Abstract: A simulated moving bed (SMB) separation device comprising a column, beds Ai of adsorbent separated by plates Pi with a single distribution and extraction network for fluids, in particular feed F, desorbant D, raffinate R and extract B, and a plurality of two-way valves for distribution of said fluids, said valves being limited in number compared with the prior art. The column is divided into a plurality of sectors Sk with 2 or 3 superimposed plates, each sector Sk comprising an external bypass line Lk connected to each plate Pi of Sk via a connector comprising a plate valve Vi. Each line Lk comprises a controlled means for limiting its internal flow, and is connected to each of the fluid networks F, D, R, E via a single line comprising a single controlled two-way isolation valve to supply for sequential supply or withdrawal of the corresponding fluid F, D, R or E towards or from the sector Sk under consideration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process, including removal of resins, for the treatment of a hydrocarbon charge, at least 80% of the compounds of which have a boiling point which is above or equal to 340° C., in which process: the charge is sent to a fractionation stage during which the recovery takes place of at least one heavy fraction and at least one light fraction, at least some of the heavy fraction is sent to an extraction stage during which resins contained in said heavy fraction are extracted, and a purified fraction is recovered, a mixture is made which comprises at least part of the purified fraction which was obtained in the extraction stage and at least one light fraction which was obtained in the fractionation stage, and the mixture thus obtained is sent to a cracking stage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a simulated moving bed adsorption separation device comprising a limited number of valves. According to the invention, the device comprises a column with a plurality of sectors Sk with 2 superimposed plates Pi with a single distribution network, each sector Sk comprising an external principal bypass line Lk connected to each plate Pi of Sk via a plate valve Vi. Each line Lk comprises a flow limitation means and is connected to each of the fluid networks via a single valve. Further, the connectors of lines Lk onto the column are offset by at most 20° inside Sk to limit the volume of lines Lk, and are offset by a mean angle in the range 70° to 110° between two neighbouring sectors Sk and Sk+1 so as not to weaken the column mechanically. The plates preferably comprise panels DMEi,j with parallel segments the direction of which varies from plate to plate or per group of 2 plates.

Abstract: An method of synchronizing a signal coming from at least one sensor positioned on an engine with a periodic event of the engine such as the crankshaft rotation is disclosed having application for engine control. A crankshaft rotation signal indicative of a reference time (TR), with which the engine signal(s) is to be synchronized, is acquired. The effective time difference (D) between the reference time and the time that is the closest to each temporally acquired engine signal is measured. Then the coefficients of a fractional digital compensation filter (FSDF) for compensating for the fractional part (d) of the measured effective time difference are determined. Finally, this digital compensation filter is applied to each temporally sampled engine signal, allowing obtaining of a series of digitized samples resealed from reference time (TR) for each engine signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of estimating the fuel/air ratio in each cylinder of an injection internal-combustion engine comprising an exhaust circuit on which a detector measures the fuel/air ratio of the exhaust gas. An estimator based on a Kalman filter is coupled with a physical model representing the expulsion of the gases from the cylinders and their travel in the exhaust circuit to the detector. The method has application to engine controls.

Abstract: The invention concerns a simulated moving bed (SMB) separation device and process comprising a column, beds Ai of adsorbent separated by plates Pi with a single distribution and extraction network for fluids, in particular feed F, desorbant D, raffinate R and extract E, and a plurality of two-way valves for distribution of said fluids, said valves being limited in number and in particular with dimensions that are smaller than in the prior art. According to the invention, the column is divided into a plurality of sectors Sk with 2 superimposed plates, each sector Sk comprising an external principal bypass line Lk connected to each plate P1 of Sk via a large diameter plate valve V1 and an external secondary bypass line Mk comprising a small diameter valve VMk connected to the adjacent sector Sk?1.

