Patents Assigned to Brown and Root, Inc.
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Publication number: 20070048093Abstract: Disclosed are compliant variable tension risers (106) to connect deep-water subsea wellheads (102) to a single floating platform (104) in wet tree or dry try systems. The variable tension risers (106) allow several subsea wellheads (102), in water depths from 1220 to 3050 meters, at lateral offsets from one-tenth to twice the depth or more, to tie back to a single floating platform (104). Also disclosed are methods to counter buoyancy and install variable tension risers using a weighted chain ballast line (228, 230).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2005Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Shankar Bhat, John Christian Mungall, David Andersen, Kevin Haverty, Sean Barr, Davinder Manku
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Publication number: 20060283776Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the upgrading of heavy oils and bitumens, where the total feed to the process can include heavy oil or bitumen, water, and diluent. The process can include the steps of solvent deasphalting 110 the total feed 105 to recover an asphaltene fraction 116, a deasphalted oil fraction 118 essentially free of asphaltenes, a water fraction 112, and a solvent fraction 114. The process allows removal of salts from the heavy oils and bitumens either into the aqueous products or with the asphaltene product.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2005Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Rashid Iqbal, Anshumali, Raymond Floyd
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Publication number: 20060210361Abstract: A pipeline segment 5, used for the manufacture of a thin-walled underwater pipeline 50, is disclosed. 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 shutoff 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: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventor: Craig Lamison
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Publication number: 20060135830Abstract: A process for the selective hydrogenation of alpha-methyl-styrene (AMS) to cumene in a two catalyst system is disclosed. A crude cumene feed stream containing up to 10% AMS by weight is supplied to the first reaction zone 112 and mixed with hydrogen in a first catalyst bed 118 containing a nickel catalyst, converting from 70 to 95 percent of the AMS to cumene. Cumene and remaining AMS are separated from hydrogen in a liquid take off tray 120. The first reaction zone 112 5effluent is supplied to a second reaction zone 114, where the effluent and hydrogen gas are mixed in a second catalyst bed 126 containing a noble-metal catalyst to substantially convert any remaining AMS to cumene. Cumene is collected, separated from the hydrogen, and can be resupplied to the hydrogenation reactor 110, or supplied as feed to a phenol synthesis loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Ronald Birkhoff, Clive Griffiths, Kiran Shah, Anand Subramanian
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Publication number: 20060099131Abstract: An ammonia converter system and method are disclosed. The reactor can alter the conversion of ammonia by controlling the reaction temperature of the exothermic reaction along the length of the reactor to parallel the equilibrium curve for the desired product. The reactor 100 can comprise a shell 101 and internal catalyst tubes 109. The feed gas stream enters the reactor, flows through the shell 101, and is heated by indirect heat exchange with the catalyst tubes 109. The catalyst tubes 109 comprise reactive zones 122 having catalyst and reaction limited zones 124 that can comprise inert devices that function to both separate the reactive zones, increase heat transfer area, and reduce the temperature of the reaction mixture as the effluent passes through the catalyst tube 109.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2004Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Shashi Singh, David Mann, Anant Pisut
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Publication number: 20060067792Abstract: Apparatuses including a subsea pipeline (18) extending from a first location (14) to a second location (16) and including at least one distributed buoyancy region (102) to traverse a seabed topographic feature (12) are presented. Methods including laying a subsea pipeline (218) including laying a negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218A), a distributed buoyancy section (202) of pipeline (218), and a second negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218B) from a pipelay vessel (220) to traverse an undersea topographic feature (212) are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Khamir Joshi, John Mungall, Craig Lamison
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Publication number: 20060062635Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods to traverse an undersea topographic feature (12) with a subsea pipeline (18) are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention accomplish this task through the use of a concentrated buoyancy scheme (10). The invention disclosed can allow more efficient and cost effective traversal of hostile terrain for subsea pipelines at great depths while minimizing the risk of rupturing the pipeline (18) or negatively impacting the surrounding undersea environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: March 23, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: John Mungall, Khamir Joshi, Craig Lamison
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Publication number: 20060049082Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2004Publication date: March 9, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Phillip Niccum, Iwan Chan, Richard Miller, Steven Tragesser
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Publication number: 20060042999Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the upgrading and demetallizing of heavy oils and bitumens. A crude heavy oil and/or bitumen feed is supplied to a solvent extraction process 104 wherein DAO and asphaltenes are separated. The DAO is supplied to an FCC unit 106 having a low conversion activity catalyst for the removal of metals contained therein. The demetallized distillate fraction is supplied to a hydrotreater 110 for upgrading and collected as a synthetic crude product stream. The asphaltene fraction can be supplied to a gasifier 108 for the recovery of power, steam and hydrogen, which can be supplied to the hydrotreater 110 or otherwise within the process or exported. An optional coker 234 can be used to convert excess asphaltenes and/or decant oil to naphtha, distillate and gas oil, which can be supplied to the hydrotreater 220.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2004Publication date: March 2, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Rashid Iqbal, NFN Anshumali, Odette Eng, Phillip Niccum
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Publication number: 20060021756Abstract: Disclosed are compliant variable tension risers (106) to connect deep-water subsea wellheads (102) to a single floating platform (104). The variable tension risers (106) allow several subsea wellheads (102), in water depths from 4,000 to 10,000 feet, at lateral offsets from one-tenth to one-half of the depth, to tie back to a single floating dry tree semi-submersible platform (104). Also disclosed are methods to counter buoyancy and install variable tension risers using a weighted chain ballast line (228, 230).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Shankar Bhat, John Mungall, Kevin Haverty, David Andersen, William Greiner
