Abstract: Byproduct or waste gases, containing hydrogen fluoride from an HF-catalyzed aromatic alkylation process are contacted with a stream of alkylated aromatics essentially free from hydrogen fluoride. Hydrogen fluoride from the waste gases is absorbed within the alkylated aromatics and is returned to the process therewith. Resulting waste gases are of reduced hydrogen fluoride content, and the loss of hydrogen fluoride upon disposal of these gases is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A multiple-stage hydrocarbon steam reforming process for producing a methane-rich substitute natural gas. A portion of the first stage efluent is condensed, water is removed therefrom and the remainder is recycled to combine with the fresh charge stock to the first stage. Following one stage of methanation, or shift conversion, both steam and carbon dioxide are removed prior to effecting additional reactions in a second methanation stage.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the separation of gaseous and vaporous constituents from a feed containing the same. Vaporous feed components are absorbed into multiple primary lean absorber liquids and a secondary lean absorber liquid through contact between the feed and the absorber liquids in a multistage absorption zone. Gaseous feed components are withdrawn from the absorption zone. Rich absorber liquid is passed to a multistage stripping zone where gaseous feed components dissolved within the rich absorber liquid are removed and returned to the absorption zone. Stripped liquid, containing vaporous feed components, but being essentially free from gaseous feed components, is withdrawn from the stripping zone. Multiple and discrete primary lean absorber liquids are withdrawn from separate stages of the stripping zone and passed to separate stages of the absorption zone.

Abstract: Ethylbenzene is produced by the alkylation of benzene and subsequently catalytically dehydrogenated to produce styrene in a process wherein a benzene sidecut stream removed from the fractionation zone separating the newly produced ethylbenzene is water washed to remove a boron-containing complex. The washed sidecut stream is then utilized as the solvent stream fed to a liquid-liquid extraction zone which treats a water stream formed by condensing the effluent of a dehydrogenation zone. The treated water stream is used to generate steam and the extract stream removed from the extraction zone is combined with the effluent of the dehydrogenation zone to cool and dilute the effluent and to recover styrene and ethylbenzene.

Abstract: Styrene is removed from a recycle water stream of an ethylbenzene dehydrogenation process by liquid-liquid extraction to prevent polymer buildup on heat exchange tubes and to lower coke formation in boiler tubes. The water stream is then fed into a heater to form steam for use within the reaction zone of the process. The solvent used for the extraction is benzene or a normal paraffin and preferably is the overhead product of a benzene-toluene column which separates the products of the process. The use of extraction lowers utility costs compared to stripping the recycle water stream.

Abstract: Byproduct or waste gases, containing hydrogen fluoride, from an HF-catalyzed hydrocarbon alkylation process are contacted with a stream of liquid hydrocarbon essentially free from hydrogen fluoride. Hydrogen fluoride from the waste gases is recovered within the liquid hydrocarbon and is returned to the process therewith. Resulting waste gases are of reduced hydrogen fluoride content, and the recovery of hydrogen fluoride is thereby increased.

Abstract: Process with improved efficacy for the separation and recovery of desired liquid and vapor constituents from a feed stream containing such constituents. The feed stream is contacted with two separate and distinct lean oils by upward passage through an absorption zone. Resultant rich oil passes to a stripping zone and then to a fractionation zone. A first lean oil is withdrawn from fractionation zone bottoms and enters the absorption zone superior to the entry of a second lean oil. The second lean oil is withdrawn from the stripping zone and passed to the absorption zone. A stripped vapor is withdrawn from the stripping zone and is mixed with the feed. This mixture is partially condensed in a cooling zone and then separated into liquid and vapor phases in a separation zone. The vapor phase is then withdrawn from the separation zone and is introduced adjacent the lowermost point of the absorption zone.

Abstract: A method for uniformly distributing a mixed-phase fluid intended for contact with a solid particulate catalyst bed disposed in a packed chamber. Foam is generated from the mixed-phase fluid by adding a surface-active agent and a foam stabilizing agent in small concentrations to the mixed-phase and passing the mixture through a zone of turbulence and decreasing pressure prior to the introduction thereof into the packed chamber. Surface-active and foam stabilizing agents are selected to be non-prejudicial to the intended function of the particulate catalyst material.

Abstract: A handle having a pair of elongated arms and a band-like ring portion adapted to encircle and engage a female hose coupling. The handle functions as a permanently attached wrench to facilitate connecting a section of hose to the threaded end of a spigot or faucet, or one section of hose to another, or to a sprinkler, nozzle or other device. Preferably, the handle comprises a unitary body consisting of a pair of arms and the band-like ring, and means for providing a wrapping force of the ring around the hose coupling.

