Abstract: The impact of a stabilizing additive for treating oil-based fluids having destabilized solids, such as asphaltenes and polynuclear aromatics, may be quantitatively assessed, by determining the settling rate of flocculated destabilized solids in samples of untreated oil-based fluids and oil-based fluids treated with the stabilizing additive through the use of a turbidity meter or nephelometer while the field and quantifying the difference between the two settling rates to determine if a change in the amount of stabilizing additive applied to the oil-based fluid is necessary.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for evaluating and mitigating the fouling potential of a given crude oil. The system and methods enable the refiner to rapidly and readily identify the particular mechanisms by which a crude oil may foul, and to select the optimal chemical treatment and/or crude blend to mitigate fouling potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to online analysis of crude oil from desalting processes. Online analysis of the crude oil that has been desalted will allow for real time adjustments to process operating parameters such that the salt concentration of the crude oil is maintained within acceptable parameters. This online analysis can yield a more efficient process, reduce energy consumption of the desalting process, and maintain corrosion rates within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A method for separating polar hydrocarbon compounds from a hydrocarbon oil containing polar hydrocarbon compounds comprising the steps of: a) forming a gel in the hydrocarbon oil, and thereafter b) separating the gel from the hydrocarbon oil to produce a separated gel and a separated hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides selective extraction of sulfoxides, or sulfoxides in combination with sulfones, from hydrocarbon mixtures containing these compounds. A significant advantage of the invention is that oxidation products resulting from oxidative desulfurization of hydrocarbon feedstocks are selectively extracted with minimum co-extraction of non-oxidized products such as valuable hydrocarbon fuel components.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for treating fracking fluids are provided in which a dispersion system receives a portion of a body of fracking fluid collected in a well. The dispersion system may comprise a hydrodynamic mixing chamber and a nozzle. An additive comprising one or more of ozone and oxygen may be mixed with a portion of collected fluid passing through the mixing chamber. The nozzle may disperse a mixture of the collected fluid and additive received from the mixing chamber. The system may comprise a controller having at least one processor configured to monitor the level of the additive or a contaminant in the well. The processor may be configured to cause a portion of the fluid to be pumped from the well through an outflow main when the level of fluid in the well exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A method operable to remove contaminants from a contaminated fluid stream is provided. The process includes receiving the fluid stream containing contaminants. A first portion of the contaminants are removed from the fluid stream with a first scrubbing vessel. A first alkaline solution reacts with the contaminants such that the contaminants enter a contaminant solution. A remaining portion of the contaminants from the fluid stream is then removed with a at least one additional scrubbing vessel, wherein a second alkaline solution reacts with the contaminants such that part of the remaining portion of the contaminants enter a second solution. Water content is then removed from the fluid stream with a desiccating module, wherein the desiccating module outputs a clean fluid stream.

Abstract: This unique process is a feed forward control of hydroprocessing by on-line sulfur speciation. An on-line gas analyzer such as (GC) with a sulfur specific detector (AED) would be installed to analyze the feed to a hydrotreating unit. The analyzer would be calibrated to quantify the individual sulfur compounds or classes of sulfur compounds present in the feed. The output from the analyzer would be linked to the unit's distributed control system to automatically change temperatures and feed rates to change hydrotreating severity. This invention could bring economical benefits by increasing the life of the hydrotreating catalyst, reducing operating cost, and decreasing the potential amount of offspec product. In one embodiment, the hydrotreating is a hydrodesulphurization process.

Abstract: A method for removing calcium, iron, other metals, and amines from crude oil in a refinery desalting process includes the steps of adding a wash water to the crude oil; adding the wash water to the crude oil to create an emulsion; adding to the wash water, the crude oil or the emulsion an acid additive consisting of at least one of the following: oxalic acid, citric acid, water-soluble hydroxyacid selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C.sub.2-C.sub.

Abstract: A system and method are outlined for controlling and optimizing chemical injection into a process unit to control fouling. The method uses an optical device to measure the fouling propensity of the process fluid at various points within the process unit. The measurements are compared with one another and prediction methods are used to evaluate the fouling potential within the unit, and determine the proper chemical dosage. Antifoulant chemical is then introduced into the unit to control the rate of fouling. The method and application continue on a frequent basis to maintain optimal fouling control within the unit.

Abstract: An integrated process for improved hydrocarbon recovery from a natural gas resource is disclosed. A methane-rich stream, an LPG stream and optionally a C5+ stream are isolated from a natural gas source in a first separation zone and desulfurized. The methane-rich stream is converted to syngas and subjected to hydrocarbon synthesis, for example, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The products from the hydrocarbon synthesis typically include a C4− fraction, a C5-C20 fraction, and a C20+ wax fraction. These fractions are isolated in a second separation zone. The C4− fraction is recycled through the first separation zone to provide methane for conversion to synthesis gas and an additional LPG fraction. The C4− fraction can be treated, for example, with hydrotreating or hydroisomerization catalysts and conditions before or after the separation.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing desulfurized hydroprocessed products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is disclosed. The process involves isolating and desulfurizing a methane-rich stream from a natural gas source in a first separation zone and a desulfurization zone. The methane-rich stream is converted to syngas and subjected to a hydrocarbon synthesis step, for example, a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis step. The products from the hydrocarbon synthesis step typically include a C4− fraction, a C5-20 fraction, and a C20+ wax fraction. These fractions are isolated in a second separation zone, typically via fractional distillation. The C4− fraction can be recycled through the first separation zone to provide a second methane-rich fraction for conversion to synthesis gas. The C4− fraction can optionally be treated, for example, with hydrotreatment or hydroisomerization catalysts and conditions before or after passage through the first separation zone.

Abstract: A process for determining if intermittent water injection is the best way to remove deposits such as salts from refinery process streams. A water vapor pressure, P1, at stream conditions and a water vapor pressure, Ps, at saturation conditions in the stream, are used to calculate a ratio P1/Ps. If the ratio is less than 0.1 intermittent water washing is preferred. An optimized intermittent injection procedure, frequency, duration, and constraints, is disclosed. Chemical speciation calculations ensure that all accumulated salts are removed, and that an aqueous phase forms downstream of the water injection point having a salt concentration within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A continuous water washing process for removing salts from refinery process streams is disclosed. The salt and salt precursor content of a process stream is determined, and iterative calculations made to ensure an aqueous phase forms downstream of the water injection point with a salt and ion concentration within acceptable limits. Preferably chemical speciation calculations are used to check for corrosive, transient aqueous phases intermediate the point of water injection and the process outlet.

Abstract: A sample of a hydrocarbon oil containing asphaltenes is chromatographically analyzed by forming a mixture of the oil with a weak solvent. The mixture is passed in contact with a column of a stationary phase of fine solid particles of fully functionalized material, followed by a weak solvent. The solvent, after recovery from the column, is analyzed for aromatics by UV-absorption of UV radiation in the range 200 to 400 nm. The absorbance of the UV light by the irradiated eluents across the UV wavelength range is monitored and the integral of absorbance is derived as a function of photon energy across the wavelength range. The magnitude of the derived integral in at least one time interval corresponding with aromatics in the eluent from the stationary phase is measured as an indication of the level of aromatics in the oil sample. The weak solvent may be followed by a strong solvent which, in turn, may be followed by a strong solvent which is modified by the addition of a hydrogen bonding solvent.

Abstract: In an ebullated bed process, it has been found that in switching from one sediment yielding feedstock to a second sediment yielding feedstock that the transient sediment concentration is 5 to 8 times the steady state concentration. Such transients have caused unit shutdowns with lost production time.A method has been found which avoids these high transient sediment concentrations. Second feedstock is added incrementally (1 vol % to 2 vol % of the final rate) over the period of a week or more and sediment in the product analyzed. After full second feedstock rate is achieved, first feedstock is reduced incrementally with sediment analysis. Higher unit utilization is achieved with the corresponding increased yearly production.

Abstract: Rerefined used oil supplies are treated on a continuous basis so as to clarify the flow and so as to neutralize oxidation product components such as carboxylic acids which remain within the oil stocks after they have been rerefined by upstream procedures. The process is carried out on a continuous basis, and the treatment includes utilizing very low quantities of strong base for each volume of rerefined used oil that is thus treated. The treatment process includes continuously vacuum distilling a continuous flow of used oil stock and strong base composition.

Abstract: A pretreatment process for removal of contaminants from a light hydrocarbon feedstock is presented. The feedstock is passed to a first adsorption zone containing a molecular sieve and thereafter passed to a second adsorption zone containing activated alumina. The process produces a hydrocarbon feedstock substantially free of sulfur compounds, oxygenates, and water. Such a process finds utility as a feed pretreatment step preceding a catalytic isomerization process.