Patents by Inventor Carla S. Pereira

Carla S. Pereira has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11843150
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using fuel cell staging to reduce or minimize variations in current density when operating molten carbonate fuel cells with elevated CO2 utilization. The fuel cell staging can mitigate the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs when operating molten carbonate fuel cells under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Eric B. Shen, Carla S. Pereira, Keith E. Davis, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh
  • Patent number: 11742508
    Abstract: A reforming element for a molten carbonate fuel cell stack and corresponding methods are provided that can reduce or minimize temperature differences within the fuel cell stack when operating the fuel cell stack with enhanced CO2 utilization. The reforming element can include at least one surface with a reforming catalyst deposited on the surface. A difference between the minimum and maximum reforming catalyst density and/or activity on a first portion of the at least one surface can be 20% to 75%, with the highest catalyst densities and/or activities being in proximity to the side of the fuel cell stack corresponding to at least one of the anode inlet and the cathode inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Everett J. O'Neal, Lu Han, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Timothy M. Healy, Carl A. Willman, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh, Frank J. Dobek, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230226483
    Abstract: Capture of hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture may be accomplished using an aqueous solution comprising an amine. Certain sterically hindered amines may selectively form a reaction product with hydrogen sulfide under kinetically controlled contacting conditions and afford a light phase and a heavy phase above a critical solution temperature, wherein the hydrogen sulfide may be present in either phase. Upon separation of the light phase from the heavy phase, processing of one of the phases may take place to remove hydrogen sulfide therefrom. Recycling of the amine to an absorber tower may then take place to promote capture of additional hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Jenny P. Seagraves, P. Scott Northrop, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst, Georg K. Sieder
  • Publication number: 20230197994
    Abstract: A reforming element for a molten carbonate fuel cell stack and corresponding methods are provided that can reduce or minimize temperature differences within the fuel cell stack when operating the fuel cell stack with enhanced CO2 utilization. The reforming element can include at least one surface with a reforming catalyst deposited on the surface. A difference between the minimum and maximum reforming catalyst density and/or activity on a first portion of the at least one surface can be 20% to 75%, with the highest catalyst densities and/or activities being in proximity to the side of the fuel cell stack corresponding to at least one of the anode inlet and the cathode inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Everett J. O'Neal, Lu Han, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Timothy M. Healy, Carl A. Willman, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh, Frank J. Dobek, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230160863
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining adsorption isotherms for complex mixtures. In at least one embodiment, a method for obtaining adsorption isotherms for liquid mixtures includes providing a column comprising an adsorbent. The method includes delivering a composition to the column, the composition comprising a multi-component feed and a solvent. The method includes collecting a sample from the column and introducing the sample to a two dimensional gas chromatograph to determine a time-series concentration of one or more components of the sample. The method includes integrating the time-series concentration of at least one of the one or more components to determine an isotherm of the at least one component. The method includes obtaining quantitative information of the at least one component, based on the isotherm of the at least one component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Yogesh V. JOSHI, Anantha Sundaram, Changyub Peak, Randall D. PARTRIDGE, Wenjun Li, Carla S. PEREIRA, Nikki J. Bakas
  • Publication number: 20230006236
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using fuel cell staging to reduce or minimize variations in current density when operating molten carbonate fuel cells with elevated CO2 utilization. The fuel cell staging can mitigate the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs when operating molten carbonate fuel cells under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Eric B. Shen, Carla S. Pereira, Keith E. Davis, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh
  • Patent number: 11476486
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using fuel cell staging to reduce or minimize variations in current density when operating molten carbonate fuel cells with elevated CO2 utilization. The fuel cell staging can mitigate the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs when operating molten carbonate fuel cells under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Eric B. Shen, Carla S. Pereira, Keith E. Davis, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh
  • Patent number: 11377605
    Abstract: A molecular separation method can include: passing a deasphalted oil stream through a reactor containing an active substrate, wherein the catalytic active substrate adsorbs heteroatom species from the deasphalted oil stream and produces a pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream essentially free of 4+ ring aromatic molecules (ARC 4+ species), metal species, and heteroatom species; and chromatographically separating with a simulated moving bed apparatus or a true moving bed apparatus (SMB/TMB) the pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream into a saturate fraction and an aromatics fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, Benjamin A. McCool, Carla S. Pereira, Dhaval A. Bhandari
  • Publication number: 20220126235
    Abstract: A process for selectively separating H2S from a gas mixture which also comprises CO2is disclosed. A stream of the gas mixture is contacted with an absorbent solution comprising one or more amines, alkanolamines, hindered alkanolamines, capped alkanolamines, or mixtures thereof. The H2S/CO2 selectivity of the absorbent solution is preferably greater than about 4.0 for an acid gas loading [mol(CO2+H2S)/mol(amine)] between about 0.2 and about 0.6, and is achieved by reducing pH of the absorbent solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst
  • Patent number: 11211621
