Abstract: Systems and methods perform analytics and visualization of Big Data. A multiscale geosocial network apparatus can be used for identifying prospective customers and communities of customers with shared interests. A model and visualization of customer signatures for analyzing trends in customer behaviors and making long-term forecasts about future customer activities. An analytics and visualization tool is presented for inventory management using comprehensive event analysis. A set of methods for optimizing shipping and storage costs uses historical data from a variety of data sources including social media platforms and business records of a corporation. The system and method take, as input, data and transform that data into insights that can provide guidance for a variety of decisions including new customer acquisition, managing customer portfolios, inventory management, and optimization of logistics as well as strategic business decisions and planning.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.

Abstract: A process for thermochemical conversion of heavy oil and petroleum coke to fluid fuels includes the steps of: providing a fossil fuel selected from the group consisting of heavy oil, petroleum coke and mixtures thereof; and exposing the fossil fuel to an external source of concentrated radiation so as to increase the temperature of the fossil fuel, supply high-temperature heat required for the desired endothermic conversion process, and convert the fossil fuel to a product selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, gaseous hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for thermochemical conversion of heavy oil and petroleum coke to fluid fuels includes the steps of: providing a fossil fuel selected from the group consisting of heavy oil, petroleum coke and mixtures thereof; and exposing the fossil fuel to an external source of concentrated radiation so as to increase the temperature of the fossil fuel, supply high-temperature heat required for the desired endothermic conversion process, and convert the fossil fuel to a product selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, gaseous hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for fabricating an x-ray mask tool which can achieve pattern features having lateral dimension of less than 1 micron. The process begins by depositing a conductive metal layer onto one surface of a silicon wafer. A thin photoresist and a standard lithographic mask are then used to transfer an trace image pattern onto the opposite surface of the wafer by exposing and developing the resist. The exposed portion of the silicon substrate is anisotropically etched through the wafer thickness down to conductive metal layer to provide an etched pattern consisting of a series of rectilinear channels and recesses in the silicon which serve as the silicon micro-mold. Microcomponents are prepared with this mold by first filling the mold channels and recesses with a metal deposit, typically by electroplating, and then removing the silicon micro-mold by chemical etching.

Abstract: A process comprises providing a catalyst comprising a support, a microwave absorption material, and a catalytically active phase; heating the catalyst with a source of microwave energy which is absorbed by said microwave absorption material to increase the temperature of the catalyst to a desired temperature; and contacting said heated catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock for upgrading same.

Abstract: A process comprises providing a catalyst comprising a support, a microwave absorption material, and a catalytically active phase; heating the catalyst with a source of microwave energy which is absorbed by said microwave absorption material to increase the temperature of the catalyst to a desired temperature; and contacting said heated catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock for upgrading same.

Abstract: Process obtains improved viscosity and improved distillates proportion in heavy hydrocarbons, as heavy crude oil, by providing a feedstock of heavy hydrocarbons containing a water content of greater than or equal to 1% with respect to the weight of the hydrocarbons and reacting said hydrocarbons with a gas containing methane under pressure and at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrocatalytic process for treating vacuum gas oils, residual feedstocks or mixtures thereof in the presence of up to 100 ppm of V and Ni at moderate hydrogen partial pressures. The process consists of two or more stages: (a) demetallization of feedstock to levels below 10 ppm of V and Ni, and (b) hydrodenitrogenation and hydroconversion of catalysts using a combined bed, and catalytic cracking of the 370.degree. C..+-. fraction to obtain gasolines. This process applies also to vacuum gas oils obtained from other processes, such as FCC, Flexicoque, etc.

Abstract: A natural active stable catalyst for use in the hydrodemetallization (HDM) and the hydroconversion (HC) of heavy crudes and residues and, in particular, a method for the preparation of the catalyst from natural clay and a process for the treatment of heavy crudes and residues with the catalyst. The catalyst is free of hydrogenating metals of Groups VIB and VIII of the Periodic Table and comprises primarily iron, silica and alumina derived from the composition of the natural clay. The catalyst possesses a surface area of between 20 to 100 m.sup.2 /g, a total pore volume of between 0.20 to 0.90 cc/g, where 50 to 100% of the total pore volume contains pores of diameter greater than 400 .ANG.. The catalyst has a ratio I(Fe)/I(Si+Al) of between 0.2 to 0.9 as determined by XPS.

Abstract: Heavy crudes or vacuum residues are treated in a thermal hydroconversion process in the presence of a metal catalyst from Groups IVb, Vb, VIb, VIIb and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements and water. Fresh catalyst is introduced into the process as a soluble, metallic catalyst precursor which is then decomposed while feedstock admixed with water is preheated to a temperature of at least about 230.degree. C. but no more than about 420.degree. C.

Abstract: A natural active stable catalyst for use in the hydrodemetallization (HDM) and the hydroconversion (HC) of heavy crudes and residues and, in particular, a method for the preparation of the catalyst from natural clay and a process for the treatment of heavy crudes and residues with the catalyst. The catalyst is free of hydrogenating metals of Groups VIB and VIII of the Periodic Table and comprises primarily iron, silica and alumina derived from the composition of the natural clay. The catalyst possesses a surface area of between 20 to 100 m.sup.2 /g, a total pore volume of between 0.20 to 0.90 cc/g, where 50 to 100% of the total pore volume contains pores of diameter greater than 400 .ANG.. The catalyst has a ratio I(Fe)/I(Si+Al) of between 0.2 to 0.9 as determined by XPS.

Abstract: A catalyst for the hydrotreatment of heavy crudes and residues and a method for the preparation thereof are claimed, specifying an amount of Group VIb metallic hydrogenation compound irreversibly absorbed by the silica or alumina extruded support structure surface to be between 0.5 and 3% of the dried and calcined catalyst by weight. The percentage limit on the hydrogenation compound can be achieved by either obtaining a dense alumina support structure having a novel pore diameter distribution, or treating a prior art support with an absorption site restricter such as MgO prior to hydrogenation compound impregnation. Subsequent fabrication steps comprise washing, drying, calcining and presulfurizing. The resultant catalyst has a monolayer of hydrogenating compound deposited on the reaction surface, and interfering compounds such as massive MoO.sub.3, Al(MoO.sub.4).sub.3 or polymolybdates are not formed.