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).

  • Publication number: 20170136401
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using pressure swing adsorption to separate and/or capture resulting emissions are provided. A stream of recycled exhaust gas is passed into a first swing adsorption reactor comprising a first adsorbent material which adsorbs CO2. An enriched N2 stream is recovered from a forward end of the first swing adsorption reactor. The pressure in the first swing adsorption reactor is reduced. The first swing adsorption reactor is purged with a portion of the first N2 stream recovered from the first swing adsorption reactor. The first purge output is passed to a second swing adsorption reactor comprising a second adsorbent material which adsorbs CO2. A second N2 stream is recovered from the second swing adsorption reactor. The pressure in the second swing adsorption reactor is reduced. The second swing adsorption reactor is purged with a steam purge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN, Franklin F. MITTRICKER, Loren STARCHER
  • Publication number: 20170087504
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a swing adsorption process, such as a temperature swing adsorption process. During portions of a swing cycle where one or more components are being desorbed, a vibration or other perturbation can be induced in the adsorbent and/or in the adsorbent structure to assist with desorption. Inducing a vibration or other perturbation in the adsorbent structure can provide a way to introduce additional energy into the adsorbent system without having to increase the temperature of the adsorbent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN
  • Publication number: 20170087503
    Abstract: In various aspects, apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for performing two stage separation of CO2 from a gaseous stream. The first stage adsorbent can be comprised of a plurality of cylindrical or substantially cylindrical rings. The first stage adsorbent can be comprised of a metal organic framework. The second stage adsorbent can be subject to a displacement desorption process. The second stage adsorbent can be comprised of a support and a metal compound selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkaline earth. The first and second stage adsorbent can be arranged concentrically for space and efficiency considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN
  • Publication number: 20170009652
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Ramesh GUPTA, Hans THOMANN, Hugo S. CARAM, Loren K. STARCHER, Franklin F. MITTRICKER, Simon C. WESTON, Scott J. WEIGEL
  • Patent number: 9476356
    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: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    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: 9418186
    Abstract: Partition coefficients for solutes in solvent-water systems are estimated based on corresponding values for the octanol-water system. The estimation of the partition coefficient includes correction factors based on the nature of the solute and the solvent. Petroleum fractions are an example of a suitable solvent for which a partition coefficient can be estimated, although other types of solvents can be used in developing a model for use in the estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Bryan M Knickerbocker, Steven Wong
  • Patent number: 9162175
    Abstract: A compact configuration for a plurality of swing adsorption beds. The beds are configured within a single vessel such that one or more beds of adsorbent material are position as successive rings about a first, or core, bed of adsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 9120049
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems having a rotary valve assembly and swing adsorption separation techniques related thereto. The methods utilize a rotary valve assembly to perform swing adsorption processes. The rotary valve assembly includes a feed stator having at least two annular tracks. Each of the annular tracks has an opening to permit fluid flow therethrough. A feed rotor is connected to the feed stator. The feed rotor has at least two annular tracks. Each of the annular tracks has an opening to permit gas to flow therethrough. A bed of adsorbent material may be connected to the feed rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Richard A. Huntington
  • Patent number: 9102530
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydrogen production with carbon capture are provided. A hydrogen containing stream can be divided so that a portion of the stream is processed for separation of CO2. A hydrogen enriched stream formed during separation of CO2 and another portion of the hydrogen containing stream can be processed in a cycling adsorber unit to form a hydrogen product stream. Optionally, the cycling adsorber unit can be operated to form a plurality of tail gas streams. The hydrogen containing stream can be a reformed hydrocarbon stream and/or an input stream previously exposed to a water gas shift catalyst. Optionally, a portion of the reformed hydrocarbon stream can be a reformed biocomponent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, John W. Viets
  • Patent number: 9034078
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for swing adsorption processes. The method includes obtaining different plates, wherein the plates have gaseous openings and a utility fluid opening. Then, the gaseous openings are substantially oriented along a common axis for gaseous openings and the plates are diffusion bonded. Once diffusion bonded, the gaseous openings within the module are wash coated with an adsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Amar S. Wanni, Chithranjan Nadarajah, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 9028595
    Abstract: A process for separating methane from a natural gas mixture employs pressure swing adsorption in one or more vessels. Each vessel has an adsorbent material having a kinetic selectivity for contaminants over methane greater than 5. Contaminants within the natural gas mixture become gases kinetically adsorbed within the adsorbent material. The vessel is placed under pressure to cause contaminants to be adsorbed in the surfaces and micro-pores of the adsorbent material. The process includes releasing a product stream comprised at least 95% by volume methane from a first gas outlet in the vessel, and desorbing the contaminant gases from the adsorbent material by reducing the pressure within the vessel. The desorbing step is done without applying heat to the vessel, thereby delivering a waste gas stream comprised at least 95% by volume of the contaminant gases. An improved fractionation vessel having both major and minor flow channels is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, P. Scott Northrop