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells to allow for periodic regeneration of the fuel cells while performing elevated CO2 capture. In some aspects, periodic regeneration can be achieved by shifting the location within the fuel cells where the highest density of alternative ion transport is occurring. Such a shift can result in a new location having a highest density of alternative ion transport, while the previous location can primarily transport carbonate ions. Additionally or alternately, periodic regeneration can be performed by modifying the input flows to the fuel cell and/or relaxing the operating conditions of the fuel cell to reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Frank Hershkowitz, Carl A. Willman, Timothy C. Geary
  • Patent number: 11185813
    Abstract: A process for selectively separating H2S from a gas mixture which also comprises CO2 is disclosed. A stream of the gas mixture is contacted with an absorbent solution comprising one or more amines, alkanolamines, hindered alkanolamines, capped alkanolamines, or mixtures thereof. The H2S/CO2 selectivity of the absorbent solution is preferably greater than about 4.0 for an acid gas loading [mol(CO2+H2S)/mol(amine)] between about 0.2 and about 0.6, and is achieved by reducing pH of the absorbent solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, BASF
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst
  • Publication number: 20200325406
    Abstract: A molecular separation method can include: passing a deasphalted oil stream through a reactor containing an active substrate, wherein the catalytic active substrate adsorbs heteroatom species from the deasphalted oil stream and produces a pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream essentially free of 4+ ring aromatic molecules (ARC 4+ species), metal species, and heteroatom species; and chromatographically separating with a simulated moving bed apparatus or a true moving bed apparatus (SMB/TMB) the pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream into a saturate fraction and an aromatics fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, Benjamin A. McCool, Carla S. Pereira, Dhaval A. Bhandari
  • Publication number: 20200176799
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using fuel cell staging to reduce or minimize variations in current density when operating molten carbonate fuel cells with elevated CO2 utilization. The fuel cell staging can mitigate the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs when operating molten carbonate fuel cells under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Eric B. Shen, Carla S. Pereira, Keith E. Davis, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh
  • Publication number: 20200176800
    Abstract: A reforming element for a molten carbonate fuel cell stack and corresponding methods are provided that can reduce or minimize temperature differences within the fuel cell stack when operating the fuel cell stack with enhanced CO2 utilization. The reforming element can include at least one surface with a reforming catalyst deposited on the surface. A difference between the minimum and maximum reforming catalyst density and/or activity on a first portion of the at least one surface can be 20% to 75%, with the highest catalyst densities and/or activities being in proximity to the side of the fuel cell stack corresponding to at least one of the anode inlet and the cathode inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Everett J. O'Neal, Lu Han, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Timothy M. Healy, Carl A. Willman, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh, Frank J. Dobek, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200176793
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells to allow for periodic regeneration of the fuel cells while performing elevated CO2 capture. In some aspects, periodic regeneration can be achieved by shifting the location within the fuel cells where the highest density of alternative ion transport is occurring. Such a shift can result in a new location having a highest density of alternative ion transport, while the previous location can primarily transport carbonate ions. Additionally or alternately, periodic regeneration can be performed by modifying the input flows to the fuel cell and/or relaxing the operating conditions of the fuel cell to reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Frank Hershkowitz, Carl A. Willman, Timothy C. Geary
  • Patent number: 10550050
    Abstract: In a process for separating one or more 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers, a feed comprising the isomers is contacted with a zeolite adsorbent which contains one or more metal cations in the +1 or +2 oxidation states. Separation processes for each of the 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Changyub Paek, Michael P. Lanci, Randall D. Partridge, Allen W. Burton, Carla S. Pereira, Benjamin A. McCool
  • Patent number: 10322979
    Abstract: A process for separating dimethyl biphenyl (DMBP) isomers, including contacting a mixture of 3,3?-DMBP, 3,4?-DMBP and 4,4?-DMBP in a first solvent with a 12-member ring zeolite exchanged with potassium or barium, or combinations thereof, and adsorbing the 3,3?-DMBP onto the 12-member ring zeolite, such as by passing the mixture through at least one packed bed of the potassium and/or barium exchanged 12-member ring zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin A. McCool, Michael P. Lanci, Randall D. Partridge, Carla S. Pereira
  • Patent number: 10155192
    Abstract: A system and process for selectively separating H2S from a gas mixture which also comprises CO2 is disclosed. A water recycle stream is fed to the absorber in order to create a higher concentration absorbent above the recycle feed and having a greater H2S selectivity at lower acid gas loadings, and a more dilute absorbent below the recycle feed and having a greater H2S selectivity at higher acid gas loadings. Also disclosed is a system and process for selectively separating H2S by utilizing two different absorbents, one absorbent for the upper section of the absorber, tailored to have a greater H2S selectivity at lower acid gas loadings, and a second absorbent for the lower section of the absorber, tailored to have a greater H2S selectivity at higher acid gas loadings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Michael Siskin, Himanshu Gupta
  • Publication number: 20180229180
    Abstract: A process for selectively separating H2S from a gas mixture which also comprises CO2 is disclosed. A stream of the gas mixture is contacted with an absorbent solution comprising one or more amines, alkanolamines, hindered alkanolamines, capped alkanolamines, or mixtures thereof. The H2S/CO2 selectivity of the absorbent solution is preferably greater than about 4.0 for an acid gas loading [mol(CO2+H2S)/mol(amine)] between about 0.2 and about 0.6, and is achieved by reducing pH of the absorbent solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Carla S. Pereira, Michael Siskin, Thomas Ingram, Gerald Vorberg, Martin Ernst
  • Publication number: 20180222824
    Abstract: A process for separating dimethyl biphenyl (DMBP) isomers, including contacting a mixture of 3,3?-DMBP, 3,4?-DMBP and 4,4?-DMBP in a first solvent with a 12-member ring zeolite exchanged with potassium or barium, or combinations thereof, and adsorbing the 3,3?-DMBP onto the 12-member ring zeolite, such as by passing the mixture through at least one packed bed of the potassium and/or barium exchanged 12-member ring zeolite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin A. McCOOL, Michael P. LANCI, Randall D. PARTRIDGE, Carla S. PEREIRA