Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-tier bypass apparatus for extending the operating life of fixed bed reactors. The multi-tier bypass may be disposed within a fixed catalyst bed to allow any fluid feedstock to bypass successive layers of the fixed catalyst bed as they foul. The invention also relates to an improved fixed bed reactor comprising the inventive multi-tier bypass and a method for extending the operating life of a fixed bed reactor.

Abstract: Sour natural gas is processed to remove the sulfur compounds and recover C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons by scrubbing the gas with an amine solution to remove most of the sulfur, followed cooling the gas to remove C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons and more sulfur compounds as liquid condensate to produce a gas having less than 20 vppm of total sulfur. The condensate is sent to a fractionator to recover the C4+/C5+ hydrocarbons. The sulfur and hydrocarbon reduced gas is contacted first with zinc oxide and then nickel, to produce a gas having less than 10 vppb of total sulfur which is passed into a synthesis gas generating unit to form a very low sulfur synthesis gas comprising a mixture of H2 and CO. This synthesis gas is useful for hydrocarbon synthesis with increased life of the hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and greater hydrocarbon production from the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor. Contacting the synthesis gas with zinc oxide further reduces the sulfur content to below 3 vppb.

Abstract: Lubricating oil formulations comprising base oil, sulfur-phosphorous anti-wear/extreme pressure agent and hindered phenol antioxidant, which combination of extreme pressure agent and hindered phenol antioxidant produces crystals and containing antioxidants, wherein the base oil is characterized as having a saturates content of 99 wt % or more is stabilized against crystal formation by the addition of a minor amount of high molecular weigh di- or polycarboxylic acid, or anhydride and an ester.

Abstract: The present invention is for a transition metal-free catalyst system for synthesizing high molecular weight, linear polymers. The system comprises a catalyst composition having: (a) a neutral compound having the formula AlR3, wherein R is an alkyl or hydride group; (b) a Lewis acid or Lewis acid derivative cocatalyst different from the neutral compound, wherein the cocatalyst reacts with the neutral compound to form an initiator; and (c) an activity-enhancing modifier, wherein the modifier reacts with the initiator to form the catalyst composition. The instant invention is also directed to a method for polymerizing at least one olefinic monomer comprising the step of contacting a feed containing the olefinic monomer under polymerization conditions with the transition metal-free catalyst composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bypass device for extending the operating life of fixed bed reactors. The device may be placed within a fixed catalyst bed to partition the bed into a first top bed and a second virtual bed. The bypass device allows any fluid feedstock to bypass the first top bed of the fixed catalyst bed as it fouls and enter the second virtual bed under conditions that promote depositing any foulants contained in the bypass flow on the top surface of the second virtual bed rather than in the interstices of the second virtual bed. The invention also relates to an improved fixed bed reactor comprising the inventive bypass device and a method for extending the operating life of a fixed bed reactor that employs the inventive bypass device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of controlling the soot induced viscosity increase of a diesel engine lubricant composition comprising a base oil and a dispersant, by including in said lubricant composition an effective amount of an antioxidant, characterised in that the antioxidant comprises a dihydrocarbyldithiocarbamate of a metal selected from antimony, bismuth and mixtures thereof. The antioxidant may optionally contain at least one other compound selected from a phenolic and an aminic compound. The method of the present invention improves the performance retention of the dispersant additive, and thus inhibits the soot-induced viscosity increase of the lubricant.

Abstract: An antioxidant which comprises a primary aliphatic hydroxyl group linked to an organic backbone such that upon oxidation a hydroperoxyl moiety capable of boosting the efficacy of free radical scavengers and hydroperoxide decomposer type antioxidants is generated in situ. The antioxidant is preferably a high hydroxyl polyol ester having a hydroxyl number ranging from about 30 to about 180 which ester is the reaction product of polyol and an acid which is at least fifty percent branched carboxylic acid, wherein the unconverted hydroxyl group is reacted with a facile leaving group, thereby producing free —CH2OH groups upon hydrolysis or oxidation.

