General Atomics: Higher margin from the bottom of the barrel

Petroleum Technology Quarterly (PTQ) Q3 2017 has just been released.  As usual, all of the articles appearing in the issue are worth reading.  One of them is the following …

///////
PTQ Q3 2017
Higher margin from the bottom of the barrel
Treating slurry oil in an electrostatic precipitator helps Indian refiners to increase production and profits and reduce environmental impact when processing
By Victor Scalco (victor.scalco@ga.com), General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group (http://www.ga.com/ems)
Victor Scalco’s LinkedIn profile is available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-scalco-9b6a2a16
Victor M Scalco III is Global Commercial Strategic Business Development Manager, Gulftronic Electrostatic Separators with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group. He has worked for more than 20 years in the design and implementation of hydrocarbon filtration and separation systems, involved in technical development and training with EPC and FCC/RFCC licensors worldwide. With experience in programme development for commercial applications, scoping studies and commissioning, he holds a MA degree from the University of San Diego, California.

[Excerpt]
The road ahead
India is looking to further develop and harness its various renewable energy sources. Millions of dollars in revenue to India’s oil and gas sector are being lost daily without considering the impact of environmental waste and the cost of lost revenue from the bottom of the barrel. In the effort to become selfsufficient, increased refinery margins alone will not sustain the rising cost of crude refining. Including the installation of the GES to existing refineries and those with failing mechanical filtration could effectively increase India’s energy supply, reduce environmental waste and create more efficiency in crude oil production.
Case studies and economics
Recently, an Indian refinery installed an electrostatic separator in preference to a mechanical filtration unit. The refinery conducted an economic study to evaluate the impact of the change in separation and filtration technologies. Several advantages became evident once the electrostatic separator unit was put on line.
///////

TIP: Google® General Atomics (or any other company) to find patents assigned to the company.  For example, Googling “general atomics” patent results in the following list …

///////
Selected Patents by Assignee General Atomics
Devices, systems and methods for passive control of flow
Patent number:  9567056
Abstract:  Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for controlling the flow of a fluid over the window of an optical instrument housing in a freestream flow field. For example, the flow upstream of the housing may be split to create a flow region over the window that is conducive to successful operation of the instrument. The flow region may be maintained for various rotations of the housing about yaw, pitch, and roll axes. The disclosed features in some embodiments induce flow regions with reduced spatial and temporal density gradients of the flow over the window.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  March 6, 2014
Date of Patent:  February 14, 2017
Assignee:  GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Inventors:  Siegfried Hermann Zerweckh, Michael Rudolf Ruith, Steven James Ruther, Pritesh Chetan Mody
Pseudo-conductor antennas
Patent number:  9543640
Abstract:  Techniques, devices and systems use pseudo-conductor materials as antennas to receive or radiate electromagnetic energy for communications and other applications. Methods of configuring an antenna can include, in some implementations, selecting a pseudo-conductor material having an electromagnetic constitutive property, wherein the electromagnetic constitutive property comprises a real part of the electromagnetic constitutive property that is greater than a corresponding imaginary part of the electromagnetic constitutive property; and forming the pseudo-conductor material into an antenna shape configured, upon being excited, to radiate emissions that satisfy a predefined antenna performance, such that the pseudo-conductor material formed in the antenna shape weakly guides an electromagnetic wave on the pseudo-conductor material using a leaky mode that is below cutoff to establish a field structure to radiate the emissions from the pseudo-conductor material that satisfy the antenna performance.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  September 30, 2014
Date of Patent:  January 10, 2017
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Rodolfo E. Diaz
Method and apparatus for inhibiting formation of and/or removing ice from aircraft components
Patent number:  9327839
Abstract:  Methods and systems are generally described that inhibit debris (such as ice) accretions and/or remove debris (such as ice) accretions from the exterior surface of an aircraft. In some embodiments, the invention is a system for an aircraft comprising: a component of the aircraft having a surface; a plurality of piezo-kinetic actuators each positioned proximate to a portion of the surface; and a control unit coupled to the plurality of actuators, the control unit configured to actuate one or more of the actuators at one or more frequencies between about 1 Hz and about 1 kHz; wherein the actuators are each configured to introduce a displacement of the surface in three dimensions to inhibit a formation of ice on at least the portion of the surface and to break up existing ice formations on at least the portion of the surface.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  August 5, 2011
Date of Patent:  May 3, 2016
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventors:  Alan M. Giles, James T. Machin, John A. Geriguis
Methods and apparatus for suppressing tritium permeation during tritium production
Patent number:  9202601
