Abstract: An energy-saving method and apparatus for boiling wort in a beer brewing process is easily implemented and managed. The wort (W) to be boiled is supplied to a wort kettle (2) in a batchwise and discontinuous manner, and each batch (C) of wort (W) supplied to the wort kettle (2) is boiled during a boiling phase, whereby the wort vapor (D) escaping during the boiling phase is supplied to a vertical column (10) connected on the steam side to the wort kettle (2), and is rectified in the vertical column.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using field enhanced separations to produce multiple fractions from a petroleum input. A liquid thermal diffusion and/or electric field separation is used to produce the fractions. The fractions can then be used to form multiple outputs that share a first feature while being different with regard to a second feature. For example, a first fraction from the plurality of fractions can have a desired value for a first property such as viscosity index. Two or more additional fractions from the plurality of fractions can then be blended together to make a blended fraction or output. The blended fraction can have a value for the first property that is substantially similar to the value for the first fraction. However, for a second property, the first fraction and the blended fraction can have distinct values. As a result, multiple output fractions can be formed that share a first feature but differ in a second feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to separating and removing aromatic compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. Splitting of the hydrocarbon stream into constituents as desired relies on a membrane and distillation columns that supply feed into the membrane and receive retentate and permeate streams output from the membrane. Configurations employing the membrane and the distillation columns enable benzene recovery and facilitate efficient separation.

Abstract: An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and/or ethane), and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C2, directing a first part of the first liquid containing C2 into a heavy-ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a second liquid product containing C2; further cooling the second part of the first liquid containing C2 and partially condensing the second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue; combining the cooled second part of the first liquid and partially condensed second hydrocarbon-bearing vapor residue and directing them to a second separator effecting a third residue and a third li

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase which collect as bottoms and removing the liquid phase, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and cooling the product effluent, wherein the bottoms are maintained under conditions to effect at least partial visbreaking. The visbroken bottoms may be steam stripped to recover the visbroken molecules while avoiding entrainment of the bottoms liquid. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for distilling and processing chemicals. The apparatus is particularly suited for processing and distilling difficult to distill compounds, and is capable of producing diesel fuel and other products from used oil at a quality level similar to that of products produced from virgin crude oil.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for improving the operational parameters in primary fractionators which are experiencing diminished operation efficiencies due to deposits of polymerized hydrocarbon species. The invention comprises the step of adding a foam reducing amount of a foam reducing composition at the primary fractionator. A reduction in foaming is achieved whereby the operational efficiency of the process is improved based upon operation parameters including, but not limited to, liquid-gas contact ratio, product top temperature, pressure differentials, gasoline end point or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A tool box includes a base having a plurality of first recesses and two connection portions are connected on two sides of the base. Each connection portion has an elongate recess defined therein. Two pivotable side portions are pivotably connected to the two connection portions of the base and each side portion has a plurality of second recesses defined therein. The two side portions are sized to cover a top of the base. A space is defined in the base and opens to an end of the base, a slidable portion is slidably received in the space.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid is cracked by a process comprising: (a) heating the hydrocarbon feedstock; (b) mixing the heated hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and optionally water to form a mixture stream; (c) introducing the mixture stream to a flash/separation apparatus to form i) a vapor phase at its dew point which partially cracks and loses/or heat causing a temperature decrease and partial condensation of the vapor phase in the absence of added heat to provide coke precursors existing as uncoalesced condensate, and ii) a liquid phase; (d) removing the vapor phase as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms from the flash/separation apparatus; (e) treating the overhead by contacting with a hydrocarbon-containing nucleating liquid substantially free of resid and comprising components boiling at a temperature of at least about 260° C. (500° F.

Abstract: Methods of separating components of a mixture, such as crude oil, are disclosed which increase the yield of individual components while decreasing the yield of residue. In one method, a heated mixture is fed to a column, a vapor stream is withdrawn from the column and separated, and a portion of the vapor stream is recycled back to the column. In another method, a mixture is separated into streams composed substantially of components having light, intermediate or heavy molecular weight and/or low, intermediate or high boiling point, respectively, and the streams are fed into the column at different positions. In both methods, individual light, intermediate and/or heavy molecular weight and/or low, intermediate and/or high boiling point component streams are then selectively withdrawn from the column.

Abstract: Construction and operational costs of recovering the extract or raffinate product of a simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process units are reduced by employing a dividing wall column to perform the separation. The raffinate or extract stream is passed into the column at an intermediate point on the first side of the dividing wall, with the column delivering the adsorptive separation product as a sidedraw from the opposite side of the dividing wall. A stream of co-adsorbed impurity is removed as an overhead stream and desorbent is recovered as a net bottoms stream.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds, such as styrene, during its distillation. The process involves adding a mixture of at least two inhibitors to the vinyl aromatic compound. One such combination is N,N′-di-2-butyl-N,N′,4-dinitroso-1,4-diaminobenzene and dinitrocresol. A stabilizer such as N,N′-di-2-butyl-1,4-diaminobenzene can also be added.

