Aaron Chi Akah

Title: Aaron Chi Akah: Advancing Catalytic Processes for Valuable Chemicals.

Introduction

Aaron Chi Akah is an inventor based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. His work includes processes for converting hydrocarbon and plastic-derived feedstocks into useful chemical products. He is associated with Saudi Arabian Oil Company and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. His portfolio includes 53 patents.

Latest Patents

One of Akah’s latest inventions describes a process for direct conversion of crude oil to light olefins and light aromatics through steam-enhanced catalytic cracking over a core-shell catalyst. The process brings a hydrocarbon feed into contact with steam and a cracking catalyst, producing an effluent that may contain light olefins, aromatic compounds, or both. The catalyst nanoparticle has a zeolite-containing core, which may include ZSM-5, Beta, or Y-type zeolites, and a mesoporous shell made of silica, alumina, or both.

Another invention presents a dual-reactor system for decontaminating and cracking plastic-derived oil into circular chemicals. In the first reactor, the oil contacts a mixed catalyst that includes separate decontamination and cracking catalysts, reducing halogen-containing compounds. The resulting effluent then passes to a second reactor, where cracking produces light olefins and naphtha-range hydrocarbons. Separate regeneration of the used catalysts helps limit the cracking catalyst’s exposure to halogen-containing compounds generated during decontamination-catalyst regeneration.

Career Highlights

Akah’s patent work addresses catalytic conversion and upgrading processes relevant to producing valuable chemicals from crude oil and plastic-derived feedstocks. His listed professional affiliations include Saudi Arabian Oil Company and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Collaborations

Musaed Salem Al-Ghrami and Qi Xu are identified as Akah’s coworkers, reflecting professional connections in his innovation and patent work.

Conclusion

Aaron Chi Akah’s inventions focus on improving catalytic processes for converting crude oil and plastic-derived materials into light olefins, aromatics, and other useful products.