Abstract:  A tritium production element for use in a conventional power reactor, and methods of use and making, are provided, wherein the element experiences reduced tritium permeation during irradiation by incorporating a silicon carbide barrier that encapsulates one or more burnable absorber pellets. The tritium production element includes a tubular cladding that encloses a plurality of burnable absorber pellets, such that individual pellets or groups of pellets are disposed within a silicon carbide barrier layer.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  May 16, 2012
Date of Patent:  December 1, 2015
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Timothy Creston Bertch
Systems and methods for efficiently preparing plutonium-238 with high isotopic purity
Patent number:  9196389
Abstract:  A method for preparing plutonium-238 (Pu-238) includes using a nuclear reactor in irradiating a liquid containing a neptunium-237 (Np-237) based compound with neutrons to convert a portion of the Np-237 based compound to a Np-238 based compound; retaining the liquid containing the resulting mixture for a sufficient amount of time for the Np-238 based compound to at least partially convert to a Pu-238 based compound; and separating the Pu-238 based compound from the neptunium based compounds using fractional distillation or a chemical separation method.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  November 13, 2012
Date of Patent:  November 24, 2015
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventors:  Timothy Creston Bertch, Lloyd Chauncey Brown
High durability joints between ceramic articles, and methods of making and using same
Patent number:  9132619
Abstract:  Embodiments of the present invention provide high durability joints between ceramic articles, particularly between beta-silicon carbide (?-SiC) articles, and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, a joint between first and second articles each comprising a ceramic polymorph comprises a matrix comprising the ceramic polymorph and extending between the first and second articles; a plurality of inclusions comprising the ceramic polymorph and being distributed throughout the matrix; and a sealing layer comprising the ceramic polymorph and being respectively disposed on the first and second articles and the matrix.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  April 4, 2013
Date of Patent:  September 15, 2015
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventors:  Hesham Ezzat Khalifa, Christian Peter Deck, Christina Allyssa Back
DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PASSIVE CONTROL OF FLOW
Publication number:  20150251745
Abstract:  Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for controlling the flow of a fluid over the window of an optical instrument housing in a freestream flow field. For example, the flow upstream of the housing may be split to create a flow region over the window that is conducive to successful operation of the instrument. The flow region may be maintained for various rotations of the housing about yaw, pitch, and roll axes. The disclosed features in some embodiments induce flow regions with reduced spatial and temporal density gradients of the flow over the window.
Type:  Application
Filed:  March 6, 2014
Publication date:  September 10, 2015
Applicant:  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Inventors:  Siegfried Hermann Zerweckh, Michael Rudolf Ruith, Steven James Ruther, Pritesh Chetan Mody
Methods and apparatus for selective gaseous extraction of molybdenum-99 and other fission product radioisotopes
Patent number:  9076561
Abstract:  Methods and apparatus are provided for producing and extracting Mo-99 and other radioisotopes from fission products that overcome the drawbacks of previously-known systems, especially the excessive generation of radioactive wastes, by providing gas-phase extraction of fission product radioisotopes from a nuclear fuel target using a mixture including halide and an oxygen-containing species with heat to convert the fission product radioisotopes to gas (e.g., Mo-99 to MoO2Cl2 gas). The gaseous species are evacuated to a recovery chamber where the radioisotopes solidify for subsequent processing, while the substantially intact uranium target made available for further irradiation and extraction cycles.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  June 8, 2011
Date of Patent:  July 7, 2015
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Lloyd C. Brown
Pulsed interrupter and method of operation
Patent number:  9054530
Abstract:  Some embodiments provide interrupter systems comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a piston movably located at a first position and electrically coupled with the first and second electrodes establishing a closed state, the piston comprises an electrical conductor that couples with the first and second electrodes providing a conductive path; an electromagnetic launcher configured to, when activated, induce a magnetic field pulse causing the piston to move away from the electrical coupling with the first and second electrodes establishing an open circuit between the first and second electrodes; and a piston control system comprising a piston arresting system configured to control a deceleration of the piston following the movement of the piston induced by the electromagnetic launcher such that the piston is not in electrical contact with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode when in the open state.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  April 25, 2013
Date of Patent:  June 9, 2015
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventors:  Joel Lawton Drake, Robert Kratz
Reflective coating, pigment, colored composition, and process of producing a reflective pigment
Patent number:  8932724
