Abstract: Process for the preparation of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water nanoemulsion wherein the dispersed phase is distributed in the dispersing phase in the form of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 500 nm, comprising: 1) the preparation of a homogeneous water/oil blend (I) characterized by an interface tension lower than 1 mN/m, comprising water in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight, at least two surface-active agents having a different HLB, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, said surface-active agents being present in such a quantity as to make the blend homogeneous; 2) the dilution of the blend (I) in a dispersing phase consisting of oil or water with the addition of a surface-active agent, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, the quantity of the dispersing phase and surface-active agent being such as to obtain a nanoemulsion having a HLB different from that of the blend (I).

Abstract: Testing process for testing zero emission hydrocarbon wells in order to obtain general information on a reservoir, comprising the following steps: injecting into the reservoir a suitable liquid or gaseous fluid, compatible with the hydrocarbons of the reservoir and with the formation rock, at a constant flow-rate or with constant flow rate steps, and substantially measuring, in continuous, the flow-rate and injection pressure at the well bottom; closing the well and measuring the pressure, during the fall-off period (pressure fall-off) and possibly the temperature; interpreting the fall-off data measured in order to evaluate the average static pressure of the fluids (Pav) and the reservoir properties: actual permeability (k), transmissivity (kh), areal heterogeneity or permeability barriers and real Skin factor (S); calculating the well productivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the production of liquid hydrocarbons by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on solid catalyst particles in a three-phase bed reactor, the apparatus being provided with at least one filter cartridge mounted in a filtration zone in the interior of said reactor, the filter cartridge comprising: a filter intended to separate the filtrate from the solid catalyst particles, a cylindrical casing, an internal element in the form of a hollow cylinder open at its ends and mounted in substantially coaxial relationship with the longitudinal axis of the casing, an annular chamber delimited by the casing and the walls of the internal element, said chamber being intended to collect the filtrate, and a conduit for discharge of said filtrate, wherein the walls of the internal element of the filter cartridge are at least in part formed by the filter of the cartridge.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of heavy charges such as heavy crude oils, tars from oil sands and distillation residues, by the combined use of the following three process units: hydroconversion with catalysts in slurry phase (HT), distillation or flash (D), deasphalting (SDA), characterized in that the three units operate on mixed streams consisting of fresh charge and recycled streams, by the use of the following steps: sending at least one fraction of the heavy charge to a deasphalting section (SDA) in the presence of hydrocarbon solvents obtaining two streams, one consisting of deasphalted oil (DAO), the other of asphalts; mixing the asphalt with a suitable hydrogenation catalyst and optionally with the remaining fraction of heavy charge not sent to the deasphalting section and sending the mixture obtained to a hydro-treatment reactor (HT) into which hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and H2S is charged; sending the stream containing the hydro-treatment reaction product and the catalyst in dispersed phase t

Abstract: A process is described for the treatment of water contaminated by metals with a high oxidation degree, aliphatic compounds, aromatic compounds, halogen-aromatic compounds, chlorinated alkane and alkene compounds or mixtures thereof, which consists in circulating the contaminated water through a reactive system consisting of metallic iron and a zeolite having a silica/alumina ratio>50, placed in succession, wherein the first element through which the water passes is iron.

Abstract: A method is described for the identification of sulfooxidizing bacteria comprising the extraction of the DNA from environmental samples and the subsequent identification of at least one fragment of the Thio 16S gene or SoxB gene present in these bacteria. The method can be used for determining the level of elemental sulfur in samples of soil.

Abstract: Process for the removal in continuous of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous streams containing it, comprising: a) putting a gas containing H2S in contact with an oxidizing acid aqueous solution of ferric nitrate and containing a heteropolyacid having redox properties; b) filtrating and separating the sulfur produced by the redox reaction; c) oxidizing the ferrous nitrate to ferric nitrate with air; d) recycling the solution containing ferric nitrate and heteropolyacid to the oxidation step (a); e) subjecting the gaseous stream leaving the oxidation reactor (c) to washing with the reduced solution; and f) discharging the gaseous stream.

