Patents by Inventor Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet

Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet 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: 10508033
    Abstract: A method for increasing sulfur recovery from an acid gas feed comprising the steps of introducing the acid gas feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air stream to a Claus process to produce a product gas stream, introducing the product gas stream to a thermal oxidizer to produce a flue gas stream, cooling the flue gas stream to produce a cooled take-off stream, separating the cooled take-off stream into a saturated gas stream, heating the saturated gas stream to produce a membrane gas stream, introducing the membrane gas stream to a membrane sweeping unit, the membrane sweeping unit comprises a membrane, the sulfur dioxide in the membrane gas stream permeates the membrane of the membrane sweeping unit, introducing a sweep air stream, the sweep air stream collects the sulfur dioxide to create the sulfur dioxide enriched air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Iran D. Charry-Prada, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Patent number: 10479684
    Abstract: A method for recovering sulfur from an acid gas feed is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing the acid gas feed and an absorption process outlet stream to form a combined Claus feed, introducing the combined Claus feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed to a Claus process to produce a Claus outlet gas stream, introducing the Claus outlet gas stream to a thermal oxidizer, treating the thermal oxidizer outlet stream in a gas treatment unit to produce a dehydrated stream, introducing the dehydrated stream to a membrane sweeping unit to produce a sweep membrane residue stream and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed, introducing a sweep air stream to a permeate side of the membrane sweeping unit, and introducing the sweep membrane residue stream to a sulfur dioxide absorption process to produce the absorption process outlet stream and a stack feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Compnay
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Iran D. Charry-Prada, Sebastien A. Duval, Feras Hamad, John P. O'Connell, Rashid M. Othman
  • Publication number: 20190016598
    Abstract: A method for recovering sulfur from an acid gas feed is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing the acid gas feed and an absorption process outlet stream to form a combined Claus feed, introducing the combined Claus feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed to a Claus process to produce a Claus outlet gas stream, introducing the Claus outlet gas stream to a thermal oxidizer, treating the thermal oxidizer outlet stream in a gas treatment unit to produce a dehydrated stream, introducing the dehydrated stream to a membrane sweeping unit to produce a sweep membrane residue stream and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed, introducing a sweep air stream to a permeate side of the membrane sweeping unit, and introducing the sweep membrane residue stream to a sulfur dioxide absorption process to produce the absorption process outlet stream and a stack feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. BALLAGUET, Milind M. VAIDYA, Iran D. CHARRY-PRADA, Sebastien A. DUVAL, Feras HAMAD, John P. O'CONNELL, Rashid M. OTHMAN
  • Publication number: 20190010052
    Abstract: A method for increasing sulfur recovery from an acid gas feed comprising the steps of introducing the acid gas feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air stream to a Claus process to produce a product gas stream, introducing the product gas stream to a thermal oxidizer to produce a flue gas stream, cooling the flue gas stream to produce a cooled take-off stream, separating the cooled take-off stream into a saturated gas stream, heating the saturated gas stream to produce a membrane gas stream, introducing the membrane gas stream to a membrane sweeping unit, the membrane sweeping unit comprises a membrane, the sulfur dioxide in the membrane gas stream permeates the membrane of the membrane sweeping unit, introducing a sweep air stream, the sweep air stream collects the sulfur dioxide to create the sulfur dioxide enriched air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Iran D. Charry-Prada, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Publication number: 20180363978
    Abstract: Techniques for treating a natural gas feed stream include receiving a natural gas feed stream that includes one or more acid gases, one or more hydrocarbon fluids, and one or more non-hydrocarbon fluids; circulating the natural gas feed stream to a membrane module; separating, with the membrane module, at least a portion of the one or more acid gases into a permeate stream and at least a portion of the one or more hydrocarbon fluids into a reject stream; circulating the permeate stream to a distillation unit; and separating, in the distillation unit, the one or more acid gases from the one or more non-hydrocarbon fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Iran D. Charry-Prada, Sebastien A. Duval, Aadesh Harale, Feras Hamad
  • Patent number: 10106411
