Patents by Inventor Sriram Ramani

Sriram Ramani 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: 10082331
    Abstract: Process for efficiently operating a natural gas liquefaction system with integrated heavies removal/natural gas liquids recovery to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or natural gas liquids (NGL) products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Megan V. Evans, Nasir Ali, Jon M. Mock, Jame Yao, Sriram Ramani
  • Publication number: 20120123578
    Abstract: A method includes controlling a process control system for coordinating the operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Weldon L. Ransbarger, Jon M. Mock, Jaleel Valappil, Sanjay Wale, Sriram Ramani, Satish Gandhi
  • Patent number: 8075866
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110266135
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Alfred E. KELLER, Nathan A. HATCHER, Sriram RAMANI, Terry D. PRUITT, Michael D SMITH
  • Patent number: 7998451
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D Smith
  • Patent number: 7922977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas feed stream to a product stream, such as syngas, including catalytically partially oxidizing the hydrocarbon feed stream over a catalyst bed. The catalyst bed has a downstream zone which is less resistant to flow than the upstream zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Bang Cheng Xu, Sriram Ramani, Kevin L. Ricketson, Gloria I. Straguzzi, Larry D. Swinney, Joe D. Allison
  • Publication number: 20110011127
    Abstract: Process for efficiently operating a natural gas liquefaction system with integrated heavies removal/natural gas liquids recovery to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or natural gas liquids (NGL) products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Megan V. Evans, Nasir Ali, Jon M. Mock, Jame Yao, Sriram Ramani
  • Publication number: 20100163401
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D. Smith
  • Patent number: 7658906
    Abstract: Novel sulfur recovery plants, and processes utilizing these plants are disclosed. These apparatuses eliminate the use of a condenser between the waste heat boiler and first Claus catalytic reactors, and also eliminate the use of reheaters in between Claus catalytic reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Larry D. Swinney
  • Publication number: 20090220402
    Abstract: Novel sulfur recovery plants, and processes utilizing these plants are disclosed. These apparatuses eliminate the use of a condenser between the waste heat boiler and first Claus catalytic reactors, and also eliminate the use of reheaters in between Claus catalytic reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Larry D. Swinney
  • Patent number: 7560088
    Abstract: A compact sulfur recovery system is disclosed which includes an upflow orientation for the gases through a primary structure including a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone, a first temperature-control zone, a first Claus catalytic reaction zone, a second temperature-control zone, a first liquid sulfur outlet, and a first effluent gas outlet. The upward flow of the gases puts the hottest gases in contact with the tubes and tube sheet in the waste heat boiler where there is greater confidence in having liquid water in most continuous therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani, Nathan A. Hatcher, Joe D. Allison, Steven E. Lusk, Larry D. Swinney, Kerri J. Kirkendall, Gilbert E. Torres, Paul D. Stewart, Terry D. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 7501111
    Abstract: Claus sulfur recovery plants that include one or more single-stage or multi-stage compact tubular Claus catalytic reactor-heat exchanger units are disclosed. In some instances, these new or improved Claus plants additionally include one or more compact heat exchanger containing cooling tubes that are filled with a heat transfer enhancement medium. The new compact tubular Claus catalytic reactor-heat exchanger units and HTEM-containing heat exchangers are also disclosed. A process for recovering sulfur from a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream, employing the new tubular Claus catalytic reactor-heat exchanger unit, and in some instances a HTEM-containing heat exchanger, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Conoco Phillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani, Joe D. Allison, Steven E. Lusk, Nathan A. Hatcher, Larry D. Swinney, Rebecca S. Shaver
  • Patent number: 7357908
    Abstract: The disclosed sulfur recovery system and process avoid some of the operational problems of conventional Claus plants and processes by replacing the reaction burner and furnace tube of a conventional Claus plant with a more efficient short contact time catalytic reactor assembly containing a SPOC™ catalyst that operates efficiently at elevated temperatures. Such Claus plant modification also reduces or avoids the negative effects of hydrocarbons, CO2 and ammonia in Claus sulfur plant feeds, and permits efficient processing of dilute to concentrated H2S feeds. The disclosed modification makes possible the expansion of Claus plant capacity at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20080050306
    Abstract: Claus sulfur recovery plants that include one or more single-stage or multi-stage compact tubular Claus catalytic reactor-heat exchanger units are disclosed. In some instances, these new or improved Claus plants additionally include one or more compact heat exchanger containing cooling tubes that are filled with a heat transfer enhancement medium. The new compact tubular Claus catalytic reactor-heat exchanger units and HTEM-containing heat exchangers are also disclosed. A process for recovering sulfur from a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream, employing the new tubular Claus catalytic reactor-heat exchanger unit, and in some instances a HTEM-containing heat exchanger, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani, Joe D. Allison, Steven E. Lusk, Nathan A. Hatcher, Larry D. Swinney, Rebecca S. Shaver
  • Patent number: 7326397
    Abstract: A process for purifying a light hydrocarbon stream containing H2S is disclosed in which the selective catalytic partial oxidation of the H2S component is carried out while the hydrocarbon components slip through substantially unconverted. A catalyst that favors the partial oxidation of H2S over conversion of the hydrocarbon component of a gaseous H2S-light hydrocarbon mixture is employed. Apparatus for selectively cleaning up light hydrocarbon streams containing low concentrations (e.g., less than 25 vol. %), and apparatus for selectively cleaning up light hydrocarbon streams having higher concentrations (e.g., greater than 25 vol. %) of H2S are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller, Devadas Panjala
  • Publication number: 20070297970
    Abstract: A compact sulfur recovery system is disclosed which includes an upflow orientation for the gases through a primary structure including a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone, a first temperature-control zone, a first Claus catalytic reaction zone, a second temperature-control zone, a first liquid sulfur outlet, and a first effluent gas outlet. The upward flow of the gases puts the hottest gases in contact with the tubes and tube sheet in the waste heat boiler where there is greater confidence in having liquid water in most continuous therewith. In some embodiments, a secondary structure follows the primary structure and comprises a second Claus catalytic reaction zone, a third temperature-control zone, a second liquid sulfur outlet, and a second effluent gas outlet. One or more components of the system employ heat transfer enhancement material in the temperature-control zones, and one or more components deter accumulation of liquid sulfur in the Claus catalytic reaction zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred Keller, Sriram Ramani, Nathan Hatcher, Joe Allison, Steven Lusk, Larry Swinney, Kerri Kirkendall, Gilbert Torres, Paul Stewart, Terry Pruitt
  • Patent number: 7226572
    Abstract: A compact sulfur recovery system is disclosed which comprises a primary structure including a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone, a first temperature-control zone, a first Claus catalytic reaction zone, a second temperature-control zone, a first liquid sulfur outlet, and a first effluent gas outlet. In some embodiments, a secondary structure follows the primary structure and comprises a second Claus catalytic reaction zone, a third temperature-control zone, a second liquid sulfur outlet, and a second effluent gas outlet. One or more components of the system employ heat transfer enhancement material in the temperature-control zones, and one or more components deter accumulation of liquid sulfur in the Claus catalytic reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani, Joe D. Allison, Steven E. Lusk, Nathan A. Hatcher, Larry D. Swinney, Kerri J. Kirkendall, Gilbert E. Torres, Paul D. Stewart, Terry D. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 7223354
    Abstract: A process and catalyst are disclosed for the catalytic partial oxidation of light hydrocarbons to produce synthesis gas at superatmospheric pressures. A preferred catalyst used in the process includes a nickel-magnesium oxide solid solution and at least one promoter chosen from Cr, Mn, Mo, W, Sn, Re, Rh, Ru, Ir, Pt, La, Ce, Sm, Yb, Lu, Bi, Sb, In and P, and oxides thereof, carried on a refractory support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Joe D. Allison, David M. Minahan, Harold A. Wright
  • Patent number: 7138101
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for recovering elemental sulfur from a H2S-containing waste gas stream are disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a first reaction zone for carrying out the catalytic partial oxidation of H2S, a second reaction zone for the catalytic partial reduction of any incidental SO2 produced in the first reaction zone, and a cooling zone including a sulfur condenser. According to a preferred embodiment of the process, a mixture of H2S and O2 contacts a catalyst in the first reaction zone very briefly (i.e, less than about 200 milliseconds) producing primarily S0 and H2O. Some SO2 is also present in the first stage product gas mixture. A reductant gas (e.g. CO, or CH4 or natural gas) is fed together with the first stage product gas mixture to a second catalytic reaction zone where the partial reduction of the SO2 component to elemental sulfur and CO2 is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani
  • Patent number: 7122170
    Abstract: A process and system for producing synthesis gas by a SPOC® enhanced catalytic partial oxidation process is disclosed. Light hydrocarbons in a H2S-containing feed gas are partially oxidized to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a catalyst that simultaneously oxidizes the H2S to produce elemental sulfur. A reaction in which H2S is partially oxidized to elemental sulfur and water takes place instead of a secondary reaction in which a portion of the light hydrocarbon feed is combusted to form CO2 and water. An increase in yield and selectivity for CO and H2 products results, and readily recoverable elemental sulfur is also produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller