Patents by Inventor Hugo S. Caram
Hugo S. Caram 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).
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Publication number: 20230391617Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of methane and/or other hydrocarbons to hydrogen by pyrolysis while reducing or minimizing production of carbon oxides. The heating of the pyrolysis environment can be performed at least in part by using electrical heating within a first stage to heat the coke particles to a desired pyrolysis temperature. This electrical heating can be performed in a hydrogen-rich environment in order to reduce, minimize, or eliminate formation of coke on the surfaces of the electrical heater. The heated coke particles can then be transferred to a second stage for contact with a methane-containing feed, such as a natural gas feed. Depending on the configuration, pyrolysis of methane can potentially occur in both the first stage and second stage. In some aspects, the hydrogen-rich environment in the first stage is formed by passing the partially converted effluent from the second stage into the first stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Ramesh GUPTA, Amrit JALAN, Hugo S. CARAM, David C. DANKWORTH
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Patent number: 11629056Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for production of carbon nanotubes and H2 using a reaction system configuration that is suitable for large scale production. In the reaction system, a substantial portion of the heat for the reaction can be provided by using a heated gas stream. Optionally, the heated gas stream can correspond to a heated H2 gas stream. By using a heated gas stream, when the catalyst precursors for the floating catalyst-chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) type catalyst are added to the gas stream, the gas stream can be at a temperature of 1000° C. or more. This can reduce or minimize loss of catalyst precursor material and/or deposition of coke on sidewalls of the reactor. Additionally, a downstream portion of the reactor can include a plurality of flow channels of reduced size that are passed through a heat exchanger environment, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Ramesh Gupta, Sumathy Raman, Amrit Jalan, Hugo S. Caram, David C. Dankworth
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Patent number: 11591212Abstract: Systems and methods for molten media pyrolysis for the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon-containing particles are disclosed. The systems and methods include the introduction of seed particles into the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger, more manageable carbon-containing particles. Additionally or alternatively, the systems and methods can include increasing the residence time of carbon-containing particles within the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger carbon-containing particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Ramesh Gupta, Sumathy Raman, Hugo S. Caram, David C. Dankworth
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Patent number: 11577955Abstract: Systems and methods for molten media pyrolysis for the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon-containing particles are disclosed. The systems and methods include the introduction of seed particles into the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger, more manageable carbon-containing particles. Additionally or alternatively, the systems and methods can include increasing the residence time of carbon-containing particles within the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger carbon-containing particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Ramesh Gupta, Sumathy Raman, Hugo S. Caram, David C. Dankworth
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Publication number: 20220185670Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for production of carbon nanotubes and H2 using a reaction system configuration that is suitable for large scale production. In the reaction system, a substantial portion of the heat for the reaction can be provided by using a heated gas stream. Optionally, the heated gas stream can correspond to a heated H2 gas stream. By using a heated gas stream, when the catalyst precursors for the floating catalyst—chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) type catalyst are added to the gas stream, the gas stream can be at a temperature of 1000° C. or more. This can reduce or minimize loss of catalyst precursor material and/or deposition of coke on sidewalls of the reactor. Additionally, a downstream portion of the reactor can include a plurality of flow channels of reduced size that are passed through a heat exchanger environment, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Sumathy Raman, Amrit Jalan, Hugo S. Caram, David C. Dankworth
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Publication number: 20210331918Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of methane and/or other hydrocarbons to hydrogen by pyrolysis while reducing or minimizing production of carbon oxides. The conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen is performed in one or more pyrolysis or conversion reactors that contain a plurality of sequential fluidized beds. The fluidized beds are arranged so that the coke particles forming the fluidized bed move in a counter-current direction relative to the gas phase flow of feed (e.g., methane) and/or product (H2) in the fluidized beds. By using a plurality of sequential fluidized beds, the heat transfer and management benefits of fluidized beds can be realized while also at least partially achieving the improved reaction rates that are associated with a plug flow or moving bed reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Hugo S. Caram, Anjaneya S. Kovvali, Sumathy Raman, David C. Dankworth
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Patent number: 10677160Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Hugo S. Caram, Loren K. Starcher, Franklin F. Mittricker, Simon C. Weston, Scott J. Weigel
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Publication number: 20200071162Abstract: Systems and methods for molten media pyrolysis for the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon-containing particles are disclosed. The systems and methods include the introduction of seed particles into the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger, more manageable carbon-containing particles. Additionally or alternatively, the systems and methods can include increasing the residence time of carbon-containing particles within the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger carbon-containing particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Sumathy Raman, Hugo S. Caram, David C. Dankworth