Abstract: A more economical method of removing materials adsorbed on solid adsorbents used to treat hydrocarbon streams is presented. The method comprises removing a liquid hydrocarbon stream from a distillation column, vaporizing the liquid stream and superheating the vapors which are formed, passing the superheated vapor through the adsorbent and effecting the removal of the adsorbed material, and then returning the vapor to the fractionation column and utilizing the vapor as stripping media within the column. In the preferred embodiment, water is removed from alumina.

Abstract: An improved method of simultaneously removing high-boiling materials and a volatile dissolved substance, such as oxygen, from a hydrocarbon stream as is performed in feed preparation columns. About 25 to 75 percent of the feed stream is vaporized in a flash zone, and the vapor stream from the flash zone is combined with the overhead vapor stream of a fractionation column. The liquid remaining after the flash operation is passed into a lower intermediate point of the fractionation column. The high-boiling materials are removed at the bottom of the column, and the product stream is removed from the fractionation column at a higher intermediate point.

Abstract: Separation of the catalyst-containing product effluent from a fluid catalytic cracking unit is effected in the main column by a technique which involves removing a light naphtha fraction as the single overhead stream and separately withdrawing a heavy naphtha fraction as a lower side-cut. The latter is stripped of light naphtha (for recycle to the main column) and recovered as a product stream. Preferably a portion of the heavy naphtha fraction (as withdrawn) is cooled and combined with the light naphtha overhead reflux stream.

Abstract: A method for regulating, or controlling heat input to the reboiler section of a fractionation column. Flow-measuring means, disposed in a substantially liquid-free environment within the confines of the reboiler section, produces a signal which is representative of the quantity of vapor flowing from the reboiler section upwardly into the fractionation section. This signal is transmitted to heat-varying means, whereby fuel input to an external reboiler heater is regulated in response to the quantity of vapor flow.

Abstract: At least two gasoline streams, having dissimilar octane ratings, are admixed with a butane-rich stream, the latter for vapor pressure control. A control system is employed to regulate the quantity of a lead-containing compound and/or the relative quantities of the blend components to achieve both the target octane of the final motor fuel blend as well as the desired vapor pressure, or volatility.

Abstract: Maximum removal of asphaltic material, including high molecular weight metallic contaminants, from a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock is achieved through the utilization of a solvent extraction zone provided with direct heating facilities in an upper portion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a fluid stream with a bed of catalyst wherein solid particulate matter is removed from the fluid stream before contact with the catalyst bed. The fluid stream is tangentially discharged into a circular trough located in an upper section of a vertically disposed cylindrical vessel. The inner wall of the trough is porous to allow drainage of liquids, and vapors exit the trough through its open top. The vapors than pass downward through the open center of the trough and contact the catalyst bed located in the lower section of the vessel.

Abstract: A reaction product effluent, containing hydrogen, normally gaseous hydrocarbons and normally liquid hydrocarbons, is separated into desired component streams in a system which incorporates a low-pressure flash zone, a debutanizer and a deethanizer. The net overhead vaporous product from the deethanizer is introduced into the flash zone, the liquid phase from which serves as a portion of the feed to the debutanizer. Preferably, the net overhead vaporous product from the debutanizer is also introduced into the flash zone.

Abstract: An improved HF alkylation process for producing alkylated isoparaffins wherein capital cost, operating costs and energy consumption are reduced by elimination of the necessity of the commonly-included catalyst regeneration facilities. Hydrocarbonaceous polymers which form collateral to alkylation reactions occurring in a reaction zone, and which contaminate the acid catalyst therein, are routed to pass through reboiling means of two fractionators whereby HF and some combined fluorides in the polymers are removed and the polymers exit the process with an alkylate product. Some decomposition of the combined fluorides prevents fluorine contamination of the alkylate product.

Abstract: Methods of starting up and shutting down reactors used in hydrocracking and hydrodesulfurization of black oils. The reactor is flushed with a heavy vacuum gas oil between the circulation of the black oil feed stream and the lighter hydrocarbon stream used during the low temperature portion of the operations.

Abstract: An improved process for the hydrogen fluoride catalyzed alkylation of isoparaffins with olefins wherein better utilization of internal streams is achieved. Isoparaffins used as a stripping medium in the catalyst regeneration zone are reclaimed, free of a hydrogen fluoride phase, and are utilized as recycle isoparaffins to improve the quality of the alkylate product.