Abstract: Systems and methods for fractionating whole stillage from an ethanol production facility are provided. Whole stillage undergoes a separation of its liquid portion (thin stillage) from the solid portion (fiber cake). In some embodiments, the solids and liquids in whole stillage may be separated utilizing a screening centrifuge. The fiber cake may be dried to generate a high fiber animal feed. The thin stillage may be provided to a three-phase separator for separation into an oil emulsion, an aqueous clarified stillage, and a protein paste. The protein paste may be dried to generate a high protein animal feed with greater than about 45% protein content. The clarified thin stillage is condensed to yield a syrup with greater than around 60% solids. The oil emulsion is subjected to a pH adjustment to liberate the oil from the emulsion, which is then separated.

Abstract: Catalyst fines can be removed from heavy oils, such as marine fuel oils, by introducing an additive in an effective amount to at least partially remove the catalyst fines, where the additive is an oxyalkylated acid-catalyzed alkylphenol formaldehyde resin and/or a Mannich condensate base resin copolymer.

Abstract: A process for batch processing by-product water to obtain a batch of beneficial use water for application to an targeted area of soil with determined moisture and chemical characteristic to change that soil characteristic to a desired soil characteristic includes the steps of measuring the moisture and chemical composition of the targeted area of soil; determining a desired soil characteristic that will grow selected vegetation; defining a chemical composition of a batch water to be applied to the soil to obtain the desired composition; processing a batch of by-product water in accordance with the defined composition; applying the batch of processed water to the targeted area of soil; measuring the moisture and chemical composition of the soil after application; repeating the process until desired composition is achieved or the vegetation growth is completed.

Abstract: A facility for the subsea disposal of the water produced during deepwater hydrocarbon production, includes a subsea oil/water separation station fed with fluids coming directly from at least one hydrocarbon production well, operating at a pressure independent of and lower than the ambient pressure, and comprising an oil outlet for connecting to a production unit and a water outlet, a flat gravity oil/water separation tank resting on the seabed, continuously fed with water leaving the oil/water separation station, operating at a pressure substantially equal to the ambient pressure, and comprising an oil outlet for connecting to the production unit and a water outlet, and a subsea high-pressure pump connected to the water outlet of the oil/water separation station and to a water inlet of the tank to raise the pressure of the water leaving the oil/water separation station to the ambient pressure before it is admitted into the tank.

Abstract: Methods to improve fluid flow of a multi-phase mixture, methods to separate fluids of a multi-phase mixture, and downhole multi-phase fluid mixture systems are disclosed. A method to improve fluid flow of a multi-phase mixture includes positioning a first acoustic device and a second acoustic device around a conveyance that provides a fluid flow path for a first fluid in a first phase and a second fluid in a second phase to simultaneously flow through the conveyance. The method also includes determining a flow rate and a fluid condition of the fluid mixture. The method further includes generating a standing acoustic wave through the conveyance based on the flow rate and the fluid condition to break down the first fluid into droplets having volume within a threshold volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods to separate water and remove solids from a pre-treated and unfiltered renewable feedstock at or separate from a refinery. Such systems and methods may be used to provide a reduced-contaminant and reduced-solid renewable feedstock for further refining.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a demulsification additive composition for demulsification of water-in-oil emulsion caused due to wash water in the crude oil, wherein the composition comprises: (a) one or more demulsifiers (the component (a)); and (b) a compound selected from the group comprising glyoxal, neutralized glyoxal, glyoxal derivative and a mixture thereof (the component (b)), and (c) further comprises phosphoric acid (the component (c)). The present invention also relates to a method of using the present demulsification additive composition for demulsification of water-in-oil emulsion caused due to wash water in the crude oil. The present invention also relates to a method for demulsification of water-in-oil emulsion caused due to wash water in the crude oil by employing the present demulsification additive composition.

Abstract: This invention provides a concentrated demulsifier composition comprising A) at least 50 wt.-% of a demulsifier, selected from the group consisting of a polymeric nonionic oil-soluble demulsifier for mineral oils, and an alkyl aryl sulphonic acid or its salt, and mixtures thereof, B) 0.1 to 20 wt.-% of a surfactant selected form anionic, cationic, zwitterionic and nonionic surfactants, the surfactant being different from the demulsifier, C) less than 20 wt.-% of a water-immiscible organic solvent, D) 3 to 49 wt.-% of a water-miscible organic solvent and E) 0 to 5 wt.-% of water.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, break oil-in-water emulsion treatment fluids are provided. In some embodiments, such methods include introducing a quaternary ammonium compound into an oil-in-water emulsion treatment fluid that comprises an oleaginous phase and an aqueous phase; and centrifuging at least the portion of the oil-in-water emulsion treatment fluid to separate at least a portion of the oil-in-water emulsion treatment fluid into an oleaginous fluid and an aqueous fluid.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture, including an apparatus for acoustic wave based agglomeration, are provided. The apparatus may include a well and an acoustic wave device. The well may be configured to hold a suspension that includes a plurality of particles. The acoustic wave device may be configured to generate a plurality of acoustic waves. The plurality of acoustic waves inducing acoustic streaming within the suspension. The acoustic streaming agitating the suspension to form an agglomerate comprising at least a portion of the plurality of particles. Methods for acoustic wave based agglomeration are also provided.

