Patents Assigned to Black & Veatch Corporation
  • Patent number: 9574822
    Abstract: Processes and systems for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) with a single mixed refrigerant, closed-loop refrigeration cycle are provided. Liquefied natural gas facilities configured according to embodiments of the present invention include refrigeration cycles optimized to provide increased efficiency and enhanced operability, with minimal additional equipment or expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle M. Haberberger, Jason M. Manning, Shawn D. Hoffart
  • Patent number: 9243842
    Abstract: A method and system for the separation of a synthesis gas and methane mixture which contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane with the process producing synthesis gas and liquid natural gas (LNG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventor: Brian C. Price
  • Publication number: 20150260451
    Abstract: Processes and systems for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) with a single mixed refrigerant, closed-loop refrigeration cycle are provided. Liquefied natural gas facilities configured according to embodiments of the present invention include refrigeration cycles optimized to provide increased efficiency and enhanced operability, with minimal additional equipment or expense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle M. Haberberger, Jason M. Manning, Shawn D. Hoffart
  • Publication number: 20150233633
    Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for recovering a liquid natural gas (LNG) stream from a hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream using a single closed-loop mixed refrigerant cycle. In particular, the processes and systems described herein can be used to separate methane from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are common components in synthesis gas and other hydrocarbon-containing gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Hao Jiang, Shawn D. Hoffart
  • Patent number: 8650906
    Abstract: A system and process to re-liquefy boil-off liquid natural gas in varied amounts by a process using a screw compressor having an effective compression range from about 10 to about 100 percent of its rated capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Price, Randal J. Winkler
  • Publication number: 20140044631
    Abstract: A process for removing sulfur from a gas stream is provided in which a plurality of reactor units, each comprising a condenser and reactor, are selectively operable under Claus reaction and cold bed adsorption conditions. The arrangement of reactor units within the plant is periodically changed following a front-middle-back sequencing scheme. This ensures that the final reactor unit in the series utilizes fully cooled catalyst which is most efficient for operation under cold bed adsorption conditions. In addition, the condenser of the final reactor unit in the series operates at or below the freezing point of sulfur thereby permitting even greater sulfur recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventor: Justin A. Lamar
  • Publication number: 20130213087
    Abstract: An NGL recovery facility for separating ethane and heavier (C2+) components from a hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream that utilizes a single, closed-loop mixed refrigerant cycle. The vapor and liquid portions of the feed gas stream are isenthalpically flashed and the resulting expanded streams are introduced into the NGL recovery column. Optionally, a second vapor stream can be flashed and then introduced into the recovery column at the same or lower separation stage than the flashed liquid stream. As a result, the NGL recovery facility can optimize C2+ recovery with compression costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BLACK & VEATCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin L. Currence
  • Patent number: 8444943
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recovering sulfur from acid gases. Acid gases containing relatively high amounts of carbonyl sulfide and/or one or more types of mercaptans can be treated in a sulfur recovery system employing an acid gas enrichment zone and a tail gas treatment zone, where partially-loaded sulfur absorbing solvent from the tail gas treatment zone is employed for sulfur absorption in the acid gas enrichment zone. Off-gas from the acid gas enrichment zone can be combined and hydrogenated with a sulfur recovery unit tail gas thereby increasing the total amount of sulfur recovery from the initial acid gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventor: Justin A. Lamar
  • Publication number: 20120137726
    Abstract: An NGL recovery facility utilizing a single, closed-loop mixed refrigerant cycle for recovering a substantial portion of the C2 and heavier or C3 and heavier NGL components from the incoming gas stream. Less severe operating conditions, including a warmer refrigerant temperature and a lower feed gas pressure, contribute to a more economical and efficient NGL recovery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: BLACK & VEATCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin L. Currence, Robert A. Mortko
  • Publication number: 20120000245
