Patents Represented by Attorney KBR IP Legal Dept.
  • Patent number: 8328889
    Abstract: Systems and processes for producing syngas and power therefrom are provided. One or more feedstocks and one or more oxidants can be combined in a fluidized reaction zone operated at a temperature from 550° C. to 1,050° C. to provide a syngas. Heat can be indirectly exchanged in a first zone from the syngas to a condensate to provide steam. Heat can also be indirectly exchanged in a second zone from the syngas to the steam to provide superheated steam. Heat can then be indirectly exchanged in a third zone from the syngas to provide a cooled syngas and the condensate for the first zone. At least a portion of the superheated steam can be directly supplied to one or more steam turbines to produce power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Ravindra K. Agrawal
  • Patent number: 8323457
    Abstract: 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 least 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Derek William Townsend, Cyril Collins
  • Patent number: 8317428
    Abstract: A marine structure comprising a supporting member that comprises a wall at least partially delimiting said supporting member such that an inner side of said wall is arranged to at least partially delimit an inner volume of said supporting member and an outer side of said wall is arranged to face the ambient environment of said supporting member. The marine structure further comprises a drain pipe adapted to guide fluid from said marine structure to a body of water at least partially surrounding said marine structure. At least a portion of said outer side of said wall partially delimits said drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: GVA Consultants AB
    Inventors: Lars-Olof Liberg, Bo Sundquist
  • Patent number: 8297213
    Abstract: A sea water system comprises, an inlet conduit assembly, a ballast tank and an overflow arrangement arranged in fluid communication with the inlet conduit assembly. The inlet conduit assembly provides a fluid communication between ambient environment and the ballast tank. A first pump assembly is arranged in the inlet conduit assembly for pumping sea water through at least a first conduit portion towards the ballast tank. A second pump assembly is arranged in fluid communication with the ballast tank and is arranged for pumping sea water from the ballast tank through an outlet conduit assembly arranged after the second pump assembly. The second pump assembly and the outlet conduit assembly are separate from the inlet conduit assembly. The sea water system may be arranged on a floating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Lars-Olof Liberg
  • Patent number: 8293195
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Blanchard, David P. Mann
  • Patent number: 8277637
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. One or more hydrocarbons can be selectively separated to provide one or more heavy deasphalted oils. At least a portion of the heavy deasphalted oil can be cracked using a fluidized catalytic cracker to provide one or more lighter hydrocarbon products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Anand Subramanian, Raymond Floyd
  • Patent number: 8273139
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Avinash Malhotra, David P. Mann
  • Patent number: 8268024
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Arthur Joseph Price
  • Patent number: 8256243
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the integration of a fractionation process and an olefin refrigeration system, wherein the fractionation process olefin effluent is supplied to the refrigeration system, can eliminate a fractionation process condenser and reflux drum typically present. A plurality of bottoms streams can be collected from the fractionation process. The olefin refrigerant can be supplied to alternate olefin refrigerant consumers, as desired. A column in the fractionation process can be refluxed with an olefin stream from refrigeration system, and olefin product can be collected or exported via line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Vijender Kumar Verma
  • Patent number: 8251227
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Phillip K. Niccum
  • Patent number: 8235628
    Abstract: A pipeline segment 5, used for the manufacture of a thin-walled underwater pipeline 50. Terminal pipe sections 20 are at either end of main pipe section 10. Terminal pipe sections 20 are thick-walled or otherwise resistant to collapse due to external pressure. A pressure isolation device 30 maintains an internal pressure in main pipe section 10 above a shut off pressure. A pressure compensation system 35 can protect main pipe section 10 from collapse due to external pressure. Pipeline segments 5 can be manufactured by connecting and winding stalks 100 onto storage device 110 forming main pipe section 10. Terminal pipe section 20 can be connected to the lead end of main pipe section 10, and main pipe section 10 can be unwound from storage device 110 while towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Craig W. Lamison
  • Patent number: 8226749
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: William E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8221513
    Abstract: Systems and processes for producing synthesis gas. A carbonaceous feedstock can be combined with one or more low-oxygen carrier fluids having a high heating value. The feedstock and carrier fluid, in the presence of one or more oxidants, can be gasified to provide a synthesis gas. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the synthesis gas can be recycled for use as the carrier fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Siva Ariyapadi, John Abughazaleh, Ravindra K. Agrawal
  • Patent number: 8221105
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Behelfer, Maury Schlossman
  • Patent number: 8216531
    Abstract: Disclosed are a syngas production process and a reforming exchanger 100. The process involves passing a first portion of hydrocarbon feed mixed with steam and oxidant through an autothermal catalytic steam reforming zone to form a first reformed gas of reduced hydrocarbon content, passing a second portion of the hydrocarbon feed mixed with steam through an endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone to form a second reformed gas of reduced hydrocarbon content, and mixing the first and second reformed gases and passing the resulting gas mixture through a heat exchange zone for cooling the gas mixture and thereby supplying heat to the endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone. The endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone and the heat exchange zone are respectively disposed tube side and shell side within a shell-and-tube reforming exchanger 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Robert Burlingame, Thomas Czuppon, Larry G. Hackemesser
  • Patent number: 8197785
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Blanchard, David P. Mann
  • Patent number: 8192614
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for separating and stripping suspensions comprising catalyst particles transported in vapors from the fluid catalytic cracking riser/reactor. Particles are disentrained from vapor in a vortex zone 112 of the primary cyclonic separator 100. The disentrained particles enter a stripping zone 126, wherein the particles are contacted with a stripping gas 136 to recover vapors entrained and adsorbed onto the catalyst. The stripping gas 136 enters stripping zone 126 via perforations in the wall of the cyclone 100. The stripping gas 136 limits the residual catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon vapors and formation of delta-coke on the catalyst. Stripped catalyst is delivered from the cyclone stripping zone 126 via a dipleg 130 connected to a bottom of the cyclone 100, and enters an FCC stripping vessel. Solids-lean stripping gas and vapors from the catalyst particles are blended with the carrier fluid and discharged from the cyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Kent Niccum, Iwan Hirsan Chan, Richard Brian Miller, Steven Arthur Tragesser
  • Patent number: 8168131
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Kellog Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Robert Stevens Burlingame, Lloyd Edward Cizmar, Larry Gene Hackemesser, Laura Beth Aguilar
  • Patent number: 8157895
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: William E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8156886
    Abstract: Device (10) or apparatus for launching at least one boat (12) from a structure (14), that is at least partially surrounded by water (16), into the water. The device (10) comprises at least one launch ramp (18) and means to effect translational displacement of said at least one launch ramp (18) when the device (10) has been mounted on said structure (14) in order to enable the position of said at least one launch ramp (18) to be changed before launching said at least one boat (12) into the water (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: GVA Consultants AB
    Inventor: Karlo Velcic