Patents by Inventor Patrick N. Matthews

Patrick N. Matthews 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).

  • Method and system for preventing clathrate hydrate blockage formation in flow lines by enhancing water cut
    Patent number: 8329965
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for inhibiting hydrate formation blockage in a flow line used to transport hydrocarbon containing fluids. Water is added to a hydrocarbon containing fluid to produce a water cut enhanced hydrocarbon containing fluid. Salt may be added to the hydrocarbon containing fluids as well. Hydrate formation blockage is inhibited from forming within the flow line by the addition of the water and/or the salt. Sufficient water may be added such that the hydrocarbon containing fluid is converted from a water in oil emulsion to a water continuous emulsion. A system for preventing the formation of hydrate blockage in conduits is also provided. The system includes a flow line for transporting a hydrocarbon containing fluid and a water injection conduit fluidly connected to the flow line to add water to the flow line to increase the water cut of a hydrocarbon containing fluid flowing through the flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick N. Matthews, Sivakumar Subramanian, Jefferson L. Creek
  • Method and System for Preventing Clathrate Hydrate Blockage Formation in Flow Lines by Enhancing Water Cut
    Publication number: 20110136700
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for inhibiting hydrate formation blockage in a flow line used to transport hydrocarbon containing fluids. Water is added to a hydrocarbon containing fluid to produce a water cut enhanced hydrocarbon containing fluid. Salt may be added to the hydrocarbon containing fluids as well. Hydrate formation blockage is inhibited from forming within the flow line by the addition of the water and/or the salt. Sufficient water may be added such that the hydrocarbon containing fluid is converted from a water in oil emulsion to a water continuous emulsion. A system for preventing the formation of hydrate blockage in conduits is also provided. The system includes a flow line for transporting a hydrocarbon containing fluid and a water injection conduit fluidly connected to the flow line to add water to the flow line to increase the water cut of a hydrocarbon containing fluid flowing through the flow line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Patrick N. MATTHEWS, Sivakumar Subramanian, Jefferson L. Creek