Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus for separation of an oxygenate from a stream is provided. More specifically, a stream comprising the oxygenate is introduced to a quench tower along with a caustic outlet stream comprising a metal salt. Contact between the oxygenate and the metal salt results in conversion of a portion of the oxygenate into a derivative salt. The derivative salt and unconverted oxygenate are condensed by quenching and substantially removed from the quench tower as an oxygenate outlet stream. The gaseous components of the stream, minus a substantial portion of the oxygenate, are removed from the quench tower as a quench outlet stream.

Abstract: A monomer treatment process including treating at least one metathesis polymerizable monomer composition having a purity of less than 95 weight percent of a dicyclopentadiene monomer with an alkali metal-containing additive prior to polymerizing the metathesis polymerizable monomer composition such that the treated polymerized monomer exhibits improved properties in metathesis reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of lycopene containing oleoresin and lycopene crystals for human consumption. The present invention provides an efficient process for the preparation of lycopene crystals from lycopene containing oleoresin with at least 85% by weight lycopene, containing at least 90% by weight trans-lycopene and trace amounts of cis-lycopene and other carotenoids. The production of commercial grade lycopene crystals with high content of trans-lycopene makes it ideal and suitable for human consumption, use as an anti-oxidant, for applications in prevention of cancer and macular degenerative diseases, as an anti-oxidant, and as a food/feed colorant. The process is simple, convenient, economical and commercially feasible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing low-odor n-butane by catalytic hydrogenation of a feed mixture. The aim of the invention is to provide such a method, wherein the feed material, in addition to n-butane, n-butene and up to 1 mass % formic acid and/or up to 1 mass % pentanals and/or up to 0.5 mass % pentanols, also comprises carbon monoxide. The aim is achieved by treating the feed mixture in the temperature range of 15 to 120° C. with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in the concentration range of 0.5 to 30 mass % and subsequently subjecting the feed mixture to the catalytic hydrogenation.

Abstract: A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon oil is hydrotreated in a process employing at least a first and a second reactor vessel, which process comprises: (i) contacting the hydrocarbon oil in the first reactor vessel at elevated temperature and pressure with a hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas, thereby consuming hydrogen; (ii) separating the effluent of step (i) into partly hydrotreated hydrocarbon oil and contaminated hydrogen containing gas using a stripping column employing used hydrogen-containing gas as stripping gas; (iii) contacting partly hydrotreated hydrocarbon oil obtained in step (ii) in the second reactor vessel at elevated temperature and pressure with a hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of clean hydrogen-containing gas, thereby consuming hydrogen, wherein at least 80% of the hydrogen consumed in steps (i) and (iii) is supplemented by additional clean hydrogen-containing gas fed to the second reactor; (iv) separating the product from step (iii) in the second reactor vessel into a hy

Abstract: Improved processing of an oxygenate-containing feedstock involving increased or enhanced removal or recovery of carbonyls, particularly, acetaldehyde via either or both application of a more stringent stripping regime or addition of a sulfite-containing material.

Abstract: Solvents and methods are provided for extracting a hydrocarbon fraction from a solid, semi-solid, liquid or viscous liquid hydrocarbon-containing material.

Abstract: A mixture and method of using such mixture is provided for purifying carbon nanotubes. A substituted imidazolium cation is utilized to suspend carbon nanotubes in a nonpolar liquid. A polar solvent immiscible with the nonpolar liquid is mixed in to remove soot from the suspension, allowing recovery of the nanotubes. The relative gentleness of the separation provides nanotubes that are undamaged and unoxidized. The components of the mixture are economically advantageous for this use and the method is simple compared to other nanotube purification methods.

Abstract: A method for reducing corrosion in a diolefin extractive distillation process comprising preventing the formation of ammonium carbonate by promoting the formation of a carbonate salt that does not dissociate in the ammonium carbonate dissociation temperature range of that extractive distillation process.

Abstract: A method of deactivate a catalyst system is described. The method may include contacting a reactor effluent comprising a catalyst system, an oligomerized olefin, and diluent with a kill agent to at least partially deactivate the catalyst system, separating the reactor effluent into one or more first streams comprising oligomerized olefin and diluent, the one or more first streams being substantially devoid of the at least partially deactivated catalyst, and a second stream comprising the deactivated catalyst; and contacting the second stream with a quench agent.

