Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of hydrogen sulphide in a hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas to elemental sulphur, wherein the hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas (3), an inert liquid medium (5), and a molecular-oxygen containing gas (4) are supplied to a reaction zone (1) comprising at least one catalytic zone (2) comprising an oxidation catalyst to form elemental sulphur and a gaseous stream depleted in hydrogen sulphide (8), in which process the oxidation catalyst of each catalytic zone (2) is contacted with hydrogen sulphide and/or molecular-oxygen in the presence of inert liquid medium at a temperature in the range of from 120 to 160° C., under such conditions that the elemental sulphur formed is essentially in liquid form and is removed from the reaction zone with the inert liquid medium.

Abstract: A support for a bundle of parallel tubes, comprising at least two spaced apart transverse support plates, wherein each plate is provided with a plurality of openings of substantially rhombical or substantially frustro-rhombical shape, each of which openings having a maximum of two mirror symmetry axes including a characteristic mirror symmetry axis, the openings being large enough to accommodate at least two tubes, wherein openings in different support plates are arranged to form support passages for parallel tubes so that support passages extending through the same opening in one support plate extend through different openings in another support plate, and wherein the characteristic mirror symmetry axes of at least two openings belonging to the same support passage are arranged to extend in different directions.

Abstract: A process to further upgrade a pre-processed used lubricating oil by: (a) contacting the partially upgraded used oil in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrodemetallization catalyst; (b) contacting the effluent of step (a) in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrotreating catalyst; (c) contacting the effluent of step (b) in the presence of hydrogen with a dewaxing catalyst; and (d) contacting the effluent of step (c) in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrotreating catalyst.

Abstract: A process to prepare a base oil starting from a slack wax containing feedstock by (a) contacting the feedstock in the presence of hydrogen with a sulphided hydrodesulphurisation catalyst having nickel and tungsten on an acid amorphous silica-alumina carrier and (b) performing a pour point reducing step on the effluent of step (a) to obtain the base oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the hydrogenation of aromatics in hydrocarbon feedstocks containing thiopheneic compounds as impurities, the aromatics hydrogenation being conducted in a hydrogenation reactor in the presence of a nickel based catalyst. The improvement comprises operating the hydrogenation reactor at a reaction temperature sufficiently high from the start of a run, that the thiopheneic compounds are decomposed and substantially absorbed into the bulk of the nickel catalyst, thereby substantially extending the life of the catalyst.

Abstract: An elongate, shaped particle having three protrusions each extending from and attached to a central position aligned along the central longitudinal axis of the particle, the cross-section of the particle occupying the area encompassed by the outer edges of six outer circles around a central circle minus the area occupied by three alternating outer circles, wherein each of the six outer circles is touching two neighbouring outer circles and wherein three alternating outer circles are equidistant to the central circle, have the same diameter, and may be attached to the central circle.

Abstract: Hydrocracking catalyst composition comprising an optional metal hydrogenation component supported on a carrier comprising a zeolite of the faujasite structure having a unit cell size in the range of from 24.10 to 24.40 ?, a bulk silica to alumina ratio (SAR) above about 12, and a surface area of at least about 850 m2/g as measured by the BET method and ATSM D4365-95 with nitrogen adsorption at a p/po value of 0.03.

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: A method for quantitative determination of hydrocarbon species in a hydrocarbon sample is disclosed. The method uses Townsend Discharge Nitric Oxide Chemical Ionization Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

Abstract: Process to prepare a lubricating base oil starting from a lubricating base oil which is obtained by first removing part of the aromatic compounds from a petroleum fraction boiling in the lubricating oil range by solvent extraction and subsequently dewaxing the solvent extracted product, wherein the following steps are performed, (a) contacting the lubricating base oil with a suitable sulphided hydrotreating catalyst in a first hydrotreating step; (b) separating the effluent of step (a) into a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction; (c) contacting the liquid fraction of step (b) with a catalyst comprising a noble metal component supported on an amorphous refractory oxide carrier in the presence of hydrogen in a second hydrotreating step; and (d) recovering the lubricating base oil.

Abstract: A protective shield for protecting a feed nozzle encloses, not only the circumference of the feed nozzle, but also encloses and protects the end of the feed nozzle. The protective shield includes an open portion in its end which corresponds to, and surrounds the slit in the end of the feed nozzle. Optimal shape of the open portion is determined by spray visualization tests.

