Patents by Inventor Nathan Davies

Nathan Davies 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: 20180328661
    Abstract: A method for removing a foulant from a heat exchanger is disclosed. A process fluid, comprising a process liquid and a fouling component, are provided to a process side of the heat exchanger. A flow of a coolant to the coolant side is provided by opening an inlet to the coolant side. The process fluid is cooled, a portion of the fouling component desublimating, crystallizing, freezing, condensing coupled with solidifying, or a combination thereof as a first portion of the foulant onto an outer surface of the coolant side. The inlet to the coolant side is periodically closed such that the flow of the coolant slows or stops, warming the process side, and causing the first portion of the foulant to sublimate, melt, absorb, or a combination thereof off the outer surface of the coolant side. The process then returns to the providing the flow of the coolant step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Kyler Stitt, Eric Mansfield, Christopher Hoeger, Aaron Sayre, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180328680
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a heat exchanger and one or more induction heating elements is disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a coolant side conduit and a process side conduit, the process side conduit being susceptible to fouling by at least partial desublimation, condensation, crystallization, deposition, or combinations thereof of a fouling component of a circulating process fluid. An electrically conductive first metal is disposed adjacent to the process side conduit. The one or more induction heating elements are disposed proximate to the heat exchanger. The one or more induction heating elements are connected to a source of electrical current. When the electrical current flows through the induction heating elements, eddy currents are induced in the first metal, heating the first metal such that the fouling component sublimates, melts, absorbs, or a combination thereof into the circulating process fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Aaron Sayre, Eric Mansfield, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180320964
    Abstract: A process for separating a gas and a vapor is disclosed. A cross-flow horizontal spray vessel comprising horizontally-situated sections is provided. Each of the sections comprise a spray nozzle or nozzles, and a collection hopper. A carrier gas, comprising a product vapor, is passed through the sections. A contact liquid is provided through the spray nozzle or nozzles such that the carrier gas passes across the contact liquid and a portion of the product vapor desublimates, condenses, crystallizes, or combinations thereof as a product solid into the contact liquid, leaving a product-depleted carrier gas. The contact liquid and the product solid are passed to a next preceding upstream spray nozzle or nozzles such that a temperature profile is established across the sections by the contact liquids, as the contact liquids are progressively warmer. The contact liquid and the product solid are removed. The product-depleted carrier gas is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Skyler Chamberlain, Kyler Stitt, David Frankman, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180319691
    Abstract: A method for separating solids from liquids is disclosed. A double-roller system is provided. A process fluid is provided to the double-roller system. The process fluid comprises a suspended solid and a process liquid. The suspended solid comprises non-fibrous solid particles. A portion of the process fluid is compressed through the double-roller system to produce a compressed portion of the suspended solid. A product stream and a dilute fluid stream are separated. The product stream comprises a compressed portion of the suspended solid and a first portion of the process liquid. The dilute fluid stream comprises a second portion of the suspended solid and a second portion of the process liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180320963
    Abstract: A process for separating a vapor from a gas is disclosed. A cryogenic liquid is provided to an inlet of a froth flotation device. A carrier gas is provided to a gas distributor of the froth flotation device. The carrier gas comprises a product vapor. Bubbles of the carrier gas are produced and passed through the cryogenic liquid in the froth flotation device. A portion of the product vapor desublimates, condenses, crystallizes, or a combination thereof to produce a solid product and a product-depleted carrier gas. Bubbles of the product-depleted carrier gas collect the solid product as a froth concentrate. The froth concentrate is removed by overflowing out of the froth flotation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Stephanie Burt, Christopher Hoeger, David Frankman, Aaron Sayre, Eric Mansfield, Skyler Chamberlain, Kyler Stitt, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180306501
    Abstract: A process for separating a mixture of components is disclosed. A liquid mixture is provided to a separation vessel substantially near a temperature at which a product component freezes. The liquid mixture comprises the product component and a carrier component. The product component and the carrier component are essentially immiscible substantially near the temperature. The liquid mixture is separated into two or more phases, the two or more phases comprising a product component-rich liquid phase and a product component-depleted liquid phase. In this manner, a mixture of components is separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Kyler Stitt, Stephanie Burt, Christopher Hoeger, Eric Mansfield, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180306500
    Abstract: A method for preventing blockage of a cryogenic injection system is disclosed. The cryogenic injection system is provided comprising a gas feed line attached to a gas distributor. A gas is fed through the gas feed line and the gas distributor into a cryogenic liquid. A portion of the gas feed line passes through the cryogenic liquid. An insulative layer is provided for the portion of the gas feed line that passes through the cryogenic liquid. Heat transfer through the insulative layer between the portion of the gas feed line and the cryogenic liquid is countered sufficiently to prevent blockage of the gas feed line by a component or components of the gas. In this manner, blockage of the cryogenic injection system is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Kyler Stitt, Stephanie Burt, David Frankman, Aaron Sayre, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180306499
