Patents by Inventor Murray R. Gray

Murray R. Gray 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).

  • Process for extraction of bitumen from oilsands
    Patent number: 8211295
    Abstract: Bitumen within raw oilsands may be cracked and fully recovered by light hydrocarbon extraction following exposure to modified natural zeolite catalysts under cracking conditions. The recovered bitumen is reduced in viscosity, with lower boiling point distributions. Effective cracking of oilsands bitumen using economical, abundant and readily disposable natural zeolites represents a significant step towards a waterless and environment friendly extraction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: The Governors Of The University Of Alberta, Imperial Oil Resource Limited
    Inventors: Steven M. Kuznicki, William C. McCaffrey, Murray R. Gray, James A. Dunn
  • PROCESS FOR EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN FROM OILSANDS
    Publication number: 20090288994
    Abstract: Bitumen within raw oilsands may be cracked and fully recovered by light hydrocarbon extraction following exposure to modified natural zeolite catalysts under cracking conditions. The recovered bitumen is reduced in viscosity, with lower boiling point distributions. Effective cracking of oilsands bitumen using economical, abundant and readily disposable natural zeolites represents a significant step towards a waterless and environment friendly extraction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicants: THE GOVERNORS OF UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, IMPERIAL OIL RESOURCES LIMITED
    Inventors: Steven M. KUZNICKI, William C. McCAFFREY, Murray R. GRAY, James A. DUNN
  • CONVERSION OF HEAVY OIL AND BITUMEN TO METHANE BY CHEMICAL OXIDATION AND BIOCONVERSION
    Publication number: 20090130732
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of heavy oil or bitumen to methane by chemical oxidation and bioconversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: EnCana Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip M. Fedorak, Julia M. Foght Robinson, Murray R. Gray
  • Cell culture bioreactor
    Patent number: 5443985
    Abstract: The invention provides a bioreactor for culturing living cells, particularly shear sensitive cells, wherein the bioreactor is composed of a stationary vessel with opposite spaced walls inclined at an angle to form upper and lower walls. Liquid culture medium and cell culture, such as hybridoma cells, are introduced into the vessel and gas is introduced at the lower end of the vessel to form gas bubbles which travel upward along the upper wall of the bioreactor to disengage from a small portion of the gas liquid interface. The gas bubbles circulate the cells and liquid medium, maintaining the cells in suspension and lifting them in a circulating path upwardly parallel to the upper wall and downward along the lower wall. The bioreactor design thus achieves bulk mixing and aeration by maintaining a significant degree of segregation between the upwardly travelling bubbles and the cells in the liquid medium avoiding unnecessary cell damage by fluid-mechanical shear or by bubble bursting events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignees: Alberta Research Council, The Governors of the University of Alaska
    Inventors: George Z. Lu, Murray R. Gray, Bradley G. Thompson