Patents by Inventor Scott M. Whitney
Scott M. Whitney 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: 9764252Abstract: A system and method for enhancing separation of a denser phase liquid from a lighter phase liquid within a multiphase stream. In one example, a cyclonic coalescer has a tubular housing and a plurality of coaxial flow chambers extending in the axial direction of the housing. A swirling element is associated with each of the plurality of coaxial flow chambers. The swirling elements are constructed and arranged to impart a tangential velocity of the stream flowing through the associated flow chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Scott M. Whitney, Edward J. Grave, Tracy A. Fowler
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Patent number: 9359878Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into an inlet line within the separation system. The multiphase fluid is configured to flow through a divide and be split into separate lines of similar diameter. A control volume is also connected at the end of the separate lines, and the control volume has a diameter greater than the separate lines of similar diameter. The control volume includes outlet lines, and is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet line. Also included in the current disclosure is a sand boot connected to the separate lines that is oriented vertically with respect to the separate lines, and is configured to collect and remove sand accumulated in the multiphase separation system.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Scott M. Whitney, Per Reidar Larnholm
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Patent number: 9322253Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for the production of hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing a stream directly from a hydrocarbon reservoir to a cavern and performing a phase separation of the stream within the cavern to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The method also includes flowing at least a portion of the aqueous phase or the organic phase, or both, directly from the cavern to a subsurface location and offloading at least a portion of the organic phase from the cavern to a surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Michael D. Barry, James S. Brown, Daniel P. Leta, Moses K. Minta, Scott M. Whitney, Paul L. Tanaka
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Patent number: 9314715Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into feed lines within the multiphase separation system, wherein the feed lines consist of an upper line, a middle line, and a lower line. The upper line is configured to flow a first stream substantially including oil into an oil section of a control volume. The middle line is configured to flow a second stream substantially including an oil/water emulsion into an oil/water emulsion section of the control volume. The lower line is configured to flow a third stream substantially including water into a water section of the control volume. The control volume is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet, wherein the oil section, the water section, and the oil/water emulsion section each commingle at different heights of the control volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Edward J. Grave, Adam S. Bymaster, Michael D. Olson, Per-Reidar Larnholm, Scott M. Whitney
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Publication number: 20150306520Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into feed lines within the multiphase separation system, wherein the feed lines consist of an upper line, a middle line, and a lower line. The upper line is configured to flow a first stream substantially including oil into an oil section of a control volume. The middle line is configured to flow a second stream substantially including an oil/water emulsion into an oil/water emulsion section of the control volume. The lower line is configured to flow a third stream substantially including water into a water section of the control volume. The control volume is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet, wherein the oil section, the water section, and the oil/water emulsion section each commingle at different heights of the control volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Edward J. Grave, Adam S. Bymaster, Michael D. Olson, Per-Reidar Larnholm, Scott M. Whitney
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Publication number: 20150260026Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into an inlet line within the separation system. The multiphase fluid is configured to flow through a divide and be split into separate lines of similar diameter. A control volume is also connected at the end of the separate lines, and the control volume has a diameter greater than the separate lines of similar diameter. The control volume includes outlet lines, and is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet line. Also included in the current disclosure is a sand boot connected to the separate lines that is oriented vertically with respect to the separate lines, and is configured to collect and remove sand accumulated in the multiphase separation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Per Reidar Larnholm
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Publication number: 20150014258Abstract: A system and method for enhancing separation of a denser phase liquid from a lighter phase liquid within a multiphase stream. In one example, a cyclonic coalescer has a tubular housing and a plurality of coaxial flow chambers extending in the axial direction of the housing. A swirling element is associated with each of the plurality of coaxial flow chambers. The swirling elements are constructed and arranged to impart a tangential velocity of the stream flowing through the associated flow chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Edward J. Grave, Tracy A. Fowler
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Publication number: 20140338921Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for the production of hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing a stream directly from a hydrocarbon reservoir to a cavern and performing a phase separation of the stream within the cavern to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The method also includes flowing at least a portion of the aqueous phase or the organic phase, or both, directly from the cavern to a subsurface location and offloading at least a portion of the organic phase from the cavern to a surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Michael D. Barry, James S. Brown, Daniel P. Leta, Moses K. Minta, Scott M. Whitney, Paul L. Tanaka
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Publication number: 20140209465Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for separating oil and water streams. The method includes separating a fluid stream into an oil continuous stream and a water continuous stream using a cyclonic separator, flowing the oil continuous stream to a first gravity separation vessel, and flowing the water continuous stream to a second gravity separation vessel. The method also includes separating the oil continuous stream in the first gravity separation vessel into an oil stream and a water stream and separating the water continuous stream in the second gravity separation vessel into an oil stream and a water stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Per-Reidar Larnholm