Patents by Inventor Ananda K. Nagavarapu

Ananda K. Nagavarapu 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: 11857913
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve performing dampening for fluctuations in the streams conducted away from the adsorbent bed unit. The process may be utilized for swing adsorption processes, such as rapid cycle TSA and/or rapid cycle PSA, which are utilized to remove one or more contaminants from a gaseous feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Stephen Wright, Bennett D. Marshall, Brett L. Ryberg
  • Publication number: 20230279994
    Abstract: Container systems for the transportation and/or storage of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are provided. The container systems include: a) an outer shell; b) an inner pressurized container, wherein the inner pressurized container comprises a first chamber having a first vent and at least one other chamber having a second vent; c) at least one heat exchange zone in thermal communication between the first chamber and the at least one other chamber; and d) an interstitial space between the outer shell and the inner pressurized container including at least a partial vacuum. Methods for transporting and/or storing LNG using the aforementioned container systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: Ananda K. NAGAVARAPU
  • Publication number: 20230258401
    Abstract: A method of producing LNG. According to the method, a natural gas stream is compressed using first and second compressors. A cooler cools the natural gas stream so that the second compressor produces a cooled, compressed natural gas stream, which is liquefied in a liquefaction process. The liquefaction process uses a refrigerant compressor configured to compress a stream of refrigerant used to chill, condense, or liquefy the cooled, compressed natural gas stream. Using a heat recovery steam generation (HRSG) system, heat is recovered from a power source of the refrigerant compressor. A stream of pressurized steam is generated from the recovered heat. At least one of the first and second compressors is powered using at least part of the stream of pressurized steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Jorge Vincentelli, Yijun Liu, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Xiaoli Y. Wright
  • Patent number: 11707707
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Patent number: 11635252
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for start-up of a system for liquefying a feed gas stream comprising natural gas. The system has a feed gas compression and expansion loop, and a refrigerant system comprising a primary cooling loop and a sub-cooling loop. The feed gas compression and expansion loop is started up. The refrigerant system is pressurized. Circulation in the primary cooling loop is started and established. Circulation in the sub-cooling loop is started and established. A flow rate of the feed gas stream and circulation rates of the primary cooling loop and the sub-cooling loop are ramped up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Yijun Liu, Fritz Pierre, Jr., Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Xiaoli Y. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220379257
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Patent number: 11446601
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Publication number: 20220219109
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve performing dampening for fluctuations in the streams conducted away from the adsorbent bed unit. The process may be utilized for swing adsorption processes, such as rapid cycle TSA and/or rapid cycle PSA, which are utilized to remove one or more contaminants from a gaseous feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Stephen Wright, Bennett D. Marshall, Brett L. Ryberg
  • Patent number: 11260339
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may provide access to the adsorbent material within the adsorbent bed unit without having to remove one or more of valves, conduits and manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Tammera, Bruce T. Kelley, Sebastian Chialvo, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Tracy A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 11110388
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing an input feed stream through two swing adsorption systems as a purge stream to remove contaminants, such as water, from the respective adsorbent bed units. The wet purge product stream is passed to a solvent based gas treating system, which forms a wet hydrocarbon rich stream and a wet acid gas stream. Then, the wet hydrocarbon rich stream and the wet acid gas stream are passed through one of the respective swing adsorption systems to remove some of the moisture from the respective wet streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Bruce T. Kelley, Robert A. Johnson, Bennett D. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20210088274
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a natural gas stream. Heavy hydrocarbons are removed from the natural gas stream in a separator to generate a bottom stream and a separated natural gas stream, which is used as a coolant in a heat exchanger to generate a pretreated natural gas stream. The pretreated natural gas stream is compressed and cooled to form a chilled pretreated natural gas stream, part of which forms a recycle stream to exchange heat with the separated natural gas stream in the heat exchanger, thereby generating a cooled recycle stream. The temperature and pressure of the cooled recycle stream are reduced. The cooled recycle stream is then separated into an overhead stream and a reflux stream, which is directed to the separator. The chilled pretreated gas stream is liquefied to form LNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Yijun LIU, Ananda K. NAGAVARAPU
  • Publication number: 20200206673
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Publication number: 20200064062
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for start-up of a system for liquefying a feed gas stream comprising natural gas. The system has a feed gas compression and expansion loop, and a refrigerant system comprising a primary cooling loop and a sub-cooling loop. The feed gas compression and expansion loop is started up. The refrigerant system is pressurized. Circulation in the primary cooling loop is started and established. Circulation in the sub-cooling loop is started and established. A flow rate of the feed gas stream and circulation rates of the primary cooling loop and the sub-cooling loop are ramped up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Yijun LIU, Fritz PIERRE, JR., Ananda K. NAGAVARAPU, Xiaoli Y. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20190381446
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve performing a startup mode process prior to beginning a normal operation mode process to remove contaminants from a gaseous feed stream. The startup mode process may be utilized for swing adsorption processes, such as TSA and/or PSA, which are utilized to remove one or more contaminants from a gaseous feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Bennett D. Marshall, Bruce T. Kelly, Robert A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190381447
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing an input feed stream through two swing adsorption systems as a purge stream to remove contaminants, such as water, from the respective adsorbent bed units. The wet purge product stream is passed to a solvent based gas treating system, which forms a wet hydrocarbon rich stream and a wet acid gas stream. Then, the wet hydrocarbon rich stream and the wet acid gas stream are passed through one of the respective swing adsorption systems to remove some of the moisture from the respective wet streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Bruce T. Kelley, Robert A. Johnson, Bennett D. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20190366261
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may provide access to the adsorbent material within the adsorbent bed unit without having to remove one or more of valves, conduits and manifolds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Robert F. Tammera, Bruce T. Kelley, Sebastian Chialvo, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Tracy A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 10495379
    Abstract: A system for conditioning a sour gas feed stream for a cryogenic distillation tower. A dehydration unit separates the sour gas feed stream into a first stream including water and a feed stream. A sequential cooling assembly is coupled to both the dehydration unit and the cryogenic distillation tower. The sequential cooling assembly includes: a first stage that separates the feed stream into a partially cooled feed stream and a second stream including acid gas; a second stage that cools the partially cooled feed stream into a cooled feed stream and a third stream including acid gas; and a cooled feed stream header coupled to a cryogenic distillation tower feed inlet. The first stage, the second stage, or both send at least one of the second and third streams to a bottom section of the cryogenic distillation tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Ananda K. Nagavarapu, P. Scott Northrop, Robert D. Denton, James A. Valencia
  • Patent number: 10434458
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing an input feed stream through two swing adsorption systems as a purge stream to remove contaminants, such as water, from the respective adsorbent bed units. The wet purge product stream is passed to a solvent based gas treating system, which forms a wet hydrocarbon rich stream and a wet acid gas stream. Then, the wet hydrocarbon rich stream and the wet acid gas stream are passed through one of the respective swing adsorption systems to remove some of the moisture from the respective wet streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Bruce T. Kelley, Robert A. Johnson, Bennett D. Marshall
  • Patent number: 10427088
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may provide access to the adsorbent material within the adsorbent bed unit without having to remove one or more of valves, conduits and manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Tammera, Bruce T. Kelley, Sebastian Chialvo, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Tracy A. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20190262765
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve performing the swing adsorption process in a swing adsorption process skid. The process may be utilized for swing adsorption processes, such as TSA and/or PSA, which are utilized to remove one or more contaminants from a gaseous feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: William Barnes, Ananda K. Nagavarapu