Patents by Inventor Bala Ramachandran

Bala Ramachandran 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).

  • Publication number: 20150141720
    Abstract: A process for the double-bond isomerization of olefins is disclosed. The process may include contacting a hydrocarbon stream including olefins with a ?-alumina-titania isomerization catalyst to convert at least a portion of the olefin to its positional isomer. The ?-alumina-titania isomerization catalysts disclosed herein may also have the activity to convert alcohol into additional olefins, while having increased resistance to oxygenate poisons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi, Robert J. Gartside
  • Patent number: 9023753
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene, the process including: contacting ethylene and a hydrocarbon stream comprising 1-butene and 2-butene with a bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst to concurrently isomerizes 1-butene to 2-butene and to form a metathesis product comprising propylene; wherein the bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst comprises: a catalyst compound may include at least one element selected from tungsten, tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, osmium, iridium, rhodium, vanadium, ruthenium, and rhenium for providing metathesis activity on a support comprising at least one element from Group IA, IIA, IIB, and IIIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements; wherein an exposed surface area of the support provides both isomerization activity for the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene; and reactive sites for the adsorption of catalyst compound poisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Lummus Technology Inc., BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi, Robert J. Gartside, Shane Kleindienst, Wolfgang Ruettinger, Saeed Alerasool
  • Patent number: 8838468
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and managing business performance by designing and evaluating the performance of a business process model comprising a flow of business tasks and artifact sources that generate business artifacts. Business processes may be parsed to identify transformation opportunities meeting transformation conditions specified in a transformation knowledge. One or more identified transformation opportunities may be adopted, and parts of the process may be transformed according to transformation rules specified in a transformation knowledge. Analytics and computer simulation may be employed to evaluate business performance metrics of each of said transformed business processes. Iterative changes may be made to said business processes to manage business performance, reiterating transformation and evaluation steps until a satisfactory business process model is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kano, Akio Koide, Te-Kai Liu, Bala Ramachandran
  • Publication number: 20140142359
    Abstract: Mixed pentenes may be converted to propylene by feeding an alcohol, linear pentenes, and isopentenes to an etherification reactor. The alcohol and isopentenes may be reacted in the etherification reactor to convert isopentenes to tertiary amyl alkyl ether, which may be separated from the linear pentenes, recovered as a linear pentene fraction. The tertiary amyl alkyl ether may be fed to a decomposition reactor to convert at least a portion of the tertiary amyl alkyl ether to alcohol and isopentenes. The alcohol and isopentenes may then be separated to recover an isopentene fraction and an alcohol fraction. The isopentene fraction is then fed to a skeletal isomerization reactor to convert at least a portion of the isopentenes to linear pentenes, the effluent from which may be recycled to the etherification reactor. Ethylene and the linear pentene fraction may then be to a metathesis reactor to produce propylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi
  • Publication number: 20140066681
    Abstract: A process for the double-bond isomerization of olefins is disclosed. The process may include contacting a fluid stream comprising olefins with a fixed bed comprising an activated basic metal oxide isomerization catalyst to convert at least a portion of the olefin to its isomer. The isomerization catalysts disclosed herein may have a reduced cycle to cycle deactivation as compared to conventional catalysts, thus maintaining higher activity over the complete catalyst life cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi, Robert J. Gartside, Marvin I. Greene
  • Patent number: 8626544
    Abstract: A control methodology and component in Business Performance Management (BPM) Systems. This enables firms to exploit control theoretic techniques for Business Performance Management. Information from BPM systems is used to calibrate models of the business process. This model is then used to assess and optimize control actions to manage business performance, on the basis of which a control action is selected for business process execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lianjun An, Bala Ramachandran, Karthik Sourirajan
  • Patent number: 8586813
    Abstract: A process for the double-bond isomerization of olefins is disclosed. The process may include contacting a fluid stream comprising olefins with a fixed bed comprising an activated basic metal oxide isomerization catalyst to convert at least a portion of the olefin to its isomer. The isomerization catalysts disclosed herein may have a reduced cycle to cycle deactivation as compared to conventional catalysts, thus maintaining higher activity over the complete catalyst life cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi, Robert J. Gartside, Marvin I. Greene
  • Publication number: 20130252804
