Patents Assigned to Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
  • Publication number: 20160376875
    Abstract: A system for conveying fluids at a subsea location includes a module having a flow line formed of plurality of linear sections. At least two of the sections have a geometrically parallel arrangement. The module includes an inlet supplying fluid to the flow line and an outlet receiving fluid from the flow line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Austin Glenn Smith, ROBERT HERNANDEZ, MICHAEL HARDY
  • Patent number: 9469816
    Abstract: 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 104 wherein DAO and asphaltenes are separated. The DAO is supplied to an FCC unit 106 having a low conversion activity catalyst for the removal of metals contained therein. The demetallized distillate fraction is supplied to a hydrotreater 110 for upgrading and collected as a synthetic crude product stream. The asphaltene fraction can be supplied to a gasifier 108 for the recovery of power, steam and hydrogen, which can be supplied to the hydrotreater 110 or otherwise within the process or exported. An optional coker unit 234 can be used to convert excess asphaltenes and/or decant oil to naphtha, distillate and gas oil, which can be supplied to the hydrotreater 220.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Rashid Iqbal, Anshumali, Odette Eng, Phillip Niccum
  • Patent number: 9446364
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and handling slurries are provided. The surge drum system for storing a slurry can include a storage vessel having a first end, a second end, and at least one wall surrounding an internal volume between the first and second ends. The system can also include a slurry inlet and a slurry outlet, both in fluid communication with the internal volume. A recirculation inlet can be in fluid communication with the internal volume at the first end of the storage vessel. The system can also include a pump having a suction line in fluid communication with the outlet. A discharge line of the pump can be in fluid communication with an outlet valve and a recirculation valve that can be in fluid communication with the recirculation inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventor: Gary L. Mason
  • Patent number: 9440167
    Abstract: Systems and methods for two-phase separation are provided. The system can include a vessel having a first end, a second end, an internal volume, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. At least one separation tray can be disposed within the internal volume. The inlet can be disposed between the separation tray and the second end. At least one impeller can be connected to a shaft and disposed within the internal volume. The shaft can be mechanically linked to a motor. The at least one impeller can be disposed between the at least one separation tray and the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Robert Hernandez, Michael A. G. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20160250610
    Abstract: A system for processing one or more materials includes a processor having a shell defining a chamber and a plurality of serially stacked pipe assemblies. Each pipe assembly includes a header having at least one substantially straight pipe section receiving a fluid; and a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with and projecting downwardly from the header. The nozzles direct the fluid into the chamber of the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Nan ZHAO, WILLIAM E. PHILLIPS
  • Patent number: 9388980
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a hydrocarbon feedstock are provided. The hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified in the presence of one or more particulates to produce a syngas and one or more carbon-containing particulates. At least a portion of the carbon of the one or more carbon-containing particulates can be combusted in a combustion process external to the gasifying of the hydrocarbon feedstock to produce a combustion gas. The combustion gas can be utilized in one or more processes external to the gasifying of the hydrocarbon feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown + Root LLC
    Inventor: John Abughazaleh
  • Patent number: 9328974
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Lloyd Edward Cizmar, William E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9321655
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Shashi Prakash Singh, Xueqian Lin
  • Publication number: 20160109179
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to a motor driven compressor (MDC) power network electrically isolated and independent from a balance of plant (BOP) power network within an electrical power system and methods for operating the same. In one embodiment, the MDC power network can include one or more MDC trains, and each of the MDC trains can include an MDC distribution bus, one or more MDC turbine generators, one or more electric motors, and one or more compressors. The BOP power network can include a BOP distribution bus, one or more BOP turbine generators, and one or more plant circuits comprising the balance of the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventor: Keith McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20160032198
    Abstract: A process for slurry-phase hydrocracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in a reactor, such as an upflow bubble column reactor, includes separately introducing additive in two size ranges into the feedstock. A fine size particle additive is introduced upstream of a coarse size particle additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicants: BP Europa SE, Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Schleiffer, Anand Subramanian
  • Patent number: 9238210
    Abstract: Systems and methods for contacting solids with a fluid are provided. The system can include a first baffle having a latitudinal centerline that is in a plane defined by first and second axes, the latitudinal centerline of the first baffle being oriented at a first angle from about 5° to about 80° with respect to the second axis. The system can also include a second baffle axially offset from the first baffle along the second axis and having a latitudinal centerline in the plane that is oriented at a second angle from about 100° to about 175° with respect to the second axis and a third baffle axially adjacent to the second baffle along the second axis and having a latitudinal centerline in the plane that is oriented at a third angle from about 5° to about 80° with respect to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Paul Marchant, Wendell A Prothow
  • Patent number: 9193652
    Abstract: Methods and systems for purifying phenol. The method can include contacting a feed that includes phenol and an aldehyde containing compound with a first ion exchange material to produce a first treated product. The first treated product can have a pH that is less than a pH of the feed. The first treated product can contain less of the aldehyde containing compound than the feed. The first treated product can be contacted with a second ion exchange material to produce a second treated product. The second treated product can have a pH that is greater than the pH of the first treated product. Each of the first ion exchange material and the second ion exchange material can be a solid, a semi-solid, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventor: Theodor Wilks
  • Patent number: 9169062
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for mass flow are provided. The apparatus can include a housing, an inlet disposed at a first end of the housing, and an outlet disposed at a second end of the housing. The housing can include a first section and a second section. The second section can have at least one tapered sidewall that slopes away from an inner surface of the first section toward the outlet. The apparatus can also include a divider disposed at least partially within the first and second sections of the housing. The divider can have at least one tapered surface disposed proximate the at least one tapered sidewall of the second section. An edge of the divider can be located between the outlet and a point within the second section where the cross-sectional area of the second section is about three times or less a cross-sectional area of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Edwin V. Reece, John Abughazaleh, Michael J. Sandefur, David P. Mann
  • Patent number: 9162970
    Abstract: Methods and systems for purifying a crude aniline. The method can include contacting a crude aniline that can include aniline, water, and cyclohexanone with a cation exchange resin to produce a cyclohexanone-lean product that contains less cyclohexanone than the crude aniline. The cation exchange resin can be a solid, a semi-solid, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Theodor Wilks, Eric Wing-Tak Wong, Matthew R. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9162830
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventor: William E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9157043
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Siva Ariyapadi, Philip Shires
  • Patent number: 9157042
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing synthetic gas 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, and the purification system can include a flash gas separator. The treated syngas and a first heat transfer medium can be converted into a synthetic gas, a second heat transfer medium, and a methanation condensate. The methanation condensate can be introduced to the flash gas separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Siva Ariyapadi, Philip Shires
  • Patent number: 9132402
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Shashi Prakash Singh, Arthur Joseph Price
  • Patent number: 9133405
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventor: John Abughazaleh
  • Publication number: 20150251918
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ammonia. The system can include a first ammonia converter, a second ammonia converter, a product separator, and an ammonia recovery unit. The first ammonia converter can be adapted to react a syngas to produce a first ammonia product and a first purge gas. The second ammonia converter can be in fluid communication with the first ammonia converter and can be adapted to react the first purge gas to produce an effluent. The product separator can be in fluid communication with the second ammonia converter and can be adapted to separate the effluent to produce a second ammonia product and a second purge gas. The ammonia recovery unit can be in fluid communication with the product separator and can be adapted to separate at least a portion of the second purge gas to produce a third ammonia product and a third purge gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Williams Nurse, Girishkumar Natvarbhai Patel