Abstract: Compounds that inhibit polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds need to operate at temperatures of about 90° C. to about 150° C. A process for increasing the thermal stability of inhibitors such as N,N′-di-2-butyl-N,N′-dinitroso-1,4-diaminobenzene is disclosed. The process comprises adding to the inhibitor a stabilizer such as N,N′-di-2-butyl-1,4-diaminobenzene. The mixture of inhibitor and stabilizer is also used to inhibit polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds.

Abstract: A method of distilling a crude oil and a contaminated liquid stream in an atmospheric distillation column (2) comprising the steps of (a) heating (13, 15) the crude oil at atmospheric pressure and introducing the heated crude oil into the inlet section (10) of the column (2); (b) removing from bottom a residue (19), removing from the top an overhead (20) and removing from the rectification section (7) at least one side stream (26, 28); (c) cooling (13) one of the side streams (28) and introducing the cooled side stream (29) into the rectification section (7) and partly condensing (21) the overhead (20) and introducing the condensed fraction (24) into the upper end of the distillation column (2); (d) supplying the contaminated liquid stream (40) to a membrane unit (3) provided with a suitable membrane (33), and removing a permeate (37) and a retentate (36); and (e) introducing the permeate (37) into the rectification section (7) and adding the retentate (36) to the crude oil (11) upstream of the furnace (1).

Abstract: A process for the dehydration and/or desalination and simultaneous fractionation of a petroleum deposit effluent containing oil, associated gas and water which can be saline, which process comprises:(a) at least one step for separating the liquid and gaseous phases at the pressure P1 for removal of the gas, producing a gaseous fraction G1, on the one hand, which is removed and a liquid fraction L1, on the other hand, which is sent to step(b) at least one step for separating, at least partly, the two liquid phases mixed in the liquid fraction L1, the aqueous phase being partly removed and the oil phase containing a quantity of residual aqueous phase being sent to step (c);(c) at least one distillation step carried out at a pressure P2 which is less than, or at the most equal to, the pressure P1 in step (a), in a distillation zone C1, said distillation being carried out in the presence of the oil phase coming from step (b), said zone C1 comprising an internal heat exchange zone and a boiling zone, and enabling

Abstract: A description is given of a process for the fractionation of oil and gas on a petroleum deposit effluent, including:(a) a stage wherein the liquid and gaseous phases are separated at the gas evacuation pressure P1, producing a gaseous fraction G1, on the one hand, which is evacuated, and a liquid fraction L1, on the other hand, which is constituted at least partially of oil, sending the liquid fraction L1 to stage (b);(b) at least one distillation stage carried out at a pressure P2 which is less than or at least equal to the pressure P1 in stage (a), in a distillation zone C1 which has an internal heat exchange zone and a reboiling zone, and which permits a gaseous fraction G2 to be recovered, on the one hand, and a liquid fraction L2 to be recovered, on the other hand, which is sent to the internal exchange zone, then evacuated; and(c) at least one recompression stage at the pressure P1 of at least a part of the gaseous fraction G2 which is at least partly mixed with the gaseous fraction G2 and evacuated.

Abstract: A method for removing particulate solids, such as catalyst fines, from a hot slurry oil having a gravity of 5.degree. API to 15.degree. API, an atmospheric pressure initial boiling point of from about 500.degree. F. to about 750.degree. F. and an atmospheric pressure end point of less than 1,000.degree. F. which entails mixing a preselected amount of the slurry oil with a preselected amount of a hot vacuum reduced crude oil having equilibrium flash vaporization characteristics such that when the mixture is subjected to a selected temperature in a vacuum tower maintained at a vacuum of from about 1.0 mm Hg to about 10.0 mm Hg, at least 85 volume percent of the slurry oil will be flashed overhead and not more than about 15% of the vacuum reduced crude oil will be flashed overhead, and the particulate solids will remain in the liquid bottoms.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon feed material by (a) removing those components having a higher molecular weight than the desired hydrocarbon from the feed material, (b) removing water from the feed material, and thereafter (c) removing mercury from the feed material. Mercury can be removed to an extremely low concentration of 0.001 ppm or lower from a wide variety of liquid hydrocarbon feed materials containing either a relatively large amount or a trace amount of mercury.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon material of the starting product is separated in an extractive distillation column in which an N-substituted morpholine whose substituents do not have more than seven carbon atoms is used as a selective solvent. The overhead product comes down as a top product of the extractive distillation and is fed through a coalescer in which the sump product comes down with a solvent content of 20 to 75% by weight at a temperature of 20.degree. to 70.degree. C. and subsequent to that is fed into a separating vessel. There it is separated into a heavier and lighter phase. After that the heavier phase is conducted into an extractive distillation column and the lighter phase into the overhead product distillation column.

Abstract: In a process for the treatment of heavy oil, in which a hydrocarbon diluent is added to the heavy oil stream, part of the diluent is substituted by an LPG liquid stream. The LPG stream is added to the heavy oil stream after removal of light components including methane and carbon dioxide to reduce the vapor pressure of the stream, producing a sales oil stream.