Abstract: Provided for herein is a process for separating a hydrocarbon-rubber from a hydrofluorocarbon diluent comprising contacting a polymer slurry comprising the hydrocarbon-rubber dispersed within the hydrofluorocarbon diluent with a hydrocarbon solvent capable of dissolving the hydrocarbon-rubber, to produce a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase, and separating the first liquid phase from the second liquid phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of removing undesired isomers, including substituted cyclopentadiene regioisomers, from the desired fulvene in a crude fulvene composition by selectively reacting the undesired isomers with pyrrolidine and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzaldehyde. This reaction converts the undesired substituted cyclopentadienes into fulvene-type compounds that is readily separated from the desired fulvene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removing methyl acetylene and/or propadiene from a propylene stream and/or a butylene stream by two step fractionation. Methyl acetylene and/or propadiene avoids the use of a hydrogenation reactor and makes the methyl acetylene and/or propadiene recoverable from the process.

Abstract: A process to prepare a process oil with an aromatic content of more than 50 wt % (according to ASTM D 2007) and a polycyclic aromatics (PCA) less than 3 wt % (according to IP 346) by (a) contacting a feed mixture of a petroleum fraction boiling in the lubricating oil range and an aromatic rich hydrocarbon fraction with a polar solvent in a counter-current liquid-liquid extraction column, wherein the process oil is obtained by removing the polar solvent from the top product and an extract is obtained by removing the polar solvent from the top product and an extract is obtained by removing the polar solvent from the bottom product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing dimethyl ether from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. Dimethyl ether is removed at a high pressure, preferably in a distillation column. The high pressure separation has the benefit of providing a relatively low bottoms temperature separation, while allowing for recovery of a highly concentrated ethylene and/or propylene stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystalline carotenoid compound, such as ?-carotene, with a purity of at least 95% and with substantially no solvent enclosed in the crystal lattice. The present invention further describes a process to prepare such a highly pure crystalline carotenoid compound from microbial biomass, without the use of a solvent extraction and/or an anti-solvent crystallization process.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbonaceous oil containing heteroatom-containing compounds where the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a solvent system that is a mixture of a major portion of a polar solvent having a dipole moment greater than about 1 debye and a minor portion of water to selectively separate the constituents of the carbonaceous oil into a heteroatom-depleted raffinate fraction and heteroatom-enriched extract fraction. The polar solvent and the water-in-solvent system are formulated at a ratio where the water is an antisolvent in an amount to inhibit solubility of heteroatom-containing compounds and the polar solvent in the raffinate, and to inhibit solubility of non-heteroatom-containing compounds in the extract. The ratio of the hydrocarbonaceous oil to the solvent system is such that a coefficient of separation is at least 50%.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. Dimethyl ether is removed from the olefin stream by first separating the olefin stream into a first stream comprising dimethyl ether and lighter boiling point compounds, and a second stream comprising C4+ olefin and higher boiling point hydrocarbons. The dimethyl ether is then separated from the first stream using extractive distillation.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of crystalline carotenoid compound from microbial biomass comprising disrupting the microbial cell walls, separating cellular debris from the carotenoid-containing residue, washing one member of the group consisting of the microbial biomass, the disrupted cell mass and the carotenoid-containing reside with a solvent to remove lipid, suspending the obtained carotenoid crystals in water to float the crystals, recovering the crystals and, optionally, further purifying the crystals which avoids the use of large amounts of solvent of carotenoid extraction process.

Abstract: The continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization zone where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of continuously feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment zone where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound. The semi-continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization column where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment tank where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound in batch manner. With the above processes, the mercury is removed from the liquid hydrocarbon with ease in a continuous or semi-continuous manner at around ordinary temperature under around ordinary pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems useful for removing phenylacetylene from crude styrene feedstock are disclosed. Generally the processes and systems comprise the catalytic reduction of phenylacetylene to produce styrene via injection of a phenylacetylene reducing agent, such as hydrogen. A phenylacetylene reduction catalyst preferred herein comprises palladium on a calcium aluminate carrier, wherein the catalyst comprises less than 0.3 weight percent palladium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying olefin containing oxygenate contaminants. The method incorporates the use of extractive distillation. Under the appropriate conditions, olefins containing very low levels of oxygenate contaminants can be recovered.

Abstract: The processing oil contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, which is a substance known to be toxic to the human body, in an amount of less than 3 wt. % and an aromatic hydrocarbon in an amount of 25 wt. % or more, and has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 10-30 mm2/s, a density of 0.870-970 g/cm3, and a 5 vol. % recovery temperature of 370-530° C. The processing oil exhibits excellent performance which has conventionally been obtained. The processing oil can be produced by a method in which oil mixture comprising an extract obtained through extraction from mineral oil by use of a polar solvent in an amount of 40-97 vol. % and lubricating base oil in an amount of 3-60 vol. % is subjected to extraction treatment by use of a polar solvent.