Abstract: A method of processing thin stillage in an ethanol refining operation is provided. The method comprises treating thin stillage upstream of a concentration or evaporation step with an aid comprising a sorbitan ester of a fatty acid, an ethoxylated sorbitan ester of a fatty acid, or a combination thereof, thereby forming treated thin stillage. The aid may include at least one of sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate.

Abstract: To provide methods for producing a wet gel and a xerogel, in which variation in gel thickness is little even without highly controlling the levelness of the mold and the gels are less likely to break at the time of gelation or demolding. The method for producing a wet gel comprises, in such a state that a second liquid layer 14 made of a second liquid containing a gel raw material, is present on a first liquid layer 12 made of a first liquid, letting the second liquid layer 14 be gelled. The method for producing a xerogel comprises drying the wet gel thereby produced or a solvent-substituted gel obtainable by subjecting said wet gel to solvent substitution.

Abstract: Hydro excavation vacuum apparatus that process spoil material onboard the apparatus by separating water from the cut earthen material are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating an emulsion emanating from a quenching process in production of ethylene that includes online monitoring of zeta potential of the hydrocarbon/water emulsion in a quench water tower and/or a quench water loop. In response to the online monitoring of zeta potential, the method changes the amount of demulsifier being added to the hydrocarbon/water emulsion such that the amount of demulsifier is effective in breaking the emulsion.

Abstract: Oil console equipment includes: a lubrication oil tank in which a lubrication oil is stored; a lubrication oil supply line which is connected to the lubrication oil tank and through which a liquid lubrication oil stored in the lubrication oil tank is supplied to a bearing supporting a rotor; a first cooler which is provided in the lubrication oil supply line and cools the liquid lubrication oil supplied to the bearing; a lubrication oil recovery line which is connected to the lubrication oil tank and through which the lubrication oil recovered from the bearing is introduced into the lubrication oil tank; a first atmosphere discharge pipe which is connected to the lubrication oil tank and through which a lubrication oil mist which exists in a gas phase in the lubrication oil tank and is a misted lubrication oil and a first exhaust gas containing a gas are introduced out.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for improving slop water treatment efficiency. The method generally includes separating contaminated fluid into a clean fluid layer and one or more contaminant layers floating on a surface of the clean fluid layer in a vessel; reporting to a control unit, a location, sensed by level sensor(s), of an interface between the clean fluid layer and the contaminant layer(s); reporting to the control unit, a height, sensed by a first position sensor, of a skimmer relative to the vessel; adjusting, using the control unit and based on the reported location of the interface and/or the reported height of the skimmer, the height of the skimmer so that one or more components of the skimmer are positioned proximate the sensed location of the interface; and skimming, using the skimmer, the contaminant layer(s) off of the clean fluid layer proximate the sensed interface.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided that are useful in generating a fluid suspension of nanoplasmoid bubbles. Such systems utilize a nanobubble/nanoplasmoid generator in conjunction with mechanisms for applying energy to the fluid in the form of electrolytic events, pressure waves, electrical fields, and/or magnetic fields. The nanobubble/nanoplasmoid generator is of modular construction that is readily adaptable to a wide variety of applications. Various applications of nanoplasmoid bubble suspensions so produced are described.

Abstract: A fuel filter has a separating device separating, from a medium flow comprising a first medium and a second medium, the first medium as a separated first medium contaminated with the second medium. The fuel filter has a cleaning device receiving a proportion of the second medium contained in the separated first medium. The cleaning device is arranged upstream of a discharge opening for discharging the first medium from the fuel filter. The cleaning device is provided with an absorbent/adsorbent cleaning material. The cleaning material contains or is made of an organoclay as an active component. The organoclay is a bulk material, wherein at least 50 wt. % of the organoclay has an average particle diameter of greater than 50 ?m and smaller than 1,000 ?m.

