Patents by Inventor Sunder Ramachandran
Sunder Ramachandran 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: 20130004393Abstract: The use of a dialdehyde (e.g. glyoxal) and a nitrogen-containing scavenger (e.g. a triazine) when injected separately in media containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and/or mercaptans to scavenge H2S and/or mercaptans therefrom gives a synergistically better reaction rate and overall scavenging efficiency, i.e. capacity, over the use of the dialdehyde or the nitrogen-containing scavenger used alone, but in the same total amount of the dialdehyde and nitrogen-containing scavenger. The media may include an aqueous phase, a gas phase, a hydrocarbon phase and mixtures of a gas and/or hydrocarbon phase with an aqueous phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Carlos M. Menendez, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Sunder Ramachandran
-
Publication number: 20120241361Abstract: The use of neutral aqueous solutions of glyoxal (pH approximately 6 to 8.5) scavenges H2S that is present in natural gas and in oil better than glyoxal alone or base alone. The resulting scavenger combination significantly increases the reaction rate and the overall scavenging efficiency, i.e. capacity over glyoxal used alone. A buffer may be optionally used. In another embodiment, the combination of non-nitrogen-containing surfactants and glyoxal results in a significant increase in the reaction rate and the overall scavenging efficiency, i.e. capacity as compared to glyoxal used alone.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Kyle C. Cattanach, Michael P. Squicciarini
-
Patent number: 8109161Abstract: Solids deposition in a gas environment, such as a gas transmission line or pipeline are measured using metal-coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in a QCM probe within a high pressure gas chamber in the gas environment. The metal coated on the QCM may be iron, iron alloys and/or iron oxide. The weight measurements are conducted at a constant (?T) or controlled (T=f(t)) temperature between the high pressure gas chamber and the QCM probe. The weight gain during a CE cycle is associated with the solids formation rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Vladimir Jovancicevic, Sunder Ramachandran, Paul Hammonds
-
Publication number: 20110315921Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and/or mercaptan scavengers are chemicals that remove H2S and/or mercaptans from gas, oil and water. Water-based formulations may be made and used employing scavenging compounds having the formulae: wherein each R1, R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, an acyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a nitro, an alkyl ester, an aryl ester, an alkyl ether, an aryl ether, a hydroxymethyl, an anhydride group, an amino, and a sulfide. In one non-limiting embodiment the compounds (A) and (B) do not contain nitrogen atoms. Water-based formulations, such as those using a protic solvent with the above compounds, work well as H2S scavengers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Ying H. Tsang, Michael P. Squicciarini, Philippe Prince, Jianzhong Yang, Kyle C. Cattanach
-
Publication number: 20110278024Abstract: Recovering oil and gas from subterranean oil and gas reservoirs using gas injection can serve an additional purpose of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide. This can be accomplished where the feed gas for the gas injection is, at least in part, carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide capture and sequestration process. Corrosion of steel in a gas transportation system due to the presence of carbon dioxide and water and oxygen may be prevented or at least mitigated by employing a corrosion inhibitor effective at preventing or mitigating steel corrosion in the presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The corrosion inhibitors may incorporate alkyl succinic acids, alkyl succinic anhydrides, and trimer acids.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Ksenija Babic-Samardzija, Ha M. Nguyen
-
Patent number: 8047292Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling the formation of liquid or gas slugs along a pipeline. In embodiments, an injection unit injects a liquid surface tension reducing agent, such as a foamant, into the pipeline upstream of the high point. A control unit can be used to control the injection unit. In certain arrangements, the control unit adjusts the injection of the agent based on measured parameters of interest. In embodiments where the control unit utilizes temperature measurements, one or more temperature sensors are positioned along the pipeline. The control unit utilizes the temperature measurements to determine whether a predetermined condition exists or a liquid or gas slug is present.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Christopher T. Gallagher, Michael D. Loudermilk, Jiang Yang
-
Publication number: 20100324836Abstract: Different types of localized corrosion, erosion corrosion and other types of corrosion may be detected and identified by examining or viewing a solid surface where corrosion is occurring or has occurred to obtain an image therefrom. The image is then represented as a three-dimensional mathematical surface, which is then fit to a parametric surface composed of one or more curved and/or polygonal surfaces. Representative parameters are determined from the parametric surface. The corrosion type is identified by the best fit of the parameters known to be correlated (or caused by) a particular type of corrosive activity or agent for a given substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2008Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventor: Sunder Ramachandran