Abstract: In a method of efficiently removing mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon, the liquid hydrocarbon is contacted with water contacted in advance with a crude oil and a sludge contacted in advance with a crude oil. Alternatively, the liquid hydrocarbon is contacted with a substance having ability of ionizing elemental mercury and a sulfur compound having the formula: MM′S, wherein M and M′ are identical or different and are each hydrogen, alkali metal or ammonium group. When the liquid hydrocarbon to be treated contains no dissolved oxygen or contains dissolved oxygen in an amount in equilibrium with a gas containing 8% by volume of oxygen, the increase in the mercury concentration of a liquid hydrocarbon after the removing treatment is effectively prevented.

Abstract: The processing oil contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, which is a substance known to be toxic to the human body, in an amount of less than 3 wt. % and an aromatic hydrocarbon in an amount of 25 wt. % or more, and has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 10-30 mm2/s, a density of 0.870-970 g/cm3, and a 5 vol. % recovery temperature of 370-530° C. The processing oil exhibits excellent performance which has conventionally been obtained. The processing oil can be produced by a method in which oil mixture comprising an extract obtained through extraction from mineral oil by use of a polar solvent in an amount of 40-97 vol. % and lubricating base oil in an amount of 3-60 vol. % is subjected to extraction treatment by use of a polar solvent.

Abstract: A process for reducing the Mutagenicity Index and/or the PCA content of a lubricating oil extract by re-extracting a lubricating oil extract with a second extraction solvent, different from the first extraction solvent, to form a secondary raffinate and a secondary extract mix; separating the secondary raffinate from the secondary extract mix; and separating the secondary raffinate and the secondary extract from said second extraction solvent.

Abstract: A process for the separation of propylene from an input stream of C3 hydrocarbons containing propylene and methyl acetylene and/or propadiene and, optionally, C4 and/or higher hydrocarbons is described. The process includes subjecting the input stream to fractional distillation to separate propylene as an overhead stream leaving a bottoms stream containing the methyl acetylene and/or propadiene and the C4 and/or higher hydrocarbons, when present. A propane-containing stream is added to said input stream whereby propane is separated as part of the bottoms stream. The propylene content of the bottoms streams is maintained at less than 10% weight. The amount of propane added to the input stream is such that the weight of propane, propylene, and C4 and/or higher hydrocarbons, when present, in the bottoms stream is greater that the total weight of methyl acetylene and propadiene in the bottoms stream.

Abstract: Oxygenate impurities are removed from an organic chemical feed or stream by treatment with an aqueous reducing agent and aqueous base, accompanied by separation. An aqueous solution of reducing agent and an aqueous solution of base are typically introduced sequentially into the organic chemical stream, where they may react with any oxygenate impurities present. The reaction products of the oxygenate impurities and aqueous reducing agent and aqueous base are water soluble, and are typically removed in sequential fashion via any suitable separation means. For example, oxygenate impurities such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and methyl formate may be removed from a propylene stream by treating the stream sequentially with aqueous sodium bisulfite and aqueous sodium hydroxide, accompanied by separation of the oxygenate impurity reaction products in coalescers.

Abstract: A process for the removal of corrosive compounds from a fluid stream, comprising the steps of: in an extraction column with an outer steel tube and an inner tube of corrosion resistant material having an open inlet end and an open outlet end and being arranged coaxially with and spaced apart within at least top portion of the outer tube, introducing at elevated temperature at the inlet end of the inner tube the fluid stream and an extraction agent and effecting in the mixed stream of the fluid and extraction agent extraction of the corrosive compounds; introducing into an annular space between the walls of the outer and the inner tube a shell stream of a non-corrosive fluid, thereby absorbing in the shell stream amounts of the corrosive compounds diffusing through the wall of the inner tube; passing the shell stream to the bottom portion of the outer tube; cooling the mixed stream at the outlet end of the inner tube by introducing into the stream a cooling stream; passing the cooled stream to the bottom porti