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Publication number: 20060021379Abstract: A process for deethanizing light hydrocarbons comprising olefins is disclosed. A feed stream, comprising ethylene, ethane, propylene, and propane, is supplied to a primary deethanizer 24, having absorption and stripping sections. The absorption section produces an overhead vapor effluent 128, consisting primarily of ethylene and ethane, which is supplied to a C2 splitter to separate ethane and ethylene. The stripping section produces a primary deethanizer bottoms stream having an ethane concentration from 1 to 20 mole percent of the feed ethane. The primary deethanizer bottoms 120 are cooled and supplied to a secondary deethanizer 142 having absorption and stripping sections. The absorption section is refluxed, producing an overhead effluent 154 essentially free of ethylene. The stripping section is refluxed to produce a secondary deethanizer bottoms stream essentially free of ethane. The secondary deethanizer bottoms stream is supplied to a depropanizer or C3 splitter for separation of the remaining olefins.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventor: Stephen Ronczy
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Publication number: 20050183989Abstract: Residual oil supercritical extraction (ROSE) 10 and integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power systems 70, 114 are cooperatively integrated. High-level heat from the IGCC is used via a heat transfer fluid 84 for high level process heating requirements in the ROSE unit. This can eliminate the fired heater normally required in the ROSE unit, and reduces the size of the gasifier 62 waste heat boiler 72 and/or the high-pressure steam coil 134 and steam turbine generator 144 in the IGCC.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: Kellogg Brown and Root, Inc.Inventor: Keld Christensen
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Publication number: 20050150817Abstract: Integration of gas oil and light olefin catalytic cracking zones with a pyrolytic cracking zone to maximize efficient production of petrochemicals is disclosed. Integration of the units in parallel allows production of an overall product stream with maximum ethylene and/or propylene by routing various feedstreams and recycle streams to the appropriate cracking zone(s), e.g. ethane/propane to the steam pyrolysis zone and C4 C6 olefins to the light olefin cracking zone. This integration enhances the value of the material balances produced by the integrated units.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2004Publication date: July 14, 2005Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Michael Tallman, Chris Santner, Richard Miller
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Patent number: 6902593Abstract: A multi-cyclone gas/solids separator with reduced solids re-entrainment is disclosed. The separator uses a plurality of cyclones spaced horizontally apart from adjacent cyclones to process flue gas containing residual catalyst fines. Each cyclone has a body that has a feed inlet end for admitting gas and entrained solids into an annular space defined by a sidewall of the cyclone body and a cylindrical gas outlet tube axially aligned with the cyclone body. A solids outlet at an opposing end of the cyclone body has a tangential outlet for solids and a minor amount of gas through a sidewall of the cyclone body. A gas reflux opening is axially aligned with the outlet tube. The plurality of cyclones share both a common catch chamber for solids discharged from the solids outlet, and a common manifold for gas and entrained solids.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Kellogg Brown and Root, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Miller, Eusebius Gbordzoe, Yong-Lin Yang, Suisheng M. Dou, David Lee Johnson
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Publication number: 20050115484Abstract: A semisubmersible trimaran for use in an afloat sea base is disclosed. The trimaran has an upper deck structure 12 supported on a longitudinal center hull 26 and column-stabilized, longitudinal outrigger pontoons 28. The center hull 26 and pontoon columns 38 and 40 have a reduced waterplane area for minimizing motion during operations. The trimaran has a transit draft 37 for deployment at full waterplane area, and an operating draft 36 with a reduced waterplane area for damping motion. The vessel can be deployed with a transit drive 42 on the hull 26, and dynamically positioned at a destination for operations. Multiple trimarans can be assembled to provide an extended upper surface, including a landing area for fixed-wing aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: John Leitch, Harvey McBee, Jan Veldwijk, Douglass Williams
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Publication number: 20050086864Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2005Publication date: April 28, 2005Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Robert Burlingame, Thomas Czuppon, Larry Hackemesser
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Publication number: 20050013768Abstract: A process for manufacturing ammonia from syngas with excess air for reforming and nitrogen removal with low pressure losses is disclosed. Auto-refrigeration for cooling the syngas for cryogenic hydrogen enrichment is provided by expansion of a hydrogen-lean waste fluid stream from a distillation column.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: January 20, 2005Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Avinash Malhotra, Tufail Ahmad, Bradley Welter
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Publication number: 20040182002Abstract: Low-energy, low-capital hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger 14 is placed in parallel with an autothermal reformer (ATR) 10 to which are supplied a preheated steam-hydrocarbon mixture. An air-steam mixture is supplied to the burner/mixer of the ATR 10 to obtain a syngas effluent at 650°-1050° C. The effluent from the ATR is used to heat the reforming exchanger, and combined reformer effluent is shift converted and separated into a mixed gas stream and a hydrogen-rich product stream. High capital cost equipment such as steam-methane reformer and air separation plant are not required.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Avinash Malhotra, James Hanlan Gosnell
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Publication number: 20040177555Abstract: Low-energy hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger is placed in parallel with a partial oxidation reactor in a new hydrogen plant with improved efficiency and reduced steam export, or in an existing hydrogen plant where the hydrogen capacity can be increased by as much as 20-30 percent with reduced export of steam from the hydrogen plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN AND ROOT, INC.Inventors: Stanislaus A. Knez, Avinash Malhotra, David P. Mann, Martin J. Van Sickels
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Patent number: 6161880Abstract: An end fitting/pipe coupling in which to receive a flexible pipe end to be joined includes an annular seal of chevron configuration supported in the fitting for surrounding the received pipe end and is comprised of an elastomer composition defining a plurality of uniformly spaced parallel separations each containing an annular metallic shim adapted to increasingly grip the pipe in response to a pull out force encountered by the pipe end.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Kellogg, Brown and Root, Inc.Inventor: George W. Peppel