    Abstract: A method for recovering sulfur from an acid gas feed is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing the acid gas feed and an absorption process outlet stream to form a combined Claus feed, introducing the combined Claus feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed to a Claus process to produce a Claus outlet gas stream, introducing the Claus outlet gas stream to a thermal oxidizer, treating the thermal oxidizer outlet stream in a gas treatment unit to produce a dehydrated stream, introducing the dehydrated stream to a membrane sweeping unit to produce a sweep membrane residue stream and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed, introducing a sweep air stream to a permeate side of the membrane sweeping unit, and introducing the sweep membrane residue stream to a sulfur dioxide absorption process to produce the absorption process outlet stream and a stack feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Iran D. Charry-Prada, Sebastien A. Duval, Feras Hamad, John P. O'Connell, Rashid M. Othman
  • Patent number: 10106410
    Abstract: A method for increasing sulfur recovery from an acid gas feed comprising the steps of introducing the acid gas feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air stream to a Claus process to produce a product gas stream, introducing the product gas stream to a thermal oxidizer to produce a flue gas stream, cooling the flue gas stream to produce a cooled take-off stream, separating the cooled take-off stream into a saturated gas stream, heating the saturated gas stream to produce a membrane gas stream, introducing the membrane gas stream to a membrane sweeping unit, the membrane sweeping unit comprises a membrane, the sulfur dioxide in the membrane gas stream permeates the membrane of the membrane sweeping unit, introducing a sweep air stream, the sweep air stream collects the sulfur dioxide to create the sulfur dioxide enriched air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Iran D. Charry-Prada, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Publication number: 20180257935
    Abstract: A method for increasing sulfur recovery from an acid gas feed comprising the steps of introducing the acid gas feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air stream to a Claus process to produce a product gas stream, introducing the product gas stream to a thermal oxidizer to produce a flue gas stream, cooling the flue gas stream to produce a cooled take-off stream, separating the cooled take-off stream into a saturated gas stream, heating the saturated gas stream to produce a membrane gas stream, introducing the membrane gas stream to a membrane sweeping unit, the membrane sweeping unit comprises a membrane, the sulfur dioxide in the membrane gas stream permeates the membrane of the membrane sweeping unit, introducing a sweep air stream, the sweep air stream collects the sulfur dioxide to create the sulfur dioxide enriched air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. BALLAGUET, Milind M. VAIDYA, Iran D. CHARRY-PRADA, Sebastien A. DUVAL
  • Publication number: 20180257936
    Abstract: A method for recovering sulfur from an acid gas feed is provided. The method comprising the steps of mixing the acid gas feed and an absorption process outlet stream to form a combined Claus feed, introducing the combined Claus feed and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed to a Claus process to produce a Claus outlet gas stream, introducing the Claus outlet gas stream to a thermal oxidizer, treating the thermal oxidizer outlet stream in a gas treatment unit to produce a dehydrated stream, introducing the dehydrated stream to a membrane sweeping unit to produce a sweep membrane residue stream and a sulfur dioxide enriched air feed, introducing a sweep air stream to a permeate side of the membrane sweeping unit, and introducing the sweep membrane residue stream to a sulfur dioxide absorption process to produce the absorption process outlet stream and a stack feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. BALLAGUET, Milind M. VAIDYA, Iran D. CHARRY-PRADA, Sebastien A. DUVAL, Feras HAMAD, John P. O'CONNELL, Rashid M. OTHMAN
  • Patent number: 10016728
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude, Air Liquide Advanced Technolgies U.S. LLC, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Karl S. Beers, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Patent number: 9981848
    Abstract: An enrichment apparatus and process for enriching a hydrogen sulfide concentration in an acid gas stream to create a hydrogen sulfide rich stream for feed to a Claus. The enrichment apparatus comprises a hydrocarbon selective separation unit operable to separate the acid gas stream into a hydrocarbon rich stream and a purified acid gas stream, wherein the acid gas stream comprises hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons, a hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit operable to separate the purified acid gas stream to create the hydrogen sulfide rich stream and a hydrogen sulfide lean stream, the hydrogen sulfide rich stream having a concentration of hydrogen sulfide, and the Claus unit operable to recover sulfur from the carbon dioxide lean stream. The enrichment apparatus can include a carbon dioxide selective separation unit in fluid communication with the hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit, operable to separate the hydrogen sulfide rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval, Aadesh Harale, Anwar H. Khawajah, Veera Venkata R. Tammana
  • Patent number: 9962659
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES U.S. LLC, L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Karl S. Beers, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Patent number: 9943802
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfur-containing compounds from a sulfur recovery unit (SRU) tail gas stream includes the steps of introducing the SRU tail gas stream to a reducing unit to produce a membrane feed, the reducing unit configured to reduce the sulfur-containing compounds to hydrogen sulfide, introducing the membrane feed to a hydrogen sulfide membrane unit, the hydrogen sulfide membrane unit comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane feed comprises hydrogen sulfide, allowing the membrane feed to contact a feed side of the membrane such that hydrogen sulfide permeates through the membrane to a permeate side, and collecting the retentate gases that fail to permeate through the membrane to produce a stack feed, wherein the stack feed comprises retentate gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Feras Hamad, Sebastien A. Duval, Iran D. Charry-Prada
  • Patent number: 9714925
    Abstract: A gas chromatographic method for analyzing natural gas and a natural gas upgrading system using the gas chromatographic method for analyzing natural gas. The method includes transporting the natural gas through a chiller, transporting the natural gas from the chiller to at least two gas upgrading membranes, and operating a gas chromatographic system having at least one upstream gas chromatograph and at least two downstream gas chromatographs. The at least one upstream gas chromatograph, the first downstream gas chromatograph, and the second downstream gas chromatograph all operate simultaneously and utilize the same heating oven to heat samples of natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Naim Akmal, Saeed Hasan Al-Shahrani, Anwar H. Al-Khawajah, Milind M. Vaidya, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Publication number: 20170137288
    Abstract: An enrichment apparatus and process for enriching a hydrogen sulfide concentration in an acid gas stream to create a hydrogen sulfide rich stream for feed to a Claus. The enrichment apparatus comprises a hydrocarbon selective separation unit operable to separate the acid gas stream into a hydrocarbon rich stream and a purified acid gas stream, wherein the acid gas stream comprises hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons, a hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit operable to separate the purified acid gas stream to create the hydrogen sulfide rich stream and a hydrogen sulfide lean stream, the hydrogen sulfide rich stream having a concentration of hydrogen sulfide, and the Claus unit operable to recover sulfur from the carbon dioxide lean stream. The enrichment apparatus can include a carbon dioxide selective separation unit in fluid communication with the hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit, operable to separate the hydrogen sulfide rich stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval, Aadesh Harale, Anwar H. Khawajah, Veera Venkata R. Tammana
  • Patent number: 9593015
    Abstract: An enrichment apparatus and process for enriching a hydrogen sulfide concentration in an acid gas stream to create a hydrogen sulfide rich stream for feed to a Claus. The enrichment apparatus comprises a hydrocarbon selective separation unit operable to separate the acid gas stream into a hydrocarbon rich stream and a purified acid gas stream, wherein the acid gas stream comprises hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons, a hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit operable to separate the purified acid gas stream to create the hydrogen sulfide rich stream and a hydrogen sulfide lean stream, the hydrogen sulfide rich stream having a concentration of hydrogen sulfide, and the Claus unit operable to recover sulfur from the carbon dioxide lean stream. The enrichment apparatus can include a carbon dioxide selective separation unit in fluid communication with the hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit, operable to separate the hydrogen sulfide rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval, Aadesh Harale, Anwar H. Khawajah, Veera Venkata R. Tammana
  • Publication number: 20170001150
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicants: AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES U.S. LLC, L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Cla, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Sudhir S. KULKARNI, Karl S. Beers, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Publication number: 20170001148
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Sudhir S. KULKARNI, Karl S. BEERS, Jean-Pierre R. BALLAGUET, Milind M. VAIDYA, Sebastien A. DUVAL
  • Publication number: 20170001149
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicants: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Sudhir S. KULKARNI, Karl S. BEERS, Jean-Pierre R. BALLAGUET, Milind M. VAIDYA, Sebastien A. DUVAL
  • Publication number: 20170001147
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Sudhir S. KULKARNI, Karl S. BEERS, Jean-Pierre R. BALLAGUET, Milind M. VAIDYA, Sebastien A. DUVAL