Abstract: Disclosed is a process for extracting an oil composition from oil sand. The extraction process is carried out using a fluidizing medium to fluidize oil sand particles within a contact zone in which the fluidizing medium contacts the oil sand and maintains the oil sand in the fluidized state. At least a majority of the fluidizing medium is in a vapor or supercritical state within the contact zone.

Abstract: A method of producing a regenerated hydrotreating catalyst, including a first step of preparing a hydrotreating catalyst that has been used for hydrotreatment of a petroleum fraction and has a metal element selected from Group 6 elements of the periodic table; a second step of performing regeneration treatment for part of the catalyst prepared in the first step, then performing X-ray absorption fine structure analysis for the catalyst after the regeneration treatment, and obtaining regeneration treatment conditions in which a ratio IS/IO of a peak intensity IS of a peak attributed to a bond between the metal element and a sulfur atom to a peak intensity IO of a peak attributed to a bond between the metal element and an oxygen atom is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 in a radial distribution curve obtained from an extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectrum.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit share the same recycle gas compressor. A make-up hydrogen stream may also be compressed in the recycle gas compressor. A warm separator separates recycle gas and hydrocarbons from diesel in the hydrotreating effluent, so fraction of the diesel is relatively simple. The warm separator also keeps the diesel product separate from the more sulfurous diesel in the hydrocracking effluent, and still retains heat needed for fractionation of lighter components from the low sulfur diesel product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing low-grade heavy oil, comprising: providing a riser-bed reactor; preheating the low-grade heavy oil and injecting it into the riser reactor to react with solid catalyst particles at the temperature of 550-610° C.; oil-gas, after reacting with the solid catalyst particles in the riser reactor, being introduced into the fluidized bed reactor to continue to react at temperature of 440-520° C. and weight hourly space velocity of 0.5-5 h?1; and the oil-gas, after reacting in the fluidized bed reactor, being separated from coked solid catalyst particles carried therein, and the separated oil-gas being introduced into a fractionation system. The method can effectively remove carbon residues, heavy metals, asphaltenes and other impurities from the low-grade heavy oil, and obtain high liquid product yield in a simple process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from the group formed by metals of group VIB and of group VIII of the periodic table, used alone or as a mixture, and a support comprising at least one zeolite NU-86, at least one zeolite Y and at least one porous mineral matrix containing at least aluminum and/or at least silicon. The invention also relates to a process for hydrocracking of hydrocarbon feeds employing said catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for handling product fluid streams which are obtained in the catalytic hydrogenation of liquid feeds in laboratory catalysis apparatuses. The liquid feeds are preferably hydrocarbons comprising sulfur- and nitrogen-comprising compounds as impurities. The hydrogenation serves to convert the impurities into hydrogen sulfide and ammonia which in this form can be readily separated off from the other constituents of the liquid feed. The product fluid streams are contacted with an inert gas stream, with the flow rate of the inert gas being a multiple of the flow rate of the product fluid stream. The formation of deposits in lines of the region on the outlet side of the reaction space can be effectively prevented by means of the process of the invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dewaxing a distillate fuel oil by subjecting an at least partially hydroprocessed distillate fuel oil to cavitation to reduce the pour point, reduce the cloud point, reduce the cold filter plugging point, or a combination thereof of the distillate fuel oil.

Abstract: A process to facilitate gravimetric separation of alkali metal salts, such as alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides, from alkali metal reacted hydrocarbons. The disclosed process is part of a method of upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock by removing heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals from the hydrocarbon feedstock composition. This method reacts the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and an upgradant hydrocarbon. The alkali metal reacts with a portion of the heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals to form an inorganic phase containing alkali metal salts and reduced heavy metals, and an upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock. The inorganic phase may be gravimetrically separated from the upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock after mixing at a temperature between about 350° C. to 400° C. for a time period between about 15 minutes and 2 hours.

Abstract: Methods are provided for extracting heterocyclic compounds, organometallic compounds, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon feedstock such as crude oil or a crude fraction. The heterocyclic compounds and organometallic compounds are removed from the hydrocarbon feedstock through one or more successive extractions to form a first raffinate. The extractions use a first solvent system containing an ionic liquid formed from carbon dioxide and water. The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are removed from the first raffinate using a second solvent system containing an aprotic solvent such as NMP, DMSO, aromatics, or combinations thereof. The extracted compounds remain chemically intact and may be fractionated for further applications. Further methods are provided for producing a hydrocarbon raffinate having reduced levels of heterocyclic compounds, organometallic compounds, and 2-4 cycle polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for processing an acidic hydrocarbon feed comprising a hydrocarbon material and an acidic constituent soluble in the feed is provided. The method may comprise contacting the feed under a first condition with an active agent having an initial solubility in the feed and the acidic constituent and providing a second condition wherein the active agent has a secondary solubility in the feed lesser than the initial solubility to form a separable enriched active agent phase. The acidic constituent solubility in the active agent may be greater than its solubility in the hydrocarbon material under both the first and second conditions such that the acidic constituent dissolves in the active agent. The acidic constituent solubility in the active agent under the second condition may be greater than its solubility in the active agent under the first condition.

