Abstract: Systems operable to blend at least one finished gasoline from a refined petroleum product comprising at least one neat gasoline with ethanol and optionally butane utilizing a blend model that calculates a volumetric blend ratio comprising at least one neat gasoline, ethanol and optionally, butane. The blend model incorporates estimated values for the octane number and the volatility of the ethanol and butane when calculating the volumetric blend ratio.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a fluid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

Abstract: A process for converting a first hydrocarbon feed stream to one or more liquid transportation fuels in a petroleum refinery where the feed stream is analyzed by at least one analytical method to produce data that is transformed to wavelet coefficients data. A pattern recognition algorithm is trained to recognize subtle features in the wavelet coefficients data that are associated with an attribute of the feed stream. The trained pattern recognition algorithm then rapidly classifies potential hydrocarbon feed streams as a member of either a first group or a second group where the second group comprises hydrocarbon feed streams where the attribute or chemical characteristic at or above a predetermined threshold value. This classification allows rapid decisions to be made regarding utilization of the feedstock in the refinery that may include altering at least one variable in the operation of the refinery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank are described herein. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

Abstract: A method of making an anode material. The method begins by mixing a pre-passivated anode graphite with a supplement and a solvent to create a mixture. The solvent is then evaporated from the mixture to create a passivated anode graphite particle.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for distributing alcohol-containing gasoline. The methods herein facilitate the combination of gasoline blendstocks and alcohols to create finished gasoline products. The methods herein also measure the volumes and other characteristics of the gasoline blendstocks and alcohols and employ computers and controllers that calculate the gross and net volumes of liquids, including the net volume of finished gasoline products.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems for distributing alcohol-containing gasoline. The systems herein facilitate the combination of gasoline blendstocks and alcohols to create finished gasoline products. The systems herein also measure the volumes and other characteristics of the gasoline blendstocks and alcohols and feature computers and controllers that can calculate the gross and net volumes of liquids, including the net volume of finished gasoline products.

Abstract: Disclosed are air electrode materials suitable for use in solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs). The disclosed cells can operate in a dual function modes, i.e., as a fuel cell and as an electrolysis cell. In both cases, chemical energy and electrical energy can be directly convert from one mode to the other; thereby providing a highly efficient energy conversion process that can be used as a sustainable energy source.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a feed stream that predominantly comprises isobutane. The feed stream is catalytically-activated in two separate reaction zones arranged in series in a manner that minimizes the production of C1-C3 light paraffins and is tolerant to the presence of typical catalyst poisons. The first reaction zone is selective for conversion of the feed stream to predominantly olefins and some aromatics. The second reaction zone is maintained at a lower temperature and a higher pressure and is selective for converting olefins to monocyclic aromatics which facilitates further feed stream olefination. Certain embodiments contact the activation effluent with an alkylation catalyst to provide enhanced yields of upgraded hydrocarbon products that meet specifications for a transportation fuel blend component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a feed stream that predominantly comprises isobutane. The feed stream is catalytically-activated in two separate reaction zones arranged in series in a manner that minimizes the production of C1-C3 light paraffins and is tolerant to the presence of typical catalyst poisons. The first reaction zone is selective for conversion of the feed stream to predominantly olefins and some aromatics. The second reaction zone is maintained at a lower temperature and a higher pressure and is selective for converting olefins to monocyclic aromatics which facilitates further feed stream olefination. Certain embodiments contact the activation effluent with an alkylation catalyst to provide enhanced yields of upgraded hydrocarbon products that meet specifications for a transportation fuel blend component.

Abstract: Processes for quantitating the corrosivity of naphthenic acids in a sample comprising crude oil or a liquid fraction thereof by reacting the sample with a metal comprising iron to produce iron naphthenates that are then stabilized by a ligand. The stabilized iron naphthenates are then analyzed by mass spectrometry to accurately quantitate the percentage of total naphthenic acids in the sample that are iron-reactive naphthenic acids associated with metal corrosion.

Abstract: Methods for modifying a ZSM-5 zeolite by contacting the zeolite with an alkaline solution prior to combining with a binder material to produce a modified ZSM-5 catalyst extrudate that has substantially longer catalyst life, relative to an untreated ZSM-5 catalyst, for converting light olefins to products that may be used as a liquid transportation fuel blend stock. The alkaline solution is optionally sodium hydroxide. The binder is optionally alumina, bentonite or silica.