Abstract: Use of hydrophobically modified polyalkanolamines obtainable by condensing at least one trialkanolamine and optionally further condensable monomers and reacting at least one of the terminal OH groups with suitable reactants capable of reacting with OH groups and comprising long chain hydrocarbon groups as wax inhibitor, pour point depressant and additive for lubricants.

Abstract: Nowadays, one of the major problems of the oil industry is the presence of large amounts of water and salts, which cannot be efficiently removed by conventional dehydrating polymers. In addition, the acid stimulation operations of petroleum wells cause the chemical degradation of demulsifiers such as polyethers and phenolic resins, reducing drastically their efficiency as water and salt removers. Based on aforementioned, a series of new copolymers has been developed; these copolymers are combinations of an acrylic and an aminoacrylic monomer and they are synthesized by semi-continuous emulsion polymerization (under starved feed conditions), which ensures both the homogeneity of the different chains as well as the randomness of the monomers distribution. The solutions of one of these random copolymers have shown an efficiency similar or superior to combinations of two or three block copolymers (formulations), when they are applied in light or heavy crude oils.

Abstract: A paving machine includes an operator station including an operator display, a hopper to store paving material, a conveyor system to transfer the paving material to a dispersion system, and an emulsion system. The emulsion system includes an emulsion tank to store and dispense emulsion fluid, a sensor to measure a level of emulsion fluid, and a light indicator located in a forward line of sight from the operator station and including a first light portion signaling a tank full condition, and second light portion signaling an tank low condition.

Abstract: A coalescing element for a water separator device for fuel is provided with at least one coalescing medium that separates water contained in the fuel from the fuel. The coalescing element is arranged in a housing of the water separator device such that the coalescing element separates at least one fuel inlet of the housing from at least one fuel outlet of the housing. The at least one coalescing medium is arranged in a flow path of the fuel from the at least one fuel inlet to the at least one fuel outlet. The at least one coalescing medium contains at least one sponge-like coalescing material suitable for coalescing water. The coalescing element is used in fuel filters such as diesel fuel filters of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the conversion of biomass into a bio-oil containing liquid feed wherein the processability index, PI, of the biomass is optimized prior to introducing the biomass into the biomass conversion unit where catalytic pyrolysis of the biomass occurs. The PI is dependent on the ratio (S/G) between the S-unit population and the G-unit population of the biomass as well as the weight percent acetate, the weight percent alkaline (Group I metals), the weight percent of non-metals in the biomass of Group 15, Group 16 and Group 17 elements, the weight percent of metalloids (Group 13 and Group 14 elements), the weight percent xylan and the weight percent of alkaline earth (Group II metals) in the biomass feedstream.

Abstract: A rotating drum screen method for separating solids from thin stillage obtained from ethanol fermentation, the thin stillage comprising one or more of solids and suspended solids. Thin stillage is chemically treated with an anionic polymer to form stable particles of one or more of solids and suspended solids. Introducing the treated thin stillage into a rotating drum screen system. The drum screen includes a filter screen that retains at least a portion of the solids within a hollow portion of the drum screen and which produces a liquid effluent that is discharged from an outer surface of the drum screen. The retained solids are removable from the drum screen via a solid discharge end. A head box is disposed within the hollow portion of the drum screen and has a plurality of fluid flow channel dividers dividing and directing an influent stream outwardly against the drum screen.

Abstract: Techniques for recovering a hydrocarbon fluid from a waste fluid include transmitting a plurality of wave energy pulses through a waste fluid, the waste fluid including a mixture of a hydrocarbon fluid and a non-hydrocarbon fluid; receiving a plurality of reflected wave energy pulses transmitted through the waste fluid; determining a level difference between a surface of a hydrocarbon fluid layer that includes the hydrocarbon fluid and a surface of a non-hydrocarbon fluid layer that includes a non-hydrocarbon fluid based, at least in part, on the plurality of reflected wave energy pulses; and operating a hydrocarbon fluid pumping assembly, based on the determined level difference, to circulate a portion of the hydrocarbon fluid in the hydrocarbon fluid layer from the waste fluid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of using a waste silicon slurry. The method includes the steps of: (A) obtaining a waste silicon slurry containing a cutting oil and a metal; (B) treating the waste silicon slurry with a first reagent for reacting with the cutting oil; (C) treating the waste silicon slurry with a second reagent for reacting with the metal; (D) separating products resulting from step (B) and step (C) to obtain a solid portion; and (E) treating the solid portion with a third reagent to obtain products, including silicates and hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Techniques for recovering a hydrocarbon fluid from a waste fluid include transmitting a plurality of wave energy pulses through a waste fluid, the waste fluid including a mixture of a hydrocarbon fluid and a non-hydrocarbon fluid; receiving a plurality of reflected wave energy pulses transmitted through the waste fluid; determining a level difference between a surface of a hydrocarbon fluid layer that includes the hydrocarbon fluid and a surface of a non-hydrocarbon fluid layer that includes a non-hydrocarbon fluid based, at least in part, on the plurality of reflected wave energy pulses; and operating a hydrocarbon fluid pumping assembly, based on the determined level difference, to circulate a portion of the hydrocarbon fluid in the hydrocarbon fluid layer from the waste fluid.

