Patents by Inventor Ashok K. Punetha

Ashok K. Punetha 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: 11911750
    Abstract: A slurry-phase catalyst composition may include a disulfide oil and a first metal complex. The first metal complex may include at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, tungsten, iron, and combinations of these. The first metal complex may also include a plurality of ligands bonded to the at least one transition metal. The plurality of ligands may include at least one first ligand selected from the group consisting of dim ethyl sulfide, dimethyldisulfide, diethyl sulfide, diethyldisulfide, methyl ethyl sulfide, methylethyldisulfide, and combinations thereof, and the transition metal may be bonded to a sulfur atom of the at least one first ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Omer Refa Koseoglu, Ashok K.. Punetha, Hendrik Muller
  • Patent number: 11618013
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, non-agglomerated, nano-sized ZSM-22 zeolites may be synthesized by methods comprising operating a mechanical rotation drum unit at a first temperature of from 40° C. to 60° C. and a first speed of from 200 rpm to 1000 rpm for a first time period of from 1.3 hours to 2.7 hours; operating the mechanical rotation drum unit at a second speed of from 30 rpm to 90 rpm for a second time period of from 0.05 hours to 0.4 hours; heating the mechanical rotation drum unit at a ramping temperature of from 8° C./minute to 12° C./minute to a second temperature of from 115° C. to 185° C. at the second speed; operating the mechanical rotation drum unit at the second temperature and the second speed for a third time period of from 30 hours to 90 hours; and cooling the mechanical rotation drum unit at a fourth speed of 0 rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Emad Al-Shafei, Oki Muraza, Anas Karrar Jamil, Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Zain Hassan Yamani
  • Publication number: 20220297098
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, non-agglomerated, nano-sized ZSM-22 zeolites may be synthesized by methods comprising operating a mechanical rotation drum unit at a first temperature of from 40° C. to 60° C. and a first speed of from 200 rpm to 1000 rpm for a first time period of from 1.3 hours to 2.7 hours; operating the mechanical rotation drum unit at a second speed of from 30 rpm to 90 rpm for a second time period of from 0.05 hours to 0.4 hours; heating the mechanical rotation drum unit at a ramping temperature of from 8° C./minute to 12° C./minute to a second temperature of from 115° C. to 185° C. at the second speed; operating the mechanical rotation drum unit at the second temperature and the second speed for a third time period of from 30 hours to 90 hours; and cooling the mechanical rotation drum unit at a fourth speed of 0 rpm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicants: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Emad Al-Shafei, Oki Muraza, Anas Karrar Jamil, Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Zain Hassan Yamani
  • Patent number: 10703988
    Abstract: A system to selectively remove metal compounds and sulfur from a petroleum feedstock includes a mixing zone configured to mix a pre-heated water stream and a pre-heated petroleum feedstock to form a mixed stream, a first supercritical water reactor configured to allow conversion reactions to occur to produce an upgraded stream, a carbon dispersal zone configured to mix carbon with a make-up water stream to produce a carbon dispersed water stream, such that the carbon is dispersed in the carbon dispersed water stream, a make-up mixing zone configured to combine the upgraded stream and the carbon dispersed water stream to produce a diluted carbon dispersed stream, the carbon is operable to trap metals present in the upgraded stream, and a second supercritical water reactor configured to allow conversion reactions to occur to produce a carbon dispersed effluent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Muneef F. Alqarzouh
  • Patent number: 10202552
    Abstract: A method to remove a metals impurity from a petroleum feedstock for use in a power generating process is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing a heated feedstock with a heated water stream in a mixing device to produce a mixed stream; introducing the mixed stream to a supercritical water reactor in the absence of externally provided hydrogen and externally provided oxidizing agent to produce a reactor effluent comprising a refined petroleum portion; cooling the reactor effluent to produce a cooled stream; feeding the cooled stream to a rejecter configured to separate a sludge fraction to produce a de-sludged stream; reducing the pressure of the de-sludged stream to produce a depressurized product; separating the depressurized product to produce a gas phase product and a liquid product; separating the liquid product to produce a petroleum product, having a reduced asphaltene content, reduced concentration of metals impurity, and reduced sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Emad N. Shafei, Ashok K. Punetha, Joo-Hyeong Lee, Mohammad A. Alabdullah
