Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and respective process for distribution of mixed charges comprising a flat tray in the form of a disc drained by a series of drainage tubes located above the surface of fixed beds of catalysts, capable of promoting the homogenisation and distribution of charges by means of said device. Such drainage tubes mounted in said manner have the objective of restricting and reorienting the flow of mixed charges, multiplying the points whereon they fall, principally of the liquid phase, onto said beds of catalysts. For the purpose of doing so said drainage ducts, being segments of tubes, distributed on the entire surface of said tray possess caps affixed at the upper extremity thereof impeding the direct flow of charge onto the bed of catalyst, creating a reservoir of liquid on the tray, subsequently being drained down such device in a more controlled manner.

Abstract: A tropicalized petroleum sector cut-off valve gear box system and its respective method of application are described. The system involves the conversion of any gear box model with cut-off valves used in the petroleum industry, into tropicalized gear boxes, so as to allow total preventative maintenance with no need for interruptions on production lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction of optimized synthetic lipase gene expression vectors for the high level expression of recombinant lipases in the yeast. The invention provides an enzymatic approach to the industrial processing of by-products resulting from biodiesel production.

Abstract: A composition of a packer fluid which comprises biodiesel glycerin to be used in deep and ultra-deep wells in environments containing CO2 and a process of using the same. This fluid presents a specific mass of at least 1.15 g/cm3, adequate viscosity for pumping at less than 2,000 cP and corrosive potential of up to 3 mm in 30 years. In addition to this, the composition of this packer fluid is compatible with the elastomers normally employed and does not degrade when exposed to temperatures lower than 100° C. The packer fluid is injected into an oil well as part of a well packer process.

Abstract: A process for API GRAVITY enrichment and the reduction of naphthenic acidity of petroleum, heavy petroleum, extra-heavy oil and oil mixtures and their fractions in the presence of microwave-absorbing materials, preferentially those which absorb radiation in localized sites forming nanoreactors, pure or in mixtures such as spent hydrotreatment catalysts. The process is characterized by causing an increase in the API GRAVITY of the petroleum or its mixtures, performing the cracking of the heavier fractions present in the petroleum and reducing the concentration of naphthenic acids present in the processed petroleum. This process is also characterized by operating at a relatively low temperature and pressure with an operating range that enables a simplified union of the microwave source with a petroleum enrichment industrial reactor.

Abstract: This invention concerns a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process with reduced carbon monoxide emission which modifies the regeneration phase of the spent catalyst by using pure oxygen without the need for dilution when burning coke adhering to the catalyst. In addition, this invention improves the reconditioning stage of the catalyst, incorporating a reconditioner supplementary to a conventional reconditioner which employs nitrogen as a carrier gas in the reconditioning of the already regenerated catalyst.

Abstract: A system for sealing the legs of two stages of cyclones in series used in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, comprising a terminal leg configuration, which is devoid of moving parts and makes use of a long-radius curve, and which changes the flow direction of the descending mass flow of catalyst in dense phase into a plane orthogonal to the ascending gaseous flow. This prevents the entry of gaseous phase inside the leg, and promotes efficient sealing and preventing the “packing-down” of the dense bed of particulates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the separation of suspensions of spent catalysts and hydrocarbons formed in an FCC unit with multiple ascending flow reaction tubes, comprising interconnections between each of the ascending flow reaction tubes and the separator vessel, each interconnection also comprises two sections. The outside sections of the separator vessel are inclined and are connected to a single vertical section, which penetrates into the interior of the separator vessel, and which has at its lower end an open device for draining the spent catalyst from the suspensions separated in this sector. In the same vertical section, at the end of its internal part at the separator vessel, a series of two sets of cyclones are installed, the first set containing cyclones without sealing legs, and the second set containing conventional cyclones of the first stage.

Abstract: A method to exploit the glycerin obtained as a by-product of the industrial process to produce biodiesel inside or out of the industrial production unit, providing a reduction in the environmental liability that may be caused by an excess in the production of glycerin that cannot be exploited for industrial use. The referenced method uses recycling of the glycerin obtained through industrial process to produce biodiesel, using a process basically consisting of four stages: a) extracting glycerin produced as a by-product of the industrial process for producing biodiesel; b) hydrogenation of said n-propanol glycerin, c) recycling of the n-propanol thus obtained to be added to a mixture of alcohols; and d) transesterfication of the n-propanol mixture added to the alcohol mixture, together with raw material triglycerides from renewable sources in order to obtain biodiesel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cooling and distributing mixed charges on fixed catalyst beds for use in the cooling zone of descending flow reactors which comprises a flat tray fitted with collector and distributor tubes for liquid superimposed upon and connected to another flat tray of similar design to the upper tray. The device, which is of smaller size in comparison with other commercially available devices, is extremely simple to install industrially and compact, and has as its main characteristic the efficiency with which it promotes reduction of the temperature of the reaction medium when it receives the cooling fluid within the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A free standing riser system includes a riser, a subsea intervention unit, and an umbilical line. The riser includes interconnected joints linked to one another, a lower-end of the riser being coupled to a wellhead and an upper-end of the riser enclosed in a buoy assembly, including a terminal, the riser being maintained in an erect, substantially vertical position. The subsea intervention unit is provided above the riser, and includes three connections: one connection to the terminal of the riser, one connection to a flexible jumper that is connected to a FPU, and one connection that provides a vertical conveyance to an intervention rig.

Abstract: A process is described for the purification of estolides for subsequent use as lubricants. This purification process comprises the removal of free fatty acids present in the estolide by liquid-liquid extraction using an alcohol, preferably ethanol or methanol, as solvent, where the total acid number of the estolide after purification is less than 1 mg KOH/g of sample, which endows it with characteristics of oxidation stability suitable for its use as a lubricant.

Abstract: An aviation gasoline (Avgas) formulation free from tetraethyl lead (TEL) for piston driven aircraft is described, the formulation comprising, in volume percent, between 0 and 65.2 base alkylate, between 0 and 50 super-alkylate, between 0 and 25 toluene, between 2 and 10 of a toluidine isomer blend, between 0 and 5 ethyl alcohol, between 0 and 25 C5 cut and between 0 and 10 triptane. The formulations are prepared by admixing the components, with the order of mixing being from the denser to the less dense, except in the case of the toluidine isomer blend, which in spite of being the denser product is the latest to be added to the other streams in order to by-pass homogenization problems.

Abstract: This invention relates to equipment and a subsea pumping system using a subsea module installed on the sea bed, preferably away from a production well and intended to pump hydrocarbons having a high associated gas fraction produced by one or more subsea production wells to the surface. One object of this invention is achieved by means of the design of a pumping module (PM) which is linked to pumping equipment already present in a production well and which basically comprises: an inlet pipe (2), separator equipment (3), a first pump (4) and a second pump (8). In the subsea pumping system for the production of hydrocarbons with a high gas fraction, the other object of this invention, when oil is pumped from the production well (P) the well pump (13) increases the energy of the fluid in the form of pressure and transmits this increase in energy in the form of an increase in suction pressure in the second pump (8) of the subsea module (PM).

Abstract: This invention relates to a restrictive seal of the labyrinth type of reduced external size. The invention has an inner deflector which is capable of retaining the lubricating oil within the bearing housing with great efficiency, and a highly accurate system for adjusting and aligning the elements of the labyrinths, ensuring an infinite service life. Because it has very much smaller external dimensions it can be applied as a replacement to the lip seals commonly in use without causing problems to accessory equipment connected to a pump.

Abstract: A Torpedo Pile (100) is described for the anchoring of floating structures used for drilling and production wells for oil and gas, the pile (100) comprising a tapering body (1) provided with fins (20) and a point (30) for embedding in the seabed, its upper end being provided with at least two plates (2) provided with flaps (3), said flaps being capable of inducing a rotation of the articulation elements (4) when a dragging force is exerted on the system. With the continuation of the dragging force, the plates (2) continue to rotate as far as a final configuration, when the points of contact (6) of stops (5) are reached. The pile (100) comprises one embodiment for permanent anchorage and another for temporary anchorage. The method of installation/withdrawal of the two embodiments is also described.

Abstract: An improved cyclone system for disengaging solid and gaseous particles in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes with reduced coke formation in disengager vessels, without favoring release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages, said system comprising legless cyclones 42 fitted with external collector pipes 43, is described. The collector pipes 43 optimize the purge of gases coming from the disengager vessel 49, reducing the time the hydrocarbons remain inside the disengager vessel 49, thus preventing overcracking and subsequent coke formation. Positioning of the external collector pipes 43 prevents release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages.

Abstract: A method is described for co-processing of ethanol and hydrocarbons from petroleum refining, which are introduced separately in two reaction zones of a reactor of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit. The process combines conversion of ethanol into ethene and conversion of hydrocarbons into other lighter hydrocarbon fractions, to produce ethene in quantities of 15 to 90 wt % in the fuel gas fraction obtained during the process.

Abstract: Fiber optic position transducer that includes a magnetic or electromagnetic element, one or more segments of magnetostrictive material, Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors, a rod of material that is impenetrable to magnetic fields, optical fiber. One or more of the sensors is fixed upon a segment of magnetostrictive material, which is fixed to a rod, and may only be displaced longitudinally. The Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors have different wave lengths and are made of the same optical fiber. The magnetic or electromagnetic element included may be made of NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) or metal alloys of TbDyFe (Terbium, Dysprosium and Iron), such as TX, Terphenol-D and others. It is applied to a control flow valve in an oil well, and it also refers to the calibration process of the position of the transducer.