gas stream to a straddle LNG plant section. The slipstream is further cooled, and processed in a high pressure column to a methane content of 85% or 85 plus by mole. The processed. stream is further treated to remove carbon dioxide. The de-carbonated high pressure stream is further cooled in a heat exchanger by a counter-current vapour fraction of the expanded gas before entering an expander apparatus. The processed, treated and cooled gas is expanded into a separator. The produced LNG fraction is pumped to storage. A portion of the LNG fraction is used as a reflux stream to the high pressure column. The cold vapour fraction from the separator flows through counter-current heat exchangers, giving up its coolth energy before being re-compressed into the high pressure transmission gas pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: MacKenzie Millar, Jose Lourenco
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Publication number: 20150376512Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading heavy oil is described, having a symbiotic relationship between a cracking reactor vessel and a steam reformer vessel. A first portion of an uncracked residue oil stream from the cracking reactor vessel is passed through a heat exchanger positioned within the steam reformer vessel and back to the cracking reactor vessel, such that a heat exchange takes place which heats the uncracked residue oil stream to promote cracking. A second portion of the uncracked residue oil stream from the cracking reactor vessel is injected directly into the steam reformer vessel. That portion of the uncracked residue oil stream not vaporized in the steam reformer vessel is converted into coke which becomes deposited in a fluidized bed of the steam reformer vessel. The fluidized bed activates steam which reacts with the coke to generate hydrogen. Hydrogen from the steam reformer vessel is directed into the cracking reactor vessel to assist with cracking.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Publication number: 20150345858Abstract: There is described a method to produce LNG at gas pressure letdown stations. A high pressure gas stream is pre-cooled, dewatered, and then divided into two streams: a diverted LNG production stream (LNG stream) and a gas to end users stream (User stream). Carbon dioxide is removed from the LNG stream and the LNG stream is compressed. The LNG stream is then precooled by passing through one or more heat exchangers. Hydrocarbon condensate is removed from the LNG steam by passing the LNG stream through a first Knock Out drum. The LNG stream is then depressured by passing through a JT valve to depressurize the gas vapour exiting the first Knock Out drum and discharge it into a second Knock Out drum where the LNG is captured.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: MacKenzie MILLAR, Jose LOURENCO
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Patent number: 9132415Abstract: A method of upgrading heavy oil in which the heavy oil is preheated to above a boiling point of water to remove water as steam and lighter fractions as vapors. The heavy oil passes downwardly through a series of sequential horizontal heat gradients in a temperature gradient reactor. A temperature of each sequential heat gradient progressively increases so that lighter fractions of the heavy oil vaporize with minimal cracking and heavier heavy oil fractions continue to fall by force of gravity downwards. As they pass through further sequential heat gradients of progressively increasing temperature, they tend to crack into lighter fractions in the presence of nascent hydrogen. Coke, formed from heavier heavy oil fractions generated and deposited on a fluidized catalytic bed a bottom of the temperature gradient reactor, is fluidized with superheated steam. The superheated steam generates the nascent hydrogen required to promote hydrogen reactions by indirect heated steam reforming and water-gas shift reactions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Publication number: 20150219392Abstract: A method for producing liquid natural gas (LNG) includes the following steps. Compressor stations forming part of existing natural-gas distribution network are identified. Compressor stations that are geographically suited for localized distribution of LNG are selected. Natural gas flowing through the selected compressor stations is diverted to provide a high pressure first natural gas stream and a high pressure second natural gas stream. A pressure of the first natural gas stream is lowered to produce cold temperatures through pressure let-down gas expansion and then the first natural gas stream is consumed as a fuel gas for an engine driving a compressor at the compressor station. The second natural gas stream is first cooled with the cold temperatures generated by the first natural gas stream, and then expanded to a lower pressure, thus producing LNG.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2013Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicants: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Mackenzie Millar, Jose Lourenco
