Patents by Inventor Ken N. Sury
Ken N. Sury 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: 9283499Abstract: A feedwell system for delivering a slurry (for example a bituminous slurry) to a separation vessel (for example a primary separation vessel) includes a feedwell barrel with an inlet for receiving the slurry, internal baffles, and a bottom outlet. A downpipe extends from the bottom of the barrel directing the existing slurry onto a deflector plate deflecting the slurry radially and outwardly. A protector plate located between the downpipe and the deflector plate improves the underwash layer stability. Ventilation openings in the protector plate induce inflow which reduces the discharge velocity, limits the formation of an adverse pressure gradient and encourages circumferential distribution.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Ken N. Sury, Bharat Bhargava, Chadwick R. Larson, Trevor L. Hilderman, Mohammad R. Shariati, Darwin Edward Kiel
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Patent number: 9188389Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering mine tailings. The systems and methods include distributing a slurry of high permeability material on a sloped surface to define a high permeability layer and subsequently distributing a slurry of low permeability mine tailings on the high permeability layer to define a low permeability layer that is vertically above and in contact with the high permeability layer. The sloped surface defines a non-zero surface grade, and natural slopes of both the slurry of high permeability material and the slurry of low permeability mine tailings are within a threshold grade difference of the surface grade. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include augmenting the slurry of high permeability material and/or augmenting the slurry of low permeability mine tailings to adjust the natural slope thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Wei Ren, Ken N. Sury, David C. Rennard, Shahram Yazdanpanah
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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: 8949038Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling bitumen quality in a process stream within a solvent-assisted bitumen extraction operation, for instance a hydrocarbon stream from a froth separation unit (FSU). Bitumen quality is a measure of the amount of selected contaminants in the process stream. Contaminants may include asphaltenes (comprising metal porphyrins), sulfur, and inorganic solids (comprising inorganic elements, e.g. Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Na, K, Mg, and Ca). First, the amounts of selected contaminants are measured. Next, these measured values are compared to maximum reference values. If one or more of these contaminants is higher than the maximum reference value, at least one variable of the solvent-assisted bitumen extraction is adjusted to improve bitumen quality.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury, Joseph L. Feimer
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Publication number: 20140305000Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering mine tailings with water-absorbing polymers. The systems and methods may include combining a mine tailings slurry, which includes mine tailings and water, with a water-absorbing polymer. The water-absorbing polymer may absorb water from the mine tailings, thereby increasing a solids content of the mine tailings. The mine tailings may be combined with the water-absorbing polymer prior to, during, and/or subsequent to transfer of the mine tailings to a mine tailings dewatering and/or disposal site. In some embodiments, the water-absorbing polymer may be an encapsulated water-absorbing polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Wei Ren, Ken N. Sury, Paul L. Tanaka, David C. Rennard, Scott R. Clingman, Thomas R. Palmer
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Publication number: 20140305001Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering mine tailings. The systems and methods include distributing a slurry of high permeability material on a sloped surface to define a high permeability layer and subsequently distributing a slurry of low permeability mine tailings on the high permeability layer to define a low permeability layer that is vertically above and in contact with the high permeability layer. The sloped surface defines a non-zero surface grade, and natural slopes of both the slurry of high permeability material and the slurry of low permeability mine tailings are within a threshold grade difference of the surface grade. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include augmenting the slurry of high permeability material and/or augmenting the slurry of low permeability mine tailings to adjust the natural slope thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Wei Ren, Ken N. Sury, David C. Rennard, Shahram Yazdanpanah
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Patent number: 8701470Abstract: A method and system for determining particle size distribution and/or filterable solids in bitumen-containing fluid is described. A sample of bitumen-containing fluid, such as bitumen-froth feed, bitumen-froth solvent or paraffinic-froth-treated (PFT) bitumen-solvent is obtained. An optimized diluent combination is determined, comprising an aromatic or cycloaliphatic solvent such as toluene, benzene, naphthalene, xylene, anthracene, or cyclohexane together with a C3 to C12 paraffinic solvent. The combination is considered optimized when diluting the sample with the combination maintains substantially the same level of deasphalting in the diluted sample as in the undiluted sample. Upon dilution of the sample with optimized diluent combination, particle size distribution can be accurately determined using optical instrumentation, laser diffraction instrumentation, electrical counting instrumentation, or ultrasonic instrumentation.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Joseph L. Feimer, Ken N. Sury
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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: 20140008293Abstract: A feedwell system for delivering a slurry (for example a bituminous slurry) to a separation vessel (for example a primary separation vessel) includes a feedwell barrel with an inlet for receiving the slurry, internal baffles, and a bottom outlet. A downpipe extends from the bottom of the barrel directing the existing slurry onto a deflector plate deflecting the slurry radially and outwardly. A protector plate located between the downpipe and the deflector plate improves the underwash layer stability. Ventilation openings in the protector plate induce inflow which reduces the discharge velocity, limits the formation of an adverse pressure gradient and encourages circumferential distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Ken N. Sury, Bharat Bhargava, Chadwick R. Larson, Trevor L. Hilderman, Mohammad R. Shariati, Darwin Edward Kiel