    Abstract: A process and system is provided for separating a feed gas stream containing methane, at least one C2 component, at least one C3 component, and optionally heavier components, into a volatile gas stream containing a major portion of the methane and at least one C2 component and a less volatile stream containing a major portion of the at least one C3 and heavier components. The feed stream is cooled, at least partially condensed, and fed to a fractionation column wherein the feed stream is separated into an overhead vapor stream comprising primarily the lighter components of the feed stream and a bottoms liquid stream comprising primarily the heavier components of the feed stream. The introduction of a reboiler onto the fractionation column assists in removing co-absorbed C2 and lighter components from the fractionation column bottoms thereby facilitating more efficient operation of a downstream deethanizer column. Addition of residue recycle can further supplement recovery of desired components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: BLACK & VEATCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin L. Currence, Robert A. Mortko
  • Publication number: 20110289963
    Abstract: A mixed single refrigerant process for separating a nitrogen gas stream from a natural gas stream containing nitrogen to produce a nitrogen gas stream from a liquefied natural gas stream wherein the separated nitrogen gas stream is used as a refrigerant for the natural gas stream and wherein the mixed refrigerant provides cooling for the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventor: Brian C. Price
  • Patent number: 8066023
    Abstract: A system and a method for recovering and increasing the pressure of seal leak gas for recycle or passage to further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn D. Hoffart
  • Publication number: 20110268650
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recovering sulfur from acid gases. Acid gases containing relatively high amounts of carbonyl sulfide and/or one or more types of mercaptans can be treated in a sulfur recovery system employing an acid gas enrichment zone and a tail gas treatment zone, where partially-loaded sulfur absorbing solvent from the tail gas treatment zone is employed for sulfur absorption in the acid gas enrichment zone. Off-gas from the acid gas enrichment zone can be combined and hydrogenated with a sulfur recovery unit tail gas thereby increasing the total amount of sulfur recovery from the initial acid gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventor: Justin A. Lamar
  • Patent number: 7931889
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen from a light hydrocarbon gas with the hydrocarbon gas being converted to particulate carbon and hydrogen and thereafter quenched with liquid sulfur with the purified hydrogen being recovered as a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Clark, Justin A. Lamar, David K. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20110039954
    Abstract: Multi-functional catalyst and processes utilizing the catalyst in single-stage conversion of syngas into hydrocarbon compounds are provided. The multi-functional catalyst, which comprises two or more catalytic materials situated within molecular distances of each other, facilitates conversion of syngas into one or more intermediate compounds and then into desired hydrocarbon compounds, such as high octane gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, olefins, and xylenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: BLACK & VEATCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jianli Hu, Jon C. Erickson
  • Patent number: 7392767
    Abstract: A quench column heater and a method for heating a circulating liquid in a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger and an indirect heat exchanger to produce a hot liquid stream for use for heat exchange in a selected process to supply heat to the process. One particularly useful application of the present invention is the revaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Franklin, Martin J. Rosetta
  • Patent number: 7282193
    Abstract: A method for producing sulfur and energy from an acid gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide by partially combusting the acid gas stream to produce a combustion product gas, mixing a sulfur dioxide stream with the combustion product gas, separating sulfur from the mixture, combusting sulfur to produce sulfur dioxide and heat energy and passing at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide to the combustion product gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Clark, David K. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6391266
    Abstract: A limestone furnace calcination process involves injecting finely divided limestone particles into a zone in a furnace at which the temperature of the flue gas stream, as it passes through the zone, is above the minimum calcination temperature and below the minimum effective quicklime utilization/sulfation temperature. In conventional furnaces, the minimum calcination temperature, or the calcium carbonate decomposition temperature, ranges from about 1,365 to 1,430° F. The minimum effective quicklime utilization/sulfation temperature refers to the temperature below which the rate of quicklime sulfation of the lime produced by calcination of the limestone is sufficiently slow to result in negligible calcium sulfate formation on the resultant lime, and in conventional furnace applications ranges from 1,600 to 1,800° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventor: Lloyd L. Lavely, Jr.