Abstract: A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a process material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-process material mixture is treated in a solvent separation zone to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in process material. At least a portion of the liquid in the solvent separation zone is transferred to a mixing zone, where the liquid is intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions. The steam-liquid phase mixture thus produced is returned to the solvent separation zone and treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in process material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Abstract: A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a product material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-product material mixture is treated to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in product material. The first liquid phase is then intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions, in a static or dynamic mixer. The steam-liquid phase mixture is then treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in product material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Abstract: A method of separating a process material comprising oils, resins and asphaltenes into at least three fractions. The process material is mixed in a mixing zone with a solvent selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons having between about 3 and about 8 carbon atoms. The process material-solvent mixture is introduced into a first separation zone to form an asphaltene-rich first heavy fraction and a resin-rich intermediate fraction, separated by a first liquid-liquid interface, and to form a first light fraction, rich in solvent and oils, separated from the intermediate fraction by a second liquid-liquid interface.The first heavy fraction and the intermediate fraction are withdrawn from the first separation zone. The first light fraction is introduced into a second separation zone to separate a second heavy fraction, rich in oils, and a second light fraction, rich in solvent.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting in a fluid separation zone for improving the separation of fluids of different densities. The apparatus includes a distributor mounted within the separation zone provided with fluid openings having packing means disposed thereabout.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream wherein the sour gas stream is contacted with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution containing a stoichiometric excess of the alkali metal hydroxide to provide a sweet gas substantially free of hydrogen sulfide and a partially spent aqueous alkali metal solution. The partially spent aqueous alkali metal solution is contacted with a second sour gas stream in a countercurrent absorber to provide a second sweet gas and a substantially caustic-free aqueous solution of the alkali metal hydrosulfide.

Abstract: A process for producing additional liquid products from a heavy hydrocarbon material by vis-breaking of a separated asphaltene-containing fraction under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. The asphaltene-containing fraction is obtained by contacting the heavy hydrocarbon material with a first solvent under elevated temperature and pressure conditions to separate the asphaltenes as a heavy phase from the remainder of the heavy hydrocarbon material. The products of the vis-breaking operation comprise distillable and substantially nondistillable liquid products in association with a residue including organometallic compounds. The distillable and substantially nondistillable liquid products then are separated from the residue. The distillable products can be separated by distillation. The nondistillable products are separated from the residue employing a second solvent maintained under elevated temperature and pressure conditions and then recovered as a liquid phase product.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine particle size bituminous material in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, fine particle size bituminous material and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a steam stripper through an inlet horn that imparts a centrifugal motion to the stream. The inlet horn contains a plurality of corrugated vanes which utilize the centrifugal motion to create turbulence in the stream within the inlet horn.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for separating a hydrocarbonaceous material into various fractions. The hydrocarbonaceous material is admixed with a solvent and the mixture is introduced into a first separation zone maintained at an elevated first temperature and pressure. The feed mixture separates into a first light phase comprising solvent and at least a portion of the lightest hydrocarbonaceous material and a first heavy phase comprising the remainder of the hydrocarbonaceous material and some solvent. The first heavy phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at a second temperature level above the first temperature level and at an elevated pressure. The first heavy phase separates into a second light phase comprising solvent and a second heavy phase comprising at least a portion of the hydrocarbonaceous material. The separated hydrocarbonaceous material fractions are recovered.

Abstract: A process for effecting a deep cut in a heavy hydrocarbon material without a decrease in the quality of the extracted oil caused by the presence of undesirable entrained resinous bodies and organometallic compounds. The heavy hydrocarbon material is contacted with a solvent in a first separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the feed into a first light phase and a first heavy phase comprising asphaltenes and some solvent. The first light phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the first light phase into a second light phase comprising oils and solvent and a second heavy phase comprising resins and some solvent. A portion of the second heavy phase is withdrawn and introduced into an upper portion of the second separation zone to countercurrently contact the second light phase.

Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. The fluid-like phase of bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure and introduced into a steam stripper. The solvent vaporizes upon pressure reduction and a mist of fine bituminous material particles forms and becomes dispersed in the vaporized solvent. The vaporized solvent and associated mist is separated from the bituminous material in the stripper and is withdrawn from the steam stripper and introduced into a condenser. The solvent and steam from the stripper condense, a substantial portion of the mist of entrained particles solidifies and an emulsion of water and fluid-like bituminous material from the mist forms. The liquid stream is withdrawn from the condenser and introduced into a separator.

Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction without carry-over of bituminous material. The fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve and introduced into a steam stripper. The pressure reduction vaporizes part of the solvent and also disperses a mist of fine bituminous particles in the solvent. The solvent and mist are withdrawn from the steam stripper and introduced into a separation zone wherein they are caused to flow countercurrently to another stream of fluid-like bituminous material. The fluid-like bituminous material contacts the solvent and scrubs the fine bituminous material particles therefrom. The solvent is withdrawn and recovered. The fluid-like stream containing the bituminous particles can be recycled until the concentration is such that additional particles are not separated from the solvent after which a portion is bled off and fresh fluid-like material is added.

Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine bituminous material particles in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, mist and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a static mixer. The static mixer intimately mixes the mist with the fluid-like material and causes the mist to recombine with the fluid-like material from which it was formed. The resulting stream is introduced into a steam stripper to separate the solvent remaining in the bituminous material. The vaporized solvent and steam are withdrawn from the stripper substantially free of entrained bituminous material and condensed.

Abstract: A process for effecting a deep cut in a heavy hydrocarbon material without a decrease in the quality of the extracted oil caused by the presence of undesirable entrained resinous bodies. The heavy hydrocarbon material is admixed with a solvent and introduced into a first separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the feed into a first light phase and a first heavy phase comprising asphaltenes and some solvent. The first light phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the first light phase into a second light phase comprising oils and solvent and a second heavy phase comprising resins and some solvent. A portion of the first heavy phase is withdrawn and introduced into an upper portion of the second separation zone to contact the second light phase after which it separates therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of oils of specified higher quality at the same yield or to the production of a higher yield of oils of the same quality from a bituminous material by a combination of propane and pentane deasphalting than would otherwise be obtainable by utilizing either propane or pentane deasphalting processes alone. This is effected by subjecting the bituminous material first to a pentane deasphalting process to produce a light fraction containing resins and oils, followed by a propane deasphalting process on the resin-oil fraction previously obtained and the recycle of at least a portion of the resins fraction back to the pentane deasphalting process.