Abstract: In the removal of pure aromatics from aromatic-containing hydrocarbon mixtures by liquid-phase extraction or extractive distillation using a selective solvent, the specific cost of separation can be reduced at the same yield of aromatics or the yield of aromatics can be increased at the same specific cost of separation if the liquid-phase extraction or the extractive distillation is carried out in the presence of a reactive solid. At the same time, substantially aromatic-free raffinates are obtained.

Abstract: A lubricating oil stock is extracted with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone to yield a primary raffinate useful as a high VI lubricating base oil and a primary extract. The primary extract is mixed with antisolvent and chilled to yield a secondary raffinate. This secondary raffinate is sufficiently reduced in aromatics that it is suitable for fluidized catalytic cracking in the absence of hydrogenation.

Abstract: A lubricating oil stock is extracted with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone to yield a primary raffinate useful as a high VI lubricating base oil and a primary extract. The primary extract is mixed with antisolvent and chilled to yield a secondary raffinate. This secondary raffinate is sufficiently reduced in aromatics that it is solvent extracted to yield medium to high VI lubricating base oil.

Abstract: The extraction tank (1) carries an endless screw (13) on its upper portion and a conveyor belt of endless screws (17) on its lower portion to ensure its charging and discharging respectively, a complementary means employing a screw (7) with a vertical shaft on the upper portion and a shutter (22) mounted at the top of an evacuation tube (35) on the lower portion making it possible to obtain at each of these levels a plug (36, 37) of material that is tight to the fluids under pressure admitted into the tank.Application to vegetable material extraction units for the production of essential oils.

Abstract: An improvement has been discovered in a process for solvent dewaxing a hydrocarbon lubricating oil stock. Solvent dewaxed oils are steam stripped and then vacuum dehydrated at 2.5 psia at the steam stripping temperature of 350.degree. F. to 450.degree. F. Nitrogen or natural gas having a dew point of -100.degree. F. or lower is contacted with the oil at 0.5 to 1 SCF/bbl. A solvent free lubricating oil is produced which is water haze free in cold storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing and treating a heavy oil extraction solvent. A solvent fraction is separated from a crude oil and combined with a slip stream of rerun solvent taken from an extraction process solvent recycle system. The solvent fraction and rerun solvent are fractionated to provide a purified extraction solvent. The purified extraction solvent is then utilized in the heavy oil extraction process.

Abstract: A separation process has been found in which a polymer-solvent solution separates into phases of highly different composition which are in equilibrium over a broad temperature range. Upon addition of the phase separating agent, which is near or above its supercritical conditions, rapid disengagement into two phases occurs. The relative volume of solvent rich phase is substantially larger than the polymer rich phase. The process can be practiced at relatively low temperatures such as those employed in polymerization or post-polymerization processes. The separation is accomplished by adding or elevating the concentration of a phase separation agent to or above a minimum effective concentration, which causes the UCST and LCST lines to merge. Suitable phase separating agents are organic and inorganic compounds that are gases at 1 atm pressure and 25.degree. C. Due to the gaseous nature of the phase separating agent, it is easily removed from the solvent phase for reuse in the process.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen-enriched hydrocarbonaceous products which process comprises: (a) converting a heavy, asphaltene-containing hydrocarbonaceous residual oil, wherein at least 80% of the residual oil boils above 650.degree. F. (343.degree. C.), in the presence of hydrogen and a particulate catalyst at residual oil conversion conditions in a reaction zone to produce a liquid effluent stream comprising particulate catalyst and normally liquid hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting at least a portion of the liquid effluent stream from step (a) with water and a hydrocarbonaceous solvent comprising at least one aromatic hydrocarbon; and (c) gravitationally separating the resulting admixture from step (b) into a solvent phase comprising the normally liquid hydrocarbonaceous compounds and essentially free of solids, and an aqueous phase comprising essentially all of the particulate catalyst.

Abstract: A process for separation of aromatic and nonaromatic hydrocarbons by solvent extraction is improved by incorporating control methods which optimize utility costs while maintaining desired product purities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a facile method of oil removal from an oil-water emulsion containing suspended solid particulates. In general, the method utilizes a volatile solvent which is liquefied under pressure and forms a two-phase system when in contact with the emulsion.

Abstract: This process for fractionating solid asphalts is operable under low temperature and pressure conditions.The process consists of treating a suspension of asphalt powder in a surfactant-containing aqueous phase by means of a hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with water and of separating:an hydrocarbon phase containing asphalt of softening point lower than that of the initial asphalt, andan aqueous phase wherein is suspended asphalt of softening point higher than that of the initial asphalt.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material such as coal is conditioned by contact with a supercritical fluid prior to physical beneficiation. The solid feed material is contacted with an organic supercritical fluid such as cyclohexane or methanol at temperatures slightly above the critical temperature and pressures of 1 to 4 times the critical pressure. A minor solute fraction is extracted into critical phase and separated from the solid residuum. The residuum is then processed by physical separation such as by froth flotation or specific gravity separation to recover a substantial fraction thereof with reduced ash content. The solute in supercritical phase can be released by pressure reduction and recombined with the low-ash, carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A method of fractionating a mixture containing high boiling carbonaceous material and normally solid mineral matter includes processing with a plurality of different supercritical solvents. The mixture is treated with a first solvent of high critical temperature and solvent capacity to extract a large fraction as solute. The solute is released as liquid from solvent and successively treated with other supercritical solvents of different critical values to extract fractions of differing properties. Fractionation can be supplemented by solute reflux over a temperature gradient, pressure let down in steps and extractions at varying temperature and pressure values.

