Abstract: A process and system for desalting crude oil includes delivering a stream of salty crude oil and wash water into a mixing valve, mixing the stream of salty crude oil and wash water through the mixing valve to create a mixed stream of desalted crude oil and salty wash water, delivering the mixed stream of desalted crude oil and salty wash water to a static mixer, and mixing the mixed stream of crude oil and wash water in the static mixer. Within the static mixer, the mixed stream is mixed in a coalescing regime to coalesce smaller droplets of water into larger droplets of water. The mixed stream is then directed to a desalter where the salty wash water is separated from the desalted crude oil.

Abstract: Ionic liquids of the general formula C+A? where C+ represents an organic cation, specifically, but not limited to the imidazolium, pyridinium, isoquinolinium, ammonium types, which have aliphatic and aromatic substituents, while A? represents a carboxylate, aromatic and aliphatic anion. The ionic liquids are synthesized under conventional heating or microwave irradiation This invention is also related to the application of ionic liquids to remove sulfur compounds of naphthas through a liquid-liquid extraction and the recovery and reuse of ionic liquids by the application of heat, reduced pressure and washing with solvents.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which the oil/water emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel between the settled water layer and the settled oil layer is separated into the oil and water components by contact with a heated high boiling hydrocarbon to break the emulsion and vaporize water from the emulsion in a flash drum. The vessel has an emulsion outlet for removing an emulsion stream from the emulsion layer and a conduit connecting the emulsion withdrawal port to an inlet of an optional settling drum to effect and initial separation into an oil-enriched phase and a water phase with the oil-enriched phase led to the flash drum.

Abstract: An improved method and process unit for desalting petroleum crude oils in which a portion of the stable emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel is withdrawn from the desalter and diluted with a liquid diluent, typically oil or water or both to destabilize the emulsion which is then separated into separate oil and water phases.

Abstract: This is a method to reactively refine hydrocarbons, such as heavy oils with API gravities of less than 20° and bitumen-like hydrocarbons with viscosities greater than 1000 cp at standard temperature and pressure using a selected fluid at supercritical conditions. The reaction portion of the method delivers lighter weight, more volatile hydrocarbons to an attached contacting device that operates in mixed subcritical or supercritical modes. This separates the reaction products into portions that are viable for use or sale without further conventional refining and hydro-processing techniques. This method produces valuable products with fewer processing steps, lower costs, increased worker safety due to less processing and handling, allow greater opportunity for new oil field development and subsequent positive economic impact, reduce related carbon dioxide, and wastes typical with conventional refineries.

Abstract: Methods are provided for characterizing crude oils, crude fractions, or other potential feedstocks for forming lubricating base oils in order to determine the suitability of a feedstock for lubricating base oil production. One type of characterization is to determine the isoparaffin, naphthene, and/or aromatics contents of the distillate portion of a feedstock. A second characterization is to determine the viscosity index of a distillate portion of a feedstock after dewaxing the distillate portion to a target pour point.

Abstract: An improved separator for desalting petroleum crude oils which may be operated in a continuous manner under automatic control; the improved desalter is therefore well suited to modern refinery operation with minimal downtime. A portion of the emulsion layer is withdrawn from the desalter through external withdrawal ports according to the thickness and position of the emulsion layer with the selected withdrawal header(s) being controlled by sensors monitoring the position and thickness of the emulsion layer. The withdrawn emulsion layer can be routed as such or with the desalter water effluent to a settling tank or directly to another unit for separation and reprocessing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved desulfurization process using an ionic liquid compound of general formula C+A?, where C+ represents an organic cation such as alkyl-pyridinium, di-alkyl imidazolium and tri-alkyl imidazolium; and A? is an anion of halides of iron (III), such as, for example, FeCl4?. The desulfurization process is also improved when producing the ionic liquid compound by heating the reactants using microwave energy. The ionic liquids can be used to desulfurize hydrocarbon mixtures by a liquid-liquid extraction.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbon oil feedstreams employs a solid adsorption material to lower sulfur and nitrogen content by contacting the hydrocarbon oil, with a solid adsorbents in a mixing vessel; passing the slurry to a membrane separation zone to separate the solid adsorption material with the adsorbed sulfur and nitrogen compounds from the treated oil; recovering the upgraded hydrocarbon product having a significantly reduced nitrogen and sulfur content as the membrane permeate; mixing the solid adsorbent material with aromatic solvent to remove and stabilize the sulfur and nitrogen compounds; transferring the solvent mixture to a fractionation tower to recover the solvent, which can be recycled for use in the process; and recovering the hydrocarbons that are rich in sulfur and nitrogen for processing in a relatively small high-pressure hydrotreating unit or transferring them to a fuel oil pool for blending.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for automated real-time monitoring and controlling desalting in a crude distillation unit. Crude oil and wash water are mixed by a pressure drop across a mix valve, thereby forming a crude oil/water phase stream. The crude oil/water phase stream is supplied into a desalter vessel, whereupon an emulsion forms at an interface between the crude oil and the water phase. The crude oil/water phase stream is contacted with a dosage of an emulsion breaker in an applied electric field. At least one property associated with the emulsion is measured using an emulsion level indicator. A total chlorine and a water percentage of the crude oil are measured. At least one of the pressure drop and the dosage of the emulsion breaker is adjusted substantially in real time in response to at least one of the measured properties, total chlorine, and water percentage.

