Patents by Inventor Narasimhan Sundaram

Narasimhan Sundaram 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: 11707707
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Patent number: 11661572
    Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a photobioreactor comprising a tubular structure having inner and outer surfaces, an annular space defined between the inner and outer surfaces, an inlet to allow an algae slurry to enter the annular space, and a mechanism configured to produce radially-directed contractions and expansions in the tubular structure. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces is transparent to at least some wavelengths of light useful for growing algae within the algae slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Egineering Company
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20220401851
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving the operation of a divided wall column for performing distillations. The systems and methods include using a separation stage in a fluid flow pathway for transporting an enriched intermediate stream from a first side of a dividing wall to a second side of a dividing wall. By using a separation stage, the benefit of transporting an enriched intermediate stream can be achieved without requiring precise knowledge of the local concentration profile on the first side of the dividing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Narasimhan SUNDARAM
  • Publication number: 20220379257
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Patent number: 11473044
    Abstract: A photobioreactor includes one or more annular chambers concentrically positioned about a central axis, and an algae slurry contained within the one or more annular chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: EXXONMOBILE TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 11446601
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Patent number: 11384329
    Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a gas concentrator configured to receive a first gas containing CO2 at a first concentration and discharge a second gas containing CO2 at a second concentration higher than the first concentration, and a photobioreactor containing algae in an algae slurry and fluidically coupled to the gas concentrator to receive the second gas. A recycling line extends from a gas outlet on the photobioreactor to remove a third gas from the photobioreactor for future use in the photobioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20220204879
    Abstract: Methods of the present disclosure may comprise: introducing a first effluent and a second effluent in a gasifier of a partial oxidation unit to produce a waste gas, wherein the first effluent comprises one or more hydrocarbon containing feeds and the second effluent comprises air, enriched air with oxygen or oxygen; selectively removing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the waste gas; combining the waste gas and steam in a water-gas shift unit to produce a shift gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide; separating the carbon dioxide from the shift gas in a carbon capture unit to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched effluent and an effluent comprising a hydrogen- and nitrogen-enriched mixture; and recovering the carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide-enriched effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin B. Daly, Mohsen N. Harandi, Everett J. O'Neal, P. Scott Northrop, Narasimhan Sundaram, David L. Stern
  • Patent number: 11225609
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of plastic waste with biomass to generate gas phase product streams with improved properties. The systems and methods can include having a high temperature swing adsorption process integrated with a pyrolysis process, gasification process, or other thermal conversion process, so that CO2 can be removed from at least a portion of the effluent. This can facilitate capture of CO2 when using pyrolysis, gasification, or other thermal conversion to generate a hydrogen-containing stream. Additionally, the integrated system and/or method can allow for production of multiple product streams having desirable ratios of hydrogen to carbon oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20210130698
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of plastic waste with biomass to generate gas phase product streams with improved properties. The systems and methods can include having a high temperature swing adsorption process integrated with a pyrolysis process, gasification process, or other thermal conversion process, so that CO2 can be removed from at least a portion of the effluent. This can facilitate capture of CO2 when using pyrolysis, gasification, or other thermal conversion to generate a hydrogen-containing stream. Additionally, the integrated system and/or method can allow for production of multiple product streams having desirable ratios of hydrogen to carbon oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20210087506
    Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a photobioreactor comprising a tubular structure having inner and outer surfaces, an annular space defined between the inner and outer surfaces, an inlet to allow an algae slurry to enter the annular space, and a mechanism configured to produce radially-directed contractions and expansions in the tubular structure. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces is transparent to at least some wavelengths of light useful for growing algae within the algae slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20210087513
    Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a gas concentrator configured to receive a first gas containing CO2 at a first concentration and discharge a second gas containing CO2 at a second concentration higher than the first concentration, and a photobioreactor containing algae in an algae slurry and fluidically coupled to the gas concentrator to receive the second gas. A recycling line extends from a gas outlet on the photobioreactor to remove a third gas from the photobioreactor for future use in the photobioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20210017480
    Abstract: A photobioreactor includes one or more annular chambers concentrically positioned about a central axis, and an algae slurry contained within the one or more annular chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 10814288
    Abstract: Gas separation modules and methods for use including an integrated adsorbent and membrane. In certain refining applications, it is paramount to obtain high purity product gases. Adsorbent beds are effective at removing certain contaminants, such as CO2, from gas streams containing product and contaminant constituents to form a product-rich stream. The integrated membrane permits a further separation of products from any unadsorbed contaminant to produce a high purity product, such as hydrogen, stream. The gas separation modules described herein include stacked, radial, and spiral arrangements. Each modules includes a configuration of feed and cross-flow channels for the collection of contaminant gases and/or high purity product gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, David C. Calabro, Hans Thomann, Randall D. Partridge
  • Publication number: 20200206673
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separation of CO2 from dilute source streams. The systems and methods for the separation can include use of contactors that correspond radial flow adsorbent modules that can allow for efficient contact of CO2-containing gas with adsorbent beds while also facilitating use of heat transfer fluids in the vicinity of the adsorbent beds to reduce or minimize temperature variations. In particular, the radial flow adsorbent beds can be alternated with regions of axial flow heat transfer conduits to provide thermal management. The radial flow structure for the adsorbent beds combined with axial flow conduits for heat transfer fluids can allow for sufficient temperature control to either a) reduce or minimize temperature variations within the adsorbent beds or b) facilitate performing the separation using temperature as a swing variable for controlling the working capacity of the adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Patrick P. McCall, Brendon L. Keinath, Ananda K. Nagavarapu
  • Patent number: 10677160
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Hugo S. Caram, Loren K. Starcher, Franklin F. Mittricker, Simon C. Weston, Scott J. Weigel
  • Patent number: 10500538
    Abstract: Systems and processes for use of concentric adsorbent beds with rotary valve assemblies are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 10449479
    Abstract: An adsorption module and associated processes for conducting advanced separations processes such as sorption enhanced water-gas shift (SEWGS). The adsorption module contains at least one angled baffle to create at least two tapered adsorbent beds within the adsorption module. The taper is such that the adsorbent beds' cross-sections within the adsorption module decrease in the direction of feed flow, thereby taking advantage of increased product purity and process efficiency provided by tapered adsorption beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Hans Thomann, David C. Calabro, Frank Mittricker
  • Patent number: 10439242
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a molten carbonate fuel cell power generation reaction can be separated by using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing or minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. A high temperature adsorption reactor adsorbs the CO2 and recovers H2 from an exhaust gas of a first molten carbonate fuel cell at a high temperature and at a low pressure. The reactor passes along the adsorbed CO2 to a cathode and the recovered H2 to an anode of a second molten carbonate fuel cell for further power generation. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of CO2 and H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Hans Thomann, Franklin F. Mittricker, Loren Starcher
  • Publication number: 20190300801
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing multistage naphtha reforming with intermediate separation of aromatics using a swing adsorption process. Use of a swing adsorption process can allow aromatics to be selectively removed from the intermediate reforming effluent while reducing or minimizing the energy costs for cooling and subsequent reheating of the intermediate reforming effluent. The resulting aromatics-rich stream generated from swing adsorption can have a substantially higher aromatics content than an aromatics-rich stream generated by conventional separation methods during multi-stage naphtha reforming. In some aspects, selective thermal purging (either hot or cold) can be used to further facilitate adsorption or desorption of components by the adsorbent in the swing adsorption vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Hans Thomann, Edward W. Corcoran, JR.