    Abstract: A method for removing a vapor from a carrier gas is disclosed. A heat exchanger is provided. A coolant is provided to the coolant side. A slurry is provided to the process side. The slurry comprises a contact liquid and scouring solids. The carrier gas is provided to the heat exchanger, the carrier gas comprising a vapor. A portion of the vapor desublimates, condenses, absorbs, or reacts such that the portion of the vapor solidifies to form a product solid. At least a portion of the product solid deposits as a foulant on an outer surface of the coolant side and is scoured with the scouring solids to remove the foulant from the outer surface of the coolant side. A vapor-depleted carrier gas is removed from the heat exchanger. The slurry and product solid from the heat exchanger. In this manner, the vapor is removed from the carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Christopher Hoeger, Skyler Chamberlain, David Frankman, Aaron Sayre, Kyler Stitt, Eric Mansfield, Stephanie Burt, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180306496
    Abstract: A method for producing a purified product stream is disclosed. A process stream is provided to a screw compressor, the process stream comprising a contact liquid stream and a product stream, wherein the product stream comprises a solid portion. The process stream is passed through the screw compressor and into a melting device. The solid portion of the product stream is melted in the melting device to a temperature and a pressure such that a portion of the product stream vaporizes, forming a purified product stream, and vaporization of the contact liquid stream into the purified product stream is essentially prevented. A restricted outlet is provided to an upper portion of the vessel. The restricted outlet is proportionally controlled such that the pressure and the temperature is maintained as the purified product stream passes through the restricted outlet. In this manner, the purified product stream is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Kyler Stitt, Aaron Sayre, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180306495
    Abstract: A process for forming a solid product or products is disclosed. The process is provided with n desublimating exchangers. An exchanger E1 being associated with a first exchanger and an exchanger En being associated with an nth exchanger, n representing the number of exchangers. The n exchangers comprise at least one direct-contact exchanger comprising a contact fluid. A process fluid is passed through the n exchangers in order from E1 through En. The process fluid comprises a product component or components. The solid product or products form from the product component or components in the plurality of exchangers by desublimation. The solid product or products are separated from the process fluid. In this manner, a solid product or products is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Christopher Hoeger, Stephanie Burt, Kyler Stitt, Eric Mansfield, Aaron Sayre, David Frankman, Andrew Baxter, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180306382
    Abstract: A method for causing a phase change from a cryogenic solid to a cryogenic liquid is disclosed. A melting device, a vessel, and a solids pressurization device are provided. The solids pressurization device passes through at least a portion of the vessel. The cryogenic solid is provided to the vessel with a recycled portion of the cryogenic liquid. The cryogenic solid is conveyed and pressurized towards an outlet of the vessel to a pressure above the triple point by the solids pressurization device. The cryogenic solid is warmed by the melting device to a temperature above the solid-liquid phase transition curve, causing the cryogenic solids to change phase and become the cryogenic liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Skyler Chamberlain, David Frankman, Aaron Sayre, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180299194
    Abstract: A method for preventing fouling of a demister is disclosed. A process fluid is provided into a vessel. A gas is provided to a gas inlet of the vessel. The gas comprises a component that desublimates, crystallizes, solidifies, reacts, or a combination thereof, in the process fluid, forming a first solid. The gas is passed through the process fluid, the component of the gas forming the first solid, resulting in a component-depleted gas. The component-depleted gas is passed out of the process fluid, causing splashing or spurting of the process fluid and the first solid. The diverter section is provided between the demister and the gas inlet, the diverter section comprising a physical obstruction preventing the process fluid and the first solid from splashing or spurting onto the demister. In this manner, fouling of the demister is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Andrew Baxter, Kyler Stitt, Aaron Sayre, Stephanie Burt, David Frankman, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180283781
    Abstract: A method for removal of a foulant from a carrier gas is disclosed. A solids conveyance device that spans a vessel is provided, comprising an enclosed section and a filtering section. A cryogenic liquid and the carrier gas are provided to the enclosed section. The foulant condenses, dissolves, or desublimates into the cryogenic liquid, forming a cryogenic slurry and a foulant-depleted carrier gas entrained in the cryogenic slurry. The solids conveyance device advances the cryogenic slurry into the filtering section. The foulant-depleted carrier gas leaves the vessel through an upper portion of the permeable exterior wall and a warmed cryogenic liquid is removed from the cryogenic slurry through a lower portion of the permeable exterior wall, resulting in a solid foulant that is passed out of the solids outlet. In this manner, the foulant is removed from the carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Kyler Stitt, Christopher Hoeger, Aaron Sayre, Eric Mansfield, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180283809