Abstract: A method processes a stable emulsion having components from whole-cell biotransformations such as cells, soluble cell components, organic solvents and/or water. In this connection, the emulsion, which is stable after the biotransformation, is mixed with further parts of organic phase, and subsequently the mixture is continuously stirred until a catastrophic phase inversion of the emulsion takes place while mixing; subsequently, this phase-inverted mixture is transferred to a settling container, where the phases of the emulsion separate from one another and can be separated from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a compact flotation unit, may include a tank having a fluid inlet. A cylinder may be disposed within the tank and have an open end. A first guide vane may be disposed about the cylinder, with the first guide vane having a portion axially aligned with the fluid inlet. A second guide vane may be disposed about the cylinder adjacent the open end thereof and may include a first end and a second end, with the first end of the second guide vane being axially offset from the second end of the second guide vane.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing oil in water emulsions in coking processes. One exemplary method comprises: providing an aqueous stream with an oil in water emulsion; providing a treatment composition, wherein the treatment composition comprises at least one cationic polyacrylamide; and contacting the aqueous stream with the treatment composition.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for treating a feed stream comprising hydrocarbons, suspended solids, and an aqueous-based liquid is provided. The systems and methods may utilize a stratified multi-media bed that includes at least one layer of a composite media comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. According to certain aspects, contacting the feed stream with the stratified multi-media bed comprises coalescing and filtering the feed stream. According to at least one aspect, the systems and methods include a draft tube positioned within the stratified multi-media bed that may be utilized for backwashing the layers of filter media.

Abstract: A polymer useful as a flocculent, demulsifier or water clarifier may be selected from those having the general formula: wherein R is an alkyl group having from 3 to about 7 carbons and X is an integer having a value of at least two. The alkyl group may be linear or branched.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of separating an oil-in-water emulsion formed during crude oil production into a water phase and an oil phase that includes adding 1 part-per-million (ppm) to 10000 ppm of a cationic vinyl imidazolium-based copolymer to the oil-in-water emulsion, based on the total volume of the oil-in-water emulsion, to form a water phase and an oil phase, and separating the water phase from the oil phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyimide containing polymaleic anhydride having the formula: wherein X represents functional groups having carbon chain with carbon numbers more than 10, benzene ring and a combination of carbon chain with carbon numbers more than 10 and benzene ring; and m, n and l are integers, and larger than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A nanostructured zinc oxide membrane for removing oil from water includes a membrane and a plurality of zinc oxide nanorods on at least one surface of the membrane. The nanorods can cover less than about 40% of the surface of the membrane. Air pockets can be formed in spaces between adjacent nanorods. The nanostructured zinc oxide membranes can be used to separate oil from an oil-water mixture in a cost-effective and energy efficient manner.

Abstract: Novel electrospun nanofibers and nanofibrous membranes, methods of manufacturing the same, and methods of using the same are provided. The nanofibers include a cactus mucilage, such as mucilage from Opuntia ficus-indica. An organic polymer can be added to the cactus mucilage before electrospinning. The nanofibrous membranes can be used in water filtration.