Abstract:  A reflective coating is disclosed that has a base layer provided with a reflective surface for reflecting electromagnetic radiation, such as visible and solar near-infrared light. The reflective coating also has a dielectric layer formed on the reflective surface, and an absorber layer. The absorber layer is formed on the dielectric layer that is formed on the base layer. The reflective coating has an average reflectance greater than about 60% for wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation in the range of 800 to 2500 nm that is irradiated upon the reflective coating. Additionally, the reflective coating has an average reflectance for wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation in the range of 400 to 700 nm irradiated upon the reflecting coating that is less than the average reflectance of the reflective coating from 800 to 2500 nm.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  June 7, 2010
Date of Patent:  January 13, 2015
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Lawrence D. Woolf
System and Method for Using a Pulse Flow Circulation for Algae Cultivation
Publication number:  20140322805
Abstract:  A device for generating a pulsed flow in a channel containing a circulating algal culture can include a plate that is pivotably mounted on the channel and an activator. A pulsed flow is generated in the channel by first positioning the plate to impede the flow of circulating algal culture and then rotating the plate to a submerged position. The pulsed flow can be employed to counteract the negative effects of bio-fouling on algae cultivation equipment. In another arrangement, a device for generating a pulsed flow in a sloped raceway that is in fluid communication with a sump can include a gate. In different embodiments, the gate can operate as a so-called “pinch gate” or as a so-called “overflow gate.” In another aspect, a variable rate pump, such as a centrifugal pump, a screw pump or an airlift pump, is described for establishing a pulsed flow in a channel.
Type:  Application
Filed:  May 6, 2014
Publication date:  October 30, 2014
Applicant:  GENERAL ATOMICS
Inventors:  David A. Hazlebeck, Jiping Zhang, Kevin W. Downey, Xiaoxi Wu
High voltage amplifiers and methods
Patent number:  8854144
Abstract:  Some embodiments provide an amplifier apparatus, comprising: a plurality of amplifier transistor circuits coupled in series, wherein each of the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits comprises: a transistor, wherein the transistors of the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits are coupled in series; a transistor voltage control and drive circuit coupled with the corresponding transistor, wherein the transistor voltage control and drive circuit is configured to control and drive the corresponding transistor in accordance with received control signals and in parallel with the other of the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits; and isolation circuitry that isolates control of the transistor from control of the other of the amplifier transistor circuits; wherein the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits are configured to be controlled and driven in parallel relative to the control signals.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  September 14, 2012
Date of Patent:  October 7, 2014
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventors:  Paul Huynh, Joseph F. Tooker
Magnetic pseudo-conductor spiral antennas
Patent number:  8847846
Abstract:  A variable permeability antenna apparatus includes a first region configured for coupling with a feed of a radio frequency signal and a second region for transmitting the radio frequency signal. The permeability of material at the second region is greater than the permeability of material at the first region. Also, a spiral antenna for transmission or reception of radio frequency signals is disclosed.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  February 29, 2012
Date of Patent:  September 30, 2014
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Rodolfo E. Diaz
Pseudo-conductor antennas
Patent number:  8847840
Abstract:  Techniques, devices and systems use pseudo-conductor materials as antennas to receive or radiate electromagnetic energy for communications and other applications. Methods of configuring an antenna can include, in some implementations, selecting a pseudo-conductor material having an electromagnetic constitutive property, wherein the electromagnetic constitutive property comprises a real part of the electromagnetic constitutive property that is greater than a corresponding imaginary part of the electromagnetic constitutive property; and forming the pseudo-conductor material into an antenna shape configured, upon being excited, to radiate emissions that satisfy a predefined antenna performance, such that the pseudo-conductor material formed in the antenna shape weakly guides an electromagnetic wave on the pseudo-conductor material using a leaky mode that is below cutoff to establish a field structure to radiate the emissions from the pseudo-conductor material that satisfy the antenna performance.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  February 28, 2012
Date of Patent:  September 30, 2014
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Rodolfo E. Diaz
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USE IN STORING ENERGY
Publication number:  20140266058
Abstract:  Some embodiments provide energy storage systems that comprise: a first electrode; a second electrode; an electrolyte; the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrolyte are positioned such that the electrolyte is in contact with at least the first electrode; and a polarity reversal system electrically coupled with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the polarity reversal system is configured to allow the energy storage system to operate while a first polarity to charge and discharge electrical energy while operating in the first polarity, and the polarity reversal system is configured to reverse the voltage polarity across the first and second electrodes to a second polarity to allow the energy storage system to continue to operate while the second polarity is established across the first electrode and the second electrode to continue to charge and discharge electrical energy while operating in the second polarity.
