Patents by Inventor Minh Huy Pham
Minh Huy Pham 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: 11137205Abstract: A method for reducing heat bumps following regeneration of adsorbers in an air separation unit is provided. The air separation unit can include a front end purification unit, a main air compressor, a main heat exchanger, a distillation column system, a regeneration gas heater, and a regeneration gas cooler, wherein the front end purification unit comprises a first adsorber and a second adsorber. The method can include the steps of: regenerating the first adsorber while the second adsorber operates in an adsorption cycle, wherein the step of regenerating the first adsorber further includes the steps of heating the first adsorber and then cooling the first adsorber, wherein during the step of cooling the first adsorber, a regeneration gas sourced from the distillation column system and cooled in the main heat exchanger is further cooled in a regeneration gas cooler prior to being used to cool the first adsorber.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Paul Kong, Minh Huy Pham
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Publication number: 20210199245Abstract: A method for increasing the available net positive suction head (NPSHa) for a cryogenic pump is provided. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of: increasing a pressure within a liquid storage tank to at least a pumping set point, wherein the pumping set point is configured to cause the NPSHa to exceed the NPSHr; starting the cryogenic pump, thereby sending liquid from within the liquid storage tank through the pump and to an end user; stopping the cryogenic pump, thereby stopping flow of the liquid from the liquid storage tank; and resetting the pressure within the liquid storage tank to at least a storage set point.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Paul KONG, Minh Huy PHAM
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Publication number: 20210199378Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing heat bumps following regeneration of adsorbers in an air separation unit is provided. Certain embodiments of the current invention utilize the two waste streams available at very different temperatures from the two main exchangers (low-pressure and high-pressure core exchangers) for regeneration of the front-end purification adsorbers in the air separation unit (ASU) to reduce its energy consumption without compromising the stability of process. Certain embodiments help to eliminate/minimize high air temperature disturbance (heat bump) for the process downstream of the front-end purification unit during the transition from offline to online.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l?Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Paul KONG, Minh Huy PHAM, May Yee Wendy YIP
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Patent number: 11029086Abstract: A method for reducing process disturbances during pressurization of an adsorber in an air separation unit is provided, in which the air separation unit includes a front end purification unit and an air buffer tank. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of: pressurizing a first adsorber while a second adsorber operates in an adsorption cycle, wherein the step of pressurizing the first adsorber further includes the steps of withdrawing a pressurized air stream from the air buffer tank and introducing the pressurized air stream to the first adsorber until the first adsorber is at a target pressure, wherein the air buffer tank is in fluid communication with the booster air compressor, wherein the method further includes the step of continually sending a first portion of air flow from the booster air compressor to the air buffer tank and continually sending a second portion of air flow from the booster air compressor to a system of columns within a cold box for rectification therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Paul Kong, Minh Huy Pham
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Patent number: 10914518Abstract: An apparatus for distillation at cryogenic temperatures can include a cold box module comprising framing and having an upper module section and a lower module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; an upper column section disposed within the upper module section; a lower column section disposed within the lower module section; a plurality of support saddles attached to the upper and lower module sections that are configured to provide structural support for the upper and lower column sections when the upper and lower column sections are in a horizontal position during transportation; and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport, wherein the means for limiting longitudinal movement are connected to the lower column section and the lower module section.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles Poulin, Yves Hardy, Claude Granger, Yoland Plamondon, Minh Huy Pham, May Yee Wendy Yip
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Patent number: 10753681Abstract: The jacking system and method for using it to lower an upper column section without the use of a crane is provided. The jacking system is configured to be disposed on a roof of a cold box module and may include: a structural assembly; and a plurality of suspension rods supported at an upper end by the structural assembly, wherein the plurality of suspension rods is configured to provide support to the upper column section.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles Poulin, Yves Hardy, Claude Granger, Yoland Plamondon, Minh Huy Pham, May Yee Wendy Yip
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Patent number: 10746462Abstract: A method for constructing a cold box module and resulting apparatus is provided. The method can include providing a cold box module having framing and an upper and lower module sections, introducing an upper column section longitudinally into the upper module section while the upper module section is substantially horizontal; introducing a lower column section longitudinally into the lower module section while the lower module section is substantially horizontal; releasably attaching the lower column section to the lower module section using shipping saddle spacers and support saddles; and attaching a skirt attachment to the lower column section and the lower module section, wherein the skirt attachment is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Explotation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles Poulin, Yves Hardy, Claude Granger, Yoland Plamondon, Minh Huy Pham, May Yee Wendy Yip
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Patent number: 10739068Abstract: A method for installation of a cryogenic distillation apparatus is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing an upper module section having an upper column section disposed within and secured to the upper module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; providing a lower module section having a lower column section disposed within and secured to the lower module section; erecting the lower module section from a horizontal position to a vertical position at an installation site; lifting the upper module section from a horizontal position and attaching the upper module section, while in a vertical position, to a top portion of the lower module section; lowering the upper column section, independent of the upper module section, toward the lower column section; and welding the upper column section and the lower column section together.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles Poulin, Yves Hardy, Claude Granger, Yoland Plamondon, Minh Huy Pham, May Yee Wendy Yip
