Abstract: A system and method for optimized control of an assembly for drilling a borehole comprises a self-tuning, multivariable controller and an optimization engine that manipulates the setpoints of the controller such that drilling performance may be continuously optimized. The method includes evaluation of a characteristic system time constant, using this constant to compute bit ROP, using computed ROP to compute process gains, which are used to tune the multivariable controller, automatically refining controller setpoints based on controller performance, and using an optimization engine to systematically adjust controller setpoints such that drilling parameters are optimized based on any of several performance indicators, or a weighted combination of performance indicators.

Abstract: An ebullated bed process for the hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks that provides for high conversion of the heavy hydrocarbon with a low sediment yield. The process uses for its catalyst bed small particles of a specifically defined shaped hydroprocessing catalyst which is contacted with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock under hydroconversion conditions and yields a hydrocarbon conversion having a relatively low sediment content.

Abstract: A method for operating a main cryogenic heat exchanger for use in a natural gas liquefaction process, involves monitoring or predicting variations in the flow rate of a feed gas stream provided to the main cryogenic heat exchanger. When a variation of the flow rate exceeding a predetermined threshold value is monitored or predicted, a control scheme is started to control one or more compressor recycle valves in response to the monitored or predicted variation of the flow rate to recycle part of a compressed mixed refrigerant stream in a refrigerant loop.

Abstract: A well tubular is expanded using an expandable segmented cone (301-303) which is at a large diameter bottom or gauge section of the cone (301-303) provided with a robust sealing assembly (300A-C) comprising a sealing ring or sealing lips that engage(s) an expanded section of the tubular (307).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a catalyst or catalyst precursor comprising a catalytically active material and a carrier material. The invention relates to a catalyst particle and catalyst precursor thereof obtainable by said method. The catalyst may be used in a process for synthesising hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one organic acid and an oxygenate solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural. The process includes: (a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) an organic phase; (b) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first top stream; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream; and (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: A catalyst and its use for selectively desulfurizing sulfur compounds present in an olefin-containing hydrocarbon feedstock to very low levels with minimal hydrogenation of olefins. The catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide substrate containing a nickel compound, a molybdenum compound and optionally a phosphorus compound, that is overlaid with a molybdenum compound and a cobalt compound. The catalyst is further characterized as having a bimodal pore size distribution with a large portion of its total pore volume contained in pores having a diameter less than 250 angstroms and in pores having a diameter greater than 1000 angstroms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition useful in the hydrolysis of sulfur compounds that are contained in a gas stream. The composition comprises a calcined co-mulled mixture of psuedoboehmite, a cobalt compound, and a molybdenum compound such that the composition comprises gamma-alumina, at least 7.5 wt. % molybdenum, and at least 2.75 wt. % cobalt. The composition is made by forming into an agglomerate a co-mulled mixture pseudoboehmite, a cobalt component, and a molybdenum component followed by drying and calcining the agglomerate to provide a catalyst composition comprising gamma-alumina, at least 7.5 wt. % molybdenum, and at least 2.75 wt. % cobalt.

Abstract: A catalyst filter basket for containing catalyst material within a catalytic chemical reactor. The catalyst filter basket includes a central frame having a base ring and a generally cylindrical inner screen portion which extends upwardly from the base ring. A generally cylindrical outer screen assembly is releasably secured to the central frame by a quick release mechanism.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst composition for catalysing hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions wherein, (a) a carbon support is contacted with a catalyst precursor solution comprising at least one element from groups 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of 5 the periodic table to form a metal impregnated carbon; (b) the metal impregnated carbon is dried at a temperature of no greater than 400° C. and placed in a reactor vessel; (c) the reactor vessel is sealed; and (d) the metal impregnated carbon is treated in the reactor 10 vessel in an atmosphere comprising hydrogen at a temperature of from 25° C. to 350 ° C.

Abstract: Fuel additive compositions that include synergistic mixtures of one or more neutral lubricity additives and one or more monoacidic lubricity additives to provide wear and/or friction reduction in fuels.

Abstract: A labelled methane, such as LNG, has methane and a tracer, in the form of a slush of liquids and solids. The invention especially relates to LNG having a tracer. The labelled methane may comprise, in addition to the tracer, an odorant, and a carrier for the odorant. The odorant is ethyl acetate and/or ethyl mercaptan. The carrier for the odorant is propane, n-butane, iso-butane, or a mixture of two or more thereof. A process for preparing the liquid or slush involves liquefying a gas comprising methane and tracer.