Type:  Application
Filed:  March 15, 2013
Publication date:  September 18, 2014
Applicant:  GENERAL ATOMICS
Inventor:  General Atomics
Method and System for Growing Microalgae in an Expanding Plug Flow Reactor
Publication number:  20140248601
Abstract:  A method and system are provided for supporting the growth of algae cells. Initially, an inoculum of algae cells are grown in a closed bioreactor. Thereafter, the inoculum is passed into an open Expanding Plug Flow Reactor (EPFR). Growth medium is added at a plurality of locations along the EPFR. This addition is controlled in response to the growth rate of the algae cells to maintain a substantially same concentration of cells at each location in the EPFR. At all times, the medium provides sufficient nutrients to support growth and maintain a high concentration of algae cells, i.e., at least 0.5 grams per liter of medium, in the EPFR. After the desired level of growth is reached, the algae cells are transferred from the EPFR to a standard plug flow reactor wherein oil production is activated in the algae cells.
Type:  Application
Filed:  April 18, 2014
Publication date:  September 4, 2014
Applicant:  General Atomics
Inventors:  David A. Hazlebeck, Xiaoxi Wu
Hydrolase enzyme substrates and uses thereof
Patent number:  8795979
Abstract:  The present invention provides novel methods for determining the presence or amount of a hydrolytic enzyme in a sample, based on novel substrates for the enzymes, and also provides compositions and methods that provide highly sensitive assay methods for such hydrolytic enzymes.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  January 17, 2012
Date of Patent:  August 5, 2014
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventors:  Chong-Sheng Yuan, Xiaoru Chen
Magnetic pseudo-conductor conformal antennas
Patent number:  8773312
Abstract:  A radio frequency transmission apparatus includes a first elongated antenna element having a first feed end and a first aperture end. A second elongated element has a second feed end and a second aperture end. The second feed end is coupled to the first feed end. The first and second elongated antenna elements are positioned relative to each other to render a separation between the first antenna element and the second antenna element to increase from the first and second feed ends to the first and second aperture ends. The first and second antenna elements comprise pseudo-conductor material having an electromagnetic constitutive property having a real part greater than the corresponding imaginary part of the electromagnetic constitutive property.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  February 29, 2012
Date of Patent:  July 8, 2014
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Rodolfo E. Diaz
Optical system for reducing stimualted brillouin scattering by controllably changing polarization direction of an optical signal
Patent number:  8761607
Abstract:  An optical system having an input surface configured to receive an input optical signal having a polarization, and a polarization changer comprising the input surface and configured to generate two orthogonal polarization components from the input optical signal. The polarization changer also changes a direction of the polarization of the input optical signal in a controlled manner as a function of time while maintaining coherence of the two orthogonal polarization components in order to reduce stimulated Brillion scattering.
Type:  Grant
Filed:  September 30, 2011
Date of Patent:  June 24, 2014
Assignee:  General Atomics
Inventor:  Detao Du
METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ASSAYING VITAMIN D
Publication number:  20140162294
Abstract:  The present invention provides methods for assaying a vitamin D moiety in a sample, using a water miscible organic solvent, a specific binding partner that specifically binds to said vitamin D moiety, the binding partner being different from a natural vitamin D binding protein for the vitamin D moiety, and a water soluble polymer that facilitates binding between the specific binding partner and the vitamin D moiety. Kits and reaction mixtures for assaying a vitamin D moiety in a sample are also provided.
Type:  Application
Filed:  December 6, 2012
Publication date:  June 12, 2014
Applicant:  General Atomics
Inventors:  Chong-Sheng Yuan, Xiaoru Chen, Ruffy Baldemeca