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Publication number: 20200200473Abstract: A method for reducing heat bumps following regeneration of adsorbers in an air separation unit is provided. The air separation unit can include a front end purification unit, a main air compressor, a main heat exchanger, a distillation column system, a regeneration gas heater, and a regeneration gas cooler, wherein the front end purification unit comprises a first adsorber and a second adsorber. The method can include the steps of: regenerating the first adsorber while the second adsorber operates in an adsorption cycle, wherein the step of regenerating the first adsorber further includes the steps of heating the first adsorber and then cooling the first adsorber, wherein during the step of cooling the first adsorber, a regeneration gas sourced from the distillation column system and cooled in the main heat exchanger is further cooled in a regeneration gas cooler prior to being used to cool the first adsorber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Paul KONG, Minh Huy PHAM
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Publication number: 20200200472Abstract: A method for reducing process disturbances during pressurization of an adsorber in an air separation unit is provided, in which the air separation unit includes a front end purification unit and an air buffer tank. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of: pressurizing a first adsorber while a second adsorber operates in an adsorption cycle, wherein the step of pressurizing the first adsorber further includes the steps of withdrawing a pressurized air stream from the air buffer tank and introducing the pressurized air stream to the first adsorber until the first adsorber is at a target pressure, wherein the air buffer tank is in fluid communication with the booster air compressor, wherein the method further includes the step of continually sending a first portion of air flow from the booster air compressor to the air buffer tank and continually sending a second portion of air flow from the booster air compressor to a system of columns within a cold box for rectification therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Paul KONG, Minh Huy PHAM
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Publication number: 20180299198Abstract: A method for installation of a cryogenic distillation apparatus is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing an upper module section having an upper column section disposed within and secured to the upper module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; providing a lower module section having a lower column section disposed within and secured to the lower module section; erecting the lower module section from a horizontal position to a vertical position at an installation site; lifting the upper module section from a horizontal position and attaching the upper module section, while in a vertical position, to a top portion of the lower module section; lowering the upper column section, independent of the upper module section, toward the lower column section; and welding the upper column section and the lower column section together.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Expoitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles POULIN, Yves HARDY, Claude GRANGER, Yoland PLAMONDON, Minh Huy PHAM, May Yee Wendy YIP
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Publication number: 20180299199Abstract: The jacking system and method for using it to lower an upper column section without the use of a crane is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles Poulin, Yves Hardy, Claude Granger, Yoland Plamondon, Minh Huy Pham, May Yee Wendy Yip
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Publication number: 20180299197Abstract: A method for constructing a cold box module and resulting apparatus is provided. The method can include providing a cold box module having framing and an upper and lower module sections, introducing an upper column section longitudinally into the upper module section while the upper module section is substantially horizontal; introducing a lower column section longitudinally into the lower module section while the lower module section is substantially horizontal; releasably attaching the lower column section to the lower module section using shipping saddle spacers and support saddles; and attaching a skirt attachment to the lower column section and the lower module section, wherein the skirt attachment is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles POULIN, Yves HARDY, Claude GRANGER, Yoland PLAMONDON, Minh Huy PHAM, May Yee Wendy YIP
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Publication number: 20180299196Abstract: An apparatus for distillation at cryogenic temperatures can include a cold box module comprising framing and having an upper module section and a lower module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; an upper column section disposed within the upper module section; a lower column section disposed within the lower module section; a plurality of support saddles attached to the upper and lower module sections that are configured to provide structural support for the upper and lower column sections when the upper and lower column sections are in a horizontal position during transportation; and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport, wherein the means for limiting longitudinal movement are connected to the lower column section and the lower module section.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gilles POULIN, Yves HARDY, Claude GRANGER, Yoland PLAMONDON, Minh Huy PHAM, May Yee Wendy YIP
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Patent number: 8997504Abstract: An improved vent ice prevention apparatus including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit, wherein the second conduit concentrically surrounds the first conduit thereby forming an annular region between the two conduits. The third conduit is in fluid communication with said annular region. The first conduit is configured to receive a cold vent stream, and the third conduit is configured to receive a dry purge stream and introduce the dry purge stream into the annular region in order to prevent ice formation.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Bruce M. Ellis, Minh Huy Pham
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Publication number: 20140158206Abstract: An improved vent ice prevention apparatus including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit, wherein the second conduit concentrically surrounds the first conduit thereby forming an annular region between the two conduits. The third conduit is in fluid communication with said annular region. The first conduit is configured to receive a cold vent stream, and the third conduit is configured to receive a dry purge stream and introduce the dry purge stream into the annular region in order to prevent ice formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. ELLIS, Minh Huy Pham