-
Publication number: 20100301275Abstract: Mitigating or preventing corrosion of metal may be achieved in systems that are alkaline, such as carbon dioxide capture systems. The method may include adding an additive to a system wherein the system is at an alkaline pH; the system has both O2 and CO2 present; or the system is at an alkaline pH and has both O2 and CO2 present. The additive may be selected from the group consisting of: quaternary aromatic amines; quaternary alkyl substituted aromatic amines; and combinations thereof. The corrosion inhibiting properties of the additives may be increased by use of synergistic combinants. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Ksenija Babic-Samardzija, Lawrence N. Kremer, David J. Poelker, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Sunder Ramachandran
-
Patent number: 7624804Abstract: In a method for optimizing gas lift operations in the production of crude oil, a surfactant is injected with the lift gas into the an oil well such that the surface tension between the lift gas and the formation fluid being produced is reduced and/or a lift gas-formation fluid foam is formed. The reduction in surface tension and/or foam formation increases the efficiency of the lift gas for lifting the formation fluid to the surface. The surfactant is selected to minimize corrosion. The surfactants consist essentially of sultaines, hydroxy sultaines, and their salts. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Sunder Ramachandran
-
Publication number: 20090211335Abstract: Solids deposition in a gas environment, such as a gas transmission line or pipeline are measured using metal-coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in a QCM probe within a high pressure gas chamber in the gas environment. The metal coated on the QCM may be iron, iron alloys and/or iron oxide. The weight measurements are conducted at a constant (?T) or controlled (T=f(t)) temperature between the high pressure gas chamber and the QCM probe. The weight gain during a CE cycle is associated with the solids formation rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Vladimir Jovancicevic, Sunder Ramachandran, Paul Hammonds
-
Publication number: 20080264495Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling the formation of liquid or gas slugs along a pipeline. In embodiments, an injection unit injects a liquid surface tension reducing agent, such as a foamant, into the pipeline upstream of the high point. A control unit can be used to control the injection unit. In certain arrangements, the control unit adjusts the injection of the agent based on measured parameters of interest. In embodiments where the control unit utilizes temperature measurements, one or more temperature sensors are positioned along the pipeline. The control unit utilizes the temperature measurements to determine whether a predetermined condition exists or a liquid or gas slug is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Christopher T. Gallagher, Michael D. Loudermilk, Jiang Yang
-
Patent number: 7395864Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling the formation of liquid or gas slugs along a pipeline. In embodiments, an injection unit injects a liquid surface tension reducing agent, such as a foamant, into the pipeline upstream of the high point. A control unit can be used to control the injection unit. In certain arrangements, the control unit adjusts the injection of the agent based on measured parameters of interest. In embodiments where the control unit utilizes temperature measurements, one or more temperature sensors are positioned along the pipeline. The control unit utilizes the temperature measurements to determine whether a predetermined condition exists or a liquid or gas slug is present.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Christopher T. Gallagher, Michael D. Loudermilk, Jiang Yang
-
Patent number: 7288506Abstract: Aluminum carboxylate drag reducing agents are described herein. These materials are useful to reduce drag in hydrocarbon fluids and multiphase fluids of hydrocarbon(s) and water. No injection probes or other special equipment is expected to be required to introduce the drag reducing agent into the liquid stream. The drag reducing additives of the invention are not subject to shear degradation and do not cause undesirable changes in the emulsion or fluid quality of the fluid being treated, or undesirable foaming. In one non-limiting embodiment, an aluminum monocarboxylate is reacted with at least one carboxylic acid in situ. In another non-limiting embodiment, the aluminum carboxylate is introduced as a dispersion in a solvent such as paraffin oil. The drag reducing additives include aluminum dicarboxylates such as aluminum dioctoate, aluminum distearate, aluminum octoateoleate, aluminum octoatestearate, aluminum stearateoleate, hydroxyaluminum bis(2-ethylhexanoate) and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Vladimir Jovancicevic, Samuel Campbell, Sunder Ramachandran, Paul Hammonds, Steven J. Weghorn
-
Publication number: 20070246222Abstract: In a method for optimizing gas lift operations in the production of crude oil, a surfactant is injected with the lift gas into the an oil well such that the surface tension between the lift gas and the formation fluid being produced is reduced and/or a lift gas-formation fluid foam is formed. The reduction in surface tension and/or foam formation increases the efficiency of the lift gas for lifting the formation fluid to the surface. The surfactant is selected to minimize corrosion. The surfactants consist essentially of sultaines, hydroxy sultaines, and their salts. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2007Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Sunder Ramachandran
