Abstract: A process and system are described for the processing of gas associated with crude oil production, i.e. associated gas. A separation complex is used to separate produced fluids produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir into crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, water, and natural gas. At least a portion of the natural gas is converted into synthesis gas in a synthesis gas generator. A combination of a synthesis gas conversion catalysts and hydroconversion catalysts are used in a synthesis gas reactor to convert the synthesis gas into a liquid effluent stream containing liquefied petroleum gas and a synthetic crude oil. The liquefied petroleum gas and synthetic crude oil from the synthesis gas reactor is sent to the separation complex. Liquefied petroleum gas is separated both from the synthetic crude oil and a natural crude oil obtained from the produced fluids.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for desulfurizing hydrocarbon streams are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method for desulfurizing a hydrocarbon stream includes separating the hydrocarbon stream into a heavier fraction and a lighter fraction. The heavier fraction includes a relatively higher amount of lower octane mono-unsaturates and the lighter fraction includes a relatively higher amount of higher octane mono-unsaturates. The method further includes hydrodesulfurizing the heavier fraction in a first hydrodesulfurization zone and hydrodesulfurizing the lighter fraction in a second hydrodesulfurization zone. Further, the method forms a hydrodesulfurized stream from the heavier fraction and the lighter fraction.

Abstract: An asphalt recovery system may include an extractor, a desolventizer, and an evaporator. During operation, the extractor may receive a solvent and roofing waste and extract asphalt from the roofing waste with the solvent. The desolventizer may receive a solvent-wet solids stream from the extractor and vaporize solvent from the solvent-wet solids stream to yield desolventized solids. The evaporator may receive an asphalt-rich solvent stream from the extractor and vaporize solvent from the stream to produce a solvent stream and an asphalt stream. By configuring the evaporator to operate at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, the boiling point in the evaporator may increase as compared to operating the evaporator at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In turn, this may keep the viscosity of asphalt within the evaporator less than 500 centipoise, which may improve heat transfer to the asphalt and prevent that asphalt from plugging the evaporator.

Abstract: This invention reveals a method for synthesizing a hydrotreating catalyst wherein the support is prepared by mixing of peptized alumina with an amorphous silica or crystalline aluminum silicate as one component of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises a group VI metal and/or a group VIII metal of the periodic table. The catalyst exhibits improved hydrocracking, hydrodesulfurization and hydrodemetallization activities and has a relatively stable life with time on stream. Thus, the invention concerns a method for developing a catalyst for hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks which is characterized by two steps: the first step consists of the optimization of a catalyst formulation with respect to the textural properties, number of acid sites, active metal incorporation. The second step consists of the evaluation with real feedstock and catalyst stability with time-on-stream.

Abstract: An aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention is a device for cracking heavy hydrocarbons. A linear applicator is positioned within heavy oil containing aromatic molecules. A radio frequency electrical current source is electrically connected to the applicator at a first connection point and a second connection point to create a closed electrical loop. The radio frequency source is configured to apply a signal to the applicator that is sufficient to create a magnetic field and an electric field relative to the axis of the linear applicator. The device also includes a chamber positioned around the applicator generally between the first connection point and the second connection point to concentrate the magnetic field within a region surrounding the applicator and containing the heavy hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for refining crude oil can be controlled to mitigate fouling by deploying a refractive index probe at a location suitable for making a crude oil stability determination, wherein the crude oil stability determination is relevant to controlling the refining process; making a measurement of crude oil stability; and then controlling the process for refining crude oil by maintaining the process or implementing a change to the process, based upon the determination of crude oil stability. This concept can also be applied to transporting, blending, and storing crude oil.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon-extracting solvent containing DMSO, Cellosolve, or a mixture thereof; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the hydrocarbon-extracting solvent to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the hydrocarbon-extracting solvent; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A process for the hydroprocessing of a low-value light cycle oil (LCO) hydrocarbon feed to provide a high-value diesel-range product. The process comprises a hydrotreatment stage followed by a hydrocracking stage, each of which is conducted under liquid-full reaction conditions wherein substantially all the hydrogen supplied to the hydrotreating and hydrocracking reactions is dissolved in the liquid-phase hydrocarbon feed. Ammonia and optionally other gases formed during hydrotreatment are removed in a separation step prior to hydrocracking. The LCO feed is advantageously converted to diesel in high yield with little loss of hydrocarbon to naphtha.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided to produce desulfurized diesel at low pressure with high cetane rating. A hydrotreated stream is stripped and fed to a saturation reactor. The saturated stream is stripped again and fractionated to provide diesel product. Unconverted oil may be hydrocracked and stripped with the saturated product.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for initializing hydroprocessing. Generally, the process can include providing a hydrocarbon feed to a hydrotreating zone within which the hydrotreating temperature is catalytically limited, passing an effluent from the hydrotreating zone to a hydrocracking zone, and adding a gas to the effluent that has a higher temperature than the effluent. Thus, the temperature of the effluent may be raised, facilitating hydrocracking reactions within the hydrocracking zone.

