Patents by Inventor Kamal Serhal

Kamal Serhal 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: 11891357
    Abstract: A method that includes (a) providing a stream containing ethane and oxygen to an ODH reactor; (b) converting a portion of the ethane to ethylene and acetic acid in the ODH reactor to provide a stream containing ethane, ethylene, acetic acid, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (c) separating a portion of the acetic acid from the stream to provide an acetic acid stream and a stream containing ethane, ethylene, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (d) providing the stream to a CO Oxidation Reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting acetylene to produce a stream containing ethane, ethylene and carbon dioxide; and (e) providing a portion of the stream and a portion of the acetic acid stream to a third reactor containing a catalyst that includes a metal selected from group 10 and group 11 metals to produce vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: David Gent, Shahin Goodarznia, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Kamal Serhal, Claire Ennis, Robert Ladd
  • Publication number: 20230202958
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limiting the production of acetic acid in an oxidative dehydrogenation process to convert ethane to ethylene. The process of oxidative dehydrogenation includes feeding acetic acid, along with ethane and oxygen into an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor where contact with a catalyst leads to conversion of the ethane into ethylene and acetic acid. By including acetic acid in the feed, the amount of acetic acid produced may be limited and the ratio of ethylene produced to ethane consumed may increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Bolaji OLAYIWOLA, Shahin GOODARZNIA, Vasily SIMANZHENKOV, Mohamed AIFFA, Kamal SERHAL, Robert LADD, David GENT
  • Publication number: 20230024922
    Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus are provided for converting a lower alkane to an alkene. Oxygen and the lower alkane are provided to an ODH reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkane to an alkene. An ODH stream comprising the alkene, an oxygenate, steam, and a carbon-based oxide is produced. The bulk of the oxygenate is removed from the ODH outlet stream by non-dilutive cooling, with residual oxygenate being removed using dilutive quenching with a carbonate. Subsequently, separation of the carbon-based oxide from the alkene is achieved using a caustic tower, which also produces spent caustic in the form of a carbonate, which is then used as the carbonate for dilutive quenching. Dilutive quenching using a carbonate allows conversion of the oxygenate to an acetate, which can then be used to simplify separation of the oxygenate from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Bolaji Olayiwola, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Kamal Serhal
  • Publication number: 20220389330
    Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus for separation of an oxygenate from a stream is provided. More specifically, a stream comprising the oxygenate is introduced to a quench tower along with a caustic outlet stream comprising a metal salt. Contact between the oxygenate and the metal salt results in conversion of a portion of the oxygenate into a derivative salt. The derivative salt and unconverted oxygenate are condensed by quenching and substantially removed from the quench tower as an oxygenate outlet stream. The gaseous components of the stream, minus a substantial portion of the oxygenate, are removed from the quench tower as a quench outlet stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Bolaji Olayiwola, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Michael Koselek, Kamal Serhal
  • Publication number: 20220380277
    Abstract: A method of converting one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes that includes a) providing a first stream containing one or more alkanes and oxygen to an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor; b) converting at least a portion of the one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes in the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor to provide a second stream exiting the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor containing one or more alkanes, one or more alkenes, oxygen, carbon monoxide and optionally acetylene; and c) providing the second stream to a second reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert a least a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting the acetylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Kamal Serhal, Xiaoliang Gao, Yoonhee Kim
  • Patent number: 11492310
    Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus are provided for converting a lower alkane to an alkene. Oxygen and the lower alkane are provided to an ODH reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkane to an alkene. An ODH stream comprising the alkene, an oxygenate, steam, and a carbon-based oxide is produced. The bulk of the oxygenate is removed from the ODH outlet stream by non-dilutive cooling, with residual oxygenate being removed using dilutive quenching with a carbonate. Subsequently, separation of the carbon-based oxide from the alkene is achieved using a caustic tower, which also produces spent caustic in the form of a carbonate, which is then used as the carbonate for dilutive quenching. Dilutive quenching using a carbonate allows conversion of the oxygenate to an acetate, which can then be used to simplify separation of the oxygenate from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Bolaji Olayiwola, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Kamal Serhal
  • Publication number: 20220315509
    Abstract: A system and method for oxidative dehydrogenation including a first reactor having a first ODH catalyst to dehydrogenate an alkane to a corresponding alkene at a first temperature and facilitate generation of steam, a second reactor having a second ODH catalyst to dehydrogenate alkane in a first-reactor effluent to the corresponding alkene at a second temperature that may be greater than the first temperature and facilitate generation of steam, and a third reactor having a third ODH catalyst to dehydrogenate alkane in a second-reactor effluent to the corresponding alkene at a third temperature that may be greater than the first temperature or the second temperature and facilitate generation of steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Vasily SIMANZHENKOV, Robert LADD, Michael KOSELEK, Kamal SERHAL, Shahin GOODARZNIA, Bolaji OLAYIWOLA
  • Patent number: 11447704
    Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus for separation of an oxygenate from a stream is provided. More specifically, a stream comprising the oxygenate is introduced to a quench tower along with a caustic outlet stream comprising a metal salt. Contact between the oxygenate and the metal salt results in conversion of a portion of the oxygenate into a derivative salt. The derivative salt and unconverted oxygenate are condensed by quenching and substantially removed from the quench tower as an oxygenate outlet stream. The gaseous components of the stream, minus a substantial portion of the oxygenate, are removed from the quench tower as a quench outlet stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Bolaji Olayiwola, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Michael Koselek, Kamal Serhal
  • Patent number: 11447434
    Abstract: A method of converting one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes that includes a) providing a first stream containing one or more alkanes and oxygen to an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor; b) converting at least a portion of the one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes in the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor to provide a second stream exiting the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor containing one or more alkanes, one or more alkenes, oxygen, carbon monoxide and optionally acetylene; and c) providing the second stream to a second reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert a least a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting the acetylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Kamal Serhal, Xiaoliang Gao, Yoonhee Kim
  • Publication number: 20220241744
    Abstract: A method of safely mixing a hydrocarbon with an oxidant is provided. The hydrocarbon and oxidant are saturated with a non-flammable liquid in pre-mix zones that are flooded with the non-flammable liquid and fluidly connected to a common mixing zone that is partially flooded with the non-flammable liquid. The saturated hydrocarbon and oxidant combine within the common mixing zone forming bubbles of a homogeneous gas mixture of hydrocarbon and oxidant, preferably in a ratio of hydrocarbon to oxidant that is outside of the flammability limit, that can exit the non-flammable liquid into a headspace where it can be retrieved for use in an oxidative reaction process such as oxidative dehydrogenation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Vasily SIMANZHENKOV, Shahin GOODARZNIA, Bolaji OLAYIWOLA, Kamal SERHAL, Michael KOSELEK
  • Patent number: 11111194
    Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation is an alternative to the energy extensive steam cracking process presently used for the production of olefins from paraffins. Various embodiments of an oxidative dehydrogenation chemical complex designed to allow removal of sulfur containing contaminants that collect in the gas mixer unit and in the feed lines leading to the ODH reactor are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: NOVA CHEMICALS (INTERNATIONAL) S.A.
