IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,084,977
Granted Patent B2
US 9,084,977 · App. 13/340,569 · Granted Jul 21, 2015

Method, system, and apparatus for lift gas distribution

Inventors: Stephen K. Pavel (Kingwood, TX); Michael A. Silverman (Houston, TX); Steven A. Kalota (Irvine, CA)
Assignee: Ivanhoe HTL Petroleum Ltd.
B01J8/1827B01J8/002B01J8/0278B01J8/44
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,084,977
App. No.
13/340,569
Granted
Jul 21, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for lift gas distribution are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a lift gas distributor comprises a plate having a surface and an underside, the plate having a first diameter; a center section of the plate having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter; a predetermined number of holes having a third diameter drilled into the surface of the plate, the holes drilled at an angle, the holes evenly distributed in the center section; and a plurality of tubes welded onto the underside of the plate, each tube having a predetermined length, wherein each tube is welded onto each hole. Lift gas passes through the tubes and holes into a reactor.

Claims (31)

1. A lift gas distributor, comprising:

a plate having a top reactor-facing surface and an underside, the plate having a first diameter;

a center section of the plate having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is at least twice as large as the second diameter;

a predetermined number of holes having a third diameter drilled into the surface of the plate, the holes drilled at an angle, the holes evenly distributed in the center section; and

a plurality of tubes welded onto the underside of the plate, each tube having a predetermined length, wherein each tube is welded onto each hole and is disposed below the top surface of the plate,

wherein all holes are within the center section of the plate.

2. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined number of holes is 16.

3. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined number of holes is 11.

4. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the holes are arranged in a 5-star pointed pattern.

5. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the third diameter is ¼ inches.

6. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the plate has a thickness of ¼ inches.

7. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined length of each tube is 4 inches.

8. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein each tube has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein a diameter of the tube gradually increases from the proximal end to the distal end.

9. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the angle is one of 90°, 45°, and 66°.

10. The lift gas distributor of claim 1 , wherein the holes are drilled at a plurality of angles, each angle selected from the group consisting of 90°, 45°, and 66°.

11. A method for lift gas distribution, comprising:

providing a lift gas distributor, the lift gas distributor comprising

a plate having a top surface facing a reactor and an underside, the plate having a first diameter;

a center section of the plate having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is at least twice as large as the second diameter;

a predetermined number of holes having a third diameter drilled into the surface of the plate, the holes drilled at an angle, the holes evenly distributed in the center section, and wherein all holes are within the center section of the plate; and

a plurality of tubes welded onto the underside of the plate, each tube having a predetermined length, wherein each tube is welded onto each hole and is disposed below the top surface of the plate; and

propelling lift gas from a windbox through the lift gas distributor into the reactor.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined number of holes is 16.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined number of holes is 11.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the holes are arranged in a 5-star pointed pattern.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the third diameter is ¼ inches.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plate has a thickness of ¼ inches.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined length of each tube is 4 inches.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein each tube has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein a diameter of the tube gradually increases from the proximal end to the distal end.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the angle is one of 90°, 45°, and 66°.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the holes are drilled at a plurality of angles, each angle selected from the group consisting of 90°, 45°, and 66°.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2014
From: IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
To: IVANHOE HTL PETROLEUM LTD.
Reel/Frame 032055/0444 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2012
From: PAVEL, STEPHEN K; SILVERMAN, MICHAEL A; KALOTA, STEVEN A
To: IVANHOE ENERGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 028174/0551 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61428122 · Dec 29, 2010
Related Publication 20120167989A1 · Jul 5, 2012