Abstract: The present invention relates to an end fitting of a flexible riser. The device makes it possible to carry out the assembly procedure without the need to bend the tensile armour. By means of the assembly procedure thereof, the technique proposed eliminates residual tension due to plastic deformation of the tensile armour and modifications in the microstructural properties of the steel, imposed by current end fittings and the corresponding techniques for assembling the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting and monitoring flexible collection and production lines in real time, rendering possible constant tracking of the condition of the internal structures of a flexible riser, specifically of the tensile armour thereof. The device may be provided at any point along the riser ensuring the establishment of an area of physical and visual contact directly over the surface of the tensile armour of the riser for the installation of equipment for analysis, which area permits further accesses without destroying the sealing of the chamber there formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative wellbore concept, which gives experts a new alternative enabling them to analyse the economic viability of a deposit. The new structural arrangement for oil wells involves the utilisation of equipment that is already available at the wells (of dry or wet completion), and the exploitation of a remote neighbouring field by mechanical and hydraulic interconnection. The implementation method uses already known drilling tools and techniques, but renders their applicability advantageous, since it ensures production from deposits or wells that are not considered viable, by using resources that are already available and in operation.

Abstract: A subsea pumping system using a subsea module is installed on the sea bed, preferably away from production wells and intended to pump hydrocarbons having a high associated gas fraction produced by subsea production wells to the surface. The system achieves an advantage by the design of a pumping module (PM) which is linked to pumping equipment already present in a production well and which includes: an inlet pipe (2), separator equipment (3), a first pump (4) and a second pump (8). Another advantage of the subsea pumping system for the production of hydrocarbons with a high gas fraction is that, 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: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining fuel ethanol by using agricultural and agroindustrial waste materials composed of lignocellulose, and especially sugar cane bagasse. These residues have significant contents of carbohydrates in the form of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose), which can be hydrolyzed by chemical and enzymic processes. The hemicellulose fraction is submitted to mild hydrolysis with sulphuric acid, and the solid material from this hydrolysis is submitted to a process of saccharification (enzymic hydrolysis) with simultaneous rapid alcoholic fermentation under conditions which allow a significant increase in conversion to alcohol in a greatly shortened time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design of a nozzle valve (GL) for gas lifting that can be used in place of conventional orifice valves (VO). The gas lift nozzle valve (GL) according to the present invention has a body (1) with admission orifices (2), and, immediately below these, a slight recess (3) in the internal diameter of the body where a convergent nozzle (4) is fitted to regulate the gas flow passing through the inside of the nozzle valve (GL) towards the outlet (5) of the latter.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the synthesis of precatalysts and the use of such precatalysts in ethylene oligomerization reactions for the selective production of alpha-olefins. More specifically, it refers to the preparation and use of coordination compounds containing polydentate ligands comprising Group 6 and 10 transition metal compounds, in particular chromium (III) and nickel (II). Such catalytic precursors present high catalytic activity and selectivity for the production of alpha-olefins.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading particulate material in a vertical tube comprising at least one impact-absorbing module, a central axis and a sustaining wire to position the apparatus suspended in the interior of the tube in such a way as to allow loading and uniform distribution of all the material loaded in the tube and the method of loading that uses the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive system (100) applied to the mechanism for discharging solids and regulating flows of a reactor vessel (300), reducing the degree of freedom between the components of the distributor element, increasing the definition of its movements and consequently providing more uniform and precise flow discharge. The drive system (100) comprises an actuator piston (101) affixed to a fixed support (400), a transmission rod (103) and a drive rod (106) connected to the scrapper rings (301). The transmission (103) and drive (106) rods are connected by a vertical joint (105).

Abstract: Using the process described in the present invention, a gas is produced that is rich in methane and hydrogen and has a content of olefins below 1% v/v, which fully meets the necessary requirements for raw materials used for large-scale production of hydrogen or synthesis gas, in steam reforming units that already exist in a great many oil refineries and petrochemical units. Starting from ethanol, steam, nickel-based catalysts and the use of appropriate conditions of temperature, and H2O/ethanol and H2/ethanol molar ratios, the invention teaches the production of hydrogen and synthesis gas from biomass, stably for long periods without loss of catalyst performance over time, permitting its industrial application in new units or in existing units. As a solution for the production of ethanol, the present invention claims the replacement of the ZnO-based and hydrofining catalysts of the feed pre-treatment section, with nickel-based catalysts and process conditions in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining a catalyst of high activity based on a mixture of supports, more specifically, the mixture of supports being Al2O3 plus MgCl2, intended for the production of polyolefins. The catalyst of the present invention involves the use of a spherical support based on special alumina that serves as a porous matrix, which is impregnated, by precipitation, with magnesium chloride by dissolving the latter in ethers and/or alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing organic silicon compounds from hydrocarbon streams by contact with an adsorbent and hydrogen. The adsorbent is composed of lamellar double hydroxides and group VI-B or group VIII hydrogenating metal. More specifically, the process of the present invention involves a stage of activation for formation of the lamellar double hydroxide, and maintaining the phase of lamellar double hydroxide by adding water.

Abstract: Process for the production of hybrid catalysts formed by mixing two catalysts; one active in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the other being bifunctional. Such hybrid catalyst thus formed is active both in hydrocracking and in hydroisomerization reactions. The present invention in addition provides obtainment of a hybrid catalyst and application thereof conjointly with FT catalysts in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions. The hybrid catalyst of the present invention is capable of producing in conditions typically such as those utilized in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis branched hydrocarbons in diverse bands relating to the products thereof (for example naphtha and diesel), reducing or even eliminating necessity for a subsequent hydrotreatment stage in such synthesis reactions.

Abstract: A process is described for catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks from petroleum refining which increases substantially the yields of light olefins. The process limits the extreme conditions to a first reaction section and introduces a stream of cooling fluid above the feedstock injection point so as to maintain a second reaction section under cracking conditions which produce light olefins propene and ethene, and inhibits reactions undesirable for the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a pigmentable asphalt binder composition obtained from petroleum- and shale-refining streams, having a low content of asphaltenes, aromatic diluents of high aromaticity, polymers and inorganic pigments, obtaining a colored product. The composition of the present invention is employed in paving, permitting embellishment of roads, greater light reflection and reduction in coating temperature and in addition greater resistance to permanent deformation due to its excellent temperature susceptibility and higher softening point.

Abstract: A system for installation of a subsea module of great length by means of a vessel, using a cable for its installation and/or retrieval, and methods applied therein. The system allows transporting the subsea module on the vessel to a location in the sea and descending the subsea module into the sea at a vertical position for installation on the seabed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of propylene glycol from glycerol, the transformation of purified glycerol to propylene glycol being carried out by means of a reaction of hydrogenolysis, in the liquid phase, where the two stages of the reaction take place simultaneously and in one and the same reactor (1) under specified conditions of temperature and pressure, and the effluent from the fixed-bed reactor (1) is led to subsequent process stages that comprise separation and purification.

Abstract: The process described by this invention involves the hydroconversion of vegetable oils appropriately selected for the production of N-paraffins, through hydrotreatment of a stream of vegetable hydrocarbon oils in and/or natural fats that may be used in a pure state or in a mixture with mineral hydrocarbon oil. This mixture flow is submitted to the process of hydrotreatment, obtaining as a result, a product flow with an elevated content of N-paraffins in the range of C10-C-13. This process provides an alternative to the usual process that uses a mineral hydrocarbon oil load (petroleum kerosene of paraffin base) to produce C10-C13 N-paraffins that are raw materials for the production of detergents (LAB), being, therefore, especially advantageous for use in situations where kerosene is a limiting factor for producing N-paraffins, resulting in a product of good quality with a reasonable gain in the production of N-paraffins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing carbon nanoparticles from heavy petroleum fractions as the carbon source (precursor), particularly aromatic oil residue (RARO) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and optionally by using an organometallic catalyst that is soluble in the precursor. The main feature of the method according to the invention is that the precursor is evaporated in a controlled manner so as to provide a pulse supply of precursor having a constant composition to the inside of a tubular furnace which can be arranged in a vertical position for the continuous production of nanomaterials or in a horizontal position for batch production.

Abstract: A multi-diameter elastic sealing module for pigs, which operates in pipes having diameter changes, by being sent through the inside of a flexible or rigid pipe to move or draw various fittings and remove internal incrustations from the pipe, impelled by a fluid which flows inside said pipe. The sealing module comprises a sealing/impelling element (1), a flexible core (2) covered by the sealing/impelling element (1), a first clamping element (3), a second clamping element (4), a first fastening element (5) and a second fastening element (6).