Abstract: An apparatus and a process for cooling a feed injector of a gasification reactor that produces synthesis gas is described. Cooling fluid is injected into a channel in the feed injector adapted for circulating the fluid. The injection pressure is maintained near or above the gasification reactor pressure. The fluid is withdrawn from the channel through an outlet at an outlet pressure between about 515 KPa above to about 1030 KPa below the gasification reactor pressure. The fluid is cooled, degassed, and injected back into the channel in the feed injector. The pressure on the cooling system is variable and tracks the gasification reactor pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient and highly effective method of removing dissolved selenium from a variety of refinery process water and wastewater streams. The present invention also provides a new and effective method of oxidizing selenium and organo-selenium compounds to the selenite [+IV] oxidation state in order to be adsorbed by a metal oxide or metal hydroxide precipitate. The invention includes two continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) operated in series. The stream to be treated and one of several iron salts (ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, etc.) are introduced into the first CSTR, forming ferric hydroxide and ferric oxyhydroxide precipitates. The pH of the first CSTR is automatically controlled by adjusting the injection rate of the ferric salt. The effluent stream from the first CSTR is directed into a second CSTR into which potassium permanganate is introduced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for reducing the production of sand and other mineral particles within the production fluids of a subterranean wells. The apparatus includes a tubular conduit having openings therein which are protected by flow diversion shields. The flow diversion shields are arranged so that the flow of the production fluids into the tubular conduit is less than the gravitationally induced falling rate of the particulate material thereby separating a majority of the particulate material from the production fluid.

Abstract: A method to remove heavy metals concentrations in water down to very low levels is described. The method calls for the addition of a soluble sulfide to the water. This is followed adding a soluble iron reagent such as ferrous sulfate or ferrous chloride. The water is aerated. As an alternative to aeration, the pH of the water can be increased. Finally, the solids generated from the above steps are separated from the water. This method has been shown to remove heavy metals, particularly copper and zinc, from actual industrial wastewater to very low concentrations, i.e., below about 100 ppb. Furthermore, the treated water is free of sulfide. The byproduct sludge comprises iron sulfide, iron oxides, iron hydroxides, and the heavy metal sulfides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for selectively lifting produced fluid, including produced hydrocarbons and a portion of produced water, to a ground surface and for multiplying a hydrostatic head of a column of the produced fluid into a magnified injection pressure for injecting, without lifting to the ground surface, the remaining produced water, subsurface, in a subterranean well.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of catalytic hydroconversion of a heavy hydrocarbon oil containing a substantial portion of components having an atmospheric boiling point above 565.degree. C. to give a product hydrocarbon oil containing components having a boiling point below about 565.degree. C. The process includes steps of mixing a heavy hydrocarbon oil with an oil soluble molybdenum compound, introducing the resulting mixture into a hydroconversion zone, introducing a reactor feed gas into the hydroconversion zone, and recovering the product hydrocarbon oil from the hydroconversion zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for three-phase fluid flow measurement that operates reliably and accurately over a wide range of gas cut. The system uses a fluid conditioner to separate the three-phase fluid flow into a liquid rich component and a gas rich component. The gas flow rate of the gas rich component is controlled by a valve to maintain the gas cut at a predetermined level. The valve is responsive to control signals generated by a measurement apparatus that measures oil, gas, and water cuts. The system configuration includes a pipeline for carrying the liquid rich component, a gas line for carrying the gas rich component, and a measurement line in parallel with the pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for producing liquefied natural gas from the methane that is produced during natural gas liquids extraction. The process includes distilling the feed to extract methane, then cooling and expanding the methane to produce liquefied natural gas and cold methane vapor. The cold methane vapor is employed as a coolant to precool the feed and to cool the methane before expansion, and is then recompressed for reinjection into the well formation. The bottoms from the methane distillation may be further distilled to extract ethane, which may be cooled with the cold methane vapor and combined with the liquefied natural gas product. A portion of the recompressed methane may be diverted from the compressor train, cooled and expanded to produce additional liquefied natural gas and cold methane vapor.