Patents by Inventor Randall Boyd Pruet

Randall Boyd Pruet 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: 8357289
    Abstract: A method and system for removing contaminants from a fluid are provided. The method can generally include providing microstructures in the fluid. At least some of the contaminants in the fluid are attracted to the microstructures and adhered to the microstructures. With the contaminants attached to the microstructures, the microstructures can be separated from the fluid so that the contaminants are thereby removed from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Boyd Pruet
  • Publication number: 20110155666
    Abstract: A method and system using hybrid forward osmosis and nanofiltration is disclosed for treating produced water containing contaminant species. The system comprises a forward osmosis cell and a downstream nanofiltration cell. A draw solution fluid cycles between the forward osmosis cell and the nanofiltration cell. The draw solution contains polyvalent osmotic agents producing polyvalent ions in the draw solution. The passage of monovalent ions through the nanofiltration membrane is hindered due to the presence of conjugate polyvalent ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Prakhar Prakash, Randall Boyd Pruet, De Q. Vu
  • Patent number: 7901578
    Abstract: A method and system for treating an aqueous stream in the production of hydrocarbon are provided. An osmotic operation is performed between the stream of produced water and a stream of draw fluid to transfer water from the produced water to the draw fluid, thereby diluting the draw fluid to form a stream of diluted draw fluid and concentrating the produced water to form a stream of concentrated produced water. The concentration of the produced water can facilitate the subsequent removal of contaminants therefrom, and, in some cases, the diluted draw fluid can be re-used, e.g., for injection into the well of the hydrocarbon production operation or as a fertilizing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Boyd Pruet
  • Publication number: 20110003901
    Abstract: A process of using super critical water in a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis gas process to enhance carbon efficiency and/or process waste streams and/or provide for CO2 recycle is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Randall Boyd Pruet
  • Publication number: 20090277797
    Abstract: A method and system for removing contaminants from a fluid are provided. The method can generally include providing microstructures in the fluid. At least some of the contaminants in the fluid are attracted to the microstructures and adhered to the microstructures. With the contaminants attached to the microstructures, the microstructures can be separated from the fluid so that the contaminants are thereby removed from the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Boyd Pruet
  • Publication number: 20090261040
    Abstract: A method and system for treating an aqueous stream in the production of hydrocarbon are provided. An osmotic operation is performed between the stream of produced water and a stream of draw fluid to transfer water from the produced water to the draw fluid, thereby diluting the draw fluid to form a stream of diluted draw fluid and concentrating the produced water to form a stream of concentrated produced water. The concentration of the produced water can facilitate the subsequent removal of contaminants therefrom, and, in some cases, the diluted draw fluid can be re-used, e.g., for injection into the well of the hydrocarbon production operation or as a fertilizing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Randall Boyd Pruet