Abstract: This method comprises cooling the feed natural gas in a first heat exchanger and introducing the cooled, feed natural gas into a first separation flask. It comprises the dynamic expansion of a turbine supply flow in a first expansion turbine and introducing the expanded flow into a separation column. This method comprises removing, at the head of the separation column, a head flow rich in methane and removing a first recirculation flow from the compressed head flow rich in methane. The method comprises forming at least a second recirculation flow obtained from the head flow rich in methane downstream of the separation column and forming a dynamic expansion flow from the second recirculation flow.

Abstract: This device comprises a drum (42) to be driven in rotation about a central axis (B-B?), wherein the drum (42) defines a circumferential casing (50) for winding the elongate element around the central axis (B-B?), wherein the elongate element is intended to form at least one turn around the central axis (B-B?) on the circumferential casing (50). It comprises a mechanism (44) for driving the turn(s) of the elongate element along the circumferential casing (50). The drive mechanism (44) comprises at least one assembly (80) following movement of the turn in a direction of movement (D) forming a non-zero angle with the local axis of the turn, taken at a contact region of the turn on the movement assembly (80).

Abstract: Process for treating an alcohol composition containing nitrogen-containing contaminants by contacting the alcohol composition with an adsorbent in an adsorption zone. The adsorbent is a transition metal-loaded solid porous material selected from aluminosilicates, silica-aluminas, silicates and aluminas, and the alcohol composition is contacted with the adsorbent either alone or in the presence of an inert carrier gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of a dehydrogenation section of an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon production facility, wherein an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as ethylbenzene, is dehydrogenated to produce an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as styrene. The disclosed methods are more energy-efficient and cost effective than currently known methods for manufacturing styrene. The methods and systems advantageously utilize multiple reheat exchangers arranged in a series and/or parallel configuration that result in an energy consumption reduction and, consequently, a utility cost savings, as well as a reduction in styrene manufacturing plant investment costs.

Abstract: A passive heave compensator comprising: a main hydraulic cylinder, including a moveable piston having a piston rod extendible through the main hydraulic cylinder and a piston head, a gas phase above the piston head, and at least one oil phase below the piston head separated by a boundary; an upper connection point associated with the main hydraulic cylinder and a lower connection point associated with the piston rod; and at least one accumulator, the or each accumulator having a moveable separator to divide the accumulator between a gas phase above the separator, and an oil phase below the separator, and the or each oil phase being in communication with an oil phase in the main hydraulic cylinder; characterized in that the main hydraulic cylinder further comprises a cylinder sleeve co-axial with the piston head to provide, in co-ordination with the piston head, the boundary between the gas phase and the at least one oil phase in the main hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reduced-energy improvements in methods and systems to produce styrene monomer via ethylbenzene dehydrogenation. The methods and systems reduce utility cost and provide savings in comparison with the current technology practiced in the industry.

Abstract: The assembly includes a one group (40A to 40C) of hydraulic shock absorbers (42), each shock absorber (42) comprising a hydraulic jack comprising a cylinder designed to be supported by the first element (14), and a shock-absorbing member partially received in the cylinder. The shock-absorbing member has a head protruding outside the cylinder, the head being designed to come into contact with the second element during mounting of the second element on the first element (14). The shock-absorbing assembly (17) includes, for each group (40A to 40C) of shock absorbers (42), a fluid accumulator (44) connected to each cylinder of the group of shock absorbers (42), to allow a hydraulic fluid transfer between the different cylinders of the group of shock absorbers (42) during contact between each head and the second element.

Abstract: An underwater support device and an installation method for initiating the buckling of a section of rigid underwater pipe (16) deployed on a seabed (14). The device has a longitudinal support (22) capable of being installed between the seabed and the section of rigid underwater pipe (16) in a transverse direction, in such a way as to be able to locally detach the section of rigid underwater pipe (16) from the seabed (14) and allow the rigid underwater pipe (16) to be moved relative to said longitudinal support (22) in the direction of the longitudinal support. The device also has a link member (36) to secure the rigid underwater pipe (16) and the longitudinal support (22) in such a way as to be able to install said longitudinal support (22) on the seabed (14) by deploying the section of rigid pipe (26) on the seabed (14).

