Patents by Inventor Kyle T. Cueller

Kyle T. Cueller 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).

  • Publication number: 20090293538
    Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ORTLOFF ENGINEERS, LTD.
    Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cueller
  • Patent number: 7010937
    Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: ElkCorp
    Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cueller
  • Publication number: 20040187520
    Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cueller
  • Patent number: 6742358
    Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: ElkCorp
    Inventors: John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cueller
  • Patent number: 5881569
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is divided into first and second streams, and the second stream is expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the column at a mid-column feed position. A recycle stream is withdrawn from the tower overhead after it has been warmed and compressed, and is combined with the first stream. The combined stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a top column feed position. The pressure of the compressed recycle stream and the quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Elcor Corporation
    Inventors: Roy E. Campbell, deceased, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cueller