Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the physical separation of solids and asphaltenes with a conversion degree higher than or equal to 90%, present in refinery purge streams. Said method provides for heating a refinery purge stream to a temperature higher than or equal to 185° C. and not exceeding 220° C. and, subsequently, subjecting said heated purge to sedimentation by progressively lowering the temperature in a controlled manner to a minimum temperature of 100° C., without stirring the purge, so as to form a light phase and a heavy phase defined in relation to the density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the physical separation of solids and asphaltenes with a conversion degree higher than or equal to 90%, present in refinery purge streams. Said method provides for heating a refinery purge stream to a temperature higher than or equal to 185° C. and not exceeding 220° C. and, subsequently, subjecting said heated purge to sedimentation by progressively lowering the temperature in a controlled manner to a minimum temperature of 100° C., without stirring the purge, so as to form a light phase and a heavy phase defined in relation to the density.

Abstract: The process for treating a hydrocarbon-based heavy residue (1), in particular bituminous residues with a high asphaltene content, comprises the following operations: A) bringing the heavy residue to be treated to a temperature within the range of 325-500° C.; B) subjecting the heavy residue to be treated to a substantially adiabatic expansion in an environment at a pressure equal to or lower than about 0.1 bara, and at a temperature equal to or lower than 450° C., so as to separate, from the heavy residue to be treated, a first less volatile fraction (17) having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure equal to or higher than 540° C. and whose solid and/or anhydrous residue prevalently contains asphaltenes insoluble in pentane and/or other residues insoluble in tetrahydrofuran. It allows a more effective flushing, and also to actuate the process in an extremely simple plant and without centrifugations.

Abstract: The device described in the present invention can separate fine solid particles in suspension in a viscous liquid, withdrawing a clear liquid from the top of the device, and a dense liquid charged with solid particles is withdrawn from the bottom. The invention also concerns the application of this device to the separation of catalyst particles in a liquid phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.

Abstract: The device described in the present invention can separate fine solid particles in suspension in a viscous liquid, withdrawing a clear liquid from the top of the device, and a dense liquid charged with solid particles is withdrawn from the bottom. The invention also concerns the application of this device to the separation of catalyst particles in a liquid phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a high temperature gas leaving a reaction unit/device, including a coupling element to the reaction unit/device, a gas transportation and cooling pipe, and a covering shell.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared, liquid at the reaction temperature, by feeding synthesis gas into three-phase turbulent reactors in which the solid phase, consisting of the catalyst in the form of particles, is kept in suspension in the liquid phase by the rising synthesis gas. The reaction product is separated/filtered in continuous from the catalyst dispersed therein by means of at least one filtration device consisting of a hydrocyclone over which there is a first hollow metal element in which a second hollow element is situated, coaxial with the first, made of a material having a porous structure, with an average pore diameter ranging from 0.002 to 0.1 micrometers, suitable for micro/ultrafiltration.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared, which are liquid at the reaction temperature, by feeding synthesis gas into three-phase turbulent reactors in which the solid phase, consisting of the catalyst in the form of particles, is kept in suspension in the liquid phase by the rising synthesis gas. The reaction product is extracted in continuous, together with the catalyst dispersed therein, and sent to a separation section which comprises a primary filtration unit and a micro/ultra-filtration unit.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared, liquid at the reaction temperature, by feeding synthesis gas into three-phase turbulent reactors wherein the solid phase, consisting of the catalyst in particle form, is kept in suspension in the liquid phase by the rising synthesis gas. The reaction product is separated/filtrated in continuous from the catalyst dispersed therein, by means of a separation/filtration unit consisting of several filtration cartridges, each consisting of at least two porous filtering elements, the first having an average pore diameter ranging from 0.5 to 15 ?m, whereas the second has an average pore diameter ranging from 0.002 to 0.1 ?m.

Abstract: Process for recovering at least 70% of hollow glass microspheres having an average diameter, according to the ASTM D1214-1989, ranging from 5 to 200 ?m contained in a mixture of drilling mud and cuttings which comprises: a) screening, if necessary, the mixture through one or more 5 to 20 mesh sieves; b) feeding the screened mixture to one or more cyclones and/or hydrocyclones arranged in series, each of which is fed with a volume flow-rate from 1.5 to 10 times higher than the maximum nominal operating value.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared, liquid at the reaction temperature, by feeding synthesis gas into three-phase turbulent reactors in which the solid phase, consisting of the catalyst in the form of particles, is kept in suspension in the liquid phase by the rising synthesis gas. The reaction product is separated/filtered in continuous from the catalyst dispersed therein by means of at least one filtration device consisting of a hydrocyclone over which there is a first hollow metal element in which a second hollow element is situated, coaxial with the first, made of a material having a porous structure, with an average pore diameter ranging from 0.002 to 0.1 micrometers, suitable for micro/ultrafiltration.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared, liquid at the reaction temperature, by feeding synthesis gas into three-phase turbulent reactors wherein the solid phase, consisting of the catalyst in particle form, is kept in suspension in the liquid phase by the rising synthesis gas. The reaction product is separated/filtrated in continuous from the catalyst dispersed therein, by means of a separation/filtration unit consisting of several filtration cartridges, each consisting of at least two porous filtering elements, the first having an average pore diameter ranging from 0.5 to 15 ?m, whereas the second has an average pore diameter ranging from 0.002 to 0.1 ?m.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared, which are liquid at the reaction temperature, by feeding synthesis gas into three-phase turbulent reactors in which the solid phase, consisting of the catalyst in the form of particles, is kept in suspension in the liquid phase by the rising synthesis gas. The reaction product is extracted in continuous, together with the catalyst dispersed therein, and sent to a separation section which comprises a primary filtration unit and a micro/ultra-filtration unit.

Abstract: Process for recovering at least 70% of hollow glass microspheres having an average diameter, according to the ASTM D1214-1989, ranging from 5 to 200 &mgr;m contained in a mixture of drilling mud and cuttings which comprises: a) screening, if necessary, the mixture through one or more 5 to 20 mesh sieves; b) feeding the screened mixture to one or more cyclones and/or hydrocyclones arranged in series, each of which is fed with a volume flow-rate from 1.5 to 10 times higher than the maximum nominal operating value.

Abstract: Reactor for chemical reactions which are carried out in triphasic systems (liquid, gas, solid) which includes a bottom head into which the reagent gas is fed, through an inlet nozzle; one or more superimposed thermal exchange sections, each of these sections being immersed in the corresponding synthesis sections; a head containing outlet nozzles for discharging the suspension and outlet nozzles for discharging the non-reacted gas and a group of inclined transversal diaphragms for separating the particles of liquid and/or solid drawn therein.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrocarbons from synthesis gas which comprises:a) feeding to a reactor for Fischer-Tropsch reactions, containing a catalyst based on supported cobalt, a synthesis gas in molar ratios H.sub.2 /CO ranging from 1 to 3;b) discharging from the reactor a hydrocarbon liquid phase containing the catalyst, in suspension;c) feeding the suspension to a hydrocracking reactor operating at a temperature ranging from 200 to 500.degree. C.;d) discharging a vapour phase from the head of the hydrocracking reactor and from the bottom a suspension containing heavier products which is recycled to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor;e) cooling and condensing the vapour phase.