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: This invention concerns a process for obtaining lactic acid in a single stage by direct oxidation in an aqueous medium of 1,2-propanediol in the presence of a mixture of heterogeneous catalysts, in conditions of low temperature and low pressure. The reaction takes place in the presence of oxygen and a mixture of heterogeneous catalysts, consisting of a first catalyst of noble metal supported in metallic oxide, and a second basic solid catalyst. The mixture of catalysts is easily recovered by filtration at the end of the process, to be reused. The lactic acid is obtained directly, with selectivity between 50% and 97%.

Abstract: Current industrial processes for the production of lactic acid are fermentative, using lactic bacteria which require large volumes and create large quantities of liquid residue which need to be treated. Chemical literature also describes the use of reaction systems with homogeneous catalysis, which also pose problems which in turn impact our costs, owing to the increased requirements in terms of the control of the process and the type of reactor necessary. Therefore, the process used thus far, carried out in hydrogenolysis, isomerisation and oxidation are defective, owing to the significant formation of sub-products, mainly pyruvic acid and acetic acid and the low yield of lactic acid. Lactic acid can also be obtained by the chemical transformation of other sources other than starch, but which are also renewable. The present invention provides a oxidative process for the production of lactic acid, in which the reaction with pure oxygen or oxygen mixed with air takes place below 100° C.

Abstract: A composition of a packer fluid including biodiesel glycerin which can be used in deep and ultra-deep wells in environments containing CO2 and a process of using the same. This fluid may have 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, the 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: The present invention relates to a method for producing carbon nanoparticles employing heavy petroleum as a carbon precursor, obtained from decant oil, by using the technique of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and optionally by using an organometallic catalyst that is soluble in the carbon precursor. The main feature of the method according to the invention is that the precursor is vaporized in a controlled manner so as to provide pulses of vapor of constant composition inside 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: Diesel cycle fuel compositions are described containing at least one dianhydrohexitol compound according to the general formula 2 and/or its derived hydrocarbyl ethers or nitric ethers compounds, where the R? and R? substituents are both H or one or both of R? and R? is alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl, or one or both are —NO2. A preferred fuel composition is that containing dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) added or not of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) as ignition improver. The dianhydrohexitols compounds form compositions with at least one of the components selected among petroleum-derived diesel fuel, biodiesel, ethanol and water. The mixture of DMI and ISDN has excellent cetane number (IQT). Still, the oxygenated nature of the dianhydrohexitols and related compounds of the fuel compositions inhibits soot formation upon burning of the said Diesel cycle fuel compositions.

Abstract: Current industrial processes for the production of lactic acid are fermentative, using lactic bacteria which require large volumes and create large quantities of liquid residue which need to be treated. Chemical literature also describes the use of reaction systems with homogeneous catalysis, which also pose problems which in turn impact our costs, owing to the increased requirements in terms of the control of the process and the type of reactor necessary. Therefore, the process used thus far, carried out in hydrogenolysis, isomerisation and oxidation are defective, owing to the significant formation of sub-products, mainly pyruvic acid and acetic acid and the low yield of lactic acid. Lactic acid can also be obtained by the chemical transformation of other sources other than starch, but which are also renewable. The present invention provides a oxidative process for the production of lactic acid, in which the reaction with pure oxygen or oxygen mixed with air takes place below 100° C.

Abstract: A freestanding hybrid riser system (FHRS) and a method of installation which makes it possible to use vessels that are more available on the world market. The invention relates to a top riser assembly (TRA) having multiple, offset connection points such that a first bending moment is applied to the TRA by a buoyant unit, and an opposing bending moment is applied to the TRA by a flexible jumper.

Abstract: A separator comprises a separation chamber (1) with at least one inlet (11a) in its upper part, a solids outlet (12) in its lower part and two outlet pipes (2 and 3) for fractions of gas. Also described is a method which the separator uses, with the fractions of gas being sucked out in two separation zones generated inside the chamber, one with reverse flow and the other with unidirectional flow.

Abstract: Method for transesterification of fatty acid esters. The method includes contacting (i) a catalyst comprising at least one of barium oxide and apatite with (ii) a reaction medium comprising at least one of vegetable oil and fats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supported catalyst for the polymerization of olefins. More specifically, the present invention provides a catalyst comprising a spherical alumina support modified by the addition of a magnesium compound containing a magnesium alkoxide and the product of the reaction of it with a titanium halide. The present invention also relates to the method for preparing said supported catalyst.

Abstract: A process is described for maximizing the FCC middle distillates comprising the use of two different converters, operating in a coordinated manner that seeks to maximize the production of LCO for diesel, generating a specified gasoline and reducing fuel oil production. Converter “A” operates with a low contact time in the riser, of 0.2 to 1.5 sec. (preferably from 0.5 to 1.0 sec.) making a higher reaction temperature possible even at low severity, from 510° C. to 560° C. (preferably from 530° C. to 550° C.) and with a catalyst suitable to the maximization of LCO. Converter “B” possesses a high activity catalytic system, suited to cracking naphtha and DO generated in the first converter. Preferably, converter “B” has two separate risers, allowing the reaction temperatures of each to be adjusted independently according to the range most recommended for maximizing the cracking of each of the streams: 530° C. to 560° C. for the DO riser and 540° C. to 600° C. for the naphtha riser.

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 invention is a process for producing ethanol from sugarcane bagasse, the principal steps of which are mild sulphuric acid hydrolysis of the hemicellulose fraction of the sugarcane bagasse, followed by extraction of the hydrolysate and then fermentation thereof with the yeast Pichia stipitis. The process can be carried out with different solid : liquid ratios, and provides a step of acclimatizing the Pichia stipitis yeast, which results in a greater rate of ethanol production. The process takes place in a press reactor specially designed for this purpose, which allows more efficient extraction of the hydrolysate and, as a consequence, better process performance.

Abstract: System for measuring the hydro carbonate content in minerals, particularly pyrobituminous shale minerals, while they pass through the transport or production system, in such a way as to permit the prior adjustment of the processing conditions of said minerals. The system consists of a set of equipment for the measurement of water content, material density and hydrogen content in the mineral, said equipment being combined in such a way as to create a specific time delay between the measurements, in order for the collected data to be micro processed and the processing conditions to be adjusted in real time, based on the calculated hydro carbonate content.

Abstract: Pitch is obtained, in a reactor configured for the atmospheric process, from a feedstock of oil hydrocarbons consisting of a feedstock_of decanted oil. In the process, the feedstock is subjected to heating stages in reflux and distillation conditions with removal of volatile products generated, wherein the gaseous products are eliminated at each stage and the successively generated residual products comprise a final residue recovered as a predominantly isotropic pitch.

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: A method is described for controlling instability of operation in a de-ethanizer tower (13) in the gas recovery unit in fluid catalytic cracking units and delayed coking units. The method comprises the step of intervening in the de-ethanizer tower (13) when instability occurs in it, and adjusting the material balance of water in such a way that the excess of water in the feed load stream (9) is removed only as an azeotrope. The intervention is performed by introducing into the feed load stream (9) of the de-ethanizer tower (13) a volume fraction (18) of a flow of hydrocarbon, which may be either dry hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons with a low level of water content.

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: The invention relates to a process carried out continuously in one or more reactors connected in series for the preparation of sodium titanate nanotubes and their derivatives obtained by ion exchange and/or thermal treatment, by reacting titanium oxides with sodium hydroxide under suitable hydrothermal conditions to obtain or control the morphology of nanostructural titanates. The reaction mixture is introduced continuously into the reactor at a feed rate that is the same as the rate of discharge of the product. When more than one reactor is used, the material leaving the first reactor is used to feed the next reactor, and a differential of temperature is applied between the reactors in such a way as to obtain in the average, a temperature of between 60° C. and 180° C.