Abstract: The invention is a method and catalyst for selectively and efficiently producing short chain linear &agr;-olefins. The method includes contacting olefinic monomers under oligomerization conditions with the catalyst composition which comprises a composition prepared in situ by reacting a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of halides, hydrides, triflates, acetates, borates, C1, through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins including diolefins and cycloolefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert and mixtures thereof, with an amine ligand wherein said ligand is a nitrogen-containing ligand having one or more nitrogen atoms.

Abstract: A reducing agent and a readily-oxidizable gas are injected into a NOx-containing process stream to reduce the concentration of the NOx-containing process stream by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A process for reducing NOx concentrations in waste gas streams by contacting the waste gas stream with a reducing agent selected from ammonia and urea and then oxidizing the lower NOx's present in the waste gas streams to higher oxides with sodium chlorite.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel level switch which may be employed to detect liquid levels within a process vessel. The level switch of the present invention is self validating so that manual testing is not required in order to ensure proper operation and switch calibration. The switch of the present invention may be easily introduced into existing process vessel designs as a replacement for prior art level detection switches with minimal or no retrofitting effort being required. The self validating level switch of the present invention may be connected to a Safety Instrumented System (SIS) such that process control including process shutdowns to avoid overfilling and low-fluid conditions may be accomplished.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for opening naphthenic rings of naphthenic ring-containing compounds, along with catalysts which can be used in that process. The ring opening is accomplished using a ring opening catalyst comprising Ir on a composite support of alumina and acidic silica-alumina molecular sieve. The ring opening activity is not significantly deactivated by exposure to oxygen at greater than about 250° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for treating acidic crudes or fractions thereof to reduce or eliminate their acidity and corrosivity by addition of suitable amounts of Group IA or Group IIA oxides, hydroxides and hydrates and Group IIA metal naphthenate salts. The process has the additional benefits of reducing materials handling problems associated with treating acidic crude oils using liquid solvents and in reducing emulsion formation.

Abstract: Wax in water emulsions prepared from Fischer-Tropsch derived waxes, Fischer-Tropsch process water, and two alkyl ethoxylated phenol nonionic surfactants having different hydrophilic-lipophilic balances provide high performance pipeline transport of waxes with reduced pipeline fouling.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur, comprising introducing liquid sulfur containing hydrogen sulfide in an upstream portion of a conduit. The conduit has a fluid outlet in a downstream portion thereof located within a lower portion of a first vessel. The method further includes causing the liquid sulfur to flow through the conduit outlet into the first vessel, up an annulus formed between the conduit and the first vessel and overflow through an outlet positioned at an upper portion of the first vessel into a second vessel which is connected to a liquid sulfur pit operating at atmospheric pressure. Air is introduced into the liquid sulfur located in the annulus at a point between the conduit outlet and said first vessel outlet. The flows concurrently to the direction of flow of the liquid sulfur in the annulus and out of the first vessel outlet into the second vessel thereby removing hydrogen sulfide from the liquid sulfur in the annulus.

Abstract: A lubricant having improved rust protection and demulsibility has a specific balance of an ashless dispersant and a rust inhibitor additive combination comprising a metallic and ashless rust inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for producing a lube basestock from a waxy feed is disclosed in which a feed containing to 50 wt % or more of wax is hydrotreated and stripped to lower the nitrogen and sulfur content of the feed. The feed is then hydroisomerized under conditions to 370° C. hydrocatalytically dewaxed with a catalyst comprising a mixture of a catalytically active metal on a zeolite dewaxing catalyst and an amorphous catalyst, or alternatively is solvent dewaxed and then hydrocatalytically dewaxed with the just described catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variety of uses for novel carbon monoxide containing polymers. More specifically, the invention employs the use of low molecular weight polymers containing carbon monoxide for use as adhesive additives and as fluids (e.g., solvents and synthetic base stocks).

Abstract: A process for reducing NOx concentrations in waste gas streams. More particularly, the present invention relates to contacting a NOx-containing waste gas stream with an effective amount of sodium chlorite under conditions such that at least a fraction of the oxidizable NOx species present in the waste gas stream is oxidized to higher nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: A process for reducing NOx concentrations in waste gas streams. More particularly, the present invention relates to contacting a NOx-containing waste gas stream with an effective amount of chlorine dioxide under conditions such that at least a fraction of the oxidizable NOx species present in the waste gas stream is oxidized to higher nitrogen oxides.