Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing waxy haze from and improving the filterability of base stocks including heavy mineral oil base stocks, gas-to-liquids (GTL) and hydrodewaxed or hydroisomerized waxy feed basestocks by filtering the waxy haze causing particles out of the base stock employing a filter characterized by a high surface area of pores accessible to the haze wax particles which have particles dimensions of no more than about 5 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed are rheology modifiers comprising compositionally disperse polymeric compositions and/or crystallinity disperse polymeric compositions that may be useful in modifying the rheological properties of lubrication fluids, and methods for making such compositions. The compositionally disperse polymeric composition are formed from at least two discrete compositions of ethylene copolymers. The crystallinity disperse polymeric composition are formed from ethylene copolymers having at least two discrete values of residual crystallinity.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. In particular, the disclosure teaches processes and systems for recovering heavy crude oil while avoiding fouling of equipment by recycling at least a portion of a product bitumen from a solvent recovery unit for mixing with an overhead bitumen stream that may be a diluted bitumen stream containing solvent and bitumen. The overhead bitumen stream is a near-incompatible stream and the stream of mixed overhead bitumen stream and the treated bitumen stream is a compatible stream that will not foul equipment upon heating.

Abstract: Provided are ethylene-based copolymers, methods of preparing the same, lubricating oil compositions including the same, methods for preparing such lubricating oil compositions, and end uses for such ethylene-based copolymers and lubricating oil compositions. The ethylene-based copolymers may include less than about 80 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and one or more alpha-olefin comonomers having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The ethylene-based copolymers have a melting peak (Tm), as measured by DSC, of 80° C. or less, and a polydispersity index of about 2.8 or less. In some embodiments, the ethylene-based copolymers have an intramolecular composition distribution of about 50 wt. % or less and/or an intermolecular composition distribution of about 50 wt. % or less.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one of the temperatures at which a petroleum product will manifest delayed haze and the temperature at which haze will not exist in the product is provided. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a sample of the product, a light source, light detector, heaters and coolers combined with microprocessor means for storing and analyzing at least one of light transmitted or scattered by the sample. Measurements are useful in determining the haze properties of the product and also for controlling a dehazing process to meet target haze properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ultrafiltration process for separating a heavy hydrocarbon stream to produce an enriched saturates content stream(s) utilizing an ultrafiltration separations process. The enriched saturates content streams can then be further processed in refinery and petrochemical processes that will benefit from the higher content of saturated hydrocarbons produced from this separations process. The invention may be utilized to separate heavy hydrocarbon feedstreams, such as whole crudes, topped crudes, synthetic crude blends, shale oils, oils derived from bitumen, oils derived from tar sands, atmospheric resids, vacuum resids, or other heavy hydrocarbon streams into enriched saturates content product streams. The invention provides an economical method for separating heavy hydrocarbon stream components by molecular species instead of molecular boiling points.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymer blend compositions for use as viscosity modifiers comprising at least two ethylene-based copolymer components. The viscosity modifiers described herein comprise a first ethylene-based copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 44 to about 52 wt % and/or a heat of fusion of from about 0 to about 15 J/g and a second ethylene-based copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 68 to about 75 wt % and/or a heat of fusion of from about 40 to about 65 J/g. The invention is also directed to lubricant compositions comprising a lubricating basestock and a polymer blend of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymer blend compositions for use as viscosity modifiers comprising at least three ethylene-based copolymer components. The viscosity modifiers described herein comprise a first ethylene-based copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 35 to about 55 wt % and/or a heat of fusion of from about 0 to about 30 J/g, a second ethylene-based copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 55 to about 85 wt % and/or a heat of fusion of from about 30 to about 50 J/g, and a third ethylene-based copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 65 to about 85 wt % and/or a heat of fusion of from about 40 to about 70 J/g. The invention is also directed to lubricant compositions comprising a lubricating basestock and a polymer blend as described herein.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. The polymeric composition can include a first ethylene-based copolymer and a second ethylene-based copolymer. The first ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on a weight of the polymeric composition (EA) ranging from about 35 wt % to about 52 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwA) of less than or equal to 130,000. The second ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on the weight of the polymeric composition (EB) ranging from about 65 wt % to about 85 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwB) of less than 130,000.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ethylene copolymer for lubricating oil, comprising: ethylene; at least one alpha-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms; and at least one vicinally substituted olefin having 2 to 40 carbon atoms, wherein: the copolymer has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of about 50,000 to about 500,000; and an intensity ratio of S?? to S?? insertions, as determined by a 13C-NMR spectrum of less than 0.5.