    Inventors: Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Christina Orta, Kamal Serhal, Eric Clavelle, Michael Koselek, Yoonhee Kim
  • Publication number: 20210040018
    Abstract: A method that includes (a) providing a stream containing ethane and oxygen to an ODH reactor; (b) converting a portion of the ethane to ethylene and acetic acid in the ODH reactor to provide a stream containing ethane, ethylene, acetic acid, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (c) separating a portion of the acetic acid from the stream to provide an acetic acid stream and a stream containing ethane, ethylene, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (d) providing the stream to a CO Oxidation Reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting acetylene to produce a stream containing ethane, ethylene and carbon dioxide; and (e) providing a portion of the stream and a portion of the acetic acid stream to a third reactor containing a catalyst that includes a metal selected from group 10 and group 11 metals to produce vinyl acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: David Gent, Shahin Goodarznia, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Kamal Serhal, Claire Ennis, Robert Ladd
  • Publication number: 20200407289
    Abstract: A method of converting one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes that includes a) providing a first stream containing one or more alkanes and oxygen to an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor; b) converting at least a portion of the one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes in the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor to provide a second stream exiting the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor containing one or more alkanes, one or more alkenes, oxygen, carbon monoxide and optionally acetylene; and c) providing the second stream to a second reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert a least a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting the acetylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Kamal Serhal, Xiaoliang Gao, Yoonhee Kim
  • Publication number: 20200157023
    Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus are provided for converting a lower alkane to an alkene. Oxygen and the lower alkane are provided to an ODH reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkane to an alkene. An ODH stream comprising the alkene, an oxygenate, steam, and a carbon-based oxide is produced. The bulk of the oxygenate is removed from the ODH outlet stream by non-dilutive cooling, with residual oxygenate being removed using dilutive quenching with a carbonate. Subsequently, separation of the carbon-based oxide from the alkene is achieved using a caustic tower, which also produces spent caustic in the form of a carbonate, which is then used as the carbonate for dilutive quenching. Dilutive quenching using a carbonate allows conversion of the oxygenate to an acetate, which can then be used to simplify separation of the oxygenate from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Bolaji Olayiwola, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Kamal Serhal
  • Publication number: 20200156055
    Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes employs a catalyst, usually a mixed metal oxide, to convert, in the presence of oxygen, a lower alkane into its corresponding alkene. Continuous operation of an oxidative dehydrogenation process may result in a gradual decrease of catalyst activity and or selection, requiring downtime for regeneration. Provided herein is a process for regeneration of an oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst including initiating regeneration by passing a regeneration gas over the catalyst, monitoring regeneration by comparing the oxygen concentration of the regeneration gas before and after being passed over the catalyst, and ceasing regeneration when the oxygen concentration of the regeneration gas after passed over the catalyst is at least 90% of the concentration of the regeneration gas before being passed over the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Shahin Goodarznia, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Kamal Serhal
  • Patent number: 10626066
    Abstract: Ethane may be catalytically oxidatively dehydrogenated to ethylene at high conversions and high selectivity in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor in the presence of oxygen in the feed in an amount above the flammability limit. The reactor has an attached regeneration reactor to regenerate the catalyst and cycle back to the CFB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Xiaoliang Gao, Kamal Serhal, Leonid Kustov, Aleksey Kucherov, Elena Finashina
  • Publication number: 20200115637
    Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus for separation of an oxygenate from a stream is provided. More specifically, a stream comprising the oxygenate is introduced to a quench tower along with a caustic outlet stream comprising a metal salt. Contact between the oxygenate and the metal salt results in conversion of a portion of the oxygenate into a derivative salt. The derivative salt and unconverted oxygenate are condensed by quenching and substantially removed from the quench tower as an oxygenate outlet stream. The gaseous components of the stream, minus a substantial portion of the oxygenate, are removed from the quench tower as a quench outlet stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Bolaji Olayiwola, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Michael Koselek, Kamal Serhal
  • Patent number: 10538465
    Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation is an alternative to the energy extensive steam cracking process presently used for the production of olefins from paraffins, but has not been implemented commercially partially due to the unstable nature of hydrocarbon/oxygen mixtures, and partially due to the cost involved in the construction of new facilities. An oxidative dehydrogenation chemical complex designed to reduce costs by including integration of an oxygen separation module that also addresses safety concerns and reduces emission of greenhouse gases is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Kamal Serhal, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, David Gent, Mark Williamson
  • Publication number: 20190263734
    Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation is an alternative to the energy extensive steam cracking process presently used for the production of olefins from paraffins, but has not been implemented commercially partially due to the unstable nature of hydrocarbon/oxygen mixtures, and partially due to the cost involved in the construction of new facilities. An oxidative dehydrogenation chemical complex designed to reduce costs by including integration of an oxygen separation module that also addresses safety concerns and reduces emission of greenhouse gases is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Kamal Serhal, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, David Gent, Mark Williamson
  • Publication number: 20190218161
    Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation is an alternative to the energy extensive steam cracking process presently used for the production of olefins from paraffins. Various embodiments of an oxidative dehydrogenation chemical complex designed to allow removal of sulfur containing contaminants that collect in the gas mixer unit and in the feed lines leading to the ODH reactor are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, Christina Orta, Kamal Serhal, Eric Clavelle, Michael Koselek, Yoonhee Kim