Abstract: Process for the charging of a catalyst and for the running of a reactor in which reactions take place in multiphase systems, wherein a gaseous phase prevalently consisting of CO and H2 is bubbled into a suspension of a solid in the form of particles (catalyst) in a liquid (prevalently reaction product), according to the Fischer-Tropsch technology.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing propylene, especially from a light steam cracking and/or catalytic cracking cut, preferably comprising both butenes and pentenes, said process comprising a step for moving bed catalytic cracking with a catalyst regeneration loop. The catalyst comprises at least one zeolite with a zeolitic composition with a Si/Al ratio which is preferably less than 130. The invention can produce a high conversion with a good yield of propylene at a high space velocity, meaning that the volume of catalyst can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal-combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder (10) in which a piston (14) slides between a top dead center (TDC) and a bottom dead center (BDC) under the action of a connecting rod (20) of axis XX and a crankshaft (38) controlling the displacement of the piston under the effect of an articulated linking system (26) allowing variation of the engine displacement and/or compression ratio. The articulated linking system comprises a shift lever (26) mounted to pivot around an articulation axle (46) and is displaceable in translation in at least one direction by displacement control means (52, 52V). The shift lever comprises a porthole (44) within which the axle is housed and is connected by one (24) of its ends to the connecting rod and by the other (28) end to a link (32) connected to the crankshaft. Shift lever (26) comprises a slider (78) carrying articulation axle (46) and cooperating with opening (44) of the lever.

Abstract: An olefin oligomerization process employs a particular silica-alumina catalyst which comprises a non zeolitic support based on silica-alumina containing a quantity of more than 5% by weight and 95% by weight or less of silica (SiO2) and has the following characteristics: a mean pore diameter, measured by mercury porosimetry, in the range 20 to 140 ?; a total pore volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, in the range 0.1 ml/g to 0.6 ml/g; a total pore volume, measured by nitrogen porosimetry, in the range 0.1 ml/g to 0.6 ml/g; a BET specific surface area in the range 100 to 550 m2/g; a pore volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, included in pores with a diameter of more than 140 ?, of less than 0.1 ml/g; a pore volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, included in pores with a diameter of more than 160 ?, of less than 0.1 ml/g; a pore volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, included in pores with a diameter of more than 200 ?, of less than 0.

Abstract: Process for the running of a reactor in which reactions take place in multiphase systems, wherein a gaseous phase prevalently consisting of CO and H2 is bubbled into a suspension of a solid in the form of particles (catalyst) in a liquid (prevalently reaction product), according to the Fischer-Tropsch technology.

Abstract: The invention concerns a simulated moving bed adsorption separation device comprising a limited number of large diameter valves. According to the invention, the device comprises a column with a plurality of sectors Sk with 2 superimposed plates Pi with a single distribution network, each sector Sk comprising an external principal bypass line Lk connected to each plate Pi of Sk via a large diameter plate valve Vi and an external secondary bypass line Mk comprising a small diameter valve VMk connected to the adjacent sector Sk?1. Each line Lk comprises a flow rate limitation means and is connected to each fluid network via a single large diameter valve. Further, the connectors of lines Lk onto the column are offset by at most 20° inside Sk to limit the volume of lines Lk, and are offset by a mean angle in the range 70° to 110° between two neighbouring sectors Sk and Sk+1 so as not to weaken the column mechanically.

Abstract: A process for producing propylene from a steam cracking and/or catalytic cracking light olefinic cut, involves a moving bed catalytic cracking step with a catalyst regeneration loop. The process recycles a portion of the used catalyst to the inlet of the moving bed reactor. Nevertheless, the conversion is high, with a good yield and good propylene selectivity.