  • Publication number: 20190016967
    Abstract: A method to selectively remove metal compounds and sulfur from a petroleum feedstock is provided. The method comprising the steps of feeding a pre-heated water stream and a pre-heated petroleum feedstock to a mixing zone, mixing the pre-heated water stream and the pre-heated petroleum feedstock to form a mixed stream, introducing the mixed stream to a first supercritical water reactor to produce an upgraded stream, combining the upgraded stream and a make-up water stream in a make-up mixing zone to produce a diluted stream, wherein the make-up water stream increases the ratio of water to oil in the diluted stream as compared to the upgraded stream, and introducing the diluted stream to a second supercritical water reactor to produce a product effluent stream. The method can include mixing a carbon with the make-up water stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk CHOI, Ashok K. PUNETHA, Muneef F. ALQARZOUH
  • Patent number: 10106748
    Abstract: A method to selectively remove metal compounds and sulfur from a petroleum feedstock is provided. The method comprising the steps of feeding a pre-heated water stream and a pre-heated petroleum feedstock to a mixing zone, mixing the pre-heated water stream and the pre-heated petroleum feedstock to form a mixed stream, introducing the mixed stream to a first supercritical water reactor to produce an upgraded stream, combining the upgraded stream and a make-up water stream in a make-up mixing zone to produce a diluted stream, wherein the make-up water stream increases the ratio of water to oil in the diluted stream as compared to the upgraded stream, and introducing the diluted stream to a second supercritical water reactor to produce a product effluent stream. The method can include mixing a carbon with the make-up water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Muneef F. AlQarzouh
  • Patent number: 10066172
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process for producing paraffins from a petroleum-based composition comprising long chain aromatics comprise mixing a supercritical water stream with a pressurized, heated petroleum-based composition to create a combined feed stream, introducing the combined feed stream to a first reactor through an inlet port of the first reactor, where the first reactor operates at supercritical pressure and temperature, cracking at least a portion of the long chain aromatics in the first reactor to form a first reactor product, and then introducing the first reactor product to a second reactor through an upper inlet port of the second reactor operating at supercritical pressure and temperature, where the second reactor is a downflow reactor comprising an upper inlet port, a lower outlet port, and a middle outlet port are provided. The middle outlet product passing out of the middle outlet port comprises paraffins and short chain aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Mohammad A. AlAbdullah, Ashok K. Punetha, Emad N. Al-Shafei
  • Publication number: 20180187093
    Abstract: A method to selectively remove metal compounds and sulfur from a petroleum feedstock is provided. The method comprising the steps of feeding a pre-heated water stream and a pre-heated petroleum feedstock to a mixing zone, mixing the pre-heated water stream and the pre-heated petroleum feedstock to form a mixed stream, introducing the mixed stream to a first supercritical water reactor to produce an upgraded stream, combining the upgraded stream and a make-up water stream in a make-up mixing zone to produce a diluted stream, wherein the make-up water stream increases the ratio of water to oil in the diluted stream as compared to the upgraded stream, and introducing the diluted stream to a second supercritical water reactor to produce a product effluent stream. The method can include mixing a carbon with the make-up water stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Muneef F. ALQarzouh
  • Publication number: 20180171240
    Abstract: A method to remove a metals impurity from a petroleum feedstock for use in a power generating process is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing a heated feedstock with a heated water stream in a mixing device to produce a mixed stream; introducing the mixed stream to a supercritical water reactor in the absence of externally provided hydrogen and externally provided oxidizing agent to produce a reactor effluent comprising a refined petroleum portion; cooling the reactor effluent to produce a cooled stream; feeding the cooled stream to a rejecter configured to separate a sludge fraction to produce a de-sludged stream; reducing the pressure of the de-sludged stream to produce a depressurized product; separating the depressurized product to produce a gas phase product and a liquid product; separating the liquid product to produce a petroleum product, having a reduced asphaltene content, reduced concentration of metals impurity, and reduced sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk CHOI, Emad N. SHAFEI, Ashok K. PUNETHA, Joo-Hyeong LEE, Mohammad A. ALABDULLAH
