| KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20130099166 | Reforming Exchanger System With Intermediate Shift Conversion - A reforming exchanger system for syngas production is provided. The reforming exchanger system can have a first and a second reforming exchanger, each with a shell-and-tube configuration, and a shift reactor located intermediate to the first and second reforming exchangers to reduce carbon monoxide concentration in the outlet gas. Processes for forming syngas using the reforming exchanger systems described herein are also provided. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130099165 | Reforming Exchanger With Integrated Shift Conversion - Reforming exchangers for syngas production are provided. The reforming exchangers can have a shell-and-tube configuration and include a shift catalyst on the shell side of the exchanger to reduce a carbon monoxide concentration in a shell side product gas mixture. Processes for forming syngas using the reforming exchangers are also provided. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130087742 | Apparatus And Methods For Saturating And Purifying Syngas - Apparatus and processes for saturating and purifying syngas are provided. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus can include two packed beds through which water and syngas flow countercurrently. In the first bed, the syngas can be at least partially saturated with water, and in the second bed hydrocarbons, byproducts, or both can be removed from the syngas. Processes for saturating and purifying syngas using the apparatus discussed and described herein are also provided. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130072723 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CO-PRODUCING A LOW-METHANOL CONTENT ACETONE - Methods and systems for producing low methanol concentration acetone are provided. The method can include oxidizing and cleaving cumene to produce a crude acetone product. The crude acetone product can be neutralized in a neutralization unit to produce a neutralized crude acetone product. The neutralized crude acetone product can be fractionated in an acetone fractionation column to produce an acetone product and an acetone bottoms product. Methanol can be removed from the acetone bottoms product to produce a methanol-depleted product. The methanol-depleted product can be introduced to the neutralization unit, a dephenolation unit, or both. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130069009 | Systems And Methods For Controlling The Gasification Of Hydrocarbon Feedstocks - Systems and methods for controlling the gasification of one or more hydrocarbon feedstocks are provided. In the method, a first oxidant can be introduced to a gasifier and a first hydrocarbon feedstock can be introduced to the gasifier downstream of the first oxidant. A second oxidant can also be introduced to the gasifier downstream of the first oxidant and the first hydrocarbon feedstock. The second oxidant can be introduced from a location that is external to the gasifier. At least a portion of the first hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified to produce a syngas. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130068609 | Dividing Wall Column for Alpha-Methylstyrene and Cumene Distillation - Methods and systems for fractionating a crude alpha-methylstyrene (AMS) feed using one or more dividing wall columns are provided. The method can include introducing a crude AMS to a fractionation column, wherein the fractionation column contains a dividing wall disposed at least partially within the fractionation column such that an internal volume of the fractionation column is divided into at least a pre-fractionation section and a main fractionation section. The crude AMS can be introduced to the pre-fractionation section of the fractionation column. A light hydrocarbon can be withdrawn from the fractionation column at or proximal a first end thereof, a side-stream can be withdrawn from the main fractionation section of the fractionation column, and a heavy hydrocarbon can be withdrawn from the fractionation column at or proximal the second end thereof. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130055637 | Systems And Methods For Producing Substitute Natural Gas - Systems and methods for processing a hydrocarbon are provided. The method can include gasifying a feedstock within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be processed within a purification system to provide a treated syngas. A first portion of the treated syngas can be converted into a first effluent in a first methanator. The first effluent can be mixed with a second portion of the treated syngas to provide a first mixed effluent. The first mixed effluent can be converted into a second effluent in a second methanator. The second effluent can be mixed with a third portion of the treated syngas to provide a second mixed effluent. The second mixed effluent can be converted into a third effluent in a third methanator. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130041195 | Systems And Methods For Controlling Transport Reactors - Systems and methods for operating transport reactors are provided. The method can include fluidizing one or more particulates within a transport reactor. The one or more particulates can include one or more carbonaceous materials. The method can also include maintaining one or more pressure differentials between two or more points within the transport reactor using at least one integrally geared compression system. The at least one integrally geared compression system can include a bull gear, at least one pinion, and two or more compressors. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130037750 | Systems And Methods For Starting Up A Gasifier - Systems and methods for starting a gasifier are provided. In the method, a heated start-up medium can be fed to a gasifier operating at a first temperature. Heat can be transferred from the heated start-up medium to the gasifier to increase the temperature of the gasifier from the first temperature to an intermediate temperature sufficient to auto-ignite a start-up fuel. A start-up fuel and an oxidant can be fed to the gasifier after the temperature within the gasifier is increased to the intermediate temperature. At least a portion of the start-up fuel can be combusted within the gasifier to produce a combustion gas. Heat can be transferred from the combustion gas to the gasifier to increase the temperature of the gasifier to an operating temperature, wherein the operating temperature is sufficient to gasify at least a portion of a hydrocarbon feedstock. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20120267575 | Systems and Methods for Operating a Gasifier - Systems and methods for operating a gasifier are provided. The method can include combusting a first start-up fuel to produce a first combustion gas. A temperature within the gasifier can be increased from a starting temperature to at least an auto-ignition temperature of a second start-up fuel by introducing the first combustion gas to the gasifier. A second start-up fuel can be introduced directly to the gasifier after the temperature within the gasifier is at least the auto-ignition temperature of the second start-up fuel. At least a portion of the second start-up fuel can be combusted within the gasifier to produce a second combustion gas. The second combustion gas can produce sufficient heat to increase the temperature within the gasifier to a hydrocarbon feedstock gasification temperature. A hydrocarbon feedstock can be introduced to the gasifier. At least a portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified within the gasifier to produce a syngas. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120237434 | Split Flow Contactor - Systems and methods for contacting a liquid, gas, and/or a multi-phase mixture with particulate solids. The system can include a body having a first head and a second head disposed thereon. Two or more discrete fixed beds can be disposed across a cross-section of the body. One or more unobstructed fluid flow paths can bypass each fixed bed, and one or more baffles can be disposed between the fixed beds. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120211206 | PARTICULATE COOLER - Methods, systems, and apparatus for cooling particulates are provided. The apparatus can include one or more coils at least partially disposed within a cylindrical housing. The one or more coils can include a plurality of tubulars connected by return bends disposed at one or more ends thereof. The apparatus can further include a support grid at least partially disposed within the housing and secured to one or more inner surfaces of one or more sidewalls thereof. The support grid can include a plurality of cross members formed of a series of concentric cylinders connected together by a plurality of radially disposed gussets. An outermost concentric cylinder can be disposed proximate the one or more inner surfaces of the one or more sidewalls, and at least one of the one or more coils can be secured to at least one of the cross members, at least one of the gussets, or both. The support grid can also include one or more beams having a first end and a second end fastened to different points on the one or more inner surfaces of the one or more sidewalls. The cross members can be disposed on at least one of the one or more beams. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120204721 | SYSTEM FOR REDUCING HEAD SPACE IN A PRESSURE CYCLONE - A pressure cyclone is disclosed having a concave top head, wherein the concave top head has a substantially flat roof disposed in the interior of the cyclone vessel. An inlet is tangentially-coupled to the vessel and has an inlet nozzle disposed therein and configured to smoothly transition into the cyclone vessel to create a vortex that separates solid particulates from an incoming particulate-fluid suspension. In particular, the one surface of the inlet nozzle is tangent to the inner surface of cyclone vessel and another surface of the inlet nozzle is parallel and continuous with the substantially flat roof. An inlet casing is disposed around a length of the inlet nozzle and configured to transition from a circular casing to an elliptical casing along the length of the inlet nozzle, and couple to the vessel with the elliptical casing. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120199518 | Cyclone Plenum Turbulator - Methods and apparatus for preventing coke formation in a plenum are provided. The apparatus can include a turbulator for use in a plenum. The turbulator can include a deflector disposed inside the plenum proximate an inlet to the plenum from a cyclone, wherein the plenum and the cyclone are disposed in a fluid catalytic cracker. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120195817 | Systems and Methods for Producing Syngas and Products Therefrom - A method can include combusting an expanded turbine exhaust and a first fuel within a first reformer to produce a first exhaust. A hydrocarbon can be reformed in the first reformer to produce a reformed hydrocarbon and heat can be transferred from the first exhaust to a first medium. A refrigeration unit can be powered with thermal energy from the heated first medium and can cool a second medium. Heat can be transferred from one or more oxidants to the cooled second medium to produce cooled first and second oxidants. The cooled first oxidant and a second fuel can be introduced to a gas turbine unit to produce the expanded turbine exhaust and mechanical power. The cooled second oxidant can be compressed in a compressor powered with the mechanical power and the compressed second oxidant and the reformed hydrocarbon can be introduced to a second reformer to produce a syngas. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120173752 | Methods for Managing Data Acquisition and Transfer - Systems and methods for data management are provided. A raw data stream can be transmitted from an import provider to a processing module, and the raw data stream can include relevant variables and non-relevant variables. A reference table can be built for the raw data stream. The relevant variables can be selected from within the reference table. The relevant variables can be manipulated to provide output data. The output data can be re-ordered to provide re-ordered output data. The re-ordered output data can be organized into an output table. At least a portion of the re-ordered output data from the output table can be transmitted as one or more output data streams to one or more management tools. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120172627 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING AROMATIC AMINES AND REMOVING PHENOL THEREFROM - Systems and methods for producing aromatic amines and removing phenol therefrom are provided. The method can include hydrogenating one or more aromatic nitro compounds to produce a reaction product comprising one or more aromatic amines, water, and phenol. The method can also include contacting the reaction product with one or more ion exchange materials to produce an aromatic amine product that contains less phenol than the reaction product. The one or more ion exchange materials can be solid, semi-solid, or a combination thereof. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120168352 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING HYDROCARBON FEEDSTOCKS - Systems and methods for processing a hydrocarbon feedstock are provided. The method can include removing a portion of one or more impurities from a non-phenolic sour water to produce a treated sour water and a waste byproduct. The non-phenolic sour water can have a total concentration of impurities ranging from about 100 ppmw to about 125,000 ppmw. The treated sour water can have a total concentration of impurities ranging from about 1 ppmw to about 4,000 ppmw. The treated sour water can be heated to produce steam. A hydrocarbon feedstock can be contacted with the steam at conditions sufficient to separate the hydrocarbon feedstock into at least a first hydrocarbon product and a second hydrocarbon product. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120168142 | SUBMERSED HEAT EXCHANGER - Systems and methods for transporting a hydrocarbon are provided. The method can include introducing a fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature to an inlet of a pump and pressurizing the fluid within the pump to produce a pressurized fluid having a second pressure and a second temperature. The method can also include flowing at least a portion of the pressurized fluid through a first heat exchanger and back to the inlet of the pump. The heat exchanger can include a coil having an inlet and an outlet and a housing at least partially enclosing the coil and having a first opening and a second opening. A first end of the coil can be disposed proximate the first opening. The heat exchanger can also include a foundation for supporting the coil and the housing. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120168127 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXCHANGING HEAT IN A GASIFICATION SYSTEM - Systems and methods for exchanging heat in a gasification system are provided. The method can include introducing one or more particulates and a heat transfer medium including a feed water, a deaerated feed water, or a combination thereof, to a first zone. The method can also include indirectly exchanging heat from the one or more particulates to the heat transfer medium within the first zone to provide an intermediate heat transfer medium and cooled particulates. The method can also include introducing at least a portion of the intermediate heat transfer medium and a syngas to a second zone. The method can also include indirectly exchanging heat from the syngas to the intermediate heat transfer medium within the second zone to provide a heat transfer medium product and a cooled syngas. The heat transfer medium product can include steam. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120167466 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAINTAINING SULFUR CONCENTRATION IN A SYNGAS TO REDUCE METAL DUSTING IN DOWNSTREAM COMPONENTS - Systems and methods for maintaining a sulfur concentration in a syngas are provided. The method can include combining sulfur and a carbonaceous material to produce a sulfur containing carbonaceous feed. The method can also include gasifying at least a portion of the sulfur containing carbonaceous feed to produce a syngas and detecting a sulfur concentration in the syngas. The method can further include adjusting an amount of the sulfur combined with the carbonaceous material based on the detected sulfur concentration. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120167463 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GASIFYING A FEEDSTOCK - Systems and methods for gasifying a feedstock are provided. The method can include combining one or more feedstocks and one or more solid components in a treatment zone to provide a treated feedstock. At least a portion of the treated feedstock can be introduced to a reaction zone of a gasifier. The one or more solid components can have an average density and an average cross-sectional size that adjusts at least one of an average density of solids within a solids bed of the gasifier and an average cross-sectional size of the solids within the solids bed of the gasifier. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120165591 | INTEGRATED LIGHT OLEFIN SEPARATION/CRACKING PROCESS - Systems and methods for producing a hydrocarbon are provided. The method can include separating a hydrocarbon comprising olefins and paraffins to produce an olefin-rich hydrocarbon comprising about 70 wt% or more olefins and a paraffin-rich hydrocarbon comprising about 70 wt% or more paraffins. The method can also include cracking at least a portion of the olefin-rich hydrocarbon in the presence of one or more catalysts at conditions sufficient to produce a cracked product comprising about 20 wt% or more C | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120165584 | Systems and Methods for Processing Hydrocarbons - Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. In one or more embodiments, the method can include thermally converting a hydrocarbon comprising methane to produce a first product comprising acetylene. The method can also include hydrogenating the first product to produce a second product comprising ethylene. The method can further include catalytically reacting the second product with one or more butene products to produce a third product comprising propylene. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163928 | Plug resistant nozzle for fluidization of particulates - Apparatus, systems, and methods for fluidizing particulates in a fluid/particulate mixture. A nozzle can include a gas entry segment, a gas exit segment, and an access segment. The gas exit segment can be coupled to the gas entry segment, and a longitudinal axis of the gas exit segment can be oriented at an angle of between about 70° and about 110° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the gas entry segment. The access segment can be coupled to the gas entry segment and the gas exit segment, and a longitudinal axis of the access segment can be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the gas exit segment. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120152829 | BIOLOGICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT METHOD - The invention relates to a method of treating wastewater, and includes capturing carbon dioxide and oxygen produced during treatment of the wastewater by a wastewater treatment system, and using the captured carbon dioxide and oxygen to promote the growth of algae contained within the wastewater treatment system. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120107189 | Direct Stripping Cyclone - Systems and methods for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension are provided. An apparatus for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension can include an enclosed vessel having two or more sections disposed coaxially along a common longitudinal centerline, wherein a first section has a first cross sectional area and a second section has a second cross sectional area. A plurality of apertures can be disposed about the second section. The apparatus can have a cylindrical surface, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the apparatus, disposed within the first section. A fluid distribution channel having a plurality of apertures can be disposed either about an exterior surface or an interior of the apparatus. A plurality of fluid conduits can provide fluid communication between the fluid distribution channel and the plurality of apertures distributed about the second section. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101323 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING SUBSTITUTE NATURAL GAS - Systems and methods for producing synthetic natural gas are provided. The method can include gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be cooled to provide a cooled raw syngas. The cooled raw syngas can be processed in a purification system to provide treated syngas. The purification system can include a flash gas separator in fluid communication with the gasifier and a saturator. The treated syngas can be converted to synthetic natural gas to provide steam, a methanation condensate, and a synthetic natural gas. The methanation condensate can be introduced to the flash gas separator. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120091032 | Flash Processing A Solvent Deasphalting Feed - Systems and methods for deasphalting a hydrocarbon are provided. A hydrocarbon can be heated to a first temperature and pressurized to a first pressure. The pressurized hydrocarbon can be depressurized to separate at least a portion of the hydrocarbon to provide a vaporized hydrocarbon mixture and a residual hydrocarbon that can include asphaltenes. The residual hydrocarbon can be mixed with a solvent to provide a first mixture. The first mixture can be heated to a second temperature. The asphaltenes can be separated from the first mixture to provide a first product and a second product. The first product can include a deasphalted oil and at least a portion of the solvent. The second product can include the asphaltenes and the remaining portion of the solvent. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120089347 | Displacement Generator for Fatigue Analysis of Floating Prduction and Storage Unit Process and Utility Piping - In one or more embodiments, a method is disclosed for performing fatigue analysis for a given process and utility piping geometry having one or more restraint locations disposed about a floating vessel. The method can include the steps of generating one or more bending moment polynomials from bending moment data associated with the floating vessel; generating a slope polynomial from each of the bending moment polynomials by integrating each of the one or more bending moment polynomials; generating a displacement polynomial from each of the slope polynomials by integrating each of the one or more slope polynomials; solving the slope polynomial integration constants; and solving the displacement polynomial integration constants to provide slope and displacement polynomials representing the floating vessel response to excitations while at sea. In one or more embodiments, a system is disclosed for performing fatigue analysis for a given process and utility piping geometry having one or more restraint locations disposed about a floating vessel. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120070364 | High Pressure Cyrogenic Process and System for Producing Ammonia Products - Systems and methods for producing ammonia and/or ammonia products. The ammonia and/or ammonia products can be produced by compressing a gas mixture comprising nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, and argon to produce a compressed gas mixture having a pressure of from about 1,000 kPa (130 psig) to about 10,400 kPa (1,495 psig). All or a portion of the compressed gas mixture can be selectively separated at cryogenic conditions to produce a first gas comprising nitrogen and hydrogen, and a second gas comprising methane, argon, residual hydrogen and nitrogen. At least a portion of the first gas can be reacted at conditions sufficient to produce an ammonia product. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20110303582 | Vacuum Distilled DAO Processing in FCC with Recycle - System and method for processing hydrocarbon. One or more embodiments of the method include combining a first hydrocarbon including a de-asphalted oil with a recycled hydrocarbon product to produce a combined hydrocarbon, cracking the combined hydrocarbon to produce a cracked hydrocarbon product, and recycling at least a portion of the cracked hydrocarbon product to provide the recycled hydrocarbon product, wherein the recycled hydrocarbon product comprises a cycle oil product, a naphtha product, or a combination thereof. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110271893 | WEB FRAME - A marine structure comprises a supporting member adapted to be located at least partially immersed in water. The supporting member comprises a wall at least partially delimiting the supporting member such that an inner side of the wall at least partially delimits an inner hollow volume of the supporting member and an outer side of the wall is adapted to be in contact with the ambient environment of the supporting member. The supporting member further comprises a stiffening web frame attached to the wall in order to modify the structural capacity of the supporting member, which stiffening web frame comprises a rib and a flang. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271836 | SYSTEM FOR REDUCING HEAD SPACE IN A PRESSURE CYCLONE - A pressure cyclone is disclosed having a concave top head, wherein the concave top head has a substantially flat roof disposed in the interior of the cyclone vessel. An inlet is tangentially-coupled to the vessel and has an inlet nozzle disposed therein and configured to smoothly transition into the cyclone vessel to create a vortex that separates solid particulates from an incoming particulate-fluid suspension. In particular, the one surface of the inlet nozzle is tangent to the inner surface of cyclone vessel and another surface of the inlet nozzle is parallel and continuous with the substantially flat roof. An inlet casing is disposed around a length of the inlet nozzle and configured to transition from a circular casing to an elliptical casing along the length of the inlet nozzle, and couple to the vessel with the elliptical casing. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110257005 | SYSTEM FOR A HEAT BALANCED FCC FORLIGHT HYDROCARBON FEEDS - Catalyst regenerators and methods for using same. The regenerator can include a regenerator housing containing a dense phase catalyst bed for receiving a catalyst to be regenerated. A heater can be disposed in the regenerator and can have a fuel nozzle configured to eject a mixture of fuel and an oxygen-lean gas for combustion to supplement the heat to satisfy the reactor heat demand when a light feedstock cracked that may not provide sufficient coke formation on the catalyst to fully satisfy the reactor heat demand. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110253600 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING PARTICULATES FROM A PARTICULATE-FLUID MIXTURE - Methods and apparatus for separating particulates from a fluid are provided. The apparatus can include a separation section having at least one wall, a first end, a second end, and an inner metal surface exposed to an internal volume of the separation section. The apparatus can also include a fluid discharge outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume at the first end. The apparatus can also include a particulate discharge outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume at the second end. The apparatus can also include an inlet in fluid communication with the internal volume. The inlet can be disposed intermediate the first end and the second end. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110251047 | Systems and Methods for Regenerating A Spent Catalyst - Systems and methods for regenerating a spent catalyst are provided. The method can include mixing a spent catalyst with a carrier fluid to provide a mixture. The spent catalyst can include carbon deposited on at least a portion thereof. The carrier fluid can include an oxygen containing gas. The mixture can be introduced to or above an upper surface of a dense phase catalyst zone disposed within a regenerator. A gas can be introduced to a lower zone of the dense phase catalyst zone. At least a portion of the carbon deposited on the catalyst can be combusted to provide a flue gas, heat, and a regenerated catalyst. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110251046 | Systems and Methods for Regenerating A Spent Catalyst - Systems and methods for regenerating a spent catalyst are provided. The method can include heating a hydrocarbon and a coke precursor in the presence of catalyst particles to provide a cracked hydrocarbon product and coked catalyst particles. The cracked hydrocarbon product and the coked catalyst particles can be selectively separated to provide a hydrocarbon product and coked catalyst particles. The coked catalyst particles can be mixed with a carrier fluid to provide a mixture. The mixture can be introduced to an upper surface of a dense phase catalyst zone disposed within a regenerator. A gas can be introduced to a lower zone of the dense phase catalyst zone. At least a portion of the carbon deposited on the coked catalyst particles can be combusted to provide a flue gas, heat, and a regenerated catalyst. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248126 | Systems And Methods For Supporting A Pipe - Systems and methods for supporting one or more pipes are provided. The pipe support system can include a first isolator and a second isolator at least partially disposed about a pipe such that at least a portion of the first and second isolators oppose one another. The pipe support system can also include a third isolator at least partially disposed about the pipe between a first set of ends of the first and second isolators and a fourth isolator at least partially disposed about the pipe between a second set of ends of the first and second isolators such that at least a portion of the third and fourth isolators oppose one another. An inner surface of the combination of the first, second, third, and fourth isolators can surround a perimeter of the pipe to provide an insulated pipe. The pipe system can also include at least one clamp at least partially disposed about the insulated pipe. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110217403 | System for Hot Asphalt Cooling and Pelletization Process - Systems for pelletizing hot asphaltenes are provided. Asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be dispersed to provide two or more asphaltenic particles. The asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be at a temperature of from about 175° C. to about 430° C. The asphaltenic particles can be contacted with a film of cooling medium. The film can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 500 mm. At least a portion of the asphaltenic particles can be solidified by transferring heat from the asphaltenic particles to the cooling medium to provide solid asphaltenic particles. The solid asphaltenic particles can be separated from at least a portion of the cooling medium. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110210292 | Gasification System And Process For Maximizing Production Of Syngas and Syngas-Derived Products - A gasification system and method. The system can include a gasifier and a purification unit fluidly coupled to the gasifier, with the purification unit receiving raw syngas from the gasifier and producing waste gas and a syngas product. The system can also include a first reformer fluidly coupled to the purification unit, with the first reformer receiving a first portion of the waste gas and producing reformed hydrocarbon. The system can further include a second reformer having a first inlet fluidly coupled to the purification unit, a second inlet fluidly coupled to the first reformer, and an outlet fluidly coupled to the purification unit. The second inlet can receive the reformed hydrocarbon from the first reformer, and the first inlet can receive a second portion of the waste gas from the purification unit. The second reformer can produce a recovered raw syngas that is directed to the purification unit. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110206594 | Systems and Methods for Producing Syngas and Products Therefrom - Systems and methods for producing syngas and ammonia are provided. The method can include reforming a hydrocarbon in a first reaction zone in the presence of one or more first catalysts and steam at conditions sufficient to produce an effluent comprising a portion of the hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. The effluent can be reformed in a second reaction zone in the presence of one or more second catalysts and nitrogen at conditions sufficient to produce a syngas comprising methane, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, or any combination thereof. At least a portion of the nitrogen and hydrogen in the syngas can be converted to ammonia to produce an ammonia effluent. The ammonia effluent can be separated to produce an ammonia product and a purge gas comprising nitrogen. At least a portion of the purge gas can be recycled to the hydrocarbon, the effluent, or a combination thereof. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110191074 | Systems and Methods for Performing Stress Intensity Factor Calculations Using Non-Singluar Finite Elements - Systems and methods are disclosed for determining stress intensity factors. In one or more embodiments, the method can include the steps of defining a crack tip zone about one or more crack tips of one or more arbitrarily shaped cracks in an arbitrarily shaped solid. The one or more crack tip zones can be constrained within a finite element model representation mesh of the arbitrarily shaped solid to provide one or more constrained crack tip zones. The combination of the finite element model representation mesh and the one or more constrained crack tip zones can be processed to determine the stress intensity factor for each of the one or more arbitrarily shaped cracks. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110185631 | Systems and Methods of Pelletizing Heavy Hydrocarbons - Systems and methods for pelletizing a molten heavy hydrocarbon that can be extruded from a drop former to create a plurality of droplets that are subsequently quenched in a cooling media to create asphaltenic pellets. The asphaltenic pellets can be solidified by transferring heat from the droplets to the cooling media to provide the solid asphaltenic pellets. The solid asphaltenic pellets can then be separated from the cooling media which can be recycled for use. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110094937 | Residuum Oil Supercritical Extraction Process - Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. A hydrocarbon can be selectively separated to provide one or more finished products and an asphaltenic hydrocarbon using a pretreatment process. The asphaltenic hydrocarbon can be selectively separated to provide a deasphalted oil and one or more asphaltenes. At least a portion of the deasphalted oil can be converted to one or more first products using a first post-treatment process. At least a portion of the one or more asphaltenes can be converted to one or more second products using a second post-treatment process. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110042621 | PRE-REFORMER WITH EXTENDED SURFACE AND METHOD - Apparatus, system, and method for producing syngas. The apparatus can include a first reformer, which can include a radiant section having a reformer tube disposed therein. The reformer tube can be at least partially filled with a first catalyst. The first reformer can also include a transition section coupled to the radiant section, a convective section coupled to the transition section, and a plurality of pre-reformer tubes disposed in the transition section. The plurality of pre-reformer tubes can be filled with a second catalyst and fluidly coupled to the reformer tube via a line external to the plurality of pre-reformer tubes. At least one of the plurality of pre-reformer tubes can have at least one extended surface disposed thereon. The second reformer can be coupled to the reformer tube and to an oxidant source. The third reformer can be coupled to the second reformer and to the reformer tube. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110042620 | Apparatus, Systems, And Processes for Producing Syngas and Products Therefrom - Apparatus, systems, and processes for reforming hydrocarbons are provided. The process can include reforming a first hydrocarbon in the presence of steam and one or more first catalysts in a first reformer to produce a first reformed hydrocarbon. The process can also include reforming the first reformed hydrocarbon in the presence of one or more second catalysts in a second reformer to produce a second reformed hydrocarbon. The process can also include reforming a second hydrocarbon in the presence of steam and one or more third catalysts in a third reformer to produce a third reformed hydrocarbon, where heat from the second reformed hydrocarbon is transferred to the second hydrocarbon to support reforming of the second hydrocarbon. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110022547 | Staged Hydrocarbon Conversion Process - Systems and methods for staging an investment in hydrocarbon processing are provided. In a first stage, a hydrocarbon feed can be apportioned equally or unequally into first and second portions. The first portion can be mixed with one or more oxidants and gasified to provide a first effluent, at least a portion of which can be combusted to provide steam. The second portion can be mixed with one or more solvents to provide one or more fungible hydrocarbon products, at least a portion of which can be sold to generate capital. In a second stage, the hydrocarbon feed can be mixed with one or more solvents and one or more non-catalytic solids and the resultant mixture thermally cracked to provide one or more hydrocarbon products and coked non-catalytic solids. The coked, non-catalytic solids can be regenerated and recycled. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20100162755 | Method for Nitrogen Rejection and or Helium Recovery in an Liquefaction Plant - Methods of reducing the concentration of low boiling point components in liquefied natural gas are disclosed. The methods involve dynamic decompression of the liquefied natural gas and one or more pre-fractionation vessels. Particular embodiments are suited for recovering helium and/or nitrogen enriched streams from a liquefied natural gas stream. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100147529 | Systems and Methods for Controlling Risers - Systems and methods for controlling movement of an elongated member providing communication between a vessel and a subsea unit are provided. The method can include connecting a positively buoyant member to an elongated member at a first location and connecting a negatively buoyant member to the elongated member at a second location, wherein at least a portion of the negatively buoyant member rests on a seabed when the elongated member is in an operational null position. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100135825 | Multiple Motors Driving a Single Compressor String - Systems and methods of driving a compressor are provided. The compressor can be driven by multiple electric motors, which can be controlled by an adjustable speed drive (ASD) to increase efficiency. A torque controller may also be included. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100132259 | Systems and Methods for Improving Ammonia Synthesis Efficiency - Systems and methods for producing syngas are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, a hydrocarbon can be reformed in the presence of steam and one or more first catalysts in a first reaction zone to provide an effluent containing a portion of the hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen at a first temperature. The first reaction zone can include one or more catalyst-containing tubes. The effluent can be indirectly heated from the first temperature to a second temperature. The effluent at the second temperature can be reformed in the presence of one or more oxidants and one or more second catalysts at conditions sufficient to provide a syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and less than about 5% mol, dry basis, methane. The syngas can be used to indirectly heat the effluent from the first temperature to the second temperature. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100132257 | Systems and Methods for Increasing Carbon Dioxide in Gasification - Systems and methods for processing carbonaceous material are provided. In one or more embodiments, a carbonaceous material and water can be mixed to provide a slurried mixture. The water mixed with the carbonaceous material can be at least 90% liquid phase. At least a portion of the slurried mixture can be gasified in the presence of a combustion gas to provide carbonaceous solids and a syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The syngas can be at a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 1,650° C. At least a portion of the carbonaceous solids can be selectively separated from the syngas to provide a syngas product and carbonaceous solids. At least a portion of the separated carbonaceous solids can be combusted in the presence of an oxidant to provide at least a portion of the combustion gas. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100116711 | Systems and Methods for Producing N-Paraffins From Low Value Feedstocks - Systems and methods for producing n-paraffins are provided. The method can include hydroprocessing at least a portion of a kerosene fraction recovered from a thermally cracked hydrocarbon product to produce a hydroprocessed kerosene product comprising n-paraffins. The n-paraffins can be separated from the hydroprocessed kerosene product to produce an n-paraffins product. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100108487 | DIVIDING WALL COLUMN WITH A HEAT PUMP - Systems and methods for separating a multi-component fluid are provided. The method can include introducing a multi-component fluid to a dividing wall column. The multi-component fluid can be heated to provide a first product, a second product, an intermediate distillate, and a process fluid. At lest a portion of the first product can be compressed to provide a compressed first product. Heat can be indirectly transferred from the compressed first product to at least a portion of the intermediate distillate to provide a heated intermediate distillate. The heated intermediate distillate can be recycled to the dividing wall column. The compressed first product can be expanded. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100076222 | Systems and Methods for Integrated Ammonia-Urea Process - Methods for producing urea are provided. A method for producing urea can include exchanging heat from a syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a urea solution comprising urea and ammonium carbamate. The heat transferred can be sufficient to decompose at least a portion of the ammonium carbamate. In one or more embodiments, the syngas can be reacted with liquid ammonia to provide a carbon dioxide lean syngas and an ammonium carbamate solution. The ammonium carbamate solution can be heated to a temperature of about 180 C or more. At least a portion of the ammonium carbamate in the heated ammonium carbamate solution can be dehydrated to provide the urea solution. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074812 | Low Pressure Drop Reforming Reactor - A syngas reforming reactor has a shell-and-tube configuration wherein the shell-side fluid flow path through the tube bundle has a longitudinal configuration. The reactor can include a shell-side inlet fluid distributor plate below the lower end of the tube bundle. The longitudinal flow configuration can provide a lower shell-side pressure drop and lower cost compared to a conventional cross-flow reforming exchanger | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100016635 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATED AMMONIA-UREA PROCESS - Systems and methods for producing urea are provided. A method for producing urea can include exchanging heat from a syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a urea solution comprising urea and ammonium carbamate. The heat transferred can be sufficient to decompose at least a portion of the ammonium carbamate. In one or more embodiments, the syngas can be reacted with liquid ammonia to provide a carbon dioxide lean syngas and an ammonium carbamate solution. The ammonium carbamate solution can be heated to a temperature of about 180° C. or more. At least a portion of the ammonium carbamate in the heated ammonium carbamate solution can be dehydrated to provide the urea solution. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100012595 | Direct Stripping Cyclone - Systems and methods for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension are provided. An apparatus for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension can include an enclosed vessel having two or more sections disposed coaxially along a common longitudinal centerline, wherein a first section has a first cross sectional area, and a second section has a second cross sectional area. A plurality of apertures can be disposed about the second section. The apparatus can have a cylindrical surface, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the apparatus, disposed within the first section. A fluid distribution channel having a plurality of apertures can be disposed either about an exterior surface or an interior of the apparatus. A plurality of fluid conduits can provide fluid communication between the fluid distribution channel and the plurality of apertures distributed about the second section. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100011664 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING SUBSTITUTE NATURAL GAS - Systems and methods for producing synthetic natural gas are provided. The method can include gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be cooled to provide a cooled raw syngas. The cooled raw syngas can be processed in a purification system to provide treated syngas. The purification system can include a flash gas separator in fluid communication with the gasifier and a saturator. The treated syngas can be converted to synthetic natural gas to provide steam, a methanation condensate, and a synthetic natural gas. The methanation condensate can be introduced to the flash gas separator. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100011663 | Method for Liquefaction of Natural Gas - A method of altering the heating value of a liquefied natural gas by adding higher heating value components is disclosed. A portion of the liquefied natural gas is used to cool the higher heating value component stream prior to combining the higher heating value components with the liquefied natural gas to obtain a combined stream having a heating value greater than the liquefied natural gas. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20090299119 | Heat Balanced FCC For Light Hydrocarbon Feeds - Systems and methods for processing hydrocarbons are provided. A first hydrocarbon feed containing one or more C4 to C20 hydrocarbons having a research octane number of less than 88 can be cracked at a first temperature and in the presence of one or more catalysts to provide a first cracked mixture. A second hydrocarbon feed can be introduced to the first mixture to provide a second mixture. The second mixture can be cracked at the first temperature to provide a second cracked mixture containing propylene and one or more hydrocarbons having a research octane number of about 88 to about 95, and one or more coked catalysts. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090299118 | FCC For Light Feed Upgrading - Systems and methods for upgrading hydrocarbons are provided. A first hydrocarbon can be cracked in the presence of one or more catalysts to provide a first cracked mixture containing one or more light cycle oils (LCOs) and one or more coked catalysts. A second hydrocarbon, containing one or more C4 to C20 hydrocarbons and having a Research Octane Number of less than 88, can be mixed with the one or more catalysts to provide a first mixture at a second temperature. A third hydrocarbon can be combined with the first mixture to provide a second mixture. The second mixture can be cracked to provide a second cracked mixture containing propylene, one or more mixed hydrocarbons in the gasoline boiling range having a Research Octane Number greater than 88, and one or more coked catalysts. The first cracked mixture and second cracked mixture can be combined to provide a third mixture. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090297427 | Cold Wall Horizontal Ammonia Converter - Systems and methods for producing ammonia. Nitrogen and hydrogen can be supplied to a reaction zone disposed inside an inner shell. The inner shell can be disposed inside an outer shell such that a space is formed therebetween. The reaction zone can include at least one catalyst bed in indirect heat exchange with the space. The nitrogen and hydrogen can be reacted in the reaction zone in the presence of at least one catalyst to form an effluent comprising ammonia. The effluent can be recovered from the inner shell and cooled to provide a cooled effluent stream. A cooling fluid can be provided to the outer shell such that the cooling fluid flows through at least a portion of the space and is in fluid communication with the exterior of the inner shell. At least a portion of the cooled effluent can provide at least a portion of the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid can then be recovered from the outer shell as an ammonia product. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294330 | Heavy Hydrocarbon Dewatering and Upgrading Process - Systems and methods for processing hydrocarbons are provided. A first mixture including one or more hydrocarbons and water can be separated to provide a first waste water and a second mixture. The second mixture can be apportioned into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be separated to provide a second waste water and a third mixture. At least a portion of the third mixture and hydrocarbon containing solids can be combusted to provide a combustion gas. A portion of the hydrocarbon containing solids can be gasified to provide regenerated solids and gasified hydrocarbons. A portion of the second portion can be vaporized and cracked in the presence of the combustion gas and gasified hydrocarbons to provide vaporized hydrocarbons and cracked hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons can be deposited onto the regenerated solids to provide the hydrocarbon containing solids. At least a portion of the combustion gas, gasified hydrocarbons, vaporized hydrocarbons, and cracked hydrocarbons can be selectively separated from the hydrocarbon containing solids to provide a hot gas product. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294328 | INTEGRATED SOLVEN DEASPHALTING AND GASIFICATION - Systems and methods for processing hydrocarbons are provided. A hydrocarbon containing one or more asphaltenes and one or more non-asphaltenes can be mixed with a solvent. The ratio of the solvent to the hydrocarbon can be about 2:1 to about 10:1. The asphaltenes can be selectively separated from the non-asphaltenes. A portion of the asphaltenes can be vaporized in the presence of gasified hydrocarbons and combustion gas. A portion of the asphaltenes can be cracked at a temperature sufficient to provide a cracked gas. Liquid asphaltenes, solid asphaltenes, or both can be deposited onto one or more solids to provide one or more hydrocarbon containing solids. The cracked gas can be selectively separated from the hydrocarbon containing solids. A portion of the hydrocarbon containing solids can be combusted to provide the combustion gas. The hydrocarbon containing solids can be gasified to provide the gasified hydrocarbons and to regenerate the solids. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090272676 | Hot Asphalt Cooling and Pelletization Process - Systems and methods for pelletizing hot asphaltenes are provided. Asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be dispersed to provide two or more asphaltenic particles. The asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be at a temperature of from about 175° C. to about 430° C. The asphaltenic particles can be contacted with a film of cooling medium. The film can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 500 mm. At least a portion of the asphaltenic particles can be solidified by transferring heat from the asphaltenic particles to the cooling medium to provide solid asphaltenic particles. The solid asphaltenic particles can be separated from at least a portion of the cooling medium. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090127407 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPORTING A PIPE - Systems and methods for supporting a pipe are provided. An insulated pipe system can include a pipe, a first isolator disposed about at least a portion of the pipe, wherein the first isolator comprises aerogel, and a second isolator disposed about at least a portion of the first isolator; at least one clamp adapted to support the pipe and the isolators; at least one support base; and at least one support member, wherein the support member connects the clamp to the support base. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090064582 | Catalytic Partial Oxidation Reforming - Systems and processes for producing syngas are provided. A first hydrocarbon can be partially oxidized in the presence of an oxidant and one or more first catalysts at conditions sufficient to partially combust a portion of the first hydrocarbon to provide carbon dioxide, non-combusted first hydrocarbon, and heat. At least a portion of the non-combusted first hydrocarbon can be reformed in the presence of at least a portion of the heat generated in the partial oxidation step and the one or more first catalysts to provide a first syngas. The first syngas can comprise hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Heat can be indirectly exchanged from the first syngas to a second hydrocarbon to reform at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon in the presence of steam and one or more second catalysts to provide a second syngas. The second syngas can comprise hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20080292406 | ATTACHMENT - The present embodiments relate to various attachments for attaching together a first body and a second body of a marine structure, which marine structure is adapted to be located at least partially immersed in water, wherein at least a portion of each one of the first and second bodies is adapted to, during use, be in contact with the water. The attachment comprises at least a portion of the second body and comprises a wall, which delimits the second body. The attachment can further comprise at least a portion of the first body, wherein the first body is fixedly attached to, and extends from, the second body. The can attachment further comprise a sealing member, attached to the wall and the first body, which sealing member extends from the wall to the first body such that an enclosed volume is formed between the sealing member, the first body and the second body. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080275143 | Catalytic Partial Oxidation Reforming for Syngas Processing and Products Made Therefrom - Systems and methods for producing syngas are provided. A first hydrocarbon can be partially oxidized in the presence of an oxidant and one or more first catalysts at conditions sufficient to partially combust a portion of the first hydrocarbon to provide carbon dioxide, non-combusted first hydrocarbon, and heat. The non-combusted first hydrocarbon can be reformed in the presence of the heat generated in the partial oxidation step and the one or more first catalysts to provide a first syngas. Heat can be indirectly exchanged from the first syngas to a second hydrocarbon to reform at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon in the presence of steam and one or more second catalysts to provide a second syngas. A syngas, which can include the at least a portion of the first syngas, at least a portion of the second syngas, or a mixture thereof can be converted to provide one or more Fischer-Tropsch products, methanol, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080272248 | Acoustic Dampening Pipe Shoe - A pipe support for dampening acoustic propagation from a pipeline is provided. The pipe support can include a support base and a movable base spatially arranged from the support base. One or more fasteners can be disposed through the movable base to the support base, thereby connecting the movable base to the support base. One or more acoustic isolators can be disposed between an upper surface of the support base and a lower surface of the movable base. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080230442 | Process for Upgrading Heavy Oil and Bitumen - Disclosed is a process for the upgrading and demetallizing of heavy oils and bitumens. A crude heavy oil and/or bitumen feed is supplied to a solvent extraction process | 09-25-2008 |
