Patents by Inventor Andre R. Da Costa
Andre R. Da Costa 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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Patent number: 9290826Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via membrane filtration. In one embodiment, dynamic filtration is used for the separation of the heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Christopher Alan Powers, Bruce Reynolds, Oluwaseyi Abiodun Odueyungbo
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Patent number: 8765622Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Lalit S. Shah, Christopher A. Powers, James R. Stoy, Fred D. Brent, Bruce E. Reynolds, Andre R. Da Costa
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Patent number: 8080155Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via a filtration assembly. The filtration assembly has a least a filtration unit employing at least a membrane for separating heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Christopher Alan Powers, Bruce Reynolds, Seyi A. Odueyungbo
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Publication number: 20090163350Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via membrane filtration. In one embodiment, dynamic filtration is used for the separation of the heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Bruce Reynolds, Christopher A. Powers
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Publication number: 20090159505Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via a filtration assembly. The filtration assembly has a least a filtration unit employing at least a membrane for separating heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Bruce Reynolds, Christopher A. Powers, Seyi A. Odueyungbo
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Publication number: 20090163348Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. The deoiling zone can comprise a membrane that is rapidly displaced in a horizontal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Paul Bryan
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Publication number: 20090163347Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Lalit S. Shah, Christopher A. Powers, James R. Stoy, Fred D. Brent, Bruce E. Reynolds, Andre R. Da Costa
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Patent number: 7479227Abstract: A process for separating a component from a low molecular weight organic mixture by pervaporation. The process uses fluorinated membranes and is particularly useful for treating mixtures containing light organic components, such as methane, propylene or n-butane.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels, Ankur D. Jariwala
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Publication number: 20040173529Abstract: A process for separating a component from a low molecular weight organic mixture by pervaporation. The process uses fluorinated membranes and is particularly useful for treating mixtures containing light organic components, such as methane, propylene or n-butane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels, Ankur D. Jariwala
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Patent number: 6648944Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide from gas, especially natural gas, that also contains C3+ hydrocarbons. The invention uses two or three membrane separation steps, optionally in conjunction with cooling/condensation under pressure, to yield a lighter, sweeter product natural gas stream, and/or a carbon dioxide stream of reinjection quality and/or a natural gas liquids (NGL) stream.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Andre R. Da Costa, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
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Patent number: 6630011Abstract: A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen. The invention relies on two-stage membrane separation, using methane-selective membranes for the first stage and nitrogen-selective membranes for the second stage. The process enables the nitrogen content of the gas to be substantially reduced, without requiring the membranes to be operated at very low temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Johannes G. Wijmans, Andre R. Da Costa
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Patent number: 6592650Abstract: A process for separating a gas from a gas mixture containing an organic compound gas or vapor by a hybrid separation combining adsorption with membrane gas separation, using membranes selective for the gas over the organic compound. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated cyclic structure of an at least 5-member ring, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Karl D. Amo, Ramin Daniels
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Patent number: 6579341Abstract: A process for separating nitrogen from a multicomponent gas mixture containing nitrogen and a hydrocarbon, such as natural gas or associated gas, using gas-separation membranes selective for nitrogen over the hydrocarbon. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Karl D. Amo, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
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Patent number: 6572680Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a multicomponent gas mixture containing carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbon, such as natural gas or associated gas, using gas-separation membranes selective for carbon dioxide over the hydrocarbon. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Karl D. Amo, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
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Patent number: 6572679Abstract: A process for treating a gas mixture containing at least an organic compound gas or vapor and a second gas, such as natural gas, refinery off-gas or air. The process uses two sequential membrane separation steps, one using membrane selective for the organic compound over the second gas, the other selective for the second gas over the organic vapor. The second-gas-selective membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons. The membrane steps can be combined in either order.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels, Karl D. Amo, Johannes G. Wijmans
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Patent number: 6544316Abstract: A process for separating hydrogen from a multicomponent gas mixture containing hydrogen and a hydrocarbon, using gas-separation membranes selective for hydrogen over the hydrocarbon. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Karl D. Amo, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
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Patent number: 6525236Abstract: A process for manufacturing cumene by reacting propylene with benzene, including treating a vent stream from the reaction zone, to recover propylene for return to the reactor. The process involves using a gas separation membrane to separate propylene from propane in the reactor vent stream. The membrane separation step results in a residue stream typically containing as much as 30%, 40% or more propane, which is vented from the process, and a permeate stream containing 95% or less propylene, which is recirculated to the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
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Publication number: 20030033929Abstract: A process for separating a gas from a gas mixture containing an organic compound gas or vapor by means of a hybrid separation combining adsorption with membrane gas separation, using membranes selective for the gas over the organic compound. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated cyclic structure of an at least 5-member ring, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Karl D. Amo, Ramin Daniels
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Publication number: 20020170430Abstract: A process for separating nitrogen from a multicomponent gas mixture containing nitrogen and a hydrocarbon, such as natural gas or associated gas, using gas-separation membranes selective for nitrogen over the hydrocarbon. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Karl D. Amo, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
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Publication number: 20020152889Abstract: A process for treating a gas mixture containing at least an organic compound gas or vapor and a second gas, such as natural gas, refinery off-gas or air. The process uses two sequential membrane separation steps, one using membrane selective for the organic compound over the second gas, the other selective for the second gas over the organic vapor. The second-gas-selective membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons. The membrane steps can be combined in either order.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels, Karl D. Amo, Johannes G. Wijmans