Abstract: A solvent extraction process for separating a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock material into its various component parts. The process comprises the utilization of pressure reduction to enhance the separation and recovery of a deasphalted oil product comprising substantially the lower molecular weight hydrocarbon components present in the original heavy hydrocarbon feedstock material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the recovery, individually, of natural gas liquids methane and nitrogen from a gaseous feed stream such as natural gas without the need for auxiliary refrigeration and without or with only minimal need for supplemental compressor or pumping equipment. The gaseous feed stream is separated in multiple steps utilizing process-derived streams and minimal pressure reductions to achieve and provide the refrigeration requirements necessary to effect the separation.

Abstract: An improved process for cryogenically separating a helium-bearing natural gas stream comprising subjecting the natural gas stream to a sequence of alternating cooling and separating steps wherein one or more process-derived streams are utilized to effect cooling of the natural gas streams to temperatures in the cryogenic range. The process provides for the separation and recovery of a natural gas liquids product stream consisting substantially of condensed C.sub.2 and higher hydrocarbons and a gaseous product stream consisting of at least 50 volume percent of helium with the balance being substantially nitrogen.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing concentrated aqueous solutions of byproduct nitrate compounds from dilute aqueous streams containing said byproduct nitrate compounds, calcium ions and anionic species capable of reaction therewith at elevated temperatures. The process provides for the removal of the calcium ions by the addition of a source of carbonate ions to said stream to form solid, particulated calcium carbonate therein, the separation of the solid particulate from the stream, the neutralization of the stream and concentration of the stream to provide a concentrated aqueous solution containing the byproduct nitrate compound.

Abstract: A method for sequentially co-processing heavy hydrocarbon materials and carbonaceous materials comprising first subjecting the heavy hydrocarbon material in the presence of a disposable metal catalyst to produce and separate therefrom a first distillate stream and a first non-distillable effluent stream containing the disposable metal catalyst. The first non-distillable effluent stream then is mixed with the carbonaceous material and the mixture subjected to liquefaction conditions in the presence of said disposable metal catalyst. The liquefaction product then is subjected through the use of sequential fractionation and critical solvent extraction processing steps to separate and recover various heavy hydrocarbon and carbonaceous-derived light hydrocarbon liquid products therefrom.

Abstract: A pulse accumulator network for receiving a plurality of pulse trains wherein each pulse train includes a plurality of pulses. The pulse accumulator network accumulates the pulses in each of the received pulse trains and the pulse accumulator network outputs each of the accumulated count of pulses in response to receiving polling signals. The pulse accumulator network is adapted to be utilized in a flow monitoring system, for example, wherein the pulse trains are flow signals indicative of the velocity of the fluid flowing through one of the monitored flowlines.

Abstract: A multi-stage coal liquefaction method in which coal is slurried with a primary light solvent, such as toluene, hexane and/or cyclohexane, and a process-derived primary heavy solvent. The coal-primary solvent slurry is treated under coal-liquefying conditions to form a first feed solution containing coal liquefaction products. The first feed solution is treated by a multi-stage supercritical solvent extraction procedure. The final heavy phase produced by this procedure is mixed with a secondary solvent, such as pentane, to produce a second feed mixture, which is treated in a second multi-stage supercritical solvent extraction procedure. Heavy phases recovered from the separate stages of both solvent extraction procedures are blended to provide a recycled primary heavy solvent.

Abstract: A method of liquefying coal in which coal is mixed with a process solvent comprising at least partially hydrogenated coal tar material to produce a coal-solvent slurry. This slurry is treated under coal-liquefying conditions, preferably including a hydrogen atmosphere and elevated temperatures, to produce a solution containing coal liquefaction products. These products are recovered from the solution. Recovered, process-derived solvent material may be recycled in order to supplement the at least partially hydrogenated coal tar material as an ingredient of the process solvent.

Abstract: A monitoring system utilizing an ultrasonic transducer wherein the power level of the transducer operating signals is raised while maintaining the gain about unity for permitting the use of relatively longer signal paths between a signal generator and the transducer.

Abstract: A valve for injecting fluid into a conduit carrying a slurry subject to separation to form deposits capable of plugging openings into the conduit. The valve comprises a valve body that is sealed to the conduit about an aperture formed through the wall of the conduit to receive the fluid to be injected and the valve member of the valve includes a punch portion that extends through the injection aperture to the flow passage, when the valve is closed, to provide a clear channel into the conduit, when the valve is opened, through deposits which might have formed on portions of the valve adjacent the conduit.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of water soluble ionic heavy metal species and sulfate ions in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one bacteria of the genera Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow, and contact between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels. The process provides for the conversion of the water soluble sulfate ions to hydrogen sulfide and reaction between said hydrogen sulfide and water soluble ionic heavy metal species to water insoluble heavy metal species which are substantially retained on the porous matrix and which are recoverable therefrom.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of water soluble ionic selenium species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one bacteria of the genus Clostridium. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow, and contact between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels. The process provides for the conversion of the water soluble ionic selenium species to water insoluble selenium metal, which metal is retained on the porous matrix and can be recovered therefrom.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentrations of water soluble ionic selenium species, sulfate ion and ionic heavy metal species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium and at least one anaerobic bacteria selected from the group consisting of bacteria of the genera Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow and contacts between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels.