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene, the process including: contacting ethylene and a hydrocarbon stream comprising 1-butene and 2-butene with a bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst to concurrently isomerizes 1-butene to 2-butene and to form a metathesis product comprising propylene; wherein the bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst comprises: a catalyst compound may include at least one element selected from tungsten, tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, osmium, iridium, rhodium, vanadium, ruthenium, and rhenium for providing metathesis activity on a support comprising at least one element from Group IA, IIA, IIB, and IIIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements; wherein an exposed surface area of the support provides both isomerization activity for the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene; and reactive sites for the adsorption of catalyst compound poisons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicants: BASF CORPORATION, LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi, Robert J. Gartside, Shane Kleindienst, Wolfgang Ruettinger, Saeed Alerasool
  • Patent number: 8440874
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene, the process including: contacting ethylene and a hydrocarbon stream comprising 1-butene and 2-butene with a bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst to concurrently isomerizes 1-butene to 2-butene and to form a metathesis product comprising propylene; wherein the bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst comprises: a catalyst compound may include at least one element selected from tungsten, tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, osmium, iridium, rhodium, vanadium, ruthenium, and rhenium for providing metathesis activity on a support comprising at least one element from Group IA, IIA, IIB, and IIIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements; wherein an exposed surface area of the support provides both isomerization activity for the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene; and reactive sites for the adsorption of catalyst compound poisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Lummus Technology Inc., BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi, Robert J. Gartside, Shane Kleindienst, Wolfgang Ruettinger, Saeed Alerasool
  • Patent number: 8343885
    Abstract: Extruded isomerization catalysts comprising MgO, a metal silicate clay binder and a stabilizer and methods of forming such isomerization catalysts are disclosed. Also disclosed are isomerization catalysts that exhibit a fresh isomerization rate and an aged isomerization rate that is at least 50% of the fresh isomerization rate. Embodiments of the isomerization catalysts disclosed herein include metal silicate clay binders that include a layered structure and metal silicate. The metal silicate clay binder may be present in an amount in the range from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %. Exemplary stabilizers include one or more of ZrO2, tetravalent rare earth metal and a trivalent rare earth metal. Stabilizers may be present in an amount up to about 40 wt %. One or more improved properties, such as piece crush strength and isomerization performance, are exhibited by the catalyst article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruettinger, Ahmad Moini, Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi
  • Patent number: 8258358
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene, the process including: fractionating a hydrocarbon stream comprising n-butenes, isobutylene, and paraffins into at least two fractions including a light C4 fraction comprising isobutylene and a heavy C4 fraction comprising n-butenes and paraffins; contacting at least a portion of the heavy C4 fraction with a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesis product comprising ethylene, propylene, C4+ olefins, and paraffins; fractionating the metathesis product into at least four fractions including an ethylene fraction, a propylene fraction, a C4 fraction comprising C4 olefins and paraffins, and a C5+ fraction; cracking the light C4 fraction and the C5+ fraction to produce a cracking product comprising ethylene, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons; and fractionating the cracking product into at least two fractions including a light fraction comprising propylene and a fraction comprising C5 to C6 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gartside, Bala Ramachandran
  • Publication number: 20120189040
    Abstract: A multi-mode receiver system for processing signals based on a plurality of systems is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide for a shared architecture for processing baseband signals corresponding to a plurality of systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: BALA RAMACHANDRAN, Aravind Loke
  • Publication number: 20120157294
    Abstract: Extruded isomerization catalysts comprising MgO, a metal silicate clay binder and a stabilizer and methods of forming such isomerization catalysts are disclosed. Also disclosed are isomerization catalysts that exhibit a fresh isomerization rate and an aged isomerization rate that is at least 50% of the fresh isomerization rate. Embodiments of the isomerization catalysts disclosed herein include metal silicate clay binders that include a layered structure and metal silicate. The metal silicate clay binder may be present in an amount in the range from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %. Exemplary stabilizers include one or more of ZrO2, tetravalent rare earth metal and a trivalent rare earth metal. Stabilizers may be present in an amount up to about 40 wt %. One or more improved properties, such as piece crush strength and isomerization performance, are exhibited by the catalyst article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruettinger, Ahmad Moini, Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi
  • Publication number: 20120108864
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene, the process including: fractionating a hydrocarbon stream comprising n-butenes, isobutylene, and paraffins into at least two fractions including a light C4 fraction comprising isobutylene and a heavy C4 fraction comprising n-butenes and paraffins; contacting at least a portion of the heavy C4 fraction with a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesis product comprising ethylene, propylene, C4+ olefins, and paraffins; fractionating the metathesis product into at least four fractions including an ethylene fraction, a propylene fraction, a C4 fraction comprising C4 olefins and paraffins, and a C5+ fraction; cracking the light C4 fraction and the C5+ fraction to produce a cracking product comprising ethylene, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons; and fractionating the cracking product into at least two fractions including a light fraction comprising propylene and a fraction comprising C5 to C6 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gartside, Bala Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8153851
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene, the process including: fractionating a hydrocarbon stream comprising n-butenes, isobutylene, and paraffins into at least two fractions including a light C4 fraction comprising isobutylene and a heavy C4 fraction comprising n-butenes and paraffins; contacting at least a portion of the heavy C4 fraction with a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesis product comprising ethylene, propylene, C4+ olefins, and paraffins; fractionating the metathesis product into at least four fractions including an ethylene fraction, a propylene fraction, a C4 fraction comprising C4 olefins and paraffins, and a C5+ fraction; cracking the light C4 fraction and the C5+ fraction to produce a cracking product comprising ethylene, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons; and fractionating the cracking product into at least two fractions including a light fraction comprising propylene and a fraction comprising C5 to C6 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gartside, Bala Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8149952
    Abstract: A multi-mode receiver system for processing signals based on a plurality of systems is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide for a shared architecture for processing baseband signals corresponding to a plurality of systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Aravind Loke
  • Patent number: 8126762
    Abstract: A stabilization methodology and system component in Business Activity Monitoring and Management systems. This enables firms to use Business Activity Management (BAM) systems to manage business activity by only responding to monitored data when the overall business performance can be improved. This enables firms to identify appropriate tradeoffs between potentially conflicting objectives while meeting business objectives. Information from BAM systems are analyzed based on models of the business process and different information filter criteria are assessed for their impact on business performance indicators. Based on this, a filter criterion is chosen which is executed by an information filter. The outputs from the information filter are used as the basis for deciding the inputs for business process execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Li Chen
  • Patent number: 7979298
    Abstract: Risk in business management is analyzed based on a probabilistic network approach which quantifies the impact of operational risk on financial metrics such as Value-at-Risk (VAR) and/or Potential Losses (PL). This approach provides further capability to determine the optimal placement of one or more countermeasures within a system to minimize the impact of operational risks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Feng Cheng, David Gamarnik, Wanli Min, Bala Ramachandran, Jonathan Miles Collin Rosenoer
  • Patent number: 7979248
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to event driven simulation and provide a method, data processing system and computer program product for mapping a process model for use in a generic simulation engine. In an embodiment of the invention, a generic model simulation method can include mapping a specifically formatted process representation into a generic process model, and providing the generic process model to a simulation engine. The method further can include executing a simulation on the generic process model in lieu of executing the simulation on the specifically formatted process representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jay W. Benayon, Pablo Daniel Irassar, Bala Ramachandran, Vincent F. Szaloky
  • Patent number: 7908161
    Abstract: A computer implemented method and a computer system implementing the method of a business process transformation wizard leads a business analyst through a series of steps to invoke business transformation patterns, in order to analyze the results of those processes. The wizard first prompts the business analyst to specify business objectives of process transformation. Required parameters are added to the business process model guided by the business process transformation wizard until the business process model is completed. Once the model is completed, the wizard prompts the business analyst to select transformation techniques or patterns for optimizing process parameters and, for each selected transformation pattern, optimizes process parameters using a selected optimization technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jay William Benayon, Kaori Fujiwara, Makoto Kano, Akio Koide, Bala Ramachandran