Abstract: An improved reactor for an HF alkylation unit of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger type has an axial tube bundle to provide cooling for the reactor and a centrally-located axial sparger system for injecting and dispersing the hydrocarbon reactants into the flow path in the reactor. The sparger comprises an axially-extensive tube with outlet nozzles for the hydrocarbon reactants arranged around the tube, preferably with differing radial angles, at different locations along the length of the sparger.

Abstract: A heavy residual petroleum feed boiling above 650° F.+ (345° C.+) is subjected to membrane separation to produce a produce a permeate which is low in metals and Microcarbon Residue (MCR) as well as a retentate, containing most of the MCR and metals, the retentate is then subjected to hydroconversion at elevated temperature in the presence of hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure not higher than 500 psig (3500 kPag) using a dispersed metal-on-carbon catalyst to produce a hydroconverted effluent which is fractionated to give naphtha, distillate and gas oil fractions. The permeate from the membrane separation may be used as FCC feed either as such or with moderate hydrotreatment to remove residual heteroatoms. The process has the advantage that the hydroconversion may be carried out in low pressure equipment with a low hydrogen consumption as saturation of aromatics is reduced.

Abstract: A high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil is added to a blend of incompatible and/or near-incompatible oils to proactively address the potential for fouling heat exchange equipment. The HSDP component dissolves asphaltene precipitates and maintains suspension of inorganic particulates before coking affects heat exchange surfaces. HSDP co-blending for fouling mitigation and on-line cleaning can be affected using different concentrations of top-performing and moderate-performing HSDP crude oils.

Abstract: Atmospheric and/or vacuum resid fractions of a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil are added to a blend of crude oil to prevent fouling of crude oil refinery equipment and to perform on-line cleaning of fouled refinery equipment. The HSDP resid fractions dissolve asphaltene precipitates and maintain suspension of inorganic particulates before coking affects heat exchange surfaces.

Abstract: A method for altering coke morphology in a delayed coking process of heavy oil is provided. An effective amount of one or more oil dispersible or oil soluble polynuclear aromatic compounds, or functionalized lignin, is added or contacted with the resid or heavy oil at a point before or after the step of heating the heavy oil to coking temperatures. The addition of additives facilitates the formation of shot coke and inhibits the formation of sponge coke.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high-pressure ultrafiltration process to produce an improved coker feed for producing a substantially free-flowing coke, preferably free-flowing shot coke from an atmospheric and/or vacuum resid feedstock. The process of this invention utilizes a high-pressure ultrafiltration process to produce an intermediate product stream with improved the Conradson Carbon Residue (CCR) content which is utilized in either an improved delayed coking or a fluid coking process.

Abstract: Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.

Abstract: The regeneration of HF alkylation acid in an alkylation unit is improved by withdrawing a vapor stream from the HF regenerator tower and condensing the stream to form a liquid fraction which is accumulated in a side distillation zone; the collected liquid fraction, comprising HF acid, water and some stripping medium is distilled in a batch or continuous type operation to drive off the HF acid (along with stripping medium) and the vapor is returned to the regenerator-stripper vessel. The distillation of the sidedraw liquid is continued until the composition of the liquid attains the azeotropic value or as near to that value as desired. The azeotrope, comprising water and acid can then be dropped out of the distillation vessel for disposal by neutralization in the conventional way.

Abstract: Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.

Abstract: A high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil is added to a blend of incompatible and/or near-incompatible oils to proactively address the potential for fouling heat exchange equipment. The HSDP component dissolves asphaltene precipitates and maintains suspension of inorganic particulates before coking affects heat exchange surfaces. HSDP co-blending for fouling mitigation and on-line cleaning can be affected using different concentrations of top-performing and moderate-performing HSDP crude oils.

