Patents by Inventor Ronald David Hobbs

Ronald David Hobbs 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: 10287201
    Abstract: Produced water from a crude oil or natural gas production process is purified using a membrane purification system for petroleum production, agricultural, commercial and domestic uses. The produced water is pretreated to remove, at least, particulates and oil from the produced water. The minimally pretreated water is then purified in a membrane purification system, that is operated at conditions such that membrane scaling is reduced or prevented. In particular, the membrane purification system is operated to maintain the turbidity of clarified water feed to the system or intermediate aqueous streams that are cascading through the membrane purification system. Ensuring that the turbidity of the reject streams generated in the membrane system are useful in achieving long membrane operating life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Sandra Heimel, Ronald David Hobbs, Fan-Sheng Teddy Tao
  • Publication number: 20160009582
    Abstract: Produced water from a crude oil or natural gas production process is purified using a membrane purification system for petroleum production, agricultural, commercial and domestic uses. The produced water is pretreated to remove, at least, particulates and oil from the produced water. The minimally pretreated water is then purified in a membrane purification system, that is operated at conditions such that membrane scaling is reduced or prevented. In particular, the membrane purification system is operated to maintain the turbidity of clarified water feed to the system or intermediate aqueous streams that are cascading through the membrane purification system. Ensuring that the turbidity of the reject streams generated in the membrane system are useful in achieving long membrane operating life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Sandra Heimel, Ronald David Hobbs, Fan-Sheng Teddy Tao
  • Publication number: 20150376033
    Abstract: Produced water from a crude oil or natural gas production process is purified using a membrane purification system for petroleum production, agricultural, commercial and domestic uses. The produced water is pretreated to remove, at least, particulates and oil from the produced water. The minimally pretreated water is then purified in a membrane purification system that is operated at conditions such that membrane scaling is reduced or prevented. In particular, the membrane purification system is operated to maintain the turbidity of clarified water feed to the system or intermediate aqueous streams that are cascading through the membrane purification system. Ensuring that the turbidity of the reject streams generated in the membrane system are useful in achieving long membrane operating life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Fan-Sheng Teddy Tao, Ronald David Hobbs, Cheng Chen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan
  • Publication number: 20150360988
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the percent recovery and water quality in water with high levels of hardness. Embodiments of the method include receiving a produced water composition, partially softening the water composition, and directing the partially softened water composition through at least one reverse osmosis unit. The method may be used to purify and clarify produced water from oil and gas operations for use in boilers or once-through steam generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Fan-Sheng Teddy Tao, Ronald David Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20140202927
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the separation of oil-water micellar emulsion, such as those found in production fluid. Specifically, an embodiment of the invention is separating oil and water phases in recovered production fluid by adding an ionic salt such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and/or a high-molecular weight alcohol, such as 2-ethyl hexanol or decanol, to the production fluid. The production fluid may include fluids produced from an enhanced oil recovery method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Fan-Sheng Teddy Tao, Ronald David Hobbs, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Taimur Malik, Sophany Thach