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: 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: A system for removing or reducing the accumulation of fouling deposits within furnaces and heat exchangers in industrial systems by introducing a periodic steam blast. The steam blast is directed into the process stream from which fouling deposits precipitate onto the heat exchanger surfaces. The steam blast increases the flow rates, creates turbulence and increases the temperature within the heat exchanger to dislodge foulant in both soft and hardened states from internal surfaces upon which foulants have adhered and accumulated.

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: A method of forming a molecular separation device is provided. The method comprises growing or depositing a silica MFI zeolite coating on a ceramic support. The method further comprises growing a ZIF-8 coating on the silica MFI zeolite coating. Growing the ZIF-8 coating on the silica MFI zeolite comprises applying a first reactant fluid including a metal salt and a second reactant fluid including an imidazole reactant to the silica MFI zeolite coating. Growing the ZIF-8 coating on the silica MFI zeolite further comprises reacting the first and second reactant fluid with the silica MFI zeolite coating to produce the ZIF-8 coating. In certain implementations, at least a portion of the ZIF-8 coating is interspersed with a portion of the silica MFI coating. A molecular separation device including the ZIF-8 coating and the silica MFI zeolite is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a pretreated hydrocarbon feedstock supply, wherein said pretreated hydrocarbon feedstock supply comprises at least hydrocarbon feedstock and dissolved salts; a wash water supply, wherein said wash water supply comprises at least water; an alkalinity modifier supply, wherein said alkalinity modifier supply comprises at least one alkalinity modifier or solutions thereof; a desalting vessel; a desalted crude outlet, wherein said desalted crude outlet comprises hydrocarbon feedstock with less dissolved salts by weight than the hydrocarbon feedstock in the pretreated hydrocarbon feedstock supply; and a wash water brine outlet, wherein said wash water brine outlet comprises water with more dissolved salts by weight than the water in the wash water supply.

Abstract: Systems and processes for blending 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 utilizes estimated values for the octane number and the volatility of the ethanol and butane when calculating the volumetric blend ratio.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid transportation fuels in a petroleum refinery while preventing or minimizing corrosion of refinery process equipment. Spectral data selected from mid-infrared spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, or both is obtained and converted to wavelets coefficients data. A pattern recognition genetic algorithm is then trained to recognize subtle features in the wavelet coefficients data to allow classification of crude samples into one of two groups based on corrosion propensity. One of several actions is taken depending upon the measured corrosion propensity of the potential feed stock in order to prevent or minimize corrosion while producing one or more liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: A process for removing or reducing the accumulation of fouling deposits within furnaces and heat exchangers in industrial systems by introducing a periodic steam blast. The steam blast is directed into the process fluid from which fouling deposits precipitate onto the heat exchanger surfaces. The steam blast increases the flow rates, creates turbulence and increases the temperature within the heat exchanger to dislodge foulant in both soft and hardened states from internal surfaces upon which foulants have adhered and accumulated.

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.

Abstract: A process for decreasing contamination of a commercial refining process by vanadyl porphyrins and/or nickel porphyrins by allowing rapid screening of porphyrins directly from asphaltenes isolated from crude oil without enrichment by use of positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS). Sodium formate is utilized as a ESI spray modifier. The vanadyl porphyrins are detected predominantly as sodiated species, while nickel porphyrins are observed as both sodiated species and molecular ions. Crude oil feedstocks exceeding a defined threshold concentration of vanadyl porphyrins and/or nickel porphyrins are rejected or diluted prior to utilization as refinery feedstock. Certain embodiments additionally quantitate both deoxophylloerythroetioporphyrins and etioporphyrin content (and their ratio) to predict crude oil thermal maturity.

Abstract: Processes for blending 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 utilizes estimated values for the octane number and the volatility of the ethanol and butane when calculating the volumetric blend ratio.

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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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.