Abstract: Methods, processes, systems, or apparatus are provided to remove contaminants such as metals and chlorine present in a pyrolysis stream to form reduced-contaminant liquid biomass. In certain embodiments, for example, a metal chelating agent is dissolved into a metal-containing pyrolysis stream condensate to form metal chelate complex, followed by filtering to obtain the reduced-contaminant liquid biomass.

Abstract: There is provided an additive and method for removal of calcium from crude oil or its blends containing calcium naphthenate at low pH as well as at high pH. Particularly, there is also provided an additive and method for removal of calcium from crude oil or its blends containing calcium naphthenate under basic or alkaline conditions and at low pH as well as at high pH varying from about 5 to 11.

Abstract: Trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a sufficient amount of a reducing agent to convert at least a portion of the non-volatile mercury into a volatile form of mercury, which can be subsequently removed by any of stripping, scrubbing, adsorption, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, at least 50% of the mercury is removed. In another embodiment, the removal rate is at least 99%. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is selected from sulfur compounds containing at least one sulfur atom having an oxidation state less than +6; ferrous compounds; stannous compounds; oxalates; cuprous compounds; organic acids which decompose to form CO2 and/or H2 upon heating; hydroxylamine compounds; hydrazine compounds; sodium borohydride; diisobutylaluminium hydride; thiourea; transition metal halides; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a processing method for upgrading an organic phase substance by removing heavy element species from the organic phase substance originating from a resource substance in mild environmental conditions, and further provides a method for collecting removed heavy element species and a method for collecting other substances.

Abstract: Process for the removal of sodium from sodium-containing heavy fractions from a process for the combined production of styrene and propylene oxide comprising admixing an aqueous solution of an organic carboxylic acid to the heavy fraction at a temperature comprised between 20° C. and 100° C., and separation of the organic phase from the aqueous phase, wherein the organic phase contains less than 0.5% by weight of polymeric solids. The obtained organic phase has low viscosity and ash content and can be used directly as a fuel.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with an oxidant to oxidize the heteroatoms, contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed. The oxidant may be used in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.

Abstract: The invention relates to field of processing hydrocarbon feedstock including crude oil, wherein metals such as calcium are removed. In the face of the rising prices of crude oil, refiners are forced to process opportunity crudes such as DOBA, which pose many problems including fouling of equipment due to certain metallic salts, such as calcium napthenate. Calcium, which cannot be removed from crude oil during normal desalting process, poses very serious problems. The invention provides method for removal of calcium, wherein crude oil is mixed, with effective metal removing amount of aqueous extraction solution of an additive comprising a chemical compound selected from a group consisting of metallic acid, maleic anhydride or fumaric acid or salts or derivatives thereof, enabling separation of hydrocarboneous phase and aqueous phase containing metal ions, in crude desalter. Only hydrocarboneous phase devoid of calcium is processed further, thereby preventing fouling of equipment.

Abstract: An additive capable of avoiding formation of impurities and capable of removing or dissolving impurities formed and accumulated at the interphase of organic and aqueous layers on reaction between calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound including H2S in presence of water in mixture of crude oils containing calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound or H2S, wherein the additive is glyoxylic acid is provided. A method for avoiding formation of impurities and for removing or dissolving impurities formed and accumulated at the interphase of organic and aqueous layers on reaction between calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound including H2S in presence of water in mixture of crude oils containing calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound including H2S, comprising treating mixture of crude oils containing calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound or H2S with glyoxylic acid is also provided.

Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.

Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.

Abstract: A process for reducing contaminants during a desalting process is disclosed. The process may comprise providing an acid buffer solution; providing a contaminated stream; and mixing the acid buffer solution with the contaminated stream.

Abstract: Trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent and then with a reducing agent. In one embodiment, the oxidizing agent is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, organic peroxides, inorganic peracids and salts thereof, organic peracids and salts thereof, halogens such as iodine (I2), bromine (Br2), and ozone. The treatment converts non-volatile mercury in the crude oil into a volatile form for subsequent mercury removal by any of stripping, scrubbing, adsorption, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, at least 50% of the mercury is removed. In another embodiment, the removal rate is at least 99%.

Abstract: Method of removing metals from hydrocarbon feedstock using esters of carboxylic acids, and additives for the same, are provided, wherein hydrocarbon stream including crude oil containing metals and salts thereof, wherein metal is calcium and its salt is calcium naphthenate, is mixed with an effective metal-removing-amount of an aqueous extraction-solution of non-precipitating and non-fouling additive comprising a chemical compound selected from a group consisting of methyl or ethyl or propyl or isopropyl mono- and/or di-esters of any one of the carboxylic acids selected from the groups consisting of maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and fumaric acid, or an appropriate combination of said esters, or an appropriate combination of any of said esters with any of said carboxylic acids to form a hydrocarbonous phase and an aqueous phase containing the metal ions; and separating aqueous phase.

Abstract: Solid organic acids may be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents to form dispersions; the dispersions in turn may be introduced into crude oil. A wash water may be added to the crude oil to create an emulsion. The organic acids may transfer metals and/or amines from a hydrocarbon phase into an aqueous phase in an electrostatic desalter which resolves the emulsion into the two phases. Suitable solid organic acids include, but are not necessarily limited to, C2-C4 alpha hydroxyacids, such as, but not necessarily limited to, glycolic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and even sulfamic acid, chloroacetic acid, thiomalic acid, including esters of, polymers of, amine salts of, alkali metal salts of, and/or ammonium salts of all of these acids.

Abstract: It has been discovered that metals can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains a demulsifier (for instance, an oxyalkylated alkyl resin and/or a crosslinked polypropylene glycol), a surfactant, a diketone and a solvent (for instance an aromatic solvent). The method may also include introducing a hydroxyl carboxylic acid and/or at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing iron therefrom.

Abstract: It has been discovered that metals and/or amines can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble hydroxyacids. Suitable water-soluble hydroxyacids include, but are not necessarily limited to glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C2-C4 alpha-hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetic acid, polymeric forms of the above hydroxyacids, poly-glycolic esters, glycolate ethers, and ammonium salt and alkali metal salts of these hydroxyacids, and mixtures thereof. The composition may also include at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. A solvent may be optionally included in the composition. The invention permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Methods for reducing calcium deposition along surfaces in contact with the water phase of a resolved water/oil emulsion are disclosed. High calcium crude oil and the like are contacted with a sequestrant to form a sequestered calcium containing complex that partitions to the water phase in the resolved emulsion. A specifically formulated polymeric deposit control agent is added to the water phase to inhibit calcium deposit formation therein and along surfaces in contact with the water phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst usable in hydrotreatment processes, which comprises an alumina-based amorphous support, phosphorus, a C1-C4 dialkyl succinate, acetic acid and a hydro-dehydrogenizing function comprising at least one group VIII element and at least one group VIB element, preferably made up of cobalt and molybdenum, a catalyst whose Raman spectrum comprises the most intense bands characteristic of the Keggin heteropolyanions (974 and/or 990 cm?1), C1-C4 dialkyl succinate and acetic acid (896 cm?1). Preferably, the dialkyl succinate concerned is dimethyl succinate and its main band is at 853 cm?1. The invention also relates to the method of preparing said catalyst, wherein a catalytic precursor comprising the group VIB and group VIII elements, in particular the molybdenum-cobalt pair, and phosphorus, introduced by impregnation, then dried at a temperature below 180° C.

Abstract: An additive capable of avoiding formation of impurities and capable of removing or dissolving impurities formed and accumulated at the interphase of organic and aqueous layers on reaction between calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound including H2S in presence of water in mixture of crude oils containing calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound or H2S, wherein the additive is glyoxylic acid is provided. A method for avoiding formation of impurities and for removing or dissolving impurities formed and accumulated at the interphase of organic and aqueous layers on reaction between calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound including H2S in presence of water in mixture of crude oils containing calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound including H2S, comprising treating mixture of crude oils containing calcium naphthenate and sulfur compound or H2S with glyoxylic acid is also provided.

Abstract: An extraction aid has been found which provides for enhanced contaminate removal, such as metals and amines, from crude oils that uses components that are desirable in desalting processes as the components are water soluble, have low toxicity, are highly biodegradeable and exhibit high thermal stability. According to one embodiment of the invention, an extraction aid that provides enhanced extraction properties is comprised of a blend of acids, particularly water soluble acids. More specifically, a combination of two acids chosen from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, glycolic acid, citric acid and methanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: Trace amount levels of heavy metals such as arsenic in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, extracting heavy metals into a water phase for subsequent separation from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the oxidizing agent is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, organic peroxides, inorganic peracids and salts thereof, organic peracids and salts thereof, halogens such as iodine (I2), bromine (Br2), and ozone. In one embodiment, at least a complexing agent selected from the group of metal m halides and/or sulfur compounds can be added to facilitate the removal of arsenic from crude oil by forming soluble heavy metal complexes in the water phase.

Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.

Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.

Abstract: Solid organic acids may be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents to form dispersions; the dispersions in turn may be introduced into crude oil. A wash water may be added to the crude oil to create an emulsion. The organic acids may transfer metals and/or amines from a hydrocarbon phase into an aqueous phase in an electrostatic desalter which resolves the emulsion into the two phases. Suitable solid organic acids include, but are not necessarily limited to, C2-C4 alpha hydroxyacids, such as, but not necessarily limited to, glycolic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and even sulfamic acid, chloroacetic acid, thiomalic acid, including esters of, polymers of, amine salts of, alkali metal salts of, and/or ammonium salts of all of these acids.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch product stream with an acid are disclosed. Such methods are capable of removing contamination from the Fischer-Tropsch product stream such that plugging of the catalyst beds of a subsequent hydroprocessing step is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method for treating crude or residual fuel oil includes extracting vanadium from the fuel oil by contacting the fuel oil with an adsorbent and a solvent. The adsorbent may be modified with a compound having both acidic functionality and basic functionality. The method provides effective removal of vanadium from crude or residual fuel oil at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: An extraction aid has been found which provides for enhanced contaminate removal, such as metals and amines, from crude oils that uses components that are desirable in desalting processes as the components are water soluble, have low toxicity, are highly biodegradeable and exhibit high thermal stability. According to one embodiment of the invention, an extraction aid that provides enhanced extraction properties is comprised of a blend of acids, particularly water soluble acids. More specifically, a combination of two acids chosen from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, glycolic acid, citric acid and methanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: A method for removing calcium, iron, other metals, and amines from crude oil in a refinery desalting process includes the steps of: running a plurality of tests to determine at least one statistically significant processing characteristic of the refinery desalting process; 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 method of removing metals and amines from crude oil comprising adding an effective metal removing amount of one or more hydroxycarboxylic acids selected from lactic acid and malic acid and salts thereof to said crude oil; adding wash water to said crude oil; mixing said crude oil, acid and wash water to form an emulsion; and resolving said emulsion into an aqueous phase and crude oil having a reduced metals content.

Abstract: A method of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be contacted with an agent sufficient to remove minerals therefrom. The agent is typically a solution containing a solvent, leachant, chelating agent and the like via which minerals can be removed having value, toxic minerals, radioactive minerals and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to field of processing hydrocarbon feedstock including crude oil, wherein metals such as calcium are removed. In the face of the rising prices of crude oil, refiners are forced to process opportunity crudes such as DOBA, which pose many problems including fouling of equipment due to certain metallic salts, such as calcium napthenate. Calcium, which cannot be removed from crude oil during normal desalting process, poses very serious problems. The invention provides method for removal of calcium, wherein crude oil is mixed, with effective metal removing amount of aqueous extraction solution of an additive comprising a chemical compound selected from a group consisting of metallic acid, maleic anhydride or fumaric acid or salts or derivatives thereof, enabling separation of hydrocarboneous phase and aqueous phase containing metal ions, in crude desalter. Only hydrocarboneous phase devoid of calcium is processed further, thereby preventing fouling of equipment.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying a hydrocarbon oil comprising a quantity of impurities. A Lewis acid solution comprising a Lewis acid and an aprotic solvent is added to the hydrocarbon oil having the plurality of impurities, e.g. sulfur, vanadium, and nickel impurities, to form a mixture. Complexes are formed between the Lewis acid of the Lewis acid solution and a respective one of the impurities in the mixture. The mixture is separated into a first layer that comprises a purified fraction of the hydrocarbon oil and a second layer comprising the complexes dissolved in the aprotic solvent.

Abstract: To provide mercury-removal adsorbents, a method of producing mercury-removal adsorbents, and a method of removing mercury by adsorption which are capable of realizing efficient removal of mercury by adsorption from liquid hydrocarbon, thermal power station exhaust combustion gas, natural gas, off gas of various process plants, and so on which contain mercuries in various forms such as elemental mercury, ionic mercury, and organic mercury, and a concomitant hindering mercury adsorption. Mercury-removal adsorbents carrie potassium iodide in an amount of 27 to 70% of a total adsorbent weight, and a volume of pores with a 1 ?m pore diameter or more in the mercury-removal adsorbents is 0.6 mL/g or more. These mercury-removal adsorbents are filled in, for example, an adsorption tower 10, and a hydrocarbon liquid is passed therethrough (mercury removal step).

Abstract: Method of removing metals from hydrocarbon feedstock using esters of carboxylic acids, and additives for the same, are provided, wherein hydrocarbon stream such as crude oil containing metals and slats thereof, such as calcium and calcium naphthenate, is mixed with an effective metal-removing-amount of an aqueous extraction-solution of non-precipitating and non-fouling additive comprising a chemical compound selected from a group consisting of methyl or ethyl or propyl or isopropyl mono- and/or di-esters of any of three carboxylic acids, such as, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, or fumaric acid or an appropriate combination of said esters, or an appropriate combination of any of said esters with any of said three acids, enabling formation of a hydrocarbonous phase and an aqueous phase containing the metal ions; and separating aqueous phase.

Abstract: Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The one or more catalyst may include an uncalcined catalyst. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.

Abstract: An extraction aid has been found which provides for enhanced contaminate removal, such as metals and amines, from crude oils that uses components that are desirable in desalting processes as the components are water soluble, have low toxicity, are highly biodegradeable and exhibit high thermal stability. According to one embodiment of the invention, an extraction aid that provides enhanced extraction properties is comprised of a blend of acids, particularly water soluble acids. More specifically, a combination of two acids chosen from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, glycolic acid, citric acid and methanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: It has been discovered that metals and/or amines can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble hydroxyacids. Suitable water-soluble hydroxyacids include, but are not necessarily limited to glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C2-C4 alpha-hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetic acid, polymeric forms of the above hydroxyacids, poly-glycolic esters, glycolate ethers, and ammonium salt and alkali metal salts of these hydroxyacids, and mixtures thereof. The composition may also include at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. A solvent may be optionally included in the composition. The invention permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A recycling process for the demetalization of hydrocarbon oil comprises recycling the following steps: a demetalizing composition for hydrocarbon oil or an aqueous solution thereof is sufficiently mixed with hydrocarbon oil in a desired proportion, and the resultant mixture is subjected to a conventional electrically desalting process to obtain a demetalized hydrocarbon oil and an aqueous desalted solution containing the desalted metal salts; the aqueous desalted solution containing the metal salts is then sufficiently mixed with a precipitating agent in a desired proportion and is subjected to a displacement reaction, and an aqueous solution containing the demetalizing composition is recovered by separating out the residue of the metal salts produced in the displacement reaction, which is poorly soluble or insoluble in water, with a solid-liquid separator; and the recovered aqueous solution containing the demetalizing composition for hydrocarbon oil, which meets the requirements for metal ions in demetalized

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for the regeneration of used petroleum oils which comprises the following steps: (a) demetallization of the used mineral oil by means of chemical treatment of said oil with an aqueous solution of a chemical reagent containing anions which form low solubility salts with the metals of the oil, followed by the separation of the demetallized oil; (b) distillation of the demetallized oil obtained in step (a) at atmospheric pressure and in the presence of alkaline hydroxides; and (c) distillation of the bottom liquid obtained in the atmospheric distillation in step (b) under vacuum and in the presence of alkaline hydroxides to obtain lubricant bases.

Abstract: A process for removing aluminum contaminants from the product of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction wherein said contaminants comprise at least 1 ppm of aluminum expressed as elemental metal in aluminum-containing contaminants having an effective diameter of less than 1 micron, said process comprising the steps of (a) collecting the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor; (b) forming a mixture comprising the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product, at least an equal molar amount of a dicarboxylic acid containing from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms based upon the amount of aluminum present, and sufficient water for the dicarboxylic acid to form hydrogen ions; (c) maintaining the mixture under pre-selected conditions for a time sufficient for the aluminum contaminant and the dicarboxylic acid to form an aluminum containing precipitate having an effective diameter of greater than about 1 micron; (d) passing the mixture of step (c) through a particulate removal zone capable of removing su

Abstract: A method for treating crude or residual fuel oil includes extracting vanadium from the fuel oil by contacting the fuel oil with an adsorbent and a solvent. The adsorbent may be modified with a compound having both acidic functionality and basic functionality. The method provides effective removal of vanadium from crude or residual fuel oil at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: A process for removing metal contaminants, particularly calcium, from hydrocarbon feedstocks is disclosed. The process comprises mixing the feedstocks with an effective metal removing amount of an aqueous solution of one or more water-soluble poly(acrylic acid) derivatives to form an aqueous phase containing the metal ions and a hydrocarbon phase and separating the hydrocarbon phase from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A process for recovering heavy minerals (e.g., titanium minerals such as TiO2) from a feedstock comprising tar sands or a tar sands-derived solids fraction. The feedstock comprises bitumen and heavy minerals. The process comprises the steps of: (i) contacting the solids fraction with water at a temperature of at least about 100° F. to cause production a bituminous phase and a heavy minerals phase; and (ii) separating the heavy minerals phase from the bituminous phase. Optionally, these steps may be preceded by one or more steps used to produce a tar-sands derived solids fraction from a tar sands feedstock.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from the products of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, said contaminants comprising (i) particulates having an effective diameter of greater than 1 micron and (ii) at least 5 ppm of aluminum in aluminum-containing contaminants having an effective diameter of less than 1 micron, said process comprising the steps of (a) passing the products of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction through a first particulate removal zone capable of removing particulates having an effective diameter of greater than 1 micron; (b) collecting from the first particulate removal zone a substantially particulate free Fischer-Tropsch feed stream containing 5 ppm or more of aluminum in aluminum containing-contaminants having an effective diameter of less than about 1 micron; (c) contacting the substantially particulate free Fischer-Tropsch feed stream in up-flow mode with an aluminum active catalyst in a guard-bed under aluminum activating conditions, whereby a feed stream mixture is formed which

Abstract: A sample preparation system provides an automated process that dispenses appropriate amounts of solid material into wells of a microtiter plate for mixing into a suspension. The system utilizes an array of hollow tubes that are lowered into a particle reservoir such that particle material is forced up into the tubes. During loading, solid plungers in the tubes are positioned a known distance from the open end of the tubes. When the particle material is to be dispensed, the plungers are lowered to push the particle material out of the tubes and into receiving wells of the microtiter plate. The plunger stroke and internal diameter of the tubes defines the dispensed volume of particle material.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream with an active filtering catalyst are disclosed. Such methods are capable of removing soluble (and ultra-fine particulate) contamination, fouling agents, and/or plugging precursors from the Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream such that plugging of the catalyst beds of a subsequent hydroprocessing process is substantially avoided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus to extract and recover heavy metals and sulfur from crude oil or petroleum fuel products including the steps of emulsifying the crude oil with an emulsifying agent, adding a leach solution to the emulsified crude oil and leaching the emulsified crude oil at elevated temperature and pressure to give a leached emulsified crude oil. The leach solution may be acid or alkali. A proportion of the leach solution is extracted for recovering heavy metals. There can also be a microwave hydro-treating step using hydrogen gas at a temperature below 220° C. to ensure there is no quality degradation in the crude feed to produce a desulfurized crude oil and a hydrogen sulphide by-product and recovering sulfur from the hydrogen sulphide by-product.

Abstract: A calcium-containing hydrocarbonaceous material is treated with an aqueous mixture, comprising acetate ion and an alkaline material and having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 5.0, in order to extract at least a portion of the calcium from the hydrocarbonaceous material into the aqueous phase. Acetic acid is a suitable source of acetate ion. Ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are example alkaline materials.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for hydroprocessing vacuum gas oils and other feeds in order to produce unconverted oil suitable for use as base oil feed for white oils, Group III oils, and BMCI (Bureau of Mines Correlation Index) ethylene plant feed. Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and light products are removed from the first stage at high pressure in order to produce a higher quality of unconverted oil that is suitable for Group III base oils.