Abstract: Method of operation for a continuous countercurrent extraction zone, to which a charge mixture stream and a solvent stream are continuously supplied and from which an extract stream and a raffinate stream are continuously withdrawn. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a recycle stream consisting of a portion of the light phase stream withdrawn from the column, combining the recycle stream with the charge mixture stream, and controlling the streams flowing to and from the column. The combined feed stream to the extraction zone is controlled at a constant flow rate and recycle flow has preference over charge mixture flow, thereby causing charge stream flow to vary inversely with recycle flow. An important feature of the invention resides in adjustment of composition of this total combined feed stream to the extraction zone in order to deal with fluctuations in other parameters.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is cryogenically separated from methane and then is separated from the ethane by liquid extraction with water at high pressures of 500 to 2250 psia thus avoiding the CO.sub.2 --C.sub.2 H.sub.6 azeotrope problem. The process is particularly applicable to the recovery of high pressure pure carbon dioxide from the wellhead products of carbon dioxide flooding used in enhanced oil recovery. The high pressure pure carbon dioxide liquid is pumped for reinjection to the well.

Abstract: In an aromatic extraction process, the flow rate of aromatics to the extraction column is utilized to control the downstream stripping column so as to maintain a desired purity of the aromatic extract stream withdrawn from the stripping column. Also, the flow rate of solvent to the extraction column is manipulated so as to maintain a desired aromatic concentration in the raffinate stream withdrawn from the extraction column. This control, together with other interactive control functions, results in a control of the aromatic extraction process which substantially maximizes the profitability of the extraction process.

Abstract: A process for the separate recovery of oil and asphaltene/polar components from oil and asphaltene/polar bearing sand-containing material includes cooling the material to a temperature at which the material behaves as a solid, crushing the material at such a temperature to produce relatively coarse particles containing a major proportion of the sand and oil and relatively fine particles containing a major proportion of the asphaltenes and polars, and mechanically separating the relatively coarse particles from the relatively fine particles at such a temperature. The relatively coarse particles are treated to recover oil, and the relatively fine particles are treated to recover asphaltenes and polars. Similar processes are desirable for the treatment of heavy crude oil which may or may not contain sand.

Abstract: A process for multi-solvent extraction is provided wherein polarity gradients induced by distillation are utilized for the extraction of petroleum residua and other heavy oils whereby a high quality maltenic fraction and a lower quality asphaltenic fraction are obtained.

Abstract: A process for controlling the removal rate of an aromatic extract oil from a solvent recovery zone in response to the specific gravity of the aromatic extract oil product.

Abstract: An asphalt containing petroleum oil is deasphalted and extracted by contacting the oil with a solvent maintained at its critical temperature and pressure. With the solvent at its critical temperature and pressure, extraction of the valuable hydrocarbon oils present in the asphaltic feedstock is effected by way of vapor-liquid phase separation which serves to decompose the metal complexes present in the feedstock, thus reducing the metal content of the extracted hydrocarbon oil. Examples of solvents employed in the process of the invention include C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 cuts of typical refinery streams, benzene, toluene, ethylene glycols and the like. In one process embodiment, promoters or catalyst are employed to further reduce the metal content of the extracted hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: It has been discovered that extraction processes which employ solvents to separate components from a feed stream and which solvents are themselves recovered by stripping from the thus produced extract or raffinate or both are improved in that the solvent is stripped from the extract, raffinate or both by the use of steam which has been previously distilled from a major portion of the process stream in one of the initial stages of the solvent recovery process, which steam rather than being vented or condensed for disposal is employed as a replacement for specifically generated fresh steam. This recycle steam is employed to strip any residual solvent from the extract, the raffinate or both. The steam and any residual solvent thus stripped is recycled from the extract stripper, raffinate stripper or both to the input feed of the solvent recovery train.

Abstract: An improved method for deasphalting residua or heavy oils comprises the use of at least two solvents in an extraction column to establish a liquid polarity gradient within it.

Abstract: An improvement in the solvent extraction of nonhydrocarbons from a synfuel liquid, e.g., shale oil, involves that the extract from the extractor, rather than being recycled directly back to the extractor, is first hydrotreated. A further improvement involves that a portion of the hydrotreated extract is fractionated and a light fraction is returned to the extractor. Use of the hydrotreated extract as recycle increases the efficiency of the extractor. A still further improvement involves the use as a selective solvent of one of the following: dialkylformamide, aldehydomorpholine, keto-morpholine, morpholine or an aliphatic aromatic ketone. These preferred solvents have the advantage of providing a clear interface between the extract and raffinate in the extractor. Removal of the nonhydrocarbons permits production of more hydrocarbons having enhanced utility as a jet fuel from a synfuel liquid than otherwise would be possible.

Abstract: Oxygen compounds are removed, e.g., by solvent extraction, from a shale oil prior to its hydrogenation. As a result, the amount of hydrogen consumed during subsequent hydrogenation to achieve a given level of nitrogen for the shale oil is less than that which would occur if the oxygen compounds were not removed from the shale oil. Removal of the nitrogen is necessary to avoid adverse effects on subsequent shale oil processing steps such as catalytic cracking.

Abstract: A refining unit treats heavy sour charge oil with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent, hereafter referred to as MP, in a refining extractor to yield raffinate and extract mix. The MP is recovered from the raffinate and from the extract mix and returned to the refining extractor. A system controlling the refining unit includes a gravity analyzer, a sulfur analyzer and viscosity analyzers; all analyzing the heavy sour charge oil and providing corresponding signals, a refractometer samples the charge oil and provides a signal corresponding to the RI, sensors sense the flow rates of the charge oil and the MP flowing into the refining tower and the temperature of the extract mix and provide corresponding signals. One of the flow rates of the heavy sour charge oil and the MP flow rates is controlled in accordance with the signals from all the analyzers, the refractometer and all the sensors, while the other flow rate of the heavy sour charge oil and the MP flow rates is constant.

Abstract: A refining unit treats heavy sweet charge oil with a methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent, hereafter referred to as MP, in a refining tower to yield raffinate and extract mix. The MP is recovered from the raffinate and from the extract mix and returned to the refining tower. A system controlling the refining unit includes a gravity analyzer, a refractometer, a sulfur analyzer and viscosity analyzers; all sampling the heavy sweet charge oil and providing corresponding signals. Sensors sense the flow rates of the charge oil and the MP flowing into the refining tower and the temperature of the extract mix and provide corresponding signals. One of the flow rates of the heavy sweet charge oil and the MP flow rates is controlled in accordance with the signals from all the analyzers, the refractometer and all the sensors, while the other flow rate of the heavy sweet charge oil and the MP flow rates is constant.

Abstract: A lube oil blend process and composition are provided. In the process a raffinate lube oil stock having a superior sunlight stability is produced by contacting a gas oil with a suitable solvent under solvent-extracting conditions. The blend is produced by admixing raffinate and raw hydrocrackate lube oil stock. The blend contains, in parts by volume, for each 100 parts of the raffinate an amount of the hydrocrackate stock in the range from about 10 to 45 parts. The resulting blend exhibits a sunlight stability at least equivalent to that of the raffinate stock.

Abstract: A furfural refining unit treats heavy sweet charge oil with a furfural solvent in a refining tower to yield raffinate and extract mix. The furfural is recovered from the raffinate and from the extract mix and returned to the refining tower. A system controlling the refining unit includes a gravity analyzer, a flash point temperature analyzer, a sulfur analyzer and viscosity analyzers; all analyzing the heavy sweet charge oil and providing corresponding signals, sensors sense the flow rates of the charge oil and the solvent flowing into the refining tower and the temperature of the extract mix and provide corresponding signals. One of the flow rates of the heavy sweet charge oil and the furfural flow rates is controlled in accordance with the signals from all the analyzers and all the sensors, while the other flow rate of the heavy sweet charge oil and the furfural flow rates is constant.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for separating components from liquid mixtures which comprises emulsifying said liquid mixture in an immiscible liquid which is characterized as a solvent for the components. The emulsion is then contacted with an inert gas whereby the components of the mixture, because of their solubility, permeate into said immiscible liquid, and are stripped therefrom by the inert gas. The components may then be separated from said inert gas stream by condensation and subsequent phase separation or fractionation, by absorption, distillation or by adsorption. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the liquid mixture comprises a hydrocarbon which is emulsified in an aqueous surfactant containing liquid. The hydrocarbon containing mixture contains hydrocarbons of different types, as well as hydrocarbons mixed with oxygenated compounds, i.e. alcohols, ketones, acids, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction process utilizing a tower having perforated contacting trays. The discontinuous flow of the denser downward moving stream prevents the backmixing of this stream on the contacting trays and increases the efficiency of the extraction.

Abstract: A gaseous stream (such as a "sour" natural gas stream) composed chiefly of a normally gaseous light hydrocarbon or alkane, such as methane, ethane, propane, or mixtures thereof, containing undesirable constituents, impurities or contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water vapor, nitrogen and helium, is mixed with a polar organic liquid, such as methanol, or an aqueous solution of said liquid, such as an aqueous solution of methanol. The resulting mixture is cooled and liquefied and the resulting two-phase liquid mixture (comprising a light phase rich in the desired light hydrocarbon and an impurities-rich heavy phase of said polar organic liquid) is extracted with said polar organic liquid to recover said light hydrocarbon in the liquefied state, e.g. as liquefied, "sweet" natural gas.