Patents by Inventor Sorin T. Lupascu

Sorin T. Lupascu 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: 11747081
    Abstract: A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) refrigeration compressors in a LNG liquefaction plant. Each of three refrigeration compression strings include refrigeration compressors and a multi-shaft gas turbine capable of non-synchronous operation. The multi-shaft gas turbine is operationally connected to the refrigeration compressors and is configured to drive the one or more refrigeration compressors. The multi-shaft gas turbine uses its inherent speed turndown range to start the one or more refrigeration compressors from rest, bring the one or more refrigeration compressors up to an operating rotational speed, and adjust compressor operating points to maximize efficiency of the one or more refrigeration compressors, without assistance from electrical motors with drive-through capability and variable frequency drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ashley R. Guy, Sorin T. Lupascu, Donna J. Parker, Yow Yeen Lee
  • Patent number: 11703276
    Abstract: A system and method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a natural gas stream. Each of a plurality of LNG trains liquefies a portion of the natural gas stream to generate a warm LNG stream in a first operating mode, and a cold LNG stream in a second operating mode. A sub-cooling unit is configured to, in the first operating mode, sub-cool the warm LNG streams to thereby generate a combined cold LNG stream. The warm LNG streams have a higher temperature than a temperature of the cold LNG streams in the second operating mode and the combined cold LNG stream. The combined cold LNG stream has, in the first operating mode, a higher flow rate than the flow rate of the cold LNG streams in the second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Sorin T. Lupascu, Yow-Yeen Lee
  • Publication number: 20220155008
    Abstract: A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) refrigeration compressors in a LNG liquefaction plant. Each of three refrigeration compression strings include refrigeration compressors and a multi-shaft gas turbine capable of non-synchronous operation. The multi-shaft gas turbine is operationally connected to the refrigeration compressors and is configured to drive the one or more refrigeration compressors. The multi-shaft gas turbine uses its inherent speed turndown range to start the one or more refrigeration compressors from rest, bring the one or more refrigeration compressors up to an operating rotational speed, and adjust compressor operating points to maximize efficiency of the one or more refrigeration compressors, without assistance from electrical motors with drive-through capability and variable frequency drives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Ashley R. Guy, Sorin T. Lupascu, Donna J. Parker, Yow-Yeen Lee
  • Patent number: 11274880
    Abstract: A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) refrigeration compressors in a LNG liquefaction plant. Each of three refrigeration compression strings include refrigeration compressors and a multi-shaft gas turbine capable of non-synchronous operation. The multi-shaft gas turbine is operationally connected to the refrigeration compressors and is configured to drive the one or more refrigeration compressors. The multi-shaft gas turbine uses its inherent speed turndown range to start the one or more refrigeration compressors from rest, bring the one or more refrigeration compressors up to an operating rotational speed, and adjust compressor operating points to maximize efficiency of the one or more refrigeration compressors, without assistance from electrical motors with drive-through capability and variable frequency drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Ashley R. Guy, Sorin T. Lupascu, Donna J. Parker, Yow-Yeen Lee
  • Publication number: 20220003496
    Abstract: A system and method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a natural gas stream. Each of a plurality of LNG trains liquefies a portion of the natural gas stream to generate a warm LNG stream in a first operating mode, and a cold LNG stream in a second operating mode. A sub-cooling unit is configured to, in the first operating mode, sub-cool the warm LNG streams to thereby generate a combined cold LNG stream. The warm LNG streams have a higher temperature than a temperature of the cold LNG streams in the second operating mode and the combined cold LNG stream. The combined cold LNG stream has, in the first operating mode, a higher flow rate than the flow rate of the cold LNG streams in the second operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Sorin T. Lupascu, Yow-Yeen Lee
  • Patent number: 11105553
    Abstract: A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. A standardized machinery string consisting of a multi-shaft gas turbine with no more than three compressor bodies, where the compressor bodies are applied to one or more refrigerant compressors employed in one or more refrigerant cycles (e.g., single mixed refrigerant, propane precooled mixed refrigerant, dual mixed refrigerant). The standardized machinery strings and associated standardized refrigerators are designed for a generic range of feed gas composition and ambient temperature conditions and are installed in opportunistic liquefaction plants without substantial reengineering and modifications. The approach captures D1BM (“Design 1 Build Many) cost and schedule efficiencies by allowing for broader variability in liquefaction efficiency with location and feed gas composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Donald J. Victory, Sorin T. Lupascu, Kary E. Saleeby, O. Angus Sites
  • Publication number: 20190063825
    Abstract: A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. A standardized machinery string consisting of a multi-shaft gas turbine with no more than three compressor bodies, where the compressor bodies are applied to one or more refrigerant compressors employed in one or more refrigerant cycles (e.g., single mixed refrigerant, propane precooled mixed refrigerant, dual mixed refrigerant). The standardized machinery strings and associated standardized refrigerators are designed for a generic range of feed gas composition and ambient temperature conditions and are installed in opportunistic liquefaction plants without substantial reengineering and modifications. The approach captures D1BM (“Design 1 Build Many) cost and schedule efficiencies by allowing for broader variability in liquefaction efficiency with location and feed gas composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Donald J. Victory, Sorin T. Lupascu, Kary E. Saleeby, O. Angus Sites
  • Publication number: 20180335253
    Abstract: A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) refrigeration compressors in a LNG liquefaction plant. Each of three refrigeration compression strings include refrigeration compressors and a multi-shaft gas turbine capable of non-synchronous operation. The multi-shaft gas turbine is operationally connected to the refrigeration compressors and is configured to drive the one or more refrigeration compressors. The multi-shaft gas turbine uses its inherent speed turndown range to start the one or more refrigeration compressors from rest, bring the one or more refrigeration compressors up to an operating rotational speed, and adjust compressor operating points to maximize efficiency of the one or more refrigeration compressors, without assistance from electrical motors with drive-through capability and variable frequency drives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Ashley R. Guy, Sorin T. Lupascu, Donna J. Parker, Yow-Yeen Lee
  • Publication number: 20170097189
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon processing plant, such an LNG plant, is disclosed. A piperack structure has a major axis parallel to the major axis of the train with which it is associated. A first multipurpose module, substantially pre-assembled prior to being transported to an operating location, has a major axis that is either parallel or perpendicular to the major axis of the piperack. The first multipurpose module contains: process components that perform a function related to hydrocarbon processing or handling; piping systems that connect the process components directly to a second module that is adjacent the first multipurpose module, and wherein at least part of the piping systems are aligned with the major axis of the piperack structure; and at least one heat exchanger located in the first multipurpose module and operationally connected to process components in the hydrocarbon processing plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Ashley R. Guy, Sorin T. LUPASCU
  • Publication number: 20170097188
    Abstract: A method of processing natural gas to produce liquefied natural gas using a consolidated refrigeration and liquefaction module. The natural gas is cooled in a first array of one or more heat exchangers using a first refrigerant from a first refrigerant circuit, wherein the first refrigerant is compressed in a first compressor. A second refrigerant from a second refrigerant circuit is compressed in a second compressor. The second refrigerant is cooled and partially condensed using the first refrigerant in a second array of one or more heat exchangers located in the consolidated refrigeration and liquefaction module. The partially condensed second refrigerant is separated into liquid and vapor phases using a refrigerant separator located in the consolidated refrigeration and liquefaction module. The natural gas is liquefied to produce LNG in a third array of one or more heat exchangers using the vapor and liquid phases of the partially condensed second refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Sorin T. Lupascu, Ashley R. Guy