Patents by Inventor Robert W. Kuskie

Robert W. Kuskie 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: 7674439
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Garry E. Jacobs, Steven W. Stupin, Robert W. Kuskie, Douglas E. Nelson, F. Emmett Bingham
  • Patent number: 6984365
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Nelson, Robert W. Kuskie, F. Emmet Bingham
  • Patent number: 6881387
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus (16) that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber (20), a rough distribution network (100), and a distribution apparatus (120). In the swirl chamber (20), reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber (20) through an aperture to the rough distribution system (100) where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus (120). The distribution apparatus (120) includes a plate (122) with a number of bubble caps (130) and associated a drip trace (150) that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps (130) to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps (130) to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Garry E. Jacobs, Steven W. Stupin, Robert W. Kuskie
  • Publication number: 20020039547
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Nelson, Robert W. Kuskie, F. Emmett Bingham, Garry E. Jacobs, Steven W. Stupin, Robert W. Kuskie, Robert A. Logman
  • Patent number: 6338828
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus is supported within a vessel of a reactor by a support structure that includes a concentric hub, which may be formed to act as a torsion tube, and at least a first set of radial beams extending radially outward from the hub and terminating at a support ring that is attached to the reactor vessel wall. In particular, the radial beams comprise a flange that supports the redistribution tray and a web of the beams preferably includes a plurality of openings to allow the passage of fluids across the vessel. In addition, the webs also carry the channels. The radial beams also support the mixing chamber and, in the area between the wall of the mixing chamber and the vessel wall, the radial beams may have a vertical height that slopes downward from the vessel wall to the mixing chamber wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Stupin, Garry E. Jacobs, Douglas E. Nelson, Robert W. Kuskie, F. Emmet Bingham
  • Patent number: 6098965
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Garry E. Jacobs, Steven W. Stupin, Robert W. Kuskie, Robert A. Logman
  • Patent number: 5989502
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. The distribution apparatus can be used in the reaction vessel without the swirl chamber and rough distribution system, e.g., at the top of a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Nelson, Robert W. Kuskie, F. Emmett Bingham