Abstract: A method of producing treated liquid hydrocarbons. The method begins by pressurizing a latex in a pressure vessel. This is followed by flowing the latex from the pressure vessel into a pipeline containing liquid hydrocarbons to produce treated liquid hydrocarbons. In this embodiment the latex comprises a drag reducing polymer.

Abstract: A method begins by obtaining a slipstream of a liquid. The slipstream of liquid is then mixed upstream of an injection pump with a latex comprising a drag reducing polymer to produce a drag reducing mixture. The drag reducing mixture is then injected into a liquid hydrocarbon to produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.

Abstract: A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.

Abstract: A method of preparing a drag reducing polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is able to be injected into a pipeline, such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow through the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is injected into a pipeline of liquid hydrocarbon hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon wherein the viscosity of the treated liquid hydrocarbon is not less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer has a solubility parameter within 4 MPa1/2 of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. The drag reducing polymer is also added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.

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: A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and/or an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing a carbon emissions intensity of a fuel includes injecting a carbon dioxide fluid into a first wellbore; producing a hydrocarbon fluid from a second wellbore to a terranean surface; and producing a fuel from the produced hydrocarbon fluid, the fuel including a low-carbon fuel and assigned an emissions credit based on a source of the carbon dioxide fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for the extraction of hydrocarbons from drill cuttings in drilling mud. The system for extracting hydrocarbons from drill cuttings includes at least one extraction tank, a carbon dioxide tank fluidly connected to the at least one extraction tank, and at least one separation tank in fluid communication with the at least one extraction tank. The method for extracting hydrocarbons from drill cuttings consists of exposing the drill cuttings to liquid carbon dioxide, solubilizing hydrocarbons from the drill cuttings with the liquid carbon dioxide, heating the liquid carbon dioxide and the soluble hydrocarbons to convert liquid carbon dioxide to carbon dioxide vapor, separating the hydrocarbons from the carbon dioxide vapor, and collecting the separated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for upgrading crude oil fractions or other hydrocarbon oil feedstreams boiling in the range of 36° to 520° C., and preferably naphtha and gas oil fractions boiling in the range of 36° to 400° C., employs a solid adsorption material to lower sulfur and nitrogen content by contacting the hydrocarbon oil, and optionally a viscosity-reducing solvent, with one or more solid adsorbents such as silica gel or silica, silica alumina, alumina, attapulgus clay and activated carbon in a mixing vessel for a predetermined period of time; passing the resulting slurry to a membrane separation zone, optionally preceded by a primary filtration step (i.e.

Abstract: A method for selecting a solvent or mixture of solvents useful for mitigating deposit formation, cleaning existing deposits, and/or decreasing the rate of deposit formation is disclosed. Decreasing the rate at which deposits may form and/or increasing the rate at which deposits may be removed can dramatically improve process economics (e.g., decreasing down time as a result of deposit formation). In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a process for dispersing foulants in a hydrocarbon stream, including the steps of: determining a nature of foulants in a hydrocarbon stream; selecting a solvent or a mixture of solvents suitable to disperse the foulants based upon the determined nature; and contacting the foulants with the selected solvent or mixture of solvents.

Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.

Abstract: This is a method to reactively refine hydrocarbons, such as heavy oils with API gravities of less than 20° and bitumen-like hydrocarbons with viscosities greater than 1000 cp at standard temperature and pressure using a selected fluid at supercritical conditions. The reaction portion of the method delivers lighter weight, more volatile hydrocarbons to an attached contacting device that operates in mixed subcritical or supercritical modes. This separates the reaction products into portions that are viable for use or sale without further conventional refining and hydro-processing techniques. This method produces valuable products with fewer processing steps, lower costs, increased worker safety due to less processing and handling, allow greater opportunity for new oil field development and subsequent positive economic impact, reduce related carbon dioxide, and wastes typical with conventional refineries.

