Abstract: The invention provides a process for treating a loaded solvent stream having a time-varying contaminant concentration, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of hold-up tanks; (b) feeding the loaded solvent stream in dependence on its contaminant concentration to one or more of the hold-up tanks and; (c) allowing lowed solvent to flow from the plurality of hold-up tanks to obtain a smoothed loaded solvent stream having a reduced time-varying contaminant concentration. The invention further provides a treating unit comprising a circuit for circulating a solvent stream, which circuit includes a device for smoothing contaminant peak concentrations, said device comprising a plurality of hold-up tanks each hold-up tank having at least one inlet and an outlet equipped with an outlet valve, the device further comprising an inlet distributor allowing the control of solvent flow to one or more of the hold-up tanks.

Abstract: A process to reduce the temperature of a hydrogen and carbon monoxide containing gas by contacting the gas with a metal alloy surface having a lower temperature than the temperature of the gas, wherein the metal alloy surface has between 0 and 20 wt % iron, between 0 and 5 wt % aluminium, between 0 and 5 wt % silicon, between 20 and 50 wt % chromium and at least 35 wt % nickel, wherein the metal alloy surface maintains it lower temperature than the temperature of the gas by making use of coolant water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the removal of, H2S and mercaptans from a gas stream comprising these compounds, which process comprises the steps of: (a) removing H2S from the gas stream by contacting the gas stream in a H2S-removal zone with a first aqueous alkaline washing liquid to obtain a H2S-depleted gas stream and a sulphide-comprising aqueous stream; (b) removing mercaptans from the H2S-depleted gas stream obtained in step (a) by contacting the H2S-depleted gas stream in a mercaptan-removal zone with a second aqueous alkaline washing liquid to obtain a mercaptan-depleted gas stream and an thiolate—comprising aqueous stream; (c) contacting the combined aqueous streams comprising sulphide and thiolates obtained in step (a) and step (b) with sulphide-oxidizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen in an oxidation reactor to obtain a sulphur slurry and a regenerated aqueous alkaline washing liquid; (d) separating at least part of the sulphur slurry obtained in step (c) from the regenerated aqueous al

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide by performing a partial oxidation on a hydrocarbon feed using a multi-orifice burner provided with an arrangement of separate passages, wherein the hydrocarbon flows through a passage of the burner, an oxidiser gas flows through a separate passage of the burner and wherein the passage for hydrocarbon feed and the passage for oxidiser gas are separated by a passage through which a moderator gas flows and wherein the exit velocity of the moderator gas is greater than the exit velocity of the oxidiser gas.

Abstract: Described is a method for the selective hydrodesulfurization of an olefin-containing hydrocarbon feedstock that uses a catalyst composition having a high content of a nickel component and an effective but small amount of a molybdenum component supported on a porous refractory oxide. A preferred catalyst composition contains an immaterial amount of a cobalt component.

Abstract: An unsupported catalyst composition which comprises one or more Group VIb metals, one or more Group VIII metals, and a refractory oxide material which comprises 50 wt % or more titania, on oxide basis, which is prepared by precipitation techniques, finds use in the hydroprocessing of hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks.

Abstract: A bulk metal oxide catalyst composition of the general formula (X)b(M)c(Z)d(O)e??(I) wherein X represents at least one non-noble Group VIII metal; M represents at least one non-noble Group VIb metal; Z represents one or more elements selected from aluminium, silicon, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, boron, and zinc; one of b and c is the integer 1; and d and e and the other of b and c each are a number greater than 0 such that the molar ratio of b:c is in the range of from 0.5:1 to 5:1, the molar ratio of d:c is in the range of from 0.2:1 to 50:1, and the molar ratio of e:c is in the range of from 3.7:1 to 108:1; is prepared by controlled (co)precipitation of component metal compounds, refractory oxide material, and alkali compound in protic liquid. Resulting compositions find use in hydrotreatment processes involving particularly hydrodesulphurisation and hydrodenitrification.

Abstract: A novel alkylation catalyst is described which is used in processes for alkylating olefin hydrocarbons with isoparaffin hydrocarbons to produce high octane alkylate products suitable for use as a blending component of gasoline motor fuel. The novel catalyst comprises a mixture of a hydrogen halide and a sulfone. The novel alkylation catalyst is utilized in a novel process for alkylating olefin hydrocarbons with isoparaffin hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A fluid distribution tray that is capable of providing for the distribution of a fluid across a surface area of a bed of contact material contained within a vessel, wherein the fluid distribution tray includes lost area due to a support element upon which the fluid distribution tray is supported within the vessel, wherein the fluid distribution tray includes a plurality of fluid flow means distributed across the fluid distribution tray in a distribution pattern providing for a high density distribution of fluid flow means within a compensation area that is adjacent and near to the lost area and a low density distribution of fluid flow means within the remaining useable area of the fluid distribution tray. Also included is a method providing for a uniform fluid distribution within a vessel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the removal of sulphur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream, especially a gaseous hydrocarbon gas stream, comprising said sulphur compounds, which process comprises contacting said gas stream with an adsorbent comprising a zeolite having a pore diameter of at least 5 ? to adsorb the sulphur compounds thereon, the adsorption process followed by a regeneration process of used, loaded adsorbent by contacting the said loaded adsorbent with a regeneration gas stream having a relative water humidity less than 100%, especially less than 80%. Suitably the regeneration is followed by a dry regeneration treatment. The invention further relates to a process for the regeneration of adsorbent comprising a zeolite having a pore diameter of at least 5 ? loaded with sulphur compounds by contacting the adsorbent with a regeneration gas stream having a relative water humidity less than 100%, especially less than 80%. Suitably the regeneration is followed by a dry regeneration treatment.

Abstract: A process for the production of a pipeline-transportable crude oil from a bitumen feed, the process comprising: (1) dividing the bitumen feed into two fractions, the first fraction comprising between 20 and 80 wt % of the feed, the second fraction comprising between 80 and 20 wt % of the total feed, (the two fraction together forming 100 wt % of the feed), (2) distillation of the first fraction obtained in step (1) (preferably under vacuum) into a light fraction boiling below 380° C. (preferably the 450° C. fraction, more preferably the 510° C. fraction) and a residual fraction; (3) thermal cracking (of at least part of, preferably all of,) the residual fraction obtained in the distillation process described in step (2); (4) distillation of the product obtained in step (3) into one or more light fractions (boiling below 350° C.), optionally one or more intermediate fractions (boiling between 350 and 510° C.) and a heavy fraction (boiling above at least 350° C.

Abstract: The invention is a support system for use with a reactor vessel that defines a reactor zone and has an inlet manway providing an opening into the reactor zone. The support system comprises a manway insert that is supported by the inlet manway and extends through the opening of the inlet manway and into the reactor zone. Attached to the manway insert is attachment means for connecting a support hanger to the manway insert and for transferring the load from the support hanger to the manway insert. The support hanger has an upper end and a lower end with the upper end being fixedly attached to the attachment means and the lower end being fixedly attached to support structure means for supporting a load.

Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans from a gas stream containing a high ratio of mercaptans to hydrogen sulfide, wherein the first step removes hydrogen sulfide by washing the gas stream with an aqueous washing solution comprising water, a physical solvent and a chemical solvent. The first removal step is followed by a second removal step by which mercaptans are removed from the washed gas stream by means of molecular sieves.