Abstract: A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a process material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-process material mixture is treated in a solvent separation zone to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in process material. At least a portion of the liquid in the solvent separation zone is transferred to a mixing zone, where the liquid is intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions. The steam-liquid phase mixture thus produced is returned to the solvent separation zone and treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in process material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Abstract: A process for the multi-stage condensation of an overhead fraction is disclosed. The process facilitates optimal response to changes in distillation column controls wherein column top reflux condensation is preferentially returned to said distillation column, but auxiliary surge capacity is obtained by connection to a first accumulator section of an accumulating zone, which surge capacity is supplemented by one-way flow of liquid from a cooler, second section in said accumulation zone.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of deasphalted oil is described. The method comprises passing a hydrocarbon feedstock into a first distillation zone wherein the feedstock is separated into a first distillate and a first residuum. First residuum is passed to a second distillation zone wherein the fraction is separated into a second distillate and a second residuum. Second distillate and residuum are passed to a deasphalting zone and contacted with a solvent to produce a deasphalted oil. This method may produce increased quantities of acceptable quality deasphalted oil where the deasphalting zone is rate-limiting.

Abstract: Tower material corrosion in an atmospheric or sub-atmospheric distillation tower in a coal liquefaction process is reduced or eliminated by subjecting chloride-containing tray contents to an appropriate ion-exchange resin to remove chloride from such tray contents materials.

Abstract: A process for distilling and condensing a multi-component liquid is described, the process being characterized by the use of a portion of the uncondensed vapor in achieving more efficient heat utilization. In a principal embodiment, the multi-component liquid is distilled to produce an overhead vapor, and the vapor is condensed to produce a condensate and a partially cooled vapor. The partially cooled vapor is separated into major and minor portions, the bulk of the major portion is condensed to produce a condensation effluent, and the condensation effluent (comprising liquid or liquid and vapor) is contacted in a contacting zone with the minor portion of partially cooled vapor. The contacting produces a liquid which is collected in an accumulation zone.

Abstract: A process for distilling and condensing a multi-component liquid is described, the process being characterized by the use of a portion of uncondensed vapor in achieving more efficient heat utilization. In a principal embodiment, a multi-component liquid is distilled to produce an overhead vapor, the vapor is partially condensed, and the vapor-condensate is separated into a minor liquid fraction and a major vapor-liquid portion. The major vapor-liquid fraction is then separated into vapor and liquid, and the liquid therefrom is accumulated in an accumulation zone. The separated vapor is then contacted with the minor liquid fraction in a contacting zone, thereby absorbing the vapor and transferring its heat to the liquid fraction.

Abstract: A process for the distillation and condensation of a multi-component liquid is described, the process being characterized by the contacting of a warm portion of the overhead vapor with a cool liquid portion of the overhead to achieve a higher accumulator liquid temperature. In a principal embodiment, a multi-component liquid is distilled, the overhead vapor is separated into major and minor portions, and the bulk of the major portion is condensed. Liquid is separated from the remaining vapor of the major portion, and the separated liquid is divided into major and minor fractions. The major fraction of liquid is collected in an accumulation zone, and is contacted in the accumulation zone with at least the bulk of the minor portion of overhead vapor. Vapor from the accumulation zone is contacted with the minor fraction of liquid in a contacting zone.

Abstract: A process for the distillation and condensation of a multi-component liquid is described, the process being characterized by the utilization of a portion of the condensate in achieving increased separation of components of no-condensed vapor. In a principal embodiment, the overhead from a distillation column is cooled, condensing a portion thereof, and the condensed portion is accumulated in an accumulation zone. A first liquid stream is removed from the accumulation zone for reflux, while a second liquid stream is cooled, and then contacts, in a separate zone, the uncondensed portion of the overhead. The contacting absorbs and condenses components of the vapor, and the second liquid and absorbed components are collected in the accumulation zone.

Abstract: A method of recovering petroleum products from an interface mixture containing a low boiling gasoline having lead components, a medium boiling aviation fuel, and a high boiling residual petroleum product comprising the steps of preheating a fluid stream containing the interface mixture, introducing the fluid stream into a first fractionation tower operating at a first temperature below the degrading point of the lead components and below the initial boiling point of the aviation fuel; recovering the majority of the gasoline and a major quantity of the lead components as a first overhead product stream from the first tower, recovering a minor fraction of the gasoline along with a minor quantity of the lead components; in addition to the aviation fuel and the residual petroleum product, as a first bottoms stream from the first tower; introducing the bottoms stream into a bottom-fed reactor vessel having a catalyst bed containing a catalyst capable of chemically adsorbing the lead components while the first bott

Abstract: A solvent extraction coal conversion process is provided wherein the effluent slurry product is subjected to vacuum distillation to yield distillate and extrudable still bottoms. The latter are removed from the vacuum still by means of an extrusion screw which is operatively associated with the still.

Abstract: Heated hydrocarbon crude oil is passed into a first flash zone wherein it is separated into a first flash vapor and a first flash liquid. First flash vapor is water washed to remove soluble contaminants, and the resulting wash water and the first flash liquid are passed to a desalter. First flash liquid having substantial freedom from water soluble contaminants is passed from the desalter into a second flash zone wherein it is separated into a second flash vapor and a second flash liquid. The second flash liquid is passed into a conventional fractionation zone comprising a crude column and a vacuum column.