    Abstract: A device and a method for conducting a heat exchange process is disclosed. A direct-contact heat exchanger is provided comprising a process inlet, a coolant inlet, and an interior surface. A process stream is provided to the process inlet to be cooled in the heat exchange process by direct contact with a coolant stream that is provided to the coolant inlet. The coolant stream comprises a liquid or a gas. The heat exchange process comprises a phase change from liquid to gas, a sensible heat transfer, or a combination thereof. The cooling process leads to chemical reactions, solids formation in the bulk phase, or a combination thereof. The use of the direct-contact heat exchanger minimizes such reactions on the interior surface. In this manner, the heat exchange process is conducted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Christopher Hoeger, Stephanie Burt, Eric Mansfield, Kyler Stitt, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180283782
    Abstract: A method for clarifying a process fluid is disclosed. The process fluid is provided to a transport device. The process fluid comprises a process liquid that entrains a first solid of a first average particle size. A second solid of a second average particle size is provided to the transport device. The second average particle size is larger than the first average particle size. The process fluid passes through the second solid. The first solid adsorbs to, deposits on, fuses with, or is trapped by the second solid, producing a first solid-depleted process fluid and a first solid-loaded second solid. The first solid-loaded second solid is removed from the transport device continuously. The second solid is reconstituted from a portion of the first solid-loaded second solid. The second solid is recycled to the transport device. In this manner, the process fluid is clarified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180283780
    Abstract: A method for removal of a foulant from a carrier gas is disclosed. A solids conveyance device that spans a vessel and a solids coolant system are provided. A cold solid foulant is provided to the solid inlet of the vessel. The carrier gas containing the foulant is provided to the carrier gas inlet of the vessel. The foulant condenses or desublimates onto the recycled solid foulant, forming a foulant-depleted carrier gas and a solid foulant product. The solids conveyance device passes the solid foulant product out of the vessel. The foulant-depleted carrier gas leaves the vessel. The solid foulant product is split into a final solid foulant product and a recycled solid foulant. The recycled solid foulant is cooled through the coolant system to produce the cold solid foulant. In this manner, the foulant is removed from the carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Kyler Stitt, Christopher Hoeger, Aaron Sayre, Eric Mansfield, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180280840
    Abstract: A device and a method for thickening a slurry are disclosed. A pump is provided comprising an inner chamber, a pumping apparatus, an external wall, an inlet, and an outlet. The slurry comprises a solid and a liquid. The slurry enters the inner chamber through the inlet and is pumped and pressurized by the pumping apparatus through the inner chamber across a portion of the external wall comprising a porous wall, causing a portion of the liquid to be pressed through the porous wall as a liquid product stream and thickening the slurry into a thickened slurry stream. The thickened slurry stream leaves through the slurry outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, David Frankman, Aaron Sayre, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180266761
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for separating a vapor component from a carrier gas is disclosed. The carrier gas is cooled in an outer chamber, causing a vapor component of the carrier gas to desublimate or condense onto an outer surface of an inner chamber, forming a solid product. A coolant is passed through the inner chamber to cool the carrier gas of the outer chamber. A means for causing the inner chamber to flex is provided, causing the solid product to fall from the outer surface of the inner chamber for collection. In this manner, the vapor component is separated from the carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Skyler Chamberlain, Eric Mansfield, Andrew Baxter, Nathan Davis
  • Publication number: 20180257007
    Abstract: A device for thickening a cryogenic slurry is disclosed. The device comprises a cryogenic slurry flow path, a cryogenic liquid discharge path, and a filter medium between the cryogenic slurry flow path and the cryogenic liquid discharge path. The cryogenic slurry comprises a solid and a cryogenic liquid. The cryogenic slurry is fed into the cryogenic slurry flow path, generally tangential to the filter medium. This causes a portion of the cryogenic liquid to cross the filter medium into the cryogenic liquid discharge path as a cryogenic liquid discharge and the cryogenic slurry to thicken to produce a thickened slurry. The filter medium comprises a cryogenically-stable material such that adsorption of gases is inhibited, deposition of solids is prevented, and temperature-change induced expansion and contraction of the filter medium is optimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Eric Mansfield, Stephanie Burt, Kyler Stitt, David Frankman, Skyler Chamberlain, Nathan Davis, Steven Malone
  • Publication number: 20180257008
    Abstract: A method for thickening a cryogenic slurry is disclosed. The method comprises providing a cryogenic slurry flow path, a cryogenic liquid discharge path, and a filter medium between the cryogenic slurry flow path and the cryogenic liquid discharge path. The cryogenic slurry comprises a solid and a cryogenic liquid. The cryogenic slurry is fed into the cryogenic slurry flow path, generally tangential to the filter medium. This causes a portion of the cryogenic liquid to cross the filter medium into the cryogenic liquid discharge path as a cryogenic liquid discharge and the cryogenic slurry to thicken to produce a thickened slurry. The filter medium comprises a cryogenically-stable material such that adsorption of gases is inhibited, deposition of solids is prevented, and temperature-change induced expansion and contraction of the filter medium is optimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Eric Mansfield, Kyler Stitt, David Frankman, Skyler Chamberlain, Nathan Davis, Stephanie Burt, Steven Malone