Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Killen

Ralph E. Killen 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).

  • Patent number: 8372354
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for mixing, cooling, and distributing multiphase fluid mixtures within a reactor, wherein reactor internal apparatus of the present invention provides not only improved fluid mixing and distribution to each underlying catalyst bed surface, but also offers other advantages including: decreased mixing tray height; easier maintenance, assembly and disassembly; and decreased amounts of fabrication material. In an embodiment, fluid may be evenly distributed to a catalyst bed from a fluid distribution unit comprising a nozzle tray including a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles include at least one liquid inlet disposed tangentially to an inner surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Killen, Craig Boyak, Steven X. Song, Abdenour Kemoun, Steve Souers, Krishniah Parimi, Zackory Akin
  • Patent number: 8211375
    Abstract: The invention is a fluid distribution device for coupling with a fluid distribution conduit or chimney for improving the distribution of downwardly flowing poly-phase mixture including at least one gas phase and at least one liquid phase, above at least one catalyst bed of granular solid catalytic material. The fluid distribution device for receiving the liquid and gas phases has one or more openings in the top and/or upper portion of its height through which a gas phase can enter and has a gas conduit that opens to a mixing cavity within the device. The fluid distribution device further comprises one or more lateral openings for liquid ingress. The lateral opening or openings allow the liquid to enter a liquid conduit that opens to the internal mixing cavity. The mixing cavity allows intimate contact between the liquid and gas phases. Therefore the flow distribution device of the invention provides improved tolerance for tray out of levelness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Krishniah Parimi, Steven X. Song, Ralph E. Killen, Ronald K. Meeker, Steven A. Souers
  • Patent number: 8202498
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for mixing, cooling, and distributing multiphase fluid mixtures within a reactor, wherein reactor internal apparatus of the present invention provides not only improved fluid mixing and distribution to each underlying catalyst bed surface, but also offers other advantages including: decreased mixing tray height; easier maintenance, assembly and disassembly; and decreased amounts of fabrication material. In an embodiment, fluid may be evenly distributed to a catalyst bed from a fluid distribution unit comprising a nozzle tray including a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles include at least one liquid inlet disposed tangentially to an inner surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Killen, Craig Boyak, Steven X. Song, Abdenour Kemoun, Steve Souers, Krishniah Parimi, Zackory Akin
  • Publication number: 20120014847
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for mixing, cooling, and distributing multiphase fluid mixtures within a reactor, wherein reactor internal apparatus of the present invention provides not only improved fluid mixing and distribution to each underlying catalyst bed surface, but also offers other advantages including: decreased mixing tray height; easier maintenance, assembly and disassembly; and decreased amounts of fabrication material. In an embodiment, fluid may be evenly distributed to a catalyst bed from a fluid distribution unit comprising a nozzle tray including a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles include at least one liquid inlet disposed tangentially to an inner surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ralph E. Killen, Craig Boyak, Steven X. Song, Abdenour Kemoun, Steve Souers, Krishniah Parimi, Zackory Akin
  • Publication number: 20120014849
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for mixing, cooling, and distributing multiphase fluid mixtures within a reactor, wherein reactor internal apparatus of the present invention provides not only improved fluid mixing and distribution to each underlying catalyst bed surface, but also offers other advantages including: decreased mixing tray height; easier maintenance, assembly and disassembly; and decreased amounts of fabrication material. In an embodiment, fluid may be evenly distributed to a catalyst bed from a fluid distribution unit comprising a nozzle tray including a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles include at least one liquid inlet disposed tangentially to an inner surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ralph E. Killen, Craig Boyak, Steven X. Song, Abdenour Kemoun, Steve Souers, Krishniah Parimi, Zackory Akin
  • Publication number: 20110081282
    Abstract: The invention is a fluid distribution device for coupling with a fluid distribution conduit or chimney for improving the distribution of downwardly flowing poly-phase mixture including at least one gas phase and at least one liquid phase, above at least one catalyst bed of granular solid catalytic material. The fluid distribution device for receiving the liquid and gas phases has one or more openings in the top and/or upper portion of its height through which a gas phase can enter and has a gas conduit that opens to a mixing cavity within the device. The fluid distribution device further comprises one or more lateral openings for liquid ingress. The lateral opening or openings allow the liquid to enter a liquid conduit that opens to the internal mixing cavity. The mixing cavity allows intimate contact between the liquid and gas phases. Therefore the flow distribution device of the invention provides improved tolerance for tray out of levelness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Krishniah Parimi, Steven X. Song, Ralph E. Killen, Ronald K. Meeker, Steven A. Souers