Abstract: Improvements in the selective extraction of relatively low molecular weight oils from coal, coal liquids, oil shales, shale oils, oil sands, heavy and semi-heavy oils, bitumens, and the like are provided by a continuous process involving contacting the material to be treated with supercritical water in a continuous operation at pressures of from 500 psi to 3000 psi, temperatures of 250° C. to 450° C., and in-reactor dwell times generally in excess of 25 seconds and up to 10 minutes.

Abstract: A process to substantially reduce the sulfur content of a liquid hydrocarbon stream by contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous stream containing a mixture of one or more extraction agents selected from hypochlorites, cyanurates and alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, to remove sulfur compounds.

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: An in-line system uses a simple static emulsifier to thoroughly mix salt-containing fuel oil with water, thereby to draw the salt from the fuel oil into the water preferentially, and then the de-salted fuel oil is separated from the salt-containing water.

Abstract: Non-high solvency dispersive power (non-HSDP) crude oil with increased fouling mitigation and on-line cleaning effects includes a base non-HSDP crude oil and an effective amount of resins isolated from a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil, and method of making same. Also, methods of using such non-HSDP crude oil for on-line cleaning of a fouled crude oil refinery component, for reducing fouling in a crude oil refinery component, and in a system capable of experiencing fouling conditions associated with particulate or asphaltene fouling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrocarbon extraction method and apparatus therefor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for settling suspended finely divided inorganic solid particles from a hydrocarbon slurry using an additive. The additive comprises (a) a hydroxy-terminated polyoxyalkylate chain(s) containing polymer having at least one oxygen atom and at least one nitrogen atom and, optionally, (b) other components such as a solvent, an acid or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating finely divided solids from a hydrocarbon slurry by using an additive that comprises a polymer and, optionally, an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid; and a composition of the additive thereof. The polymer is a polymer having (a) a polymeric backbone comprising polyol units and at least one unsaturated polycarboxylic unit, (b) acrylate units coordinated via unsaturated polycarboxylic units, and (c) oxyalkylated alkyl phenol units.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for eliminating arsenic from a hydrocarbon cut in which said cut is brought into contact with an absorption mass that is at least partially pre-sulphurized and comprises a support and lead oxide.

Abstract: A process for separating finely divided petroleum cracking catlyst from a mixture of the finely divided catalyst particles with a high boiling refractory hydrocarbon oil by intimately contracting said mixture with a concentrated aqueous solution of a basic alkali metal compound at a temperature above 170.degree. F., the quantity of aqueous solution employed being substantially greater than the quantity of said mixture with which it is contracted.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for deactivating or removing aromatic compounds from a kerosene or gas oil, which aromatics are coke precursors in a steam cracking process (conducted in the absence of a catalyst) to convert the hydrocarbons contained in the kerosene or gas oil to hydrocarbons of smaller molecules. The excising occurs by contacting the kerosene or gas oil, before admission to the steam cracking zone, with particulate size activated carbon of 4 mesh to 50 mesh size and physically removing the activated carbon (with at least a portion of the aromatic content of the coke derived from the kerosene or gas oil absorbed thereon) from the slurry before passage of the kerosene or gas oil to the steam cracking furnace.

Abstract: Undissolved solid particles in coal liquefaction product are separated by forming a mixture of the coal liquefaction product, water and a separation promoter and separating the mixture into an upper layer containing coal liquefaction product and separation promoter, an intermediate aqueous layer and a lower layer containing undissolved solid particles.

Abstract: A process for separating tar and solid particles from coal liquefaction products using a highly selective halogenated aliphatic solvent which removes essentially all of the tar and solid particles from the coal liquefaction products wherein a minimum amount of energy is used. This is accomplished by contacting said coal liquefaction products with the halogenated aliphatic solvent to form two phases, one containing said tar and solid particles and the other containing said solvent and the remainder of said coal liquefaction products.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as atmospheric and vacuum residua, heavy crude oils and the like, are converted to predominantly liquid hydrocarbon products by contacting said feedstocks in the presence of hydrogen with a regenerable alkali metal carbonate molten medium containing a glass-forming oxide, such as boron oxide, at a temperature in the range of from above about the melting point of said molten medium to about 1000.degree.F. and at elevated pressures. Preferably, the regenerable molten medium comprises an oxide of boron in combination with a mixture of sodium and lithium carbonate or a mixture of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and lithium carbonate. The carbonaceous materials (coke) which are formed in the molten medium during the above-described conversion process are gasified by contacting said carbonaceous materials with a gaseous stream containing oxygen, steam, or carbon dioxide at temperatures of from above about the melting point of said medium to about 2000.degree.F.