Abstract: Provided is a process for making non-phthalate plasticizers, by acylating an aromatic compound with a succinic anhydride to form a keto-acid, and then esterifying the keto-acid with C4-C13 OXO-alcohols to form a plasticizer compound. The aromatic rings of the aromatic compound may also be optionally hydrogenated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for separating a heavy hydrocarbon stream to produce at least one permeate product stream and at least one retentate product stream. The process utilizes an ultrafiltration process to designed to maximize the quality of the permeate and retenate product streams as well as process embodiments which improve permeate production quantities as well as improve the quality of the product streams obtained by the separations process. In preferred embodiments, the process includes configuration and operational parameters to maximize permeate yield and selectivity.

Abstract: The invention provides enriched fuels and methods that expand the operating envelope of an advanced combustion engine during operation in an advanced combustion mode (e.g. HCCI mode). Enriched fuels and methods of the invention facilitate efficient combustion over a wide range of engine loads, and the need for EGR, VVT, NVO, rebreathing, or multiple fuel injection is either reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Method of controlling the operation of a combustion device to provide safe and reliable operation while reducing NOx emission that includes providing a flow of fuel and diluent at a determined volume ratio to a flame in the combustion device; providing a flame stability sensor to generate a measurement of a characteristic of the flame, providing a flow measurement for each of the fuel and diluent, and controlling the determined volume ratio of fuel:diluent using the measurement from the flame stability sensor and/or flow measurements. A combustion system incorporating this method also is included.

Abstract: Fouling in the scrubber section of a fluid coker unit is reduced by providing baffles to improve the uniformity of the gas flow profile in the scrubber by reducing the gas velocity of the cyclone outlet gases in the scrubber section of the unit. These baffles are located with the objective of reducing the rotational component of the gas flow in the scrubber created by the alignment of the gas outlets of the cyclones. The baffles are preferably located in the shed section of the scrubber and comprise upstanding perforated plates located at the periphery of the scrubber section to disrupt high velocity gas jets in the region of the interior wall of the scrubber.

Abstract: A delayed coking unit with a coking drum having an upper cylindrical portion and a lower frusto-conical portion is supported by means of a support structure surrounding the cone frustum of the lower portion of the drum; the support structure comprises a cone support member having a concave frusto-conical support surface mating with the outer convex cone frustum of the lower portion of the drum so that the drum sits in the cone support element. The support structure further has a weight supporting member or members attached to the cone support member intermediate its upper and lower peripheries which acts or act to transfer the weight of the drum (and contents) downwards to a suitable sub-structure such as a concrete slab. In a preferred embodiment, the drum may also be stayed against lateral forces by means of guide members at the upper portion of the drum.

Abstract: A catalyst composition containing a medium pore molecular sieve having deposited thereon an active metal oxide and at least one hydrogenation metal selected from the Group VIII and Group VIB metals for use in hydrodewaxing lube oil boiling range feedstreams.

Abstract: This invention relates to the feed injection zone of a FCC. The feed injection zone is non-circular in shape allows for optimal penetration between feed and catalyst in the feed injection zone.

Abstract: A method for upgrading heavy oils by contacting the heavy oil with a water-soluble aromatic polysulfonic acid salt and then thermally treating the contacted heavy oil. The polysulfonic acid salt can be recovered and recycled from contacting the heavy oil. The polysulfonic acid salt is recovered and recycled. The invention also relates to the upgraded product from the enhanced thermal treatment process.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of olefinic naphtha streams containing a substantial amount of organically-bound sulfur and olefins. The olefinic naphtha stream is selectively desulfurized in a hydrodesulfurization reaction stage. The hydrodesulfurized effluent stream is separated into a light and heavy liquid fraction and the heavier fraction is further processed in a mercaptan destruction reaction stage to reduce the content of mercaptan sulfur in the final product.

Abstract: A process for preparing ?-olefins from ethylene wherein the ?-olefins are substantially free of olefins having greater than 12 carbon atoms comprises contacting ethylene under oligomerization conditions with a 2,6-bis(phenylimino) pyridyl metal halide catalyst in which the metal is Fe, Ni, Co or Pd.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for kinetically separating a light hydrocarbon mixture comprising at least two components by preferentially adsorbing a first component on a zeolite adsorbent comprising 8-member rings of tetrahedra as the pore opening controlling hydrocarbon diffusion and alkali metal cations balancing a framework charge, wherein a second component is not preferentially adsorbed. The novel process comprises contacting the light hydrocarbon mixture with a zeolite adsorbent having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio greater than about 50 and less than 200 and further having a diffusion rate at least 50 times greater for the first component as compared to the second component, and then recovering at least one of the first component or the second component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst and process for selectively hydrodesulfurizing naphtha feedstreams using a catalyst comprising at least one hydrodesulfurizing metal supported on a low acidity, ordered mesoporous support material.

Abstract: Supports for Fischer-Tropsch catalysts are formed by forming a particulate material from titania, alumina and optionally silica. A cobalt compound is incorporated into the particulate material which then is calcined to convert at least part of the alumina to cobalt aluminate.

Abstract: A method for determination for a given oil the relative stability of a water-in-oil emulsion that will be formed by that oil with water comprises measuring for the given oil the weight percent asphaltenes (A), total acid number (TAN), and ratio of the amount of naphthenic acids in the 450+ molecular weight to 450 molecular weight range (R); calculating an emulsion stability parameter, S=A+TAN*R; and determining whether the emulsion stability parameter, S, is greater than about 3; with a value above 3 being determinative of an emulsion more stable than one with a value less than 3.

Abstract: A method for hydroisomerizing a waxy feed to favor one of VI or yield is described. The method uses a unitized pellet powder catalyst comprising a metal hydrogeneration component, a first catalytic component selected from 8, 10 and 12 ring moleular sieves and mixtures thereof, and a second amorphous isomerization component which is an amorphous inorganic oxide. Importantly, the ratio of feed and second components are present in a predetermined ratio to provide a preselected acidity favoring one of VI or yield resulting from the hydroisomerization.

Abstract: Waxy feeds are converted to a basestock using a unitized mixed powdered pellet catalyst comprising a metal hydrogenation component on a support having a frist dewaxing component and a second isomerization component, wherein the first component is selected from 10 and 12 ring molecular sieves and mixtures thereof and the second component is an amorphous inorganic oxide. The first and second components are present in a ratio sufficient to promote wax isomerization and naphthene distractions without substantial decrease in VI.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a mixing system that provides improved mixing of quench gas and process fluids in a height constrained interbed space while not increasing pressure drop. In particular, the device improves the effectiveness of an existing mixing volume in mixing the gas phase of two-phase systems. The mixing system includes a horizontal collection tray, a mixing chamber positioned below the collection tray, at least one passageway extending through the collection tray into the mixing chamber, and a vapor slipstream passageway extending through the collection tray into the mixing chamber for directing a vapor slipstream from above the collection tray into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber and the collection tray define a two-phase mixing volume. The passageway conducts fluid containing at least some vapor from above the collection tray into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber preferably includes at least one outlet opening for the downward passage of fluid.

Abstract: This invention is to a method and system for controlling withdrawal of liquid from pipelines. The system includes intercommunicating analyzers, control applications and controllers for analyzing and controlling flow of a liquid from a pipeline system. Pipeline systems with which this invention can be used include any type of pipeline system capable of transporting and distributing liquid fluids, particularly hydrocarbon liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsion compositions for starting a reformer of a fuel cell system. In particular, the invention includes emulsion compositions comprising hydrocarbon fuel, water and ethoxylated alkyl amine surfactants for starting a reformer of a fuel cell system.