Abstract: The preparation is described of a Fischer-Tropsch catalytic precursor based on cobalt supported on alumina, optionally containing up to 10% by weight of silica, which comprises: a) treatment of the alumina with a silicon compound selected from those having general formula (I) Si(OR)4-nR?n (I) wherein n ranges from 1 to 3 wherein R? is selected from primary hydrocarbyl radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein R is selected from primary hydrocarbyl radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; b) drying and subsequent calcination of the modified carrier obtained at the end of step (a) thus obtaining a silanized carrier; c) subsequent deposition of cobalt on the silanized carrier obtained at the end of step (b); d) drying and subsequent calcination of the supported cobalt obtained at the end of step (c) thus obtaining the final catalytic precursor; the above final catalytic precursor having a content of SiO2 deriving from the compound having general formula (I) ranging from 4.5 to 10% by weight.

Abstract: A device is described for mixing two fluids, inserted in or combined with a reactor, which can also be used for catalytic partial oxidation, substantially consisting of the following zones:—a first feeding zone equipped with means for allowing a first fluid, possibly gaseous under the operating conditions, to enter in an axial direction;—an underlying distribution zone containing a bundle of pipes preferably parallel to the axis inside which said fluid is uniformly distributed;—a second feeding zone equipped with means for allowing a second fluid to enter the distribution zone containing the bundle of preferably parallel pipes and to be uniformly distributed outside said parallel pipes;—a mixing zone separated from the distribution zone by a pipe-plate supporting said parallel pipes, said pipe-plate having slits or openings in order to uniformly discharge the second fluid in an axial direction into the mixing area, and said parallel pipes extending beyond said pipe-plate into the mixing zone.

Abstract: A process with an increased efficiency for the preparation of middle distillates with excellent properties at low temperatures and substantially without oxygenated organic compounds, starting from a synthetic mixture of hydrocarbons at least partly waxy, containing a fraction of alcohols, comprising the separation of the mixture into a low-boiling fraction and a high-boiling fraction; the subsequent hydrogenation of the low-boiling fraction under such conditions as to avoid any substantial variation in its average molecular weight; the joining of at least a part of the hydrogenated fraction with said high-boiling fraction, and the subsequent catalytic hydrocracking treatment of the mixture of hydrocarbons thug formed, to obtain a substantial conversion of the waxy part into middle distillate.

Abstract: The present invention regards a catalytic composition comprising gallium, at least one element chosen in the group of the lanthanides, and a zeolite belonging to the MFI, MEL or MFI/MEL families, the crystal lattice of which is made up of silicon oxide and at least one metal oxide chosen from among aluminum oxide, boron oxide and gallium oxide. Preferably, in the catalytic compositions of the present invention a zeolite is used belonging to the MFI family characterized by crystallites which for at least 90% have diameters smaller than 500 ? and which can form agglomerates of submicron dimensions characterized by possessing at least 30% of the extrazeolitic porosity in the region of the mesopores. The catalytic compositions of the present invention can, in addition, contain rhenium. These catalytic compositions are useful in processes of aromatization of hydrocarbons containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably, hydrocarbon mixtures containing olefins.

Abstract: The mercaptans R—SH contained in a hydrocarbon stream are oxidized to the corresponding (di)sulfides by means of a redox system which comprises trivalent iron and a heteropolyacid which allows the complete reoxidation of the reduced iron also with air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a high temperature gas leaving a reaction unit/device, including a coupling element to the reaction unit/device, a gas transportation and cooling pipe, and a covering shell.