Abstract: An odorized methane comprising fluid has an odorant and a carrier. The odorant is ethyl acrylate and/or ethyl mercaptan. The carrier is propane, n-butane, iso-butane, or a mixture of two or more thereof. The odorized methane-comprising fluid may be prepared by adding the odorant and the carrier separately or pre-mixed to a methane comprising liquid or slush.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst composition which comprises ZSM-48 and/or EU-2 zeolite particles and refractory oxide binder essentially free of alumina in which the average aluminium concentration of the ZSM-48 and/or EU-2 zeolite particles is at least 1.3 times the aluminium concentration at the surface of the particles, processes for preparing such catalyst compositions and processes for converting hydrocarbon feedstock with the help of such compositions.

Abstract: The computer system and computer-implemented method allow a user to position an interactive cursor my interaction with a user-input device, to select a point anywhere within a 3D seismic data volume that is visible on a display. In response, the computer dynamically calculates a horizon-based stratal slice that includes the user-selected point. A selected attribute rendering from seismic data that is contained within the horizon-based stratal slice is automatically calculated and dynamically shown on a second display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas. An initial hydrocarbon stream is passed through a first separator to provide an initial overhead stream and a mixed hydrocarbon feed stream. The initial overhead stream is cooled to provide a cooled hydrocarbon stream such as LNG, and at least a C1 overhead stream and one or more C2, C3 and C4 overhead streams are separated from the mixed hydrocarbon feed stream. At least a fraction of at least one of the group comprising: the C2 overhead stream, the C3 overhead stream and the C4 overhead stream is cooled with the C1 overhead stream to provide a cooled stream, which is further cooled against at least a fraction of the cooled, preferably liquefied, hydrocarbon stream to provide an at least partly liquefied cooled stream.

Abstract: A mixture of hydrocarbons in vapour phase is passed through a feed scrubber. Feed scrubber vapour discharged from the feed scrubber is passed to a compression suction scrubber, and a vaporous compressor feed stream from the compression suction scrubber is compressed in a compressor train. A compressed vaporous discharge stream from the train of compressors is de-superheated, and at least a portion of the de-superheated stream is passed to a condenser, wherein this portion of the de-superheated stream is at least partly condensed to form a pressurized and at least partially condensed mixture of hydrocarbons. A recycle portion is split off from the de-superheated hydrocarbon stream, and a recycle flow is established to the compressor train of via a surge recycle separator drum and the compression suction scrubber. Liquid constituents removed and drained from the recycle portion in the surge recycle separator drum are fed to the feed scrubber.

Abstract: A catalyst for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising a carrier and, deposited on the carrier, silver, a rhenium promoter, a first co-promoter, and a second co-promoter; wherein the quantity of the rhenium promoter deposited on the carrier is greater than 1 mmole/kg, relative to the weight of the catalyst; the first co-promoter is selected from sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and mixtures thereof; the second co-promoter is selected from tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, and mixtures thereof; and the total quantity of the first co-promoter and the second co-promoter deposited on the carrier is at most 3.8 mmole/kg, relative to the weight of the catalyst; a process for preparing the catalyst; a process for preparing an olefin oxide by reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst; and a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, a 1,2-carbonate, or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: Processes for reducing the amount of a gaseous iodide-containing impurity present in a recycle gas stream used in the production of ethylene oxide, in particular a vinyl iodide impurity, are provided. Processes for producing ethylene oxide, ethylene carbonate and/or ethylene glycol, and associated reaction systems are similarly provided.

Abstract: A process for producing methane from a biomass, biomass-containing and/or biomass-derived feedstock is provided. The process comprises: a) providing in a hydropyrolysis reactor vessel a hydropyrolysis catalyst composition, said composition comprising one or more active metals supported on an oxide-based support, said one or more active metals comprising at least one of cobalt and nickel and said one or more active metals being present in total in an amount in the range of from 2 to 75 wt % based on the overall weight of the catalyst composition; b) contacting the feedstock with said hydropyrolysis catalyst composition and molecular hydrogen in said hydropyrolysis reactor vessel, to produce a first product stream comprising char, catalyst fines and gases comprising hydrogen and hydrocarbons, of which hydrocarbons at least 70 wt % is methane and, optionally, CO and CO2; and c) removing said char and catalyst fines from said first product stream.