Patents by Inventor Richard P. O'Connor
Richard P. O'Connor 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).
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Patent number: 9994778Abstract: A direct coal liquefaction process and system is provided that utilizes a dispersed catalyst and recycle of atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms to produce a maximum yield of jet fuel/diesel or chemical plant feedstock while eliminating all slurry heat exchangers and a slurry preheat furnace. Process hydrogen is preheated in a heat exchanger and, if necessary, in a hydrogen furnace, and mixed with the recycled atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms being fed to the input of the direct liquefaction reactor. Heat for the hydrogen heat exchanger is provided by the overhead from the hot separator receiving the effluent from the direct liquefaction reactor. Product selectivity is controlled by operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Inventors: Richard F Bauman, Richard P O'Connor, Peter S Maa
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Publication number: 20160340592Abstract: A direct coal liquefaction process and system is provided that utilizes a dispersed catalyst and recycle of atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms to produce a maximum yield of jet fuel/diesel or chemical plant feedstock while eliminating all slurry heat exchangers and a slurry preheat furnace. Process hydrogen is preheated in a heat exchanger and, if necessary, in a hydrogen furnace, and mixed with the recycled atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms being fed to the input of the direct liquefaction reactor. Heat for the hydrogen heat exchanger is provided by the overhead from the hot separator receiving the effluent from the direct liquefaction reactor. Product selectivity is controlled by operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Richard F Bauman, Richard P. O'Connor, Peter S Maa
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Patent number: 8137444Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Calera CorporationInventors: Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Richard P. O'Connor, William Randall Seeker, Kyle Self, Justin Wall
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Publication number: 20110247336Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventors: Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Richard P. O'Connor, William Randall Seeker, Kyle Self, Justin Wall
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Publication number: 20100236242Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Richard P. O'Connor, William Randall Seeker, Kyle Self, Justin Wall
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Publication number: 20100230830Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Richard P. O'Connor, William Randall Seeker, Kyle Self, Justin Wall
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Publication number: 20100229725Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Richard P. O'Connor, William Randall Seeker, Kyle Self, Justin Wall
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Patent number: 6692711Abstract: Sour natural gas is processed to remove the sulfur compounds and recover C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons by scrubbing the gas with an amine solution to remove most of the sulfur, followed cooling the gas to remove C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons and more sulfur compounds as liquid condensate to produce a gas having less than 20 vppm of total sulfur. The condensate is sent to a fractionator to recover the C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons. The sulfur and hydrocarbon reduced gas is contacted first with zinc oxide and then nickel, to produce a gas having less than 10 vppb of total sulfur which is passed into a synthesis gas generating unit to form a very low sulfur synthesis gas comprising a mixture of H2 and CO. This synthesis gas is useful for hydrocarbon synthesis with increased life of the hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and greater hydrocarbon production from the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor. Contacting the synthesis gas with zinc oxide further reduces the sulfur content to below 3 vppb.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Dennis G. Alexion, Robert B. Fedich, John C. Wilbur, James H. Taylor, Jr., James P. Glass, Jr., Geoffrey R. Say, Richard P. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20030178342Abstract: Sour natural gas is processed to remove the sulfur compounds and recover C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons by scrubbing the gas with an amine solution to remove most of the sulfur, followed cooling the gas to remove C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons and more sulfur compounds as liquid condensate to produce a gas having less than 20 vppm of total sulfur. The condensate is sent to a fractionator to recover the C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons. The sulfur and hydrocarbon reduced gas is contacted first with zinc oxide and then nickel, to produce a gas having less than 10 vppb of total sulfur which is passed into a synthesis gas generating unit to form a very low sulfur synthesis gas comprising a mixture of H2 and CO. This synthesis gas is useful for hydrocarbon synthesis with increased life of the hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and greater hydrocarbon production from the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor. Contacting the synthesis gas with zinc oxide further reduces the sulfur content to below 3 vppb.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Dennis G. Alexion, Robert B. Fedich, John C. Wilbur, James H. Taylor, James P. Glass, Geoffrey R. Say, Richard P. O'Connor