Abstract: A production monitoring system wherein the velocity of fluid flowing through a monitored flowline is plotted with respect to time for a period of time sufficient to establish a repeatable pattern (production flow characteristics profile) and wherein an alarm value and an alarm delay time are determined from the production flow characteristics profile. In one aspect, the velocity of the fluid flowing through the monitored flowline is detected and an output indication indicating a problem production condition is provided in response to a detected velocity below the alarm value for a period of time in excess of the alarm delay time.

Abstract: A process for the prevention of the deposition of entrained soluble coal products from vaporous solvent recovered from a heavy fraction comprising insoluble coal products and some solvent and soluble coal products. The heavy fraction is produced in a coal deashing system employing solvent at elevated temperatures and pressures near the critical conditions of the solvent. The heavy fraction is reduced in pressure to form a mixture of ash concentrate and vaporous solvent together with entrained soluble coal products. This mixture then is turbulently admixed for at least 0.05 seconds to coalesce or condense the entrained soluble coal products upon the ash concentrate particles. The coalescence or condensation of at least a portion of the soluble coal products substantially prevents or minimizes deposition of the same in the solvent withdrawal conduit of subsequent vapor-solid separation apparatus. Alternatively, the mixture is introduced into a fluidized bed of ash concentrate.

Abstract: A process for producing a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry of insoluble coal products from a dilute slurry of insoluble coal products. The dilute slurry is concentrated to form a nonflowable concentrate having a solids level in excess of 65 weight percent. The nonflowable concentrate is introduced into a mixing zone together with an alkaline agent, surfactant and diluent wherein they are admixed to form a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry having a solids level in excess of 60 weight percent. Sufficient alkaline agent is present to provide a pH level of the slurry above about 9.0. The surfactant comprises at least about 0.01 percent by weight of the solids present. The diluent can comprise any suitable aqueous stream that does not adversely react with the insoluble coal products, alkaline agent or surfactant. The concentrated aqueous slurry is easily flowable from the mixing zone.

Abstract: A process for solubilizing uranium and other values in an ore containing the same together with aluminum and phosphorus and effecting regeneration of a mineral acid employed to solubilize the ore. The regeneration is effected by heating the spent acid solution resulting from solubilization of the ore in a reaction zone to a temperature above 100.degree. C. while maintaining at least the autogenic pressure of the heated solution within the reaction zone. The treatment causes aluminum phosphate to precipitate from the solution while simultaneously causing regeneration of at least a portion of the mineral acid in the solution that was consumed to originally solubilize the ore. The dissolved uranium and other elements of value can be recovered from the solution, either before or after acid regeneration, by any known technique. The regenerated mineral acid then can be used to solubilize fresh ore.

Abstract: A process for producing and then separating distillable and substantially non-distillable coal liquefaction products into various fractions employing a series of extraction solvents. At least one fraction comprises a portion of the non-distillable coal liquefaction products and is suitable for use as a coal solvent, either with or without additional hydrotreating, in the coal liquefaction process. In one embodiment, the coal liquefaction products are contacted with a cascade of extraction solvents, having successively fewer carbon atoms in their molecular structure, at elevated temperatures and pressures to separate the products into various fractions. In another embodiment the coal liquefaction products are contacted with a cascade of extraction solvents, having an increasing number of carbon atoms in their molecular structure, at elevated temperatures and pressures to separate the products into various fractions.

Abstract: A borehole survey method and apparatus for use in drilling substantially horizontal boreholes through a mineral deposit wherein a dip accelerometer, a roll accelerometer assembly and a fluxgate are disposed near the drill bit, which is mounted on a bent sub, and connected to a surface computation and display unit by a cable which extends through the drill string. The dip angle of the borehole near the drill bit, the azimuth of the borehole near the drill bit and the roll angle or orientation of the bent sub are measured and selectively displayed at the surface while the drill string is in the borehole for utilization in guiding the drill bit through the mineral deposit along a predetermined path.

Abstract: A process for effecting deashing solvent recovery from insoluble coal products and preparing a slurry of the insoluble products. An elevated temperature and pressure stream comprising insoluble coal products and deashing solvent is admixed with a makeup liquid to dilute the stream. The diluted stream is reduced in pressure and introduced into a first treatment vessel containing sufficient slurry to provide a hydrostatic pressure to prevent boiling of the diluted stream upon entry therein. The solvent then is permitted to flash and cool the remainder of the slurry. A portion of the cooled slurry is recycled to provide the makeup liquid and a second portion is introduced into a second treatment vessel to permit diffusion of solvent infused into the insoluble coal products in the slurry. The slurry of insoluble coal products in the second vessel then is introduced into a thickener to concentrate the slurry and provide a feed suitable for a gasifier.