Patents by Inventor Mark Julian Roberts

Mark Julian Roberts 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: 20240125543
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for producing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) product by cooling and liquefying a natural gas stream via indirect heat exchange with a gaseous refrigerant and then flashing and separating the liquefied natural gas stream to obtain the LNG product. In particular, the gaseous refrigerant may be a refrigerant circulating in a reverse Brayton cycle. The gaseous refrigerant is warmed in the shell side first, second and third coil-wound heat exchanger sections each having a tube side and a shell side, the shell side of the first coil-wound heat exchanger section being separated from and operating at a different pressure to the shell side of the second and third coil-wound heat exchanger sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Katherine Bannister Wells, Christopher Michael Ott
  • Publication number: 20240125549
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for removing natural gas liquids from a natural gas feed stream and for liquefying the natural gas feed stream so as to produce a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a natural gas liquids (NGL) stream
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Russell B. Shnitser, Christopher Michael Ott, Annemarie Ott Weist
  • Publication number: 20240125544
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for liquefying natural gas by: cooling and liquefying a natural gas feed stream via indirect heat exchange with at least a first cold refrigerant stream to form a first liquefied natural gas stream and a warmed gaseous refrigerant stream; flashing and separating the first liquefied natural gas stream to form a liquefied natural gas product stream and at least a first flash gas stream; combining and compressing the first flash gas stream and the warmed gaseous refrigerant stream to form a compressed refrigerant stream; and expanding at least a first portion of the compressed refrigerant stream to form the first cold refrigerant stream; wherein the natural gas feed stream is kept separate from and is not combined with either the first flash gas stream or the compressed refrigerant stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Russell B. Shnitser
  • Publication number: 20240003618
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for increasing capacity and efficiency of a nitrogen refrigerant boil-off gas recovery system for a natural gas storage tank. Boil-off gas is condensed against two-phase nitrogen in a condensing heat exchanger having an inner vessel through which the boil-off gas flows and an outer vessel through which the two phase nitrogen flows. Logic controls maintain storage tank pressure and power consumption within preferred levels by adjusting the pressure of the two-phase nitrogen in the heat exchanger. Additional logic controls maintain the temperature difference between the nitrogen streams entering into and returning from the cold end of a second heat exchanger by controlling the position of an expansion valve on the return circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Fei Chen
  • Publication number: 20230272971
    Abstract: A simple and efficient single mixed refrigerant process for cooling and liquefying a hydrocarbon feed stream, such as natural gas. The process employs a closed-loop single mixed refrigerant process for refrigeration duty. The refrigerant compressed to a high pressure using at least three stages of compression and two intercoolers (both producing liquid). A hydraulic turbine is used to expand the high pressure refrigerant before it flows into the main heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc,
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Annemarie Ott Weist, Bo Jin, Brian James Barr
  • Patent number: 11674749
    Abstract: A method and system for liquefying a natural gas feed stream and removing nitrogen therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain Vovard, Justin David Bukowski, Fei Chen, Mark Julian Roberts
  • Patent number: 11668522
    Abstract: A system and method for integrated heavy hydrocarbon removal in a liquefaction system having a lean natural gas source. An economizer located between a main cryogenic heat exchanger and a reflux drum is provided to cool an overhead vapor stream against a partially condensed stream. In addition, pressure of the natural gas feed stream is maintained into a scrub column. A pressure drop is provided by a valve located between the economizer and the reflux drum on a partially condensed stream withdrawn from the cold end of the warm section of the main cryogenic heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Mark Julian Roberts, Christopher Michael Ott, Annemarie Ott Weist
  • Publication number: 20230147084
    Abstract: Described herein are coil wound heat exchangers (CWHEs), and methods of cooling and/or liquefying streams of fluid using said CWHEs, in which one or more tube layers of the tube bundle are provided with a non-uniform tube winding angle and tube pitch in order to facilitate the equalization of radial pressure imbalances on the shell side of the CWHE, thereby reducing radial maldistribution of fluid on the shell side and improving the heat transfer efficiency of the CWHE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Jin, Justin David Bukowski, Patrick Alan Houghton, Christopher Michael Ott, Mark Julian Roberts, Mark Robert Pillarella
  • Patent number: 11624555
    Abstract: A system and method for increasing the efficiency of natural gas liquefaction processes by using a hybrid cooling system and method. More specifically, a system and method for converting a transcritical precooling refrigeration process to a subcritical process. In one embodiment, the refrigerant is cooled to sub-critical temperature using an economizer. In another embodiment, the refrigerant is cooled to a sub-critical temperature using an auxiliary heat exchanger. Optionally, the economizer or auxiliary heat exchanger can be bypassed when ambient temperatures are sufficiently low to cool the refrigerant to a sub-critical temperature. In another embodiment, the refrigerant is isentropically expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Gowri Krishnamurthy, Mark Julian Roberts
  • Publication number: 20230076428
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the nitrogen concentration in an LNG product and fuel from flash gas within preferred ranges. A cooled LNG stream is separated into a nitrogen-enriched vapor stream, a fuel stream, and an LNG product stream using a plurality of phase separating devices, such as flash drum or rectifying column. A portion of the vapor stream is recycled to the rectifying column as reflux. A portion of a stream having a higher concentration of nitrogen is combined with the fuel stream to maintain the fuel stream within a desired nitrogen concentration range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Ott, Mark Julian Roberts, Annemarie Ott Weist
  • Patent number: 11561049
    Abstract: A coil-wound heat exchanger with mixed refrigerant shell side cooling that is adapted to reduce radial temperature maldistribution by providing tube sheets at one end of a warm bundle that are each connected to tube sheets in a single circumferential zone and are in fluid flow communication with a control valve. Tube sheets at the other end of the warm bundle are each connected to tube sheets in a single radial section and in multiple circumferential zones. A temperature sensor is provided in each circumferential zone. When a temperature difference is detected, one or more of the control valves is adjusted to reduce the temperature difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Justin David Bukowski, Annemarie Ott Weist
  • Publication number: 20230003444
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a methane-containing synthetic gas (MCSG). An MCSG feed stream may be cooled and partially liquefied using one or more heat exchanger units. A first phase separator and a second phase separator in downstream fluid flow communication with the first phase separator may be used to separate the partially liquefied MCSG stream into a first residue gas stream and first and second feed streams, the first and second feed streams then being fed into a distillation column to produce an LNG stream and a second residue gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Fei Chen, Russell B. Shnitser
  • Patent number: 11499775
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for liquefying natural gas using an open-loop natural gas refrigeration cycle; coil wound heat exchanger units suitable for cooling one or more feed streams, such as for example one or more natural gas feed streams, via indirect heat exchange with a gaseous refrigerant; and methods and systems for removing heavy components from a natural gas prior to liquefying the natural gas using an open-loop natural gas refrigeration cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, John A. Dally
  • Patent number: 11480389
    Abstract: A liquefaction system is capable of sequentially or simultaneously liquefying multiple feed streams of hydrocarbons having different normal bubble points with minimal flash. The liquefying heat exchanger has separate circuits for handling multiple feed streams. The feed stream with the lowest normal boiling point is sub-cooled sufficiently to suppress most of the flash. Feed streams with relatively high normal boiling points are cooled to substantially the same temperature, then blended with bypass streams to maintain each product near its normal bubble point. The system can also liquefy one stream at a time by using a dedicated circuit or by allocating the same feed to multiple circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Marc Brussol, David Joseph Holzer, Sylvain Vovard, Russell Shnitser, Adam Adrian Brostow, Mark Julian Roberts
  • Publication number: 20220252341
    Abstract: Integration of a natural gas liquefaction system, a hydrogen production system, and power generation system to increase CO2 capture and improve overall plant efficiency. The predominantly methane endflash is sent to the hydrogen production system which produces hydrogen and CO2. The CO2 may be captured or beneficially used. At least a portion of the hydrogen produced is used to fuel gas turbines in the power generation which, in turn, provides power for the refrigeration compressor of the natural gas liquefaction system—either in the form of mechanical work or electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Annemarie Ott Weist, Jeremy D. Beard, David Ross Graham, John Eugene Palamara, Mark Julian Roberts, Dejan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 11221176
    Abstract: A natural gas liquefaction method and system having integrated nitrogen removal. Recycled LNG gas is cooled in a separate and parallel circuit from the natural gas stream in the main heat exchanger. Cooled recycled gas and natural gas streams are directed to a nitrogen rectifier column after the warm bundle. The recycle stream is introduced to the rectifier column above the natural gas stream and at least one separation stage is located in the rectifier column between the recycle stream inlet and the natural gas inlet. The bottom stream from the rectifier column is directed to a cold bundle of the main heat exchanger where it is subcooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Fei Chen, Christopher Michael Ott, Annemarie Ott Weist
  • Publication number: 20210404738
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for liquefying natural gas using an open-loop natural gas refrigeration cycle; coil wound heat exchanger units suitable for cooling one or more feed streams, such as for example one or more natural gas feed streams, via indirect heat exchange with a gaseous refrigerant; and methods and systems for removing heavy components from a natural gas prior to liquefying the natural gas using an open-loop natural gas refrigeration cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, John A. Dally
  • Publication number: 20210348850
    Abstract: A coil-wound heat exchanger with mixed refrigerant shell side cooling that is adapted to reduce radial temperature maldistribution by providing tube sheets at one end of a warm bundle that are each connected to tube sheets in a single circumferential zone and are in fluid flow communication with a control valve. Tube sheets at the other end of the warm bundle are each connected to tube sheets in a single radial section and in multiple circumferential zones. A temperature sensor is provided in each circumferential zone. When a temperature difference is detected, one or more of the control valves is adjusted to reduce the temperature difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Justin David Bukowski, Annemarie Ott Weist
  • Publication number: 20210285721
    Abstract: A method and system for liquefying a natural gas feed stream and removing nitrogen therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain Vovard, Justin David Bukowski, Fei Chen, Mark Julian Roberts
  • Publication number: 20210231366
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for increasing capacity and efficiency of a nitrogen refrigerant boil-off gas recovery system for a natural gas storage tank. Boil-off gas is condensed against two-phase nitrogen in a condensing heat exchanger having an inner vessel through which the boil-off gas flows and an outer vessel through which the two phase nitrogen flows. Logic controls maintain storage tank pressure and power consumption within preferred levels by adjusting the pressure of the two-phase nitrogen in the heat exchanger. Additional logic controls maintain the temperature difference between the nitrogen streams entering into and returning from the cold end of a second heat exchanger by controlling the position of an expansion valve on the return circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Fei Chen