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Patent number: 6168768Abstract: Sour natural gas is processed to remove the sulfur compounds and recover C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons by scrubbing the gas with an amine solution to remove most of the sulfur, followed cooling the gas to remove C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons and more sulfur compounds as liquid condensate to produce a gas having less than 20 vppm of total sulfur. The condensate is sent to a fractionator to recover the C4+C5+ hydrocarbons. The sulfur and hydrocarbon reduced gas is contacted first with zinc oxide and then nickel, to produce a gas having less than 10 vppb of total sulfur which is passed into a synthesis gas generating unit to form a very low sulfur synthesis gas comprising a mixture of H2 and CO. This synthesis gas is useful for hydrocarbon synthesis with increased life of the hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and greater hydrocarbon production from the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor. Contacting the synthesis gas with zinc oxide further reduces the sulfur content to below 3 vppb.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Dennis G. Alexion, Robert B. Fedich, John C. Wilbur, James H. Taylor, Jr., James P. Glass, Jr., Geoffrey R. Say, Richard P. O'Connor
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Patent number: 6103206Abstract: Very low sulfur content hydrocarbon gas is achieved by sequentially contacting the gas first with zinc oxide and then with nickel metal. This has reduced the total sulfur content of natural gas feed for a fluid bed syngas generator to less than 0.1 ppm and has resulted in greater syngas productivity. A zinc oxide guard bed downstream of the syngas generator reduces the total sulfur content of the syngas to less than 10 vppb and preferably less than 5 vppb. This very low sulfur content syngas is used for sulfur sensitive processes, such as hydrocarbon synthesis. The process is especially useful for natural gas which contains H.sub.2 S, COS, mercaptans and other sulfur bearing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CoInventors: James H. Taylor, Jr., James P. Glass, Jr., Geoffrey R. Say, Richard P. O'Connor
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Patent number: 5882614Abstract: Very low sulfur content hydrocarbon gas is achieved by sequentially contacting the gas first with zinc oxide and then with nickel metal. This has reduced the total sulfur content of natural gas feed for a fluid bed syngas generator to less than 0.1 ppm and has resulted in greater syngas productivity. A zinc oxide guard bed downstream of the syngas generator reduces the total sulfur content of the syngas to less than 10 vppb and preferably less than 5 vppb. This very low sulfur content syngas is used for sulfur sensitive processes, such as hydrocarbon synthesis. The process is especially useful for natural gas which contains H.sub.2 S, COS, mercaptans and other sulfur bearing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: James H. Taylor, Jr., James P. Glass, Jr., Geoffrey R. Say, Richard P. O'Connor
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Patent number: 5501006Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting signal leads to an integrated circuit transmits a distribution signal on a lead. A substrate is provided with leads interconnecting a number of bonding pads. The integrated circuit has a corresponding number of bonding pads. An insulation layer is interposed between the integrated circuit and the substrate except for the bonding pads. The distribution lead is connected to the bonding pads on the substrate. The bonding pads of the substrate and the bonding pads of integrated circuit are interconnected. With this approach, signals may be distributed radially from a central point to equidistant circuits instead of sequentially or serially through a number of circuits.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1994Date of Patent: March 26, 1996Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: John B. Gehman, Jr., Richard P. O'Connell
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Patent number: 4659459Abstract: A computerized chemical application system for a water treatment system. The water treatment system includes a main header into which water flows. Periodically water is dumped from the main header. Make-up water is then introduced. At least one liquid chemical is then provided from a tank under the force of gravity through a valve into the main header to replace those chemicals lost during the dumping process. In particular a system computer calculates the velocity of the introduced chemical based on the amount of time it takes for the chemical to flow past a conductivity sensing probe in a chamber of the system as well as the volumetric capacity of that chamber. With the velocity calculated the computer determines the length of time that the chemical is to be introduced and controls the valve accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1985Date of Patent: April 21, 1987Assignee: Betz Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Richard P. O'Leary, Davie B. Lawhon