Abstract: In solvent-dominated recovery processes for recovering In situ oil, including bitumen, the produced fluid stream includes oil and solvent. The solvent is preferably recovered and reinjected into the reservoir. In previously described methods, solvent is removed from the oil/solvent mixture. In the present method, the oil/solvent mixture is first separated into a heavier stream and a lighter stream from which solvent is independently removed.

Abstract: Self-compatible heavy oil streams are produced from converted and/or desulfurized fractions. In a preferred embodiment, an incompatibility stream is added to the converted and/or desulfurized stream to reduce the solubility number of the stream. After using a water wash to remove incompatible material, a lighter fraction is removed from the stream to increase the solubility number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for removing polar molecule contaminants from a refinery stream in connection with the processing of hydrocarbon fluids, chemicals, whole crude oils, blends and fractions in refineries and chemical plants that include adding high surface energy and/or high surface area nanoparticle compounds to a refinery stream to remove the polar molecule contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one of the temperatures at which a petroleum product will manifest delayed haze and the temperature at which haze will not exist in the product is provided. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a sample of the product, a light source, light detector, heaters and coolers combined with microprocessor means for storing and analyzing at least one of light transmitted or scattered by the sample. Measurements are useful in determining the haze properties of the product and also for controlling a dehazing process to meet target haze properties.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing waxy haze from and improving the filterability of base stocks including heavy mineral oil base stocks, gas-to-liquids (GTL) and hydrodewaxed or hydroisomerized waxy feed basestocks by filtering the waxy haze causing particles out of the base stock employing a filter characterized by a high surface area of pores accessible to the haze wax particles which have particles dimensions of no more than about 5 microns.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heavy hydrocarbon composition useful as a heavy lubricant oil base stock and to a heavy lubricant composition derived from the heavy lubricant oil base stock that remains clear and bright even after being cooled to room temperature and stored for an extended period of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for separating a heavy hydrocarbon stream to produce at least one permeate product stream and at least one retentate product stream. The process utilizes an ultrafiltration process to designed to maximize the quality of the permeate and retenate product streams as well as process embodiments which improve permeate production quantities as well as improve the quality of the product streams obtained by the separations process. In preferred embodiments, the process includes configuration and operational parameters to maximize permeate yield and selectivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of producing an upgraded product stream from steam cracker tar feedstream suitable for use in refinery or chemical plant processes or for utilization in fuel oil sales or blending. This process utilizes an ultrafiltration process for separating the steam cracker tar constituents resulting in a high recovery, low-energy process with improved separation and product properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are rheology modifiers comprising compositionally disperse polymeric compositions and/or crystallinity disperse polymeric compositions that may be useful in modifying the rheological properties of lubrication fluids, and methods for making such compositions. The compositionally disperse polymeric composition are formed from at least two discrete compositions of ethylene copolymers. The crystallinity disperse polymeric composition are formed from ethylene copolymers having at least two discrete values of residual crystallinity.

Abstract: Provided are ethylene-based copolymers, methods of preparing the same, lubricating oil compositions including the same, methods for preparing such lubricating oil compositions, and end uses for such ethylene-based copolymers and lubricating oil compositions. The ethylene-based copolymers may include less than about 80 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and one or more alpha-olefin comonomers having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The ethylene-based copolymers have a melting peak (Tm), as measured by DSC, of 80° C. or less, and a polydispersity index of about 2.8 or less. In some embodiments, the ethylene-based copolymers have an intramolecular composition distribution of about 50 wt. % or less and/or an intermolecular composition distribution of about 50 wt. % or less.