Abstract: A method of reacting with to produce In this method Y1 and Y2 are independently selected from the group consisting of: H, Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof. Additionally in this method M is selected from the group consisting of H, trialkylstannane, boronate, or ZnX, wherein X is Cl, Br, or I. Furthermore in this method Z is a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of: Lastly, in this method R1 is selected from: H, unsubstituted or substituted branched alkyls with 1 to 60 carbon atoms or unsubstituted or substituted linear alkyls with 1 to 60 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method is taught for maintaining a fluid within a tank. In this method an upper data acquisition device is operated which is capable of obtaining at least one characteristic of the fluid in a tank adjacent to the upper data acquisition device. A lower data acquisition device is also operated which is situated below the upper data acquisition device, capable of obtaining at least one characteristic of the fluid in the tank adjacent to the lower data acquisition device. A data analyzer is then utilized which is capable transmitting a data packet to the intermittent mixer. The method then automatically turns on the intermittent mixer from the data received from the data packet. Afterwards, the method automatically turns off the intermittent mixer from the data received from the data packet resulting in the at least one characteristic from the upper data acquisition device is within specifications of the at least one characteristic from the lower data acquisition device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a feed stream that comprises both isopentane and n-pentane, and optionally, some C6+ hydrocarbons. Isopentane and smaller hydrocarbons are separated to form a first fraction while n-pentane and larger components of the feed stock form a second fraction. Each fraction is then catalytically-activated in a separate reaction zone with a separate catalyst, where the conditions maintained in each zone maximize the conversion of each fraction to olefins and aromatics, while minimizing the production of C1-C4 light paraffins. In certain embodiments, the first fraction is activated at a lower temperature than the second fraction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a feed stream that comprises both isopentane and n-pentane, and optionally, some C6+ hydrocarbons. Isopentane and smaller hydrocarbons are separated to form a first fraction while n-pentane and larger components of the feed stock form a second fraction. Each fraction is then catalytically-activated in a separate reaction zone with a separate catalyst, where the conditions maintained in each zone maximize the conversion of each fraction to olefins and aromatics, while minimizing the production of C1-C4 light paraffins. In certain embodiments, the first fraction is activated at a lower temperature than the second fraction.

Abstract: A random copolymer comprising the monomer units A, B and C. In this random copolymer A comprises B comprises and C comprises an aryl group. Additionally, R1 R2, R3 and R4 are side chains independently selected from the group consisting of: H, Cl, F, CN, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, ester, ketone and aryl groups. X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of: H, Cl, F, CN, alkyl, alkoxy, ester, ketone, amide and aryl groups.

Abstract: Methods that increase production of a liquid transportation fuel blend component by utilizing C5 hydrocarbon streams taken from both a refinery naphtha stream and an NGL fractionator pentanes plus stream. A high vapor pressure pentane fraction from the NGL fractionator is separated to remove isopentane and produce lower vapor pressure commodity natural gasoline. A refinery naphtha stream (that is optionally an FCC naphtha stream) is separated to produce a C5 olefins stream that is then oligomerized to produce an upgraded stream having lower vapor pressure and higher octane rating, then combined with the remainder of the naphtha stream as well as the isopentane stream to produce a gasoline blend component that meets specifications for vapor pressure and octane rating.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to measuring ammonium bisulfide concentration in a fluid sample. The system includes an electrolytic conductivity cell, a temperature sensor and an analyzer. Logic of the analyzer determines the ammonium bisulfide concentration based on signals received from the conductivity cell and the temperature sensor that are coupled to monitor the fluid.

Abstract: A process comprising creating an immiscible mixture by combining (a) a hydrocarbon feedstock containing contaminants and (b) a wash water, to create the immiscible mixture with at least three distinct layers: a hydrocarbon layer, a rag layer, and a brine layer. In this process a portion of the contaminants are removed from the hydrocarbon mixture where are then transferred to the brine layer. The brine layer is then separated from the immiscible mixture. In this process an alkalinity modifier is added in the process to reduce the emulsions in the immiscible mixture to create the at least three distinct layers.