Abstract: A process for converting a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil in which the pyrolysis oil is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a certain catalyst containing one or more Group VIII metals is provided. The catalyst is prepared by (a) comulling (1) a refractory oxide, (2) a small amount of liquid, chosen such that the Loss On Ignition (LOI) at 485° C. of the mixture is from equal to or more than 20 wt % to equal to or less than 70 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst composition, and (3) at least one or more metal component(s), which is/are at least partially insoluble in the amount of liquid used, to form a mixture, and the metal component(s) is/are one or more Group VIII metal component, (b) optionally shaping, and drying of the mixture thus obtained; and (c) calcining the composition thus obtained to provide a calcined catalyst.

Abstract: A pipe-clamping mattress has a first pipe-clamping block and a second pipe-clamping block. The first and second pipe-clamping blocks have a recessed surface, which together form a cavity for receiving a subsea pipeline. A bottom surface adjacent the recessed surface of each of the first and second blocks is adapted to rest on a seafloor when the recessed surfaces of the first and second blocks are placed around the subsea pipeline.

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 alkyl iodide and vinyl iodide impurities, are provided. Processes for producing ethylene oxide, ethylene carbonate and/or ethylene glycol, and associated reaction systems are similarly provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of the oxidative dehydrogenation of an alkane containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and/or the oxidation of an alkene containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein oxygen, water and the alkane and/or alkene are fed to a reactor and are contacted with a mixed metal oxide catalyst containing molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and optionally tellurium in the reactor, and wherein the molar ratio of water as fed to the reactor to oxygen as fed to the reactor is smaller than 1:1.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed. The process may include contacting, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed with a bi-functional catalyst system which may include a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst including a magnetically active metal, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst including tungstate. A liquid effluent stream may be obtained from the reactor and may include hydrogenation catalyst particles and tungsten oxide precipitate particles. The hydrogenation catalyst particles may be magnetically separated from the tungsten oxide precipitate particles in the liquid effluent stream using a magnet in a separation vessel. The separated hydrogenation catalyst particles may be retained in a separation zone in the separation vessel and may be subsequently removed from the separation zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an exhaust gas comprising methane and NO. The exhaust gas is contacted with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen to oxidize at least part of the methane in the gas stream to carbon dioxide and water and at least part of the NO into NO2 obtaining a treated gas stream. The catalyst comprises one or more noble metals supported on non-modified zirconia, wherein the zirconia comprises tetragonal zirconia and monoclinic zirconia, and wherein the weight ratio of tetragonal zirconia to monoclinic zirconia is in the range of from 1:1 to 31:1.

Abstract: An improved process for the hydroconversion of micro carbon residue content of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks by the use of a catalyst composition that is especially useful in the conversion of micro carbon residue of such feedstocks. The catalyst composition is a low surface area composition that further has a specifically define pore structure the combination of which provides for its enhance micro carbon residue conversion property.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural including: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one inorganic acid, at least one organic acid and a solvent mixture comprising an aromatic solvent and an oxygenate solvent, to a first separation step providing: (i) a first organic phase; (b) subjecting the first organic phase to a first distillation step providing: (i) a first top stream comprising furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid; (c) subjecting the first top stream from step (b) to a second separation step providing: (i) a second top stream enriched with furfural; (d) subjecting the second top stream from step (c) to a second distillation step providing: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of the oxidative dehydrogenation of an alkane containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and/or the oxidation of an alkene containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, comprising contacting a first gas stream comprising oxygen and the alkane containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and/or the alkene containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms with a mixed metal oxide catalyst containing molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and optionally tellurium; followed by contacting a second gas stream comprising methane, an inert gas or oxygen or any combination of two or more of these with the catalyst, wherein the second gas stream comprises 0 to 25 vol. % of the alkane containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and/or alkene containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst system comprising: a) one or more Group 1 metal phosphotungstate-containing species; and b) one or more catalytic species suitable for hydrogenation; and a process for the preparation of monoethylene glycol from starting material comprising one or more saccharides, by contacting said starting material with hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a solvent and said catalyst system.