Abstract: A method for producing a lubricant base oil that has a predetermined boiling point range, the method including a first step of bringing a feedstock containing a first hydrocarbon oil having a boiling point in the above boiling point range and a second hydrocarbon oil having a lower boiling point than the boiling point range into contact with a hydroisomerization catalyst, wherein the catalyst contains a support that includes a zeolite having a one-dimensional porous structure including a 10-membered ring and a binder, and platinum and/or palladium supported on the support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for breaking of preferred, but not exclusive, oil-in-water emulsions (O/W) and water separation from crude oil emulsions using surfactants as demulsifying agents derived from natural or synthetic amino acids, which are water soluble. The surfactants are of the methanesulfonate series of glycine ester derivatives with hydrocarbon chains, preferably between C10 and C16, at a concentration between 450 and 900 ppm, at a temperature range of 30 to 60° C. The removal of water from the crude oil by using natural or synthetic amino acid-based demulsifiers is highly efficient (about 80%) and complemented with the action of an electric field typically used in electrostatic separators in crude oil terminals ad oil refineries, increasing the efficiency of water separation substantially, and enabling the production of dehydrated crude oil for further processing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing hydrocarbons are provided. In one embodiment, a method for processing a hydrocarbon stream including lighter hydrocarbons and heavier hydrocarbons includes hydrocracking the lighter hydrocarbons in a hydrocracking reactor. After hydrocracking the lighter hydrocarbons, the method hydrocracks the heavier hydrocarbons in the hydrocracking reactor. The method includes removing from the hydrocracking reactor a hydrocracking effluent comprising a mixture of components formed by hydrocracking the lighter hydrocarbons and hydrocracking the heavier hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Alumina/NiO/ZnO and Alumina/ZnO are synthesized via a novel modified hydrothermal method and investigated for the desulfurization activities. Sulfur compounds such as thiophene, benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) are tested for their removal from model diesel fuel. The prepared composite materials were examined by the means of N2-adsorption, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for producing aromatic compounds from a naphtha feed stream are provided herein. In an embodiment, a process for producing aromatic compounds includes heating the naphtha feed stream to produce a heated naphtha feed stream. The heated naphtha feed stream is reformed within a plurality of reforming stages that are arranged in series to produce a downstream product stream. The plurality of reforming stages is operated at ascending reaction temperatures. The naphtha feed stream is heated by transferring heat from the downstream product stream to the naphtha feed stream to produce the heated naphtha feed stream and a cooled downstream product stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst combination for hydrotreating raw oils and a process for hydrotreating raw oils with the catalyst combination. The catalyst combination comprises one or both of at least one hydrogenation protection catalyst I and at least one hydrogenation demetalling catalyst I; at least one hydrogenation demetalling catalyst II; and at least one hydrogenation treatment catalyst III.

Abstract: Process for the fluidized-bed catalytic cracking of a weakly coking feedstock having a Conradson carbon residue equal to or less than 0.1% by weight and a hydrogen content equal to or greater than 12.7% by weight, comprising at least a step of cracking the feedstock, a step of separating/stripping the effluents from the coked catalyst particles and a step of regenerating said particles, the process being characterized in that at least one coking, carbonaceous and/or hydrocarbonaceous effluent having a content of aromatic compounds of greater than 50% by weight, comprising more than 20% by weight of polyaromatic compounds, is recycled to homogeneously distributed and weakly coked catalyst, before regeneration, in order to adjust the delta coke of the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving a heavy hydrocarbon, such as mined bitumen, to a lighter more fluid product and, more specifically, to a hydrocarbon product that is refinery-ready and that meets pipeline transport criteria without requiring the addition of diluent. The invention is suitable for enhancing recovery from mined Canadian bitumen, but has general application for processing any heavy hydrocarbon, converting the heavy hydrocarbon to a product that is more suitable for pipeline transport.

Abstract: A system for processing hydrocarbon materials, comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock source; a process gas source; a waveguide; and a reaction tube structure. The process gas source comprises one or more sources of gases selected from the group consisting of helium, argon, krypton, neon, xenon, methane, propane, butane, ethane, acetylene, propylene, butylene, ethylene, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The waveguide comprises a lateral portion comprising housing having a first end portion configured to be connected to a microwave generator, a closed opposite end portion, a primary axis extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and a central portion having an opening, wherein the central portion has a depth that is smaller than a corresponding depth of the first end portion and the second end portion, and a coaxial portion having a first end portion connected to the opening and a lateral dimension that is perpendicular to the primary axis.

Abstract: A quenching medium is delivered directly to selected regions or locations within a catalyst bed in a hydroprocessing reactor vessel in order to control the reactivity of a hydroprocess occurring in the selected regions or locations separately from other regions or locations. Temperature sensors for providing temperature indications and conduits for delivering the quench medium are distributed throughout the catalyst bed. One or more conduits can be selected for delivery of the quenching medium to selected regions or locations so that separate control of the level of reactivity in each of various regions or locations throughout the bed can be achieved.