Abstract: A method allowing, from natural fat or oils, or from other glyceride mixtures, to obtain fatty acid ethyl esters that can be used as gas oil substitutes, comprises: stage (a) oil, fat or a glyceride mixture is transesterified by ethanol using a soluble catalyst or a catalyst that becomes soluble during the reaction; stage (b) resultant glycerin is decanted and removed, without requiring an excess ethanol evaporation operation, stage (c) a second transesterification is conducted to obtain a product whose ester content is at least 97% by mass, stage (d) evaporation of excess ethanol is carried out in the presence of the catalyst under suitable conditions preventing a reverse transesterification reaction, the resultant ethanol being practically anhydrous, stage (e) the ester undergoes purification by water wash sequences, and stage (f) the ester is dried under reduced pressure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a solid crystalline designated COK-7, which has a particular X ray diffraction diagram. Said solid has a chemical composition, expressed on an anhydrous base in terms of moles of oxides by the formula XO2: mYO2, X representing one or more tetravalent element(s), Y representing at least one trivalent element. The invention also concerns a process for preparing said solid and the use of said solid in hydrocarbon transformation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modelling low or high compressibility fluid flows in a multilayer porous medium crossed by a network of fractures of given geometry, unevenly distributed in the medium, some of the fractures communicating with one another. Each fractured layer is defined by means of a grid pattern comprising fracture grid cells centered on nodes either at the fracture intersections or at the fracture ends. Each node is associated with a matrix block including all the points closer thereto than to neighboring nodes, and the local flows between each fracture grid cell and the associated matrix volume are calculated in a pseudosteady state. A modelling equation whose form is similar to the diffusion equation solved in conventional cases (low compressibility fluids) allows accounting for the compressibility of the fluids.

Abstract: To facilitate operation of a facility for chemical conversion of a feed that comprises a reactor (2) containing a slurry constituted by at least one suspension of at least one solid in a liquid, a gas supply, and a circuit that is external of the reactor, for continuous movement of a slurry stream, wherein the external circuit withdraws slurry from the reactor from at least one point (A) and re-introduces at least a portion of the slurry at at least one other point (B), the facility is further provided with means for stopping circulation of the slurry in the circuit; means for pressurized introduction of at least one fluid for draining the slurry contained in the circuit; and means for circulating the slurry in the external circuit under conditions such that the Reynolds number is more than 2500.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling an internal-combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder (10) with at least one burnt gas exhaust means (12) including an exhaust valve (16) whose opening/closing is controlled by control means (22) and an exhaust pipe (14) connected to an exhaust line (18, 20), at least two intake means (26, 28) comprising each a valve (32, 36) whose opening/closing is controlled by a dedicated actuating means (46, 48) and a pipe (30, 34). The method, during low load or medium load running of the engine: controls the closed position of exhaust valve (16) and controls one (36) of the intake valves so as to operate it as a burnt gas discharge valve.

Abstract: A method having an application to production problems in reservoir engineering for quickly forming a stochastic model representative of the distribution of a physical quantity in a porous heterogeneous medium, which is calibrated in relation to dynamic data, by suitable selection of geostatistical realizations to be combined linearly. An iterative gradual deformation process is used, wherein an initial geostatistical realization (y) of the medium and a number (N?1)(N>1) of other realizations (zi)i=1, . . . ,(N?1), which are independent of initial realization (y), are linearly combined at each iteration, by applying constraints to the linear combination coefficients of realizations (y) and (zi)i=1, . . . ,(N?1), and an objective function (J) measuring the difference between a set of simulated data deduced from said combination by means of a simulator and said dynamic data is minimized.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a stochastic realization, continuous or discrete, resulting from a random function representing a numerical model, can be representative of a porous heterogeneous medium such as an underground reservoir. It is based on identification, for a given realization, of a random function and of a set of random numbers allowing, from a given geostatistical simulator, to reconstruct the reference realization. The reconstruction techniques proposed are either general or specific to a type of geostatistical simulator. They concern the sphere of optimization, relaxation, filtering and sequential approaches. The reconstruction method allows to estimate a set of random numbers for regenerating the reference realization, this reference realization can then be locally or globally modified, by gradual deformation, so as to better reproduce newly acquired dynamic data (production data for example). The method is applicable notably to oil reservoir development for example.