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: A process and system for separating a light fraction, a bio-distillate fraction, and a heavy fraction from a bio-oil, and for producing a renewable distillate including at least in part the bio-distillate fraction and a stabilizing additive, is provided. In addition, a process and system is provided for upgrading a bio-oil by use of a diluent and/or a recycle stream from the upgrading process to reduce fouling in upgrading equipment, such as a preheater and a hydrodeoxygenation unit.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines, comprising the following steps (a) homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, where aliphatic amino alcohols are reacted with one another or aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst to give polyalkylenepolyamines, (b) reaction of these polyalkylenepolyamines with alkylene oxides to give alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines. Specific alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes and alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines and processes for their preparation. Uses of alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines as detergent additives, dispersants, textile auxiliaries, wood protectants, corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: A adhesive composition that includes at least the main components of a hydrolyzable tannin and at least one cationic polymer selected from the group including (poly-)lysine, (poly-)-DL-ornithine, ?-poly-ornithine, (poly-)arginine, (poly-)glutamine, (poly-)asparagine, (poly-)histidine, (poly-)proline, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, cadaverine, agmatine, citrulline and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods and devices for exchanging therapeutic agents, such as cells, from one liquid medium to another liquid medium are provided. Aspects of embodiments of the methods include transferring a therapeutic agent from a first medium, such as a freezing, storage or shipping buffer, into a second medium, such as a sterile physiologically compatible buffer. In certain aspects, the transfer of the therapeutic agent from a first medium to a second medium involves the use of acoustic-focusing, or acoustophoresis. Embodiments of the subject methods may facilitate the transfer of a therapeutic agent from a storage medium to an infusion medium, and in certain embodiments include administering the therapeutic agent contained in the infusion medium to the subject. Also provided by the present disclosure are devices for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A multi stage process for the separation of bio-components from a waste stream containing Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, a press, and a dissolved air floatation in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly protein, a stream containing predominantly oil, a stream containing predominantly water and a stream that contains predominantly fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of produced water form a steam assisted gravity drain operation are presented in which tight emulsions, total organic compounds, and solids are removed using a skim tanks that receives a multiphase mixture formed from a demulsifier and the produced water and that produces pre-treated water. The so formed pre-treated water is then subject to further total organic compounds reduction via combination with one or more oxidizing biocide to so form treated water that can be fed to a once through steam generator (OTSG) for re-injection into a formation.

Abstract: Lactone/alkylene oxide polymers are useful as demulsifiers to break emulsions, e.g. water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, particularly oilfield emulsions. These polymers are random or block polymer made from addition reactions of a hydroxyl- and/or amine-containing base compound with at least one lactone monomer and at least one alkylene oxide monomer.

Abstract: A method for treating an interface rag includes the steps of removing a volume of rag at a controlled rate from an upstream rag source and passing the rag through a high pressure pump and a heater. The heater heats the rag to a temperature of at least 350° F. to thermally decomposing any chemicals that had been added to the interface rag to promote separation. Diluent is then mixed with the heated rag to cool the rag to a temperature less than 300° F. and produce a 30 API rag. The cooled diluted rag is then treated in an electrostatic treater or sent directly to a hydrocyclone cluster. The electrostatic treater is preferably a vertical electrostatic treater with a conical-shaped lower portion and a means for agitating the solid-laden water within the treater to prevent the solids from settling on the bottom of the treater.

Abstract: The clean-up of crude oil is accomplished using an oil solubilizing agent from a class of onium halides to solubilize the oil in water. The oil solubilizing agent includes a quaternary phosphonium halide, a quaternary ammonium halide, or a ternary sulfonium halide. The onium halide also includes a hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms, and can include both aromatic and aliphatic components.

Abstract: A method for processing interface emulsion, water, and solids contained within a separator vessel that comprises the steps of continually extracting those components from the vessel and then passing them through a gas flotation cell. The cell, which is preferably a vertical induced gas flotation cell, separates the oil and water contained in the interface emulsion and discharges recovered oil from an upper portion of the cell and treated water from a bottom portion of the cell. The recovered oil and treated water may be further processed and recycled to the vessel or sent elsewhere. The treated water may also be recycled to the cell or sent to a process sewer. Fuel gas residing in an upper portion of the cell may be cooled and passed through a splitter. All the steps of the method comprise a closed system with no air emissions.

Abstract: Methods of deoiling oily water such as SAGD and frac produce water. The oily water is treated with a natural coagulant selected from tannins and chitosan. A cationic and/or anionic flocculant may also be added to the treated oily water. The thus treated oily water may be subjected to conventional mechanical oil separation techniques such as hydrocyclonic separation, dissolved air flotation, entrapped air flotation, induced gas flotation, gravity filters, reverse osmosis filters, API, or Voraxial® bulk separators and the like.

Abstract: A system for removing dissolved contaminants, particulate contaminants, and oil contaminants from industrial waste water, the system including a gas floatation and primary oil contaminant removal subsystem including a tank for receiving a flow of the industrial waste water and a flow of gaseous microspheres, wherein the gaseous microspheres combine with oil droplets in the waste water to form flocs which float to the surface and are removed to provide processed waste water with the majority of the oil contaminants removed, and a contaminant removal subsystem for removing dissolved contaminants, particulate contaminants, and any remaining oil contaminants from the processed waste water.

Abstract: A multi stage process for the separation of bio-components from a waste stream containing Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, a press, and a dissolved air floatation in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly protein, a stream containing predominantly oil, a stream containing predominantly water and a stream that contains predominantly fibers.