Patents by Inventor Roberto Carlos Pontes BITTENCOURT

Roberto Carlos Pontes BITTENCOURT 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: 20240261772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to HTS catalysts applied in hydrogen or synthesis gas production units, whether in steam reforming, autothermal reforming, dry or gasification reforming, chromium-free, consisting of iron oxide, containing platinum contents between 0.1 to 0.4% w/w, promoted by sodium contents between 0.1 to 0.3% w/w, and optionally aluminum contents between 5.0 to 6.0% w/w inserted into the crystal lattice of an iron oxide with a hematite (Fe2O3) crystal structure, thus, allowing high activity to be reconciled with excellent resistance to deactivation by exposure to high temperatures. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a carbon monoxide conversion process by bringing said catalyst into contact with a synthesis gas stream, where the maximum bed temperature can be limited by the injection of water or steam next to the feed of CO-containing gas at the reactor inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Roberto Carlos Pontes BITTENCOURT, Cristina Pontes Bittencourt QUITETE, Mauri Jose Baldini CARDOSO
  • Patent number: 12017915
    Abstract: The present invention refers to processes for obtaining steam reforming catalysts containing nickel, cerium, lanthanum and copper oxides, free from potassium or alkali metals, preferably with the oxide layer being located externally with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm on the support particle, preferably the support being based on alumina, magnesium aluminate, hexaaluminates or mixtures thereof. The catalysts according to present invention show high activity, resistance to thermal deactivation and resistance to coke accumulation in the steam reforming reaction of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Publication number: 20240024855
    Abstract: The present invention deals with a catalyst for converting CO by the reaction of water gas shift at high temperature, free of chromium and iron, consisting of alumina promoted by potassium and zinc oxide. The catalyst prepared in this way maintains a high CO conversion activity, not having the environmental or operating limitations with low excess steam in the process, which exist for state of the art catalysts. Such a catalyst is used in the process of producing hydrogen or synthesis gas by steam reforming hydrocarbons, allowing the use of low steam/carbon ratios in the process, presenting high activity and stability to thermal deactivation and lower environmental restrictions on production, storage, use and disposal, than catalysts used industrially based on iron, chromium and copper oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Roberto Carlos PONTES BITTENCOURT, Anilza DE ALMEIDA LYRA CORREA
  • Patent number: 11826745
    Abstract: The present invention addresses to a method of maintaining the activity of pre-reform catalysts in hydrogen production units, in order to avoid deactivation by oxidation or coke deposition of pre-reform catalysts in the absence of hydrogen in the feed consisting of hydrocarbon and water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Patent number: 11794168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a pre-reforming catalyst having resistance to deactivation by passage of steam in the absence of a reducing agent comprising ruthenium and an alumina support. Furthermore, the Ru/alumina catalyst according to the present invention becomes much more resistant to deposition of coke with the addition of Ag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Patent number: 11679381
    Abstract: The present invention deals with catalysts for the conversion of CO by the shifting reaction of high temperature water gas, free from chromium and iron, consisting of alumina promoted by potassium, by zinc and copper oxides and in a second embodiment also additionally nickel. The catalysts thus prepared maintain high CO conversion activity, not having the environmental limitations or operating limitations with low excess steam in the process, which exist for catalysts in accordance with the state of the art. Such catalysts are used in the hydrogen or synthesis gas production process by the steam reforming of hydrocarbons, allow the use of low steam/carbon ratios in the process, exhibiting high activity and stability to thermal deactivation and lower environmental restrictions for production, storage, use and disposal, than the industrially used catalysts based on iron, chromium, and copper oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRÁS
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Publication number: 20230182125
    Abstract: The present invention addresses to a method of preparing steam reforming catalysts, of the eggshell type, using a solution of glycerin, in polar solvent, preferably water, to occupy the pores of a support. Next, the solvent is removed and the support is impregnated with a nickel salt solution, which may contain promoters such as rare earths. The steps can be repeated until the desired content of the active phase and promoters is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos PONTES BITTENCOURT
  • Publication number: 20230158479
    Abstract: The present invention addresses to a catalyst, and the method for obtaining the same, for generating hydrogen and/or syngas. More specifically, the present invention describes a catalyst based on nickel, molybdenum and tungsten, for steam reforming processes of natural gas or other hydrocarbon streams (refinery gas, propane, butane, naphtha or any mixture thereof) that presents high resistance to deactivation by coke deposition. According to the present invention, the catalyst has NiMoW as its active phase, in bulk form and/or supported on an alumina oxide and other high surface area oxide supports, and may also contain other promoters. Furthermore, the present invention teaches the production of a catalyst whose active phase of NiMoW has high activity for hydrocarbon steam reforming reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicants: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. ? Petrobras, Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro - UFRJ, Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro - UFRJ
    Inventors: Renato Dias Barbosa, Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt, Fabio Menezes Passarelli, Victor Luis Dos SantosTeixeira Da Silva, Antonio Marcos Fonseca Bidart, Juliana Pereira Silva
  • Publication number: 20230059034
    Abstract: The present invention addresses to catalysts applicable to the conversion of CO to CO2 and H2 by the water-gas shift reaction. Such catalysts are made up of iron oxides, zirconium oxides, cerium oxides or a mixture of the same, promoted by platinum (Pt) contents between 0.1 and 0.4% m/m and with a sodium (Na) content below 0.01% m/m, based on the oxidized material. The present invention makes it possible to obtain catalysts with a high dispersion of Pt, with metallic particles of the order of 1 nm and methods of preparation by coprecipitation of soluble salts in aqueous medium using ammonium hydroxide as a precipitating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Cristina Pontes Bittencourt Quitete, Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Publication number: 20230049829
    Abstract: The present invention addresses to a process for the integrated production of H2 and aviation kerosene from renewable raw materials aiming at reducing CO2 emissions and consequently bringing benefits to reduce the impact of global warming on the planet. The process involves a hydrotreatment section to obtain n-paraffins followed by a hydroisomerization section to produce isoparaffins. The water and light hydrocarbons obtained in the isoparaffin production process are used for the production of H2 by the steam reforming process. An alcohol, such as ethanol or glycerin, with less than 6 carbon atoms, is fed into the hydrotreating section to make up the light hydrocarbon stream used in the production of renewable hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Publication number: 20220339617
    Abstract: The present invention addresses to a method of maintaining the activity of pre-reform catalysts in hydrogen production units, in order to avoid deactivation by oxidation or coke deposition of pre-reform catalysts in the absence of hydrogen in the feed consisting of hydrocarbon and water vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Patent number: 11479728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing liquid hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch process integrated into refineries, in particular comprising recycling streams from the steam reforming hydrogen production process as the feedstock for the Fischer-Tropsch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Patent number: 11472700
    Abstract: A process for producing a hydrogen-rich gas stream from a liquid hydrocarbon stream, the process comprising the steps of introducing the liquid hydrocarbon stream to a dual catalytic zone, the liquid hydrocarbon stream comprises liquid hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), light naphtha, heavy naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and combinations of the same, the dual catalytic zone comprises: a combustion zone comprising a seven component catalyst, and a steam reforming zone, the steam reforming zone comprising a steam reforming catalyst; introducing steam to the dual catalytic zone, introducing an oxygen-rich gas to the dual catalytic zone; contacting the liquid hydrocarbon stream, steam, and oxygen-rich gas with the seven component catalyst to produce a combustion zone fluid; and contacting the combustion zone fluid with the steam reforming catalyst to produce the hydrogen-rich gas stream, wherein the hydrogen-rich gas stream comprises hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt, Mauri Jose Baldini Cardoso, Vivian Passos de Souza, Shakeel Ahmed, Aadesh Harale, Sai P. Katikaneni
  • Publication number: 20220250906
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a pre-reforming catalyst comprised of nickel oxide and having platinum content between 0.01 to 0.5%, characterized in that the catalyst is resistant to deactivation by passage of steam in the absence of a reducing agent and to a process for producing hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt
  • Publication number: 20220111377
    Abstract: The present invention deals with catalysts for the conversion of CO by the shifting reaction of high temperature water gas, free from chromium and iron, consisting of alumina promoted by potassium, by zinc and copper oxides and in a second embodiment also additionally nickel. The catalysts thus prepared maintain high CO conversion activity, not having the environmental limitations or operating limitations with low excess steam in the process, which exist for catalysts in accordance with the state of the art. Such catalysts are used in the hydrogen or synthesis gas production process by the steam reforming of hydrocarbons, allow the use of low steam/carbon ratios in the process, exhibiting high activity and stability to thermal deactivation and lower environmental restrictions for production, storage, use and disposal, than the industrially used catalysts based on iron, chromium, and copper oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRÁS
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes BITTENCOURT
  • Publication number: 20220055894
    Abstract: The present invention refers to processes for obtaining steam reforming catalysts containing nickel, cerium, lanthanum and copper oxides, free from potassium or alkali metals, preferably with the oxide layer being located externally with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm on the support particle, preferably the support being based on alumina, magnesium aluminate, hexaaluminates or mixtures thereof. The catalysts according to present invention show high activity, resistance to thermal deactivation and resistance to coke accumulation in the steam reforming reaction of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos PONTES BITTENCOURT
  • Publication number: 20210340447
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing liquid hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch process integrated into refineries, in particular comprising recycling streams from the steam reforming hydrogen production process as the feedstock for the Fischer-Tropsch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos PONTES BITTENCOURT
  • Publication number: 20210198106
    Abstract: A process for producing a hydrogen-rich gas stream from a liquid hydrocarbon stream, the process comprising the steps of introducing the liquid hydrocarbon stream to a dual catalytic zone, the liquid hydrocarbon stream comprises liquid hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), light naphtha, heavy naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and combinations of the same, the dual catalytic zone comprises: a combustion zone comprising a seven component catalyst, and a steam reforming zone, the steam reforming zone comprising a steam reforming catalyst; introducing steam to the dual catalytic zone, introducing an oxygen-rich gas to the dual catalytic zone; contacting the liquid hydrocarbon stream, steam, and oxygen-rich gas with the seven component catalyst to produce a combustion zone fluid; and contacting the combustion zone fluid with the steam reforming catalyst to produce the hydrogen-rich gas stream, wherein the hydrogen-rich gas stream comprises hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt, Mauri Jose Baldini Cardoso, Vivian Passos de Souza, Shakeel Ahmed, Aadesh Harale, Sai P. Katikaneni
  • Publication number: 20200290021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a pre-reforming catalyst having resistance to deactivation by passage of steam in the absence of a reducing agent comprising ruthenium and an alumina support. Furthermore, the Ru/alumina catalyst according to the present invention becomes much more resistant to deposition of coke with the addition of Ag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos PONTES BITTENCOURT
  • Patent number: 10525449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a nickel-based catalyst promoted with aluminium compounds with increased resistance to thermal deactivation and to the nickel-based catalyst thus obtained. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of said catalyst in a steam reforming process starting from hydrocarbons for producing hydrogen or synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventor: Roberto Carlos Pontes Bittencourt