Patents by Inventor Ralph Evan Killen

Ralph Evan 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).

  • Publication number: 20150375188
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an upwardly convex fixed-bed catalyst support for a hydroprocessing reactor. The catalyst bed support includes an upwardly convex annular-shaped plate having an outer end in communication with the reactor inner surface, and an inner end in communication with a horizontal hub assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Craig BOYAK, Ralph Evans KILLEN
  • Patent number: 9199213
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an upwardly convex fixed-bed catalyst support for a hydroprocessing reactor. The catalyst bed support includes an upwardly convex annular-shaped plate having an outer end in communication with the reactor inner surface, and an inner end in communication with a horizontal hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Boyak, Ralph Evans Killen
  • Patent number: 9079141
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vortex-type mixing device for a down-flow hydroprocessing reactor. In particular, the device improves the effectiveness of an existing mixing volume in mixing the gas phase and liquid phase of two-phase systems. According to the present invention, the mixing device helps create a highly arcuate flow to incoming effluents and a high degree of mixing within a constrained interbed space of a hydroprocessing reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Boyak, Abdenour Kemoun, Ralph Evans Killen, Krishniah Parimi, Steven Xuqi Song
  • Patent number: 8597595
    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: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Zackory S. Akin, Craig R. Boyak, Abdenour Kemoun, Ralph Evan Killen, Krishniah Parimi, Steven Xuqi Song, Steven Alden Souers
  • Publication number: 20130082125
    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: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Zackory S. Akin, Craig R. Boyak, Abdenour Kemoun, Ralph Evan Killen, Krishniah Parimi, Steven Xuqi Song, Steven Alden Souers
  • Publication number: 20130064731
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an upwardly convex fixed-bed catalyst support for a hydroprocessing reactor. The catalyst bed support includes an upwardly convex annular-shaped plate having an outer end in communication with the reactor inner surface, and an inner end in communication with a horizontal hub assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Craig Boyak, Ralph Evans Killen
  • Publication number: 20130064740
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vortex-type mixing device for a down-flow hydroprocessing reactor. In particular, the device improves the effectiveness of an existing mixing volume in mixing the gas phase and liquid phase of two-phase systems. According to the present invention, the mixing device helps create a highly arcuate flow to incoming effluents and a high degree of mixing within a constrained interbed space of a hydroprocessing reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Craig Boyak, Abdenour Kemoun, Ralph Evans Killen, Krishniah Parimi, Steven Xuqi Song