Abstract: A method of converting carbon containing compounds such as coal, methane or other hydrocarbons into a liquid hydrocarbon fuel utilizes a high pressure, high temperature reactor which operates upon a blend of a carbon compound including CO2 and a carbon source, a catalyst, and steam. Microwave power is directed into the reactor. The catalyst, preferably magnetite, will act as a heating media for the microwave power and the temperature of the reactor will rise to a level to efficiently convert the carbon and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process for employing supercritical water, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, for the cracking of sulfones sulfoxides and mixtures thereof, which have been recovered and separated after the oxidative desulfurization of a stream of crude oil or distilled fractions thereof.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is hydrocracked in a hydrocracking zone and the effluent is fractioned to recover a light fraction, a middle fraction containing aromatic compounds and a heavy fraction. The heavy fraction is recycled to the hydrocracking zone for further hydrocracking. The middle fraction is introduced to an aromatic separation zone. A product stream is recovered from the aromatic separation zone comprising a middle fraction having a reduced content of aromatic compounds as compared to the middle fraction recovered from the fractionator. Aromatics from the aromatic separation zone are recycled to the hydrocracking zone for further hydrogenation and cracking.

Abstract: Recycle of an extract stream containing a contaminant is used to improve recovery of hydrocarbons in a contaminant removal process. At least a portion of an extract stream is recycled to a contaminant extraction zone and contacted with rich ionic liquid. Contaminants in the recycle extract stream are transferred to the rich ionic liquid.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for extracting sulfur compounds in a hydrocarbon stream. The process can include feeding a hydrocarbon stream containing sulfur compounds to a prewash zone containing an alkali, withdrawing a prewashed hydrocarbon stream from the prewash zone, and feeding the prewashed hydrocarbon stream to a mass transfer zone for extracting one or more thiol compounds from the prewashed hydrocarbon stream. Often, the mass transfer zone includes a hollow fiber membrane contactor.

Abstract: A method for improving efficiency of sponge absorption includes providing cold flash drum liquid to an inlet of a cold stripper to produce a cold stripper net overhead vapor stream rich in liquid petroleum gas, and separately providing hot flash drum liquid to an inlet of a hot stripper to produce a hot stripper net overhead vapor stream rich in hydrogen. The cold stripper net overhead vapor stream and the hot stripper net overhead vapor stream are separately routed to a sponge absorber to recover a liquid petroleum gas output stream using sponge oil. In particular, the cold stripper net overhead vapor stream and the hot stripper net overhead vapor stream are separately routed to the sponge absorber at different tray locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods of hydrotreating different naphtha feed stocks destined for a refining reforming unit and other applications with less energy consumption than conventionally possible, while producing less greenhouse gas emissions, and/or using a lesser number of heaters and correspondingly less capital investment in such heaters, air coolers, and water coolers, are provided. According to the more examples of such systems and methods, such reductions are accomplished by directly integrating a naphtha stripping process section with a naphtha splitting process section. Additional reductions can also be accomplished through directly integrating a naphtha hydrotreat reaction process section with the naphtha stripping process section.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method for the improvement of flakes recovery from hydrocarbon processing units and in particular slurry reactors as well as slurry flakes obtained thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improving the yield of distillate products from hydroprocessing of gas oil feedstocks, such as vacuum gas oils. It has been unexpectedly found that stripping of gases or fractionation to separate out a distillate fraction during initial hydrotreatment of a feed can provide a substantial increase in distillate yield at a desired amount of feedstock conversion. The improvement in yield of distillate products can allow a desired level of conversion to be performed on a feedstock for generating lubricating base oil products while reducing or minimizing the amount of naphtha (or lower) boiling range products. Alternatively, the improvement in yield of distillate products can correspond to an improved yield during a single pass through a reaction system, so that distillate yield is increased even though a lubricant boiling range product is not generated.

Abstract: A process for extraction of bitumen and other oil products from sand, other sedimentary deposits and from mine tailings, may comprise flowing solvent through these bitumen-containing materials held in a filter press, where elevated pressures and temperatures may be used. After exposure to solvent the sedimentary deposits may be exposed to hot water, steam and/or vacuum to remove residual solvents. Further embodiments of the bitumen extraction process may include substituting the solvent with hot water or steam. Filter press systems for extracting bitumen are also described.