Abstract: Ultrafiltration may be effectively used to produce visbreaker feeds of improved quality which enable the visbreaker to be operated at higher severity with higher yields of distillable products. A heavy oil feed stream is separated by ultrafiltration or membrane separation into a permeate fraction and a retentate fraction by contacting the heavy oil feed with the first side of a porous membrane separation element in a membrane separation zone. The permeate fraction, comprised of materials which pass selectively through the porous membrane element, is retrieved and at least a portion of it is subjected to visbreaking with the improved liquid yield, especially of lighter distillate fractions. The retentate fraction can be retrieved from the first side of the porous membrane and can also be subjected to visbreaking.

Abstract: A high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil is added to a blend of incompatible oils to proactively address the potential for fouling heat exchange equipment. The HSDP component dissolves asphaltene precipitates and maintains suspension of inorganic particulates before coking affects heat exchange surfaces. An HSDP oil is also flushed through heat exchange equipment to remove any deposits and/or precipitates on a regular maintenance schedule before coking can affect heat exchange surfaces.

Abstract: A device is coupled to a heat exchanger for mitigating fouling by applying a mechanical force to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface while the heat exchanger is in operation. An electromagnetic driven impulse device induces vibration onto heat exchanger tubes and/or an acoustic wave through the liquid service fluid to reduce fouling. The device can be mounted directly onto the outer part or piping and produces acoustical/vibrational modes onto the tube or near the surface of tubes.

Abstract: A method for coke removal in delayed coker drums is provided. The method comprises the steps of draining from the drum of substantially free-flowing coke, performing a vibration signature analysis on the drum to identify whether and where any coke remains attached to the interior wall of the drum after the draining step, and cutting the coke from the areas identified by the signature analysis step.

Abstract: Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.

Abstract: A tube support device for a tube bundle having a plurality of elongated tubes with a U-shaped bend portion is disclosed. The tube support device includes an elongated longitudinally extending strip having a pair of opposing faces. A plurality of tube engaging members extend from the pair of opposing faces. The tube support device includes an engagement assembly formed on one end of the tube support device. The engagement assembly is adapted to engage the anchor assembly positioned within the tube bundle, whereby the tube support device can be rotated into the desired orientation between the tubes to prevent vibration damage.

Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: The corrosion rate of a metal immersed in a fluid medium is measured by transmission of a beam of radiation normally in the visible or near infra-red portion of the spectrum, through a thin film of the metal immersed in the medium. The film of the metal is suitably supported on a radiation-transmitting substrate such as a glass plate or slide. The corrosion rate can be determined by passing a radiation beam through the metal film sample using a twin beam system to compensate for instrument factors such as the absorbance by the fluid medium, the cell windows and the film-supporting substrate. As the thickness of the film decreases, the reduction in film thickness is determined by the increase in beam intensity, using a reference beam to compensate for the instrument factors.

Abstract: A support device for a bundle of elongated members and a locking assembly for securing the same within the bundle are disclosed. The support device includes an elongated support adapted to be located between adjacent spaced rows of elongated members, wherein the elongated support having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side being arranged to be positioned adjacent one row of the spaced rows of elongated members and the second side being arranged to be positioned adjacent another row of the spaced rows of elongated members. The support device includes a plurality of support members spaced along the elongated support, wherein each support member have a first supporting assembly located on the first side for supporting one of the elongated members in the one row and a second supporting assembly located on the second side for supporting one of the elongated members in the other row.

Abstract: A multi-tray distillation unit having a separator for de-entraining liquid particles. The separator comprises vertically spaced tiers of elongated, substantially horizontal open-topped liquid collector channels arrayed in parallel rows transversely to the flow of the gas. The liquid collector channels are vertically staggered to deflect the gas flow from a lower tier level through the gaps between the collection channels of an upper tier and around the channels so as to cause the entrained liquid particles to separate from the gaseous stream by inertia into the channels of the lower tier. An improved channel configuration has a rigidly-mounted, horizontally-elongated flow deflector extending downwards from an upper tier channel toward a lower tier channel, this provides gas flow deflection and increased efficiency of liquid particle de-entrainment.