  • Patent number: 9957450
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a petroleum feedstock with supercritical water are provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) heating and pressurizing a petroleum feedstock; (2) heating and pressurizing a water feed to above the supercritical point of water; (3) combining the heated and pressurized petroleum feedstock and the heated and pressurized water feed to produce a combined feed; (4) supplying the combined feed to a hydrothermal reactor to produce a first product stream; (5) supplying the first product stream to a post-treatment process unit to produce a second product stream; and (6) separating the second product stream into a treated and upgraded petroleum stream and a water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Mohammed R. Al-Dossary, Sameer Ali Ghamdi
  • Patent number: 9926497
    Abstract: A method to remove a metals impurity from a petroleum feedstock for use in a power generating process is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing a heated feedstock with a heated water stream in a mixing device to produce a mixed stream; introducing the mixed stream to a supercritical water reactor in the absence of externally provided hydrogen and externally provided oxidizing agent to produce a reactor effluent comprising a refined petroleum portion; cooling the reactor effluent to produce a cooled stream; feeding the cooled stream to a rejecter configured to separate a sludge fraction to produce a de-sludged stream; reducing the pressure of the de-sludged stream to produce a depressurized product; separating the depressurized product to produce a gas phase product and a liquid product; separating the liquid product to produce a petroleum product, having a reduced asphaltene content, reduced concentration of metals impurity, and reduced sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Emad N. Shafei, Ashok K. Punetha, Joo-Hyeong Lee, Mohammad A. Alabdullah
  • Publication number: 20170166821
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process for producing paraffins from a petroleum-based composition comprising long chain aromatics comprise mixing a supercritical water stream with a pressurized, heated petroleum-based composition to create a combined feed stream, introducing the combined feed stream to a first reactor through an inlet port of the first reactor, where the first reactor operates at supercritical pressure and temperature, cracking at least a portion of the long chain aromatics in the first reactor to form a first reactor product, and then introducing the first reactor product to a second reactor through an upper inlet port of the second reactor operating at supercritical pressure and temperature, where the second reactor is a downflow reactor comprising an upper inlet port, a lower outlet port, and a middle outlet port are provided. The middle outlet product passing out of the middle outlet port comprises paraffins and short chain aromatics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Mohammad A. AlAbdullah, Ashok K. Punetha, Emad N. Al-Shafei
  • Publication number: 20170107433
    Abstract: A method to remove a metals impurity from a petroleum feedstock for use in a power generating process is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing a heated feedstock with a heated water stream in a mixing device to produce a mixed stream; introducing the mixed stream to a supercritical water reactor in the absence of externally provided hydrogen and externally provided oxidizing agent to produce a reactor effluent comprising a refined petroleum portion; cooling the reactor effluent to produce a cooled stream; feeding the cooled stream to a rejecter configured to separate a sludge fraction to produce a de-sludged stream; reducing the pressure of the de-sludged stream to produce a depressurized product; separating the depressurized product to produce a gas phase product and a liquid product; separating the liquid product to produce a petroleum product, having a reduced asphaltene content, reduced concentration of metals impurity, and reduced sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk CHOI, Emad N. SHAFEI, Ashok K. PUNETHA, Joo-Hyeong LEE, Mohammad A. ALABDULLAH
  • Publication number: 20160272901
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a petroleum feedstock with supercritical water are provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) heating and pressurizing a petroleum feedstock; (2) heating and pressurizing a water feed to above the supercritical point of water; (3) combining the heated and pressurized petroleum feedstock and the heated and pressurized water feed to produce a combined feed; (4) supplying the combined feed to a hydrothermal reactor to produce a first product stream; (5) supplying the first product stream to a post-treatment process unit to produce a second product stream; and (6) separating the second product stream into a treated and upgraded petroleum stream and a water stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Mohammed R. Al-Dossary, Sameer Ali Ghamdi
  • Patent number: 9382485
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a petroleum feedstock with supercritical water are provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) heating and pressurizing a petroleum feedstock; (2) heating and pressurizing a water feed to above the supercritical point of water; (3) combining the heated and pressurized petroleum feedstock and the heated and pressurized water feed to produce a combined feed; (4) supplying the combined feed to a hydrothermal reactor to produce a first product stream; (5) supplying the first product stream to a post-treatment process unit to produce a second product stream; and (6) separating the second product stream into a treated and upgraded petroleum stream and a water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Mohammed Rashid Al-Dossary, Sameer Ali Ghamdi
  • Patent number: 9145523
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock upgrading method is provided. The method includes supplying the hydrocarbon feedstock, water and a pre-heated hydrogen donating composition to a hydrothermal reactor where the mixed stream is maintained at a temperature and pressure greater than the critical temperatures and pressure of water in the absence of catalyst for a residence time sufficient to convert the mixed stream into a modified stream. The hydrogen donating composition is pre-heated and maintained at a temperature of greater than about 50° C. for a period of at least about 10 minutes. The modified stream includes upgraded hydrocarbons relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock. The modified stream is then separated into a gas stream and a liquid stream and the liquid stream is separated into a water stream and an upgraded hydrocarbon product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Mohammed R. Al-Dossary, Mohammad F. Aljishi
  • Publication number: 20150218465
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock upgrading method is provided. The method includes supplying the hydrocarbon feedstock, water and a pre-heated hydrogen donating composition to a hydrothermal reactor where the mixed stream is maintained at a temperature and pressure greater than the critical temperatures and pressure of water in the absence of catalyst for a residence time sufficient to convert the mixed stream into a modified stream. The hydrogen donating composition is pre-heated and maintained at a temperature of greater than about 50° C. for a period of at least about 10 minutes. The modified stream includes upgraded hydrocarbons relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock. The modified stream is then separated into a gas stream and a liquid stream and the liquid stream is separated into a water stream and an upgraded hydrocarbon product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Mohammed R. AI-Dossary, Mohammad F. Aljishi
  • Patent number: 9039889
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock upgrading method is provided. The method includes supplying the hydrocarbon feedstock, water and a pre-heated hydrogen donating composition to a hydrothermal reactor where the mixed stream is maintained at a temperature and pressure greater than the critical temperatures and pressure of water in the absence of catalyst for a residence time sufficient to convert the mixed stream into a modified stream. The hydrogen donating composition is pre-heated and maintained at a temperature of greater than about 50° C. for a period of at least about 10 minutes. The modified stream includes upgraded hydrocarbons relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock. The modified stream is then separated into a gas stream and a liquid stream and the liquid stream is separated into a water stream and an upgraded hydrocarbon product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ashok K. Punetha, Mohammed R. Al-Dossary, Mohammad F. Aljishi
  • Patent number: 9005432
    Abstract: A process for upgrading an oil stream by mixing the oil stream with a water stream and subjecting it to conditions that are at or above the supercritical temperature and pressure of water. The process further includes cooling and a subsequent alkaline extraction step. The resulting thiols and hydrogen sulfide gas can be isolated from the product stream, resulting in an upgraded oil stream that is a higher value oil having low sulfur, low nitrogen, and low metallic impurities as compared to the oil stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Mohammad Fuad Aljishi, Ashok K. Punetha, Mohammed R. Al-Dossary, Joo-Hyeong Lee, Bader M. Al-Otaibi