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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: 20130168294Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling bitumen quality in a process stream within a solvent-assisted bitumen extraction operation, for instance a hydrocarbon stream from a froth separation unit (FSU). Bitumen quality is a measure of the amount of selected contaminants in the process stream. Contaminants may include asphaltenes (comprising metal porphyrins), sulfur, and inorganic solids (comprising inorganic elements, e.g. Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Na, K, Mg, and Ca). First, the amounts of selected contaminants are measured. Next, these measured values are compared to maximum reference values. If one or more of these contaminants is higher than the maximum reference value, at least one variable of the solvent-assisted bitumen extraction is adjusted to improve bitumen quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury, Joseph L. Feimer
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Publication number: 20130140249Abstract: 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 inlets into the side of a series of parallel plates that form a series of channels which may be either vertical or inclined at an intermediate angle. This feed inlet flow conditioning system is characterized by a Channel Reynolds number of less than 3000. Such inlet flow conditioning is particularly useful where the feed has particles with a bi-modal size distribution to be separated from an overflow stream. The low Reynolds number combined with the influence of the walls serves to mitigate the upward flux of the smaller particles, for example mineral solids, by trapping the smaller particles within a matrix of larger particles, for example precipitated asphaltene aggregates.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Inventors: Ken N. Sury, Clay Robert Sutton, John Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel
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Patent number: 8454821Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon products from waste tailings of a froth flotation unit and a paraffinic froth treatment process are provided. Bitumen and asphaltenes from the waste tailings are extracted using a serial addition of an aromatic solvent, followed by a polar-non-polar solvent. The method and system divert valuable hydrocarbons from tailings ponds. The hydrocarbon product can be used as a coating material or an emulsion fuel, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury
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Patent number: 8449764Abstract: In solvent-assisted bitumen extraction, a native marker, for example: sulfur, nickel, vanadium, iron copper, or manganese, is used to control the solvent to bitumen ratio in a process stream such as a stream from a froth separation unit (FSU) and/or to measure hydrocarbon loss in a tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury
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Patent number: 8357291Abstract: The invention relates to an improved bitumen recovery process. The process includes adding water to a bitumen-froth/solvent system containing asphaltenes and mineral solids. The addition of water in droplets increases the settling rate of asphaltenes and mineral solids to more effectively treat the bitumen for pipeline transport, further enhancement, refining, or any other application of reduced-solids bitumen.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Ken N. Sury, Joseph L. Feimer, Clay R. Sutton
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Publication number: 20110265558Abstract: A method and system for determining particle size distribution and/or filterable solids in bitumen-containing fluid is described. A sample of bitumen-containing fluid, such as bitumen-froth feed, bitumen-froth solvent or paraffinic-froth-treated (PFT) bitumen-solvent is obtained. An optimized diluent combination is determined, comprising an aromatic or cycloaliphatic solvent such as toluene, benzene, naphthalene, xylene, anthracene, or cyclohexane together with a C3 to C12 paraffinic solvent. The combination is considered optimized when diluting the sample with the combination maintains substantially the same level of deasphalting in the diluted sample as in the undiluted sample. Upon dilution of the sample with optimized diluent combination, particle size distribution can be accurately determined using optical instrumentation, laser diffraction instrumentation, electrical counting instrumentation, or ultrasonic instrumentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANYInventors: Joseph L. Feimer, Ken N. Sury
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Publication number: 20110210044Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon products from waste tailings of a froth flotation unit and a paraffinic froth treatment process are provided. Bitumen and asphaltenes from the waste tailings are extracted using a serial addition of an aromatic solvent, followed by a polar-non-polar solvent. The method and system divert valuable hydrocarbons from tailings ponds. The hydrocarbon product can be used as a coating material or an emulsion fuel, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury
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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: 20100126911Abstract: In solvent-assisted bitumen extraction, a native marker, for example: sulfur, nickel, vanadium, iron copper, or manganese, is used to control the solvent to bitumen ratio in a process stream such as a stream from a froth separation unit (FSU) and/or to measure hydrocarbon loss in a tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury
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Publication number: 20090200209Abstract: The invention relates to an improved bitumen recovery process. The process includes adding water to a bitumen-froth/solvent system containing asphaltenes and mineral solids. The addition of water in droplets increases the settling rate of asphaltenes and mineral solids to more effectively treat the bitumen for pipeline transport, further enhancement, refining, or any other application of reduced-solids bitumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventors: Ken N. Sury, Joseph L. Feimer, Clay R. Sutton