Patents by Inventor Nathan A. Kirk

Nathan A. Kirk 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: 20240167346
    Abstract: A centraliser (10) for use in centralising tubing (12) in a bore (W) comprises a first end collar (14), a second end collar (16) and a number of elongate strut members (18). The strut members (18) are interposed between the first end collar (14) and the second end collar (16) and are circumferentially arranged and spaced around the first end collar (14) and second end collar (16). The strut members (18) have angled wing portions (32). The centraliser (10) comprises a retaining arrangement (20) for holding the strut members (18), which comprises a retainer member (22) extending circumferentially between and disposed through the strut members (18). The centraliser (10) comprises a release arrangement (24) configured to release the retaining arrangement (20) and permit the strut members (18) to move between radially retracted and radially extended positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Ian Kirk, Andrew Kirk, Nathan Kirk
  • Patent number: 11555357
    Abstract: A centraliser (10) for use in centralising tubing (12) in a bore (W) comprises a first end collar (14), a second end collar (16) and a number of elongate strut members (18). The strut members (18) are interposed between the first end collar (14) and the second end collar (16) and are circumferentially arranged and spaced around the first end collar (14) and second end collar (16). The strut member (18) have a first end portion (20), a second end portion (22), an intermediate portion (24) and angled wing portions (26) which extend from the intermediate portion (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: VULCAN COMPLETION PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Kirk, Andrew Kirk, Nathan Kirk
  • Patent number: 11459834
    Abstract: A centraliser includes a number of members extending between two collars for mounting the centraliser on a casing. The members are configured to contact a wall of the bore and centraliser the casing in the bore. The members are radially moveable between the casing and the bore wall. The members further include an intermediate portion and end portions, the end portions being relatively more flexible than the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: VULCAN COMPLETION PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Kirk, Nathan Kirk
  • Publication number: 20220251909
    Abstract: A centraliser (10;110) for centralising tubing (T) in a bore (B) comprises a body (12;112), one or more blades (14;114) extending radially outwards from the body (12;112). One or more of the blades (14;114) receives a blade standoff (20;120) which is disposed on and extends radially outwards from the blade (14;114) with which it is associated. The blade standoff (20;120) is configured to space the blade (14;114) from the bore (B) and is configured to form a galvanic inhibitor between the blade (14;114) and the bore (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Ian KIRK, Andrew KIRK, Nathan KIRK
  • Publication number: 20220010631
    Abstract: A centraliser (10) for use in centralising tubing (12) in a bore (W) comprises a first end collar (14), a second end collar (16) and a number of elongate strut members (18). The strut members (18) are interposed between the first end collar (14) and the second end collar (16) and are circumferentially arranged and spaced around the first end collar (14) and second end collar (16). The strut member (18) have a first end portion (20), a second end portion (22), an intermediate portion (24) and angled wing portions (26) which extend from the intermediate portion (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ian KIRK, Andrew KIRK, Nathan KIRK
  • Publication number: 20200408050
    Abstract: A centraliser includes a number of members extending between two collars for mounting the centraliser on a casing. The members are configured to contact a wall of the bore and centraliser the casing in the bore. The members are radially moveable between the casing and the bore wall. The members further include an intermediate portion and end portions, the end portions being relatively more flexible than the intermediate portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Ian KIRK, Nathan KIRK
  • Patent number: 9150478
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: David Lee, Fred Ronald Olsson, Adam Orosco, Nathan Kirk Powell, Manuel Salado, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9102581
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol product are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves separating the crude ethanol product using an extractive distillation column that employs an extraction agent, such as a recycled stream comprising water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: R. Jay Warner, Radmila Wollrab, Wael Amleh, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronaold Olsson, Nathan Kirk Powell, Manuel Salado, Lincoln Sarager
  • Patent number: 9073814
    Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Kirk Powell, Samuel Roundy, Lincoln Sarager, Murray Viard, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronald Olsson
  • Publication number: 20150099904
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: David Lee, Fred Ronald Olsson, Adam Orosco, Nathan Kirk Powell, Manuel Salado, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9000237
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing and recovering ethanol using an intermediate reboiler. An intermediate stream may be withdrawn from a removal zone of a distillation column and recirculated through the intermediate reboiler to the distillation column. The distillation column may also comprise a bottoms reboiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan Kirk Powell
  • Patent number: 8927784
    Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: David Lee, Fred Ronald Olsson, Adam Orosco, Nathan Kirk Powell, Manuel Salado, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20140179957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing and recovering ethanol using an intermediate reboiler. An intermediate stream may be withdrawn from a removal zone of a distillation column and recirculated through the intermediate reboiler to the distillation column. The distillation column may also comprise a bottoms reboiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nathan Kirk Powell
  • Patent number: 8759576
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying acetic anhydride. The process includes the steps of feeding a liquid crude acetic anhydride stream directly to a distillation column and separating the liquid crude acetic anhydride stream to produce a light ends stream, a sidedraw and a residue stream. The sidedraw comprises substantially pure acetic anhydride product. The distillation column is operated at a pressure less than 101 kPa. The substantially pure acetic anhydride product comprises greater than 98 wt. % acetic anhydride, has a permanganate time of greater than 10 minutes, and has an APHA color of less than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: R. Jay Warner, Melchoir Meilchen, Nathan Kirk Powell
  • Publication number: 20140066653
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying acetic anhydride. The process includes the steps of feeding a liquid crude acetic anhydride stream directly to a distillation column and separating the liquid crude acetic anhydride stream to produce a light ends stream, a sidedraw and a residue stream. The sidedraw comprises substantially pure acetic anhydride product. The distillation column is operated at a pressure less than 101 kPa. The substantially pure acetic anhydride product comprises greater than 98 wt. % acetic anhydride, has a permanganate time of greater than 10 minutes, and has an APHA color of less than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: R. Jay Warner, Melchoir Meilchen, Nathan Kirk Powell
  • Publication number: 20140058139
    Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Kirk Powell, Samuel Roundy, Lincoln Sarager, Murray Viard, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Grusendorf, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronald Olsson
  • Patent number: 8552226
    Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Kirk Powell, Samuel Roundy, Lincoln Sarager, Murray Viard, R. Jay Warner, Gerald Gruesendorf, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Fred Ronald Olsson
  • Patent number: D930046
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: VULCAN COMPLETION PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Kirk, Nathan Kirk
  • Patent number: D940207
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: VULCAN COMPLETION PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Kirk, Nathan Kirk, Ian Kirk
  • Patent number: D957470
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: VULCAN COMPLETION PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Kirk, Nathan Kirk