Abstract: A telemetry system for bi-directional communication of data between a well point and a terminal unit situated on a surface, which can be used inside drilling or production strings. The system includes data transmission and optional reception devices. An active vehicle, which can be equipped with plural automation levels, ranging from purely tele-operated to completely autonomous, is provided for unwinding and pulling a connection line, capable of moving inside a drilling or production string, or a passive vehicle, moved by a deploying cable and a suitable winding/unwinding device, in particular a winch. A connection line, containing electric conductors and/or one or more optical fibers of the transmission and optional reception devices is provided between a well point and its corresponding point situated inside the vehicle or on the surface.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrogen and the co-production of carbon dioxide in separate streams comprising the following operations: feeding of a solid to a first reaction zone (R1) in which a liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon, preferably natural gas or methane, is also fed, which reacts with the solid fed at its maximum oxidation degree (over-oxidized form), leading to the formation of the combustion products carbon dioxide and water and the solid at its minimum oxidation degree (reduced form); feeding of the solid in reduced form to a second reaction zone (R2) into which water is also fed, which reacts with the reduced form of the solid, producing hydrogen, steam and the solid at an intermediate oxidation degree (oxidized form); feeding of the solid in oxidized form to a third reaction zone (R3) into which air is also fed, obtaining, from the further oxidation of the solid, heat and the solid in over-oxidized form to be recycled to the first reaction zone (R1), wherein the solid contains at least one element

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and apparatus wherein the paraffin effluent from the Fischer-Tropsch process is separated into a heavy fraction with an initial boiling point of 120-200° C., said heavy fraction then optionally being hydrotreated then brought into contact with an amorphous hydroisomerization/hydrocracking catalyst that converts at least 80% by weight of the 370° C.+ products into products with a boiling point of less than 370° C. After distilling the hydrocracked fraction obtained to separate middle distillates, the residual heavy fraction is recycled.

Abstract: Partial oxidation process of liquid fuels, selected from hydrocarbon and/or oxygenated compounds, together with gaseous fuels, selected from hydrocarbon compounds, natural gas and LPG, by means of a suitable catalytic system comprising the following steps: premixing the reagents and possibly heating them to temperatures ranging from 25 to 400° C., said reagents consisting of said liquid fuels, said gaseous fuels and oxygen or air or oxygen enriched air, optionally in the presence of vapor and/or CO2; reacting the mixture of reagents in the catalytic zone, at inlet temperatures ranging from 50 to 500° C. and space velocities ranging from 1,000 to 1,000,000 Nl reagents/L cat×h, reaching temperatures ranging from 450 to 1350° C.

Abstract: A process is described for the upgrading of distillates having a boiling point ranging from 100 to 450° C., which comprises the opening of the ring of the naphthene compounds contained in these distillates to obtain paraffinic compounds, rich in branched paraffins, having for the most part the same number of carbon atoms as the starting naphthene. The process is carried out in the presence of a bifunctional catalytic system comprising one or more metals selected from Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh and Re, and a silico-aluminate of an acidic nature, selected from a micromesoporous silico-alumina and a zeolite belonging to the MTW group.

Abstract: Process for the removal/reduction of the hydrogen sulfide contained in natural gas which comprises: a) feeding natural gas and water to a reaction vessel maintained under thermodynamic conditions favourable for the formation of H2S hydrates and substantially at the production pressure of natural gas; b) discharging the H2S hydrates, from the bottom of the reaction vessel; c) optionally melting the hydrates and re-injecting water and/or gas comprising hydrogen sulfide and/or the hydrates as such into the same production field or into a geologically equivalent structure; and d) optionally feeding the remaining natural gas to a conventional softening process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing middle distillates from effluents obtained from the Fischer-Tropsch process, comprising separating a heavy cut with an initial boiling point of 120-200° C., hydrotreating said cut and fractionating the hydrotreated cut to obtain at least one intermediate fraction and at least one fraction that is heavier than the intermediate fraction. The intermediate fraction boils between T1 and T2, T1 being in the range 120-200° C. and T2 being in the range 300-410° C. The heavy and intermediate fractions are treated over a hydrocracking/hydroisomerisation catalyst and the effluents obtained are distilled. The invention also concerns a unit.