Abstract: A process is provided for producing premium and super premium grade needle coke comprising the steps of passing a heavy resid feedstock to a resid hydrotreating reaction zone at resid hydrotreating conditions and producing light resid hydrotreated products and a heavy resid hydrotreated residual product, directing the heavy resid hydrotreated residual product and FCC decanted oil to a solvent extraction process reaction zone at solvent extraction process conditions and producing products comprising a solvent extracted oil and resin stream and a stream comprising asphaltenes, and conveying at least a portion of the solvent extracted oil and resin stream to a delayed coking process at delayed coking conditions and producing liquid products and premium grade coke.

Abstract: A collective fluid inclusions volatiles sample is released from each of a plurality of sedimentary rock samples and analyzed as it is being released to determine composition thereof. Compositions are used for mapping the earth's subsurface. The sample is released by an automated crushing mechanism and analyzed by a system of concurrently operated mass spectrometers each scanning a specific set of mass to charge ratio responses.

Abstract: A method of geophysical exploration is provided whereby satellite derived and surface acquired gravity data sets can be employed to produce a merged gravity data set. In particular, surface acquired gravity data can be filtered so as to have a frequency content matching the satellite acquired gravity data. Employing mistie analysis, both gravity data sets can be combined to produce a merged gravity data set. The resulting merged gravity data set provides means for referencing both non-overlapping surface acquired gravity data sets and satellite derived gravity data sets to a common or reference datum such that they can be compared directly.

Abstract: Open-ended cyclone separators are disclosed which employ catalyst separation tubes to prevent separated solids discharged through an open cyclone end from being entrained in a countercurrently moving flow of process gas entering the separator through the open end. In several preferred embodiments, generally conical tubes are axially located within the cyclone open bottom. Methods for practicing the invention also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for regenerating a molecular sieve-free resid hydroprocessing catalyst for use with an ebullated bed reaction process comprising at least one hydrogenation metal and at least one Group IIA metal deposited on an inorganic oxide support wherein the catalyst contains a pore volume of pores having a diameter greater than 1200 Angstroms of at least 0.05 cc/gm. The method comprises the steps of contacting the molecular sieve-free resid hydroprocessing catalyst with a contaminant metal-containing hydrocarbon feedstream in a first contacting step at conditions sufficient to deposit contaminant metals and coke onto the catalyst; and contacting the coke-deactivated, contaminant metal-containing, molecular sieve-free catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas in a second contacting step at oxidation conditions sufficient to remove a substantial amount of the coke from the coke-deactivated, contaminant metal-containing, molecular sieve-free catalyst.

Abstract: A membrane of an oxidative conversion contact material of a mixed oxide of aluminum and at least one multivalent activator metal with the membrane permitting selective conveyance of a form of oxygen therethrough, as well as methods for the oxidative conversion of a gaseous hydrocarbon reactant using such membranes are provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing the pour point of a hydrocarbon feedstock that contains aromatic compounds, sulfur-containing compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds is provided. The method involves solvent extraction and utilizes a catalytic hydrodewaxing zone with a first section having a shape-selective molecular sieve-containing catalyst composition which is substantially free of Group VIII metals and a second section having a Group VIII metal-containing hydrogenation catalyst composition with a porous support material substantially free of acidic crystalline molecular sieve material.

Abstract: A method which combines fluid drive and gravity drainage to produce hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises injecting a fluid through at least two upper horizontal wells out into the formation for moving hydrocarbons from the formation into at least one lower horizontal well through which the hydrocarbons are produced, wherein each lower horizontal well is spaced laterally and vertically below and between two respective upper horizontal wells; and producing hydrocarbons through the at least one lower horizontal well at a cumulative rate faster than the cumulative rate of the fluid injected into the upper horizontal wells. The method further comprises injecting a fluid and producing hydrocarbons as just described but with additional upper and lower horizontal wells longitudinally spaced from the first-mentioned upper and lower horizontal wells so that each of the lower horizontal wells operates as a discrete production well.

Abstract: A user friendly vapor recovery nozzle with special signaling devices to signal and assure the customer of proper delivery of fuel and return flow of hydrocarbon vapors. In the preferred embodiment, the signaling devices include both a fuel flow indicator and a vapor flow indicator. The flow indicators can comprise one or more fuel and vapor driven balls, paddle wheels, propellers, spinners, blades, or vanes. In the preferred form, the vapor recovery nozzle has an inner fuel spout to discharge gasoline into a customer's tank and has an outer spout which cooperates with the inner spout to provide a vapor return passageway to return vapors emitted during fueling to a vapor return hose. The nozzle has a liquid sensing tube in the vapor return passageway to sense when the customer's tank is filled. An automatic shutoff valve cooperates with the liquid sensing tube to shutoff the supply of gasoline when the customer's tank is filled.