Abstract: A process for catalytically reforming a gasoline boiling range hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in the presence of hydrogen involving the following steps: (a) reforming at least 5 vol % and at most 50 vol % of the feedstock in a first reforming unit having a fixed bed of catalyst particles; (b) passing the effluent stream of the first reforming unit to a separation zone having a separator and a stabilizer to produce a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream, a C4? hydrocarbon stream and a first reformate; (c) reforming the remainder of the feedstock and at least part of the first reformate in a second reforming unit having one or more serially connected reaction zones, each having a moving catalyst bed, which are operated in a continuously catalyst regeneration mode; and, (d) passing the effluent stream of the second reforming unit to a separation zone having a separator and a stabilizer to produce a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream, a C4? hydrocarbon stream and a second reformate.

Abstract: A process for partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon gas or liquid, involving the steps of partial oxidation and removal of soot by forming a slurry having water and carbon from the gaseous oxidation product, and separating part of the water from the slurry to obtain a soot composition having less water, wherein the separation is performed by means of a decanter centrifuge.

Abstract: A sheet of expanded metal produced by slitting a sheet of metal, and stretching along a stretching direction, which sheet of expanded metal forms a grid of openings having a first repetition length in the stretching direction and a second repetition length in the direction perpendicular to the stretching direction, wherein the first and second repetition lengths are substantially equal. A sheet of expanded metal having a stretching angle larger than 90 degrees. Use of a sheet of expanded metal according to the invention for supporting a bundle of parallel tubes. A method of manufacturing expanded metal from pre-expanded metal, wherein expansion force is applied at a plurality of points perpendicular to the stretching direction, wherein the expansion force is applied using a plurality of force transmitters co-operating with the plurality of points, and wherein the force transmitters are arranged so that they can move towards each other in the second direction while applying extension force.

Abstract: A combined process for the recovery of sulfur from an acid gas stream. The combined process includes both a Claus unit and a unit for treating the Claus tail gas with caustic to remove hydrogen sulfide therefrom and to biologically oxidize the hydrogen sulfide using certain types of sulfur bacteria to make elemental sulfur. The combined process provides for an exceptionally low concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the finally treated sweet gas.

Abstract: A process to prepare a base oil having a saturates content of more than 90 wt %, a sulphur content of less than 0.03 wt %, and, a viscosity index of between 80 and 120 from a solvent refined base oil feedstock, which process comprises: (a) contacting the solvent refined base oil feedstock in the presence of a hydrogen containing gas in a first reaction zone containing one or more fixed beds of a catalyst, which catalyst comprises at least one Group VIB metal component and at least one non-noble Group VIII metal component supported on a refractory oxide carrier; and (b) contacting the effluent of step (a) in the presence of a hydrogen containing gas in a second reaction zone containing one or more fixed beds of a catalyst, which catalyst comprises a catalyst comprising a noble metal component supported on an amorphous refractory oxide carrier, wherein the oil feedstock in step (a) flows counter-current to the up flowing hydrogen containing gas.

Abstract: A method for the processing of a polyalphaolefin feedstock having a concentration of organic halide to thereby yield a polyalphaolefin end-product having a low concentration of organic halide. The method includes a hydrogenation step whereby the polyalphaolefin feedstock is contacted under suitable reaction conditions with a specific hydrogenation catalyst composition that is resistant to halide deactivation. The hydrogenation catalyst comprises a noble metal on a support material comprising silica and alumina. The hydrogenated polyalphaolefin feedstock is further processed to remove the hydrogen halide produced during the hydrogenation step to yield the polyalphaolefin end-product.

Abstract: A catalyst is provided comprising nickel in a reduced valence state on a carrier comprising zinc oxide and alumina, wherein the Zn:Ni atomic ratio is at least 12, and the catalyst particles are prepared by a) mixing zinc oxide in the form of a powder and alumina or an alumina precursor in the form of a powder; b) peptising the powder mixture and forming an extrudable dough by adding acid and water to the powder mixture in such amounts that the dough contains 0.8-1.2 moles acid equivalents per kg powder; c) extruding the extrudable dough to form extrudates; d) drying and calcining the extrudates; e) impregnating the extrudates with an aqueous solution of a nickel compound; f) drying, calcining and reducing the impregnated extrudates.