  • Publication number: 20150082986
    Abstract: A process for separating methane from a natural gas mixture employs pressure swing adsorption in one or more vessels. Each vessel has an adsorbent material having a kinetic selectivity for contaminants over methane greater than 5. Contaminants within the natural gas mixture become gases kinetically adsorbed within the adsorbent material. The vessel is placed under pressure to cause contaminants to be adsorbed in the surfaces and micro-pores of the adsorbent material. The process includes releasing a product stream comprised at least 95% by volume methane from a first gas outlet in the vessel, and desorbing the contaminant gases from the adsorbent material by reducing the pressure within the vessel. The desorbing step is done without applying heat to the vessel, thereby delivering a waste gas stream comprised at least 95% by volume of the contaminant gases. An improved fractionation vessel having both major and minor flow channels is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, P. Scott Northrop
  • Patent number: 8921637
    Abstract: A process for separating methane from a natural gas mixture employs pressure swing adsorption in one or more vessels. Each vessel has an adsorbent material having a kinetic selectivity for contaminants over methane greater than 5. Contaminants within the natural gas mixture become gases kinetically adsorbed within the adsorbent material. The vessel is placed under pressure to cause contaminants to be adsorbed in the surfaces and micro-pores of the adsorbent material. The process includes releasing a product stream comprised at least 95% by volume methane from a first gas outlet in the vessel, and desorbing the contaminant gases from the adsorbent material by reducing the pressure within the vessel. The desorbing step is done without applying heat to the vessel, thereby delivering a waste gas stream comprised at least 95% by volume of the contaminant gases. An improved fractionation vessel having both major and minor flow channels is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, P. Scott Northrop
  • Patent number: 8808426
    Abstract: The invention relates to an increased efficiency high-capacity pressure and/or temperature swing adsorption process comprising: contacting a feedstream at a rate of more than 75 MSCFD with an adsorbent material under conditions sufficient for the adsorbent material to selectively adsorb at least one of the component gases in the feedstream, so as to form a first effluent; and selectively desorbing the adsorbed gas from the adsorption material, so as to form a second effluent The adsorption module can contain rotary valves both on the feed end and on the product end and a rotational member defining a central rotational axis, with the adsorption bed(s) oriented circumferentially thereto. The adsorption bed walls can be angled, the feed end cross-sectional area of the adsorption bed(s) can be larger than the product end, and/or the feed end rotary valve diameter of the module(s) can be larger than the product end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20140060322
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for swing adsorption processes. The method includes obtaining different plates, wherein the plates have gaseous openings and a utility fluid opening. Then, the gaseous openings are substantially oriented along a common axis for gaseous openings and the plates are diffusion bonded. Once diffusion bonded, the gaseous openings within the module are wash coated with an adsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Amar S. Wanni, Chithranjan Nadarajah, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20140060326
    Abstract: The invention relates to an increased efficiency high-capacity pressure and/or temperature swing adsorption process comprising: contacting a feedstream at a rate of more than 75 MSCFD with an adsorbent material under conditions sufficient for the adsorbent material to selectively adsorb at least one of the component gases in the feedstream, so as to form a first effluent; and selectively desorbing the adsorbed gas from the adsorption material, so as to form a second effluent The adsorption module can contain rotary valves both on the feed end and on the product end and a rotational member defining a central rotational axis, with the adsorption bed(s) oriented circumferentially thereto. The adsorption bed walls can be angled, the feed end cross-sectional area of the adsorption bed(s) can be larger than the product end, and/or the feed end rotary valve diameter of the module(s) can be larger than the product end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: NARASIMHAN SUNDARAM
  • Publication number: 20140010753
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydrogen production with carbon capture are provided. A hydrogen containing stream can be divided so that a portion of the stream is processed for separation of CO2. A hydrogen enriched stream formed during separation of CO2 and another portion of the hydrogen containing stream can be processed in a cycling adsorber unit to form a hydrogen product stream. Optionally, the cycling adsorber unit can be operated to form a plurality of tail gas streams. The hydrogen containing stream can be a reformed hydrocarbon stream and/or an input stream previously exposed to a water gas shift catalyst. Optionally, a portion of the reformed hydrocarbon stream can be a reformed biocomponent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, John W. Viets
  • Publication number: 20130340620
    Abstract: A compact configuration for a plurality of swing adsorption beds. The beds are configured within a single vessel such that one or more beds of adsorbent material are position as successive rings about a first, or core, bed of adsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20130333391
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20130333571
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems having a rotary valve assembly and swing adsorption separation techniques related thereto. The methods utilize a rotary valve assembly to perform swing adsorption processes. The rotary valve assembly includes a feed stator having at least two annular tracks. Each of the annular tracks has an opening to permit fluid flow therethrough. A feed rotor is connected to the feed stator. The feed rotor has at least two annular tracks. Each of the annular tracks has an opening to permit gas to flow therethrough. A bed of adsorbent material may be connected to the feed rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Richard A. Huntington