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ajoene using cyclodextrin comprising mixing allicin, where appropriate dissolved in water and/or a water-miscible solvent, with .alpha.-cyclodextrin, .beta.-cyclodextrin, .gamma.-cyclodextrin or any desired mixture of these cyclodextrins; and processing to a water-containing composition; drying this composition; and obtaining the resulting ajoene by decomplexation and extraction from the dried composition.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a mixture of air and vapour from volatile crude oil with recovery of the hydrocarbons, wherein the vapours are absorbed in an absorption means (3) by direct contact with a petroleum distillate, such as "petroleum" which has been cooled sufficiently beforehand to cause combined cooling condensation and absorption of the hydrocarbons, the petroleum distillate having a substantially constant hydrocarbon concentration is transferred from the absorption means (3) to a buffer tank (5), from which it is conveyed either to a stripping means (4) in which the hydrocarbons dissolved in the petroleum distillate are stripped so that the petroleum distillate circulates in a substantially closed circuit, or for further processing or use. Prior to absorption under pressure in the absorption means (3) the entering mixture of air and vapour is compressed in a compressor (1) and washed with crude oil under pressure in a washing column (2).

Abstract: A hydrocarbon stream is washed with caustic solution to reactively remove hydrogen sulfide and produce a spent caustic solution containing sulfide reaction products. The spent caustic solution is stripped with concentrated carbon dioxide to reactively remove the sulfides and produce an overhead hydrogen sulfide stream and a bicarbonate-containing bottoms stream. The hydrogen sulfide stream can be converted to elemental sulfur in a Claus unit or to sulfuric acid in a sulfuric acid plant. The bicarbonate solution can be washed with liquid hydrocarbon to remove mercaptans and phenols in further preparation for disposal.

Abstract: Polyolefins are produced by a process which includes the steps of: polymerizing an olefin in a reaction zone; removing unreacted olefin from the polymer in a flash chamber and recycling the unreacted olefin to the reaction zone; stripping unreacted olefin from the polymer by passing a stripping gas through the polymer in a stripping zone; passing the unreacted olefin from the stripping zone at superatmospheric pressure through an adsorbent which selectively adsorbs olefins; depressurizing the adsorbent to produce a substantially pure olefin and recycling the substantially pure olefin to the reaction zone; purging the adsorbent bed with a nonadsorbable gas to remove residual unreacted olefin from the adsorbent; and passing the purge gas-unreacted olefin to the stripping zone to be used as stripping gas.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of a cumene feed for cumene oxidation from a fresh cumene stream and a recycle cumene stream containing trace quantities of at least one organic acid compound by a dilute caustic wash of the contaminated cumene streams followed by a water wash of the cumene streams in a single vessel with multiple contacting sections. A portion of the water wash is supplied by a waste water stream from an oxidate wash zone having trace quantities of cumene hydroperoxide.

Abstract: A method for refining liquified petroleum gases so that gases can be treated to reduce odor, olefins, moisture and wherein side reactions are minimized to produce stable aerosol by multistage liquid-liquid extraction of the aerosol using electrolyte solutions at controlled pH, chemically treating, drying and finishing by using molecular sieves and metal sulfides.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cumene feed for cumene oxidation from a fresh cumene stream and a recycle cumene stream containing trace quantities of at least one organic acid compound by means of introducing the fresh cumene stream and the recycle cumene stream containing trace quantities of an organic acid compound into a lower zone of a generally vertical elongated countercurrent contacting zone having a caustic/hydrocarbon contacting section in a lower portion of the countercurrent contacting zone and a water/hydrocarbon contacting section in an upper portion of the countercurrent contacting zone; introducing a water stream to provide water to the water/hydrocarbon contacting section; including an aqueous caustic scrubbing solution to provide caustic solution to the caustic/hydrocarbon contacting section; removing spent aqueous caustic solution from the countercurrent contacting zone; and removing and recovering a cumene feed from the countercurrent contacting zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for treating hydrotreated naphtha which involves treating the naphtha over massive nickel catalyst followed by treating the naphtha over a metal oxide under conditions effective for removing impurities from said naphtha to result in substantially purified naphtha, wherein the metal oxide is selected from the group of metal oxides having a free energy of formation of sulfide which exceeds said free energy of formation of platinum sulfide, such as manganous oxide. In so doing, naphtha in the gas phase in the presence of hydrogen is passed over the manganous oxide at a temperature within the range of about 800.degree. F. and 1100.degree. F., a hydrogen to oil molar ratio between about 1:1 and 6:1, a whsv between about 2 and 8, and pressure between about 50 and 300 psig; and the naphtha in the liquid phase at a temperature between about 300.degree. F. and about 350.degree. F., and whsv less than about 5 is passed over the massive nickel.