Abstract: A passive heave compensator having: a main hydraulic cylinder, including a moveable piston having a piston rod extendible through the main hydraulic cylinder and a piston head to divide the main hydraulic cylinder between a gas phase above the piston head, and oil phase below the piston head; an upper connection point associated with the main hydraulic cylinder and a lower connection point associated with the piston rod; and an accumulator having a moveable separator to divide the accumulator between a gas phase above the separator, and an oil phase below the separator and being in communication with the oil phase in the main hydraulic cylinder; wherein an oil phase includes a magnetorheological substance, and that the passive heave compensator includes one or more electromagnetic controllers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that conditions high entrance velocity, superheated feed gas, which include some high boiling components, for example, asphaltenes and poly-nuclear aromatics that tend to coke upon condensation and exposure to the superheated feed gas temperature. Also included in superheated feed gas are solid catalyst fines, from a single or multiple feed nozzles to a quiescent flow regime for uniform distribution of the gases, to a contact device within the Main Fractionator (MF) column.

Abstract: A method of abandoning a pipeline being laid by a pipelaying vessel, wherein said pipeline is being held by a lay tower comprising a pipelaying and tensioning arrangement, comprising at least the steps of: (a) linking the end of the pipeline (103) to a flexible tubular handling conduit (102); (b) separately linking the pipeline to a lifting wire (104); and (c] lowering the pipeline towards the sea floor. In this way, the present invention, using the load capacity of both a flexible tubular handling conduit and a lifting wire for at least some of the pipeline lowering, is able to operate either more safely at existing depths, or at even greater depths to an ocean floor than before, or both.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method of monitoring a mooring system for a floating vessel using the time of the natural period independent of environmental conditions. The natural period can be calculated and/or established experientially over time by measuring movement of the vessel to establish the natural period at given geographical positions of a secure and intact mooring system. The natural period can be monitored based on the time to complete a natural period. A change in a mooring line stiffness, whether by a failure, stretching, a degradation of the mooring line integrity, or a significant displacement of the anchoring point, will be translated into a different natural period with a different time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flexible submarine pipe comprising a plurality of layers, at least one layer of which comprises a polymer resin comprising at least one alumino-silicate or magnesium silicate nanotube chemically bonded to the polymer by a covalent bond, the method for preparing same and the use thereof for the transport of fluids, especially hydrocarbons.

Abstract: This element includes a plurality of longitudinal carbon fiber filaments (52) and a polymeric matrix (50) receiving the filaments (52) for binding them together, the matrix (50) forming a ribbon intended to be wound around a longitudinal body of the flexible line. The armor element (42) includes at least one optical fiber (54) received in the matrix (50), the optical fiber (54) having an elongation at break of more than 2%, as measured with the ASTM-D 885-03 standard.

Abstract: An umbilical for use in the offshore production of hydrocarbons, the umbilical comprising at least one electric cable, the electric cable comprising at least one electric conductor (18), and at least one electric conductor (18) comprising plurality of electric strands having interstices (15), wherein the interstices are filled with a metal-based material. In this way, there is provided an umbilical with a ‘void-free1 or completely gap-filled conductor construction which therefore prevents water or gas migration or transport along such a conductor.

Abstract: A method of laying a subsea pipeline from a reel, the pipeline having an in-line first locking member, the method having at least the steps of: (a) laying the pipeline under the water from the reel; (b) cutting the pipeline above the first locking member; (c) coupling the first locking member with a complementary second locking member; and (d) lowering the first and second locking members under the water. In this way, the pipeline already has located within it a suitable locking member for the abandoning operation, avoiding the need for a separate off-shore welding operation.

Abstract: The method according to the invention comprises the separation of a feed stream (16) into a first fraction (60) and a second fraction (62) and the injection of at least part of the second fraction (62) into a second dynamic expansion turbine (46) to form a second expanded fraction (80). It comprises the cooling of the second expanded fraction (80) through heat exchange with at least part of the first headstream (84) coming from a first column (28) and the formation of a second feed stream (82) of the first column (28) from the second cooled expanded fraction.

Abstract: A device and method for processing decoke effluent to remove particulate matter and pollutant gases is provided, with particular concern for meeting ever more stringent environmental standards.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of an alcohol composition containing nitrogen-containing contaminants by contacting the alcohol composition in the vapor phase with an adsorbent in an adsorption zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for reducing ovality in pipe for joining to pipe components by using a plug coupled on an inside surface of the pipe and a sacrificial component coupled to the end of the pipe to establish a coupling interface. The plug, the sacrificial component, or a combination thereof assists in minimizing ovality changes during use of the pipe, particularly at the end of the pipe. When the pipe is to be coupled with a pipe component, the pipe and sacrificial component are separated at a different location than the coupling interface along the pipe in proximity to the plug. The plug is left coupled to the sacrificial component, and generally slidably engaged with the pipe. The plug and the sacrificial component can be removed from engagement with the pipe. The pipe and the pipe component can be coupled together.