-
Patent number: 7234524Abstract: A system monitors and controls the injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through a subsea well. The system includes a chemical injection unit and a controller positioned at a remote subsea location. The injection unit uses a pump to supply one or more selected additives from a subsea and/or remote supply unit. The controller operates the pump to control the additive flow rate based on signals provided by sensors measuring a parameter of interest. A one mode system includes a surface facility for supporting the subsea chemical injection and monitoring activities. In one embodiment, the surface facility is an offshore rig that provides power and has a chemical supply that provides additives to one or more injection units. In another embodiment, the surface facility includes a relatively stationary buoy and a mobile service vessel. When needed, the service vessel transfers additives to the chemical injection units via the buoy.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Christopher Kempson Shaw, Cindy L. Crow, William Edward Aeschbacher, Jr., Sunder Ramachandran, Mitch C. Means, Paulo S. Tubel
-
Publication number: 20060169457Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling the formation of liquid or gas slugs along a pipeline. In embodiments, an injection unit injects a liquid surface tension reducing agent, such as a foamant, into the pipeline upstream of the high point. A control unit can be used to control the injection unit. In certain arrangements, the control unit adjusts the injection of the agent based on measured parameters of interest. In embodiments where the control unit utilizes temperature measurements, one or more temperature sensors are positioned along the pipeline. The control unit utilizes the temperature measurements to determine whether a predetermined condition exists or a liquid or gas slug is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Christopher Gallagher, Michael Loudermilk, Jiang Yang
-
Publication number: 20040177968Abstract: Disclosed is a method for optimizing gas lift operations in the production of crude oil. A surfactant is injected with the lift gas into the an oil well such that the surface tension between the lift gas and the formation fluid being produced is reduced and/or a lift gas-formation fluid foam is formed. The reduction in surface tension and/or foam formation increases the efficiency of the lift gas for lifting the formation fluid to the surface. The surfactant is selected to minimize corrosion. Exemplary surfactants include those in the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols and all salts thereof, ethoxylated alkyl phenols and all salts thereof, ethoxylated amines and all salts thereof, alkyl ether sulfates and all salts thereof, all betaines and all salts thereof, all sultaines and all salts thereof, perfluorinated polyurethanes, and mixtures thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventor: Sunder Ramachandran
-
Publication number: 20040168811Abstract: A system monitors and controls the injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through a subsea well. The system includes a chemical injection unit and a controller positioned at a remote subsea location. The injection unit uses a pump to supply one or more selected additives from a subsea and/or remote supply unit. The controller operates the pump to control the additive flow rate based on signals provided by sensors measuring a parameter of interest. A one mode system includes a surface facility for supporting the subsea chemical injection and monitoring activities. In one embodiment, the surface facility is an offshore rig that provides power and has a chemical supply that provides additives to one or more injection units. In another embodiment, the surface facility includes a relatively stationary buoy and a mobile service vessel. When needed, the service vessel transfers additives to the chemical injection units via the buoy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Bake Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Christopher Kempson Shaw, Cindy L. Crow, William Edward Aeschbacher, Sunder Ramachandran, Mitch C. Means, Paulo S. Tubel
-
Publication number: 20040142825Abstract: Aluminum carboxylate drag reducing agents are described herein. These materials are useful to reduce drag in hydrocarbon fluids and multiphase fluids of hydrocarbon(s) and water. No injection probes or other special equipment is expected to be required to introduce the drag reducing agent into the liquid stream. The drag reducing additives of the invention are not subject to shear degradation and do not cause undesirable changes in the emulsion or fluid quality of the fluid being treated, or undesirable foaming. In one non-limiting embodiment, an aluminum monocarboxylate is reacted with at least one carboxylic acid in situ. In another non-limiting embodiment, the aluminum carboxylate is introduced as a dispersion in a solvent such as paraffin oil. The drag reducing additives include aluminum dicarboxylates such as aluminum dioctoate, aluminum distearate, aluminum octoateoleate, aluminum octoatestearate, aluminum stearateoleate, hydroxyaluminum bis(2-ethylhexanoate) and mixtures thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Vladimir Jovancicevic, Samuel Campbell, Sunder Ramachandran, Paul Hammonds, Steven J. Weghorn