Abstract: The invention relates to methods for making completely biodegradable, hydrophobic, oleophilic plant based materials which are useful in adsorption of petroleum products. The materials have an average diameter of from 1 to 5 mm, and an ash content of from 10% to 30%. The non-paraffin coating is an animal fat product, preferably produced by dissolving a pure animal fat and using this as the coating material.

Abstract: Methods for demulsifying an emulsified petroleum source having a predetermined resin-to-asphaltene ratio without substantial aggregation or precipitation of asphaltenes may include adding a resin supplement to the emulsified petroleum source to form a resin-supplemented emulsion having a resin-to-asphaltene ratio above a predetermined critical value. An acidic-to-basic ratio of acidic functional groups to basic functional groups in the supplemented emulsion may be adjusted to be from about 0.25 to about 4.0. The resin-supplemented emulsion may be contacted with carbon dioxide to form an initial mixture having an emulsified oil phase and an emulsified aqueous phase. The initial mixture may be stabilized to facilitate rupture of the resin-supplemented emulsion, to cause phase separation, and to allow removal of a separated oil phase.

Abstract: Methods for recovering organic heteroatom compounds from a hydrocarbon feedstock include feeding into a contactor a hydrocarbon feedstock and an aqueous solvent to form an extraction mixture of the aqueous solvent with the hydrocarbon feedstock. The hydrocarbon feedstock includes a hydrocarbon and an organic heteroatom compound. The aqueous solvent includes an ionic liquid formed from pressurized carbon dioxide and water. A pressure and temperature of the extraction mixture may be established that together tune the aqueous solvent to selectively form a solvent complex with the at least one organic heteroatom compound. Then, the solvent complex is extracted to a recovery vessel from the extraction mixture in the contactor. By adjustment of a recovery temperature of the recovery vessel, a recovery pressure of the recovery vessel, or both, the solvent complex decomposes into carbon dioxide and the organic heteroatom compound. The organic heteroatom compound is then recovered from the recovery vessel.

Abstract: Methods for recovering organic heteroatom compounds from a hydrocarbon feedstock include feeding into a contactor a hydrocarbon feedstock and an aqueous solvent to form an extraction mixture of the aqueous solvent with the hydrocarbon feedstock. The hydrocarbon feedstock includes a hydrocarbon and an organic heteroatom compound. The aqueous solvent includes an ionic liquid formed from pressurized carbon dioxide and water. A pressure and temperature of the extraction mixture may be established that together tune the aqueous solvent to selectively form a solvent complex with the at least one organic heteroatom compound. Then, the solvent complex is extracted to a recovery vessel from the extraction mixture in the contactor. By adjustment of a recovery temperature of the recovery vessel, a recovery pressure of the recovery vessel, or both, the solvent complex decomposes into carbon dioxide and the organic heteroatom compound. The organic heteroatom compound is then recovered from the recovery vessel.

Abstract: A process for converting carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon fuels using solar energy harnessed with a solar thermal power system to create thermal energy and electricity, using the thermal energy to heat a fuel feed stream, the heated fuel feed stream comprising carbon dioxide and water, the carbon dioxide captured from a flue gas stream, converting the carbon dioxide and water in a syngas production cell, the syngas production cell comprising a solid oxide electrolyte, to create carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and converting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen to hydrocarbon fuels in a catalytic reactor. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide electrolyzer cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for making completely biodegradable, hydrophobic, oleophilic plant based materials which are useful in adsorption of petroleum products. The materials have an average diameter of from 1 to 5 mm, and an ash content of from 10% to 30%. The non-paraffin coating is an animal fat product, preferably produced by dissolving a pure animal fat and using this as the coating material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing mercury from mercury containing materials, such as feedstreams, natural gas streams, natural gas condensates, and so forth. The method involves passing a fluid (e.g., gas or liquid) stream containing mercury along a polymeric membrane contact module, while a cleaning or scrubbing solution passes along the other side of the membrane. The scrubbing solution facilitates removal of mercury from the first solution via, e.g., mercury reactive components contained in it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing mercury from mercury containing materials, such as feedstreams, natural gas streams, natural gas condensates, and so forth. The method involves passing a fluid (e.g., gas or liquid) stream containing mercury along a polymeric membrane contact module, while a cleaning or scrubbing solution passes along the other side of the membrane. The scrubbing solution facilitates removal of mercury from the first solution via, e.g., mercury reactive components contained in it.

Abstract: Irregularly shaped particles of foamed cellular polystyrene having a relatively large surface area produced by comminuting preformed solid blocks or other shapes of molded expanded polystyrene foam articles are spread on floating marine oil spills to agglomerate the oil and maintain it on the surface pending removal, thereby avoiding contamination of the submarine environment. The particles can be distributed in a dry state or mixed with a liquid to facilitate controlled spreading of the lightweight particles.