Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of heavy hydrocarbons (including those from unprocessed crude oil) in distillate streams and/or reformer feed includes taking at least one sample, spectrally analyzing the at least one sample for at least one heavy hydrocarbon component, determining the concentration of the analyzed hydrocarbon component using the spectrally determined concentration in an appropriate mathematical model, and determining the total heavy hydrocarbon concentration from the determined values for each sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering and recycling hydrogen from a reforming process raises the pressure of at least one hydrogen-rich gas stream from at least one catalyst lock hopper and delivers at least a portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas stream to at least one predetermined downstream location. At least another portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas is used to maintain the desired pressure within the hydrogen recovery and recycling process and apparatus.

Abstract: A binder pitch material includes a petroleum pitch and asphalt fraction obtained from petroleum crude oil and has a significantly lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition than a coal tar pitch having a like softening point. The pitch material is useful as a binder material for various applications such as clay pigeons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of heavy hydrocarbons (including those from unprocessed crude oil) in distillate streams and/or reformer feed includes taking at least one sample, spectrally analyzing the at least one sample for at least one heavy hydrocarbon component, determining the concentration of the analyzed hydrocarbon component using the spectrally determined concentration in an appropriate mathematical model, and determining the total heavy hydrocarbon concentration from the determined values for each sample.

Abstract: A process and system for the analysis and/or control of a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons and biodiesel to determine biodiesel concentration includes a) measuring the near infrared absorption in at least two of the bands of two absorption bands from a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; in particular 1100-2500 nm which are used to quantify the biodiesel content. b) taking each of the absorbances measured, or a mathematical function thereof, c) performing at least one mathematical computing or statistical treatment using the above absorbances or functions as individual independent variables, d) assigning and applying weighting constants or their equivalents to the independent variables, and, optionally e) applying the above steps using known compositions to calibrate the instrument and determine the weighting constants or equivalents, and further optionally f) outputting a signal indicative of the biodiesel concentration in the mixture, based on the absorbances or functions.

Abstract: A binder pitch material includes a petroleum pitch and asphalt fraction obtained from petroleum crude oil and has a significantly lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition than a coal tar pitch having a like softening point. The pitch material is useful as a binder material for various applications such as clay pigeons.

Abstract: A method for reducing the consequences and risks of failure in a hydrocarbon pipeline system includes identifying specific segments of pipelines the leakage of which could have an adverse impact on environment or safety, particularly in areas of high consequence, developing a baseline assessment plan for such segments by analyzing information including age, corrosion, and types of seams and joints and then establishing preventive and migitative measures including, where necessary, positioning emergency flow restricting devices in one or more pipeline segments.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving high temperature performance grade properties of polymer-modified, vulcanized asphalt by treating an asphalt cement under mild oxidizing conditions sufficient to provide a change in viscosity per hour as measured at 140° C. of less than about 500 poises per hour, of said asphalt cement, adding 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of a polymer based on weight of said asphalt cement, and vulcanizing the polymer-containing asphalt cement. The invention further relates to asphalt compositions thus made and paving compositions containing these asphalt compositions.

Abstract: This drop tube loading arm assembly is adaptable for loading asphalt into tank trailers at marketing terminals. The telescoping drop tube employs guides made of steel rollers of polymers such as fluorocarbon polymers and aluminum. The guides are located in the annular space between the tubes in combination with increased radial clearance between the tubes or sleeves and in combination with protection for the overfill probe. With the addition of vapor control systems and overfill protection probes, the telescoping drop loading spouts are less susceptible to cold weather sticking problems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way to increase the softening point of heavier hydrocarbons in a relatively low cost and low pressure process using superheated steam to i) increase the carbon yield of the heavier hydrocarbons, while simultaneously ii) removing volatile components with a steam stripping process.

Abstract: A low viscosity, high softening point heavy hydrocarbon material having a viscosity reducing amount of at least one dihydric alcohol dissolved therein, and a method for producing such heavy hydrocarbon material, are disclosed.

Abstract: A binder pitch material includes a petroleum pitch and asphalt fraction obtained from petroleum crude oil and has a significantly lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition than a coal tar pitch having a like softening point. The pitch material is useful as a binder material for various applications such as clay pigeons.

Abstract: This assembly is an apparatus for recovering vapors during the dispensing of fluids from a storage tank to a receiving tank. More specifically, the assembly reduces odors from storage tanks and loading facilities at asphalt terminals. A dual carbon system was installed for the tanks and the loading rack. The system was operated continuously at a low flow rate to handle stray vapors from the tanks when they are not being filled. The system would be turned to a high flow rate whenever the tanks are receiving product. The blowers on this system are run at a speed proportional to the number of loading arms being used, based on vacuum transmission.

Abstract: The ability to pig a pipeline is considered necessary and vital to most pipeline operations. The present invention provides a pig inserting apparatus and method designed to satisfy the need to Insert pigs for large diameter gasoline pipelines that are made of concrete and weigh in excess of 400 pounds. In the past, the industry has used ineffectively manpower or motorized vehicles to insert the pigs. This pig launcher uses a means for propelling the pig that includes: a spool rotatably mounted. The pair of cables is connected to the spool and engage the ends of the cantilevered arms for propelling the pig a pair of cantilevered arms, and a pair of cables of sufficient strength to firmly fasten onto the end of a pipeline.

Abstract: A low viscosity, high coking value petroleum tar material having a high coking value as compared to standard petroleum tars and containing at least one biodiesel material dissolved therein, and a method for producing such material, are disclosed.

Abstract: Fractions derived from a high sulfur content crude oil, having a sulfur content of about 2 wt. % or greater, is hydrotreated to produce a petroleum pitch not only having a low sulfur content of about 1 wt % or less but also a low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content of about 13,000 mg/kg or less.

Abstract: A slurry mixture of sulfur in a liquid carrier comprising an ester derived from vegetable oils or animals fats such as biodiesel is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a mixture of asphalt, polymer and sulfur comprising blending together, at asphalt blending conditions, the asphalt and a slurry of sulfur particles in a biodiesel liquid carrier comprising an ester derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.

Abstract: A cutback asphalt and an asphalt emulsion comprising biodiesel is disclosed. Cutback is mixed with a sufficient amount of biodiesel to reduce the viscosity of the asphalt, producing, e.g., a cold patch material which is free of added liquid petroleum. An asphalt emulsion of fine particles of asphalt, water and, preferably, an emulsifier, can be formed which is free of added liquid petroleum.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for generating relationships between client objects, business objects, external objects, and a persistence mechanism such as a database that model an enterprise application. The apparatus and system are thus a set of tools that can be used by a developer or other user to facilitate the development of enterprise business applications. The database tool generates code for correlating business, client, external, and other specifications. Object inheritance, collections, and other object-related issues are accommodated by the present invention. A deployment tool performs all of the logical steps necessary to move code (or binaries) from one environment to another, such as from a development environment to a production environment. Finally, a proxy tool generates one or more proxies and other handler objects.