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Publication number: 20200071164Abstract: Systems and methods for molten media pyrolysis for the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon-containing particles are disclosed. The systems and methods include the introduction of seed particles into the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger, more manageable carbon-containing particles. Additionally or alternatively, the systems and methods can include increasing the residence time of carbon-containing particles within the molten media to facilitate the growth of larger carbon-containing particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Sumathy Raman, Hugo S. Caram, David C. Dankworth
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Patent number: 9968882Abstract: A heat transfer fluid can be used as part of a multi-phase adsorption environment to allow for improved separations of gas components using a solid adsorbent. The heat transfer fluid can reduce or minimize the temperature increase of the solid adsorbent that occurs during an adsorption cycle. Reducing or minimizing such a temperature increase can enhance the working capacity for an adsorbent and/or enable the use of adsorbents that are not practical for commercial scale adsorption using conventional adsorption methods. The multi-phase adsorption environment can correspond to a trickle bed environment, a slurry environment, or another convenient environment where at least a partial liquid phase of a heat transfer fluid is present during gas adsorption by a solid adsorbent.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Simon C. Weston, Mobae Afeworki, Bhupender S. Minhas, Ramesh Gupta, Hugo S. Caram, Manoj K. Chaudhury, Hans Thomann, Hilda B. Vroman, Meghan Nines
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Publication number: 20170087506Abstract: A heat transfer fluid can be used as part of a multi-phase adsorption environment to allow for improved separations of gas components using a solid adsorbent. The heat transfer fluid can reduce or minimize the temperature increase of the solid adsorbent that occurs during an adsorption cycle. Reducing or minimizing such a temperature increase can enhance the working capacity for an adsorbent and/or enable the use of adsorbents that are not practical for commercial scale adsorption using conventional adsorption methods. The multi-phase adsorption environment can correspond to a trickle bed environment, a slurry environment, or another convenient environment where at least a partial liquid phase of a heat transfer fluid is present during gas adsorption by a solid adsorbent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Simon C. WESTON, Mobae AFEWORKI, Bhupender S. MINHAS, Ramesh GUPTA, Hugo S. CARAM, Manoj K. CHAUDHURY, Hans THOMANN, Hilda B. Vroman, Meghan Nines
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Publication number: 20170009652Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Ramesh GUPTA, Hans THOMANN, Hugo S. CARAM, Loren K. STARCHER, Franklin F. MITTRICKER, Simon C. WESTON, Scott J. WEIGEL
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Patent number: 9476356Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Hugo S. Caram, Loren K. Starcher, Franklin F. Mittricker, Simon C. Weston, Scott J. Weigel
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Patent number: 8815963Abstract: A catalyst composition includes an active material having a molybdenum- and sulfur-containing substance impregnated with an effective amount of cesium sufficient to promote synthesis of an alcohol, optionally carried on an inert support, wherein the active material is at least substantially free of a transition metal. The present invention is further directed to methods of preparing and using the same.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignees: Auxilium Green, LLC, Lehigh UniversityInventors: Hugo S. Caram, Ranjan K. Sahoo, Richard G. Herman, Divyanshu R. Acharya
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Publication number: 20140175336Abstract: The disclosure relates to a continuous or semi-continuous, cyclic, countercurrent sorption-desorption method for enhanced control, separation, and/or purification of CO2 from one or more sources of a mixture of gases (and/or carbonaceous liquids that have sufficient vapor pressure) through integrated use of solid monolithic sorbents having a selectivity for sorption of the CO2.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Richard D. Lenz, Hugo S. Caram
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Patent number: 8715394Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for capturing or otherwise decreasing the amount of CO2 in an exhaust stream. The separation process for removing CO2 from a waste stream preferably operates substantially at atmospheric pressure and at a preselected temperature, and without the need of thermal swing regeneration. This novel elimination of the heat up and cool down periods allows the inventive cycle herein to be run faster, and more efficiently than in previously known systems. Further, in some examples herein, the heat of adsorption is used to provide the heat of regeneration.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventors: Hugo S. Caram, Alberto I. LaCava
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Publication number: 20130333391Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: NARASIMHAN SUNDARAM, RAMESH GUPTA, HANS THOMANN, HUGO S. CARAM, LOREN K. STARCHER, FRANKLIN F. Mittricker, SIMON C. WESTON, SCOTT J. WEIGEL
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Publication number: 20120125194Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for capturing or otherwise decreasing the amount of CO2 in an exhaust stream. The separation process for removing CO2 from a waste stream preferably operates substantially at atmospheric pressure and at a preselected temperature, and without the need of thermal swing regeneration. This novel elimination of the heat up and cool down periods allows the inventive cycle herein to be run faster, and more efficiently than in previously known systems. Further, in some examples herein, the heat of adsorption is used to provide the heat of regeneration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: LEHIGH UNIVERSITYInventors: Hugo S. Caram, Alberto I. LaCava