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Patent number: 4648043Abstract: A computerized chemical application system for a water treatment system. The water treatment system includes a main header conduit through which water flows. Connected in shunt with the main header is a chemical introduction header of smaller diameter and a lower flow rate than the main header. A computer control is provided to sense the conductivity of a reference water flowing through the chemical introduction header. Injection means are provided to introduce a water treatment liquid into the chemical introduction header and to mix it thoroughly with the water flowing therein. The conductivity of the mixture is sensed, and based upon the differential conductivity and values relating conductivity to concentration for the water treatment liquid (which values are stored within the computer control) the amount of the water treatment liquid introduced is precisely controlled.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1984Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Assignee: Betz Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Richard P. O'Leary
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Patent number: 4533123Abstract: A mixing device for mixing at least two liquids to produce a homogenous mixture. The device includes an elongated chamber in which a vertically oriented elongated mixing cavity is located. The cavity is sealed at its lower end and it is open at its upper end and in communication with the interior of the chamber. An elongated conduit extends the length of the cavity and is adapted to receive liquids to be mixed. The conduit includes a plurality of ports located at longitudinally spaced positions therealong and which ports are directed in different directions. The ports create plural streams of liquid which interact and mix with one another within the cavity. The mixed liquids overflow the cavity and out its top end into the chamber 24. The chamber 24 includes an outlet from which the mixed liquids are withdrawn. In accordance with the preferred embodiment gas eductor means are provided in the inlet to the conduit to introduce gas bubbles within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1984Date of Patent: August 6, 1985Assignee: Betz Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Richard P. O'Leary
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Patent number: 4464315Abstract: A control system and method of controlling the cycling of water in a cooling tower system having a source of make-up water of variable conductivity. The control system apparatus includes respective probes for sensing tower water conductivity and make-up water conductivity. The probes provide signals to a controller unit. Desired cooling system water conductivity parameters are input into the controller unit. The controller unit serves to proportionally adjust the trip point at which dumping of the cooling tower water occurs based upon the sensed water conductivities and the input parameters to maintain a predetermined Langelier's number(s). Means are provided to display system conditions and to effect calibration of the system. The method entails establishing an indexing factor based upon the cooling water parameters and the desired Langelier's number(s) and using that indexing factor for adjusting the trip point.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1982Date of Patent: August 7, 1984Assignee: Betz Entec, Inc.Inventor: Richard P. O'Leary
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Patent number: 4460008Abstract: A control system and method of controlling the cycling of water in a cooling tower system having a course of make-up water of variable conductivity.The control system apparatus includes respective probes for sensing tower water conductivity and make-up water conductivity. The probes provide signals to a controller unit. Desired cooling system water conductivity parameters an input into the controller unit. The controller unit serves to proportionately adjust the trip point at which dumping of the cooling tower water occurs based upon the sensed water conductivities and the input parameters to maintain a predetermined Langelier's number(s). Means are provided to display system conditions and to effect calibrations of the system.The method entails establishing an indexing factor based upon the cooling water parameters and the desired Langelier's number(s) and using that indexing factor for adjusting the trip point.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1982Date of Patent: July 17, 1984Inventors: Richard P. O'Leary, Robert V. Morris
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Patent number: 4442009Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for controlling scale which would otherwise be formed from water-soluble calcium, magnesium and iron impurities contained in boiler water which would provide calcium, magnesium and iron ions.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1982Date of Patent: April 10, 1984Assignee: Betz Entec, Inc.Inventors: Richard P. O'Leary, David W. Reichgott
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Patent number: 4432862Abstract: A reformate lean oil absorber is used in the downstream processing facilities of a reformer unit to remove isobutane and heavier components from a separator overhead vapor, part of which is reformer recycle gas. Stabilized reformate may be employed as lean oil to the absorber, and the fat oil is recycled to the stabilizer for isobutane recovery of isobutane and normal butane as overhead product and C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid as bottoms product. The mixed butanes are separated, and the isobutane employed as alkylation feedstock. The n-butane is recycled with the naphtha to the reformer unit, the absence of butanes in the recycle gas considerably enhancing the amount of isobutane produced in the reforming unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1982Date of Patent: February 21, 1984Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: Gerrit S. Swart, Louis S. Dauber, Richard P. O'Connor