Patents Assigned to Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
  • Systems and methods for producing syngas and products therefrom
    Patent number: 8889037
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Shashi Singh, Keith King
  • Integrated light olefin separation/cracking process
    Patent number: 8889942
    Abstract: 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 C2-C3 olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Tallman
  • Methods for feedstock pretreatment and transport to gasification
    Patent number: 8888875
    Abstract: Methods for pretreating feedstock for gasification are provided. At least a portion of a coal based feedstock stream can be combined with at least a portion of a supercritical carbon dioxide stream within a pretreatment system to provide a treated feedstock stream. At least a portion of the treated feedstock stream can be passed to a gasifier to produce a synthesis gas stream of less than 50% by volume carbon dioxide, at least 5% by volume carbon monoxide and at least 1% by volume hydrogen. At least a portion of the synthesis gas stream can be combusted to form an exhaust stream comprising carbon dioxide. At least a portion of the gasification byproduct stream can be purified and compressed to produce supercritical carbon dioxide. At least a portion of the supercritical carbon dioxide can be recycled to the pretreatment system via a supercritical carbon dioxide stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Pritham Ramamurthy
  • Transfer line for the primary cyclone of a gasifier
    Patent number: 8888899
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a feedstock are provided. A gasifier can include a transfer line having a first leg and a second leg. A first end of the first leg can be adapted to be coupled to a cyclone and a second end of the first leg can be coupled to a first end of the second leg. The second end of the second leg can be adapted to be coupled to a standpipe. A centerline through the first leg can be oriented at an angle with a centerline through the second leg of from about 40° to about 140°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Iwan H. Chan, Yongchao Li
  • High pressure cyrogenic process and system for producing ammonia products
    Patent number: 8889093
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Avinash Malhotra, James H. Gosnell, Yue Jing
  • Methods and systems for separating acetone and phenol from one another
    Patent number: 8889915
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation are provided. The method for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation can include introducing a crude acetone including acetone and phenol to a fractionation column and introducing cumene, AMS, or a combination thereof to the fractionation column. The method can include fractionating the crude acetone within the fractionation column to produce an acetone containing overhead and a phenol containing bottoms. The method can also include condensing at least a portion of the acetone containing overhead indirectly with a cool heat transfer medium to provide a condensed crude acetone product and a heated heat transfer medium, wherein the heat transfer medium includes cumene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Truc Vu, Theodor Robert Wilks
  • GAS DISTRIBUTOR NOZZLES
    Publication number: 20140271414
    Abstract: Systems and methods for injecting gas into a fluidized bed of particles are provided. The system can include a gas distribution system. The gas distribution system can include a header having a flow passage and a nozzle body coupled to the header. The nozzle body can have an inlet end in fluid communication with the flow passage and an outlet end positioned outside of the header. The nozzle body can have a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow through the flow passage. The nozzle body can have an orifice positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Ting Yee Chan, Phillip K. Niccum, Steven Arthur Tragesser, Raymond Herbrich, Christopher Flint
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEPARATING OLEFINS
    Publication number: 20140275674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating one or more olefins are provided. In one or more embodiments, the method for separating one or more olefins can include separating at least a portion of one or more C3 and heavier hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing C1 to C20 hydrocarbons to provide a first mixture that can include methane, ethane, ethylene, and/or acetylene. At least a portion of the first mixture can be hydrogenated to convert at least a portion of the acetylene to ethane and ethylene. At least a portion of the methane can be separated from the hydrogenated mixture to provide a second mixture that can include ethane and ethylene. At least a portion of the ethylene can be separated from the second mixture to provide a first product that can include at least 95 mol % ethylene and a second product that can include at least 95 mol % ethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Vijender Kumar Verma, Curtis Eng
  • Methods And Systems For Separating Acetone And Phenol From One Another
    Publication number: 20140275630
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation are provided. The method for improving crude acetone column energy efficiency and operation can include introducing a crude acetone including acetone and phenol to a fractionation column and introducing cumene, AMS, or a combination thereof to the fractionation column. The method can include fractionating the crude acetone within the fractionation column to produce an acetone containing overhead and a phenol containing bottoms. The method can also include condensing at least a portion of the acetone containing overhead indirectly with a cool heat transfer medium to provide a condensed crude acetone product and a heated heat transfer medium, wherein the heat transfer medium includes cumene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventors: Truc Vu, Theodor Robert Wilks
  • EMISSIONS CONTROL OF SPENT AIR FROM CUMENE OXIDATION
    Publication number: 20140242680
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing volatile organic compounds from spent air are provided. The method can include oxidizing cumene in the presence of an oxidant to produce an oxidized product containing methanol and a spent air, separating the spent air from the oxidized product, contacting the spent air with an absorbent, an adsorbent, or a mixture thereof to remove at least a portion of any impurities in the spent air to produce a first purified air, and contacting the first purified air with a biological material to produce a treated air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventor: Eric Wing-Tak WONG
  • Systems and methods for producing aromatic amines and removing phenol therefrom
    Patent number: 8809587
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Eric Wong, Faisal Mohmand, Matthew R. Ulrich
  • Vacuum distilled DAO processing in FCC with recycle
    Patent number: 8808535
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Phillip K. Niccum, Vasant K. Patel
  • Systems and methods for exchanging heat in a gasification system
    Patent number: 8800498
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: John Abughazaleh
  • Apparatus and methods for saturating and purifying syngas
    Patent number: 8764883
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Blanchard
  • Method and apparatus for variable floating structures
    Patent number: 8733264
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for varying the buoyancy of a floating structure are provided. The method can include securing a plurality of floatation modules to at least a portion of the floating structure at various locations thereabout, while the floating structure is at sea such that the operational flexibility of the floating structure is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Drew Linden Krehbiel, Richard D'Souza
  • Multiple electric motors driving a single compressor string
    Patent number: 8727736
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Shawn Michael Walth
  • Flash processing a solvent deasphalting feed
    Patent number: 8728300
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Rashid Iqbal, Odette Eng
  • Systems And Methods For Producing Substitute Natural Gas
    Publication number: 20140117287
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing synthetic gas are provided. The method can include gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock in the presence of an oxidant within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be cooled within a cooler to provide a cooled syngas. The cooled syngas can be processed within a purification system to provide a treated syngas. The purification system can include a saturator adapted to increase a moisture content of the cooled syngas. The treated syngas and a first heat transfer medium can be introduced to a methanator to provide a synthetic gas, a second heat transfer medium, and a methanation condensate. At least a portion of the methanation condensate can be recycled from the methanator to the saturator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Siva ARIYAPADI, Philip Shires
  • Cyclone Plenum Turbulator
    Patent number: 8696995
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Phillip K. Niccum, Ginger Eskew
  • Methods and systems for co-producing a low-methanol content acetone
    Patent number: 8697917
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Theodor R. Wilks, Manish Bhargava, Eric Wing-Tak Wong