Eugene L Thomas

US Patent:

6632266, Oct 14, 2003

Filed:

Sep 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/234920

Inventors:

Eugene R. Thomas - Houston TX
Harry W. Deckman - Clinton NJ
Donald J. Victory - Sugar Land TX
Ronald R. Chance - Annandale NJ
Russell H. Oelfke - Houston TX

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

B01D 5322

US Classification:

95 49, 95 50, 95 51

Abstract:

The invention relates to a method of separating one or more components from a multi-component gas stream comprising at least one non-acid gas component and at least one acid gas component. A multi-component gas stream at a pressure above 1,200 psia (82. 8 bar) and a temperature above 120Â F. (48. 9Â C. ) with the concentration of at least one acid gas component in the gas stream being at least 20 mole percent is passed to a membrane system that selectively separates at least one acid gas component from the multi-component gas stream as a permeate stream. The permeate stream has a pressure at least 20% of the pressure of the feed pressure.

US Patent:

6755251, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Sep 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/234907

Inventors:

Eugene R. Thomas - Houston TX
Thomas A. Paulley - Houston TX
Donald J. Victory - Sugar Land TX
Harry W. Deckman - Clinton NJ

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 4308

US Classification:

166265, 166266, 166227

Abstract:

The invention is a method and system of separating a multi-component fluid in a wellbore. At least one fluid separation membrane comprising a feed side and a permeate side is incorporated in the wellbore. A flowing stream of the multi-component fluid obtained from a subterranean zone being in fluid communication with the wellbore is passed across the feed side of the membrane at a first pressure. A retentate stream depleted in at least one component compared to the multi-component fluid is withdrawn from the feed side of the membrane and passed to the earths surface. A permeate stream at a second pressure is withdrawn from the permeate side, in which the permeate stream is enriched in at least one component compared with the multi-component fluid. The second pressure is controlled to maintain the second pressure below the first pressure.

US Patent:

7128150, Oct 31, 2006

Filed:

Sep 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/234620

Inventors:

Eugene R. Thomas - Houston TX, US
P. Scott Northrop - Spring TX, US
Hua Hu - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/38
E21B 43/40

US Classification:

166266, 166265, 166306, 166401, 166402, 40512935, 588250

Abstract:

This invention is method of recovering gas from a gas-bearing subterranean formation in which gas is produced from an upper portion of the formation and a waste gas is injected into a lower portion of the formation to dispose of the waste gas. The waste gas is injected within a 3000 foot (914 m) radial distance from the production of the gas. The injection and production can be carried out using one well or a plurality of wells.

US Patent:

8529662, Sep 10, 2013

Filed:

Apr 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/080660

Inventors:

Bruce T. Kelley - Kingwood TX, US
Paul S. Northrop - Spring TX, US
Ronald R. Chance - Annandale NJ, US
Harry W. Deckman - Clinton NJ, US
Eugene R. Thomas - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company - Annandale NJ

International Classification:

B01D 53/047

US Classification:

95 96, 95148

Abstract:

A process for the separation of one or more heavy hydrocarbon gases from a gas mixture containing heavy hydrocarbon gas components and methane. The process is conducted in swing adsorption apparatus containing adsorbent contactor having a plurality of flow channels and wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactors, is in the mesopore and macropore range.

US Patent:

48598020, Aug 22, 1989

Filed:

Mar 4, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/163929

Inventors:

Eugene R. Thomas - Houston TX
Robert E. Steele - Houston TX

Assignee:

Exxon Production Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

C07C 3772

US Classification:

568621

Abstract:

A process is described for removing contaminants from a contaminant-laden solution of dialkyl ethers of polyethylene glycols (polyether solvent) by mixing the solution with an aqueous base solution. The mixture produces at least two liquid phases of different densities, which are then separated from each other. The lighter liquid phase is predominantly the polyether solvent while the heavier liquid phase is predominantly the aqueous base solution and the contaminants. The process is particularly useful in removing triethylene glycol and other glycol-based dehydration solvents.

US Patent:

59504536, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Jun 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/099262

Inventors:

Ronald R. Bowen - Magnolia TX
Eric T. Cole - Kingwood TX
Edward L. Kimble - Sugar Land TX
Eugene R. Thomas - Houston TX
Lonny R. Kelley - Houston TX

Assignee:

Exxon Production Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F25J 300

US Classification:

62612

Abstract:

This invention relates to a process for liquefying a pressurized gas stream rich in methane in which the liquefication of the gas stream occurs in a heat exchanger being cooled by a closed-loop multi-component refrigeration system to produce a methane-rich liquid product having a temperature above about -112. degree. C. (-170. degree. F. ) and a pressure sufficient for the liquid product to be at or below its bubble point. The liquefied gas product is then introduced to a storage means at a temperature above about -112. degree. C. (-170. degree. F. ).

US Patent:

60239425, Feb 15, 2000

Filed:

Jun 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/099589

Inventors:

Eugene R. Thomas - Houston TX
Ronald R. Bowen - Magnolia TX
Eric T. Cole - Kingwood TX
Edward L. Kimble - Sugar Land TX

Assignee:

Exxon Production Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F25J 100

US Classification:

62613

Abstract:

This invention relates to a process for liquefying a gas stream rich in methane and having a pressure above about 3103 kPa (450 psia). The gas stream is expanded to a lower pressure to produce a gas phase and a liquid product having a temperature above about -112. degree. C. (-170. degree. F. ) and a pressure sufficient for the liquid product to be at or below its bubble point. The gas phase and the liquid product are then phase separated in a suitable separator, and the liquid product is introduced to a storage means for storage at a temperature above about -112. degree. C. (-170. degree. F. ).

US Patent:

51203383, Jun 9, 1992

Filed:

Mar 14, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/669167

Inventors:

William A. Potts - Houston TX
Eugene R. Thomas - Midland TX

Assignee:

Exxon Production Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F25J 500

US Classification:

62 12

Abstract:

The invention relates to a method for separating two primary components of a multi-component feed stream (e. g. , methane and nitrogen) in the presence of a third, freezable component (e. g. , carbon dioxide) having a relative volatility less than that of either primary component. The inventive process employs both a distillation section and a controlled freezing zone ("CFZ"). The freezable component is allowed to freeze in the CFZ, and the resulting solids are collected at the bottom of the CFZ. The CFZ also produces a vapor overhead product enriched in one of the primary components and a liquid bottom product enriched in the other primary component. The solids of the freezable component are melted and mixed with the CFZ liquid bottom product to form a liquid feed stream for the distillation section which operates like a conventional distillation section, while tolerating significantly high concentrations (i. e. , >0. 1 mole %) of the freezable component without solids formation, at temperatures well below the freezable component's freezing point.