Patents by Inventor Sanjiv N. Patel

Sanjiv N. Patel 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: 20220252343
    Abstract: A process is described herein for removing high freeze point hydrocarbons, including benzene compounds, from a mixed feed gas stream. The process involves cooling process streams in one or more heat exchangers and separating condensed compounds in multiple separators to form a methane-rich product gas stream. Select solvent streams from a fractionation train and/or separate solvent streams are employed to lower the freeze point of one or more streams that contain high freeze point hydrocarbons. A corresponding system also is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas K. Gaskin, Fereidoun Yamin, Sanjiv N. Patel, Catherine L. Balko
  • Publication number: 20170176099
    Abstract: A process is described herein for removing high freeze point hydrocarbons, including benzene compounds, from a mixed feed gas stream. The process involves cooling process streams in one or more heat exchangers and separating condensed compounds in multiple separators to form a methane-rich product gas stream. Select solvent streams from a fractionation train and/or separate solvent streams are employed to lower the freeze point of one or more streams that contain high freeze point hydrocarbons. A corresponding system also is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Gaskin, Fereidoun Yamin, Sanjiv N. Patel, Catherine L. Balko
  • Patent number: 8628601
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture that includes pretreating a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, water vapor, and one or more light gases in a pretreating system to form a cooled gas mixture, fractionating the cooled gas mixture to recover a bottoms fraction comprising carbon dioxide and an overheads fraction comprising carbon dioxide and the light gases, passing the overheads fraction over a membrane selective to carbon dioxide to separate a carbon dioxide permeate from a residue gas comprising the light gases, recycling the carbon dioxide permeate to the pretreating system, and recovering at least a portion of the bottoms fraction as a purified carbon dioxide product stream is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Loren E Gearhart, Sanjiv N Patel, David R Koch
  • Patent number: 8337587
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture that includes pretreating a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, water vapor, and one or more light gases in a pretreating system to form a cooled gas mixture, fractionating the cooled gas mixture to recover a bottoms fraction comprising carbon dioxide and an overheads fraction comprising carbon dioxide and the light gases, passing the overheads fraction over a membrane selective to carbon dioxide to separate a carbon dioxide permeate from a residue gas comprising the light gases, recycling the carbon dioxide permeate to the pretreating system, and recovering at least a portion of the bottoms fraction as a purified carbon dioxide product stream is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Loren E. Gearhart, Sanjiv N. Patel, David Koch
  • Patent number: 7856847
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Patent number: 7818979
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Patent number: 7793517
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Publication number: 20090288556
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture that includes pretreating a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, water vapor, and one or more light gases in a pretreating system to form a cooled gas mixture, fractionating the cooled gas mixture to recover a bottoms fraction comprising carbon dioxide and an overheads fraction comprising carbon dioxide and the light gases, passing the overheads fraction over a membrane selective to carbon dioxide to separate a carbon dioxide permeate from a residue gas comprising the light gases, recycling the carbon dioxide permeate to the pretreating system, and recovering at least a portion of the bottoms fraction as a purified carbon dioxide product stream is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Loren E. Gearhart, Sanjiv N. Patel, David R. Koch
  • Publication number: 20090113930
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Publication number: 20090113931
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Publication number: 20090107175
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Patent number: 7484385
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Patent number: 7316127
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon feed gas stream. Feed gas stream is cooled into a first and second cooled streams. First and second cooled streams are sent to a cold absorber and separated into a first gas stream and a first liquid stream. First gas stream is expanded and sent to a fractionation tower. At least a part of the first liquid stream is sent to a pre-demethanizer stripper tower. Stripper tower produces a stripper overhead stream and a stripper bottoms stream. Stripper overhead vapor stream is cooled and sent to the fractionation tower as second reflux stream. Stripper bottoms stream is supplied to the fractionation tower. Temperatures and pressures of the streams and columns are maintained to recover a major portion of ethane and heavier hydrocarbon components as a bottoms product stream, and produce a residue gas stream at the fractionation tower overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Huebel, Jorge H. Foglietta, Sanjiv N. Patel
  • Patent number: 7159417
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane and heavier components from a hydrocarbon feed gas stream. Feed gas stream is cooled and separated into a vapor stream and a condensed stream. Vapor stream is divided into a first and a second gas streams. First gas stream is expanded and sent to a fractionation tower. Second gas stream is supplied to an absorber tower. At least a part of the first liquid stream is cooled and sent to the absorber. Absorber column produces a lean vapor stream and a second condensed stream. Lean vapor stream is cooled and sent to the fractionation tower. Second condensed stream is subcooled and supplied to the fractionation tower. Temperatures and pressures of the streams and columns are maintained to recover a major portion of ethane and heavier hydrocarbon components as bottom product, and produce at the fractionation tower overhead, a residue gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge H. Foglietta, Sanjiv N. Patel
  • Patent number: 7069744
    Abstract: A two-tower scheme process for the recovery of propane and heavier components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and then separated to give a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is sent to a distillation tower that recovers at the bottoms a major portion of propane and heavier components and produces an overhead gas stream. First vapor stream is expanded and sent as bottom feed to the absorber. Absorber produces an absorber overhead stream containing essentially all the ethane and lighter components and an absorber bottoms stream. Absorber bottoms stream is heated and sent to the distillation tower as middle feed. Absorber overhead stream is warmed and optionally compressed. A part of the compressed stream is substantially condensed and sent to absorber as top feed. The process and apparatus can be used to recover ethane and heavier hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Patent number: 6964181
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling or reducing the heating value or BTU content of NGL recovered from LNG streams. LNG pipelines have a maximum allowable heating value that LNG must be within prior to entering the pipeline. If the LNG heating value is too high, the components contributing to the high heating value must be removed prior to being introduced in the pipeline. The process controls the heating value of the residue LNG gas stream by splitting a feed stream and warming at least a portion of the feed stream. Substantial differences in enthalpy content and temperature between the two portions of the feed stream exist prior to being sent to a fractionation tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Barton Milios, Hazem Haddad, David C. Vogel, Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Publication number: 20040159122
    Abstract: An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Publication number: 20040148964
    Abstract: A two-tower scheme process for the recovery of propane and heavier components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and then separated to give a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is sent to a distillation tower that recovers at the bottoms a major portion of propane and heavier components and produces an overhead gas stream. First vapor stream is expanded and sent as bottom feed to the absorber. Absorber produces an absorber overhead stream containing essentially all the ethane and lighter components and an absorber bottoms stream. Absorber bottoms stream is heated and sent to the distillation tower as middle feed. Absorber overhead stream is warmed and optionally compressed. A part of the compressed stream is substantially condensed and sent to absorber as top feed. The process and apparatus can be used to recover ethane and heavier hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv N. Patel, Jorge H. Foglietta
  • Patent number: 6712880
    Abstract: A cryogenic process and apparatus for separating multi-component gaseous hydrocarbon streams to recover both gaseous and liquid compounds. More particularly, the cryogenic processes and apparatus of this invention utilize a high pressure absorber to improve the energy efficiency of processing natural gas for pipeline gas sales and recovering natural gas liquids (NGL) gas from gaseous hydrocarbon streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge H. Foglietta, Hazem Haddad, Earle Ross Mowrey, Sanjiv N. Patel, Ajit Sangave
  • Publication number: 20020157538
    Abstract: A cryogenic process and apparatus for separating multi-component gaseous hydrocarbon streams to recover both gaseous and liquid compounds. More particularly, the cryogenic processes and apparatus of this invention utilize a high pressure absorber to improve the energy efficiency of processing natural gas for pipeline gas sales and recovering natural gas liquids (NGL) gas from gaseous hydrocarbon streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Jorge H. Foglietta, Hazem Haddad, Earle Ross Mowrey, Sanjiv N. Patel, Ajit Sangave