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Publication number: 20150150357Abstract: A backpack/bag/handbag and a chair with backrest combination combines, two essential objects used in the outdoor activities: the personal transportation bag and the portable chair all-in-one. While addressing the technical problem of storage goods and seating which normally characterizes the outdoor activities such as going to the beach or public gardens. The invention object presents the characteristics of a bag/backpack, but, the back of the storage compartment of the bag/backpack articulates a seat with two planes: the back part of the backpack storage area and the back of the chair and the cushion seat. When the two planes and and the cushion seat are folded in the vertical position, the invention object can be used as a bag/backpack. To be used as a chair/backrest, the cushion seat is rotated to a horizontal angle and the two planes and move to an oblique angle transforming the invention into a chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2015Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventor: Maria José LOURENÇO FERREIRA
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Publication number: 20150143842Abstract: A method to recover olefins and C2+ fractions from refineries gas streams. The traditional recovery methods employed at refineries are absorption with solvents and cryogenic technology using compression and expansion aided by external refrigeration systems. In contrast to known methods, there is provided first a pre-cooling heat exchanger on a feed line feeding the gas stream to a in-line mixer, secondly by injecting and mixing a stream of LNG to condense the C2+ fractions upstream of the fractionator. The temperature of the gas stream entering the fractionator is monitored downstream of the in-line mixer. A LNG stream is temperature controlled to flow through the injection inlet and mix with the feed gas at a temperature which results in the condensation of the C2+ fractions before entering the fractionator. A LNG reflux stream is temperature controlled to maintain fractionator overhead temperature. The fractionator bottoms temperature is controlled by a circulating reboiler stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Publication number: 20150107297Abstract: A method for liquefying gas involving pre-treating the gas stream in a pre-treater to remove impurities, and then passing the gas stream through a first flow path of a first heat exchanger to lower a temperature of the gas stream. The gas stream is then passed through the gas expansion turbine to lower a pressure of the gas stream and further decrease the temperature of the gas stream. The gas stream is then passed into a primary separator to separate the gas stream into a liquid stream and a cold gas stream. The liquid stream is collected. Selected quantities of the cold gas stream are passed through a second flow path of the first heat exchanger whereby a heat exchange takes place to cool the gas stream flowing through the first flow path to maintain the temperature of the gas stream entering the gas expansion turbine at a temperature which promotes the production of liquids.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Publication number: 20140231313Abstract: A cascading processor is described which includes a processor body having an upper inlet and a lower outlet, such that materials pass by force of gravity from inlet to the outlet. The processor body has a plurality of processing levels Which are sequentially vertically spaced progressively downwardly from the inlet to the outlet, such that materials cascade by force of gravity from one processing level to another processing level as the materials pass through the processor body front the inlet to the outlet. This cascading processor was developed for recovery of bitumen front oil sands, but can be used to process oil shales or to process biomasses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: 1304338 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Patent number: 8640494Abstract: A method to recover NGL's at gas Pressure Reducing Stations. A first step involve providing at least one heat exchanger having a flow path for passage of high pressure natural gas with a counter current depressurized lean cold gas. A second step involves passing the high pressure natural gas stream in a counter current flow with the lean cold gas and cooling it before de-pressurization. A third step involves the expansion of the high pressure cooled gas in a gas expander. The expansion of the gas generates shaft work which is converted into electrical power by the power generator and the expanded low pressure and cold gas enters a separator where NGL's are recovered. This process results in the recovery NGL's, electricity and the displacement of a slipstream of natural that is presently used to pre-heat gas at Pressure Reduction Stations.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
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Publication number: 20130333416Abstract: A method to recover natural gas liquids from natural gas streams at NGL recovery plants. The present invention relates to methods using liquid natural gas (LNG) as an external source of stored cold energy to reduce the energy and improve the operation of NGL distillation columns. More particularly, the present invention provides methods to efficiently and economically achieve higher recoveries of natural gas liquids at NGL recovery plants.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar