Abstract: Non-acidic sulfur compounds (e.g., thiols) can be selectively extracted from a hydrocarbon stream containing them (e.g., crude oil) by contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a carbonate solvent that contains at least one organic carbonate (e.g., propylene carbonate) in an amount effective to selectively absorb and extract the non-acidic sulfur compounds therefrom. The carbonate solvent may optionally also comprise an additional solvent (e.g., caprolactam), a soluble metal salt (e.g., a metal salt where the metal is iron), and/or a mercaptan scavenger that is a heterocyclic amine (e.g., oxazolidine).

Abstract: It is a continuing goal to reduce the amount of sludge produced in a biorefinery while also improving oil quality and water quality. In one aspect, an exemplary method of minimizing sludge from biorefineries includes the steps of feeding a source feedstock into a degumming centrifuge, where the source feedstock is separated into wet oil and a primary sludge stream, and conveying a portion of the primary sludge stream to a three-phase centrifuge. At the three-phase centrifuge, the portion of the primary sludge stream is separated into recovered centrifuge oil, which is retrieved; centrifuged water, which is conveyed to a wastewater treatment plant; and centrifuged sludge. The remainder of the primary sludge stream is conveyed to a gravity separator, where the remainder of the primary sludge stream is separated into recovered oil and residual sludge. The residual oil is retrieved from the gravity separator.

Abstract: A method for direct synthesis of cyclic carbonates is achieved by reacting at least one epoxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a choline catalyst, such as choline chloride, under mild conditions such as a temperature between about 25° C. to 150° C. and a pressure of from about atmospheric to 75 psi (0.52 MPa), in a cyclic carbonate solvent. The choline catalyst may be the only catalyst used, and a co-catalyst or hydrogen bond donor is not necessary. The concentration of choline catalyst in the solvent ranges from about 0.5 mol % to about 10 mol %, based on the epoxide.

Abstract: In gas hydrate inhibitor formulations used to prevent or inhibit the formation of gas hydrates in multi-phase fluids, such as hydrocarbon production fluids, conventional solvents can be largely replaced by at least one organic carbonate solvent, such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and/or glycerol carbonate. The gas hydrate inhibitors in these formulations may be, but are not necessarily limited to, polyesteramides, polyvinylpyrrolidones, and the like. The use of an organic carbonate in the gas hydrate inhibitor formulation can improve the capability of the formulation for inhibiting or preventing gas hydrate formation in a multi-phase fluid.

Abstract: Catalyst fines can be removed from heavy oils, such as marine fuel oils, by introducing an additive in an effective amount to at least partially remove the catalyst fines, where the additive is an oxyalkylated acid-catalyzed alkylphenol formaldehyde resin and/or a Mannich condensate base resin copolymer.

Abstract: A scale inhibitor squeeze treatment is enhanced by injecting a pre-flush solution into a wellbore, where the pre-flush solution includes at least one organic carbonate solvent, such as a dialkyl carbonate and/or a cyclic carbonate. The use of an organic carbonate solvent can help prevent the pre-flush solution emulsion formation, help avoid water-blocking, and enhance scale inhibitor adsorption. The use of an organic carbonate solvent also permits the pre-flush solution to be free of water, in one non-limiting embodiment.

Abstract: Dispersants including at least one organic carbonate can keep deposits dispersed within hydrocarbons, where the solids are asphaltenes and derivatives from triazine-based H2S scavengers.

Abstract: Catalyst fines can be removed from heavy oils, such as marine fuel oils, by introducing an additive in an effective amount to at least partially remove the catalyst fines, where the additive is an oxyalkylated acid-catalyzed alkylphenol formaldehyde resin and/or a Mannich condensate base resin copolymer.

Abstract: Reversion problems with heavy oils, such as heavy fuel oils, are mitigated by introducing an effective amount of an additive that contains both a phase change material and a pour point depressant, even synergistically mitigated.

Abstract: A method for direct synthesis of cyclic carbonates is achieved by reacting at least one epoxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a choline catalyst, such as choline chloride, under mild conditions such as a temperature between about 25° C. to 150° C. and a pressure of from about atmospheric to 75 psi (0.52 MPa), in a cyclic carbonate solvent. The choline catalyst may be the only catalyst used, and a co-catalyst or hydrogen bond donor is not necessary. The concentration of choline catalyst in the solvent ranges from about 0.5 mol % to about 10 mol %, based on the epoxide.

Abstract: A tracer-embedded degradable article includes: a degradable metallic carrier; and a tracer disposed in the degradable metallic carrier, wherein the tracer includes an upconverting particle that has a host material, and a dopant. The article is manufactured by forming a mixture containing the metallic carrier and the tracer; and molding or casting the mixture. The degradation of the article is monitored by disposing the article downhole; degrading the article; releasing the tracer from the article to a wellbore fluid; and analyzing the wellbore fluid to determine an amount of the tracer in the wellbore fluid.

Abstract: A method for selective extraction of lithium from geothermal brines using host-guest complexes of host molecules such as calixarene, dendrimeric polymers, hyper-branched polymers, and/or acid-catalyzed resins complexed with synergists such as organic acids, condensation polymers, olefin/maleic anhydride copolymers, and/or chelants.

Abstract: A method of fracturing multiple productive zones of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is disclosed. The method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into each of the multiple production zones at a pressure sufficient to enlarge or create fractures in the multiple productive zones, wherein the fracturing fluid comprises an upconverting nanoparticle that has a host material, a dopant, and a surface modification such that the upconverting nanoparticle is soluble or dispersible in water, a hydrocarbon oil, or a combination thereof; recovering a fluid from one or more of the multiple production zones; detecting the upconverting nanoparticle in the recovered fluid by exposing the recovered fluid to an excitation radiation having a monochromatic wavelength; and identifying the zone that produces the recovered fluid or monitoring an amount of water or oil in the produced fluid by measuring an optical property of the upconverting nanoparticle in the recovered fluid.

Abstract: A coated article comprises a substrate and a self-healing coating disposed on a surface of the substrate, the self-healing coating comprising a metallic matrix; and a plurality of micro- or nano-sized particles dispersed in the metallic matrix; the micro- or nano-sized particles comprising an active agent disposed in a carrier comprising a micro- or nano-sized metallic container, a layered structure, a porous structure, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

Abstract: A method of reducing water saturation onto surfaces exposed to hydrocarbons during the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by altering the wettability of the surface of the formation with surface modified nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of fracturing multiple productive zones of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is disclosed. The method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into each of the multiple production zones at a pressure sufficient to enlarge or create fractures in the multiple productive zones, wherein the fracturing fluid comprises an upconverting nanoparticle that has a host material, a dopant, and a surface modification such that the upconverting nanoparticle is soluble or dispersible in water, a hydrocarbon oil, or a combination thereof; recovering a fluid from one or more of the multiple production zones; detecting the upconverting nanoparticle in the recovered fluid by exposing the recovered fluid to an excitation radiation having a monochromatic wavelength; and identifying the zone that produces the recovered fluid or monitoring an amount of water or oil in the produced fluid by measuring an optical property of the upconverting nanoparticle in the recovered fluid.

Abstract: A method of fracturing multiple productive zones of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is disclosed. The method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into each of the multiple production zones at a pressure sufficient to enlarge or create fractures in the multiple productive zones, wherein the fracturing fluid comprises an upconverting nanoparticle that has a host material, a dopant, and a surface modification such that the upconverting nanoparticle is soluble or dispersible in water, a hydrocarbon oil, or a combination thereof; recovering a fluid from one or more of the multiple production zones; detecting the upconverting nanoparticle in the recovered fluid by exposing the recovered fluid to an excitation radiation having a monochromatic wavelength; and identifying the zone that produces the recovered fluid or monitoring an amount of water or oil in the produced fluid by measuring an optical property of the upconverting nanoparticle in the recovered fluid.

Abstract: A method of reducing water saturation onto surfaces exposed to hydrocarbons during the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by altering the wettability of the surface of the formation with surface modified nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a selected refinery chemical at a low concentration comprises contacting a sample with functionalized metallic nanoparticles that contain metallic nanoparticles functionalized with a functional group comprising a cyano group, a thiol group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, a boronic acid group, an aza group, an ether group, a hydroxyl group, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; radiating the sample contacted with the functionalized metallic nanoparticles with electromagnetic radiation at a selected energy level; measuring a Raman spectrum emitted from the sample; and determining the presence or a concentration of a selected refinery chemical in the sample from the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film substrate involves exposing carbon nanostructures to a crosslinker to crosslink the carbon nanostructures. The crosslinked carbon nanostructures are recovered and disposed on a support substrate. A thin film substrate includes crosslinked carbon nanostructures on a support substrate. The crosslinked carbon nanostructures have a crosslinker between the carbon nanostructures. A method of performing surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) on a SERS-active analyte involves providing a SERS-active analyte on such a thin film substrate, exposing the thin film substrate to Raman scattering, and detecting the SERS-active analyte.