Patents by Inventor Pedro Pereira-Almao

Pedro Pereira-Almao 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: 20220089442
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing carbon nanofibers. The process comprises two stages. The first stage involves oxidizing light hydrocarbon with carbon dioxide or water, or oxygen, or a combination thereof to a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The second stage involves converting the produced hydrogen and the carbon monoxide to carbon nanofibers and steam. In this way, greenhouse gases may be reduced by using carbon dioxide and methane (and/or other light hydrocarbons) as reactants; and useful products may be produced, such as Carbon NanoFibers (CNF).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Mina ZARABIAN, Pedro PEREIRA ALMAO
  • Patent number: 11203724
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for ultrasonic oxidative desulfurization of heavy fuel oils. In various embodiments, the methods include combinations of ultrasonic sulfone decomposition processes and/or catalytic decomposition processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira Almao, Carlos Eduardo Scott, Lante Antonio Carbognani
  • Publication number: 20210002562
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for ultrasonic oxidative desulfurization of heavy fuel oils. In various embodiments, the methods include combinations of ultrasonic sulfone decomposition processes and/or catalytic decomposition processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira Almao, Carlos Eduardo Scott, Lante Antonio Carbognani
  • Patent number: 10323195
    Abstract: A catalyst preparation unit for producing an activated hydrocarbon-catalyst mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: PC-CUPS Ltd.
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira Almao, Ameli Sofia Pereira Cota, Alejandro Coy Plazas, Carlos Eduardo Scott
  • Patent number: 10272417
    Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of novel bi- or tri metallic silicate micro-porous and/or meso-porous materials based on cerium, nickel, copper and/or zinc on a porous silicate framework matrix to use its molecular sieve effect to target preferentially the acidic organic molecules present in hydrocarbon feedstocks like crude oil, bitumen, VGO and the like. The chosen metals are selected based on their ability to activate steam and transfer oxygen for completing the oxidation of carboxylic compounds or decarboxylating them. These composite materials can be prepared under hydrothermal synthesis conditions in order to produce suitable porous solids where the metals are well dispersed and preferentially distributed inside the channels of the silicate framework where they can interact only with the molecules that can go inside the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: PC-CUPS Ltd., CENOVUS ENERGY INC
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira Almao, Gerardo Vitale-Rojas, Maria Josefina Perez Zurita, Lante Antonio Carbognani, Ronald Scott Smith, Clementina Sosa
  • Patent number: 10265685
    Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of novel bi- or tri-metallic silicate micro-porous and/or meso-porous materials based on cerium, nickel, copper and/or zinc on a porous silicate framework matrix to use its molecular sieve effect to target preferentially the acidic organic molecules present in hydrocarbon feedstocks like crude oil, bitumen, VGO and the like. The chosen metals are selected based on their ability to activate steam and transfer oxygen for completing the oxidation of carboxylic compounds or decarboxylating them. These composite materials can be prepared under hydrothermal synthesis conditions in order to produce suitable porous solids where the metals are well dispersed and preferentially distributed inside the channels of the silicate framework where they can interact only with the molecules that can go inside the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignees: PC-CUPS Ltd., Cenovus Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira Almao, Gerardo Vitale-Rojas, Maria Josefina Perez Zurita, Lante Antonio Carbognani, Ronald Scott Smith, Clementina Sosa
  • Publication number: 20190017359
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems, apparatus and methods for integrated recovery and in-situ (in reservoir) upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens. The systems, apparatus and methods enable enhanced recovery of heavy oil in a production well by introducing a hot hydrocarbon fluid from a mobile reservoir into the production well under conditions to promote hydrocarbon upgrading. The methods may further include introducing hydrogen and a catalyst together with the injection of the hot fluid into the production well to further promote hydrocarbon upgrading reactions. In addition, the invention relates to enhanced oil production methodologies within conventional oil reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: In Situ Upgrading Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro PEREIRA ALMAO, Carlos Eduardo SCOTT, Lante Antonio CARBOGNANI, José Manuel DOMÍNGUEZ ESQUIVEL
  • Publication number: 20180086990
    Abstract: A catalyst preparation unit for producing an activated hydrocarbon-catalyst mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Pedro PEREIRA ALMAO, Ameli Sofia PEREIRA COTA, Alejandro COY PLAZAS, Carlos Eduardo SCOTT
  • Publication number: 20180043341
    Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of novel bi- or tri metallic silicate micro-porous and/or meso-porous materials based on cerium, nickel, copper and/or zinc on a porous silicate framework matrix to use its molecular sieve effect to target preferentially the acidic organic molecules present in hydrocarbon feedstocks like crude oil, bitumen, VGO and the like. The chosen metals are selected based on their ability to activate steam and transfer oxygen for completing the oxidation of carboxylic compounds or decarboxylating them. These composite materials can be prepared under hydrothermal synthesis conditions in order to produce suitable porous solids where the metals are well dispersed and preferentially distributed inside the channels of the silicate framework where they can interact only with the molecules that can go inside the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Pedro PEREIRA ALMAO, Gerardo VITALE-ROJAS, Maria Josefina PEREZ ZURITA, Lante Antonio CARBOGNANI, Ronald Scott SMITH, Clementina SOSA
  • Publication number: 20180029022
    Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of novel bi- or tri metallic silicate micro-porous and/or meso-porous materials based on cerium, nickel, copper and/or zinc on a porous silicate framework matrix to use its molecular sieve effect to target preferentially the acidic organic molecules present in hydrocarbon feedstocks like crude oil, bitumen, VGO and the like. The chosen metals are selected based on their ability to activate steam and transfer oxygen for completing the oxidation of carboxylic compounds or decarboxylating them. These composite materials can be prepared under hydrothermal synthesis conditions in order to produce suitable porous solids where the metals are well dispersed and preferentially distributed inside the channels of the silicate framework where they can interact only with the molecules that can go inside the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Pedro PEREIRA ALMAO, Gerardo VITALE-ROJAS, Maria Josefina PEREZ ZURITA, Lante Antonio CARBOGNANI, Ronald Scott SMITH, Clementina SOSA
  • Patent number: 9562199
    Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic steam cracking of non-asphaltene containing heavy hydrocarbon fractions. The method enables upgrading heavy hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons capable of being transported through pipelines and/or a pretreated step before further treatment in an upgrading refinery, including the steps of separating the heavy hydrocarbon mixture into a light fraction, a full gasoil fraction and a vacuum residue fraction with or without at least partial reduction or asphaltenes; adding a catalyst to the full gasoil and/or to the blend of this with a reduced asphaltenes fraction and subjecting the catalyst-full gasoil and/or deasphalted oil fraction to catalytic steam cracking to form an effluent stream; separating the effluent stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream; and mixing the liquid stream with the light fraction and the vacuum residue fraction to form an upgraded oil. The system includes hardware capable of performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NEXEN ENERGY ULC
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira Almao, Gustavo Luis Trujillo, Enzo Peluso, Carmen Galarraga, Clementina Sosa, Carlos Scott Algara, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Lante Antonio Carbognani Ortega, Nestor Gregorio Zerpa Reques
  • Publication number: 20150114636
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems, apparatus and methods for integrated recovery and in-situ (in reservoir) upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens. The systems, apparatus and methods enable enhanced recovery of heavy oil in a production well by introducing a hot fluid including a vacuum or atmospheric residue fraction or deasphalted oil into the production well under conditions to promote hydrocarbon upgrading. The methods may further include introducing hydrogen and a catalyst together with the injection of the hot fluid into the production well to further promote hydrocarbon upgrading reactions. In addition, the invention relates to enhanced oil production methodologies within conventional oil reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Zhangxing Chen, Brij Maini, Carlos Scott-Algara
  • Publication number: 20130015100
    Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic steam cracking of non-asphaltene containing heavy hydrocarbon fractions. The method enables upgrading heavy hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons capable of being transported through pipelines and/or a pretreated step before further treatment in an upgrading refinery, including the steps of separating the heavy hydrocarbon mixture into a light fraction, a full gasoil fraction and a vacuum residue fraction with or without at least partial reduction or asphaltenes; adding a catalyst to the full gasoil and/or to the blend of this with a reduced asphaltenes fraction and subjecting the catalyst-full gasoil and/or deasphalted oil fraction to catalytic steam cracking to form an effluent stream; separating the effluent stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream; and mixing the liquid stream with the light fraction and the vacuum residue fraction to form an upgraded oil. The system includes hardware capable of performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Nexen Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira Almao, Gustavo Luis Trujillo, Enzo Peluso, Carmen Galarraga, Clementina Sosa, Carlos Scott Algara, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Lante Antonio Carbognani Ortega, Nestor Gregorio Zerpa Reques
  • Patent number: 8304363
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05?y/x?15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: University of Calgary
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Vieman Alberto Ali-Marcano, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Alejandro Vasquez
  • Patent number: 8298982
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05?y/x?15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: University of Calgary
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Vieman Alberto Ali-Marcano, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Alejandro Vasquez
  • Patent number: 8283279
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05?y/x?15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: University of Calgary
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Vieman Alberto Ali-Marcano, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Alejandro Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20110105308
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05?y/x?15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: University of Calgary
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Vieman Alberto Ali-Marcano, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Alejandro Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20110105315
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05?y/x?15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: University of Calgary
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Vieman Alberto Ali-Marcano, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Alejandro Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20110105307
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05?y/x?15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: University of Calgary
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Vieman Alberto Ali-Marcano, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Alejandro Vasquez
  • Patent number: 7897537
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05?y/x?15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: University of Calgary
    Inventors: Pedro Pereira-Almao, Vieman Alberto Ali-Marcano, Francisco Lopez-Linares, Alejandro Vasquez