Abstract: An imager and method for imaging fluid of a subsurface formation is disclosed. The imager includes a housing having a sidewall defining a passage to receive a core sample of the subsurface formation therethrough. The housing is positioned in a downhole tool and has a fluid inlet to receive fluid from the subsurface formation into the passage. The imager also includes a permanent magnet positioned in the sidewall of the housing, a radio frequency coil positioned in the sidewall of the housing between the permanent magnet and the passage, a gradient field in the sidewall of the housing between the permanent magnet and the radio frequency coil, and a chemically-selective imager. The chemically-selective imager is operatively connected to the radio frequency coil to selectively pulse frequencies according to a pulse sequence whereby individual fluid measurements of the sample are generated.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for converting biomass into furfural. The process may include subjecting a pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process in a digestion vessel to produce a digested product stream comprising C5-carbohydrates and solids comprising cellulose. The digested product stream may be separated into a liquid product stream and a solid product stream comprising lignin and cellulose. The solids product stream may be contacted with water and an organic solvent, thereby converting at least part of the lignin to a phenolic solvent. The C5-carbohydrate in the liquid product stream may be subjected to a dehydration reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a biphasic mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic phase, wherein the water-immiscible organic phase includes at least a portion of the phenolic solvent, to produce furfural or a furan derivative.

Abstract: An integrated hydrocracking and solvent deasphalting process that provides for removal from the heavy oil recycle stream heavy polycyclic aromatic compounds formed in the hydrocracking step and recycling the resulting deasphalted paraffinic oil as a feed to the hydrocracker reactor of the process for further conversion.

Abstract: Methods of laying subsea pipeline (1300) on a seafloor comprising: providing a pipe laying vessel (1100), placing a spooling structure assembly (1200) on the seafloor, and laying the subsea pipeline (1300) in a loop around the spooling structure assembly and associated systems.

Abstract: A process for preparing a urea-sulphur fertiliser is disclosed. Urea and sulphur are supplied to a dispersion mill wherein a rotor turns within a slotted stator, thereby providing a dispersion of molten urea and molten sulphur; and the dispersion of molten urea and molten sulphur is supplied to a forming unit to provide the urea-sulphur fertiliser.

Abstract: A solids distributor (100) comprising: a solids standpipe (110); a gas line (120); a solids transfer line (130) in fluid communication with the solids standpipe (110) and the gas line (120); and a distributor (140) in fluid communication with the solids transfer line (130). A solids distributor system comprising the a vessel and the solids distributor (100) and a method of distributing fluidized solids.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition for internal combustion engines is disclosed. The composition exhibits a lower coefficient of friction and improved cleaning properties without causing a deterioration in thermal and oxidation stability.

Abstract: A process for preparing a micronutrient-enriched phosphate-based fertilizer is disclosed. An aqueous fertilizer mixture comprising phosphoric acid and/or phosphate rock is prepared and optionally granulated in granulator unit. The pH of the fertilizer mixture is measured and controlled such that the pH is maintained within a predefined range.

Abstract: Low sulphur marine fuel compositions are provided. Embodiments comprise greater than 50 to 90 wt % of a residual hydrocarbon component comprising at least one of an atmospheric tower bottoms (ATB) residue and a vacuum tower bottoms residues (VTB), wherein the residual hydrocarbon component has a kinematic viscosity at ˜50 degrees C. of at least 100 cSt; and at least 10 and up to 50 wt % of a non-hydroprocessed hydrocarbon component comprising deasphalted oil (DAO), where the marine fuel composition has a kinematic viscosity at ˜50 degrees C. of at least 10 cSt. Embodiments of the marine fuel composition can have a sulphur content of about 0.1 wt % or less.

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 an alkyl iodide impurity, are provided. Processes for producing ethylene oxide, ethylene carbonate and/or ethylene glycol, and associated reaction systems are similarly provided.