Abstract: A process and catalyst is provided for the hydrogenation of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a substantial portion of a distillate hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein said distillate hydrocarbon feedstock consists essentially of material boiling between about 150.degree. F. and about 700.degree. F. at atmospheric pressure, which comprises reacting the feedstock with hydrogen at hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising from about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of palladium and from about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of platinum and a support comprising borosilicate, for producing a hydrogenated product.

Abstract: A generally closed vapor path catalytic cracking reactor system is disclosed which includes a vented post-cyclone inertial separator. The inertial separator includes first and second conduit-like members and a vent located at the downstream end of the upstream member. Spent catalyst can be disengaged from a spent catalyst and cracked vapor mixture through the vent while cracked hydrocarbon vapors flow into the second separator member. The separator vent provides a path for stripping gas to enter the generally closed vapor path under routine operating conditions and provides a flow path for damping pressure surges into a surrounding disengagement vessel under transient quality conditions.

Abstract: A process, catalyst, and method of making a catalyst are provided for the selective hydrotreating of a selective hydrotreating feedstock comprising reacting the feedstock with hydrogen at hydrotreating conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component and a support component. The hydrogenation component comprises a Group VIB metal component and a Group VIII metal component wherein the Group VIB metal component is present in an amount ranging from about 4 wt % to about 20 wt % and the Group VIII metal component is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt %, both calculated as oxides and based on the total catalyst weight. The support component comprises from about 0.5 wt % to about 50 wt % of a magnesium component and from about 0.02 wt % to about 10 wt % of an alkali metal component, both calculated as oxides and based on the total catalyst weight.

Abstract: An improved, low severity coal liquefaction process is disclosed. In accordance with the process, coal is first decarboxylated and demineralized with hot sulfurous acid. The decarboxylated coal is then liquefied in the presence of an alcohol and an alkali metal hydroxide. In several embodiments, alkali metal-containing materials are reclaimed to produce alkali metal hydroxide for the liquefaction step. In other embodiments, the liquefaction is conducted in the presence of a relatively high-boiling diluent such as a coal-derived liquid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining an estimate of the shear velocity in a formation material. Utilizing compressional velocity (V.sub.p) and density (.rho.) of the formation material, formation aggregate mineral parameters and formation pore fluid parameters together with a relationship that the frame bulk modulus/frame shear modulus is approximately equal to the bulk modulus of the aggregate mineral grains/shear modulus of the aggregate mineral grains, to obtain an estimate of the shear wave velocity (V.sub.s) of the formation material. The present invention is primarily designed for use in the areas where shear wave velocity (V.sub.s) measurements are unobtainable due to unconsolidated formations, and specifically, wherein the acoustic velocity of formation fluids and/or wellbore fluids is greater than the desired shear wave velocity.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for reducing occurrence of scale in a subterranean formation during an enhanced oil recovery process. A treatment composition comprising an amino phosphonic acid and a copolymer of an alkenyl sulfonate and an ethylenically unsaturated comonomer is squeezed into the formation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for separating solids from a mixture of solids and gases. An in-line cyclone separator cyclonically swirls the mixture as it exits a conduit concentrically located within a radially symmetric separation chamber. In some embodiments, stripping gas apertures direct stripping gas into the chamber to help maintain the angular momentum of the solids cyclonically swirling within the chamber.

Abstract: Rotational orientation of a drillstring is monitored a plurality of times during each rotation of a drillstring for monitoring the rotational orientation of a curve drilling assembly on a drillstring. A defined rotational orientation of a downhole location on the drillstring with respect to the curve drilling assembly is established. At least one reference signal generator having a known relationship to the down hole location on the drillstring and that rotates with the drillstring is provided at the surface. A reference signal is generated each time a reference signal generator rotates past a detector. A pressure signal is generated each time the drillstring rotates through the defined rotational orientation with respect to the drill bit steering device. Occurrences of the plurality of surface reference signals and the pressure signal are timed and compared for monitoring the rotational orientation of the drill bit steering device.

Abstract: A whirl resistant drill bit is disclosed for use in rotary drilling. The drill bit includes a generally cylindrical bit body with a plurality of cutting elements extending out from a lower end surface. The cutter elements are grouped in sets such that a first set of cutters are disposed at substantially an equal radius from a center of the bit body to create a groove in the material being drilled. A second set of cutters is connected to the lower end surface with each cutter therein in overlapping radial relationship with each other and extending a maximum distance from the lower end surface less than that of the first set of cutters. At least one cutter of the second set is in overlapping radial relationship with at least one of the cutters within the first set of cutters. This cutter arrangement causes the drill bit to cut grooves within the formation material that tends to prevent destructive bit whirl. Further, adjustments can be made to vary the back rake angle and side rake angle to prevent bit whirl.