Abstract: Described is a catalyst regenerator system that includes a regenerator vessel within which is a verticaliy extending partition that divides a fluidized bed zone of the regenerator vessel into a dense phase fluidized bed zone and a fast-fluidized bed zone. Apparatus is provided to introduce spent catalyst into the fast-fluidized bed zone and to remove regenerated catalyst from the dense phase fluidized bed zone. The partition is equipped with openings that provide for the flow of catalyst from the dense phase fluidized bed zone to the fast-fluidized bed zone.

Abstract: A socket for easily connecting and disconnecting a standard camlock fitting, such as those used in flanges on marine vessels, includes four drive lugs, or tangs, for mating with recesses on the camlock. The socket is adapted for connection to a standard ratchet wrench for providing torque to tighten or loosen the camlocks.

Abstract: A method of sequentially transporting a first and a second fluid at a volumetric flow rate through a conduit having a cross-section, wherein the first and second fluids have different densities, which method comprises the steps of estimating a critical stratification condition for a fluid density profile along the conduit, which condition takes into account the densities of the first and second fluids, the cross-section of the conduit and the volumetric flow rate, and wherein violating the critical stratification condition likely results in stratification of fluids to occur; and feeding sequentially only first fluid, a buffer fluid and only second fluid into the conduit, wherein the buffer fluid has a density between the densities of the first and second fluids, such that a density profile of fluid along the conduit is provided, which does not violate the critical stratification condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the hydrogenation of aromatics in hydrocarbon feedstocks containing thiopheneic compounds as impurities, the aromatics hydrogenation being conducted in a hydrogenation reactor in the presence of a nickel based catalyst. The improvement comprises operating the hydrogenation reactor at a reaction temperature sufficiently high from the start of a run, that the thiopheneic compounds are decomposed and substantially absorbed into the bulk of the nickel catalyst, thereby substantially extending the life of the catalyst.

Abstract: Process for the catalytic dewaxing of a hydrocarbon oil feed including waxy molecules and more than 500 ppmw of sulphur or sulphur containing compounds by contacting the oil feed under catalytic dewaxing conditions with a catalyst composition comprising at least a hydrogenation component, dealuminated aluminosilicate zeolite crystallites and a low acidity refractory oxide binder material which is essentially free of alumina.

Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking reactor vessel having at its upper end means to separate catalyst particles from an effluent of a dilute phase fluidized catalytic cracking reactor riser, which separation means are fluidly connected to the downstream part of the reactor riser, fluidly connected with means to discharge the cleaned reactor riser effluent from the vessel and fluidly connected to means to discharge the separated catalyst to the lower end of the vessel, the vessel further having at its lower end means to discharge catalyst from the reactor vessel, wherein (a) between the side wall of the vessel and the separation means a shield is present, resulting in an exterior space between the vessel wall and the shield and an interior space within the shield, wherein the interior space is in open communication with the lower end of the reactor vessel at its lower end and wherein the exterior space and interior space are fluidly connected by means of one or more openings; and (b) means are present to supply a g

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device for mixing fluids in a multiple bed downflow reactor comprising: (i) a substantially horizontal collection tray; (ii) a swirl chamber for mixing liquid arranged below the collection tray, having an upper end part that is in direct fluid communication with the upper surface of the collection tray and an outlet opening at its lower end, wherein the swirl chamber has a length that is at least 0.35 times its inner diameter; and (iii) a substantially horizontal distribution tray located below the swirl chamber, which distribution tray is provided with a plurality of openings or downcomers for downward flow of liquid and gas. The invention further relates to a multiple bed downflow reactor comprising such a mixing device and to the use of such a reactor in hydrocarbon processing.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of gaseous products from the product mixture obtained by contacting a hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking process, wherein the liquid, obtained by separating the top product of main fractionators into gaseous and liquid fraction, when supplied to the absorber has a temperature of between about 8–25 DEG C. This liquid may be pre-saturated with gaseous top product from absorber; or also a high boiling fraction (cat cracker naphtha/light cycle oil) may be first separated from this liquid by distillation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple bed downflow reactor comprising vertically spaced apart reaction beds, preferably beds of catalyst particles, and, between adjacent beds, a mixing device for mixing fluids, the mixing device comprising: (i) a substantially horizontal collection tray, (ii) a swirl chamber for mixing liquid arranged below the collection tray, having an upper end part that is in direct fluid communication with the upper surface of the collection tray and an outlet opening at its lower end, and (iii) a substantially horizontal distribution tray located below the swirl chamber, which distribution tray is provided with a plurality of openings or downcomers for downward flow of liquid and gas, in which reactor each reaction bed rests upon a support tray provided with a central opening and which reactor further comprises open-ended pipes extending through each central opening such that a vertical chute is formed from the reaction bed above the mixing device to the reaction bed below the mixing d