Abstract: The separation of normal paraffins from non-normal hydrocarbons wherein the paraffins have from about 10 to about 35 carbon atoms per molecule, using a molecular sieve adsorbent having an effective channel diameter of about 5 angstroms wherein an improvement in the process comprises passing a non-normal hydrocarbon input stream into the adsorption zone at adsorption conditions to promote the selective adsorption of the straight chain hydrocarbon constituents of the feed material in contact with the adsorbent in preference to the lighter straight chain hydrocarbon constituents of the desorbent material also in contact with adsorbent.

Abstract: A method for purifying a cis-olefin formed by alkylating a sulfonate ester comprising mixing the reaction formed by alkylating a sulfonate ester with an acid solution, separating said acid solution, and mixing the resultant purification product with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alcohol and optionally a base followed by separation and distillation, or passing said reaction mixture through a silica gel and collecting the cis-olefin fraction.

Abstract: Nickel, aluminum and chlorine derivatives which remain dissolved in olefin oligomers after oligomerization in the presence of a catalyst comprising nickel, aluminum and chlorine compounds, are removed from the crude product by treatment with:oxygen or a gas containing oxygen,anhydrous ammonia, anda solution of an alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a high purity butene-1 product from n-butane via a dehydrogenation process. In one embodiment of the process the n-butane is dehydrogenated over a chromia-alumina catalyst and any butadiene formed hydrogenated to monoolefins. The monoolefins are separated and the butene-1 separated from isobutylene by reacting the isobutylene with methanol to form methyl tertiary butyl ether. The methyl tertiary butyl ether is separated from the butene-1 leaving it as a high purity product. Alternatively, the dehydrogenated product from the reactor may be contacted with a solvent to extract butadiene followed by hydrogenation, separation of monoolefins and conversion to methyl tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: Solvents which may be used as mediums for the polymerization of olefinic hydrocarbons to form polymers useful as membranes in a gas separation process require purification to remove any impurities which will effect the aforesaid polymerization. Purification of these solvents such as cyclohexane may be effected by treating the solvent with titanium tetrachloride, contacting the solution with an adsorbent such as silica gel and thereafter distilling the solvent in the presence of a purification agent such as an alkaline metal aluminum hydride or borohydride.

Abstract: Isoprene and butadiene are purified by treating a petroleum refinery C.sub.4 stream or petroleum refinery C.sub.5 stream which contain butadiene or isoprene or relatively pure butadiene or isoprene and carbon disulfide by treatment of these streams with from about 1 to about 7 equivalents of a polyamine. The polyamine reacts with the CS.sub.2 impurity to form the dithiocarbamate salt. The hydrocarbon is then separated from the dithiocarbamate salt and any excess unreacted polyamine by water washing this stream or by flash distilling of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process for isolating butadiene, with the aid of a selective solvent, from a C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture which contains butadiene and small amounts of styrene and may contain oxygen, hydrocarbons more soluble than butadiene in the selective solvent and hydrocarbons less soluble than butadiene in the selective solvent, in which process the C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture is separated by extractive distillation into a distillate which contains the less soluble hydrocarbons, a stream of butadiene and a stream containing the more soluble hydrocarbons, and in which a mixture of styrene and C.sub.4 -hydrocarbons is removed from the C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture in a distillation zone upstream of the extractive distillation, the top product of the said distillation zone being fed to the extractive distillation.

Abstract: An improvement as described for the recovery of ethylene oligomers from the reaction product obtained when ethylene is oligomerized by contact in the liquid phase at elevated temperatures and pressures with a nickel complexed catalyst dissolved in an aliphatic diol solvent. In this improved process, the liquid oligomer product phase, after separation from gaseous and dissolved ethylene and liquid diol solvent, is subject to an aqueous acid wash followed optionally and preferably by a water wash to hydrolyze and extract diol solvent degradation products which carry through from the oligomerization reaction zone.

Abstract: Olefins are oxidized to carbonyl compounds, for example, 2-hexene to a mixture of 2-hexanone and 3-hexanone, with a palladium/copper/boric acid catalyst and a suitable surfactant or phase transfer agent. The reaction takes place in a diluent system comprising at least two liquid phases, wherein at least one liquid phase is an aqueous phase, and in the presence of free oxygen. The catalyst system can be used to oxidize internal olefins, as well as terminal olefins, at reasonable rates. The catalyst system can also be used for the selective oxidation of linear olefins in a mixed stream containing linear and branched olefins.

Abstract: Isobutene is separated from a charge hydrocarbon stream, which may contain butadiene, in two stages in the first of which isobutene is present in excess and in the second of which isobutene is present in deficiency. In the first stage, a strongly acidic ion exchanger is used and in the second stage, an exchanger with a less powerful H.sup.+ loading is used.